Someone Pinch Me!

This is it! What we have all been anticipating for months on end is finally closer than ever. Amidst all the excitement is a whirlwind of packing and final preparations for next week. I can't believe that this Friday, I will be heading to our state's "famously hot" capital city of Columbia for Miss South Carolina 2012! My feelings are a combination of excitement, nervousness, anticipation, and relief that this week is finally among us. Next week will be the week that some of my lifelong dreams since I was little girl will come true, the largest one being the fact that I'm actually a Miss South Carolina contestant. I will finally have the chance to play the piano on the Miss South Carolina stage, and I couldn't be more thrilled, or nervous, about that! I look at this like the biggest recital of my life thus far, and as a launching pad for my next big adventure of going to Miss America! Is this real life? Some pinch me, please!


For most of us, we will never forget the first time we met or heard one of our Miss South Carolina state titleholders speak. I know I won't! By the time I was in Junior High, all the school districts in Clarendon County had implemented Character Counts week, of which Miss South Carolina became a vital part. During that week, she spends all of her time traveling around my home county speaking in nearly all of the schools and she even performs her talent. The first Miss South Carolina I ever heard speak was Miss South Carolina 2006, Shelley Benthall. I can vividly remember sitting in the gymnasium at Manning Junior High School, soaking up every bit of what Shelley was saying and thinking to myself that I was going to be doing what she was one day. From then on, I was determined to not only compete in Miss SC, but be Miss SC so that I may travel around our state and make an impact on other people's lives just like Shelley had made an impact on mine! I can even remember her awe-inspiring voice filling the gym as she sang one of my favorite songs, "Somewhere Over the Rainbow." That first encounter with a Miss SC that I had is what inspired me to be the contestant and local title holder I am today. It is my greatest hope to be blessed with the opportunity to be a wonderful Miss SC just like all of the former queens who fill the vibrant history of this organization. Making a difference and impacting other people's lives is what this is all about. I've had the opportunity to do so as a local titleholder, and now, I would love nothing more than to take that support and inspiration of others to the state level.


A few weeks ago, some of the other Miss SC and Miss SC Teen contestants went on an Adventurous Journey for the Duke of Edinburgh award. From scavenger hunts to s'mores and sharing in laughter around the campfire, I think I can speak for all of the girls when I say we had a blast! Not only was it a fun experience, it was an motivational one as well. We were blessed to have the opportunity to hear from former Miss SC, Dawn Smith Jordan, as she shared her life story and her talent with us. It's easy to see why she was such a wonderful, inspiring Miss SC and she has definitely made an impact on my life. As I go into competition next week, I fully intend to keep her message in mind. I won't forget Proverbs 3:5-6, and I will be sure to MILK this experience for ALL that it is worth!

Between Blood Drives and Children's Miracle Network Fundraisers and practices and training sessions these past few weeks, time has surely flown by. This past weekend was the end of my appearances before we take Columbia by storm. The Miss Hartsville Scholarship Organization hosted a Send-Off Party and Wardrobe Showing in Hartsville for us, and I was so happy to finally get to model my Miss SC competition wardrobe for the first time. When I slipped into our stunning opening number dress by Tony Bowls, it really sunk in that, "Oh my gosh, I'm really doing this." With such amazing support from my wonderful, kind LED, Mrs. Lynn and the Miss Hartsville Committee as well as my parents, family, and my fellow queens and their delightful families, I am well prepared and ready to do my very best and to make each and every one of them proud. 

After I've zipped the last zipper on my dress bags and luggage and crank up my car to leave Manning for Columbia, I know I will be anxious, but I'm confident I'll be even more so relieved. After months of preparation and anticipation, it will be time to shine! I'm going to head to Columbia feeling blessed to have such supportive parents, friends, fellow queens, and sponsors by my side. I want to thank everyone who has ever believed in me and that I could make it to this point. Your faith is the fire that will be lighting me up when I hit the stage and step into my interview next week. I'm going in with the confidence that I am your next Miss SC, but no matter what the outcome will be, I know God has a special plan for me and I intend to live out what is meant to be to the fullest extent. When it is all said and done, I have made more new friends than I could have ever imagined possible and being a local queen has opened so many doors to fantastic opportunities that I am beyond grateful for. The experience is definitely unique and irreplaceable! 

All I have to say is Columbia better watch out. Starting this weekend, the queens are coming to make the "famously hot" capital city even hotter! HERE WE COME! Miss South Carolina 2012 is here! 

A Month of Life Savers and Miracle Makers!

