farewell – Page 5 – Matt Leverton’s National American Miss (NAM) Pageants Blog

2009 National American Miss Kentucky Pre-Teen Kyle Hornback Farewell

You know the saying “Time flies when you’re having fun?” Well, that’s what I’ve been doing this entire year. Look how far we’ve come in such a short amount of time! When I was crowned National American Miss Kentucky Pre-teen, I was so surprised. I didn’t know what to think! I then flew to California in November for Nationals and had the time of my life! I got to meet girls from all over the country and make plenty of memories. I had the chance to take a tour of Hollywood and even ride down Rodeo Drive! Disneyland was so much fun. I got to see Mickey, Peter Pan, and even Jack Sparrow!
Nationals wasn’t the only great part of my year. I had the opportunity to volunteer at various places representing my title. Being the Ambassador for the Brain Injury Alliance of Kentucky, I spoke about brain injury prevention and appeared at many events.

To all of my faithful sponsors- thank you so much for all of the support. I had so much fun volunteering and promoting events.
To Malia, my first runner up- You’re a queen in your own right and we’ll be friends forever.
Hey, Leverton!- You are most definitely the best director of all the states. Thank you for making this weekend so special.
To my family- Mom, you have always supported me and given me guidance. Thank you for spending countless hours helping me prepare and practice. Dad, I’m sorry that you get so emotional watching me on stage. Thanks for always giving encouragement and love. Logan, my true sister queen, this year wouldn’t have been the same without you. The rest of my family, thank you guys so much for all of the love and support.
To all of you nervous contestants- no matter what the outcome, this experience will stay with you forever.

To my successor- look forward to a fun-packed year, making so many memories, and making a ton of friends. This year is gone before you know it, so cherish every moment of it. Remember, at Nationals, go for that spirit stick!

And finally, I want to thank my Lord and Savior for all the many blessings that He has bestowed on me.
Signing out for the last time, your 2009/2010 National American Miss Kentucky Pre-teen, Kyle Hornback.

2009 National American Miss Kentucky Jr. Pre-Teen Logan Hornback Farewell

Wow! I can’t believe it’s been a year since I was crowned National American Miss Ky Jr. Pre-teen. When they called my name I was so excited and that’s when the Journey began. I had so much fun visiting other pageants. I was treated like royalty and met my sister queens from Indiana, Tennessee and Texas.

And let me tell you, the volunteering you get to do is amazing. I had so much fun going to Wayside Christian Mission and helping homeless children. Don’t pass up those opportunities to help others because it can change your life.

And then it was off to Nationals in California. I made so many friends. There was Kirsten Miss Tennessee, Tiffany Miss Minnesota, Reegan Miss Michigan and of course I’ll never forget Anna Miss Indiana.

I had a blast going to Disneyland. Believe me you’ll take so many pictures so bring lots of film. Not only did I have all that fun in Disneyland but I got to roam the streets of Hollywood. I even got to meet Madonna…just kidding. It was the best time of my life.

Special thanks to my family; Grandma, Grandpa, Nana, Penny and Rosemare. Without your support I never would have made it this far. Dad I know you could only stand in the back of the room and cry but I love you for it anyway. And Mom thank you for helping me rehearse and searching everywhere for just the right shoes. You really made it happen. And finally to my sister Kyle. I love you so much.! Not many sisters can share the experience of being queens together. Thanks to Matt Leverton you’re the greatest director and to all the friends I’ve made here..

To the new Miss Ky Jr Pre-teen Congratulations! You did it. What a ride you’re in for. To all the contestants remember they may only crown one queen but you are all winners. So for the last time, good bye from your 2009/2010 Miss Ky Jr Pre-Teen

Logan Hornback

2009 National American Miss Kentucky Pre-Teen Cover Girl Brooke Halsey Farewell

Dear Contestants,

I have been honored to represent Kentucky as the 2009 Junior Pre-Teen Cover Girl. I have greatly enjoyed my reign as Cover Girl and have participated in many exciting activities. Shortly after being crowned, I was honored by being invited to Frankfort to meet the Governor of Kentucky. After my meeting with Governor Beshear, I was given a personal tour of the Capitol by State Representative Teddy Edmonds.

I have also spent time this past year volunteering at my local senior citizen center and making several new friends there. I especially enjoyed putting together puzzles with the individuals and listening to their many stories! I also participated in activities to help raise funds for the foster children in my hometown. I was so excited to represent National American Miss while helping to raise money for such an important cause!

