Govenor's Award

On 1/7/11 I had the honor of attending the Governor and First Lady's Service Awards Luncheon and being one of the recipients of this special Award.  There were over 300 Californians in attendance that were honored at this event for their volunteer work within their communities.  The award included a limited edition certificate signed by former Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger and first lady Maria Shriver. The event was hosted by Susan Jeske and the Ms America pageant which recommended me for this award. 

I was unfortunately a little late to this event due to forgetting my crown and banner at home but nevertheless I put the pedal to the metal went home to grab it and made it just in time for the main course.  There was such a variety of organizations that had volunteers in attendance from earth day organizations to meals on wheels to doctors and chiropractors who have donated their services to the poor and 3rd world countries.  Jeff Timmons (of the group 98 Degrees) was the special guest speaker and performer whom gave us a little insight into his world of service while telling us that the little things we do can make an impact that will last a lifetime.  It was such a wonderful feeling to be in the presence of so many Californians who felt it was their duty, honor, and privilege to help others in need.

Now of course there were pageant queens in attendance from several different local and national pageant systems, because what better way to use your title than to give to back as so many of us do (with or with the crown).  All of the titleholders were being honored for completing at least 50 hours of service to an organization or 25 hours for ages 5 to 14.  One of the pageant systems in attendance was the Teen Achieve Pageant. The Miss Teen Achieve Pageant is an achievement based pageant that includes an art presentation or speech portion on what make a leader.  I had an opportunity to meet the director Marlena Martin (Ms California US Continental) and some of her queens pictured here below (Korinna Kaplanis-Miss Southern California Teen Achieve 2011, Mercedes Harvey-Miss California Teen Achieve 2010, Rebekah Burger-Miss Regional Teen Achieve).

It was just another busy day in the life of Ms Earth, not only was it a day where volunteerism was the focus but a day where service was the unifying factor for a large group of citizens who care.

Next stop Las Vegas and the Miss America Pageant ............

Toddlers To Tiara's

Did you catch the season 3 premiere episode of "Toddlers to Tiara's"?  If you missed it stayed tunned to TLC for re-runs and be sure to look for me as a featured judge!

Pageant Cast Interview

Go to http://www.pageantcast.com/ and check out my interview for January 4th!

Pageant Lounge TV Interview at the Ethnic World Pageant

Click the link to see my interview on You Tube

Click Here: Pageant Lounge Interview

Toys for Tot's and Christmas Caroling

December is off and running.  I started off the month by celebrating my 34th birthday on the 1st of the month and getting ready for another busy weekend of appearances and family gatherings.  My Saturday started off with the US Marine's Toys for Tots Foundation.  They were sponsoring a huge Toy Drive at Knotts Berry Farm in Orange County California.  For the donation of a $15 toy you got free admission to the park.  This is an annual event that draws in folks from everywhere seeking a day of enjoyment at the park and a chance to donate to the less fortunate.  This was my second year participating in this event and I was joined by some of my pageant sisters from Gold Coast Pageants.  After spending a fun day in the park riding rides, watching snoopy on ice and the Christmas Parade, it was time to move to my next journey.  My final stop for the night was at my Uncle's retirement party.  After 34 years of service he is retiring from the Los Angeles County Probation Department, whom I still work for.  My mother and grandmother have also been Probation officers as well.  Between the 4 of us we have given Los Angeles County well over 100 years of service.  Can you imagine how many lives we have touched and how many at risk children's lives we have made a difference in?

Sunday morning I was up bright and early taking Bianca to compete at the Gold Coast Christmas Pageant.  Not only did she win her division, holiday wear and a few optionals we even meet Travis Barker the drummer from blink 182 and his ex-wife Shana Moakler Miss Teen USA 1992 and Miss USA 1995 whose daughters were competing as well.

