National Pancake Day!



T.J., Michelle, & I

      Yesterday was National Pancake Day!! Years ago, the English prepared pancakes in preparation for Lent.  During Lent, the eating of all dairy products was prohibited so making pancakes was a great way to use the dairy products before they went to waste.
     Every year, on National Pancake Day, IHOP offers a free short stack of pancakes to all their customers!  In return they ask that you make a donation to the Children's Miracle Network.  This began in 2006 and has since raised over $5.35 million for CMN!



These two little boys almost started dancing
with me, but then they got shy :)











     Yesterday, I spent the day at the Columbia IHOP greeting guests, seating costumers, and reminding everyone to make their donation.  I spoke with many customers and even caught up with a few other titleholders!  T.J., the Children's Hospital mascot, even stopped by for a little while!  I couldn't believe how many people came in for their pancakes!  By the time I left, the parking lot was packed and there were people lined up outside the restaurant.  I'm glad everyone was participating!

     Mario, the manager of the Columbia IHOP, welcomed me with open arms.  Thank you!  Dawn & Dave Williams set everything up for me to be there and even came along for a while to take some pictures. Thanks so much guys; the pictures are awesome!  Also, thank you T.J. and Michelle, from Children's Hospital in Columbia!  Lastly, thank you IHOP!!  IHOP made National Pancake Day fun and found a way to raise a huge amount of money for CMN. How awesome is that?!


Me with Mario




Want a short stack?!

 With Love,
Morgan

Thank You Kirkwood Bridal!

     I am SO thankful for all the sponsors of the Miss Gateway Scholarship Program!  A special thank you goes to Barbara, the owner of Kirkwood Bridal.  She graciously allowed us to browse her boutique, and get some cute pictures!  I may have even found a prom dress!!

     Once again, I am so thankful for the sponsors that make this opportunity possible for me and many other young women!  There will be more sponsor visits to come! :)

With Love,
Morgan

Congratulations 2011 KC Queens!



Our MC's
They were a blast backstage!



Me with Miss Northeast Counties OT, Miss Audrain OT,
Miss River City OT



       Last year, I was fortunate enough to be Miss Kansas City Outstanding Teen!  I had a great year and just a few weeks ago I crowned the new Miss Kansas City Outstanding Teen!  The day was busy, but amazing. It was fun being the returning queen!

2010 Kansas City Queens :))
Love, love, love these ladies!

Just Laying Around!

     Congrats to the 2011 Kansas City girls!! The new Miss titleholders are Alexis Albright and Carolyn Cianciolo!  The new teen titleholders are Megan McWilliams and Mickayla Nilges!  There was also a Young Miss pageant that afternoon.  Tiny Miss Kansas City is Savannah Fautsch.  Little Miss Kansas City is Ashley Whipple. Young Miss Kansas City is Randall Chambers.  Congratulations to all the queens!! You guys have an awesome year ahead of you!

     I already miss my Kansas City family.  They made my first year in the Miss America Organization wonderful!

The Miss Kansas City directors, Angie Young and Tim Collins, with the 2010 Queens and the 2009 KC girls.



Signing just a few more autographs as Miss Kansas City OT!!

      Now, it's time to focus all my energy on being Miss Gateway to the West Outstanding Teen, working on my platform, and preparing for Miss Missouri Outstanding Teen!

More Pageants and a New Evening Gown..YES!!

Jocelyn & I waiting for the show to start :))

     Last weekend I attended the Miss Maryville pageant.  After arriving in Maryville, my mom, sister, and I stopped by to wish Samantha good luck at the pageant that night.  Then, we ate dinner with Jocelyn (Miss Northeast Counties OT), Renee (Jocelyn's mom), and Grandma Weyer. :) (A thank you goes to the Weyer family for letting us stay at their home that night! You guys are awesome!)  Finally, it was time for the pageant!

Katy & I!!

     Congratulations to the new titleholders; Danielle McKiernan (Miss Maryville), Katy Reed (Miss Northwest), Maddie Steele (Miss Northwest Counties OT), and Faith Jordan (Miss Northwest OT)!!

Faith & I!!

     Also, congrats to Samantha Caraway!! She was stunning and awarded 1st runner-up in the teen division!

Bailey, Samantha, & I!!
Good luck at Miss Kansas City this weekend, Bailey!
And good luck to Samantha at Miss Hannibal!

