Life of Miss Alabama, Never a Dull Moment

Well, here we are again.  I apologize for the lack of updates for the entire month of July.  As you will see in a few minutes, there was quite a bit going on in July.  I am so blessed to be able to attend all of these appearances and events, and am thoroughly enjoying myself on a daily basis.

As usual, my workouts continue 3 times a week.  It is amazing to me how all three of the men at One-to-One have their own roles in my life.  Beau continues to push me to the limit each and every workout while helping me remember to slow down and enjoy myself, Reed keeps us all guessing and helps us to remember there is so much to enjoy out in the great big world, and Tip helps me remember who I am and WHOSE I am.  I couldn't make it without these wonderful people building me up and encouraging me on a daily basis.

One of the most enjoyable meetings I had during the month of July was one at the Shops of Grand River in Leeds.  They have graciously decided to jump on board and become one of our latest clothing sponsors.  It was unexpected and very much appreciated.  I met with Karen from Corporate in New Jersey and Jamie who works in Marketing at the shops here in Leeds.  We met 2 days back to back and went shopping for a new Miss Alabama wardrobe.  We got some BEAUTIFUL clothes from Banana Republic, FABULOUS shoes from Guess, and accessories here and there and in between.  I am going to be able to wear these wonderful outfits at America's Outstanding Teen in Orlando in a couple of weeks.  The generosity of ALL of our sponsors never ceases to amaze me, and I am overwhelmed with their support of this organization.

Another exciting event this month was the Celebrity Waitress Event put on by Mia Callens at Johnny Ray's in Chelsea. The event was a fundraiser for the Children's Miracle Network.    I was able to be in the company of a few of the top 10 finalists from Alabama's Outstanding Teen, as well as a very nice pig :-) We met so many wonderful people from the surrounding areas who were very generous to the Children's Miracle Network.  Mia and I signed autographs and mingled with the many customers that night.  It was so much fun to spend time with these very well-rounded young women.  They are all very special and have so much to look forward to in their individual lives.

One night, I decided to go as a "civilian" to the Greater Birmingham Auburn Club with my family.  Well, little did I know the Chairman of events was a former mayor of Clay, my hometown.  He saw I was coming and decided to add the family to the VIP list and asked me to share a few words at the main event before Coach Chizik spoke.  OF COURSE, I was on board with the plan.  I got to meet Coach Chizik and share a couple of words with the Auburn family about the Miss Alabama Organization.  They were very receptive and it never hurts to educate just a few more people of the great opportunities that come with the job of Miss Alabama.  I had such a great time mingling with my Auburn Family.

The next weekend were a couple of pageants I had the pleasure of emceeing.  The first one of the pageant-palooza, as I called it, was Miss Shelby County.  The people of Columbiana were as gracious as ever.  I enjoyed spending more time with these lovely people.  We ate dinner at The Hill residence where I had the best tomato sandwich I have ever eaten.  My mom always LOVED a good tomato sandwich and I know she would have gone crazy over this one.  If you are ever in Shelby County, I am sure there is a buzz in the air about the "Southern Living recipe worthy tomato sandwiches".  After having dinner with the wonderful panel of judges, it was off to the pageant.  These contestants did not disappoint and were as entertaining as ever.  Sydnii Todd was deemed the new Miss Shelby County.  On Sunday afternoon,  I was asked to emcee the Miss North Jefferson Area and Miss Magnolia Festival Pageant.  This was a two-for-one pageant where 2 girls walked away as titleholders.  The pageant was in Gardendale and the people of Gardendale were so nice to be around. The contestants were wonderful and I am once again glad I do not have to make the decision of who wins.... Amanda Whitaker was named Miss Magnolia Festival and Hayley Jones was named Miss North Jefferson Area.  It was a great way to spend a Sunday afternoon.

