Viva Las Vegas!

Does my writing look different from Nevada?

For those of you who don't know, I'm currently typing from Miss America in Vegas, Nevada. I am tickled silly to be cheering for our wonderful WA girl!!! Although, I am far to ADD to be in such a crazy city; the lights, the noises, and the crown. It is so cool to be able to watch all our Miss America contestants. As you avid bloggers know, I always watch the Miss America: Reality Check on TLC. Which has been so cool, because now I feel like I know each of these contestants, just from those small little inputs on TLC.com and the show.



But back to the GOOD STUFF!!!

Elyse looks fantastic, and she has by far the greatest introduction of the bunch. "I'm Elyse Umemoto, Miss Washington...How do you like them apples?"



Tuesday night, she competed in onstage question and blew it out of the water.
Last night she did swimsuit and evening gown and looked simply divine.

Oh, but what has your Outstanding Teen been doing in Sin City, since she can't gamble? SHOPPING, of course! I did not know that you could have a mall...in a hotel, oh and did I mention the HUGE theatre? The tradeshow has the "blingiest" stuff, I've ever seen. You guys think my wardrobe is sparkly...oh, you have no idea. Las Vegas is definately extreme. I think it's so great that they have the program here, the city definately has a personality and character of its own.



This morning, I got to do an autograph signing with all of my sisters from ORLANDO!



It's so nice to see some familiar smiling faces. I've had a lot of fun reconnecting with all of my girls. Especially, my MAOTT (Miss America's Outstanding TALL Teens) friends.



I had a lot of fun with my MAOT sisters doing interviews for MTV's new "How's Your News."



My favorite part so far has been getting to meet some of the previous Miss America titleholders. They are some of the sweetest and most gracious people I've ever met.





Maybe next time I write, we'll have a Miss America from Washington!!!
~Genay

The Miss Spokane's Outstanding Teen Pageant

I had so much fun going to the Miss Spokane's Outstanding Teen Pageant. This was my very first Outstanding Teen pageant, that I got to watch...if you count being an active show member as viewing the pageant.

It was so much fun getting to meet these girls and all of their adorable princesses. They all did an amazin job of maintaining their poise and grace on stage. Spokane has a lot to be proud of. All of them would have represented Spokane well, and even Washington, for that matter (hint, hint. nudge, nudge...all 6 of them should come to MWOT.)

It was also nice visiting some familiar faces that I don't get to see nearly enough, Tori and Emily! Both of these ladies are amazing role models. It is no wonder that the contestants are as amazingly well-rounded as they are with the great role models that they have in both Tori and Emily.

Cheri and Bev of the Miss Spokane's Outstanding Teen Program were exceptionally hospitable to me and my family. They fed us, and made sure we each had a place to stay for the night. I couldn't have asked for a better first local teen appearance! Not too mention, we all just had a lot of fun together.

In the pageant, I was able to perform two talents (a tap and a ballet), have some microphone time, and assist in the award ceremonies. I am so thankful to everyone who came and supported the program, along with everyone working behind the scenes to make the show run as smoothly as it did.

I would like to congratulate Chloe Maier, Trisha D'Agostino, Madison Martin, Katelyn Assmus, Ann Stephenson, and McKenzi Novell on a job well done. I know just how hard it is to stand up in front of a bunch of strangers and allow them to analyze you, and each of you handled that situation with grace and elegance.

Congratulations to McKenzi Novell, Miss Spokane's Outstanding Teen 2008!

~Genay


Performing a ballet on point to "Not While I'm Around," from Sweeney Todd.


McKenzi Novell during her crowning moment!


The Outstanding Teens and Princesses of Spokane.


The Judges...I do not envy their job.


The fish face is now legendary.


McKenzi and I! I wish you the best of luck during your reign, and can't wait to see you at forum (if not before)!

Aww...The Apple of Our Eye.

The Fashion Show was so much fun. Everyone did such an amazing job. The show fell together perfectly (well, almost perfectly--I think functional zippers are allergic to me.) Other than my slight fashion mishap, the show was wonderful! Elyse's wardrobe is amazing, and she will make all of Washington proud in Vegas. I couldn't have asked for a better Miss/mentor. I'm so excited for her, and only hope she doesn't forget us little people when she makes the big time. I can't wait to cheer her on in Vegas. AHHH, Genay's first time in Sin City.

