Miss Armstrong County Pageant

This weekend I traveled across the state to the Miss Armstrong County pageant in Kittaning, PA. On the way, my mom and I had a chance to stop in Johnstown, PA, to visit with our good friends and Miss PA sponsors,the Weavers of the Bridal Suite of Johnstown. We then continued our travels to Kittaning where we were able to sit back, relax, and enjoy the show.



It was good to see support from many of the local titleholders in attendance as well as visit with some friends. At the culmination of the pageant, three new titleholders were crowned: Miss Armstrong County- Kendria Perry, Miss Southwestern PA-Shannon Doyle, and Miss Allegheny Valley-Courtney Blackhurst. Many other contestants had a great showing, and I am sure I will see them picking up local titles very soon! Congratulations to everyone:)



After the pageant, I headed to dinner with some "pageant people." I was able to discuss some exciting plans for Miss PA with my local director, Steve Lupinetti, and pick the brain of PA's own "Survivor," Chet Welch, about his experience on Survivor: Micronesia. I certainly have a new appreciation for the show. We also enjoyed a nice meal and good conversation:)

Pictures to come.....

Long time no post....

Hello all! I apologize for my lack of posts this past month. It seems as if life takes turns when we least expect!

In December I finished my student teaching and received my Pennsylvania Elementary Education Certificate. I packed up and moved home with my parents for a few weeks... with just enough time to enjoy the holidays. Then, when I was just beginning to enjoy my unemployment status :) I was offered a job at Sheridan Elementary in Allentown as a Title I Reading Support Teacher. I had done my student teaching at Sheridan, and I really cannot say enough about the staff and students, so I decided to take the job and make a move to the Lehigh Valley into my first apartment!

Needless to say, it has been an exciting few months. I have been busy making the adjustment into my first apartment as well as working full time with extremely energetic third, fourth, and fifth graders. I am not complaining, however. I really am enjoying myself!

Although busy, I have not neglected my platform work! After school two days a week I am still able to work with the Boys and Girls Club Make Your MARK program where I am able to tutor students in reading and math and provide a fun incentive program that allows them to practice their own money management skills. Many of the students in the program I also teach during the day....so they get a double dose of Miss Sparrow:)...whether they like it or not! haha

Of course, I did make time to watch and cheer for our Miss PA, Rachel Brooks, on January 26 as she competed for Miss America!!! She represented Pennsylvania well and even took home a non-finalist talent award. Congratulations, Rachel!!! PA is lucky to have you back:)

This weekend my mom and I will make the trip to Pittsburgh for the Miss Armstrong County Pageant. I hope to see many of my pageant friends there and promise new pics from the weekend!:) Stay tuned....

Miss America Reality Check!

Don't forget to tune into TLC on January 4 at 10/9 c to watch the premier of Miss America Reality Check! Each Friday the show will air leading up to the final pageant on January 26. Watch Rachel's reality television show experience unfold. For more details, visit http://press.discovery.com/ekits/missamerica2008/ .

Good luck Rachel!

Miss Pennsylvania Holiday Party/Rachel's Miss America Send-Off

Despite the threat of bad weather, family, friends, and Miss PA Board members made the trip to Bethlehem this weekend to celebrate the holidays and wish our Miss Pennsylvania, Rachel Brooks, best wishes before she leaves for the Miss America Pageant in January. Several current and former contestants attended as well, and I had the chance to meet or catch up with many of them.

While Rachel modeled a sneak peak of her Miss America wardrobe, those in attendance enjoyed a buffet style meal and participated in raffles and silent auctions to benefit the Miss PA Scholarship Organization. Rachel looked BEAUTIFUL in all of the gowns she modeled. All were fabulous choices.

Unfortunately, I have lost my camera charger...(typical). Therefore, I have "borrowed" pictures from the event from Carmen Bloom, Miss Greater Johnstown, and Ashley Daubert, Miss Greater Berks. Thank you to them:) As soon as I develop my instamatic camera:), I will post more from the event.

Thank you to Marge Ferri for organizing this festive event each year to send our Miss PA off in style as well as celebrate the holidays. I ask everyone to say a prayer for Cal Mock, Miss PA treasurer, who is back in the hospital. His presence was definitely missed at this year's holiday party.

Countdown to Christmas...9 more days!!:)

Happy Holidays!!!

Happy Holidays!!!!

Just a reminder that the Miss PA Holiday Party/Send Off Party for Miss America will be held this weekend!
Date:
Saturday, December 15, 2007
Time:
12:00pm - 3:00pm
Location:
Best Western Conference Center
Street:
Rt 22 and Rt 512
City/Town:
Bethlehem, PA

Please come to support Rachel and the Miss Pennsylvania Scholarship pageant. Tickets are still being sold at the door. Come for food, holiday fun, and a sneak peek at Rachel's Miss America Wardrobe!

Miss Cambria County Scholarship Pageant

November 10, 2007

On my 23rd birthday I celebrated with good friends, Ronnie Weaver, Calsie Boyd, Alycia McCullough, and other pageant friends as I entertained and gave up my title of Miss Cambria County. Although I have already won another title and will be headed for Miss PA this summer, it was a bittersweet evening as I celebrated a phenomenal year of service.

In my farewell letter, I made sure to thank everyone who made my year a success. From my trip with my family, Alycia, and the Weavers to Las Vegas for the Miss America pageant to my top 5 placement at Miss Pennsylvania, my year truly was a dream come true. Along the way, I had the incredible opportunity to make appearances on behalf of Boys and Girls Clubs as well as the Children's Miracle Network. The children I met through these experiences were constant reminders as to why I participate in this program and served as a source of encouragement in times of self-doubt.

To conclude a year that I will always cherish, I sang with the Miss Cambria County Little Princesses and made a final appearance as Miss Cambria County. It was a fun evening followed by some girl talk, pizza, and some tears :)

I thank Ronnie, Paul, and Deborah Weaver for a great weekend. I wouldn't have wanted to spend my birthday any other way:) Congratulations to Lucy Hazelet, Miss Richland, Carmen Bloom, Miss Greater Johnstown, and Tiffani Boyd, Miss Cambria County.

Park City Mall MS Benefit

On November 8 I had the opportunity to entertain and help raise funds for Multiple Sclerosis at a Park City Mall Benefit. I sang my talent selection, mingled, and sold raffle tickets along with Sarah Timm, Miss Susquehanna Valley, Courtney Harris, Miss Keystone, and Jill Wiley, Miss York County Outstanding Teen.

The event was a huge success and a lot of fun! There were vendors from the different stores in the Park City Mall and from many different restaurants. The food was incredible!! Santa Claus even made a surprise visit to kick off the night's events. Nicole Brewer, Miss PA 2005, even stopped by to say a few words to the crowd.

I thank Mary Lausch, Miss PA Business Manager, for inviting me to take part in the event!