During my reign as Miss Greater Hartsville, I have had the opportunity to be a part of many inspiring and rewarding events. However, I never anticipated that the beginning of my summer after college would have been a month full of the most fulfilling and significant events to take place since the moment I was blessed with the crown. I have had the distinct honor of being impacted this past month by miracle makers at the CMN Telethon at McLeod's Children's Hospital in Florence and by life savers at my two American Red Cross Blood Drives in Hartsville and Manning. As I'm sitting here writing this blog today, I can't help but get chills when I think of how many people stepped out to make a difference within the last month. It's amazing the mountains that can be moved with a little bit of dedication, determination, and making a difference.

This amazing life-saving venture began in Hartsville with my Blood Drive that I hosted at the First Presbyterian Church on May 19th. With my platform being "Be a Hero: Donate Blood, Save a Life," it was important for me to to not only organize and host the drive, but also be  a hero myself and donate. That made my 7th pint donated since I turned 16, and now as a 19 year old, I potentially saved up to 21 lives with my 7 donations. Along with my donation at the Hartsville drive, there were also 17 other pints collected there, giving us a grand total of 18 pints collected. Though we didn't meet our donation goal, that is still 18 more pints than we had at the beginning and that is an amazing thing. With the current blood deficit that is facing our entire nation, it's more important than ever for all of us to be a hero. With only 5% of the population being eligible to be blood donors and with blood being in higher demand than ever expected, it is crucial for all of us to be life savers!

The month doesn't stop there! In between my two blood drives, I was presented with the opportunity to spend the first weekend in June with the miracle kids from McLeod's Children's Hospital in Florence! The fun started with games and dinner with the miracle kids at the weekend kick-off event and carnival on Friday night! My job was to work the frog toss game, and one of the most rewarding things was the sparkle in the eye and bright smile of a young child just from a little bit of encouragement or a small prize that comes along with a sense of accomplishment. It was a night of fun and enjoyment, and holding back tears as one of the miracle children sang a song about the angels who were watching over her as she was in a coma at the hospital. Following that event, on Saturday I volunteered at the phone bank for the CMN Telethon with WBTW Channel 13! Donors called in as they heard of the stories of hope and love that were shared by the miracle children and their families. It was amazing to be able to help the miracle makers make miracles in the hospital by graciously donating their own funds. The event was nothing short of successful, with more than $1,000,000 being collected for the children at McLeod's. Now that's a million miracles made!

I admit I believed it would be difficult to top a weekend of miracle makers, however the beginning of the weekend following the CMN weekend was certainly awe-inspiring. After months of planning and preparation, the day finally arrived for my final blood drive before Miss South Carolina: my blood drive I co-hosted with The Zone in my hometown of Manning. A whopping 78 pints of blood was collected at the drive thanks to the generosity of the abundance of blood donors. The numbers accurately reflected what a tight-knit community this truly is. When called to save lives and help others, people turn out in high numbers. I couldn't have been happier, and neither could have the Red Cross! That was the most successful the Manning drive had ever been, and I was so honored to have been able to add my own touch, bring in donors, and be a part of such a successful event. When all was said and done, between my two blood drives in Hartsville and Manning, I was able to help the American Red Cross contribute and astounding 96 pints of blood to the blood deficit. The feeling of being a blood donor is rewarding in itself, but the feeling of being a successful blood drive coordinator is even sweeter. I would like to extend my thanks to all the donors who came to save lives. This wouldn't have been possible without you all!

One of the best things about being a local queen within the Miss South Carolina Scholarship Organization is having the opportunity to share the mission of the Miss America Organization and all of our experiences throughout the year of our reign with others! I had one of those chances this week! I was honored to be invited to be the guest speaker at the Virginia's Pride Garden Club Annual Luncheon by the club's president, my Aunt Kathy Cramer. Not only did I speak about the foundation of the Miss America and South Carolina Organizations and all the wonderful things they do for driven young women like myself, I also spoke about my work with CMN and the recent blood drives with the Red Cross! Being able to tell of the awesome things that can happen with a little dedication, determination, and making a difference is what this is all about for me. If I can convince one person to impact a young child's life through work with CMN or get in the blood donation chair to save lives, then I feel as if I have done my job. I have found throughout my year thus far that sharing personal experiences can have the most positive results when speaking with others. My mission as Miss Greater Hartsville and, hopefully, as the next Miss South Carolina, is to inspire others to do something extraordinary with their lives, no matter how simple that something may be.

It doesn't end here! With Miss South Carolina looming not so far off in the distance, I am determined to work and make a difference until the last minute! For those of you who will be in the Hartsville area tomorrow (June 14th), I will be at Sonic in Hartsville during the afternoon collecting donations for the Children's Miracle Network Hospitals with my Princess, Rebecca! I hope you all can stop by and see how easy it is to make a difference in a child's life with one donation, no matter how large or small! 


