Saturday, Sunday and Monday were filled with 4th of July Parades in Middletown, Dover and Bethany Beach! I interviewed with Fox News Online, WILM, 92.5fm, and two news papers over the next few day and enjoyed a few workouts in the gym, and some time to myself to unpack! I also finished my Miss America paperwork at this time and began selecting my headshot!
Friday afternoon I facilitated a Health Rocks! training for 4-H which is a drug prevention curriculum that is directed at preteens and teens. Afterward, I took part in a Cake Decorating class with 4-H/Military youth and had such a wonderful time!
Saturday July 10th, I spoke at a Young Ladies Gala in Dover for mostly young Latina women. Even though I was not feeling like myself that day, I came to realize that the appearances you may least expect to affect you, are the ones that affect you the most. I am so pleased that my prayers (and Julie Collins') were answered, and I was able to attend the event after all. Miss Delaware 2007, my best friend, Brittany Dempsey also spoke at this event. Seeing the impact she can have on people as a former is a positive reminder that there are still opportunities like these, to change people's lives after Miss Delaware.
The next day I met with Debi and Susan, my Executive Director and Business Manager and headed to a pool party with some of my fellow Miss Delaware 2010 contestants! It was great to see all of them in such a relaxed setting, and hear what wonderful things they have been up to since the pageant. I am so proud to be a part of the Miss DE class of 2010, and I know that each of these women will become influential people in their chosen paths. Thank you, Kristina, for inviting everyone to your home! And thank you to Erin for making such a delicious cake!!!
That week I was interviewed on WBOC, and met with our 'prep team' regarding my Miss America talent! I still get excited just thinking about it!!!
Thank you so much for keeping up with my year as Miss Delaware and for being patient as the updates and responses are coming as quickly as possible! I am working hard to make you all proud. Have a wonderful weekend, and be sure to tune in to ABC August 6th at 10pm for my interview with Deborah Roberts on 20/20!
With Love,
Kayla
Thursday, August 5, 2010
June 28th - July 2nd- New York!!!
After the excitement from the People Magazine photoshoot, my faithful traveling companion, Sandra Soucek and I hopped on a train in Wilmington to New York City! It was a very late night and I certainly slept well. I was in my eigthth state in the month of June alone!!! I have definitely had a taste of the job of Miss America.
Sandy and I woke up very early on Monday the 28th and found the car waiting outside our hotel to take us to CBS Studios! My very special friends, Lilliana and Isabella had also been sent to NYC with their parents Donna and Matt for this interview. That morning, Lilliana and I were featured LIVE on "The Early Show"! We had such a wonderful time and even though Lilliana did not feel up to talking, I know she enjoyed herself. Later, when we watched the tape together she was thrilled to see herself on the television! This was my first national television interview where I took off the wig, in order to show the woman I am underneath the hair. I know it made Lilly's day to have me strip the wig with her by my side.
Dylan Lauren (Ralph Lauren's daughter) was also on the show that morning, and she gave the little girls a few pieces of her candy products. And so we promised to visit Dylan's Candy Bar after we left (even though that was on our agenda, before we even knew she was a fellow guest!). After the interview, the six of us enjoyed and early lunch and sweet treat at Serendipity III! I had everyone try their famous Frozen Hot Chocolate! Yum!!! Then, we walked over to Dylan's Candy Bar and enjoyed a few samples and purchased some sugary treats! Lilliana and I were even approached by a woman who said, "Didn't I just see you on 'The Early Show'?"
Once Donna and Matt were on their way back to NJ with the girls, Sandy and I headed to Times Square to visit the TKTS booth! She bought tickets to "Promises, Promises" with the ever fabulous Kristin Chenoweth and Sean Hayes for my birthday present! With a delicious pre-theatre, Italian meal and an incredible show, I had a terrific belated birthday!!! Thank you, Sandy for making sure that I celebrated my birthday, after-all.
The next morning, Sandy and I were up early, again for an interview on Fox and Friends with former Miss America, Gretchen Carlson. What an amazing opportunity, to have a few minutes with someone who has experienced my dream job in several capacities. Everyone at Fox News was very kind and made sure that Sandy and I had everything we could need. Before we knew it, we were on the train that afternoon headed back to Delaware!
Upon returning to Delaware, super-husband, Mr. Soucek, was waiting to pick us up and relieve our tired soles! That night, and the following day was devoted to Miss America Paperwork! Our deadline was fast approaching, but fear not- everything was sent and received on time!
