Miss Arizona Sweetheart 2006: November 2007

Thank you for a Wonderful Year

As I make the last post on this blog, I would like to say thank you for following Brittany on her journey as Miss Arizona Sweetheart 2006. It was such an amazing year filled with fun events and great times with some amazing young women that we now call family. The bond that Brittany, Ally, Andrea, Tana and Tiffany formed is absolutely amazing. From the moment they were crowned it was like they had known each other all their lives. The personalities and values of these girls blended together beautifully. Even to this day they communicate on at least a weekly if not daily basis. Which is amazing considering each of them has a full schedule of activities.

To the new group of Arizona queens: I truly hope that each one of you has a truly amazing year full of wonderful memories.

The 2007 Arizona Queens at Nationals

One of the big changes at Nationals this year is all the contestants went to Disney on the same day. Looks like the Arizona girls had a great time together. Thanks for the picture Danielle.

Don't tell me the queens are in jail! Danielle, Gloria, and Alyson what crime could you have possibly committed...must be too much fun at Disney World

Richelle being crowned as the National Teen Speech winner.

Melody placed in the top 15 in the Coed division. Way to go Melody, we are so proud of you!!

Added note: I recently found out that Melody took 6th overall. That is absolutely amazing considering she had been extremely ill prior to the start of competition. As I said before WAY TO GO MELODY!!!

I finally got a picture of Richelle being crowned as the Miss American Teen 2008.

Arizona has a National Queen!!!

I just found out today that Richelle, our 2007 Arizona Teen Queen was crowned as the National Teen Queen this afternoon in Florida. We are so excited for her and her family. It is going to be such an amazing year for all of them. Richelle is an amazing young woman who has an extremely bright future. As soon as I have any photos I will post them on here.

WAY TO GO RICHELLE!!! WE ARE SO PROUD OF YOU!!!!

Richelle being crowned at the Arizona state pageant in July.

Pageant Finale - The Crowning

Ready for the opening number.

Brittany got to crown Brittany, how confusing is that?

Tana crowning Richelle as the new Arizona Teen Queen.

Brittany (Sweetheart) and Gloria (PreTeen)two of the new Arizona queens.

Meet the 2007 Arizona queens. (standing) Gloria (PreTeen), Danielle (Jr. Teen) and Melody (Coed) (sitting) Brittany (Sweetheart), Devyn (Princess), Richelle (Teen) and Simarah (Sweetheart Hostess)

All the queens together for one last group photo.

Tana and Melody the new Coed queen.

Last Rehearsal

This is it, the last chance to work on the dance before the pageant finale. In a matter of hours all the hard work of the rehearsals will be revealed with the opening numbers. I was hanging out in the lobby with a group of extremely nervous moms. Each one hoping their daughter, I truly wish we were able to crown more than one winner in each division. The girls and moms that I met during this weekend were absolutely amazing. I do not envy the job of the judges, all I can say is I will never be a pageant judge.

What queens do when they have down time....

Practice the talent they will be performing at the pageant finale...

Stuff their face full of food....

Make faces at the camera....

Enjoy the view from the hotel room.

Interview Competition

I followed the girls into the ball room to get some photos while they were waiting for interview. If I could have I would have followed them into the interview room for some snapshots, but that would have been too distracting for the girls and judges.

Brittany offered some tips to the girls before they met with the judges. She reminded them to smile, have fun and be themselves.

Always ready to make silly faces for the camera.

Family Brunch

The queens and a few of the contestants ready for breakfast on Saturday morning. This is a great event where the contestants, family members, queens, judges and directors all have a relaxing fun-filled breakfast. It's a great time to relax and get to know the other families that are attending the pageant. I love how the American Coed Pageant is truly about being a family.

At the breakfast the girls were surprised with the spirit award from Marlene. We had no idea they were going to receive this award. Marlene had told them they were going to just talk a little about the volunteer work and other activities that they had done through the year. After each girl spoke a little about the year, Marlene presented them with the awards. As a mother, I couldn't have been prouder of each of these girls. They truly encompass what it means to be a queen, caring, compassionate and ready to help others at a moments notice.

Mister Pageant

A fun part of the weekend for the gentlemen is the Mister Pageant. This is the chance for the guys to get up on stage and strut their stuff. Brittany talked her brother into competiting. He had such a great time that he wants to do it again. He loved the on-stage questions. I also think he loved strutting his stuff on stage.

He ended up being first runner-up. I thought that was amazing since he has never been on stage in front of an audience before!

The queens with the Mister winner, Brandon, and first runner-up also a Brandon! Congrats guys!!

Optionals

One of my favorite parts about the pageant is the optional competition. I am always amazed at the amount of talent within the contestants. A tradition with the Arizona pageant has been a fashion prior to all the girls to the fashion wear optional. I think this is a great chance for the girls to work out any last nervousness prior to being judged. The queens always have a color theme. This year it was bright colors. The girls had a blast coordinating their outfits. Then of course there was the shopping (thanks Tana and Tiffany for helping Brittany pick out her shirt and accessories.)

The 70s Get Acquainted Party

Who's that queen?? Why it's Tiffany ready for the get acquainted party. This is a great event for the contestants and their families. It's a chance for them to let their hair down and party! This year's theme was the 70's.