princess – Page 7 – Matt Leverton’s National American Miss (NAM) Pageants Blog

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

Cailee Calabrese is one busy NAM girl!

Cailee Calabrese is the National American Miss North Carolina Princess Queen. As you can see above she is one busy kid. Her activities this year have taken her from the national pageant in Disneyland to national talent competitions, and most of all her community service project of collecting DVD for soldiers.

She has spent the last ten months collecting DVDs for our troops serving overseas. Cailee will tell you that the reason she collected them is because “they protect us and she wanted to give a gift back for protecting us.” She collected $3,000 worth of DVDs and delivered them to “Give to the Troops” organization on November 14, 2009. Cailee is now a permanent volunteer and will receive a special volunteer award signed by the President of the United States at the end of the year for her contribution. It was very touching to see so many people volunteering their time to pack Christmas stockings and the essentials such as food, toiletries, and children including Cailee making cards to thank them and wishing them a wonderful holiday.

One of the most touching encounters of the day was to see the wall with all the stars that signified those who lost their lives. The dark wall was for the troops serving in Iraq and the blue wall was for the soldiers who lost their live in Afghanistan. Cailee has a long history of family who currently serves or has served including her dad who served with the United States Air Force.

Way to go Cailee!

Farewell Speech of Cailee Calabrese – North Carolina National American Miss Princess

I cannot believe how fast this year has gone. Never did I imagine that my name would be called as the North Carolina National American Miss Princess. It has truly been an honor and a wonderful opportunity. My year started as volunteering for the American Red Cross “Run for the Red.” I had such a wonderful time when I attended the Maryland state pageant reigning and meeting new friends. One of things I did was to launch my own community project called “Movies for Military.” I distributed my movies and volunteered at the Give 2 the Troops organization, which was truly a wonderful experience to see and meet so many people donating time to put together care packages and make cards to send to our troops serving overseas. I launched my own project because “I wanted to give a gift back to them for protecting us.” I have learned the importance of giving back to the community, meeting new friends and to always be a positive role model for other girls.

Another highlight of my year was attending nationals and our trip to Disneyland and Hollywood. I enjoyed getting to meet so many girls from different states. I was proud to receive the award of National Photogenic, Community Achievement, Volunteer Service Award and 3^rd runner-up for Most Promising Model. It is truly an honor to receive those awards with so many wonderful other girls. Thank you Matt and the wonderful staff at National American Miss organization for the greatest experience a girl my age could have. Lastly, I would like to thank my mom and dad for always loving and supporting me.

2009 National American Miss South Carolina Princess Queen Erin McCracken Farewell

Hi Girls!

Welcome!! My name is Erin Marie McCracken and I am very proud to be your 2009 National American Miss South Carolina Princess Queen. It seems like only yesterday I was standing where you are today, full of hopes and dreams.

I want to congratulate you for making it as a National American Miss state finalist. What an accomplishment! This will be such an amazing experience and you will make so many new friends! So treasure each moment – it will go by way too fast!

This year has been the most amazing year a girl could ever wish for. I have had the opportunity to meet so many wonderful people and make so many great friends! I attended the National pageant in sunny California with my beautiful sister queens and we had a BLAST! Not only did we have a day in Disneyland and tour Hollywood, we got to go shopping on Rodeo Drive! Wow!!! I also got to represent NAM and our beautiful state of South Carolina at various pageants and parades and Open Calls. I will never forget this great year I’ve experienced with National American Miss!

Girls, be EXCITED! This is the experience of a lifetime! So good luck and remember to have fun and cherish every moment! You ROCK!!

With love,

Erin McCracken

NAM Oregon Princess Queen Gabriella Torkornoo volunteered at the Oregon state fair

Oregon Princess Queen Gabriella Torkornoo volunteered at the Oregon state fair as a greeter and handed out programs on Aug. 28, 2009. She enjoyed being the official greeter at the front Gate on opening day of the fair. This State fair marked Oregon’s 150th anniversary! Gabriella handed out programs and got her picture taken for the local newspaper. It was a long day standing in the rain at times, but the happy face never left this 5 year old. That same evening she was invited to hand out winning ribbons at the horse show that was held at the fair. The emcee of the show commented that he was impressed at how comfortable and professional she seemed while getting her pictures taken with the winners and their horses. He said “Not many adults, let alone children I’ve seen are that comfortable standing next to a horse”. Gabriella’s mother told me “I was happily surprised to see Gabriella act so professional and enjoy what she was doing. It seemed like she was an old pro at it. What a great feeling it is to see your child blossom right in front of your eyes! What a joy it is to watch them find something they are really good at and enjoy! Thank you NAM for giving Gabriella this opportunity and allowing me to see her run with it!”