Keila Hernandez of Ottumwa-2nd runner-up & Katie Peterson of Urbandale-1st Runner-up.

Things have been CRAZY since we got back! I've been trying to get all my Thank you cards sent out to the sponsors as well as sending out Press Releases to the papers and contacting the radio and tv stations. The Boone News Republican should have a story written up in today's paper(Friday 6/13), along with pictures! I have to make sure I pick up a copy. They came to my house and interviewed me, so that was kind of fun! I've also been trying to line up appearances for the year as well as trying to find sponsors for my trip to Nationals in August! Know of anyone who might be interested? I need to raise about $1,000! I will be heading down to Tucson, AZ, August 25, with the final crowning on September 2. Louis will be joining me towards the end of my stay. This Monday(6/16) I have a photoshoot in Minneapolis at 3pm and then next Friday (6/20) I fly out to Georgia for the Mrs. Georgia Pageant (I will be "visiting royalty"). The Iowa state directors also do the Georgia pageant. They are covering the cost of the plane tickets and hotel stay...thank goodness!
God has been wonderful to me and I know it is because of Him that I now hold the title of Mrs. Iowa America! I felt His presence the entire weekend of competition and literally "saw" His radiance on my face. It was such an amazing experience! I can't even describe it fully! I hope He gives me the courage & drive to set into motion something that I think is sooo important.... and that is starting an organization that goes into our area schools and talks to the young women (& men) about the early warning signs of an abusive relationship. My very first relationship was an abusive one, and I want to share my personal story in the hopes that it will prevent that from happening to some one else. I just feel God's hand in all this and I want to follow where He is guiding me.

Mrs. Iowa America Pageant

I WON!!!! I still can't believe it! It feels so good to have all my hard work rewarded! Now I get to go to Nationals in Tucson, Arizona the end of August and hopefully capture the Mrs. America crown! I am still on cloud 9 even three days later! I have been so busy since I got home trying to get all my thank you cards sent out and lining up appearences and parades and all the other things that are required of me. It's quite the rush! I will be going to the Mrs. Georgia America Pageant the weekend of the 20th since the Iowa state directors also run that pageant. It should be a lot of fun! I also have a photoshoot in Minneapolis on Monday that I am trying to coordinate with the Minnesota and Wisconsin winners. It has been crazy! I will write more later(I hope) when I have more time, so for now you will have to be content with these 2 pics.

Updates to Soon Follow

At the moment I am so busy trying to get organized that I will have to update my blog later. I hope to get to it by the end of this week. Stay tuned!!