Matt Leverton’s National American Miss (NAM) Pageants Blog
National American Miss (NAM) Blog
2013 National American Miss Tennessee Miss Queen Sarah Ford was featured in The Williamson Source.
National American Miss North Carolina Jr. Teen Queen Alexandria Murphy helps out at the Tennessee pageant.
Miss North Carolina Jr. Teen Alexandria Murphy helps out at the Tennessee pageant. She helped with pageant check-in as well as being around to help answer questions and lend a smiling face and encouragement. Alexandria had a great time helping out and being able to pass out trophies during the finales.
Katlyn Dillard, National American Miss Tennessee Pre-Teen Cover Girl, in the newspaper and her city proclamation.
Katlyn Dillard, Miss Tennessee Pre-Teen Cover Girl in the newspaper and also a proclamation from the City of Mt Juliet.
Macy Moyer, 2013 National American Miss Tennessee Junior Teen Queen, volunteers at the Boys and Girls Club.
Macy Moyer, 2013 Miss Tennessee Junior Teen, has always enjoyed her time at the Boys and Girls Club as a volunteer. She knew as soon as she won the title of your 2013 National American Miss Tennessee Junior Teen, she would be making a special trip there with all of the books and school supplies she was given. Macy instantly made an appointment to go to the Boys and Girls club, knowing the kids would love it all!
As soon as Macy walked in the door with all of the books and supplies, every child’s face completely lit up. Macy said it was the most amazing feeling. She talked with every child and helped them each pick out a few books, and four items of supplies each. Macy has always enjoyed going to the Boys and Girls club and it has always been fun, but being able to volunteer there, while representing National American Miss, made the experience absolutely perfect.
National American Miss Tennessee Miss Queen Sarah Ford was featured in the paper.
Tennessee Pre-Teen Queen Anna Grace Smith says farewell.
Just one short year ago, I started the most amazing journey when I was crowned your National American Miss Tennessee Preteen queen. I had no idea at that special moment how much fun and what an honor the following year of service would be. Meeting Governor Haslam, and volunteering over 700 hours with Boys & Girls Clubs, Second Harvest, The Multiple Sclerosis Society and my own organization, Queens for a Cure and making appearances all over the great state of Tennessee with my sister queens have been times I will always cherish. Nationals in California were a fantastic experience where I walked the famed streets of Hollywood, met Mario Lopez at the Farmers Market, enjoyed Disneyland with my NAM Preteen besties, Lauren, Claire and Gracie and of course competed for the National American Miss Preteen title. All the rehearsals and parties were so much fun and Mr. Matt, you truly are the most fun and awesome state director EVER! You don’t know how much I appreciate you dressing to match my formal dress at nationals (even if it wasn’t planned) and I will never forget seeing you dance on stage at nationals! Ava, you are my cute little Princess. Taylor, I love to watch you dance, and our spontaneous swim parties are so much fun. Alex, you are such an inspiration to me and I love singing, volunteering and just hanging out with you. Sarah, you are an amazing role model. You are all amazing and fun sister queens, and you all inspire me to do more in my community and be a better person. I love you all! I am thankful for the best parents, grandparents and sisters a girl could have. Thank you for always supporting me and cheering me on at everything I do. Mom, you are my biggest inspiration because you are always there encouraging me to reach for the stars and you do so much to help others. Olivia, Macie, Kate, Kelsie, Sarah, Cade, Tyler, Ms Christa and Mrs. Jennifer, you are such wonderful friends and inspirations to me. I am blessed and love you all! Most of all I thank my Lord and Savior because I could not do any of this without Jesus Christ. It is through Him that all things are possible. To my successor – enjoy every minute of your year of service and remember that it is an honor and a privilege to wear this crown. You are a role model and an inspiration to everyone you meet. You will make many new friends and have experiences you will remember always. Take lots of pictures because this next year will go by faster than you can blink. You have the most awesome director and team, so take all the advice they offer. Have fun! Thank you Mr. Matt and the whole Tennessee NAMILY and staff– you are all so much fun and I have truly had the time of my life this past year. For the last time, I am your 2012 Miss Tennessee Preteen, Anna Grace Smith.
