Wow! I can’t believe that the week is already over! On Saturday morning the ladies checked in for the week and had a brief orientation on the job of Miss Oklahoma. Immediately following orientation they began a long week of rehearsals for the 40th Anniversary show! On Sunday morning, I had the chance to speak to all of the contestants, some teen contestants and even some parents at the chapel service at ORU. We were so blessed to have Lauren and Randy Faram there to lead our music!

On Monday, I had media interviews bright and early with channel 6 and channel 8 news. After the interviews we all went to Kiwanis luncheon where Lauren Nelson-Faram gave one of the most incredible and inspirational talks I’ve ever heard. She emphasized the importance of the having a love for everyone, a humble spirit, and a servants heart. Also on Monday, Mu and Omega groups began interview! Tuesday morning, I went to more media interviews at Fox 23 and Channel 2 while Sigma group went to judges interview. That night preliminaries began! It was an incredible show that featured several of our formers. We truly are blessed in Oklahoma to have such a close sisterhood of former Miss Oklahoma’s and Miss America’s who continue to stay involved in the organization.

Once the preliminaries began, the week just flew by! On Thursday I performed with a troupe of Irish dancers instead of solo for the opening number. The “Miss O’Dancers” turned out to be quite a hit with the audience which was incredibly exciting! We spent hours and hours preparing our dance for the Miss Oklahoma stage, so I was thrilled that it got such a good reception. Also that night, Jason (My choreographer from Miss America) and I performed an Irish dance duet! On Saturday, the Miss Oklahoma board hosted a farewell dinner for me! I was honored to receive a Chickasaw tribal blanket from Chickasaw Governor Anaotubby, and a gorgeous silver tea set from the board!The troupe performed again on final night in the opening number and I danced my Miss America routine later in the show. I crowned the beautiful Miss Oklahoma 2012, Alicia Clifton! Look out Miss America…here she comes!

Immediately after the show, we went to the awards celebration where I was surprised by a beautiful glass crown case from the local directors association! Now my Miss Oklahoma crown can be on display with my Miss Oklahoma and Miss America awards! I can’t imagine a more incredible way to end this amazing year. Though this is the end of my chapter as Miss O, I know that I will continue to stay involved in the organization and I’m excited to see what God has in store next!

I’m humbled and honored to have served as Miss Oklahoma 2011!