Finally, I traveled to California to participate in the National All-American Miss pageant where I was crowned National Cover Girl. I made many new friends from across the country, went to Disneyland, and toured Hollywood. I even got to drive down Rodeo Drive. I had so much fun!

I would like to thank all of my sponsors, as well as the National American Miss family, for this wonderful opportunity. I would also like to thank my mom, dad, sister, and entire family for all of their love and support. Without them, none of this would have been possible.

Congratulations to all contestants for making it this far, and good luck in the pageant and everything you do. Enjoy pageant weekend, relax, and most importantly have fun. Take the time to make new friends and ENJOY YOUR SPOTLIGHT!!!

Best Wishes and God Bless,
Brooke Halsey

2009 National American Miss Kentucky Jr. Teen Queen Megan Webb Farewell

Dear Contestants,

Its hard to believe that my year as your National American Miss Kentucky Jr. Teen 2009 is over. Being the regining queen for the state this year has opened so many doors for me. I enjoyed volunteering, being visiting royalty and going to nationals. I made so many friends this year and made memories I’ll never forget. I would like you to know that I’ve stood in your shoes four times before, I know what its like to be here for the first time and being here for your fourth, the excitement and the dream never goes away. Being crowned was a dream come true. If I can give you any advice, all I can say is have fun! This experience will change your life, for the better. I hope this weekend turns out to be the way you always dreamed and I hope you and your family take this weekend and grow together. Always remember, if it is YOUR dream it is always worth TRYING to achieve! Have a great weekend, and feel free to ask me anything! See you soon!
Love,
Megan Alisa Webb
2009 National American Miss Kentucky Jr. Teen Queen

2009 National American Miss Kentucky Teen Queen Hensley Rector Farewell

It’s hard to believe my journey as your reigning National American Miss Kentucky Teen has come to an end. It has been an amazing year, filled with memories that I will treasure for a lifetime. I am honored to have worked with and been a part of the March of Dimes Organization, Cell Phones for Soldiers Foundation, and Samaritans Purse-Operation Christmas Child.

My most treasured memory of my reign was attending nationals. The entire week was a blast. I had an amazing time at Disneyland, where I got to meet and bond friendships with other queens from across the United States. I toured the streets of Hollywood and Rodeo Drive and participated in many activities while representing the great state of Kentucky.

Thanks to the entire NAM staff for all your support this year. Special thanks go to Matt, for his dedication and hard work as a state director. To my sister queens-a year ago we received our crowns and became royalty of Kentucky. Memories will fade, but friendships last forever. To Megan, Kyle & Logan, you’re the greatest!

I would like to congratulate each state finalist on your achievements thus far and encourage each of you to dream big and work hard to reach your goals. Dreams that you follow will keep coming true.

Finally, I would like to thank my family and friends for your love and support. Your leadership and guidance has helped me become the person I am today. I am a girl with dreams. I am Hensley Rector.

2009 National American Miss Princess Kelsey Artman Farewell

Dear Contestants & Families,

Wow! It is hard to believe that it has been one year since I was crowned your National

American Miss Georgia Princess! I had such a great time at last year’s pageant and

made many new friends. I had the opportunity to travel to other NAM pageants as a

visiting queen and learned to smile and wave very quickly!

Before I knew it, it was time to go to California for Nationals! I met all of my sister

queens and had an amazing time. I toured Hollywood and the Walk of Fame, went

shopping in LA and visited the Santa Monica Pier, but I can’t forget the highlight of the

trip – Disneyland! My family and I had such a great time! I made friends with girls from

all over the country and it was the experience of a lifetime!

Being a NAM queen also gave me the opportunity to serve in my community at many events including Relay for Life, March for Babies, benefit pageants and even a fashion show! This year has been amazing and although I am sad that it is coming to an end, I am excited to crown your new Princess!

I have many people I would like to thank for making this year so special. To my sister queens, thank you for always looking out for me and supporting me as your little sister. To Mr. Matt, the best director a girl could have! To Miss Roxanne and Kaleigh for encouraging me to do my first pageant which helped to prepare me for NAM! To Miss Sharon, for all of the love and support you gave me this year. To Miss Tracy at Girli Girl for always keeping me dressed my best! To my mom and dad for all of your support and the unlimited use of your American Express card. To my big brother, Dylan, for always cheering me on and being my biggest fan.