2012 National American Miss Jr. Teen Queen Alexandra Wallace looks back on her year of service!
Wow. What a crazy but fun year I had as the 2012 National American Miss Tennessee Jr. Teen. I am so excited to share with you all some of my favorite memories throughout this year. When my name was called I was in shock. I remained completely composed however until I saw Anna and remembered what a great group of sister’s I’d have to reign with. It was that moment when I started to cry and couldn’t compose myself for pictures after. There truly are no words to describe my national’s experience. I made some amazing friends and caught up with old ones. From crazy rehearsals, our day in Disney, and competitions we always had a great time. I even met my personal favorite Disney character Winnie the Pooh! I was able to help at Anna Grace’s queens for a cure charity pageant in October. She did a fantastic job and it was awesome to see and catch up with the other queens she had present, including Miss Tennessee Teen USA Emily Suttle. I participated in the Jingle Bell Run walk for arthritis by passing out water cups to the runners and met the governor with my fellow sister queens! However, the greatest blessing throughout this year has been furthering my platform, the American Heart Association. I spoke at various elementary schools throughout my area on the importance of keeping active and healthy through the Jump Rope for Heart program. I spoke at the state capitol and met with my local representative and senators as a high level advocate. My favorite event however was the Red Out in my high school. This was something new this year and as a school we raised 3750 for the AHA! It was so cool to see my classmate working for a cause so near to my heart. As mentioned earlier, I was truly blessed with a great group of sister queens. Ava, Taylor, Anna Grace, and Sarah what a privilege it was to reign with each of you. You all brought smiles to my face and I am so thankful for each of you. I know you will all go far wherever life takes you. I’d like to say thank you to my family; Mom, Richard, Taylor, Granny and Tate for always being my biggest support system. You all mean the world to me and I love you all. Most importantly I’d like to thank God for this amazing opportunity. This year would not have been possible without his many blessings. To the girls competing be yourself and have the time of your life! You are all beautiful and winners and I can’t wait to meet all of you. Best of luck!!
National American Miss Tennessee Jr. Teen 2012, Alexandra Wallace
National American Miss Tennessee Jr. Pre-Teen Queen Taylor Parsons says farewell.
When I heard my name called as National American Miss Tennessee Jr. Pre-Teen Queen 2012, I was so excited. This year has gone by way too fast! During my reign I have volunteered at my church, collected food for Second Harvest, donated school supplies to my school, hosted a “Walk for A Cure” for Susan G. Komen, made cupcakes for police appreciation week, visited local nursing homes, Relay for Life, and rode in parades. Giving back to my community and volunteering was truly rewarding and taught my to be truly grateful for what I have. Going to Nationals in California was a blast! I rocked the stage with my clogging routine and brought home the National Talent Title! Disneyland, the Hollywood Tour, and Thanksgiving banquet were amazing experiences. I met new friends and now have friends from all across the U.S.
I want to thank God for giving me this amazing opportunity, Matt Leverton for being the best director in the world, Steve and Kathleen Mayes and Kenn and Lani Maples for a wonderful pageant system. To all my sister queens, Ava, Anna Grace, Alex, and Sarah, you are beautiful and I love you all. Mom and Dad for all your unconditional love and support, Grandma, Grandpa, Mamaw, Alex, Zack, and Averielle for always cheering me on and believing in me. You are the best family a firl could ask for and I love you all!
Best of Luck to all the girls competing this year. I can’t wait to meet each of you. This will be a weekend you will never forget! Make new friends, believe in yourself, do your best, and most of all have FUN!
Your 2012 Miss Tennessee Jr. Pre-Teen,
Taylor Parsons
Sarah Ford, 2012 National American Miss Tennessee Teen Queen, says farewell with blessings and love.
