It's been exactly one year since I went to Orlando, Florida to compete for the title of Miss America's Outstanding Teen. Tonight MAOT 2013 was crowned, Rachel Wyatt from South Carolina! How exciting! As I was following the pageant tonight, so many different memories and feelings came back to me from one year ago, accompanied by new thoughts and desires. Lacey Russ, MAOT 2011 said, "...the crown doesn't make you outstanding, the crown is simply a magnifying glass to the outstanding girl you already are." Being Miss Idaho Outstanding Teen truly changed my life. It gave me so much hope and faith in myself that I really was worth more than I thought I was. God knew I needed that experience to give me more confidence in myself to know that I have always been his outstanding daughter, I just needed to realize it. I like to compare myself to Dorothy from The Wizard of Oz.... I seem to always be searching for a way to reach "home," but what I don't realize is that I am already there! One year ago, after my experience in Florida, I found myself wondering how would it actually feel to be named "Miss America" or "Miss America's OT?" The truth is, I don't think it would feel any different. Just as Lacey said..."it doesn't make you outstanding." I mean, I think it would feel exciting and completely surreal, but I would still be Melanie at the end of the day. So today, I've decided I'm going to live my life to my full potential.. every single day. I am going to live my life as Miss America! Call me crazy, but I think I might be a little bit more motivated...not to change, but to be more kind, to do better in school, but most importantly, to embrace the person I am and to truly be proud of that.
I'm so proud of Ashley Southern, my dear MIOT  sister, who received a scholarship to Troy University during the awards ceremony. She truly is an incredible girl! Also, congratulations to Elizabeth Fechtel, MAOT 2012, on an absolutely amazing year of service. 
At the beginning of the month, I had the great opportunity to compete in the Miss Idaho Falls pageant. I had a wonderful experience making new friends, and working more on my platform, by partnering with the Idaho Falls Music Club! I am particularly excited about this, because for the past five years, I have been given a scholarship from the IFMC to attend a summer music camp based on my performance in the local competitions. I truly believe that I could make a difference by helping raise more scholarship money to send more students to music camps to feel motivated, and to develop their talents even more!
I was named first runner-up in the pageant, and honestly... I couldn't be more honored. I truly feel that first runner-up is where I was supposed to be. . . and don't worry, I won't quit here!
Thank you so much to everyone who has continually supported me, I couldn't do anything without you all! 

Miss Gate City/Miss Rexburg pageants and the Edgemont Spelling Bee

The last few weeks have been so busy for me! I can't believe that at the end of this month I will crown Miss Idaho Outstanding Teen 2012. This year has honestly been more than I could have ever hoped for and it went by faster than I imagined. At the beginning of the month, I went to the Miss Gate City pageant, and it was so great to see a few of the Miss Idaho 2012 contestants there as well! Everyone who competed did a wonderful job and the state of Idaho is so blessed to have so many beautiful girls who are qualified in every way to be Miss Idaho.

Last weekend, I had the opportunity to attend the Miss Rexburg Pageant as well! and again, I was blown away by all of the girls competing! It was even more of a surpise to run into my good friend, Ellon Chase, who has helped me countless times with interview.

Miss Idaho came to Idaho Falls and we both hosted the Children's Miracle Network Daddy/Daughter Luau at Hillcrest High School. It was exciting to see all of the girls and their fathers having so much fun together!
Last Friday, I was asked to judge the spelling bee at Edgemont Elementary School. All of the students did so well and it was exciting to see some of my piano students there as well!
I only have one more week to be Miss Idaho Outstanding Teen, and I honestly can't believe everything this year has brought. I am already starting to shed a few tears as I think about ending this adventure! I am so grateful to my Heavenly Father for blessing me with this incredible opportunity.

February!

This month has been extremely busy for me as I have been preparing for college! However, I can't help but realize how blessed I am and how many opportunities I have been given. Until March 13th, I will be accepting videos from students in Idaho, explaining why music is important to them. The winner of the video contest will receive a donation towards his/her school's music program! I want to encourage as many people as I can to participate in this event!! I have also been working with the Idaho Falls Youth Symphony each week since January. Last week, I had the opportunity to sing at Perkins for a fundraiser for the symphony. It was so great to be part of such an event that supports the youth involved in music.

