Wow. I was really planning on being super efficient with this blog, but somehow my schedule is just not allowing me the time I need to maintain this properly. This will probably be an exceptionally long blog, just to makeup for the fact that I didn't update this as regularly as I should have.
Where to start? on the 23rd I was able to judge the Clark County Teen Idol competition! This was an absolute blast. I was able to work with Miss Greater Vancouver, Heather Laible, as the emcee; Miss Clark County's Outstanding Teen, Chelsea Jordan, as a fellow judge; and Tim Leavitt, a Vancouver City Councilman, as another judge. I was so impressed at how talented the kids in Clark County are! Everyone presented themselves so well (future teen contestants, maybe?) In the end AnnAlise Barton became the designated Clark County Idol! She sang "think" the classic Aretha Franklin song. It was amazing to see such a tiny girl have such a big strong voice! I think that when she hit that very first note, my jaw hit the table. I was so impressed!
Another very exciting event was the coronation of my Greater Vancouver's Outstanding Teen successor. Not only is Mariah Hairston, my pageant buddy, but her and I have been good friends since Freshman year in Skyview's Dance Team! She really is a going to be a great representative of Greater. I have no doubt that she will go far in life, and change the world with her warm heart. I really couldn't have asked for a better successor!
On the 30th, I was able to perform my tap solo, Clap Hands! at the Schell Dance Studio "Time and Place Machine" presentation. This was a fundraiser for the local dancers who are going to be competing and participating in workshops in Las Vegas, NV at a national dance competition. I wish them all the best of luck!!! I also want to thank Marlene Schell, for giving me the opportunity to perform. Not only is she a great dancer and choreographer, but she is basically a family member to me. She has always been so supportive of me. In fact, there is a whole "Genay Message Board" hanging in the studio. She has gathered newspaper clippings, photos, and thank you cards. I really couldn't ask for a better teacher and support system. She is always there for me, and she knows that I'm always here for her.
I was also, really excited to get an opportunity to meet all of the local Miss contestants at the Miss WA arrival! They are all really great girls, and our wonderful role models for young women in Washington!
Now I have good news, and I have bad news.
I'll give you the bad news first. Kristen Edding's year as Miss Washington has come to an end. Kristen is and will continue to be a great role model for me. She was a great representative of this program, and it is very sad to see her go. However, I know she will continue to be successful and positively change the world. The good news is, that I have a new pageant big sister! Congratulations to Elyse Umemoto the new Miss Washington. I can't wait to get to know her better, and I'm so excited that she is going to be coming to Orlando to support me in the Miss America's Outstanding Teen competition.
I would also like to thank the Locals Association, for allowing me the opportunity to speak at their meeting this past weekend. I really learned a lot about the inner workings of the program! Thank you so much, for your continued support!
Last, but not least, I have very exciting news! I have been offered a speaking position for the Northwest Chapter of Cure Autism Now/Autism Speaks on July 11th. I truly can't wait for this opportunity! This gives me the chance to work with more kids and families dealing with autism, spread the message of autism advocacy and awareness, while assisting in a fundraiser and kick off event! This is really a great experience for me, and is the most exciting thing that has happened to me thus far in my year of service!
Until next time,
Genay Tucker
Photos:
Chelsea Jordan, Miss Clark County's Outstanding Teen; Heather Laible, Miss Greater Vancouver; Tim Leavitt, Vancouver Councilman. All working hard at the Clark County Teen Idol Competition!
This is AnnAlise Barton, one of the amazing singers from Clark County!
The Woodland Parade, with the Clark County Girls and the Mustangs Unlimited Club. (The cute one in the middle is my sister and pinecone princess, Terissa!)
Kelly and I selling tickets for the "Jeanay" drawing. Half of the money went to the winner, and the other half came to my family to support our trip to Orlando for Miss America's Outstanding Teen!
Mariah Hairston, the new Miss Greater Vancouver's Outstanding Teen! Enjoy your year Mariah! If ever you need any support, you know where to reach me!
My little sister and I! Isn't she just adorable!?!?!?!
The 2007 Miss Washington contestants
The Clark County girls and I, raising scholarship money at Burgerville!
Dancing after the Miss Washington pageant! This was so much fun!