If you've ever wondered why I believe I should be the next Miss South Carolina, look no further! View my video that was filmed during March Forum Weekend to find out!

Now you have the opportunity to help me! Introducing the 2012 Miss South Carolina People's Choice Awards! With a $1 vote, you could help secure me a spot in the Top 16 and enable me to compete on the final night of competition so I could work further towards my dream of being of the next Miss South Carolina! Visit https://fourpointsmagazine.com/miss-south-carolina-peoples-choice-awards to cast your vote today! Thank you in advance for your support!

A Summertime of Blood Drives, Tan Lines, and Pageant Prepping!

It has been quite some time since I last posted so naturally a lot has happened! I ended my first year of college more satisfied than I could have ever thought possible with all goals met. I've spent more time back and forth between my hometown of Manning and Hartsville. I have been prepping more than ever for the upcoming Miss South Carolina competition, which will be here in less than 2 months. I have completed all of the required paperwork and I suppose now you can consider me to be an "official" contestant with my life signed away to the Miss South Carolina Scholarship Organization. Okay, so maybe I didn't literally sign my life away, but after the 30+ pages of contracts it sure did seem like it! I have found, though, in the past month that even though it is a whole lot of work doing this job, it is a whole lot of fun that is paying off each and every day.

The end of my freshman year of college was definitely bittersweet. I had one of the most memorable years of my life living in Columbia in A529 in the Honors Dorm on the corner of Main and Blossom. New lifelong friendships were established, a new way of life was established as an adult away from the comforts of home, and an abundance of new material was learned under the care of my wonderful professors. I was definitely blessed this year. There were no major meltdowns, no significant disasters, and tons of good times. I will not soon forget the memories I made this past year. It was a difficult move emptying out my dorm room of all my belongings and packing them up to come home. I can genuinely say that all of us that lived on my hall truly became a family. We came together to laugh, to eat, to whine, and to complain. It was sad knowing that our family would be spilt apart by housing arrangements next year. It definitely won't be the same, but I have faith that we will all stay in touch. I'll be living on 5A again next year, with friends from this year and new freshmen. Another extension to my family tree will be made and I couldn't be more excited! The prospect of new adventures and more discoveries is thrilling for me, so naturally next year is sure to be a blast with more Gamecock football games, late night study sessions, and too may trips to get ice cream. 

I had to jump the hurdle of moving out of college in order to face the exciting events that this summer holds! I achieved all my goals for my freshman year, and I fully intend to do the same thing in July as I work to become the next Miss South Carolina! Like most of us, I grew up watching the Miss America pageant, with the dream of one day walking across the Miss South Carolina stage to get to my ultimate goal of the national stage. This is my opportunity. This is my chance. This is my time to live out my dream. Each day is a day closer to competition week, and each day I become more and more excited! Preparations for that week are in full swing! Whether I'm packing the roads to get my wardrobe straight, be coached, or promoting my platform of blood donation, things are getting done and moving me towards July! I feel like I'm a tornado sometimes, propelling full steam ahead, never stopping to catch my breath. At home, we have the "behind the scenes" preparations that are must-do's and trying to keep a personal life as well is challenging! I wouldn't trade a minute of it, though. I love this hectic, crazy, Miss South Carolina lifestyle! This is a once in a lifetime opportunity, and I'm so blessed to be experiencing it!

I have been to many events the past few weeks. It all started with the Miss South Carolina Golf Classic benefitting the Miss South Carolina Scholarship and BI-LO Charities! It was the perfect weather for a day on the golf course and overall it was a successful venture! I had such a good time not only bonding with my fellow queens, but also getting to know the golfers as they came around the greens where we were stationed! Then we had the Taste of Hartsville the first week of May. I was one stuffed girl leaving that appearance! The food was delectable and the people were welcoming, as usual! It never fails that every time I go to Hartsville, I learn something new! This time, I learned that the people of Hartsville sure can cook and that the people in the community come together in fellowship with each other to celebrate and enjoy the tastes and treats others can offer! I passed out over 500 people's choice tokens that night, one to each person who came through the gate. It was an amazing turnout for a great event! The next week, I took part in the Bojangles 500 Race Weekend events in Florence and Darlington! Now that was an adventure! I grew up with a great grandaddy who was a tremendous race fan, and a father who used to travel to cheer on the legendary Cale Yarborough. Me, though, I had never considered myself to be a race fan. I did have my favorite, Kasey Kahne, but honestly, anyone should have known that. (Have you seen those piercingly beautiful baby blue eyes...?) Race weekend all started with festivities on Thursday night beginning at the Civic Center and ending up in Darlington Square with the car haulers parade. Walking between the huge haulers while signing autographs, meeting race fans, and experiencing the electric atmosphere was definitely something to be remembered. Then, on Saturday, I spent part of the day at the racetrack selling lapel pins to benefit the NASCAR foundation and McLeod's Children's Hospital. That was the most rewarding day for me all weekend. Anytime you can raise money for such wonderful charities while still having a blast with your fellow queens is a win-win situation in my opinion! It most definitely enjoyed my first race experience, even without attending the actual race!