After a quick stop at another family gathering our final destination was at the 29th Annual Holiday Caroling Festivities in Canoga Park.  Over 200 carolers gathered at 4 retirement homes to bring holiday entertainment to the residents, staff and caregivers.  Not only did the carolers include girl scouts, boy scouts, various celebrities, politicians, Santa Claus, elves, and more but also some of our 4 legged friends (therapy dogs).  Check out the list of just a few of the celebrities in attendance below. We had a ball singing what seemed like every Christmas song every written, we even sang Feliz Navidad and Hanukkah songs.  I was also a featured celebrity with a group of professional Opera singers singing  "Ave Maria".  At some of the homes we had a full live band even including violin's, harps, guitars, keyboards, drums and more.  So you know we were treated to a good old jam session as well as songs lead by some famous voices including the lady that sings in all of the Toyota commercials.  Bianca was the youngest caroler in attendance and she donned a special Santa's helper outfit to match mommy.  The residents got a kick out of seeing her and yes she did sing along.  For being only 2 years old she did a good job even though I think she was singing "tinkerbell" in instead of "jingle bells", but hey who could tell the difference!

Alex Del Zoppo & Fred Herrera-Original members of Sweetwater Band from Woodstock

Carl Verheyen-World acclaimed guitarist for Supertramp and “The Carl Verheyen Band”

Don Peake-Musicians Hall of Fame member, guitarist- Marvin Gaye, Ray Charles, Jackson 5

Florence LaRue-six-time Grammy winner and original member of The 5^th Dimension

Prescott Niles-bassist of “The Knack” performed #1 hit “My Sharona”

Mike Pinera-guitarist Iron Butterfly, Alice Cooper, Blues Image with hit “Ride Captain Ride”

Patricia Zappa-Singer/author of My Brother was a Mother: A Zappa Family Album

Patrick Waskielis-Drummer w/Hamilton, Joe Frank & Reynolds w/Billboards #1 & #4 singles

Kevin Jones-Keyboard player Ozzy Osbourne

Sheree “Sheryl” Green-Adams -Original Mickey Mouse Club Mousketeer

Trey Carlisle-actor portrays “Earl Jr.” on TV series “My Name is Earl”

Alan O'Day-Pop-singer/artist of the #1 hit "Under Cover Angel,",

Holiday Time

Unfortunately on my way to work one day I was in a car accident so without my wheels I was stuck at home the weekend of Miss California USA and Miss California Teen USA but a big congrats to the new tittle holders as well as my friend Alaina Bliar who made 2nd runner-up in the Teen division.

With the holiday season in full bloom remember to stop and not only give thanks but to tell your friends and family that you love and appreciate them.  Don't forget the reason for the season has nothing to do with eating lots of food or shopping until you drop.  Please make a donation to a local charity or do something nice for someone who can't do the same for themselves.  "It is more blessed to give than it is to receive"

Stay tuned to hear about my holiday adventures, so much to do, so many events, not enough of me to go around........

Miss Southern California & Miss Long Beach Pageant

What a busy time it is in the pageant world right now.  So many pageants and just not enough time to make it to all of them.  Two of my last appearances were at the Miss Long Beach and Miss Southern California Pageant and the send off party for the Miss California Coed Pageant Contestants.  The Competition was fierce at the Long Beach Pageant and there were titleholders everywhere. The judging panel included my friend Andrea Preuss who is a former Mrs America and Mrs United States and two former Miss USA's.  I couldn't even get my camera ready fast enough to snap photos with everyone that was there.  I had a few friends competing and they did an awesome job.  A big Congrats to two girls I used to coach, Londonn Winters for making top 3 and Isabelle Richards the new Little Miss Southern California. Also a big congrats to everyone who competed at Miss Royal Essence Nationals, Miss Black Globe and Miss Nevada California Tropic Pageants which were all held the same weekend. My daughter was even 3rd runner up at the Nevada Pageant for California Tropics, so congrats to Bianca too!

The next weekend I spent at a send-off party with the California Coed girls getting them ready for Nationals over Thanksgiving week.  Unfortunately I won't get to go to Nationals with the girls since my daughter is turning 2 that week and we have a jam packed weekend with Disneyland, Knotts Berry Farm, Yo Gabba Gabba Live and parties.  I know so many girls are getting ready for Nationals with American Coed and National American Miss so I wish them all the best of luck, you will all do a great job.  Be yourself and smile big!