That Thursday, July 1st, I was interview live on 92.5fm and also filmed my interview for "The Insider" on ET! I had a wonderful time with Faye, my chaperone and our newest Miss Delaware board member. She has such a kind heart, and she made sure that my every need was met. I could not have had a better person by my side.
To round out the week, I had my headshots taken by my dear friend, Julia Fuller. She is just incredible. It was quite a task to narrow down the shots! Thank you Julia for not only being a true friend, but for sharing your talents with me on my journey to Miss America. Directly from my headshots I went to the Delaware Jaycees Social and Silent Auction Fundraiser at Iron Hill in Wilmington. My parents, Kevin and Debi attended the event and bid on items which all benefited the National Alopecia Areata Foundation. Thank you to every one in the DE Jaycees for surprising me with this fundraiser and for sharing the evening with me.
"The Insider" interview aired during this event, and the Iron Hill staff were kind enough to put all the tv's on ET for the hour! Everyone watched patiently, as we waited for my interview to air! Finally, the teaser played and I took my wig off as the announcer said, "Find out what makes this Miss Delaware different." As the camera panned out, the lady to my left, a regular Iron Hill patron, exclaimed, "Who's that bald girl from Delaware??!!" I turned to her with a smile and gave her a subtle nudge saying, "that's me!" She said, "You have hair, though!" and so I shared with her what the interview would reveal just a minute later. It was truly hilarious, because she said the first statement so loud that everyone in the area became quiet, waiting for my reaction!
All in all, this was a great way to end one of my busiest and most exciting weeks as Miss Delaware, thus far! Thank you to everyone of you for supporting me and for being there for me this year.
God bless you all!
Love,
Kayla
Sandy and I woke up very early on Monday the 28th and found the car waiting outside our hotel to take us to CBS Studios! My very special friends, Lilliana and Isabella had also been sent to NYC with their parents Donna and Matt for this interview. That morning, Lilliana and I were featured LIVE on "The Early Show"! We had such a wonderful time and even though Lilliana did not feel up to talking, I know she enjoyed herself. Later, when we watched the tape together she was thrilled to see herself on the television! This was my first national television interview where I took off the wig, in order to show the woman I am underneath the hair. I know it made Lilly's day to have me strip the wig with her by my side.
Dylan Lauren (Ralph Lauren's daughter) was also on the show that morning, and she gave the little girls a few pieces of her candy products. And so we promised to visit Dylan's Candy Bar after we left (even though that was on our agenda, before we even knew she was a fellow guest!). After the interview, the six of us enjoyed and early lunch and sweet treat at Serendipity III! I had everyone try their famous Frozen Hot Chocolate! Yum!!! Then, we walked over to Dylan's Candy Bar and enjoyed a few samples and purchased some sugary treats! Lilliana and I were even approached by a woman who said, "Didn't I just see you on 'The Early Show'?"
Once Donna and Matt were on their way back to NJ with the girls, Sandy and I headed to Times Square to visit the TKTS booth! She bought tickets to "Promises, Promises" with the ever fabulous Kristin Chenoweth and Sean Hayes for my birthday present! With a delicious pre-theatre, Italian meal and an incredible show, I had a terrific belated birthday!!! Thank you, Sandy for making sure that I celebrated my birthday, after-all.
The next morning, Sandy and I were up early, again for an interview on Fox and Friends with former Miss America, Gretchen Carlson. What an amazing opportunity, to have a few minutes with someone who has experienced my dream job in several capacities. Everyone at Fox News was very kind and made sure that Sandy and I had everything we could need. Before we knew it, we were on the train that afternoon headed back to Delaware!
Upon returning to Delaware, super-husband, Mr. Soucek, was waiting to pick us up and relieve our tired soles! That night, and the following day was devoted to Miss America Paperwork! Our deadline was fast approaching, but fear not- everything was sent and received on time!
That Thursday, July 1st, I was interview live on 92.5fm and also filmed my interview for "The Insider" on ET! I had a wonderful time with Faye, my chaperone and our newest Miss Delaware board member. She has such a kind heart, and she made sure that my every need was met. I could not have had a better person by my side.
To round out the week, I had my headshots taken by my dear friend, Julia Fuller. She is just incredible. It was quite a task to narrow down the shots! Thank you Julia for not only being a true friend, but for sharing your talents with me on my journey to Miss America. Directly from my headshots I went to the Delaware Jaycees Social and Silent Auction Fundraiser at Iron Hill in Wilmington. My parents, Kevin and Debi attended the event and bid on items which all benefited the National Alopecia Areata Foundation. Thank you to every one in the DE Jaycees for surprising me with this fundraiser and for sharing the evening with me.