There were some representatives from the Miss Washington 2007 class who came to support Elyse and show off some stellar fashions. These ladies are so amazing. I really owe Devanni, Tina, Kelly, Liz, Shannon, Sara, Elyse, Fianna, Mrs. Dickson, Sarah-lynn, and Momma Duck huge thank you's for all of their help backstage. From helping me get zipped to dealing with the mess I made of the dressing room. It seems as though this program always has me surrounded with the greatest people in Washington, I'm so spoiled. Oh, and another way that I'm spoiled- my fabulous directors both stuffed the raffles to win me a zebra print dress. For those of you who know me well, you know that I am so into zebra print. From dresses to purses to pillows...it's kind of a lucky charm for me. It's so cool that they actually won, and now I have this really fun statue. It's beautiful! I also got to perform Dreamgirls today, and surprisingly there were quite a few people who hadn't seen this number yet. The feedback and support I get with virtually everything I perform (except for when I attempted to sing Celine Dion to Sally) is unbelievable. I really can't take much credit, Nicole is really one of the most amazing dancers I've ever gotten to work with. She's the one who makes me look good.

~Genay






If you don't think this photo is at least a little bit funny, you should take a nap and look again.


We do our best to represent the teens of Washington, in both Miss America's Outstanding Teen and Miss Teen USA. Mandy is such a cutie.


Imitation is the sincerest form of flattery.

Humm.

Yesterday, I got to work with the Miss Clark County Scholarship Organization for their pageant talent auditions. This was so much fun. I can't wait to work with all these amazing girls. More importantly, I am so excited that their teen program has grown, last year there were 8 teens and this year they have 13(knock on wood). I've really had a blast meeting everyone and offering small things I've learned through this organization. Once again, I'd like to extend myself to all other counties, particularly those holding Outstanding Teen programs. I would love to work at the workshops, just to meet the young ladies and future representatives.

On another note, I am so excited to do the Miss Washington Fashion Show next weekend. It is just one last hoorah to wish Elyse the best of luck at Nationals. And, of course, I have this groovy new cocktail dress to wear. By new, I mean really old formal wear that has been revamped into a schnazzy cocktail dress! Thanks to Fianna for all of her hard work on the Fashion Show, I know it will be amazing.

LOVE,
Genay

(ps-Keep voting for Elyse!)

She's just reppin' the WA!

So, I hope that everyone was watching TLC's Miss America Reality Check tonight!

Elyse looked amazing, as usual. She did such a great job representing us, and got lots of air time (because she's amazing).

Although, I will admit Washingtonians have a teensie-weensie bit of an advantage when it comes to flag finding challenges; amidst all the red and blue, that green flag sticks out like a sore thumb! I'm so proud that she's my miss and she was absolutely fabulous!

I only have one question, why didn't the teens do this! I think it's great that they're modernizing the pageant to embrace new generations. It will only make the Miss America title to new levels, making her a more recognized icon and role model. Teens can do this, too! And plus, it just looks like a whole lot of fun!

Did you notice that Maine and Washington were in the same group? It makes me miss my best buddy, Miss Maine's Outstanding Teen, who is now unable to go to Miss America.

I, MWOT, challenge you, blog reader, to hurry up and vote for ELYSE!!!!!


In order to do so you must...

A) Go to the little address bar at the top of your screen and type in www.tlc.com/missamerica
B) Look to the far left of your screen. Here you will find a scroll down that says, "Vote for America's Girl"
C) Roll down the alphabet until you get to the W's.
D) Find Washington.
E) Click "go".
F) Now you will be brought to a page that has a loverly photo of our dearest Elyse.
G) Click "vote now"
H) If you have a pop-up blocker you might have to hold down the control button while clicking on the "vote now" button.
I) Fill out the various information the pop-up asks you for.
J) THEN SEND ALL OF YOUR FRIENDS TO FOLLOW SUIT!

What are you waiting for? GO! GO! GO!

oh...and on a side note to Elyse- Really, 5 lbs of gummy worms!?!?!? Where did you put them?