Miss Ball State University

Lauren, Miss Ball State University 2009


Savannah, Miss Ball State University 2010


My BEAUTIFUL cousin Rachel


Miss Indiana

I was a nervous wreck as I attended the Miss Ball State University Pageant. I encouraged my cousin Rachel to compete and with much persuasion she decided to enter. Savannah, my 'sister queen' from the Miss South Central/Miss Sagamore Valley Programs, competed, as well as Angela who competed in Miss Elkhart County. I think I was more nervous for them then when I compete! All the girls that competed were so beautiful I know the judges had a tough decision to make. In the end Savannah took the crown and the title of Miss Ball State University 2010! I look forward to spending time with her as we compete together at Miss Indiana this summer!

Miss Indiana's Miss America Send-Off Party!

Current and former Miss Indiana Contestants!

Me and Miss Indiana's Outstanding Teen, Lydia!

Local Titleholders introducing ourselves at the Send-Off Party.

Miss Indiana Nicole Pollard!

Lindsey, Miss Elkhart County 2008, and I with Nicole's banner.

I had the wonderful opportunity to attend Miss Indiana Nicole Pollard's Miss America Send-Off Party in her hometown of Lafayette. Nicole gave a preview of her Miss America competition wardrobe, as well as some of her appearance outfits she will wear during her exciting week in Las Vegas. She looked absolutely stunning in each gown and outfit. With her new hair and swimsuit-ready body she is sure to wow the judges!

Miss America week is fast approaching and spectators of the event will get their full dose of the Miss Indiana program. On Tuesday night's preliminary Brad Brown, the MC for the Miss Indiana Program will MC the evening. Miss Indiana's Outstanding Teen, Lydia will sing the National Anthem on Thursday evening's preliminary as she was the talent winner at Miss America's Outstanding Teen Pageant! And, let's not forget the outgoing Miss America, Miss Indiana Katie Stam, will spend her final week in Vegas with the contestants and crown the new Miss America.

I am so excited for Nicole and I wish her the best of luck as she lives her dreams in Las Vegas!

Elks Jazz Night

I had the chance to visit with the Elks once again! I was invited to sing at the Elks Jazz night. It was great to be back at the Elks and show my appreciation for all of their support throughout the years. I had a great time singing, even if I had a few technical difficulties. The night was a success and I throughly enjoyed being with the Elks for the evening.

A Day at Elkhart North Side Middle School and Greencroft Retirement Community!

I was so privileged to spend a day with the students, teachers and faculty at Elkhart North Side Middle School.

My first stop on a very busy day was to spend some time with the Special Education Class. I talked to the students and explained why I was visiting their class with a sparkly crown on my head. I told them to always follow their dreams, I am following mine and maybe someday I will be the next Miss America! I sang some songs for them since they agreed to sing a few Christmas Carols with me! I had so much fun with the students sharing my love of music and spreading Christmas Cheer!

My next stop was to visit with the 7th and 8th grade Choirs. I had the opportunity to talk to these students about my platform of "Supporting the Arts" and share with them the many ways to be involved in Arts programs in college and beyond. I sang for them and allowed them to ask questions about my experiences as Miss Elkhart County and music programs.

After spending time with the choirs, I went to further promote my platform in three English classes. You may wonder what the Arts has to do with English. Well, I believe that the Arts can, and should be integrated into many areas of the academic curriculum. The 7th and 8th graders I worked with learned that a play is 'a literary work on its feet.' So we took a common known literary work and put on a play in their English class. The students chose to take the story of the Three Little Pigs to direct, cast, narrate and perform in a matter of minutes. I think the students were amazed that without any planning they could work together to put on a play in the middle of their English classes. I was amazed at the willingness of these students to learn, play and incorporate drama into their class.

I rushed out of North Side Middle School as the final bell rang and made my way to Greencroft Retirement Community. There I met with Katie, Miss Elkhart County 2009. We were able to sing some Christmas Carols to some of the residents, meet with them and brighten their day. Katie played her violin and I sang songs that were requested by the residents. I was able to 'crown' some of the residents and make them feel like kings and queens for the day!

It was a busy but an extremely enjoyable day promoting my platform everywhere I went, and representing the Miss America Organization.

Brunch With Santa at the Elks!

My very first appearance as Miss Elkhart County was one that I will always remember. I had the opportunity to visit the Elks with the new Miss Elkhart County's Outstanding Teen Kiersten. It was great to get to know her a little bit better, spend some time with the Elks and visiting with the children. I took some time to meet Santa and let him know what I wanted for Christmas! We rounded up all the children and I asked them some Christmas themed riddles that Santa had prepared for the kids. Santa and I led all of the children in singing "We Wish You and Merry Christmas!"

I made some new friends with the children and supports of the Elks. As I was there I just thought how fitting it was that my very first appearance as Miss Elkhart County was at the Elks, who have been one of the main supporters of the Miss Elkhart County organization for so many years!

Crowning Moment

I still can't believe that I am Miss Elkhart County 2010! It was an emotional evening, one that I will never forget.

I arrived to rehearsal Friday evening nervous, anxious and excited to start what I knew would be a tremendous weekend of meeting new people and learning about myself. We rehearsed the opening number, choreographed by Heather, and had a great time laughing with each other and the outgoing Miss Elkhart County's Outstanding Teen, Chloe, who would be the first one to tell you she is not a dancer. We rehearsed well into the evening to make sure each contestant was comfortable being on stage in each area of competition.

Saturday morning, the day of the pageant, was filled with emotion. My mom had surgery in October and since then has had major complications that forced her to be in and out of the hospital and doctors offices for months. With my family on my mind I needed to focus on my interview that morning and being the best Jackie that I could be. After our interviews, we had an opportunity to meet the young girls who would be the Miss Elkhart County Princesses for the evening. It was so much fun to feel like a celebrity to each of those young girls. Each contestant was a role model in their eyes whether they were wearing a crown or not. By the start of the pageant we were all nervous and excited and ready to impress the crowd. I was the contestant backstage playing upbeat music and dancing around hoping to put my newfound friends at ease. We walked on stage with our colorful boas and had so much fun "Looking Good and Feeling Gorgeous" which was the title of our opening number song. After opening number the night was a blur of sequins, laughs and some tears.

While waiting on stage to hear who the winners were, my heart was pounding so fast wondering what it would be like if I was chosen to wear the crown. My name was called as the Interview winner and I was thrilled. I also had the honor of winning the Love Award, which was voted on by each contestant. Of all of the awards I have always felt this one was the most meaningful, to be chosen and recognized by not only your peers, but others you are competing with. The Mistress of Ceremonies began to announce the runners-up and my heart was racing as each name was called. While she read the list of prizes and the responsibilities that accompanies the title I vowed if I was the one picked to be Miss Elkhart County 2010 that I would not only do my best to represent my community, but each girl on that stage who also wished to wear the crown. My name was called, and tears burst from my eyes for so many reasons. I finally had the Miss Elkhart County crown, and the exciting chance to represent my hometown. I looked out into the audience and saw my Dad, I knew that my mother could not make it to see me crowned as she was back in the hospital.

The evening was bittersweet. I was thrilled and overjoyed, but saddened that my Mom and other family members could not attend to share this evening with me. The next morning I went to the hospital to visit my Mom. I put the crown on her head which looked great with her hospital robe. I took her my huge bouquet of roses, but I know she was only excited to see me and hear about my exciting evening.

I am so thrilled to represent Elkhart County and to promote my platform of "Support the ARTS, A Vital Part of a Vibrant Community."