Happy Holidays and a Wonderful New Year!

This time of year is so special, so remember what the true spirit of this time of year is about! Wishing everyone a wonderful end to 2010 and and a great start to this new year!

             xoxo, 

                 Heidi and Skippy!

Legacy High School Talent Competition

Legacy High School has some of the most talented teens I have ever met! I was overwhelmed with the task of choosing a winner... there were so many groups that could have easily been given the 1st place prize for their unique abilities.

Special thanks to Student Council member Ashley Gutierrez for inviting me to be a part of this event, and congrats to the new winners!

Tree Lighting at Widefield Community Center

The Holiday Tree Lighting event is an annual gathering at the Widefield Community Center in Colorado Springs. I had the privilege of attending this fun event benefiting kids in need. Both the children in attendance and their families had so much fun with the hay rides, crafts, meeting Santa and doing some holiday shopping with the local vendors. 

I was able to meet a TON of cute kids, let them try on the crown and sign autographs, too! 

I’m positive there were at least a couple future Miss Colorado Teen- World contestants there:)

The Royal Image Boutique!

The Royal Image is the official gown sponsor for Miss Teen Colorado- World and will be dressing the new winner for her national gown presentation! The Royal Image Boutique just opened in its fabulous new location in Wheat Ridge. I had the opportunity to participate in their grand opening week.

They have the best selection of prom and pageant gowns in Colorado, not to mention their amazing jewelry and fashionable clothing! After trying on dresses and meeting some clients, I even did some shopping of my own and went home with a gorgeous gold watch and huge, black, rhinestone bracelet, too! The state pageant is right around the corner, that means dress shopping time! For more information about the Royal Image, you can visit the website at http://www.royalimageboutique.com/

The official program book cover/ autograph card/ promotion materials photo shoot was the epitome of fun. Ton of dresses, jewelry, and the guidance of the best director and photographer ever! I love how the photos came out and couldn’t be happier!

The program book cover has yet to be revealed... so stay tuned! Thank you so much to Graphique Fine Art Photography for such wonderful work.

Haley's Hearts

Haley's Heart is an adorable boutique filled with all things girly... candles, jewelry, the perfect jeans and of course blinged out everything! I had the opportunity to meet Haley and her family and tons of cute kids while attending the yearly community holiday celebration with carriage rides, a tree lighting and all!

I had so much fun with all of the little kids waiting for autographs!

NATIONALS... aka Best Week Ever

In June, I had the opportunity of a lifetime to compete at the national Miss Teen United States- World pageant in Houston, Texas. To say this was the best week of my life is an understatement. The people I met and the experiences I had changed who I am forever. The staff was top notch, the judges, including one of my favorite pageant winners ever, Lacy Wilson, Miss Massachusetts USA, were the best... but the other young women were on a level of their own. These girls were the absolute nicest, most intelligent, caring and passionate people I have ever been surrounded by.

 From orientation to rehearsals, to prelims and finals, I could not help but to acknowledge how truly blessed I have been to put in such an incredible position. Each and every second of my week at nationals was fun, and the friends I cam away with will be in my life forever. 

Being amongst this caliber of young ladies, I was beyond ecstatic to have placed in the top 15. After re-competing in swimsuit I advanced to the top 10 (to my surprise). After re-competing in gown I was convinced; I am truly the luckiest girl in the world I couldn’t be happier. When the names of the top 5 were called I was shocked to hear my name and brought to tears with how overwhelming the moment was. I could look out in the audience and see my mom, who through years of perseverance had always been the guiding hand leading me through and reminding me to always, if nothing else, have fun. So, that’s what I did in answering my top 5 question about bad boyfriends... It seemed to have gone over well, judging by the giggles from the women in the room;) When it came down to the final two, I was thrilled to hear my name as first runner-up, I could not be happier. 

First-runner up to me was like winning, top 15 to me was like winning.

Festival de Italiano

The Italian Festival in Bel-Mar was such a blast! While spreading the world about Play Green and their environmental preservation message, we also had the pleasure of tasting some of the best Italian food from around Denver. Pizza, Italian Ice and anything else you could think of... it was heaven. After a long day of visiting vendors and passing out flyers, we had to get our all time favorite- the green tea lemonade from Wy’s Tea!

Tea Time!

Our Jr. Miss Colorado- World, Marissa Murdock, was so sweet to put together a fabulous tea party for friends, family and fans to attend! The people at Wy’s Tea were so amazing, and produced some of the most delectable food I have ever eaten! My favorite was the Red Velvet Cake with cream cheese frosting... can you say “AMAZING”? Marissa and I always have so much fun together and she is just the most amazing little girl, or should I say ‘young lady’. She has been more that amazing and I am so proud to call her my sister.

Former Miss Teen Colorado- World, Micayla Keeley, and tons of other local Teen Colorado- World girls, were competing and attending the NAMiss pageant, so I couldn’t turn down the opportunity to reunite with my girls, and cheer on some of my best friends! While the pageant itself was great, I think we all had even more fun afterwards catching up and laughing about ‘old times’. 

Special congrats to Jamie Bell, a Teen- World girl, and one of my favorite people for placing as a runner up!

The Highlands Ranch Rodeo was my very first rodeo, and quite the experience! There were tons of farm animals, equestrian riders.... and of course plenty of handsome cowboys;)  

Marissa Murdock, the Jr. Miss Colorado and the Miss Teen Denver- World were also in attendance. In between helping with announcements, awarding trophies and experiencing all that the rodeo life had to offer, we also helped raise money for the Highlands Ranch Community Fund that goes towards funding scholarships and other events. 

While at the end of the day we were sweaty and dusty and had an undeniable scent of... well, animal, the experience was amazing and the countless laughs are unforgettable.

Mrs. Colorado United States is... Kathy Pallaoro!

I had such a fun time attending the Mrs. Colorado United States pageant! The winner, Kathy Pallaoro is such a funny, genuine and sweet lady... not to mention how incredible her gown was! I always love attending other pageants and see the winning reaction!

And it begins! CROWNING!

The night I was crowned Miss Teen Colorado- World was a dream come true. Not only was it proof for me that hard work, perseverance and dedication pay off, but that dreams do come true- no matter how big they may be. Surrounded by girls who had, over the years, become some of my closest friends, and girls whom I had just met and gotten to know, I was truly humbled. The young ladies of the Teen- World system are of integrity and leadership, and I am honored to have been chosen to be a part of this group.

Each phase of competition was so much fun, and I approached each with a positive attitude and appreciation for the experience, leaving behind any expectations.

To the judges, my family and my sponsors... thank you.