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

January in Review

It has been so very long since I posted last so I thought that it would be a good idea to talk about some of the things I have been doing in this new year!

I returned to school and I couldn't be happier to be back! I missed my roommates, my dorm, and my sorority sisters so much and it was great to be reunited. I continued my job working at the front desk of my residence hall and started new classes. The quarter system is great because it gives you the opportunity to take lots of classes over the course of a year, but it's rough because the quarter is only 10 weeks so the classes go at lightening speed! I am taking two of my major requirement classes and I'm happy to say that I LOVE them, so it looks like I'll be sticking with my Communication major, and hopefully beginning the Political Science major next quarter.

I have started tutoring at the local elementary school, and I have been paired with a student named Gio. He is in fifth grade and he is so cool- I love helping him with math homework and playing chess and battleship when he's done! The hardest thing about college for me was not being able to spend time with kids, so through this tutoring and mentorship program, I solve that problem!

I also recently got hired as a Tour Guide for UCSB! I went through the application process with about 350 other students and I was beyond excited to be one of 20 students hired for the position! I love UCSB and I'm so excited to show it off to prospective students. Right now, I am about to begin training, and hopefully I should be leading my own tours by March.

So that's all the new news from me- I'm looking forward to a few Miss California related trips coming up in February as well as the beginning of Open Call season! Stay tuned and I'll be writing all about those events over the next few weeks.

Don't forget to follow me on Facebook and my other social media:
Instagram @janekennedyy and Twitter @janekennedyy.

Thanks for reading!

Xoxo,
Jane Kennedy
NAM Miss California Teen 2013

LEAP into Literacy Drop-off

After collecting over 1000 books for the Boys and Girls Club of San Francisco through my LEAP into Literacy drive, it was finally time for my first delivery of the year! I packed up the books and drove over to the Ernest Ingold Boys and Girls Club in the city for their Holiday party!

I got a great tour from a young girl named Poppy, who has been attending the club for 6 years. She was such a sweetheart and I could really see how much the club means to her and her younger brother.

Then it was time for the daily meeting. All of the kids came together and I was invited to speak to them about literacy and my responsibilities as Miss California Teen. Then they all dispersed to different rooms to do holiday arts and crafts, before returning to the main room to pick out a book and a teddy bear (the bears were collected at the Miss California Pageant last July). I loved helping the kids pick out  books to read, because I was able to share my passion for reading with them. Each and every child that I met brightened up my day because they were all so excited about the books and excited about learning.

Thank you so much to the Ernest Ingold Boys and Girls Club for having me! I can't wait to come back and visit again soon!

To learn more about your local Boys and Girls Club, visit www.bgca.org.

Follow me on Instagram @janekennedyy and Twitter @janekennedyy for more updates on my year!

Xoxo,
Jane Kennedy
NAM Miss California Teen 2013

Tay in the Bay

I was lucky enough to spend the weekend after our Sacramento Santa Parade with my sister queen, Taylor Longbrake. I loved showing her all around the Bay- from my favorite Ice Cream parlor, Fenton's, to the Golden Gate Bridge!

I even got to show Taylor around UC Berkeley!

Thank you for visiting Taylor- come back anytime!! 

Xoxo,

Jane Kennedy

NAM Miss California Teen 2013

Sacramento Santa Parade

The best way to spread Christmas cheer is singing loud for all to hear! There was plenty of Christmas cheer going around at the Sacramento Santa Parade on December 14, as all 6 Northern California queens (Princess Kendahl, Junior Pre-Teen Lily, Pre-Teen Lyndsey, Jr. Teen Taylor, and Miss Marissa) were finally united!

We rode through the streets of Downtown Sacramento on a beautiful float designed by Lyndsey and Lily's families. We felt like princesses- waving at the crowds of people with our iconic "pageant waves."

Before the parade with my sisters: Lily, Marissa, and Kendahl

NorCal Queens on the float!

Passing by the California State Capitol!

Lily and Lyndsey have the most fabulous personalities!

My beautiful roommate, Brie, came out to the parade! She's the greatest!!

Posing in front of the California Capitol building

After the parade, we went over to Old Sacramento for a state queen photoshoot! We had a break, so we went over to the candy store, where we got to try tons of taffy and even extremely sour Toxic Waste candy.

Toxic Waste was too sour for Kendahl, Lyndsey, and I!

Then it was photo shoot time! We shot in four different locations and the photos turned out incredibly. Thank you Sidney Ricks for taking the time to take such beautiful photos!

Here are some of my favorites:

What a successful weekend! It's always fun spending time with my sisters!

Xoxo,

Jane Kennedy

NAM Miss California Teen 2013

NAM Nationals 2013

Well, now that things are finally settling down from Nationals, it's time to write all about my fantastic experience. I don't think that words can capture the fun, excitement, and craziness of pageant week but I'll give it a try.