Even with everything else that is going on, I'm thrilled about hosting my two blood drives in support of my platform, "Be a Hero: Donate Blood, Save a Life." Tomorrow (May 19th) is the big day in Hartsville! I will be hosting my drive from 10 AM until 3 PM at the First Presbyterian Church! I would be overjoyed to exceed our set goal of 28 pints, but I can't do that without your willingness and participation! Then on June 5th, I will be extending my platform involvement into my hometown of Manning at the drive taking place at the Cypress Center from 12 PM until 6 PM! I'm hosting that drive in collaboration with The Zone, so we have set a goal of around 60 pints! I hope to see you at one of these drives! Come be a real life super hero and give the gift of life through blood donation!!

Time Well Spent!

Yet another week and weekend have come and gone by in a flash! This past weekend was my last time collecting donations at BI-LO in Hartsville for the BI-LO Charities! This weekend there was definitely memorable! Not only did I get to spend it Madi, my beautiful sister queen and our princesses, but we were again very successful in collecting donations! We laughed the entire time we were at the table and had a blast interacting with the customers. In addition to all those things, I've come to realize that you never know who you may meet or how they will impact your life. The more time I spent at that store, the more I came to learn that the opportunities to make an impact and move forward are right in front of us, and it's up to us to take the reins and see where they lead. No matter how much my legs hurt from standing or how many times I was so tired that I could barely keep my eyes open, my weekends at BI-LO were definitely times well spent! I've had the chance to give others the opportunity to make a difference in peoples' lives through generous donations. I've also had the opportunity to make worthwhile connections with people I have come in contact with, and I am taking full advantage of both!


All our hard work as far as collecting donations with be recognized this week as the Miss South Carolina family travels to Cheraw for the Miss South Carolina BI-LO Golf Classic! I can't wait to spend the day in the sun with some amazing girls working the tournament and catch a few golf swings here and there! I'm sure it will be a day worth remembering, just like my weekends in Hartsville.

Whirlwind Weeks...Time is Continuing to Fly By!

I think it is safe to say that the closer you get to the end of the school year at any given educational institution, it seems as if the days get shorter and the list of assignments and tests gets longer. This is true for me, I know. With finals right around the corner and my Freshman year of college swiftly coming to a close, I find myself even busier than I ever imagined... and I wouldn't have it any other way.


I enjoy every minute of my hectic lifestyle! Whether I'm running between the School of Music practice rooms to Biology lectures, or hopping in my car after my last class on Friday's to travel to Hartsville, I find that I love what I do. These past two weekends, I have spent time in Hartsville. As I previously mentioned, I'm visiting BI-LO this month to collect donations for the BI-LO Charities and Miss South Carolina Scholarship Organization. This past weekend, I was volunteering with my Miss South Carolina Princess and sister, Rebecca, as well as one of my sister queens, Miss Hartsville Teen, Sarah Beth Kreidler. Together, we raised over $250 in donations! It is a heartwarming feeling to know that there are people who are willing to donate and give to such wonderful organizations. Interacting with the customers as they came in was fun, too! I especially love meeting the young kids. Seeing the light in their eyes and how excited they get makes it all worthwhile. In those moments, we are being role models to them, and having the opportunity to make a positive impact on a young person's life is why I love doing this. It's sharing the message to dream big and simply talking to these children is the most rewarding for me as a local queen.

