Miss America's Outstanding Teen in Orlando, Florida! Final Night!

Me and Gen

Me with Miss America

On Saturday, we all had to make sure everything was packed for our parents to pick it all up. Both of my roommates and I were so sad that we had to say goodbye to each other! The days were long, but the week went by SO fast.  That night, Elizabeth Fechtel from Florida was crowned Miss America's Outstanding Teen 2012. She is such a humble and gracious girl and she definitely deserved it! I was so incredibly happy for her!!!I had honestly worked and put forth my very best effort, and I felt completely satisfied with the ending result. Throughout my life, I have always tried not to see through the prism of "winning or losing," but rather through how I have grown regardless of the outcome. This experience was one of the most amazing in my life, and I learned so much about myself, and about who I want to become in the future as well.

Me with my family!

We had a huge party after and I got to see Miss America again, say goodbye to everyone, and I was so happy to be with my family. I slept SO well that night.

Miss America's Outstanding Teen in Orlando, Florida! Day 6 and 7!

On Thursday, we got to sleep in!! Oh my heavens, it was so nice because the nights before were SO late. I competed in evening gown/on stage question that night, and before I went on stage I just kept reminding myself to calm down and relax. I felt so good about my answer! On Friday, we had the chance to just RELAX. We all got to go to the pool and enjoy some sun! Surprisingly, we didn't get much of it all week because we were inside all of the time!We also had time to give the princesses makeovers and make them dresses out of plastic table cloths. They all ended up looking absolutely ADORABLE!

That night at dinner, we had an evening of stars, so Miss California, and Joey Page came to perform for us. Lacey spoke to us and talked about her year, and I realized that I am SO lucky, and SO blessed to have been there competing for the title of Miss America's Outstanding Teen. I remember when I first heard about the Outstanding Teen program and I became so inspired by Caitlin Brunell when she was MAOT. I guess at that moment, it really hit me that I was in ORLANDO, competing for the title of MISS AMERICA'S OUTSTANDING TEEN. I have been so blessed and I have been so inspired to be the very best titleholder I possibly can be. Lacey also spoke about our crowns simply being a magnifying glass of who we really are, rather than the crown MAKING us outstanding. I have thought about that, and have discovered how much truth is in that.

Miss America's Outstanding Teen in Orlando, Florida! Day 4 and 5!

On Tuesday, the competition began! I had my interview that morning and honestly, I did my very best and felt good after I was done! We had more rehearasal, and that night I had fitness competition. I did my very best! I was so happy to see Tami, Jaylee, my mom, and Genevieve that night at visitation!

On Wednesday...MORE rehearsing. I had talent rehearsal and was able to talk to Jaylee for a couple of minutes. While in Florida, none of us were allowed to have our phones, we had security with us at ALL times, even when we went to the restrooms, so let me just say how thankful I am for my independence!!! I had talent competition Wednesday night.As I was waiting backstage to go on, I just kept thinking to myself that I have worked so hard for this, and have put forth so much effort, and then just realized that no matter if I won or not, I would still be greatly rewarded.. and I sure was! After I played my piece, I just started bawling.. ON STAGE! Because I was so happy with how I did. I honestly can't say I have played that car crash any better! Alabama won talent that night, and surprisingly, I felt SO fulfilled despite, because there's nothing I could have done better. And let me just say, Alabama DID do incredibly! At visitation, my parents, Matthew, Tami, Jaylee, and Gen were all there. I love them all so much and I could not have asked for a better cheering section! That night at dinner, Miss America came and before we went to get ready for the competition, we all said a huge prayer together and I couldn't really believe that I was actually praying with MISS AMERICA. She is such a poised, and absolutely stunning person.