"The Insider" interview aired during this event, and the Iron Hill staff were kind enough to put all the tv's on ET for the hour! Everyone watched patiently, as we waited for my interview to air! Finally, the teaser played and I took my wig off as the announcer said, "Find out what makes this Miss Delaware different." As the camera panned out, the lady to my left, a regular Iron Hill patron, exclaimed, "Who's that bald girl from Delaware??!!" I turned to her with a smile and gave her a subtle nudge saying, "that's me!" She said, "You have hair, though!" and so I shared with her what the interview would reveal just a minute later. It was truly hilarious, because she said the first statement so loud that everyone in the area became quiet, waiting for my reaction!
All in all, this was a great way to end one of my busiest and most exciting weeks as Miss Delaware, thus far! Thank you to everyone of you for supporting me and for being there for me this year.
God bless you all!
Love,
Kayla
June 24th- June 27th
Hi Friends!
Thank you so much for being so patient and understanding these past few weeks. I am trying my very best to respond to each email and keep up with the blog so that you can share all of these wonderful experiences with me! So I thank you for joining me on this incredible journey.
The end of June was a very exciting time for me, as you may already know! I visited the National Alopecia Areata Foundation's International Conference in Indianapolis, IN where I was welcomed with hundreds of open arms. I am so thankful to be the first Miss America contestant to represent those with this condition and to have the opportunity to share something so close to my heart. For those of you who have not yet heard about Alopecia Areata- is it an unexplainable autoimmune condition that causes hair loss. While the physical symptoms are limited to hair loss on the head and body (such as eyelashes, arm hair, etc.), the emotional stress can be life changing. My hope is to encourage at least one new person that I meet to take the time and understand what it means to have Alopecia Areata. And I hope to show young boys and girls that, just because you look different does not mean you cannot achieve your dreams.
I left for the NAAF Conference at 4am on June 24th, and am so thankful Mr.Gillis was willing to drive me to the airport! On my first flight I was recognized by a couple who had seen my photo in USA Today! How neat is that? Then, I met a lovely girl on my layover flight and we talked the entire time! A half hour into the flight, she told the flight attendant that I was the new Miss Delaware, and she insisted we move up to first class!!! This was my very first, first class experience! The other flight staff, and even the pilot took time from their in-flight jobs to have a mini photo session with me in the aisle way! It was so much fun! Even the pilot tried on my crown!
When I arrived in Indiana, a car was waiting for me and I was so excited because the driver was holding a sign with my name on it! I spent some time with Lilliana and Isabella after checking into my room and then went to the baseball game with all the NAAF Conference attendees! I had so much fun enjoying the messy ice cream with Lilliana, Isabella, and some of their friends! The next day I woke up early again and spent time with the children at Kids Camp! First were the young kids, who were just thrilled to see a bald princess that looked just like them. Then I went to the NCAA Museum with the teenagers! Some of them remembered me from last year, but all of them were excited for me to hopefully become the next Miss America. I walked from the museum to the Indianapolis Zoo in the very hot weather and met the little kids!
The minute I left the zoo, I received one of the most excited phone calls of my lifetime! I had been asked to interview on "The Early Show"! I did a pre-interview on the spot via cell phone and let Susan Collins handle the rest of the planning from Delaware! After allowing the excitement to settle in a bit, I changed my clothes and went to the ballroom in the Hyatt for the Opening Session, where I was officially recognized as Miss Delaware 2010 to the hundreds of NAAF Conference attendees from all over the world! I was announced as their National Liaison and am thrilled to fulfill the duties that come with the position. After the session was a beautiful reception where I signed many autographs and took lots of photos with everyone there! I could feel their excitement for me, and for the exposure that Alopecia Areata will hopefully benefit from throughout this year. Some of my favorite parts of that evening were watching Lilliana and Isabella practice their dance to "Single Ladies" by Beyonce for the NAAF Talent Show! They even included a few moves from the Miss Delaware 2009 Opening Number!!! They are fantastic! Meagan and Karen took me out for a late dinner that night at 10pm and we enjoyed some Steak and Shake since I had yet to eat. And instead of sleeping, I sat in the lobby chatting with the teens and young adults for a while! It was refreshing to visit without the wig and get to know each of these people that I can relate to most. I hope to make them all proud at Miss America in January, and represent the idea that beauty comes in all different kinds of packages. In my heart, I know there can be a bald Miss America.
