Wow…What a whirlwind! I feel like I was leaving for the airport only a few days ago anxious and excited for what the week would bring. Hours of rehearsal, and 3 full cans of hairspray later the pageant is over but the memories I made will last a lifetime.
We did on site filming all over Las Vegas–the Wynn, Bellagio, Palms, Fremont Street, and the Cosmopolitan. We even got to watch Phantom of the Opera at the Venetian! It’s by far one of my favorite shows of all time, but watching it in Vegas was a whole new experience.
One thing that I really loved about our Miss America Class of 2012 was that we all got along really well. There wasn’t a division among the girls and even after preliminaries began, jealousy issues didn’t surface. I have never been in a pageant, or situation where 53 women got along so well. I became especially good friends with a few of the girls and I know we will stay close for a very long time because we all share a bond…we have experienced something so wonderful, exciting, nerve-racking, and emotionally draining together. No past or future group of Miss State’s experienced exactly what we did together and for that reason I believe we will always be close. We laughed together, cried together, boosted each others confidence, and we prayed together.
My prayer leading up to Miss America, and all through Miss America week was that God would allow me to have no regrets. I knew that I had done the preparation I needed to feel my absolute best and it was time to give it all to Him. I prayed that the words I spoke, the questions I answered, the way I carried myself, and even my dance would all be a reflection of Him and His will for my life. I prayed that whoever wore the crown of Miss America, whether it was me or not, would give Him the glory and that she would have a heart for Him. That prayer couldn’t have been answered any more clearly. I got to know Laura in Orlando during MAOT, and she truly has a heart of gold. She wouldn’t dream of speaking ill of anyone. I think it’s obvious from watching her compete in Miss America that she is a genuine, gracious, and humble woman. I am so proud to call her my MAO class sister, my friend, and our new Miss America!
I know in my heart that God’s will is definitely at work in my life. His plans for me are more magnificent that anything I could ever imagine!
“For I know the plans I have for you, declares the LORD, plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.” -Jeremiah 29:11
God has truly blessed my life! I left Miss America with the honor of being America’s Choice, a preliminary talent winner, 1st Runner Up to Miss America 2012 and $27,000 in scholarship in addition to my Miss Oklahoma scholarship! I’m so blessed to be home in Oklahoma, where the land really is grand, our “waving wheat” is ORANGE and sweet, and our THUNDER rolls!!!!!
missbetty.org 
Comments on: "Miss America 2012" (14)
Great blog, and great job representing our state and us Irish-hearted people. Great job lass!
Betty, you are a classy lady! Thank you for representing Oklahoma so well! We are proud of you!
Just wanted to let you know how excited and proud your OSU family is of you. It was great to be there to see you do so well at Miss America. Winning 1st runner-up is an amazing accomplishment! Check this out. You made the front page of the O’Colly yet again!!! http://www.ocolly.com/student-gets-runner-up-at-miss-america-1.2742396#.TxXc5XHlVcA
Wonderful post! You are such an inspiration to young women, especially those who compete in the MAO system.
Quick question – where’d you get your dress? It’s gorgeous and perfect for us fun-sized ladies!
So proud of you and the way you represented the State of Oklahoma Betty! We were very fortunate to have such a beautiful and talented young Christian lady representing our state…and our alma mater!
You were lovely to watch and to know one of my past renters Debbie Kendall was helping you was fun for me to know. We rooted for you, and it was nice to see how far dance can go. I have been a dancer since I was 15 years old and now I am in my fifties still teaching fitness, yoga and laughter and modern dance. Have a great year, you will represent Okalahoma well.
Sandi Walker
Congratulations, you not did swell, as Miss Oklahoma, but you also represented your fellow Jersey breeders in a positive manner. Best of luck in your future endeavors.
Ooops, I was trying to say that you not only did a swell job as Miss Oklahoma, but you represented your fellow Jersey breeders in a positive manner. Best of luck in your future endeavors.
My name is Kim and my daughter is Haley. I don’t know if you remember us but you tutored my daughter in reading last year. She was so excited to watch you on Miss America. Congratulations. You are a wonderful person and are number 1 to us!
It was so fun to watch you in the pageant! I told my husband I had a feeling you would be in the top contestants, and wasn’t a bit surprised when you were top 2! You nailed every part of the competition. I was happy you gave a straight answer and didn’t skirt your question, which seems to happen a lot. I also thought your talent was refreshingly unique and you were genuinely GOOD at it! Based on all of those things, I really thought you deserved to win. Miss Wisconsin was a great pick and seems like a sweet girl, but I still see you as the winner! You are an inspiration to me and many other Oklahomans. You should be proud of yourself Betty, you represented us well. : )
A bunch of my friends had a watch party in OKC since I couldn’t make it out. We cheered so loud and had a blast watching you. So proud of everything that you have accomplished thus far. I know you will continue to do great things.
Glad I was not a judge, had you and Wisconsin tied. No way could I have ranked one of you above the other.
we would love a promo poster and bio for the Dance Studio in Nashville! great inspiration!! Do any your public appearance bring you to Nashville Tennessee? the Nashvillle Irish Step dancers would love to cheer you on!
You’ve been a great Miss Oklahoma.