     I love going to local pageants, because it's a great way to catch up with some good pageant friends!  Jocelyn and I enjoyed the show and I loved getting to catch up with Bailey Schmidt (Miss Northwest Counties 2010)! It had been way too long!!

Thank you for making my trip to Sassy Chic a fabulous one, Danielle and Ashley!!

     The next day, I got up and went to Sassy Chic!  This was really exciting for me seeing as I had heard great things about the boutique, but had never been there.  Danielle and Ashley were kind enough to open the boutique privately on Sunday for us.  In the hour and a half time slot, I probably tried on about 15 gowns (a couple more than once).  Decision making is not my forte (especially when it has to do with dresses or shoes!), so it took me a while to make up my mind, but I finally decided to get the gown that I really liked!  After a few alterations, it will be perfect!  Want to know what it looks like?!...Too bad! You'll just have to wait until June :)

With Love,
Morgan

Tigerina's and Miss Northeast Counties 2011!

     Tigerina's is a fundraiser that my dance team puts on every year.  It's a three hour workshop for children in Pre-Kindergarten through fifth grade.  This year our theme was 'Rockin' Through the Fifties!'

We went around the circle with our name, favorite animal, and favorite food.

     First we led the kids in some basic stretches and a fun warm-up.  Then we broke into smaller groups, determined by age.  This year I was with the first graders.  We started off by introducing ourselves and playing a game.  Little Sally Walker is ALWAYS a favorite!  By the end of the day we had played more rounds than one could imagine!! :)

The first graders perform their dance for the crowd!

The whole group finishes off the show with "We Go Together"

Keanne poses for a picture with me :-)

    

     Next, we taught them a short routine to a fun song that corresponded with the theme.  The first graders danced to "Tutti Fruity."  After a short lunch break, we learned a routine to "We Go Together" with all of the Tigerina's.

     That night, the Tigerina's performed the dances with us at the high school basketball game!  The individual grades did their dances and then we did the group dance.  I think the dance team members enjoy Tigerina's just as much as the children do!  And the crowd does too!

     Saturday night was also the Miss Northeast Counties pageant!  Luckily, the pageant was being held just next door, so I was able to head over right after I finished dancing.  I was so happy to make it over just in time to see everyone's talent.  I had a great time cheering and I always love catching up with pageant friends!!

Bailey Schmidt- Miss Northeast Counties OT first runner-up & Madison Chambers- Miss Northeast Counties OT 2010

     Congratulations to Jocelyn Weyer the new Miss Northeast Counties Outstanding Teen!!  I'm so glad we'll get to go to state together this year!  She's great and will be a fabulous titleholder.

     Congratulations to Jenna Osseck as well!!  She is the new Miss Northeast Counties.  She was beautiful on Saturday night and I'm sure she and Jocelyn will have a great year together!!

With Love,

Morgan

Good Luck Miss Missouri!



At our talent review we took a minute to wish Erika good luck.

      Yesterday was Erika Hebron's (Miss Missouri 2010) send-off party for Miss America!  We viewed her gorgeous wardrobe and celebrated with cake and punch.  It was also good to catch up with some pageant friends!

My sister queens and I with Hannah Eastin, Miss River City OT and Shelby Steingraeber, Miss Metro St. Louis OT

     Erika has an awesome wardrobe and is incredibly talented.  I always love watching her dance!  She will do an an amazing job in Las Vegas.  I can't wait to watch her rock the Miss America stage next week!!

Good Luck Erika!! :D

With Love,
Morgan

Thank You!

     Last week, I received my Limelight photos!!  On November 5, I took a trip down to St. Louis for my photoshoot with Lance Tilford.  My mom and I packed, what felt like my entire closet in hopes we would find 3 perfect outfits.  After saying hello, I was sent straight to the make-up corner.  Lance's wife, Tamara, did an amazing job on my make-up!!  Then I changed into outfit number one and took my headshot for Miss Missouri!

     Next I changed into outfit number two.  Lance turned on the lights and then the music.  I felt like a movie star dancing in the spotlight!  Outfit number three, the cocktail dress was my favorite.  I got to put on my flashy shoes and earrings.  I love bling!  It was so much fun & I think the pictures turned out great.  Thanks Lance!!

     After the photoshoot on Friday, Charlee and I visited the GBs Designs open house.  GBs Designs is one of Gateway's new sponsors.  At the open house we were able to meet Dina and Angie and check out some of their awesome creations!  Thanks for your support Dina and Angie!! ;)

With Love,
Morgan