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.

Miss Los Angeles Pageant

Sarah Portugal, Miss Solano County 2010 and I.

Russ Gladden a California State Field Director and I- My fellow classical music enthusiast buddy

I was able to go to the Miss Los Angeles/ Culver City/ City of Los Angeles Pageant with my good friends Gabino and Sarah Rutan. We laughed so much that our abs hurt before we even got to the grapevine. It was a trip that I will never forget. Sarah was competing with so many of my very good friends so it was such an anticipated weekend. There were 22 miss contestants and 5 teen contestants. It was a huge show! Deanna Wride always puts on a great production and I really enjoyed the competition. I met so many new friends who will be competing at Miss California this July, so that has me even more excited to keep preparing for my local so I can spend the week with so many fabulous young women.

Congratulations to our new Miss Los Angeles, Laura Holliman, 2010 Miss City of Los Angeles Ruth Stainer, and Miss Culver City Laura Jean Burger.

Ruth Stainer, Miss City of Los Angeles 2010

LauraJean Burger Miss Culver City 2010

The first night we checked into our BEAUTIFUL hotel room at the Sheraton Delfina and went to watch the rehearsals. Gabino and I were absolutely starving because we never had a chance to stop to get food on the way so we ended up walking to the only place nearby to get some popcorn chicken. We laughed and laughed because when we got back to rehearsals they were doing the swimsuit run through and I said, "hmm, well I suppose this is a moment I'm glad I'm not competing?" Cheering girls on with popcorn chicken in my hand... well at least I can say it wasn't even that good, so you didn't miss out on much! Jillian Michaels definitely would not have approved.

After rehearsals, Sarah, Gabino, Lindsay Becker and her mom Connie and I all went to dinner in the lobby of our hotel. We started out very talkative and excited to all be together, but our service was SO slow, and we started dragging towards the end... I said, "when did I get so old? It's just a little past midnight and I'm dying to get in bed!"

Lindsay, Sarah, and I at the Sheraton restaurant

Gabino and Sarahs parents and I went to downtown Santa Monica to walk around but our fun tourist trip didn't turn out as we planned because it started to rain really hard so we had to go back to the car.

After the show on Saturday I had dinner at the Cheesecake Factory with Lindsay, her mom Connie, Jackie Geist, Sarah Rutan, Gabino, Sarah Portugal, and two of Sarah's friends from San Jose. We had such a fun time chatting and teaching the "newcomers" all about Miss America. I tried to get Jackie a free slice of pineapple upside down cake by telling the waiter that she was Miss California 2008- we even googled her on Gabino's iPhone to prove I was being serious. It didn't work- my plan failed miserably. But it still was pretty funny! Sorry for embarrassing you Jackie, but you're just so darn pretty I wanted to tell the world. :)

My mom was home from Idaho, so I was anxious to get home to visit some more before she left. But it was a perfect ending to the weekend!

Saturday night with friends

Checking out of the hotel and heading home!

On our way home from LA... sorry Sarah, I just had to. You were so angelic when you slept!

Miss America Behind the Curtain

Alas! I'm home and rested from Miss America 2010. What a journey! I had the time of my life and I wanted to thank so many people for contributing to the best week of my life. You know who you are.

Sweetheart reunion dinner (minus a few) before watching the Miss America Special on TLC

I used up all my votes voting for Kristy

Team California in action

Visiting the Bellagio Hotel with my Sweethearts

Caressa Cameron Miss America 2010 front and center

Lunch with some of my favorite girls Jamie, Summer, and my new friend Brytni.

Exploring Caesar's Palace with Kristina and being silly

Onna, Hope's mom insisted we pose here at the Rio. Jaci, Hope, and I after catching the Rio's hourly showing.
Mary and I after Finals
Miss Utah, who also was a pianist, looked kind of EXACTLY like me. Weird.

We were so very proud of you Kristy.

The sister God forgot to give me at birth... Hope Anderson, Miss LA Sweetheart

Team California... Mimi wanted in on it too!