As I look back over my year as Miss Tennessee Teen, I can’t help but feel so blessed by this wonderful opportunity. Thank you National American Miss for creating a system that has made me into the young lady I am today. Without this system I would not believe in myself, dream as big as possible or have the confidence I have. After competing for this prestigious title for seven years I was in disbelief when I had finally captured the crown this past September. In those seven years, I had planned out just how I wanted to be the perfect title holder. But boy, I did not know what a whirlwind of a year it would be.
After being crowned in September I donated the school supplies and books, given by my age division at last year’s pageant, to numerous schools in McNairy & Madison County. I continued my work with Soles4Souls by donating over 300 pairs of shoes during my reign. I appeared in many parades from Christmas to Independence Day. In addition, I had the opportunity to volunteer with The Health Fair, Imagination Library and Healthy Women. In the fall, I met my city and county mayors and in the spring met Tennessee Governor, Bill Haslam. The title of Tennessee Teen has blessed me with many travels as I have appeared at five Open Calls and Visiting Royalty at the Kentucky, Georgia, and North Carolina pageants. One of my favorite opportunities, as Tennessee Teen, was being the Honorary Duck Master at The Peabody Hotel to celebrate my 20th birthday followed by being interviewed by WPTY channel 24. I was honored to be able to throw out the first pitch at the Jackson Generals game. Finally, during my reign I was able to use one of my favorite talents NAM instilled in me, public speaking. I spoke to the Rotary Club about how NAM had changed my life and at a Dollie & Me luncheon about etiquette. Finally, my title made it possible to grow my program, Creating Confidence. I was able to hold a Community Wide Workshop as well as speak to many schools about true beauty, poise, and etiquette. Most importantly, I got to teach young children the importance of being confident in who they are and embracing that to make their dreams come true.
One of the biggest adventures of my reign was Nationals in Anaheim, California. I enjoyed competing in Casual Wear Modeling and Actress. I met so many wonderful young ladies who shared the same dreams as I did. My day in Disneyland was such a dream, and yes it really is the happiest place on Earth. I also enjoyed a Hollywood Tour where I truly felt like a celebrity. Most importantly, I got to spend Thanksgiving with my family. Although I did not walk away with the crown at the end of the week, I did get to see my best friend, Megan Webb crowned. What I did walk away with was friendships and lessons that will last a lifetime.
I want to thank my family for coming on this extraordinary adventure with me. Mom thank you for always being there to calm me down when I was nervous and being right by my side during the most exciting moments. Thank you for organizing all my appearances and making sure I had the most fun-filled year possible. You are the true Miss Tennessee. Jodie thank you for always helping with my wardrobe selection and driving me everywhere I needed to be. To Jacob and Josh, thank you for being such supportive brothers of my dreams and always motivating me to “knock ’em dead!” To my state director, Matt Leverton and his team, thank you for letting me have this opportunity and assisting me whenever I needed it. Finally, I want to say a big thank you to everyone that has supported me through this journey and has made it literally the greatest year of my life. I have absolutely loved being your 2012 National American Miss Tennessee Teen.
With Blessings and Love,
Sarah Ford, 2012 Miss Tennessee Teen
“Patience and persistence make an unbeatable combination for success”
National American Miss Tennessee Pre-Teen Queen Anna Grace Smith organizes Queens for a Cure,Think Pink Benefit Pageant for Susan G. Komen for the Cure.
Miss Tennessee Pre-Teen organized and held the 2nd Annual Think Pink Benefit Pageant. They raised over $3000 for Susan G. Komen for the Cure as well as raised awareness about the ongoing need for continued research for a cure for all cancers. Anna Grace and the girls celebrated those who are survivors and honored those who had lost the fight with breast cancer. The contestants ranged in ages from 2-18 and were challenged to collect money before the pageant promoting Queens for a Cure and raising awareness for Susan G. Komen for the Cure Passionately Pink.