I want to wish all of you the very best at the pageant so go out there, do your best and remember that while only one girl can be crowned, you have already won by participating and this weekend will be an amazing experience! Finally to the new National American Miss Georgia Princess, enjoy every moment and take lots of pictures. This will be one of the best times of your life.

For the last time, I am your 2009/2010, National American Miss Georgia Princess,

Kelsey Artman

2009 National American Miss Georgia Teen Amber Lee Farewell

2009 Naitonal American Miss Georgia Teen Amber Lee Farewell

Dear National American Miss Family and Friends,

God has truly blessed my life. Last year I had no idea that on July 5, 2009 I would compete with over 120 of the most incredible girls in Georgia and be crowned the National American Miss Georgia Teen queen. Holding this prestigious title led me to many unforgettable adventures. Some highlights from my reign included when I presented the awards to the new members of the Georgia Racing Hall of Fame Induction in Dawsonville, rode in festival parades, volunteered in my city’s annual Mountain Moonshine Festival which raises money for the Kare for Kids charity to provide for underprivileged children, traveled to Tennessee as visiting royalty, met Georgia’s governor Sonny Purdue, and made an appearance at Alma, GA’s annual Blueberry Festival. In November, my family and I traveled to Anaheim, California where I represented our state at the National pageant. Here I met many remarkable fellow queens from all across the USA. During this week my family and I toured through Hollywood, shopped on Rodeo drive, went to Venice and Laguna Beach, and since I am a current Walt Disney World cast member of course my favorite part of the week was going to Disneyland 3 times! It truly was one of my family’s favorite vacations ever and I am so thankful for the lessons I learned and the experiences I gained during Nationals.

I want to say thank you to all of my wonderful family and friends, every cast member at Disney, and all who are a part of National American Miss not only for your unconditional love and for making this year so spectacular, but for inspiring me to go after all the things I want most in my life and for making me a better, more well-rounded person. I truly hope that I will be able to inspire many people and that I am someone everyone can look up to, just as I look up to all of you. Being your queen has meant the world to me, and I have tried my best to live and represent you all the way a true princess would. Now that my royal duties and responsibilities as Miss Georgia Teen are coming to an end, I hope I have been able to uplift, encourage, and have been a role model you all can be proud of!

To my successor, really make the most of your time this year, and know that being a queen is really about what you have to offer the world, and how you can make a difference in it. To all the other contestants, just know that you do not need a crown to be a true princess, because being a respected role model, having morals and treating the world with kindness is what being a princess is all about! Look at Cinderella and Snow White, they do not even have crowns! To every one else, always remain true to yourself and never compromise who you are for anyone or anything. Know that dreams do come true, but only if they are meant to be, and someday you will look back on all the ones that did not come true and be thankful that they did not because they could have hindered you from reaching a dream even bigger that you did not even know existed yet! So continue to believe in yourself and seize every opportunity that comes your way. Instead of wondering about all the great things you will receive in your future, begin to look at the magic that is already gliding through your life at this very moment. Remember life is not always about making every single dream come true, but rather it is about celebrating the dreams that already have come true! Have fun in life and in everything you do celebrate you! It truly has been such an honor to serve you all this year. This is definitely not my happy ending, it is just my “once upon a time’’ beginning!

Forever your 2009/2010 National American Miss Georgia Teen,

Amber Paige Lee

Mary Katherine Kunz 2009 National American Miss South Carolina Teen Queen Farewell

I can’t believe that only one year ago that I was being crowned your

2009 Miss South Carolina Teen. Words can not even begin to describe what an honor it has been. This year I got to work with the Children’s Chance organization and help raise money for pediatric cancer. I got to have a photo shoot with all of my sister queens. But of all the things I did this year, nationals was definitely the highlight.

Weather it was roaming the streets of Hollywood, meeting princesses at Disney, or just those crazy late night dance rehearsals with the girls, nationals was a blast. I got to have fun catching up with old friends and make so many new ones with girls from across our nation. I want to thank everybody who has been here for me this year. Mom, none of this would have even been possible without you. Thank you for loving me, supporting me, and just plain putting up with me. I love you! Stephanie Hall,you are the best big sister queen I could have ever asked for. You are such a beautiful girl inside and out and I hope you never change! Staci Alden, I am so glad I got to share this year with you. I had a blast running around disney with you for the second year in a row! Sabrina, you are just absolutely gorgeous and so much fun to be around. Never lose touch of the beautiful person you are! Monika, Catherine, Riley, and Erin, you girls are the best sister queens. You all are absolutely adorable and I treasure each of you.

