Winter Travels

Hope you’re all staying nice and warm in this winter weather!  I thought I’d take a break from Christmas shopping and cookie baking to share some of my most recent holiday events with you.

I was recently invited to join the Mexico Chapter of P.E.O. (Philanthropic Educational Organization).  P.E.O. was initially founded by seven women in 1869 and has since grown to almost a quarter of a million women in the United States and Canada.  The P.E.O. Sisterhood is passionate about its mission: promoting educational opportunities for women, and the women in Mexico are extraordinary examples of that mission.  I joined them for their December meeting at Mexico Country Club where we were treated to a delicious dinner and dessert.  Afterward, I had the opportunity to speak to the chapter about my journey toward becoming Miss Missouri, preparations for Miss America, and the educational opportunities which have been provided to me through my participation in pageants, similar to the educational opportunities their organization promotes for young women.  It was wonderful to see so many new faces during the evening, but I had the chance to catch up with some very familiar faces to the Miss Missouri Organization – Susan Atkins, Executive Director of Miss Missouri; Pat Gruber and Jackie Barnett, Head “Dorm Moms”; Nancy Oliver, Contestant Hostess; and Judy Dye, Host Mom to Miss Missouri for the past 24 years!  Thank you to the P.E.O. of Mexico for welcoming me so warmly and for the opportunity to learn more about what you do and share in our passion for promoting education.

I was so exited to travel to Hannibal, Missouri, for the Miss Hannibal and Miss Mark Twain pageants later that weekend.  The trip was twice as much fun because I was joined by Miss Gateway St. Louis, Erika Hebron, and Miss Gateway to the West, Katy Reed!  Congratulations to the new title holders, Mindy Jennings – Miss Hannibal, Jenna Terry – Miss Mark Twain, Katie Walker – Miss Hannibal’s Outstanding Teen, and Maddie Steele – Miss Mark Twain’s Outstanding Teen!  And a very special thank you to the Hannibal community – contestants, directors, parents, and volunteers – for such an appreciated welcome and all the good luck wishes as I head to Vegas in a few short weeks.

After the crowning of Miss Hannibal – Mindy Jennings and Miss Mark Twain – Jenna Terry

Miss Mark Twain’s OT – Maddie Steele & Miss Hannibal’s OT – Katie Walker

Catching up with Miss Hannibal 2009 – Amanda Morrall

Not long after returning from Hannibal, I headed off to Waynesville, Missouri to visit my longtime friends at Waynesville High School.  This was my third year returning to speak to the students there, but without a doubt, the most exciting one!  I spent the day with over 500 students talking about goal setting, making positive decisions, and reaching their dreams.  Having graduated from high school in 2004 myself, I always enjoy speaking to this age group because we have so much in common, especially in terms of overcoming obstacles.  Thank you to Sean McCullough, Will Harris, and Tammy Beckler of the Health and Physical Education department for arranging my visit and to Ginger Keeton of the Science department (and my aunt!) for a fabulous visit!

After my visit to Waynesville High School, I stopped by the military base at Fort Leonard Wood to visit my uncle and the employees and armed forces – and to spread a little Christmas cheer.  After meeting so many wonderful people and learning about our shared interests, I was invited back in January for some promotional events.  I can’t wait to share more details soon!

My most recent school visit was to the Adrian R-III School District in Adrian, Missouri, near Kansas City.  Of all my school visits this year, Adrian has made the top of my list.  I had the chance to read one of my favorite books, Not Norman, to the elementary school students.  Not Norman is about a little boy who has a pet goldfish – the namesake of the book – but he isn’t satisfied with Norman as a pet.  During the story, the little boy encounters many different situations, and throughout all the trials and tribulations, Norman is always there for him.  Afterward, we shared stories about our own pets – and these kids had some very interesting pets!  Since many of them live in the country, cows, horses, donkeys, and ducks were all crowd favorites.  I used to have a pet duck too, named Oliver.  But since we don’t live on a farm or in the country, Oliver got his water time by swimming in our bathtub.  I bet you can imagine how much my parents loved that!  Well, the kids thought it was hilarious, which spurred all sorts of fun stories about their own pets.

Kids say the darndest things.  Like the four little boys at the table in the picture above.  Their little cluster was called the “Missouri Table,” and when they learned that I was Miss Missouri, they wanted to know if I came to be the queen of their table.  They were adorable.  But the funniest quote of the day came from a first grader who asked me my name.  I told him my name was Tara, and he looked crushed.  When I asked him what was wrong, he said, “You were much cooler when I thought your name was Missouri.”  Trying to keep a straight face, I asked him why he thought my name was Missouri.  “It says so right there on your name tag. Duh!”  He meant my sash.  Shame on me for not labeling myself properly

I also visited the fourth graders who had so many great questions to ask me about being Miss Missouri and what I am doing to prepare for Miss America.  The most asked question everywhere I go, no matter the age group?  Everyone wants to know how I keep the crown on.  They didn’t fall for my duct tape joke, but they were quite impressed at how some simple elastic and bobby pins can work wonders.  They asked me plenty of questions to prepare me for my Miss America interview too – everything from politics to global warming.  These kids sure know their stuff!  Thanks for the mini mock interview, Blackhawks!

Mid-morning I headed to the gym to speak to the high school students about the dangers of drug, alcohol, and tobacco use and how to make good choices, even in the face of peer pressure.  I shared some powerful stories about the years I spent as a mentor in a juvenile drug rehabilitation center in Kirksville, Missouri, and what it is like for young people struggling with addictive disorders.  I had my second question-and-answer session for the day with the high schoolers, who wanted to know everything from how I would solve the ongoing economic crisis in the United States…to my shoe size.  I love young minds.

A few hundred autographs later, I was treated to a delicious Italian lunch prepared by some of the students.  I had the chance to chat with many of the students and learn more about them and their town.  Thank you to Principal Chris Shanks for helping coordinate my visit and to everyone who contributed to the day!

 

Wishing you happy holidays,

Tara

 

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