oregon – Page 3 – Matt Leverton’s National American Miss (NAM) Pageants Blog

Hailey Kilgore, 2012 Oregon Pre-Teen, welcomes the new contestants and says goodbye to her year of service!

Hailey Kilgore, 2012 Oregon Pre-Teen Queen, welcomes the new contestants and says goodbye to her year of service!

Dear Miss Oregon PreTeen Contestants,

It’s hard to believe that just one year ago, I was crowned Oregon’s Preteen Queen. The time has gone by so fast. There have been many exciting opportunities for me because of NAM and I am so grateful for them all.

My year has been filled with parades, volunteering for community organizations and having fun with all the

Oregon Royalty. We spent hours decorating for parades, collecting donations for local charities like the Teddy Bear Parade, Toy and Joy, Oregon Food Bank, making a meal at the Ronald McDonald House and more. I could not imagine a greater group of girls to spend the day at the pumpkin patch, share a holiday sleepover, support Mr. Matt at open calls and representing the entire NAMily.

A funfilled week in California at Nationals where I got to meet some amazing girls from all across the country. The highlights of my week was winning the National Spokesmodel title, being 1st runner up in Talent and Actress and in the Top 10 overall.

Cheiska, Sydney and Alexandra are such amazing role models and I know they will be the best women of this Century. Stacey, Tia and Jeanneil, no one could have asked for more amazing Cover Girls! You are all so supportive and just fun to hang out with. Lily and Ilyarah, you are the most special little Sister Queens a girl could have. National Cover Girls Kyra and Isabella rounded out our crew and added a lot to the mix.

Mr. Leverton, Brittany Clute, Lacey Fitzgerald and the rest of the staff at NAM, I love you and thanks for putting up with me for the last year. I sure appreciate everything you have done for me.

No matter who goes home with titles and crowns this weekend, you are all smart, special and most of all, beautiful. The best advice I can give you is to just be yourself, make new friends and enjoy the every moment because the weekend goes fast, but your memories last forever.

To my successor, cherish these moments like they could disappear any second and love every person that becomes a part of your journey. You’ve got an exciting year ahead of you!

Your 2012 Oregon Preteen Queen,

Hailey Kilgore

Lilyan Duckett National American Miss 2012 Junior Pre-Teen Oregon farewell.

Lilyan Duckett National American Miss 2012 Junior Pre-Teen Oregon Queen farewell.

National American Miss has inspired me more than words can say! I have been a contestant in the NAM program for 4 years before receiving my title. Which goes to show, hard work and determination does pay off! There are so many people I want to thank for this opportunity. To all my friends, family, and sponsors, to Matt and my NAM-ily, to Sydnee for being my pageant secret sister and to Hailey for believing in me, I couldn’t have done it without you. I have had many wonderful adventures, met many wonderful people, and visited Disneyland!

To the parents here tonight, continue supporting your daughters. To all the amazing girls who are contestants today, I want you to know you are unique, beautiful, and you can do anything you put your mind to, you can achieve anything so Dream big! Once again I am your 2012 Miss Oregon Junior Pre -Teen Lilyan Duckett

Hailey Kilgore, Oregon Pre-Teen volunteers her time at the annual Fundraising Event for Camp Quest, a summer program for kids with Autism and Asperger’s Syndrome.

Hailey Kilgore, Oregon Pre-Teen Queen volunteers her time at the annual Fundraising Event for Camp Quest, a summer program for kids with Autism and Asperger’s Syndrome.

Hailey Kilgore, Oregon Pre-Teen volunteers her time at the annual Fundraising Event for Camp Quest, a summer program for kids with Autism and Asperger’s Syndrome. Camp Quest is a summer program that provides a week-long overnight camp for kids ages 10-15 with high functioning Autism and Asperger’s syndrome. It relies on sponsorship’s and generous donations to pay for it’s costs. Without the support of donations raised during the annual 5K Fun Run, these children might miss out on this amazing experience. When Hailey saw the flyer at school, she knew she wanted to be involved and help. Hailey talked with her parents about what she could do. Her parents encouraged her to form a team for the Annual 5k Fun Run. Hailey named her team, “Hailey’s Hikers”. She made a list of friends and family that she knew liked to run. Then she started making calls and sending emails inviting them to join her team. If they couldn’t join the team, Hailey asked if they would be willing to support her team by offering a donation. Next, Hailey’s Dad helped her make a website so that family and friends who wanted to support Camp Quest, could make a direct donation. Then she asked her parents to share the link on their Facebook pages. Hailey spent some time asking neighbors if they would support her team as well. The donations started rolling in. In the end, Hailey raised close to $400! The day of the race came and Hailey helped her teammates get their race packets, pumped them up for the start and cheered them on as they ran together. They weren’t the fastest team, but they all finished the race in good time and had a great time. After the race, it was announced that Hailey was the youngest team captain and “Hailey’s Hikers” had raised the most money for Camp Quest. But, the best feeling, was knowing that she had helped kids get to enjoy camp.