Mark your calenders! Save March 9th to come to the daddy/daughter dance from 7-9 held at Hillcrest High School. All proceeds will be donated to the Children's Miracle Network and VH1 Save the Music Foundation. This will be a fun event! Lots of food and prizes! Can't wait!

January... The Miss America Pageant!

As I am sure you all know, the Miss America pageant was held just last weekend in Las Vegas! I had the opportunity to attend 2 of the preliminary nights and see all of my oustanding teen sisters again! It was also so incredible to see my sister titleholder, Genevieve Nutting on the Miss America stage! She did so well in every single category and even won the fourpoints scholarship! I was SOOO proud of her, and so glad to be from Idaho!

Earlier in the week, all of the outstanding teens had rehearsal to review our production number from nationals, and it honestly felt like we were all back in Florida again. I was so glad to see my roommate from Massachusetts! That night we all had the opportunity to perform on the Miss America stage at that night's preliminary competition!

December!

December is always one of my favorite months of the whole year. The holiday season is always filled with a sweet spirit, and always inspires me to be better than I am. I started off the month performing at the Museum of Idaho while the different nativity scenes from different countries were displayed. I encouraged some of my piano students to learn a Christmas piece so that they could come and perform with me. My piano student, Valerie, always amazes me with her talent and dedication to music, and we were able to play "Oh Holy Night" as a duet.

As I have participated in the choir programs in my school since 7th grade, I have developed a special connection with all of the students at IFHS I have been singing with for now 6 years! Every December, the Acapella choir sings carols at the grocery store while ringing bells for the Salvation Army. It was sure a cold night, but we were all so happy to be there serving, and knowing we were helping others in need.

November...so far!

The first weekend of November was fabulous! I had the opportunity to attend the JC Pennys Grand Reopening and speak about the Miss Idaho Outstanding Teen Program and sign autographs! It was great to talk to people who were interested in what the Outstanding Teen program is all about!

On the 8th, Miss Idaho Falls put together an assembly at Sunnyside elementary school in order to educate the kids about Veteran's Day. She invited me to come sing the national anthem at the opening of the assembly! It was so exciting to shake the hands of some veterans and have the knowledge of everything they have done for our country. On the 18th, I was again asked to share my talents at the Festival of Trees. The Festival of Trees is always one of my favorite events! Not only because I love seeing all of the beautiful decorated trees, but also because it is a fundraiser for the Developmental Workshop. I sang a variety of Christmas songs, as well as one of my favorite songs, "Thankful." Especially since it was so close to Thanksgiving, I felt it appropriate to share that song with those who were there to listen. I am especially thankful for everything I have, and for the opportunity to be Miss Idaho Outstanding Teen. As I think about everything that has happened to me since I was crowned in June, I realize how blessed I am to have had the chance to meet 52 other incredible girls across the nation, and for the chance I have every single day to be an example to those around me. I truly believe that God gave me this experience so that I could know how much he loves me, and how much responsibility I have as well to love others.

My performance of "Thankful"

October!

At the beginning of October, I helped serve food at Texas Roadhouse for a fundraiser for high school seniors to travel to Ecuador in order to help underprivileged kids there. I was accompanied by Miss Southeastern Idaho's Outstanding Teen, and Miss Blackfoot's Outstanding Teen!

On the 14th of October, I had the opportunity to walk the Michelle Kern memorial 5k with Miss Idaho Falls and Miss Southeastern Idaho! The race was held at EITC, and all of the proceeds were donated towards a scholarship fund at EITC.

The very next morning I judged the spelling bee at the What Today's Women Want Expo with Miss Idaho Falls at the Shilo Inn. It was so great to see how intelligent the elementary students are in Idaho Falls, and even more exciting to see the relief on each of the kids faces as they would move on to the next round.  On the 27th, I was invited to Edgemont Elementary School's Red Ribbon Week assembly and awarded the prize money to the spelling bee winners! 

On the 29th, I was able to help at the Cancer Center in Idaho Falls with Miss Idaho Falls and Miss Southeastern Idaho. The Cancer Center was offering free cancer screenings because October is breast cancer awareness! It really meant so much to me to be able to help since my grandmother was recently diagnosed with breast cancer. I am so thankful for the opportunities I have to help those in my community along with other girls who have the same ambitious heart that I do.