I was blessed to be able to Co-emcee the Miss Alabama Nursing Home Pageant.  This was an event that I have heard so much about and one the I couldn't wait to be a part of.  The women representing their individual facilities were dressed so beautifully.  They had on their rhinestoned gowns, tiaras, and sashes with their titles adorning their chests.  I didn't meet a stranger amongst the bunch.  They were so friendly and welcoming to me.  I had such a wonderful time getting to know the individual contestants.  Their wisdom and knowledge was immeasurable and it was my pleasure to be able to speak with most of them.  We had a luncheon prior to the pageant that afternoon.  I sat next to miss Sr. Alabama Miss Frankie Cashion, whom I was surprised to find that she is a fellow tap dancer.  She performed a tap dance to 42nd street for her talent when she won the Miss Sr. Alabama pageant.  She encouraged me to keep dancing, until I couldn't anymore.  It was very inspiring.  The pageant ran very smoothly.  We got to ask the top 10 finalists a top ten question.  Let me tell you, that was entertaining!   They all spoke their minds and spoke directly from the heart which was very refreshing to hear.  We can learn so much from the older generation if we just slow down to spend time and listen to them. We got to walk around and talk with the other contestants while waiting on the judges' results.  I thoroughly enjoyed this event.  The winner was Miss Andalusia Manor, 100 year old Felma Schrimshire.  She had such a wonderful personality as did the rest of the contestants.  This appearance was very fulfilling and rewarding.

The next day I traveled to speak and be a guest in Florence at the Alabama Department of Tourism awards dinner.  This was a black tie event with many important people who make the State of Alabama what it is today.  Many awards were given out and a delicious dinner was served.  When I say delicious, I mean it.  It was one of the best meals I have had in a long time.  I was able to greet everyone and speak for a few minutes about my platform and the Miss Alabama and Miss America organizations.  It was an honor to be a part of such a special evening.

I have also had the opportunity to speak at the Kiwanis Club of Decatur.  I was able to perform my talent and speak to the members.  This meeting was extra special because it was the meeting where all of the members brought their daughters.  I got to speak to the girls about the pageant and how it has changed my life, as well as educate everyone on the benefits this organization provides all family members involved.  Decatur is a great community and one that I have enjoyed numerous times as Miss Alabama.  That afternoon I was able to meet Dr. Stephanie Teichmiller, the official dentist for the Miss Alabama Organization.  She is an absolute pleasure to work with and a genius when it comes to dentistry.  I am looking forward to working with her as well as her staff during the year to make sure my smile is as great as it can possibly be.

I have had the privilege of doing a photo shoot with Billy Brown, the official photographer for Miss Alabama.  I cannot say enough nice things about this man.  He was incredibly encouraging and easy-going. He was great to work with and made the photo shoot as easy as it could be. Carlene Barefoot came to style my hair for the pictures and assist with all cosmetic needs I had during the shoot.  It is great to have such wonderful sponsors who are willing to give their time and expertise at the drop of a hat.

Miss Jefferson County was another wonderful pageant I have had the opportunity of emceeing.  I had never been to Miss Jefferson County but I had always heard so many wonderful things about this pageant.  The directors and volunteers were so sweet and selfless to help throughout the day.  This organization wouldn't thrive without our volunteers at each and every pageant.  The pageant was a pleasure to be a part of.  The girls competing have worked extremely hard and it is showing each and every time they grace the stage.  Kelsey Richter was named the new Miss Jefferson County and will be competing in Miss Alabama in June.

Of course the Miss America's Outstanding Teen Pageant is coming up.  We are only a week and some odd days away.  I cannot wait to watch my teen, Mia Callens, go to Orlando and impress everyone with her grace, poise, talent, humility, and charisma.  She makes me strive to be a better Miss Alabama each and every time I am around her.  We are so lucky to have Mia as our representative and I can't wait to see what the Lord has in store for her during the pageant.  Please keep her in your prayers and thoughts as she competes for the title of Miss America's Outstanding Teen.  Whatever the outcome may be, we are so very proud of you Mia and we are blessed to call you our own.
 
I am looking forward to the next few weeks as I will get to meet my sisters who are competing for the title of Miss America 2012.  I am excited to get to know these wonderful young women and share a little Southern Hospitality with them.  I am still in awe of the fact that I am even talking about myself and Miss America in the same sentence.  I am absolutely honored to be able to represent this wonderful state day in and day out and I vow to give my all in everything I do.

As always, I like to leave a word of encouragement that I have read from my daily devotion.  This one was very fitting due to the hectic life Miss Alabama leads on a daily basis:
"Rest in My sufficiency, as you consider the challenges this day presents.  Do not wear yourself out by worrying about whether you can cope with the pressures.  Keep looking to Me and communicating with Me, as we walk through this day together. Take time to rest by the wayside, for I am not in a hurry.  A leisurely pace accomplishes more that a hurried striving.  When you rush, you forget who you are and Whose you are.  Remember that you are royalty in My kingdom."