Amidst the visits the BI-LO, I have also been honored to spend a while with the people of Hartsville. The highlight of one of my visits was actually a conversation I had with a local woman. I was making my way to The Midnight Rooster, which is one of my favorite stops, for a Cafe Americano with a hint of mocha and I came across this lady sitting at the table outside of the eclectic cafe. She spotted my crown and asked me who I was. I sat down with her and we chatted about my journey as Miss Greater Hartsville and she told me some stories of her own. That conversation, even though it was only a brief 15 minute interval of time in my day, was special. I felt at home and I was overwhelmed with friendship and support as I sat there talking to her. We shared laughs and great times, and it was a wonderful experience. It proved to me that we come across opportunities each day, whether we are wearing sparkle hats or not, to just talk to our neighbors. You never know what you  might learn or have the opportunity to share with someone. Along with that brief encounter, I also had the chance to attend the Byerly Park Beach Music Festival with the Miss Hartsville Family! We had an absolute blast! Between dancing to the music on the dance floor in front of the stage to walking around signing autographs and taking pictures, it's safe to say we all enjoyed ourselves! I loved interacting with everyone and seeing how receptive they were to what we had to say. We laughed, we danced, and we loved the festival!

In other exciting news, during my trips to Hartsville, I have been working on finalizing the plans for my upcoming Blood Drive through the American Red Cross! The drive I am hosting in Hartsville will be held on May 19th from 10 a.m. until 3 p.m. at the First Presbyterian Church! I cannot express how excited I am about this event! This is the first Blood Drive I have ever hosted and I feel sure that we will exceed our donation goal! You can make an appointment to donate today! If you would like to do so or if you have any questions about the donation process, feel free to contact me at blankl@email.sc.edu! I check my messages regularly. You can even make a blood donation appointment online! Visit www.redcrossblood.org and enter the sponsor code "HartsvillePres" when prompted. I hope to see all of you there! 


Also, as an aside for all who live in my hometown of Manning, I am co-hosting a Blood Drive at the Cypress Center on June 5th! More details will follow closer to the event.


These past few weeks have been a whirlwind, but time will continue to fly by from here! Each day is a day closer to the Miss South Carolina Pageant. That means each passing day, I'm closer to my goal of hopefully becoming your next Miss South Carolina through dedication, determination, and making a difference!

American Red Cross Month- March 31st

This is it! We are now in the last few hours of 2012's National American Red Cross Month! Just because this month of intense Red Cross promotion ends tonight doesn't mean that us striving to make a difference does! Every month, every day, every hour we have the opportunity to be a hero. Whether you donate at a blood drive or at a fixed donation center, there are always venues for you to donate and make a difference.


I want to end this month on the same note I started with: the most effective statistic that I believe is out there about blood donation because it is truly an eye opener. Every 2 seconds, someone in the United States is in need of a blood donation. As we move through our day, 2 seconds is an unrecognizable amount of time. Despite that fact, 2 seconds of time is very precious to someone who is in need of a blood transfusion to save their life. The amazing thing is that we have the chance to be those lifesavers through our blood donations to the American Red Cross. There is nothing better than that!


I hope you all have found this month's information informative and you now know more about blood donation through the American Red Cross. One of my main goals during my reign is to be a positive advocate for this life-saving organization, and encourage each and every one of you to make a difference through this simple process. Remember, just because this month is over doesn't mean your opportunity to volunteer your time as a blood donor is. It is my wish that you go forth with a committed heart to fully embrace your chance to be a hero through involvement with the American Red Cross.


BE A HERO: DONATE BLOOD, SAVE A LIFE. 

American Red Cross Month- March 30th

It has been such an exciting day! After 3 weeks in the big city of Columbia, I finally got to ride the back roads and come back to the small towns of Hartsville and Manning! Let me tell you, I do love the city, but I will always be a small town girl at heart! I had the ability to visit some of the businesses in Hartsville, spend time with some of the citizens, and make a much needed iced coffee stop at The Midnight Rooster! The remainder of my afternoon was then spent with the wonderful Miss Wade Hampton-Taylors, Alyssa Cumbee, collecting donations for BI-LO Charities! Having fun and making a difference, despite sore feet and legs! It was well worth it.

While in Hartsville, I also stopped by the First Presbyterian Church, which is the venue for my blood drive on May 19th! The plans are set and the preparations have been made! I'm very excited about being able to host this event and I hope that you all find it in your hearts to donate blood! More details will be provided closer to the event. I will also be putting posters up around Hartsville with the information. Be on the lookout for those!


Through the generous blood donations of people just like yourself, the American Red Cross is able to provide blood to over 3,000 hospitals nationwide! That's a lot of lives saved! However, they wouldn't be able to provide for the blood transfusions that take place at all those hospitals if it wasn't for generous donors. The more, the better!


TOMORROW IS THE LAST DAY OF NATIONAL AMERICAN RED CROSS MONTH! With that said, don't let your last opportunity to make a difference during the month of March pass you by! Here are tomorrow's blood drives around the state of South Carolina:*
ATP Gunshop and Range- Summerville
Columbia and Florence Fixed Donation Centers
*Dates and locations were obtained via the official American Red Cross website.