Miss San Francisco Pageant

Visiting Titleholders on stage

With Miss California 2009 Kristy Cavinder Again with Stephanie my Executive Director (ED- are you catching onto the pageant lingo yet?) She's taught me so much and I am eternally grateful for everything she has done for me. Greetings everyone!

Well the weekend finally arrived! I have been anticipating this show for weeks and now it is done? It puts how fast time flies into perspective.

First off, a huge congratulations to Nicole Honaker for her win as Miss San Francisco 2010 and Grace Lee Grant Miss San Francisco's Outstanding Teen 2010. I couldn't say it enough: WHAT A WONDERFUL SHOW! Not only did I see so many of my beautiful pageant sisters (a huge turn out for visiting representatives) but some of my favorite state staffers as well. The teen contestants really exceeded my expectations. It was one of the toughest teen competitions overall that I have ever seen. Congratulations to all of the girls!

Congratulations to my friend Nicole Honaker! Miss San Francisco 2010 I hope someday I turn out to be half as beautiful inside and out as Patti. Patti Wunderlich is "Grandma Patti" backstage at Miss California and keeps us girls well fed and energized! I will take this Jackie Stephanie sandwich ANY day! With Jackie Geist Miss California 2008 and Stephanie Schutt Teens and Misses galore My man Tony Moises! A very sweet surprise to see such a familiar face amongst the crowd With handsome Freeman Stamper of San Francisco You probably can't tell, but Miss Hav-ayy-ii was totally Hula-ing to me. :) Photo with Miss Hawaii? Check. Mission accomplished.Caption:

Hi!I'mJennayoudon'tknowmebutIknowyouandIwatchedyouatMissAmerica

andyouweremyfavoritebutafterMissCaliforniaofcourseandIthinkyouareso

awesomeandincredible [breath] andyouaresoprettyandIwasinVegasandIwantedtocomesayhitoyouatvisitation

butyouhadahugelinesoIneverdidbecauseIdidn'twanttointrude [breath] sonowitissooooocoolthatyoucouldcometoCaliandseeoneofourpageants

andperformyourtalentanddidImentionIreaallllllllylikeyou?....

Translation:

IswearI'mnotusuallythiscreepystalkerishIjustthinkyouareGREAT!

With our 2009 Miss California's outstanding teen and my buddy Monica Stainer. As Gabino says the "bling bling section" before the show started. Winny Stainer! My favorite Stainer girls' momma. And she said she didn't want to take a picture next to ME.... way to show me up Winny!

St. Baldricks and Kiwanis Festival

My Favorite Alpaca, Sugar...

Hi friends!

I have been quite a busy young lady lately!

It seems that at the "height" of pageant season, there has been a whirlwind of events. This weekend was very busy but filled with wonderful memories. This weekend I had the opportunity to work with the St. Baldrick's Foundation and the Kiwanis at an extraordinary event. I got the chance to meet the Sacramento Kings dancers (that was so unexpected because I had no idea they were going to be there), and also chat with so many local families about why the event was happening, what they could do to help, and also about the Miss America Organization. My Executive Director, Stephanie, had her engagement party with her future husband, Michael, (who we all just adore) at Mary McCaman's party pad (what I'm starting to call it these days), and I got to see so many of my favorite people.

With Some of the Sacramento Kings Dancers

With a young princess

At the St. Baldrick's head shaving event, I helped collect donations that went towards childhood cancer research. After speaking with so many brave families about their experiences, I was honored to have so many amazing stories shared with me. Some of the stories broke my heart, but ultimately, I left that day so energized and full of hope. It makes my heart smile when I see so many people come together to support a genuinely sincere cause. Even watching complete mall passersby-ers stop in and donate money and walk away with a smile was inspiring to know that there are a lot of generous people who do want to help. I wouldn't be shaving my head this round, but as a very wise 3 year old explained to me, I wouldn't be able to wear my crown if I did that!

A group that raised money together- the after shot of their nice buzzed haircuts

In the process of going bald!

This week is filled with practicing (I unfortunately broke 2 of my piano keys practicing so hard) but I look forward to visiting the Miss San Francisco Pageant next weekend and rediscovering that "fire" to push me during my preparations for my upcoming pageant... Which by the way is Saturday April 10th:
Miss Gavilan Hills/ Northern California Regional
7PM at Oak Grove High School in San Jose
285 Blossom Hill Rd
San Jose, CA
The 2010 Miss Silicon Valley/ Miss Bay Area pageant will be held April 11th at 2 PM also at Oak Grove High school.

Some fun pictures from Stephanie and Michael's party:

With the Bride to Be Michael and Stephanie cutting their cake With Stephanie and Laura Johnston

Erin and I shared a slice of cake- it's all about moderation not deprivation :)

I got to catch up with Tony, too!

Try not to become a man of success but a man of value. -Albert Einstein

Little did I know that my last year competing for Miss California would start with a blue cast. Picture this: as I lay on the ground after my clumsy fall, the first thing that came into my head after, “OUCH” was, “No, no, no. Ohhhh no. How am I going to be able to practice piano???” I was met with an outpour of support from family and friends. The next week I sat on my piano bench staring at the cold black and white lonely keys and I thought to myself, “How am I going to do this?” After some modifications of my practice regimen, I found myself actually enjoying focusing on only 5 fingers instead of 10. I had to remind myself daily that everything happens for a reason and God brings certain events in and out of our lives to make us stronger and to grow from the experience. I wasn’t sure why I had to break my wrist, but I did know that I was going to make the most of the situation and I would somehow find the strength to make myself stronger and more mentally prepared.

I am competing for Miss Gavilan Hills/ Miss Northern California Regional on April 10th, 2010. I am raising money for the Children’s Miracle Network in support of our partnership with CMN. This is a fantastic organization that is very dear to my heart so if you would like to make a difference in some very sick children’s life, please visit this link to donate even $1.00 to a very worthwhile effort:

Jenna's Children's Miracle Network Page

This weekend I was off to the Miss Sonoma County Pageant where my Miss California friend Kim Stout gave up her title as Miss Sonoma 2009. Congratulations to Alison Levie our new 2010 Miss Sonoma County.

With the visiting representatives at the Miss Sonoma Pageant

Miss Solono County Executive Director, Gabino Lopez, and I during intermission

Sarah Rutan and I mingling while we can- before we got lost backstage!

We'll miss you Kimi!

Next weekend, March 13th, I will be working at a St. Baldricks event and serving with the Kiwanis Club. We will be promoting not only Kiwanis but also heightening awareness to the St. Baldricks Foundation. I’ve recently learned that in the US, more children die of childhood cancer than any other disease. In fact, every 3.5 minutes another child is diagnosed with cancer. Over 106,000 volunteers have shaved their heads in harmony with the innocent kids battling cancer. This year you probably won’t see me shaving my head, but I think it would be an enlightening experience for myself when the time is right. To say that I’m looking forward to a fun filled festival day promoting Miss America and this wonderful event is an understatement. After next weekend, I have Miss San Francisco to look forward to on March 27th, and raising money for the Miss San Jose/ South Bay/ Gavilan Hills/ Northern California Regional/ Silicon Valley/ Bay Area pageants. Hopefully we can find plenty of sponsors for this year’s pageant so we have great scholarships to give out.