Hey, June!

I feel like my summer has finally arrived, now that Miss Ohio has concluded. I was out of school the entire month of May, but due to strenuous Miss Ohio preparation in terms of shopping, mock interviews, working out, doing appearances, and catching up on current events, I was holed up inside of my house much of the time. But now, summer has begun! :) 

Today, I had the wonderful opportunity of making an appearance at the Defiance Relay for Life. This event has always intrigued me, but I have never had the opportunity present itself for me to be able to take part in this wonderful event. It is an issue that lies very close to my heart, because my wonderful grandmother lost her battle with leukemia in the fall of 1996. I was blessed to have had her a part of my life for 6 wonderful years, and I constantly think of her, and try to make her proud in everything that I do. I know she would be so proud of me with my recent Miss Ohio accomplishments, especially due to the fact that a lot of my musical talent and inspiration stemmed from her. She was a lovely soprano, and I hope she can hear me sing from Heaven. :) 

In other news, I started my new job on Monday! I was blessed to have a job guarantee waiting for me after Miss Ohio concluded, if another job didn't pan out on Saturday night. ;)

The job I have is serving as a driver to transport food from Northwest State Community College to a site in Fayette, Ohio and in Bryan, Ohio. At the Bryan site, I serve food to low-income children who are in need of a meal. Here is an article of more explanation on my job:

"In 2009, NOCAC (Northwest Ohio Community Action Commission) reinstituted a program to serve lunch to low income children in Northwestern Ohio. In 2010, the program is expanded to eight sites. The program is administered by the Ohio Department of Education, which also administers the school and pre-school lunch programs. They work under the United States Department of Agriculture, Food and Nutrition Division,

to carry out its mission to provide children and needy families better access to food and a more healthful diet through its food assistance programs and comprehensive nutrition education efforts. Those sources provide some reimbursement for the service. Other grant funds are being pursued in order to supplement the reimburse for meals. All low income children, age 1 through 18 (21 if there is a diagnosed disability) may eat without charge." (NOCAC "CONNECTIONS" newsletter, April 2011, Deb Gerken)

In essence, I get paid for roughly 3 1/2 hours of driving and 1 hour of serving food, which also allows me the opportunity to see their faces light up as they receive a meal. It is a job and community service all rolled up into one perfect package! It is by no means going to bulk up my savings account in huge ways, but I am extremely grateful I even have a job at all at this point, due to the difficulty I was having in finding a job throughout the month of May. And, in reality, I get more satisfaction and fulfillment out of helping others than any paycheck ever could grant me. So this is my dream job, for this summer.

I am travelling to Lafayette/Indianapolis area for a long Fourth of July vacation to visit my boyfriend and some other college friends. It will be a much needed vacation to recharge my batteries. Hopefully you will be seeing an update within a few weeks about that weekend, and also any other appearances I may be able to manage to schedule around my job and my three online college courses.

God bless, and thanks for stopping by!

Courtney

Top 10!

Wow, what a crazy few weeks I just had!! :)

First off, before I departed onto my Miss Ohio journey, I did two public appearances, and one private send-off party to prepare for the pageant. I planned a visit to a local senior center named Island Parkway Manor and sang for the residents there. I also spoke about my pageant journey and just visited with the lovely ladies who came to hear me sing. It was such a blessing to see their faces light up as I

visited with them.

I also had the opportunity to be interviewed by Rick Small, radio personality who DJ's on the morning show of Mix 98.1. He is such an enthusiastic person who truly supports me in my dreams for the Miss Ohio crown. He definitely brought

more hometown support my way through his zealous interview.

My Miss Ohio experience this year was absolutely FANTASTIC!

First off, I was paired up to room with Chelsi Howman, who was such a fabulous roommate! Not only was I pumped up for the competition by hearing her awesome banjo playing skills, but she had such a genuine, humorous aura about her, and we really got along well! She always made me laugh throughout the week, and I think we helped each other stay motivated for the big competition. This is a really awesome thing to be able to say, considering I was contestant #3 and she was #4! But we were so supportive of one another, truly! I think I was her biggest fan. :)

My chaperone was Sue Cleland and my hostess was Lori Stephenson, yet again. These two were utterly fantastic as well. So supportive and hilarious and uplifting, they definitely made my Miss Ohio much more enjoyable and helped me keep my sanity. :) Sue going out and buying my fake eyelashes, and Lori surprising us with an icecream cake truly made my week.

In bigger news, I made the TOP TEN!! What?! :) Yes, it's true!

The Lord has truly decided to shine on me this year. I may be as surprised as anyone, but I really worked hard this year, and set my hopes high. I kept my focus off of the other girls, and off of the negative websites, and off of being the best in swimsuit or in talent, and truly tried to tweak my overall appearance so I could project the best overall, consistent image of my true self, and shine for my Lord. He has blessed me so much in allowing me to be in the top 10. I am so proud of myself for all of the hard work I have done to get to where I am, and I am excited to continue working towards Miss Ohio 2012. :)

I already feel like a Miss Ohio because of two sweet girls who approached me after preliminary night 3. I thought I recognized them, and sure enough I did. They had met me at the Waterford Retirement Community when I went there as Miss Fallen Timbers last year for Miss Ohio Community Service Day. They helped me hold my microphone while I sang and played the piano. I remember they were in awe of my piano playing, and I encouraged them to take lessons! That was over a year ago, and now they approached me and told me proudly that they had both started taking piano lessons and had barely stopped playing since! I had made an impact in their lives! My platform was set into motion in a tangible way in that moment. :) These are the moments I cherish and live for.

At the end of the day through moments like these, I remember it isn't all about the crown. It isn't all about the number of awards you receive, or even how much money you attain. It isn't all about how many people understand why you succeed or why you fail. It is about the lives you touch while being a titleholder. Who knows what those girls are capable of in the realm of music, or beyond! Reaching people and making an impact; that is what it is all about.

God bless you all!!

(Check out my facebook, Envisioned Memories, and Ohio Media Group for pictures and videos of my journey) <3