Saturday June 26th I woke up very early again and flew from Indianapolis to Roanoke, VA! I met Carol Stevens and checked into Hotel Roanoke where the Miss Virginia Pageant would be held! While in the lobby I met Miss America 2000, Heather French Henry, and our current Miss America, Caressa Cameron. Both are such stunning women with a memorable presence. After cleaning up, Carol and I ventured into downtown Roanoke and explored the quaint town. I loved dining with her and having the opportunity to catch up, and just relax a bit.
The Miss Virginia Pageant was terrific! Every contestant was so beautiful and talented- it is so true that it was any one's title to win! Caitlin Uze, your new Miss Virginia is such a fantastic young woman. From my experience watching her on stage, and meeting her at the reception after her crowning, I could tell she has a heart of gold. It warmed my heart when I started to run up and congratulate her at the reception, and she was also running to me with open arms! She was so genuinely excited for me to be Miss Delaware!!! I had to say, "YOU just won Miss Virginia!!! We are going to Miss America!!!" To have someone so excited for you, just minutes after her life was also changed, shows that Caitlin is a wonderful person.
The next morning, Debi, Carol and I were leaving Hotel Roanoke when a woman stopped me dead in my tracks. She explained that she knew who I was, and that she knew I was going to change thousands of lives over the next year and a half. It was not until a few seconds later that she introduced herself as Miss America 2010, Caressa Cameron's mother! She was as sweet as can be, and such a beautiful woman! You can see where Caressa gets her beauty and personality. Her words were the best birthday gift a girl could receive!
During the six hour drive back to Delaware with Debi and Carol, I was interviewed on the phone for the article in People Magazine! They asked a lot of great questions about my family, my childhood, my passions and even my puppy! The interview lasted nearly an hour! By the time we arrived at my Executive Director, Debi's house, the photographers from People Magazine were ready and waiting to shoot for the article! I had enough time to throw my bags in my room, and my hair on my head and they were ready to roll! The funniest moment was when the photo director came up to me and said, "There are absolutely NO photos of you in this house!" He had searched all three levels for pictures of me, with no success! It was hilarious! I looked at Debi, and looked back at him and said, "Well I did just win two weeks ago, give her some time!" He had forgotten that we were not in my home.
As you can see, those three days were very busy! I was in four states (including my lay over in Detroit), within four days! A lot of wonderful things happened including my birthday where I became 22 years old! Thank you to everyone who helped me get through that week alive. A special thank-you to my mother and Sandra Soucek who ran all over creation to find outfits for my People Magazine photo shoot, and my interviews in NYC the following day! I am a very lucky young lady.
Stay tuned for the next update on my television interviews in New York City and for the month of July! Thank you for your endless support.
Love you all!
-Kayla
Thank you so much for being so patient and understanding these past few weeks. I am trying my very best to respond to each email and keep up with the blog so that you can share all of these wonderful experiences with me! So I thank you for joining me on this incredible journey.
The end of June was a very exciting time for me, as you may already know! I visited the National Alopecia Areata Foundation's International Conference in Indianapolis, IN where I was welcomed with hundreds of open arms. I am so thankful to be the first Miss America contestant to represent those with this condition and to have the opportunity to share something so close to my heart. For those of you who have not yet heard about Alopecia Areata- is it an unexplainable autoimmune condition that causes hair loss. While the physical symptoms are limited to hair loss on the head and body (such as eyelashes, arm hair, etc.), the emotional stress can be life changing. My hope is to encourage at least one new person that I meet to take the time and understand what it means to have Alopecia Areata. And I hope to show young boys and girls that, just because you look different does not mean you cannot achieve your dreams.
I left for the NAAF Conference at 4am on June 24th, and am so thankful Mr.Gillis was willing to drive me to the airport! On my first flight I was recognized by a couple who had seen my photo in USA Today! How neat is that? Then, I met a lovely girl on my layover flight and we talked the entire time! A half hour into the flight, she told the flight attendant that I was the new Miss Delaware, and she insisted we move up to first class!!! This was my very first, first class experience! The other flight staff, and even the pilot took time from their in-flight jobs to have a mini photo session with me in the aisle way! It was so much fun! Even the pilot tried on my crown!
