A Week in the Treasure Valley
Last week I spent a couple days in Boise for some volunteer
activities for Valentine’s Day. On Wednesday, I spent an hour and a half in the
Pediatric Department of St. Luke’s. With it being cold and flu season, many of
the children were in isolation, but I was able to visit their rooms and at
least wave through the window or from the doorway. I love seeing a little
girl’s face light up when she sees the crown! There were a few children on the
mend who were not in isolation thankfully. Most of the little girls I visited
enjoyed holding my crown and posing for a picture with it on her head. The
majority of the little boys, however, were more interested in their game boys
than seeing Miss Idaho…so the one little boy who did welcome me in to visit,
Javier, made my day! He even got a picture with the crown on HIS head after he
let his sister try it on as well.
Although I wasn’t able to keep any of the pictures, all of the children
received copies, and I had a great day to include among many sweet memories
from this year as Miss Idaho. Our children’s hospital is absolutely wonderful
with the friendly staff and accommodations they make for each child. Malia, the
playroom coordinator at St. Luke’s, showed me around 4th floor of
the hospital where there is not only the children’s playroom, but the teen
lounge that was created and inspired by teens. They have an Xbox, Rock Band,
board games, music, movies, everything you could think of! No one wants to be
stuck in the hospital, but St. Luke’s does a great job of making it a little
more enjoyable.
After my time at St. Luke’s, I drove out to the Robinson’s house, where they so graciously let me stay whenever I am in the Treasure Valley for appearances. It was so fun to catch up with Amy and tell her all about my Miss America experience. She has such a great outlook on life and has always been there to keep me grounded when “pageant-mode” clouds my vision of the grand scheme of life. Increased gratitude for the state of Idaho, my ever-supportive family and friends, the foundation values that make up my character, and the knowledge that my Heavenly Father has a plan for my life are just a few of the treasures that I walked away from Miss America with. After talking to Amy, I went back out to the garage to unload my car and before I knew it, this cute little blonde girl had run from the school bus and was glued to my side! J If anything can make a place feel like home, it’s a hug from sweet Bretta Robinson!
Tomorrow I have an exciting day in Teton Valley helping at
the Curves for Women Open House. I’ll be directing three fitness classes
throughout the day and speaking about my experiences getting ready for the
swimsuit competition at Miss Idaho and Miss America...stay tuned!
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| Just after volunteering in the Pediatric Dept. I wish I could've kept the picture I got with the kids! |
After my time at St. Luke’s, I drove out to the Robinson’s house, where they so graciously let me stay whenever I am in the Treasure Valley for appearances. It was so fun to catch up with Amy and tell her all about my Miss America experience. She has such a great outlook on life and has always been there to keep me grounded when “pageant-mode” clouds my vision of the grand scheme of life. Increased gratitude for the state of Idaho, my ever-supportive family and friends, the foundation values that make up my character, and the knowledge that my Heavenly Father has a plan for my life are just a few of the treasures that I walked away from Miss America with. After talking to Amy, I went back out to the garage to unload my car and before I knew it, this cute little blonde girl had run from the school bus and was glued to my side! J If anything can make a place feel like home, it’s a hug from sweet Bretta Robinson!
After catching up with my “Boise family” I got back on the
road, and headed to Caldwell to grab some dinner with one of my best friends
from high school. Morgan showed me around campus at College of Idaho,
introduced me to a lot of her friends, and as we were sitting down for dinner,
I ran into none other than Katy Lootens, Miss Idaho’s Outstanding Teen 2010.
What a phenomenal musician, leader, and individual! Katy and I competed
together the year that she won, and it was a blast to follow her year and see
how well she represented our state at nationals. She is staying busy with
school and continues to be a great role-model for those who recognize her from
the MIOT (Miss Idaho’s Outstanding Teen) Organization.
