Now that it is the day before Miss Washington finals I finally have time to write about my Miss Washington week experience. I arrived at the Holiday Inn in Renton at 8:30 with my director Wendi. I had so much stuff, garment bags, duffels, suitcases, baskets. After all the preparing the week before, I still ended up forgetting something. I left one bag hanging in the closet. Wendi, bless her heart, jumped right back in to her car and drove all the way to Tumwater to retrieve my forgotten bag in time for me to have my outfit for arrival at 10:30am. What an amazing person! This is a perfect example of the dedication, love and support I have received from Wendi throughout this year. Thank you Wendi! The arrival ceremony with all the contestants was held at the Renton City Hall. As we walked down the steps of city hall our names and titles were announced “Contestant #1, Sharise Williams, Miss Thurston County!”
Our days have been filled with long rehearsals to prepare for the production number. Our dances are so fun and we learned them so quickly. We are opening to “What you want” from Legally Blonde: The musical and our second half opener is to “Jai Ho” from Slumdog Millionaire, and yes the theme this year is Broadway!
On Monday all of us contestants went out for an appearance. To honor the Miss America Organization’s partnership with the Children’s Miracle Network we all visited the Seattle Children’s Hospital, a Children’s Miracle Network hospital. We went and played with Kids in the playroom and I went on a small tour with 3 other title-holders as we visited medical and surgical rooms to visit with the patients. This was a very good experience for me being able to visit with patients. With my platform I specialize in sensitivity for people with diseases and though they are in the hospital you don’t have to talk about why they are there. Sometimes they just want to talk about something else to get their mind off of the surgery they just came out of. So I am glad that the Miss Washington contestants could be there to brighten their day.
Tuesday we made an appearance at the Farmers Market in Renton. We ate dinner, danced, signed autograph cards and had a good relaxing time. Then we all went to the movies together, which was also very nice and relaxing considering all of the hard work we have put into our production numbers. We watched “The Proposal”. It was such a good movie and it made me feel good and happy the night before my interview.
On Wednesday was my Interview with the Miss Washington official judges. Since I am contestant #1 that means I was the very first interview out of all 18 contestants. I enjoyed my ten minute interview with the judges. I left that room smiling and that is what matters to me.
Later after interviews half of the contestants went on a field trip to the Federal Reserve. As special guests to the Federal Reserve Bank we got a special tour to where all the money is stored.
Last night was the first preliminary competition. The Beta group competed in talent and on-stage question and the Alpha group (my group) competed in lifestyle in fitness and swimsuit and in evening wear. The Miss Washington’s outstanding Teen contestants competed in their groups in their competition as well. What a fun night this was. We performed our opening dances for the first time in front of people. We looked so good and it was so much fun!
I just got back to my room here at the Holliday Inn in Renton after the second night of preliminary competition the night before finals. I competed in talent and on-stage question tonight. I can say that I am truly happy with my performance and hope that I made Thurston County proud.
I am so thankful for all of the positive support that I have received this week. Even in the midst of competition I find myself at peace. My roommate Cara Rudd, Miss Tahoma is a doll, a true friend. She has made this week fun and relaxing for me in our home/room at the Holiday Inn. Wendi and Kamarie have done a spectacular job in being there for me. Driving from Thurston to help me with small things, and even the wonderful gifts I received in my basket every day. Thanks to my mom for traveling all the way from Las Vegas to support me this weekend.
Saturday, July 11, 2009
Friday, July 3, 2009
Friendship, Fun and Fashion
In the days upcoming to my arrival to the Miss Washington competition, I am finally sitting down to update very my dated Miss Thurston County blog.
I had a great time at the South Sound Rotary Club auction a couple weeks ago. It was a fiesta themed auction dinner and money raised went towards support for children with cleft lip. I even got to dress up! Check out this beautiful gown that I borrowed from Proms by Weddings with Joy! Thanks again Angela for your continued support during my year of service!
On my way to the auction I needed to change into my dress to I stopped by Macy’s in the Capital Mall. I changed in the dressing rooms and I even got a make-up touch up by the lovely ladies at the Lancome counter. Thank you.
The next weekend was the Lacey Rotary Duck Dash. I had a quackin’ time hanging out with kids, giving out balloons, painting faces and singing.
Then came the Miss Thurston County Fashion Show : Send-off to miss Washington. This was an opportunity to show off my Miss Washington competition wardrobe and my talent piece. It was an amazing show featuring performances by the Miss Thurston County Little Sisters and former contestants. So many people to thank here! Thank you Wendi, for organizing this for me. Thank you Thomas for playing guitar so we can perform our original song. Thanks Brooklynne, Amberly and Katie for modeling dresses and Find The Cure. Thank you Kara-Ann for hosting, thank you Wes for being photographer, thanks Kamarie for attempting playing the music , thank you Teressa for volunteering, thanks Alicia for helping me back stage. Thank you thank you thank you!! Everyone!
The next day I had a car wash at the Yelm Jiffy Lube to raise money for the scholarship program. Unfortunately this day ended with $60, a French fry assault, a very rude melted milkshake and the pageant wavers. What a story this day was. I am so glad I had my best friends Samantha and Brittanie there with me to endure the hardship, as well as Teressa and her son and my lovely little sister who is always there for me. Ask me about this day and I will tell you! Haha
I had a radio interview with Kevin Huffer at KGY AM 1240. Kevin actually co-hosted the Miss Thurston County pageant the night I won the title. I always enjoy Kevin’s company and it was a wonderful interview. I even had my friend Samantha with me as my travel companion.