When I arrived in Indiana, a car was waiting for me and I was so excited because the driver was holding a sign with my name on it! I spent some time with Lilliana and Isabella after checking into my room and then went to the baseball game with all the NAAF Conference attendees! I had so much fun enjoying the messy ice cream with Lilliana, Isabella, and some of their friends! The next day I woke up early again and spent time with the children at Kids Camp! First were the young kids, who were just thrilled to see a bald princess that looked just like them. Then I went to the NCAA Museum with the teenagers! Some of them remembered me from last year, but all of them were excited for me to hopefully become the next Miss America. I walked from the museum to the Indianapolis Zoo in the very hot weather and met the little kids!
The minute I left the zoo, I received one of the most excited phone calls of my lifetime! I had been asked to interview on "The Early Show"! I did a pre-interview on the spot via cell phone and let Susan Collins handle the rest of the planning from Delaware! After allowing the excitement to settle in a bit, I changed my clothes and went to the ballroom in the Hyatt for the Opening Session, where I was officially recognized as Miss Delaware 2010 to the hundreds of NAAF Conference attendees from all over the world! I was announced as their National Liaison and am thrilled to fulfill the duties that come with the position. After the session was a beautiful reception where I signed many autographs and took lots of photos with everyone there! I could feel their excitement for me, and for the exposure that Alopecia Areata will hopefully benefit from throughout this year. Some of my favorite parts of that evening were watching Lilliana and Isabella practice their dance to "Single Ladies" by Beyonce for the NAAF Talent Show! They even included a few moves from the Miss Delaware 2009 Opening Number!!! They are fantastic! Meagan and Karen took me out for a late dinner that night at 10pm and we enjoyed some Steak and Shake since I had yet to eat. And instead of sleeping, I sat in the lobby chatting with the teens and young adults for a while! It was refreshing to visit without the wig and get to know each of these people that I can relate to most. I hope to make them all proud at Miss America in January, and represent the idea that beauty comes in all different kinds of packages. In my heart, I know there can be a bald Miss America.
Saturday June 26th I woke up very early again and flew from Indianapolis to Roanoke, VA! I met Carol Stevens and checked into Hotel Roanoke where the Miss Virginia Pageant would be held! While in the lobby I met Miss America 2000, Heather French Henry, and our current Miss America, Caressa Cameron. Both are such stunning women with a memorable presence. After cleaning up, Carol and I ventured into downtown Roanoke and explored the quaint town. I loved dining with her and having the opportunity to catch up, and just relax a bit.
The Miss Virginia Pageant was terrific! Every contestant was so beautiful and talented- it is so true that it was any one's title to win! Caitlin Uze, your new Miss Virginia is such a fantastic young woman. From my experience watching her on stage, and meeting her at the reception after her crowning, I could tell she has a heart of gold. It warmed my heart when I started to run up and congratulate her at the reception, and she was also running to me with open arms! She was so genuinely excited for me to be Miss Delaware!!! I had to say, "YOU just won Miss Virginia!!! We are going to Miss America!!!" To have someone so excited for you, just minutes after her life was also changed, shows that Caitlin is a wonderful person.
The next morning, Debi, Carol and I were leaving Hotel Roanoke when a woman stopped me dead in my tracks. She explained that she knew who I was, and that she knew I was going to change thousands of lives over the next year and a half. It was not until a few seconds later that she introduced herself as Miss America 2010, Caressa Cameron's mother! She was as sweet as can be, and such a beautiful woman! You can see where Caressa gets her beauty and personality. Her words were the best birthday gift a girl could receive!
During the six hour drive back to Delaware with Debi and Carol, I was interviewed on the phone for the article in People Magazine! They asked a lot of great questions about my family, my childhood, my passions and even my puppy! The interview lasted nearly an hour! By the time we arrived at my Executive Director, Debi's house, the photographers from People Magazine were ready and waiting to shoot for the article! I had enough time to throw my bags in my room, and my hair on my head and they were ready to roll! The funniest moment was when the photo director came up to me and said, "There are absolutely NO photos of you in this house!" He had searched all three levels for pictures of me, with no success! It was hilarious! I looked at Debi, and looked back at him and said, "Well I did just win two weeks ago, give her some time!" He had forgotten that we were not in my home.
As you can see, those three days were very busy! I was in four states (including my lay over in Detroit), within four days! A lot of wonderful things happened including my birthday where I became 22 years old! Thank you to everyone who helped me get through that week alive. A special thank-you to my mother and Sandra Soucek who ran all over creation to find outfits for my People Magazine photo shoot, and my interviews in NYC the following day! I am a very lucky young lady.
Stay tuned for the next update on my television interviews in New York City and for the month of July! Thank you for your endless support.
Love you all!
-Kayla
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)