Nationals preparations began three months ago just after I won my title as National American Miss California Teen. I knew that Nationals was the toughest competition in the country and I made it my goal to place Top 10. I got to work on my platform, LEAP into Literacy, and spent time working with charitable organizations in my area. After I went off to school, I practiced interview questions with my roommates and friends every day leading up to Nationals Week. I finalized my beautiful personal introduction and practiced it many, many times a day (my friends all know it by heart now). When November came around, I was ready to go out and do my very best!

Here is the day by day summary of that wonderful week:

Monday, November 25

My mom and I packed up all of the suitcases and headed to the airport. On the plane we were seated next to an adorable family with two young boys, who kept saying over and over again "We're going to Disneyland!" It was precious. When we finally made it to the Orange County Airport, the butterflies in my stomach settled in. After months of hard work towards Nationals, I was finally there.

After we were all checked into the hotel, I headed to dinner with the other National All-American and American Teen contestants. We went to California Pizza Kitchen (my fave) and I had a great time getting to know the girls who were there. When we finally got back to the hotel I was exhausted and went straight to sleep.

Tuesday, November 26

It's check-in day! We were up bright and early to get ready for the day ahead. I wore my royal blue dress (one of my favorite pieces ever) and made sure I had all of my paperwork together in my color-coded binder. Then we headed downstairs to meet the other girls and complete all of the paperwork.

Registration was great- I got to see my friends from the California pageant and the girls I met at dinner the night before. When everything was checked in, we went to the "Representing the Crown" meeting. Kelli Koehler, who works on National American Miss' social media image, talked to us about portraying positive messages about ourselves and our brand on social media. This was the first year of the "Representing the Crown" meeting and it was a great addition to Nationals week!

After the workshop was Orientation. The NAM staff got us so excited for the week ahead and it was a great time! Then we had a big break until the 70's party that night. I got all dressed up in my pink 70's costume and had a great time with making new friends and cheering on my team as we won the toilet paper fashion show! 

Wednesday, November 27

Disneyland Day!! I had been looking forward to Disneyland day for months and I was so excited to spend the day in the Happiest Place on Earth! First on the agenda was squeezing in as many rides as possible before the park filled up with people on their Thanksgiving holiday. We went on Pirates of the Caribbean and Indiana Jones before meeting up at the castle for a group photo! 

I love anything Christmas related and Disneyland was covered in holiday decorations. We had so much fun in the park and I loved spending time with my California Teen sister, Nicole Hornaday. 

I even got to see my cousins who were in the park for the day as well! 

Thursday, November 28

Happy Thanksgiving! It was the first day of required competition, which meant it was time to really focus. After our patriotic rehearsal, I got ready for the Personal Introduction, one of my favorite elements of the competition. 

My personal introduction went exactly as I had rehearsed and I was so excited to have conquered one of the competitions- 1 down, 2 to go! 

Later that afternoon was the car drawing, where I met up with my sister queens Taylor Longbrake and Lyndsey Tillinghast. Although none of us won the car, we still celebrated Nationals with an impromptu photo shoot in the backdrop room:

After that, my mom and I were dying for some fresh air, so we left the hotel in search of Thanksgiving dinner. Not surprisingly, most restaurants were closed because of the holiday, but we finally discovered a Tony Roma's near Disneyland. Instead of turkey, I had salmon. While it was far from being home for Thanksgiving, it was still great to be with my mom and celebrate the holiday in style.

Friday, November 29

It was Hollywood Tour day! Even though I am from California, I have never actually been to Hollywood so I was just as excited as all of the girls from other states. Our first stop was the Santa Monica Pier:

Then, we were back on the bus and headed for the Grove! We grabbed lunch in the Farmer's Market and spent a lot of time walking around and checking it out. I love food, and I could have spent all day there, trying new things and exploring.

Then we were off to the Walk of Fame! It started pouring rain, so after a quick umbrella purchase, we were back on the street and taking pictures. As an added surprise, we ran into our family friends outside of Grauman's Chinese Theatre! It was so great seeing them! 

Friday evening, we had State Pride rehearsal! I wore my fabulous "Team California" t-shirt. I also got to cheer on my princess, Kendahl, and my Jr. Pre-Teen Lily after their finales! I am so proud of those girls and all of the hard work they put into pageant week!

Saturday, November 30

Friday night was rough as I had a bit of food poisoning. Going on just 4 hours of sleep, we started off the day bright and early with Formal Wear competition! Even though I wasn't feeling too well, my dad and sister queens helped me feel my best. My dad is the best escort in the world and it was great being able to share that part of competition with him!

Then, it was time for a quick change before Interview competition! This is my favorite phase of competition because it gives the judges a chance to get to know me one-on-one, and I love sharing my thoughts and personality with them. This year at Nationals we had 10 judges, which is way more than I have ever had, but it was nice to have a longer time to interview. 

