It all began with my crowning moment as the Oregon Preteen Cover Girl. I hugged my new sister queens and a most amazing year began.
I am most proud of all the service projects we did. I had a total blast handing out balloons at Oaks Park, cooking dinner at the Ronald McDonald house, handing out flowers to cancer survivors, volunteering at the Oregon food bank, cutting my hair for locks of love, and so many other projects. We volunteered for so many wonderful organizations and events and really made a difference. I enjoyed it so much, I created a website called caringkid.com that shows kids great places that take younger volunteers.
I also really enjoyed doing parades and appearances and getting together for dinner. And raising money for Nationals doing the car wash together was pretty fun too!
One of the biggest highlights of the year was definitely the National Pageant. It was so wonderful seeing all the Oregon girls there, meeting up with friends I made from other states last year, and making new friends. Watching Madeline get picked as a car drawing finalist was exciting, and I especially loved being chosen with Hailey as finalists for the dance competition at the Decades Themed Party! The Hollywood tour was a blast too and I loved hanging out with the other Oregon Preteens at Disneyland.
I want to acknowledge all the people who made this year so much fun. Kyenna: You always have such a positive attitude and your are an inspiration to me. I loved learning about your job in the mall too! Ariel: I loved being your secret sister and your great big hugs. You are so beautiful inside and out. Madi: You are such a funny girl and I really love hanging out with you. I wish the MAX went all the way to Medford so I could see you more often! Ciara: You are so multi-talented and truly a smart and hard-working girl. I know you will go really far. Deja: You are so adorable and you always know how to make me laugh. I especially loved going to OMSI with you. Isabella, my fellow Cover Girl and goofball extraordinaire: I love your enthusiasm for life. May the orange allypoop always be with you! Mandy: You are a fantastic coordinator. I want to thank you for making this year so perfect and fun for all of us. To the fantabulous Matt Leverton: You are the best state director ever. You have a way of making everyone feel so special. Thank you so much for everything you do for us.
Madeline: I could not ask for a better Preteen queen to reign alongside. I loved the moments when we stood together on stage at last year’s pageant to the moments now, giving up our titles, and everything in between. I loved volunteering and making appearances with you and hanging out together at Nationals was so much fun. I will really miss being “sisters” with you.
To my brother, Bryce: Thank you for cheering me on, even on my bad days. You’re the greatest brother a girl could hope for. To my dad, thank you for being so supportive of me and making sure I was able to get to all of my events on time. And thanks for being my escort! And to my Mom: There are no words to describe how thankful I am to have such a wonderful mom. You are always so supportive of everything I do, and I could not have done anything without your support, care and love. You are always there for me. I love you.
Even though this story is coming to an end, I know it’s a new beginning to another story. To the new Preteen Cover Girl: enjoy every minute. It goes by so fast.
Thanks National American Miss. You rock.
For the last time, I am your 2011-2012 National American Miss Oregon Pre-teen Cover Girl, Kyra Walters.
