Homecoming week is over!

Now, it's time to catch up!

Last Saturday, Sept. 17th, I was asked to help with the Cartwheel-A-Thon in North Platte that raises money for Children's Miracle Network. Kayla and I weren't able to help with the tumbling part of it much, but we were definitely good encouragement for the kids fulfilling their pledges. Every hour on the half hour we taught the kids more about a healthy lifestyle and why its important. I had the strength station, so we did push ups :) In between pledgers, we did a little bit of tumbling ourselves. Kayla is a master at somersaults!

We also helped to break the world record for the most handstands across the world at one time... with crowns on :)

Last night, Sept 23rd, was North Platte High's Homecoming. The Cheerleaders, Pacers, and band performed at half time, which went REALLY well! We were lucky enough to have Danny Woodhead send Tapout, a brand of clothing/athletic supplies, to the game and bring along tons of merchandise to throw into the crowd. After the game, everyone ran off to get ready for the Homecoming dance and danced the night away. My date, Jeff Hardy, and I finished off the night at Penny's Dinner by getting a giant plate of hash browns :)

Today, I woke up bright and early (for the day after Homecoming at least) to go to First National Bank of North Platte's NESTFest. NEST encourages parents to set up college funds for their children at an early age. The parking lot was filled with HappyHoppers, face painting, carnival games, free food, a petting zoo, and an autograph table for yours truly. My estimate is that I gave away over 100 autographs, so the event was a complete success for First National, and I hope many parents in the area set up an account for their children. As I'm now a Senior preparing for college, I now really understand the importance of college money. You can never start too soon! At the end of the event, I went into the petting zoo :) I met Sprinkles, the house pig, and took a picture with him.

So that sums up my busy life for the past week! I'm not relaxing before being thrown back into the whirlwind of Cheerleading! Happy Saturday, and GO BIG RED!

Reflections on Sept. 11th

On a day like this, it's impossible to not remember where you were 10 years ago. I had not been told about it at school, I found out after school when I came home and turned on the TV. I don't remember much about that day, but I do remember there was a parents meeting that night, and we were asked to take a moment of silence. I was really too young to take in the magnitude of what just happened. It's hard for an 8 year old to understand that this was really happening, and that it would effect the rest of my life. I knew it was a terrible thing, but I didn't understand just how bad it really was.

Ten years from that day, I look back with a different view. Within a few years, I understood the impact this made on our nation, and even my life as a little girl in North Platte, NE. My Freshman year we watched the 9/11 movie, and I have to say that changed my life forever. It brought tears to my eyes, to see the firemen giving their lives to save others, to see the people on New York streets running to help in any way they could, to see that a human being could actually cause this much death and destruction willingly. It scared me to death. Yet at the same time, it gave me a sense of pride that our nation was brought together and completely forgot about our own selves in order to help our fellow Americans.

My dad and I always discuss what happened and things about the war. I've been really involved with the VFW and Legion activities this year too, so my eyes have really been opened. I am so proud of our soldiers who are fighting overseas. Our entire nation should be proud of our soldiers overseas. They have prevented another attack on our nation and have kept us safe. I only wish I could show my gratitude in some way, thank you.

Yesterday, I had the honor of singing the National Anthem at the Milo Day's Celebration in Carleton, NE. Before I sang, a presentation was made by the local Fire & Rescue Team in honor of 9/11. Everyone watching and involved in the parade was asked to rise and give 34 seconds of silence for those who lost their lives in the 9/11 attacks. Thirty-four seconds - 1 second for every 10 firemen and servicemen lost in the 9/11 attacks. It was dead silent. Prayers were being sent, thoughts were being made, and even the children wanting candy stood completely still in honor of this silence. Following that up with the National Anthem was quite difficult, I had tears in my eyes from just the thought how this event brought together our nation into one and how even a town in the middle of Nebraska can be so affected by this tragedy.

Today, I once again have the honor of singing the National Anthem for the NebraskaLand National Bank flag dedication at their North branch. I'm looking forward to this, and hopefully to once again take part in a ceremony like yesterdays.

I ask everyone reading this to take a minute out of their day to say a prayer, I gave mine last night before I went to bed. On a day like this, you can't help but thank God for protecting us, sending angels on that day who went into the buildings and saved lives, and continuing to send angels who are currently overseas protecting our country.

"Dear God,
 I ask that you give every single angel up there in heaven with you that was taken from us on 9/11 a giant hug. Be with their families on this day, and please give them a sense of peace. Watch over our soldiers fighting today as they remember why they are fighting. Bless our nation, for You are the one who has lead us through these troubled times. You have given us glories throughout the past 10 years that we can also celebrate on this day of remembrance. Watch over us as we remember those who have fallen, those who are grieving, and those who are still fighting. Thank You for protecting us."

One last thing, on this day of remembrance, I ask every single one of you reading this to do some sort of act of service. It's the least we can do to honor those who paid the ultimate sacrifice. :)

God Bless

Major Catching up!

Oh my, it's been forever since I've had time to write anything! Needless to say, my life has not slowed down at all since MAOT.

School is back in session! The cheer squad is doing amazing and I couldn't be more proud of them. I've heard nothing but good comments! :)

As for the pageant world, I have spent my time attending every local pageant that has been held so far! I've visited Miss Scottsbluff Co., Miss Lincoln, and Miss State Fair. Congrats to all of the new local titleholders, I'm looking forward to seeing you at state! Kayla Batt, Miss Nebraska, Kayla Decker, Miss State Fair 2010, and I escaped from backstage and took a trek around the fair grounds. We found red velvet funnel cake (YUM) and hair feathers! I ended up doing 18 Army push ups at the Army tent and won a free tshirt also! We signed autographs and performed, and then I was headed home once again.

Labor Day, I participated and volunteered with the Run to Cure Breast Cancer here in North Platte. A few friends and myself ran the 5K and braved the chilly fall weather. This was my first attempt at working out after MAOT... and was successful! I ran the entire way and ended up winning my division. Needless to say I was quite surprised, and am now quite sore!

Preparing for the ACT is what I'm doing this week! I'm hoping to raise my score of 30 to at least a 32. We'll see what happens. This is only one of 3 times I will be taking it this fall before I make my final decision and apply for scholarships.

This weekend after the ACT, I am traveling to Carleton, NE to help out with the Milo Days celebration. They have a long running tradition of having a teen pageant and I am so excited that I was asked to help out! I will be speaking to the girls about my platform, helping them make a few blankets to give out, riding in a parade, singing, and teaching them about what a pageant is really about. I have never been to Carleton, but from what I've heard this community is very welcoming and I cannot wait to go this weekend!

Sunday, I am helping with NebraskaLand National Bank's flag dedication at their North branch. Following the dedication at 4, there will be a free will donation dinner. It would be great to see a large part of the community at the event, as it will be commemorating the 10th anniversary of 9/11.

Also, concerning 9/11 - September 11th has been deemed a National Day of Service. I challenge everyone who reads this blog to go out of their way this Sunday to help someone in need. Even the smallest act will make a difference. It's the least we can do to honor those who have given their lives in service. I have chosen to not accept any form of re-reimbursement for my appearances this weekend in honor of this day, and hope to have the opportunity to find another service project by the end of the week. Let me know what you've done in honor of September 11th!

God Bless :)