Pageant Wednesday (originally posted 6/9/11)

Wow!  What a busy day!!  After a quick breakfast at the Festival Buffet in Dover Downs the girls were off and running.  Each girl was taken to one of two local elementary schools where they were able to read to students and answer questions.  The contestants had a blast with the children!  They were asked questions like:  "If you were a boy what would your name be?" ,  "Do you like Justin Beiber?", "Do you have a boyfriend?",  "Can I have your clothes?".  Several of the contestants had to be dragged from their classrooms when it was time to leave because they were having such a great time. 

When they returned from the schools, they squeezed in a quick rehearsal and then went back to the Festival Buffet for lunch. 

Next on the agenda was talent rehearsal in costume.  This is a great time for the contestants to get more comfortable on the stage and for our tech crew (who are the greatest crew in the world) to make the girls even more fabulous.  This is the first time that I had seen the contestants perform their talents this week and they blew my socks off.  Those of you coming to the show will be very entertained.  There was  small mishap during the talent rehearsal.  When warming up her talent Alyssa Murray was tumbling and hurt the ball of her foot.  I am pleased to say that following a quick trip for x-rays she is doing great.  There is some swelling but nothing is broken.  With a little ice and rest she should be ready to go for the show. 

Erin and Steffi at rehearsal

The contestants then had a few minutes to rest before heading to dinner at the Festival Buffet (how these girls manage to get through this week and not put on weight is beyond me!). 

Wednesday night was met with a lot of anticipation.  We do a full dress rehearsal of the show and all of our local mentors and directors are invited to come and see the show for the first time.  The dress rehearsal went very well. We have a few kinks to work out in one of the production numbers today and we need to work on faster wardrobe changes but I think you are in for a great treat.  The contestants have worked so hard and I hope that they are all so proud of themselves.  I felt like such a proud big sister last night.  The contestants are just beautiful!!!!  Just wait until you see the evening gowns...wow!!!  There are a lot of years that I think it would be fun to judge...this is not one of those years.  I honestly have no idea how the judges will make their choice.  I always try to pick the top 10, top 5 and winner after dress rehearsal and I have never had less of an idea of who will win those honors.  This is truly any one's game! 

Following rehearsal the contestants all had some time to spend with their mentors/local director.  This is a time for the mentors/local directors to make any quick last minute adjustments and to give their girl a last minute pep talk.  A huge thanks should go out to each and every mentor/local director.  You all play a huge part in the contestants success.  They are all volunteers and freely give their time and resources to help the contestants achieve their dreams.  THANK YOU!!!

The last part of the day is always a quick wrap up meeting where we go over the logistics of the following day.  This was a fun wrap up meeting because we were able to present the first few Miss Spirit Awards.  These awards go to some one who has gone above and beyond and exemplified the spirit of the Miss Delaware Program that day.  Monday's Miss Spirit went to Alyssa Murray for her never ending energy and positive attitude at the Golf Tournament. Tuesday's Miss Spirit is Stephanie Bailey who very sweetly helped many of the other contestants learn choreography that they had missed and Wednesday's Miss Spirit is Maria Cahill who volunteered her free time to go sit in the hospital with a fellow contestant.  Congratulations Alyssa, Stephanie and Maria!!!

Spirit Award Winners

The competition begins Thursday morning as each of the contestants go into their personal interview with the judges.  Best of luck to each and every contestant!  My prayer for each of you is that you all do your personal best!! 

It's show time!  Some of the former Miss Delaware's have started to come into town with a lot more arriving today.  I'm getting very excited (and nervous)!  Hope to see you all at the show!