That weekend was the Lacey Mid-Day Lions Club Car Show. I was invited by my good friend Brooklynne Adams who was a contestant with me at Miss Thurston. We both had the opportunity to sing on the cute little stage. Then I spent the rest of the afternoon in the Health Screening booth. That was so great! I tested people for Diabetes, Glaucoma, high blood pressure, hearing and vision. What a powerful experience to relate to my platform and work with people. I felt like a real doctor! At the end of the day I got to be the trophy girl for awards and wave at the cars as they drove away.
The next weekend was Prairie Days in my hometown of Yelm. I had dinner with the Chamber of Commerce Teen Ambassadors and then I rode in a Corvette in the parade. Following the parade is a fun fair at the Yelm Prairie Park. I go to Prairie Days every year, but it was a whole new experience going as Miss Thurston County.
Oh Mushroom Fest! I went to the Hawks Prairie Rotary 1st annual Mushroom Festival for two days. I spent the afternoon selling mushrooms to people. How funny! I posted on my MySpace page that I was “selling mushrooms” and all my friends freaked out and were worried. Later I did finally understand the relation and that it sounded like I was selling drugs. No people! I was selling Crimini and Shiitake, not hallucinogens! Thanks Hawks Prairie Rotary for showing me a grand time at the Schroom Fest!
I also sang the national anthem at the Hershey Youth Track and Field State meet. I also handed out awards to the top finishers. Thank you Jeanette Sieler and Lacey Parks and Rec, for having me. Thanks so much Kamarie for being my travel companion and keeping me company as well!
My oh my what a month! Miss Washington is a week away and I am focused and excited. Wish me luck in becoming the next Miss Washington!
I had a great time at the South Sound Rotary Club auction a couple weeks ago. It was a fiesta themed auction dinner and money raised went towards support for children with cleft lip. I even got to dress up! Check out this beautiful gown that I borrowed from Proms by Weddings with Joy! Thanks again Angela for your continued support during my year of service!
On my way to the auction I needed to change into my dress to I stopped by Macy’s in the Capital Mall. I changed in the dressing rooms and I even got a make-up touch up by the lovely ladies at the Lancome counter. Thank you.
The next weekend was the Lacey Rotary Duck Dash. I had a quackin’ time hanging out with kids, giving out balloons, painting faces and singing.
Then came the Miss Thurston County Fashion Show : Send-off to miss Washington. This was an opportunity to show off my Miss Washington competition wardrobe and my talent piece. It was an amazing show featuring performances by the Miss Thurston County Little Sisters and former contestants. So many people to thank here! Thank you Wendi, for organizing this for me. Thank you Thomas for playing guitar so we can perform our original song. Thanks Brooklynne, Amberly and Katie for modeling dresses and Find The Cure. Thank you Kara-Ann for hosting, thank you Wes for being photographer, thanks Kamarie for attempting playing the music , thank you Teressa for volunteering, thanks Alicia for helping me back stage. Thank you thank you thank you!! Everyone!
The next day I had a car wash at the Yelm Jiffy Lube to raise money for the scholarship program. Unfortunately this day ended with $60, a French fry assault, a very rude melted milkshake and the pageant wavers. What a story this day was. I am so glad I had my best friends Samantha and Brittanie there with me to endure the hardship, as well as Teressa and her son and my lovely little sister who is always there for me. Ask me about this day and I will tell you! Haha
I had a radio interview with Kevin Huffer at KGY AM 1240. Kevin actually co-hosted the Miss Thurston County pageant the night I won the title. I always enjoy Kevin’s company and it was a wonderful interview. I even had my friend Samantha with me as my travel companion.
That weekend was the Lacey Mid-Day Lions Club Car Show. I was invited by my good friend Brooklynne Adams who was a contestant with me at Miss Thurston. We both had the opportunity to sing on the cute little stage. Then I spent the rest of the afternoon in the Health Screening booth. That was so great! I tested people for Diabetes, Glaucoma, high blood pressure, hearing and vision. What a powerful experience to relate to my platform and work with people. I felt like a real doctor! At the end of the day I got to be the trophy girl for awards and wave at the cars as they drove away.
The next weekend was Prairie Days in my hometown of Yelm. I had dinner with the Chamber of Commerce Teen Ambassadors and then I rode in a Corvette in the parade. Following the parade is a fun fair at the Yelm Prairie Park. I go to Prairie Days every year, but it was a whole new experience going as Miss Thurston County.
Oh Mushroom Fest! I went to the Hawks Prairie Rotary 1st annual Mushroom Festival for two days. I spent the afternoon selling mushrooms to people. How funny! I posted on my MySpace page that I was “selling mushrooms” and all my friends freaked out and were worried. Later I did finally understand the relation and that it sounded like I was selling drugs. No people! I was selling Crimini and Shiitake, not hallucinogens! Thanks Hawks Prairie Rotary for showing me a grand time at the Schroom Fest!
I also sang the national anthem at the Hershey Youth Track and Field State meet. I also handed out awards to the top finishers. Thank you Jeanette Sieler and Lacey Parks and Rec, for having me. Thanks so much Kamarie for being my travel companion and keeping me company as well!
My oh my what a month! Miss Washington is a week away and I am focused and excited. Wish me luck in becoming the next Miss Washington!
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