Hi everyone!

    Wow, everything has been so hectic and crazy lately that I have not been able to write any newsletters to keep everyone updated on these last few months.  In order to catch everyone up this letter will be a little long, I hope you all enjoy it!

     Going all the way back to the end of August:

    My little sister, a.k.a Miss Arizona’s Outstanding Teen 2010 Elizabeth Stopler, traveled to Orlando Florida to compete for the title of Miss America’s Outstanding Teen.  She did a wonderful job and I was so proud of her!  I traveled to Orlando to cheer on the teens, and to get to know the 52 other Miss titleholders and to have some fun.  The first thing we all had to do was record a 60 second spot on “Why we should be the Next Miss America” and we all had a lot of fun with it.  The videos will be used for viral marketing over the internet to get attention for the contestants and Miss America’s 90th Anniversary.  They told us to be as bold and quirky as we could in order to gain attention so I did the last thing any “pageant girl” would think of doing- get splashed in the face with WATER!  I got all dolled up with big hair and a cute top and stood in front of the camera to talk about water safety and the up coming pageant.  Then, I told the viewers that we need a Miss America that comes with all the bells and whistles and makes a HUGE splash- so I rang some bells, blew a whistle and was splashed in the face with a cup full of water!  It was a ton of fun and I know I was the only one to do the un-thinkable and get a little wet!  I was able to watch Elizabeth compete in the final night of preliminary competition and she did an amazing job with her fitness routine!  I was so proud of her and glad that I was able to give her a hug at visitation that night!

    The next day, we all boarded a bus and traveled to DISNEYWORLD!  We toured the Magic Kingdom with a camera crew documenting our fun adventures.  I quickly made friends with Miss Idaho Kylie Kofoed and Miss Alabama Ashley Davis.  We had a blast spinning on the tea cups, screaming as our run away train sped through the wilderness on Big Thunder Mountain, and we even got a little wet on splash mountain.  Because we had the camera crews we got to go on the rides multiple times in a row without getting off the ride, including Splash Mountain!  It was a special opportunity that every kid dreams of and I was honored to have the opportunity.

    Later that evening, we went to a sponsor party at the owners of Westgate Resorts, Mr. and Mrs. David Siegel.  They were kind enough to host a party in our honor and to raise funds for the Miss America Organization.  I had a blast meeting people and dancing with the other contestants.  I also met our current Miss America, Caressa Cameron!

    Even though we all were exhausted by the end of day 2, we all had a blast!  On the day of Finals, we had a meeting with the board for MAO and learned about Miss America’s new sponsors and their new line of Clothes!  Be sure to go to their website and check out the t-shirts, sweaters and many more!  The final night of competition was great and the new Miss America’s Outstanding Teen is Miss Oklahoma's Outstanding Teen Lacey Russ!!!  I had a lot of fun meeting the other contestants and enjoying the Humidity of Florida!

    Even though I had a blast in Florida, I was suffering from an Ear Infection that I had gotten the week before.  A round of Antibiotics helped get me through the hectic times in Florida, but when I came home, the ear infection turned into a full blown Sinus Infection that lasted 2 more weeks.  I finally got back on my feet and have been working hard on my platform of Drowning Prevention.  I am currently working on a presentation to bring to the high schools to talk to students about deepwater safety and why swimming while under the influence of drugs and alcohol increases the risk of death by drowning.

    In the month of September, I have had some great opportunities to work with many different organizations.  I was able to sing the National Anthem at the Diamondbacks vs.  Giants baseball game and it was a dream come true!  I had always wanted to sing on the field!  I also was able to work with Fox 11 in Tucson and the Marines to record a “Look Live” that will be aired every Friday before a U of A Home football game.  BEAR DOWN WILDCATS!  I have always wondered what it would be like to be a news broadcaster and thanks to Fox 11, I have had many opportunities to stand in front of the camera!

    On September 25th I had a full day of fun-filled appearances.  Starting at 12:00, I went to the “Hall of Flames” and supported Phoenix Children’s Hospital’s Childhood Cancer Awareness Month and met many families that were affected by cancer.  There, I met Kendel, a 12 year old whose mission was to spread awareness of childhood cancer and we had a lot of fun making crafts and looking at the old fire trucks.  After that, I hurried to Phoenix to help with Phoenix Children’s hospital’s Swim and Gym event which helped raise money for Childrens Miracle Network.  I was joined by Miss Arizona’s Outstanding teen Elizabeth Stopler, Miss White Mountains 2011, Miss Navajo County 2011, Miss Phoenix 2010, Miss Colorado Rivers Outstanding Teen, Miss Mohave County’s Outstanding Teen and Savanna Troupe, Miss Arizona 2009 to help raise funds for CMN.  We had a blast meeting kids and parents, but the best part was learning how to shoot a bow and arrow!  ( I hit my target all three times!) After that event, I had to race all the way to San Tan Valley to sing and speak to Comb’s High School’s Oktoberfest!  I met many young girls who were interested in the Miss Arizona Scholarship Organization and many boys who were interested in the swim suit competition… That day was a great adventure totaling 10 hours, 140 miles, and over 200 autographs!

    Now that October is here I am really excited to be finalizing some of my wardrobe for Miss America!  I won’t tell you what everything is yet, but thanks to Suzanne’s Bridal I have some great alternate gowns!  Keep an eye out for the date to my Trunk Show!  It will be in early December- There you all can see my fabulous wardrobe and see my talent before it appears on the Miss America Stage!

    That’s it for now!