Matt Leverton, you are such a fun state director. Thank you for all that you’ve done and for making my National American Miss experience truly unforgettable. Girls, I am so proud of each you. If you do not take home the crown, take home the friendships and the skills you have gained here this weekend. To my successor, know that this crown is not just a title, but an honorable responsibility. Use this crown not for your own benefit, but for every other person who needs it. As my reign comes to an end I am sad, but I can not wait to see what the future has in store for me. So for the last time, I am your 2009 Miss South Carolina Teen, Mary Katherine Kunz.

Stephanie Hall 2009 National American Miss South Carolina Farewell

Wow, I am not even sure where to begin! The past year as your South Carolina miss queen has been the most exciting, enlightening, and rewarding time of my life. It’s hard to believe that time has passed so quickly, but I would not trade the experience for anything! My journey with the National American Miss organization began nearly five years ago, and I have been so impressed with every aspect of the pageant. It has been such a huge honor to represent you all here and at the national competition in California!

My year of reign has been full of exhilarating experiences! I made many new friends during my visits to Skylan Retirement Home. Being involved with the March of Dimes event in Columbia, the Special Olympics in Greenville, and the Carolina Pregnancy Center in Spartanburg could not have been more rewarding.

My platform, raising cancer awareness among young adults, was inspired by my mother’s battle with breast cancer. I can’t tell you how much having this title at this specific time has helped me. Being able to share my family’s story with people and walking in memory of my mom at various Relay for Life events was such a humbling experience. I had the chance to reach out to people I might never have been able to reach otherwise. What a blessing!

Of course, none of this would have been possible without my amazing support group. First I want to thank my family for always believing in me, no matter what. Matt, you are the best state director I could ever hope for! Thanks so much for all your advice and support, (and for making me try sushi–it wasn’t so bad after all!). Mrs. Kunz, thank you for being my “pageant mom,” I don’t know what I would have done without you and MK. I’ll never forget the crazy memories from Nationals! Erin, Riley, Catherine, Monika, Sabrina, and Mary Katherine, we will always be sisters. I love you guys with all my heart!

Lastly, I want to wish all of the contestants the best of luck. Remember, you are winners just for making it this far. You guys are so talented, smart, and beautiful from the inside out. Never let anyone tell you otherwise! And to all the new queens, make the most of every second of your reign. It will be a year you’ll never forget!

Love always,

Stephanie Hall 2009 National American Miss South Carolina

2009 Jr. Pre-Teen NAM Cover Girl Catherine Dixon Farewell

Dear Contestants,

Congratulations and welcome to the 2010 North and South Carolina State Pageant! My experience with National American Miss has been phenomenal!

The National American Miss family has been so nice to me. Thanks for letting me have this opportunity! I would like to send a big shout-out to my family for all their love and support! Thanks you guys! And most of all, I thank God for letting me have this opportunity of a lifetime!

Every part of the pageant was rewarding, but my favorite parts were the personal introduction and interviewing with the judges. Getting on stage and telling them how my first grade teacher called me her Renaissance Girl because she knew I liked “doing it all” was very exciting! I felt privileged to be on the stage as your 2009 Cover Girl! My advertising sponsors were truly impressed with the motto and purpose of National American Miss and I am so pleased to be a part of this family oriented organization!

Nationals was so fun! It was an honor to be crowned as National Cover Model in Anaheim, CA! There were so many exciting events! At rehearsals, we “pumped up the party” with fun attire such as pajamas, crazy hair and patriotic clothing! I even got to meet and take a picture with Ms. Kathleen Mayes and Ms. Dawn Lee Costa. We went to Hollywood and even went on a tour, but the part I liked best was meeting girls from across the country! I was amazed by how much we had in common. These are all memories that I will keep close to me forever!

I am positive you will have an extraordinary experience with National American Miss! I enjoyed raising money for Boys Farm, a Christian home for boys and Berkeley Citizens in Moncks Corner, South Carolina, that supports children with special needs. It was very rewarding to help people. Just remember: In South Carolina, there are smiling faces and beautiful places, but no matter where you are, you should always let your inner beauty shine through! Good luck and I hope you enjoy your wild journey with National American Miss as much as I have!

Your 2009 Jr. Pre-Teen Cover Girl

Catherine Dixon