More updates...

Hello Again!
Well all the holidays are over. I had a wonderful Christmas and New Year spent with my Family and Friends.

In January I went to Bridal Elegance to spend the day at a trunk show for THE Johnathan Kayne-thats right the Project Runway finalist! I got to meet Johnathan, try on one of his amazing gowns (Which I might yet be purchasing in the near future) and he even helped me pick out my brand new evening gown shoes for my MAO prelim...he is such a SWEETHEART! I had a blast with the couple other queens that were there as well-Cassie Ferrin: Miss Illinois High School America, Stephanie Daughenbaugh: Ms. Galaxy, and Samantha Triani: Miss Illinois Jr. Teen(Coed). I do hope sometime in the near future I get to see Johnathan again!

Then just a week later I competed in my first MAO prelim pageant-Miss Western Suburbs. To my delight and shock I was 1st runner up! The pageant was sooooo different than any pageant I had ever competed in, and I loved it. I had a 10 min interview-most of it was focused on my platform: Health Awareness at ALL Ages. I then competed in swimsuit, talent(I danced on pointe to Bluebird), evening gown, and on stage question. I had a great time, and was so happy to have my family and friends there to cheer me on!

I also spent the night of Jan. 30th glued to my TV to watch the 89th annual Miss America pageant. I had a bet going with my dad that CA would not win and VA would...and at the end of the night no other than the gorgeous woman from VA won. What makes her win even more exciting is the Miss Teen United States-World/Miss Teen World Excutive Director-Gaspar Cruz was VA's coach. Congrats to everyone! =)

Then just yesterday(Feb. 6th), I met up with my awesome "Sister Queen" Saryna for our cover shoot for the program book at the upcoming Miss Teen Illinois-World & Miss Illinois U.S. International pageants. Saryna and I had a blast posing for the camera, laughing at each other, and dancing around to the music. I was SOO excited when I saw that Miss Catherine was able to get back to IL before the horrible snow storms and was there for our photoshoot with Mama C! It was such a blast, but in a way was sad since I will be crowning my successor in just 3 short months! I can't wait to see who she is...it may be YOU!

Then this week I am making a VERY long drive to California to meet up with some of my great pageant friends, tour my soon to be college (FIDM in LA), and get away from all this snow and cold weather-forcast says 70F and sunny! yesss. =)

Then upon my return I am once again hitting the stage for my 2nd MAO prelim pageant-Miss Champaign Urbana/Miss Central Illinois. I have a whole new dance(still on pointe though), re did some of my platform statement, and I am ready to rock the stage!

I am looking forward to the upcoming state pageant where I will be crowning my successor-whoever she may be! =)

Until next time,
-Victoria
Miss Teen Illinois-World 2009