Amanda Smith, Oregon Teen National Finalist, volunteered her time working with St. Vincent de Paul.

Amanda Smith, National American Miss Oregon National Finalist, spent her time over the summer to help at a division of her church called St. Vincent de Paul. This organization gives food to people who are not able to support their family with food. They collect donations from other organizations and the parish community. At this great food pantry Amanda got the blessings of being able to sort out the food in the pantry and to deliver it to the homes in need. This was a great experience for her to learn how to stock food, as she would need to in a store, and she also got to meet some people who needed her help. Amanda discovered what the needs of the poor are in her own community. She loved being able to see how she was helping this community. One of her experiences delivering food was whensheI went to a single mother’s house; this woman had just gotten through a very tough day. Her daughter was almost kidnapped the day before by a man who she didn’t even know, and this man got away. She was very shaken up and Amanda and others had to go cautiously and yell through the door who they were and why they were there. It was a very awakening experience, and its one Amanda knows she will never forget it. Through this experience Amanda solidified her Gold Award idea for Girl Scouts. She is currently working on making a community garden for her high school so that families can come and get fresh foods for their families. Portions of the community garden will be donated to the local St Vincent de Paul food pantry so families getting food boxes will have fresh produce to enjoy.

2011 Miss Oregon Pre-Teen Cover Girl – Kyra Walters – Year In Review

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.

2011 Miss Oregon Pre-Teen Madeline Monlux Farewell

2011 National American Miss Pre-Teen Queen Madeline Monlux Farewell

I’ve had amazing time representing NAM this year! It has truly been a remarkable year of service. I have volunteered for several organizations, including The Ronald McDonald House, The Oregon
Humane Society, and my favorite, The Dian Fossey Gorilla Fund – where I created my own fundraiser to help mountain gorilla conservation in Africa.

I’ve had so many great opportunities this year, including a live broadcast on “Good Day Oregon”, meeting the top 10 American Idols and interviewing Scotty McCreery and Lauren Alaina for KUPL radio station, and also meeting all of the American Idols judges during their audition stop in Portland.

In October, I was invited to go to New York to present my check to the Dian Fossey Gorilla Fund. I got to speak one on one with the head primatologists that work for the fund about the gorilla treks and all of their duties. The coolest part was meeting my idol, Sigourney Weaver who played Dian Fossey in the movie “Gorillas In The Mist”. Can you believe of all places, I ran in to my sister queen Madison while there?!

Nationals was amazing! I met some new friends and got to catch up with some old ones too. We toured Hollywood, went to Universal Studios, and of course, Disneyland. I was honored to take home 1st runner up in actress, 2nd runner up in volunteer service (yay!), 1st runner up in the Alumni Association Essay Scholarship, and 1st runner up in the Art Contest with the awesome “Oregon” shirt that my Oma helped me make.

To my sister queens: Kyenna, you have been the best big sister I could ask for and such a great role model for all of us. Ariel, you are so beautiful and I admire your free spirit. Madison, you are so sweet and kind and ALWAYS have a huge smile on your face. Ciara, you are so talented and fun to be around. Deja, where do I start? You are the little sister I always wanted. I love all of our adventures and solving “mysteries” with you. I feel so blessed that our families met. To Kyra, I had alot of fun at the parades with you and our silly stories we made up during the car rides. Isabella, I’m glad I got to know you this year- you are a sweet girl.

Thank you to Matt, Mandy, and the rest of the NAM staff for all you do. Thank you to my family for being so supportive and the BEST cheering section a girl could ask for. To my successor… get ready for the time of your life! The year will go by fast, so remember to make the most of it.

