California Dreaming: Miss America Live in Las Vegas 2010

With Miss America 2004 Ericka Dunlap

Miss America has been incredible. The grand entrance of walking into the theater actually gave me Goosebumps. I stayed with Kristina from Florida who was also my roommate at the Sweetheart pageant. We were up all night chatting away and I told her to fall asleep on me to “get me back.” Our running joke is that she needs to fall asleep during one of my important conversations to make up for our Sweetheart pillow talk experience... I was exhausted in Hoopeston one night and as she was dishing her deepest secrets to me… yep... I fell asleep. Right there in front of her. So, are we even now Flo-Rida?

I haven’t been “outside” yet- life seems to be centered on the hotel and the pageant; which, trust me I am not complaining about! I have had the opportunity to meet up with so many of my Sweetheart sisters from last year, and even Bob and Wilma from Hoopeston!
Kristina and me roaming around in the Planet Hollywood Miracle Mile shops

Kristy did amazing in swimsuit last night and tonight WON PRELIMINARY TALENT! I mean, WE knew she should win but it was refreshing to find that the judges appreciated her presentation and thus rewarded her for her hard work and genuine talent. Watching Miss America Prelims in person is something that I simply cannot verbalize how fantastic it is. I feel like I am in a dream and I need to be pinched!
Kelly and I excited to see the first night of preliminaries

Kristy introducing herself in the opening number... Go California!

With Mary McCaman and Stephanie Schutt outside the Planet Hollywood theater.

My "Sweetheart" Kristina, roomie for life, Miss Florida's Sweetheart and future Miss Florida, Kristina Janolo.

I’ve enjoyed many laughs and meals with so many people. I get so excited when I see “California people” because we are so far from home! It reminds me of the feeling I used to get when I would go away to Camp! You automatically have this connection and understanding with the people who are there that no one else can experience. I kept asking myself, “Why did it take me 23 years to get here?” (Answer: school.)
With our amazing California's Outstanding Teen, Monica Stainer- also my cuddle buddy!

Kristy with her Preliminary Talent Award!!

All the Cavinder's

Me with Kristina, Florida's Sweetheart, and Cassandra, Oregon's Sweetheart

Kristina, me, and Carolyne, Indian's Sweetheart

Tomorrow Kristy will be answering her on stage question and showing off her beautiful gown we are all dying to finally see in the evening wear competition.

Friday the 2009 Sweethearts are reuniting and we are going out to dinner- I can't wait to see more of my beautiful Sweethearts!
Being "crowned" by Heather French Henry Miss America 2000 at the tradeshow. You can see the genuine excitement on my face- I LOVE her!

With Hope and Susannah- my fellow Sweethearts

With the editors in chief of Savvy Magazine. Talk about beautiful women inside and out!!!

Jeffrey Johns stripped down to his skivvies and joined me as a model at Sonoma Tanning's Spray Booth. He almost got me fired from my job- everyone seemed to enjoy him more for some reason? :) What a hoot he is!