Doris Hayes-Clark, one of my role models and mentors. This woman is purely amazing. She's basically wonder woman.
Where to start? on the 23rd I was able to judge the Clark County Teen Idol competition! This was an absolute blast. I was able to work with Miss Greater Vancouver, Heather Laible, as the emcee; Miss Clark County's Outstanding Teen, Chelsea Jordan, as a fellow judge; and Tim Leavitt, a Vancouver City Councilman, as another judge. I was so impressed at how talented the kids in Clark County are! Everyone presented themselves so well (future teen contestants, maybe?) In the end AnnAlise Barton became the designated Clark County Idol! She sang "think" the classic Aretha Franklin song. It was amazing to see such a tiny girl have such a big strong voice! I think that when she hit that very first note, my jaw hit the table. I was so impressed!
Another very exciting event was the coronation of my Greater Vancouver's Outstanding Teen successor. Not only is Mariah Hairston, my pageant buddy, but her and I have been good friends since Freshman year in Skyview's Dance Team! She really is a going to be a great representative of Greater. I have no doubt that she will go far in life, and change the world with her warm heart. I really couldn't have asked for a better successor!
On the 30th, I was able to perform my tap solo, Clap Hands! at the Schell Dance Studio "Time and Place Machine" presentation. This was a fundraiser for the local dancers who are going to be competing and participating in workshops in Las Vegas, NV at a national dance competition. I wish them all the best of luck!!! I also want to thank Marlene Schell, for giving me the opportunity to perform. Not only is she a great dancer and choreographer, but she is basically a family member to me. She has always been so supportive of me. In fact, there is a whole "Genay Message Board" hanging in the studio. She has gathered newspaper clippings, photos, and thank you cards. I really couldn't ask for a better teacher and support system. She is always there for me, and she knows that I'm always here for her.
I was also, really excited to get an opportunity to meet all of the local Miss contestants at the Miss WA arrival! They are all really great girls, and our wonderful role models for young women in Washington!
Now I have good news, and I have bad news.
I'll give you the bad news first. Kristen Edding's year as Miss Washington has come to an end. Kristen is and will continue to be a great role model for me. She was a great representative of this program, and it is very sad to see her go. However, I know she will continue to be successful and positively change the world. The good news is, that I have a new pageant big sister! Congratulations to Elyse Umemoto the new Miss Washington. I can't wait to get to know her better, and I'm so excited that she is going to be coming to Orlando to support me in the Miss America's Outstanding Teen competition.
I would also like to thank the Locals Association, for allowing me the opportunity to speak at their meeting this past weekend. I really learned a lot about the inner workings of the program! Thank you so much, for your continued support!
Last, but not least, I have very exciting news! I have been offered a speaking position for the Northwest Chapter of Cure Autism Now/Autism Speaks on July 11th. I truly can't wait for this opportunity! This gives me the chance to work with more kids and families dealing with autism, spread the message of autism advocacy and awareness, while assisting in a fundraiser and kick off event! This is really a great experience for me, and is the most exciting thing that has happened to me thus far in my year of service!
Until next time,
Genay Tucker
Photos:
Chelsea Jordan, Miss Clark County's Outstanding Teen; Heather Laible, Miss Greater Vancouver; Tim Leavitt, Vancouver Councilman. All working hard at the Clark County Teen Idol Competition!
This is AnnAlise Barton, one of the amazing singers from Clark County!
The Woodland Parade, with the Clark County Girls and the Mustangs Unlimited Club. (The cute one in the middle is my sister and pinecone princess, Terissa!)
Kelly and I selling tickets for the "Jeanay" drawing. Half of the money went to the winner, and the other half came to my family to support our trip to Orlando for Miss America's Outstanding Teen!
Mariah Hairston, the new Miss Greater Vancouver's Outstanding Teen! Enjoy your year Mariah! If ever you need any support, you know where to reach me!
My little sister and I! Isn't she just adorable!?!?!?!
The 2007 Miss Washington contestants
The Clark County girls and I, raising scholarship money at Burgerville!
Dancing after the Miss Washington pageant! This was so much fun!
Doris Hayes-Clark, one of my role models and mentors. This woman is purely amazing. She's basically wonder woman.
