Pageant Season Begins

Today is the day the Miss America Pageant season begins!  I’m so excited:) The anticipation is building.

While some state pageants have already been held, the majority of them will happen in June.  But, today is the kick-off day for Miss Indiana.  Kick-off day is for all of the Miss and Teen contestants competing for the state title.  Tons of information is handed out on this day: Itineraries, scholarship opportunities, contestant paperwork, wardrobe requirements…

It’s a lot to take in, but necessary.  This is the second time I have come to the Miss Indiana Kick-off to talk about something that is becoming increasingly important in my life.  In June 2010, my friends (Michael Nash, Member Miss Indiana Board of Directors, Megan Meadors, Miss Indiana 2008 and Claire Buffie, Miss New York 2010) and I started a scholarship award in honor of our dear friend and biggest supporter Joy Robbins.  Joy and her husband Jim have always been the greatest supporters of the Miss Indiana and truly the entire Miss America Organization through interview and scholarship assistance.  Joy wanted nothing more than to see a Miss Indiana win the Miss America title and during my year of service, Joy was my biggest cheerleader following every step! 

Sadly, Joy lost the battle to breast cancer in January 2010.  My friends and I wanted to do something that would extend her legacy in a way that she would have wanted.  We created a scholarship in her name, the Joy of Life Award, and offered it to a Miss contestant competing in 2010.  17 contestants applied for the award through a 300 word essay about one of Joy’s favorite quotes, “Cherish Yesterday.  Live Today.  Dream Tomorrow,”  One contestant was chosen as the recipient of the $250 scholarship. 

This year, we have a sponsor, New Sunshine, LLC.  I was able to announce at the Kick-off that because we now have a sponsor, we will provide a $500 scholarship to a Teen contestant and a $1,000 scholarship to a Miss contestant.  The quote this year is, “People don’t care how much you know, until they know how much you care.” 

What an honor to be able to extend and grow Joy’s legacy!  I know that she would be proud!

After all of the great information at the Kick-off was handed out, all of the contestants changed outfits and headed over to Woodland Bowl in Indianapolis for the Children’s Miracle Network Bowlathon.  Each contestant put together a team of family, friends and supporters, and all of the money went directly to children’s hospitals.  I had a great time helping get items for the silent auction, setting up the registration table and bowling with  some of our very own CMN kids and families.  I didn’t bowl the best game of my life, but it was so much more important to create a long-lasting memory for those kids from Riley Children’s Hospital.  Lots of love for CMN!

XOXO-Katie