Thursday at MAOT!

Thursday morning started with a photo shoot with the wonderful Jenn Cady!  She had some great ideas and all of us "formers" had a great time.  After that we did some video shooting for the pageant Saturday night and then it was off to prepare for the recording of our Viral Videos.  Last year these videos were used to help choose two of the top 15 at the Miss America Pageant.  Many people took their videos to the extreme and rapped, or acted out a skit, but I decided just to speak my mind about the job.  Due to my awesome procrastination skills I didn't have anything written down until a few hours before the shoot.  After some help from Amy, my 60 second speech was complete.  I then practiced over and over in the mirror (such a weird thing to do) until I was confidant.

The last of the girls before recording our Viral Videos!

Before shooting my video I met with the Artistry by Amway Skincare Specialists and received an entire bag of goodies: cleanser, toner, moisturizer, mascara, eye shadow, brushes, blush and powder!  It was such a great gift from a fabulous sponsor.  Next on the agenda: supper at Maggiano's sponsored by David and Kerry of Regalia and Mary Sullivan, the ED of the Miss Florida pageant.  It was such great food and great company!  We had the opportunity to tell some interesting facts about ourselves with the group and I learned a lot!  There are some great talents (licking of the elbow, impersonations) it made me so excited to spend another week with these ladies in Vegas!

MN, AL, NE, WA, KS, MD

Miss Hawaii, and my sweetheart, Lauren 

I got a little photo happy this evening after the show!  I recorded Brooke singing her talent (she did PHENOMENAL) but I can't get it to play on my computer...so that was just a little tease I suppose!

Mary Margaret

Miss NY and I!

Love this girl

So proud of my Brook!

With my Directors past and preset!

I couldn't believe that it was already Thursday and soon my trip to Florida would be over!  I am anxious for what Saturday night would bring and ready to partake in more adventures as the week moved on.

Exhausted after prelims,

Kayla

Miss Nebraska


“Have faith in God,” Jesus answered.  “Truly I tell you, if anyone says to this mountain, ‘Go, throw yourself into the sea,’ and does not doubt in their heart but believes that what they say will happen, it will be done for them."  Mark 11:22-23

Wednesday at MAOT!

As I mentioned in Tuesday's blog, I was very tired and knowing I may not get the opportunity again, Amy and I chose not to set an alarm and I may have slept until 10:30 or so...oops.  It felt sooo good!  After finally dragging myself out of bed and getting ready we went down to the trade show and then headed for lunch!  From lunch it was right to rehearsal where I read over my script and made sure I was pronouncing all the names correctly and then it was off to the hotel to start the beautifying process all over again.

Miss MN and Miss ND, Co-hosts for the evening!

I had such a great time co-hosing the pageant that evening and loved the fact that I got to see Brooke before she went on stage each night.  Tonight though, Brooke came up to me (probably my best experience the whole trip) and said, "Kayla, will you pray with me?"  I was so pleased and so happy to do this with Brooke.  I love that she turned to me to guide her prayers.  And in the past week I have heard Brooke speak of her faith and the new dedication to it several times.  It makes me so proud to know that I've had a part in that and can be an example to her through my own life.

Miss HI, Miss WV, Miss VT and Miss NE

Blessed and proud of my little sister, 

Kayla 

Miss Nebraska

"Whoever dwells in the shelter of the Most High will rest in the shadow of the Almighty.  I will say of the LORD, “He is my refuge and my fortress, my God, in whom I trust.”  Surely he will save you from the fowler’s snare and from the deadly pestilence.  He will cover you with his feathers, and under his wings you will find refuge; his faithfulness will be your shield and rampart.  You will not fear the terror of night, nor the arrow that flies by day, nor the pestilence that stalks in the darkness, nor the plague that destroys at midday.  A thousand may fall at your side, ten thousand at your right hand,but it will not come near you."  Psalms 91:1-7

Tuesday at MAOT!

Rosen Centre Hotel that was my home for a week!

Well, what can I say.  Florida was as it was four years ago when I stepped into the muggy, hot air of Orlando.  Only this time, I was Miss Nebraska!  Okay, well I still am, but you know what I'm saying.  It was such a great welcome as it reminded me much of my experience four years ago when I went to compete for the title of Miss America's Outstanding Teen.  As Amy and I walked into the hotel everything came back to me, the colors, the scent, and the memories.  I couldn't wait to meet the other girls, my new sisters, and spend time getting to know them!  