I believe that is a great reminder for us all.  Until next time :-)

~Courtney~
Isaiah 40:31

The Lord works in mysterious ways...

My journey towards obtaining the title of Miss Alabama began quite a while ago, 8 years to be exact.  I was a sophomore at Clay-Chakville High School, who just so happened to have a bit of curiosity about the Miss Alabama Organization.  Clay-Chalkville was then, and remains to be, the only high school pageant which is also a preliminary to the Miss Alabama Pageant.  Considering the amount of scholarship money this organization provides to young women who have aspirations of going to college, I decided to participate.  As an underclassman, of course I couldn't win the title of Miss Clay-Chalkville.  However, I could gain some very beneficial experience in the areas of interview, swimsuit, talent, evening gown, and on-stage question that would allow me to excel at a later time. My senior year I was lucky enough to be crowned Miss Clay-Chalkville 2005.  My first trip to Miss Alabama was one that I will never forget.  I was a baby among women, as I recall.  The girls with whom I competed were very gracious and encouraging to not only me, but the other competitors.  I knew there was something about this organization that was different, and quite honestly infectious.  I think I speak for each girl when I say the support each and every contestant receives is what keeps each girl coming back for more year after year.

After my first trip to Miss Alabama, and many scholarship dollars later, I knew that I wanted to go back. I liked the way it felt to know that I was making a difference in others lives through my involvement with my platform.  I enjoyed getting to better myself by going through interviews and on-stage question competitions to solidify the fact that we were all well-rounded women.  It is one of those things that once it gets in your system, you want a greater involvement in such a wonderful organization.

I have been able to compete at Miss Alabama representing many areas from across this wonderful state: Miss Clay-Chalkville, Miss Talladega County, Miss Smiths Station, Miss Chattahoochee Valley, Miss Painted Rock, and Miss Leeds Area.  Each title deemed itself equally beneficial and extremely worthwhile.  I am so thankful that I have been able to serve and offer myself to so many wonderful communities of Alabama. Each title I have held has molded me into the woman that I am today.  I would not have been able to achieve my dream of becoming Miss Alabama had it not been for each and every director and committee member that I had the pleasure of working with. I will forever be in debt to these individuals.

On June 3rd, I moved into Samford University for the last week of my Miss Alabama career.  This year was my last eligible year of competing for the title of Miss Alabama.  There were many emotions throughout the week.  It had been something that I had worked towards for so long and I hated to think that it was coming to an end.  There had been so many wonderful opportunities that had been given to me due to my involvement with the Miss Alabama Pageant and it wasn't something that I was ready to give up.  Nonetheless, I began the week with such gratitude that I had just one more opportunity to be at "Summer Camp" (as some of us call it) with all of my girlfriends. The week ran smoothly filled with some of the most talented, beautiful, and intelligent individuals to ever grace the stage of Samford University's Wright Center.  I know that my experience this year at Miss Alabama would not have been the same without each and every girl who participated.  It was one of the best groups that I can remember being involved with in quite some time.  For that, I am truly grateful.

On June 11, my life was forever changed.  Saturday night of pageant week is always one that is full of surprises and excitement for all.  My only hope was to be able to trust that the Lord's will was going to prevail, and whomever was supposed to win would.....  I had no idea that person would be me.  Once my name was called, a flood of emotions hit me.  I was overjoyed that I had finally achieved my utmost goal that I had been striving towards for so long.  I considered myself blessed to have been able to win the scholarship money that was going to allow me to further my education.  I felt empowered to know that I was going to be able to represent such a magnificent state of people for an entire calendar year.  On the other hand, there were other types of emotions.  My mom, whom I was extremely close with, was not there to see my crowning moment.  This was something we both had dreamed about for many, many years.  She was the one who convinced me to begin competing;  she was the one who helped me form my platform;  she was the one who was always the first to encourage me to press on and keep trying;  she was the one who would give me the nudge I needed to gain success in any endeavor I was embarking upon.  It is safe to say that she was my best friend and biggest cheerleader. Losing her to her battle with cancer has been and will forever be the hardest thing that I will ever face.  The encouragement and support of so many is the only reason why I am able to continue on a daily basis. She taught me so much about a life of service and hard-work.  I can only hope that I can leave a legacy one-sixteenth as rich as she did.  I know she would be so proud of me and grateful to those who helped me prepare for Miss Alabama this year.  Those thoughts were running through my mind when kneeling down for the crown to be placed upon my head.  It was a bittersweet moment that will remain with me forevermore.

