Passing the Torch

Last night I passed the title on to Elizabeth Hawthorne! I am so excited for her to experience all of the wonderful things that I had a chance to experience as Miss Oakland County.





It was a little sad to pass on the title, but I had a great time & I am proud of all of our contestants.





I have had a great year as Miss Oakland County 2009 and am proud to be a part of the Miss America Organization! Thanks for the memories, everyone!





xoxo,


Angela

Clarkston 4th of July Parade

Today I was in the Clarkston 4th of July parade! There were 120 participants and over 13,000 attendees--making this the largest parade in Oakland County! Wow!

This is my last parade as Miss Oakland County...I have one more event and then my year of service is over. I can't believe it! I'll be crowning the new Miss Oakland County a week from today.

xoxo,

Angela

Looking back...

What an incredible journey I have had this year as Miss Oakland County and what an AMAZING experience I was so blessed to have as I competed for Miss Michigan.

After interview day, the week really flew by. I had so much fun with every event and preliminary competition. I was in a great mindset all week and truly not worried about what God had in store for me.

Being called into the top 10 was a dream come true! I had so much fun throughout the pageant and tried for my best performance yet. While awaiting the top 5 announcement, I thought to myself, whether or not I make the cut, I am proud!

I didn't make the top 5, but was filled with emotion for the five women standing there, one of whom would become our new Miss Michigan.

Katie LaRoche will be a wonderful representative. She is fun, energetic, caring...I could go on and on. I am proud to call her our Miss Michigan, and can't wait to go to Miss America to cheer her on!!!

My plan is to compete and try to return next year! I thank everyone who sent me cards, notes, gifts, flowers, thoughts or prayers...I carried you all with me this week and every day. I couldn't have done it alone--your encouragement and kind thoughts mean so much.

Shout out to all my Miss MI sisters, especially the naughty dressing room (AKA 6 of the top 10!) Casey, Kathryn, Kelly....Krista...my roomie Colleen....love you all! Reuinion at Miss America!

LOVE,
Angela

The big day!

Today's the day! Can't believe it's here! What a busy week we have had...Big Brothers Big Sisters event at Chuckie Cheese, autograph signing at Lakes Mall, countless luncheons, dinners and SO MANY MEMORIES! I have had a great week....I will walk away a winner regardless of the outcome.

AND congratulations to our new Miss Michigan Outstanding Teen, Brooke Rowland! I am proud of all the teens, but especially proud of my own Haleigh Fairbanks (top 10!!!!!)

"Let me win...

But if I cannot win,

Let me be brave in the attempt." -Special Olympics Oath

xoxo,

Angela

Miss MI Week- June 15th- INTERVIEW DAY!

Today was INTERVIEW DAY! Wow! I feel great about my interview. The time just flew by! It was awesome...

We had lunch with the Lion's Club today and dinner with the Ambucs at the Muskegon Country Club. Busy busy busy....tomorrow will be even busier as it's our first day of prelims! Rehearsal all day until the show! I am pumped!

xoxo,

Angela

Miss Michigan Week- Day 2-June 13th

Most of the contestants after lunch with the Exchange Club.

Today we had rehearsal in the morning for a few hours, lunch with the exchange club and then more rehearsal. So far we have learned our opening numbers and one closing number! Very exciting!

We took the legendary Miss Michigan group picture in front of the Frauenthal today.

Can you find me? :-)

Then we had dinner at B Dubs!

Interviews are tomorrow! The competition begins...

xoxo,

Angela

Miss Michigan Week- Day 1-June 12th

Today was check-in day for Miss Michigan! I arrived in Muskegon with Frannie around 11 am...we checked my competition wardrobe into the theater, I got my individual picture done and we had an orientation meeting. Then we were free!!! Frannie and I went shopping :-)

Before orientation!

xoxo,

Angela

Special Olympics Summer Games

I had a wonderful time at the opening ceremonies for the Special Olympics Summer Games. What an inspiring and happy group of athletes!

xoxo,
Angela

Governer Warner Mansion Ice Cream Social

Yesterday I attended Governer Warner Mansion's Ice Cream Social. It was a great time! There were a lot of kids eating ice cream and playing old fashioned games.

xoxo,
Angela

Macomb Art Fair

I attended the Macomb Art Fair last week and helped out at the info booth. I met a few friends along the way too!

xoxo,
Angela

Farmington Memorial Day Festivities

I had a busy Memorial Day! The day began with breakfast for the Farmington police officers & firefighters as a thank you for all that they do to keep us safe. Next was the Memorial Day Parade! It was great weather and I was joined by our Miss MI, my teen, and Miss Wayne County in the parade. From there we observed a service and had lunch at the American Legion.








p.s. Miss MI is coming up so fast! Stay tuned...





xoxo,


Angela

Farmington Commissioner's Meeting

Today I attended and spoke at the Farmington Commissioner's Meeting (along with two of our contestants.) I spoke about myself, my platform, MAO and what we do! The contestants introduced themselves and spoke a bit about their platforms.



With Miss Michigan only a few weeks away (!) I have been working extra hard on everything and I am thankful for all of the people in my life who support me. I like to think that when I go onstage, I'll never be completely alone as I carry you all with me. THANK YOU!!!

xoxo,
Angela

Flower Fair

Today I attended the Flower Fair in Lake Orion. There was a great Beatles cover band and fun kid's activities--it was a fun event! Today I also spent some time collecting donations from local businesses for our Miss Oakland County pageant and for my basket (which will be raffled off at Miss Michigan for the scholarship fund!)

xoxo,

Angela

Mrs. Michigan United States Pageant

Last night I attended the Mrs. Michigan United States pageant! I also performed my Miss Michigan talent.