Some of you may know that because of my former title of Miss Nebraska's Outstanding Teen 2007, I was given the opportunity to co-host one night of preliminaries as well as be introduced on stage each night.  So as I readied myself for the evening and made my way downstairs I found all my new sisters, who were former teen title holders!  Two of which were my former MAOT sisters and two of my sweethearts!  I was so at ease knowing a handful of the girls and then having this opportunity to visit with them before the show.  

Brooke had evening gown and onstage question and despite her earring falling off did wonderfully, so wonderful at that, that she won the preliminary award that night!  That is the first time Nebraska has won a preliminary award at MAOT!  I was so proud!  Onto visitation!

With the wonderful Chris

Shoe Picture!

As we were all mingling and taking photos one of the dads came up to me and asked me about my blue suede shoes.  I was very excited about them, seeing as they made their debut that night but little did I know that they would have some sort of significance.  This dad told me that August 16th was Elvis' death day in 1977, and thought that I had worn my blue suede shoes in honor of Elvis.  I had to tell him the truth in that I didn't actually know about that, I just happen to choose this outfit for this day.  BUT that didn't stop me from telling everyone else why I had those shoes on.  And my where they impressed!  I believe I will always remember that day and may just have to bust out the blue suede's every year in memory!

Yay for directors!

After visitation, a few of the Miss contestants decided to walk over to Denny's to help Lauren, Miss Hawaii, celebrate her 24th birthday!  It was a hoot walking into the diner with our crowns and sashes but even more fun getting to talk with the girls one on one...and of course talking a few pictures!

This photo is indescribable.

I can say that the five hours of sleep, rough landing into Orlando, a day in heels and a night on the town, definitely tired me out!  After supper I was more than ready to crash!

Loving my class of 2012,

Kayla 

Miss Nebraska

Just a little love from the King.

"Brothers and sisters, if someone is caught in a sin, you who live by the Spirit should restore that person gently. But watch yourselves, or you also may be tempted. Carry each other’s burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ. If anyone thinks they are something when they are not, they deceive themselves."  Galatians 6:1-3

Miss America Lottery

Although this wasn't an event I had to be dressed up for, or travel to, I still consider it an event.  This Tuesday at 4pm Central Time, I sat with my computer sweating bullets and hyperventilating slighty, awaiting the first pick of the states to begin the lottery.  Before it started, Joel asked me, "If you're first, where do you want to be?"  I immediately answered, "Mu 6."  He asked me why and I didn't know why, I just thought, if I were to be first, that's what I wanted.  Turns out I wasn't first but thirty-first and out of the ten slots I had chosen originally, four of them were still open.  My first choice was Mu 6 and when my name came up Mu 6 was still available and I filled it.

I am so happy with my choice!  I will be doing my personal interview with the judges Monday, January 9th, on-stage questions Tuesday, January 10th, evening gown and swimsuit Wednesday, January 11th, and talent Thursday, January 12th.  Then finals will take place that Saturday the 14th live on ABC!  Another great thing about the Mu group is that I have three of my Sweethearts in there with me as well as my MAOT sister from Georgia!  Great friends connect again :)

Some of this is still feeling surreal to me and that only excites me more!  You can check out the entire order of competition by clicking on the link below.

Miss America Lottery Selection

Now after catching up with my last, I don't know, ten blogs, I need to continue packing for Miss America's Outstanding Teen Pageant!  I leave tomorrow night from Lincoln and fly out Tuesday morning.  It will be so long Lincoln, hello Florida!

Anxious to meet my Miss America Class of 2012!
Kayla
Miss Nebraska



"Then Jesus said to his host, “When you give a luncheon or dinner, do not invite your friends, your brothers or sisters, your relatives, or your rich neighbors; if you do, they may invite you back and so you will be repaid.  But when you give a banquet, invite the poor, the crippled, the lame, the blind, and you will be blessed. Although they cannot repay you, you will be repaid at the resurrection of the righteous.”  Luke 14:12-14

Brooke's Sendoff Party

Brooke and I at her sendoff!