After getting a little dose of college life again and
catching up with Morgan, I met my director to talk about Miss Idaho Orientation
and plans for the pageant this summer. It was a SWEET experience – literally,
since we met at Cheesecake Factory. But before we started talking Miss Idaho
stuff, it was so refreshing to just talk about life! After all of the support
and training that Tami has given me for Miss America, it was fun to see more
into the person she is outside of her role as Miss Idaho’s director. Idaho is
truly blessed to have Tami and the other board members who put in so much time,
money, and effort because they love this program and they love to see young
women empowered.
Thursday (also Valentine’s Day!), I went to the Veteran’s
Hospital for VIP Day. I went around with the Hospital Director (my Uncle Dave),
and my escort Mike Smith from the Disabled American Veterans organization, to
deliver handmade valentines to veterans in the hospital, under hospice care,
and in the nursing home. Elementary school children from Caldwell made the
valentines, with personal notes thanking each of the service men and women for
their dedication to our country. We had a photographer follow us around to each
of the rooms so that we could give photos to each veteran as well. But I was
not the only person visiting Veterans on Valentine’s Morning. I met Coach
Peterson of the BSU Broncos and Governor Butch Otter. It was a great day for
service, and a lot of fun to learn from some of the experiences and stories of
our Veterans.
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| With my escort, Mike Smith from the Disabled Veterans Org. |
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Getting a picture with one of the Veterans on Valentine's Day
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After visiting with the Veterans, I dropped off about twenty
filled handbags to The Valley Crisis Center in Nampa and the City Light Home in
Boise. It amazes me how many charitable facilities like these that we have in
Southeastern and Western Idaho that provide for families in need. My last stop
before heading home was to get my oil changed at Mike’s Boise Clutch and
Automotive. They sponsored Miss Idaho this year with four free oil changes –
and boy are those oil changes very needed! It was my third time going into
Mike’s, and every time I have received great service. If you live in the Boise
area, Mike’s is definitely the place to go!
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| Just dropping off some handbags to the Valley Crisis Center in Nampa |
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| I'm excited to go to Teton Valley Curves tomorrow for the Open House! |
All my love,
Whitney
Lionel Hampton Jazz Festival
Laura said, "Friday night I helped sell buttons and heard some incredible jazz. Among the performers were Take 6, the Jeff Hamilton Trio, Regina Carter, Sara Caswell, and Dee Daniels just to name a few. Saturday night I was able to attend a reception at the President’s house with one of my very best friends (and also our student body president), Hannah Davis."
Miss America Heads Back To Atlantic City!
February 14, 2013
We are so very proud to share our excitement with you as we announce the return of the Miss America Pageant to her home in Atlantic City this September, 2013!
This monumental news will be officially announced today in Atlantic City, New Jersey along with state and local officials who are delivering this historic announcement. The Miss America Organization has reached an agreement to bring our beloved tradition back to its home where it first began on the sandy beach of Atlantic City in 1921.
"We are so thrilled to bring Miss America back to her home in Atlantic City. Throughout the decades, Miss America has evolved into an incredible organization because of your efforts and those of your volunteers who have remained committed to supporting our organization which enables over 12,000 young women every year to enter and participate in this outstanding scholarship program. Today, Miss America remains an iconic symbol and our roots have always been connected to our history in Atlantic City. This proud heritage, so rich in history is now our future as we prepare for the most exciting television event ever for Miss America with the support of your organization and our network partner, ABC. We will also be announcing a new 3 year deal with our network broadcast partner, ABC! The return to Atlantic City will allow us to showcase our beloved Miss America event in the destination where it all began," stated Sam Haskell, III.
Art McMaster added, "We are truly grateful to the Governor of New Jersey, Chris Christie and the Lt. Governor, Kim Guadagno who along with the local agencies in Atlantic City came together to create a mutually beneficial partnership to welcome Miss America back. This is a monumental milestone for our organization to return to the Jersey shore and prepare for the next chapter in our organization’s history. As we depart Las Vegas, we sincerely thank our friends at Planet Hollywood who have hosted us for the last eight years. In addition, we thank the City of Las Vegas, who has helped us achieve the best television ratings in eight years. As we now look to the future and bring Miss America home...we are excited to begin a new era with Atlantic City and our beloved tradition."