Mrs. pageants are for women who are married--This was my first time seeing a Mrs. pageant and I was impressed. Congrats to all of the wonderful women who competed and to the new winner, Kyla Marcial!

xoxo,

Angela

The Spoiled Girl Fundraiser

Tonight we held a fundraiser for the Miss Oakland County scholarship fund at The Spoiled Girl in Shelby Township. It was so much fun and we raised over $200 in less than two hours. It was a great night!



xoxo,
Angela

Girl Scout Visit

On my honor, I will try
To serve God and my country
To help people at all times...
And to live by the girl scout law


Once a girl scout, always a girl scout!

Today I spoke to girl scout troop 30089 about my platform, Empowering Youth. We talked about ways to stay healthy and take care of ourselves: internet safety, activities we do to stay healthy, how to make safe choices, and trusted adults we can turn to when going through a problem. Then I taught the girls a few tap steps and they showed me some animal yoga! Yes, animal yoga. You really can learn something new every day :-)


The giraffe pose!

xoxo,
Angela

Flag Raising Ceremony

Today I attended the Flag Raising Ceremony held at The Baptist Manor in Farmington Hills. I had a great time singing American songs with the Baptist Manor residents and I was asked to address the crowd. It was a wonderful ceremony!



xoxo,
Angela

May is For Miracles--CMN Fundraiser

One of my first donations of the morning

May is for miracles! The month of May is dedicated to raising awareness and funds for Children's Miracle Network--which inspired me to hold a fundraiser of my own. Today I raised money for CMN at Kroger in Rochester Hills. I shared information about CMN and passed out my pictures to kids...it was a great day and I feel great knowing that I generated funds for such a worthy cause!



xoxo,
Angela

96.3 WDVD Cares For Kids

On Thursday 5/6 and Friday 5/7 I attended the 96.3 WDVD Cares For Kids Radiothon at Royal Oak Beaumont! All proceeds from this radiothon benefitted the Children's Miracle Network, which is our national platform in the Miss America Organization. I was able to make visits to CMN kids on both Thursday and Friday along with some of the other titleholders. We had a wonderful time meeting these kids!

Here we are at Beaumont's Children's Garden. The entire garden was paid for by CMN dollars. It is space for kids to feel like they are really outside...there's sunlight coming through the windows and a ton of activities for the kids to do. I loved seeing exactly what CMN does to touch children's lives and I am so proud to be a part of this organization!

xoxo-

Angela

28th Annual Hunger Walk

Dogs can walk to fight hunger too! Here's my new friend Taco Bella.

Today I volunteered at and participated in the Hunger Walk of Oakland County! It was held at the Lighthouse of Oakland County in downtown Pontiac. I walked four miles and helped raise funds to end hunger. I had a great time at this event sponsored by Genisys Credit Union! Thank you to Linda Z. for inviting me!

xoxo,
Angela

Superstars Special Olympics

"Let me win. But if I cannot win, let me be brave in the attempt." -Special Olympics Oath



I had a great day at the Oakland County Special Olympics in at the Ultimate Soccer Arena in Pontiac! I was a celebrity coach today. I participated in a few relays and met a lot of inspiring athletes!

x0x0.
Angela

Brownie Meeting

On Thursday 4/22 I visited a brownie troop and spoke about my platform, Empowering Youth. We talked about ways to stay healthy and take care of ourselves. Then I talked about the Miss Oakland County pageant and showed them my talent. The girls had some great questions for me. I had a lot of fun spending my afternoon with this group!

xoxo,

Angela

Speaking at the Kaplan's

On Saturday 4/17 I was invited to speak at the lovely Kaplan household for about thirty of their friends. I spoke about my journey as Miss Oakland County and what exactly the Miss America Organization is all about: style, service, scholarship and success! The audience had great questions and it was a great experience. Thank you to Lisa & Steve for inviting me!

xoxo,

Angela

Cinderella's Closet

Last weekend I (along with my teen) traveled to Bellaire, MI to work with Cinderella's Closet. We started our Saturday off with a luncheon with a few other queens-- Miss Bellaire and Miss Mancelona. Then we went to Cinderella's Closet for prom consultations!

Cinderella's Closet works like a library where girls can 'check out' dresses and accessories for homecoming or prom. We were able to consult with girls going to prom and we had a great time! It was so cool to see the looks on the girls' faces as they found a dress they really loved. A big thank-you to Debbie for having us. This was an incredibly rewarding experience and I'm so glad I got to be a part of it.




xoxo-
Angela

Miss Teen Michigan-World Pageant

Fellow judge Andrea Hernandez, Miss MI US Beauties.

On Saturday 3/27 I got a call from the director of the Miss Teen Michigan-World pageant, Christine. They were in need of a last minute judge, and I was able to fill in! I was shopping with my mom at the time and we left immediately and headed down to the pageant, which was held on the campus of Wayne State.

After a brief judge's orientation and a quick look over each contestant's bio, the interviews began! I had a wonderful time at this pageant. The group of people were so kind! Not to mention, the caliber of contestants was very high. I feel like I gained some perspective of what it's like to be a judge, which will ultimately make me a better competitor!


Congrats to the winner, Shelby Knafel!

xoxo-
Angela

Princess & Superheroes Fantasy Fun Night

On Friday 3/26 I was in charge of the nail-painting at Farmington's Princess & Superheroes Fantasy Fun Night. I was very busy chatting with the princesses and being a beautician for the night. Miss Washtenaw was another special guest at this event!



xoxo-
Angela