After Interview, it was time for rehearsal. I wore a super cute sweater I bought on the Hollywood tour! Shoutout to my Pre-Teen sister queen Lyndsey, who appears in most of my photos. I simply adore this girl!

After rehearsal, it was time for the Red Carpet Award Ceremony. This is the night that all of the Top 5 Competitors in each optional re-compete in Actress, Talent, Casual Wear Modeling, and Spokesmodel Actress. It's also the night that all of the awards are handed out. I was beyond excited and happy to receive the  2nd Runner-Up Best Resume award and win the NAM Alumni Essay Scholarship Competition, with my essay "Ready, Set, Sparkle!" 

It was also the finale for my Pre-Teen sister queens, Lyndsey and Danielle. I am so so very proud of all of their hard work. They are two of the most accomplished, friendly, and outstanding girls I have ever met and I love them so much! 

It was a great night, about to get even better, when I won a Spirit Stick for my Crazy Hair Rehearsal look!

Sunday, November 21

It's Finale Day!!! Although it was really exciting that the final show was finally there, it was bittersweet because it also meant I had to say goodbye to my new friends and Nationals. The day started with PJ rehearsal:

Of course, Rachel and I rocked our footie pajamas:

I was able to watch my Miss sisters, Ashleigh and Marissa compete in the Miss Finale! I'm so proud of them they totally rocked it!

Then it was hair and make-up time! Thank you to Kara Knudsen and her team who made me look and feel completely stellar all week. You girls are incredible! 

While I was getting ready, I was watching the live stream of my Jr. Teen, Taylor Longbrake's finale. If you haven't met this girl, you should make it a priority. Not only is she one of the hardest working girls I have EVER met, but she is so incredibly sweet and funny. I am so proud of her and her TOP 10 placement IN THE COUNTRY! I love you Tay and I am beyond proud of you!

Finally, it was time for the finale we had been waiting for all week. I got dressed in my opening number dress and headed downstairs for what was going to be one of the greatest nights of my life.

The night began with our opening number dance to "A Little Party Never Killed Nobody" from The Great Gatsby Soundtrack. I loved the 20's inspired dance! After our second dance number, we ran backstage to change into our formal gowns for a final walk:

After we were all back onstage, it was time to call the Top 10! I was so nervous, I just remember squeezing Chandi (Arizona) and Bree's (Colorado) hands and hoping and praying I would hear my name. When they called "North California" as the 8 out of 10 names, I almost fell over. I did it! I came forward, accepted my trophy and headed offstage with the other Top 10 contestants. As soon as I was offstage I remember looking at the choreographers with the biggest smile on my face, and they kept telling me I couldn't cry because I was about to go back onstage.

The singer serenaded us and then it was time to call Top 5. With so many incredible girls in the Top 10, I was blown away and completely honored to hear North California called. It was time to re-compete our personal introductions. When I finally got up to the microphone, I was overwhelmed with all of the cheering and screaming for me. I couldn't believe that after all of my hard work, I had made it to the Top 5 in the country. I did my best on my personal introduction, and took a final walk in front of the judges. 

When I was called as the 4th Runner-Up, I could barely contain my excitement. I was so blessed to even be on that stage, with State queens from all over the United States. I was so blessed to be in the Top 10, and then the Top 5. Words cannot explain how lucky I am for the opportunity to represent NorCal and place in the Top 5.

The only thing that made the week more magical is that my good friend, Rachel Major, won the National title. I cannot put into words how much this girl deserves this. She has been competing with National American Miss for 13 YEARS. Her dedication and passion is inspiring. There is no one I would rather have represent us this year than her! I cannot wait to see the great things she does with this title!

National American Miss Teen Top 5:

So incredibly excited:

Thank you times 1 million to Jordan Fowler, NAM California Teen 2011 and Miss Teenage California 2013, for coming and supporting me at Nationals. You are so inspiring and it's an honor to have you as both a sister in NAM and DG!

Thank you Kara and your incredible team- I couldn't have done it without you!

I love this sweet girl, Madison Wheat. She lead us in prayer before the finale and calmed my nerves so much. Thank you Madison!

Of course, a huge shootout goes to Megan Webb, National American Miss Teen 2012. You are such a great role model to all girls and meeting you was an honor. Keep doing your thing- I can't wait to see what great things you do next!

And of course, Rachel, you are a superstar. From night one I knew you were a fantastic girl and spending the week with you was so much fun. I love you and I am so happy for your success! Keep  me updated with everything that happens this year! I am so proud of you!

Well, that was NAM Nationals 2013: a crazy weeklong adventure that I will never forget! And while Nationals may be over, my reign as Miss California Teen is not! I have some great things in store for the next few months, so keep checking back to see what I am up to. But for now- it's finals time! 

Xoxo,

Jane Kennedy

NAM Miss California Teen 2013