Sunday I made my way to North Platte to attend and perform at my little sister's send off party!  I can't believe that Brooke is in Orlando and will begin her competition tomorrow with interview!!! She is such a wonderful girl and will have an amazing experience in Florida.  It's such an awesome thing for me because I am the first Miss Nebraska that was also Miss Nebraska's Outstanding Teen.  I was in Brooke's shoes and know what she's feeling and it makes me even more excited for her journey!  I can't wait to see her Tuesday when I fly into Orlando to see her compete.  I have no doubt that she could be Miss America's Outstanding Teen!  I have seen her beauty on the inside and clearly her beauty on the out and I couldn't be more proud to be her big sister this year as well as her Nebraska's OT sister as well.  It was great to see many familiar faces and be there to support Brooke.

Mama KayKay States

My favorite Drullinger Family 

I had planned on driving back to Lincoln that evening, but changed my mind and luckily dodged a red alert thunderstorm!  Whew!  I don't think little Howie and I can do those anymore, too stressful.

Pumped for Brooke,

Kayla

Miss Nebraska

"We know also that the Son of God has come and has given us understanding, so that we may know him who is true. And we are in him who is true by being in his Son Jesus Christ. He is the true God and eternal life."  1 John 5:20

Autograph Signing for Epilepsy

Last Friday, I made my way to Papillion to sign autographs at the Epilepsy booth.  They were having a walk the following morning to raise funds for Epilepsy and I was so pleased to be a part of the evening and to help raise a little cash for the cause.  I met many wonderful people and was able to enjoy the music of the cover band, Lemon Fresh Day.  

Such a little sweetheart!

This next young man came up to the booth with his uncle who told me that he had traveled the farthest to see me.  So I asked him, where are you from.  He then said something that I didn't understand, so I turned to his uncle and asked, "Where is he from?"  He then told me, Holland.  It was then that I realized I had heard the young man but his accent was so thick that I couldn't make it out!  And just for the record, I decided I'm going to ignore the fact that he was visiting his family and enjoying the evening and just happened to stumble across me and go ahead and say that I had a fan come all the way from Holland to meet me! :)

I then met Joel.  Joel has had epilepsy for many years and was excited to participate in the walk the following day, but I think if you asked him or his family he was more excited to meet me!  His excitement was very strong when I asked him to take a photo with me! What a great smile :)

Joel and I

Montez from Channel 94.1 in Omaha

In the midst of all the wonderful live music, I didn't realize the band had taken a break until the lead singer Danny came running over to my booth and gave me a signed pic and asked for an autograph from me.  I jokingly said to him, "Now I thought you were coming over here to ask me to sing!"  Well, I guess since I'm a little more prestigious with a crown on my head, he invited me up to sing with the band!  I had such a blast singing songs like Brick House and 867-5309!  And I thought I was signing a lot of autographs before I sang, I had a mile long line after that from all my new fans.   

In the midst of all my singing and signing I forgot how hard I played the tamborine and when I got back to Lincoln that night I found a fist sized bruise on my leg!  Ya, funny story right?  I guess you could say I was really getting into it!

Loving my musical talents,

Kayla

Miss Nebraska

  "As you do not know the path of the wind, or how the body is formed in a mother’s womb, so you cannot understand the work of God, the Maker of all things.  Sow your seed in the morning, and at evening let your hands not be idle, for you do not know which will succeed, whether this or that, or whether both will do equally well."  Ecclesiastes 11:5-6

Car show in Columbus

I'd take this one home!

Saturday the 30th, I was headed to Columbus for the car show that happens every year.  Unfortunately, I was unable to be in Scottsbluff for the Scottsbluff County Fair Queen Pageant that evening because I was across the state, but I was still happy to be able to make an appearance.  I had a booth set up in the dealership to sign autographs then made my rounds to all the cars.  I did find a few that begged me to take them home but unfortunately, I'm committed to little Howie, and I know he'd be heartbroken if I chose someone else over him!

Excited fan!

He thought I made his car look great!

It was great to see the town of Columbus and well as all of the wonderful people who came out to the car show!  I had a great time!

Loving classic cars,
Kayla
Miss Nebraska


"Therefore confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous person is powerful and effective."  James 5:16