We realize you will have many questions and we will look forward to answering them in the weeks ahead as we finalize the details and exact date for September. The agreement reached, is a multi-year agreement to bring the pageant back after an eight year absence in Atlantic City, New Jersey. Our award winning television producer, Anthony Eaton and his company, Tall Pony Productions who have produced the live event in Las Vegas for the last six years, will produce this memorable homecoming event for ABC live in Atlantic City!
As we begin to prepare for this incredible event, we know we can count on your support to make this move a successful one. Although two pageants in one year may be a challenge, we are confident that as a family we can all work together to create one of the most memorable events in our pageant’s history.
We extend our sincere thanks and appreciation to you for your continued support.
Warmest regards,
Sam Haskell, III
Chairman of the Board
Chairman of the Board
Art McMaster
President / CEO
Promoting Healthy Relationships
This Valentine's Day Miss Tri Counties, Laura Hampikian spent her day doing something a littler different. "While my Facebook news feed blew up with Valentine’s posts, single ladies posts, and a lot of pink and red yesterday, I was driving 300 miles round trip to Wallace, Idaho."
Laura was invited to Wallace Sr/Jr High by their art teacher to speak about her platform, Love What's Real. he was asked to share her story and to talk about the difference between healthy and unhealthy relationships. Oddly enough, while she was preparing her thoughts for the assembly she saw a "Love What's Real" campaign poster hanging in the hall that she was featured in with a friend her senior year.
Once inside the gym students started filing in for their Valentine's Day Assembly. And after playing a few “relationship” games, Laura was asked to step up the microphone and share her story.
Laura said, "What was incredible was how these teenagers really listened. You could have heard a pin drop. They treated me with such respect. I love teens, I love high school, I love what I do, and I love that the Miss America Organization has allowed me to speak out about my experience and help others."
Laura said, "What was incredible was how these teenagers really listened. You could have heard a pin drop. They treated me with such respect. I love teens, I love high school, I love what I do, and I love that the Miss America Organization has allowed me to speak out about my experience and help others."
Miss Idaho Amazing Pageant
On February 9th Sarah Downs, Miss Nampa 2013, Megan Wilson, Miss Gem County 2013, and Ashley Smith, Miss Western Idaho 2012, volunteered at the 1st Annual Miss Idaho Amazing Pageant. It is a pageant for women with mental disabilities. Sarah, Megan, and Ashley volunteered for the pageant. They were paired up with a contestant to be their buddy for the day.
On pageant day all the buddies and contestants for the pageant met up to practice pageant walks and interviews. The interviews were first. Each contestant had a one minute interview with each of the five judges. After that it was lunch time and then show time! There were professional hair dressers and makeup artists to help the girls get ready, and they could wear anything they wanted. Categories were judges interviews, introduction, and evening wear.
Sarah said, "My contestant's name was Cassie Warner... I had a wonderful experience and am so glad I decided to volunteer. I wasn't sure what to expect going in, but everyone had the best attitude and every contestant had the time of their life! I plan on volunteering next year again for sure."
Sarah Downs, Miss Nampa 2013, with her contestant Cassie Warner during practice.
Sarah Downs, Miss Nampa 2013 | Kaley Sparling, Mrs. Idaho America 2013 | Ashley Smith, Miss Western Idaho 2012
Sarah Downs, Miss Nampa 2013 | Ashley Smith, Miss Western Idaho 2012 | Megan Wilson, Miss Gem County 2013
Sarah Downs, Miss Nampa 2013, and Megan Wilson, Miss Gem County 2013 with their contestants back stage.