Miss Amazing Pageant 2014

Happy February!

I just got back from an incredible experience that I would love to share with you all! On February 9, I had the opportunity to volunteer at the Southern California Miss Amazing Pageant. The Miss Amazing pageant system was designed to give girls and young women with disabilities the opportunity to gain the life skills gained through pageantry. The system was actually founded by a NAM queen, Jordan Somer, and you can learn more about it here!

On February 8, I took the train down to Van Nuys and my Jr. Teen sister, Taylor Longbrake, and her mom and sister came to pick me up. Taylor's sister, Maddie, was actually a Miss Amazing queen this past year, so this year she was passing on her title. We went over to Birmingham High School to set up in the afternoon, and it was amazing to watch the stage and decorations come together. Then we went back to the hotel. Our Pre-Teen sister, Lyndsey Tillinghast, and her mother came to pick us up from the hotel, and we headed out in search of something fun to do.

Isn't Taylor a stunner? 

We ended up going into Trader Joes for some Powerberries (my absolute favorite- if you've never tried them, you're missing out!) One of the managers of the store was handing out caffinated chocolate candies, and Taylor joked that we would need them the next morning. The manager asked us what we would be doing, and we told him that we were volunteering. As we were walking out of the store, the manager ran up to us with three bouquets of flowers (one for each of us) and thanked us for our dedication to serving the community. If I wasn't already completely obsessed with TJ's, I am now!

We got some Cold Stone (pageant girls love ice cream) and went to see a movie in the coolest theatre ever. The seats were all reclining couches and it was so cozy and wonderful. Then we headed back to the hotel to watch the Olympic recaps and get some beauty sleep.

Bright and early the next morning, Taylor and I headed down to the gym to work out on the Elliptical machines. We were the only people in there, and we had a ball switching off watching Olympic Hockey and Dance Moms. We returned to the room, took showers, and headed out to Miss Amazing!

Upon arriving, I was thrilled to be reunited with tons of my pageant friends and sisters! I haven't been in a place so full of pageant girls since NAM Nationals! Naturally, we took tons of pictures.

Check out how many NAM girls came out to volunteer!

After volunteer orientation, we were paired up with our buddies. My buddy was named Emilee, and she was in the Pre-Teen division for the third year. Emilee loved to dance and swim, and we got to talk all about our mutual hobbies. We spent a lot of time practicing her introduction and her formal wear walk- but she was a natural. Emilee worked the stage! I definitely learned a thing or two from her over the course of the day.

We had a short break for lunch, at which time we discovered that the cast of "Awkward" on MTV was filming at the same high school! Many of the girls got photos with the lead characters, but since I don't watch that show, I just went around with Lyndsey. She was completely fangirling (don't tell her I said that!) But it really was cool seeing real television set and all of the actors just chilling out.

Then it was finally time for interview. I went in with Emilee but she didn't need any help at all! Her sweet heart and adorable personality captured the judges and I could see how much they loved her.

Emilee loved trying on my crown- little did she know
that she would soon have one of her very own!

Emilee and I before the Final Show!

We got ready for the final show and the energy backstage was electric. All of the girls were so excited to get out there and show off their stuff. We went out and did the opening number dance, and then got back in line for Introduction. I knew Emilee's intro so I kept her on the right track. At the end, I whispered in her ear to say "Thank you." Instead she said "I'm cute." It was completely hysterical and beyond adorable.

Next, she changed into her formal gown for that competition. I took her out on stage and she rocked it- blowing kisses, waving, bowing- she had it down. I was blown away by her onstage presentation and poise.

After all of the competitions came the Talent Showcase. Emilee and her mom had created a song and dance to one of Jennifer Lopez and Pit Bull's songs . She even had extensions! Emilee went out there and got the crowd so excited with her high-energy performance. After she sang, Emilee stayed onstage to thank her Mom and everyone who had helped her get to where she was. She even thanked her Uncle, who had passed away earlier that year. Everyone backstage was in tears from her amazing performance, and her beautiful heart.

Emilee after her stellar Talent performance!

Next it was time for crowning. Emilee's group was first, so we lined up and waited onstage as many of the girls were called as princesses. Then it was only Emilee and Marisa, another girl who had been simply spectacular all day. When Marisa was called as the first runner up, I began to cry. I had to lean down and tell Emilee that she had won, since she wasn't quite sure what was going on. Emilee fell over and began to cry because she was so excited. It was a beautiful moment.

Loved this moment with beautiful Emilee!

With the new Miss Amazing Pre-Teen, Emilee!

I'd like to end by saying thank you to everyone who was involved this past weekend. Your effort and hard work were evident in the beauty and organization of the show. Thank you to Karen Stagliano for putting together such a remarkable group of volunteers and contestants. I had the time of my life and I'm sure everyone else did as well!

Thank you so much for reading y'all! If you'd like to learn more about the Miss Amazing program or even get involved yourself, please check out the website here! Thank you!

Xoxo,
Jane Kennedy
NAM Miss California Teen 2013