My journey as Miss Alabama 2011 has been a jam-packed sprint since day one.  It has been my honor to attend various media appearances to promote the Miss Alabama and Miss America Organizations.  I am happy to educate the public of the importance of these organizations and their relevance within the lives of so many.  I have been able to meet with various sponsors who have given their time and efforts willingly for so many years.  The Miss Alabama Pageant would not be able to succeed to such heights without the help of our wonderful and generous sponsors.  Mrs. Ann Northington has helped me find a wardrobe that would capitalize on her talents and knowledge of the fashion industry.  It is my joy to wear her beautiful garments at various speaking engagements and preliminary pageants.  Mr. Tip Shumaker at One to One Fitness, along with Beau and Reed, have helped me keep a balance in my life by working out every other day.  They are not only a physical release for me, but also a team of encouragement whom I have grown to appreciate fondly.

I have been able to attend a Liberty Day celebration in Columbiana, AL.  This was a  unique experience for me which included a delicious meal, meeting and signing autographs for the delightful citizens of Shelby County, and riding in the traditional Liberty Day Parade through downtown Columbiana.  There is something to be said about a small town with a large heart, and this description fits Columbiana perfectly.  I was honored to speak to the contestants of the Miss Peanut Festival pageants.  We had a very dignified tea party at the Shorter Mansion in Eufala, AL.  These girls were so gracious and wonderful to spend time with.  They were extremely poised and so well put together. I have high hopes for the young women whom I met in Eufala.  They will absolutely be successful in their individual lives due to their dedication and hard work.    Of course, a big responsibility and pleasure of the job description of Miss Alabama is to emcee various preliminary pageants.  It was my joy and honor to be able to go back to  the Miss Leeds Area and crown my successor as my first official act of duty.  Miss Leeds Area was my title that I competed with before becoming Miss Alabama, so it is extremely important to me.  Leeds was my home away from home, and I was so incredibly close with the committee.  They will forever have a soft spot in my heart and I couldn't have made it through the year without all of them.  I am eternally grateful to the Miss Leeds Area Committee for upholding me through such a troubling time for myself and family.  Another gig was at Miss Point Mallard in Decatur, AL.  I had never been to this particular pageant and was blown away by the participation and support from the Decatur community.  I would venture to say that there were 8,000 to 10,000 audience members watching.  The outdoor venue was very refreshing and exciting to be a part of.  What pageant on the 4th of July would be complete without a state-of-the-art firework display? Miss Point Mallard was very well-run and incredibly entertaining for all who were involved.  Another preliminary which I have had the opportunity to emcee is Miss Talladega County. This pageant holds a very dear place in my heart, seeing that I am a former miss Talladega County.  It is always nice to go back to Sylacauga for any appearance.  The community is very welcoming to anybody and everybody, and this event was nothing different.  There were very qualified girls in each of these pageants, and I know that I couldn't possibly pick a winner if I had to.  The dedication of these girls is truly remarkable and something to be noted. 

I am so honored to be able to be called Miss Alabama 2011.  This job comes with many responsibilities, as well as many opportunities that I will never be able to get back at the conclusion of this year.  I am very appreciative of the Miss Alabama Board members who keep me on my toes and keep me motivated to do my best.  This journey has been an unbelievable one thus far, and I can't wait to see what tomorrow holds.

Last night I was reading in my devotion called "Jesus Calling" by Sarah Young when I stumbled upon these two quotations that have truly helped me along this journey thus far:  
"Pray about everything; then leave outcomes up to me.  Do not fear My will, for through it I acconplish what is best for you."
"You will never be in control of your life circumstances, but you can relax and trust in my control."

I am so honored to know that the Lord trusts me with such a responsibility as Miss Alabama.  I may not be perfect, and I may not have all the answers, but I KNOW that with His help I am going to be the best Miss Alabama that I can possibly be.  God Bless!

~Courtney
Isaiah 40:31