Love,
Miss Oregon 2011 Preteen- Madeline Monlux

2011 National American Miss Oregon Kyenna Leedom Farewell

6 years ago, I began my journey with National American Miss. 6 years ago, I never imagined I would be standing here tonight on my 21st birthday, reflecting on my year as your 2011 Miss Oregon. Without God, none of this would have been possible. Ive had an amazing journey filled with so many wonderful blessings. The best blessings of all? 5 beautiful sister queens. We held hands along the way to multiple parades, volunteer events, a blazer game, and even some smoothie making at Jamba Juice! At nationals, I had the opportunity to give a speech about Endometriosis, a disease I was diagnosed with 2 and a half years ago. As I reflect back on my year, there are so many to whom I owe gratitude. Dad, there is nobody else I would rather have on this journey with me. You are my best friend and the worlds best parade driver! Thank you for always believing in me. I love you so much! Eleanor, words cannot express what our friendship means to me. We’ve had an amazing journey together and I cant wait to see whats still to come! Mommy Kim, you are the best surrogate mommy ever! Thanks for all your love and support! Deja, Madeline, and Ciara, I will always love you as if you were my own sisters. Madison, I foresee a sleepover in our future! I love you! Ariel, you are beautiful inside and out Kyra and Isabella, you girls are awesome! . Matt, its been a long journey but ive had the best state director to guide me along the way! Mandy, I hope ive made you proud! This year wouldn’t have been possible without you! Mom and bella, thank you for all your love and support. Michelle, Frank, and the Christellas team, you guys are awesome! Auntie, Rachel, Natasja, Trever, Sue, Alex, Janie, Lakisha, Steve and Kathleen Mayes, Breanna, my wonderful sponsors, Alaina, my sister queen moms, and Jeremy, this year would have been impossible without you. thank you! Finally, to my successor, hold on to this blessing and cherish it. Believe in yourself and make it a year you will never forget! force the last time, I am your 2011-2012 National American Miss Oregon, Kyenna Leedom.

2011 Miss Oregon Princess Deja Fitzwater Farewell

2011 National American Miss Oregon Princess Queen Deja Fitzwater Farewell

When I was littler, my Momma used to tell me this story about a little girl who lived in a faraway land and who grew up to be a Princess. Little did I know that would actually happen to me!

It has been an amazing year as your 2011 Miss Oregon Princess. I was able to make many appearances with my sister Queens and our Cover Girls. We rode in many parades, volunteered at Ronald McDonald House, helped at a Car Show, Portland’s “Sand in the City” and I even got to go to a “Spaw Day” event hosted by the Oregon Humane Society. Another favorite memory was getting to go backstage at the Grand Ole Opry and taking a tour of Mr. Matt’s offices and meeting all the staff! There are too many to list, but I am forever thankful and so blessed.

Going to Nationals in California was amazing! I made new friends and was so proud to bring home 9 trophies, including 2^nd RU Photogenic, 3^rd RU Spokesmodel and my very favorite, winning the Volunteer Service award for my many hours of community service.

This year, I started my own program called “Arts for the Ages” and NAM helped me to bring color and creativity to over 600 children; not just in my community, but around the world. Thank you National American Miss … you colored my world this year and made it brighter!

A big thank you to my sister Queens for all of our fun times: Kyenna, Ariel, Madi, Madeline & Ciara and to the Cover Girls Kyra and Bella. I am so glad that we are “Namily!”

And thank you to Mr. Matt and Miss Mandy for helping to make this year so much fun; but most of all, thank you to my Momma who made all my dreams come true when she brought me to the NAM pageant last year, hugged and kissed me and told me to “Have fun and let your sparkle shine!” … I did and it opened a whole new world for me.

My story won’t end here … this Princess plans on living the fairy tale! God Bless us everyone.

Hugs,

Déja Fitzwater

2011 Miss Oregon Princess

Oregon Queens and Cover Girls take time to send love and support to our troops!

This photo was taken at Oregon’s first Open Call of the year. The girls were so excited to be with their Director, Matt Leverton and spread the good news about NAM, but they did take some time to put together Valentine Gift boxes for the troops! From left to Right: National Cover Model Isabella Conner, Jr. Pre-Teen Queen Ciara Wilson, Pre-Teen Queen Madeline Monlux, Jr. Teen Queen Madison Irving, Princess Queen DéjaFitzwater, Miss Queen Kyenna Leedom, National Cover Girl Kyra Walters.

Deja Fitzwater, 2011 National American Miss Oregon Princess Queen donates coats for Burlington Coat Factory and Good Morning America!

Deja Fitzwater, 2011 Miss Oregon Princess, donated 10 coats to the Burlington Coat Factory and Good Morning America Coat Drive…. hoping to give those comfort and warmth who would not otherwise have it.