I'm back in SD and I didn't win, didn't even place in the top five. I nailed my speech, I couldn't have said it any better and I had it memorized. Other girls had notes -- even some in the top five. There were conflicting reports from pageant people on if notes were accepted or not. A lot of people said I should be in the top five, even some in the top five, but I guess I wasn't what the judges were looking for.
All the girls in the top five were very good girls. It's not a nationwide secret that my halo isn't as shiny as I claim it to be.
I like to have a drink, go out with my friends, and have a good time.
My speech was also the only one that was geared towards doing something nationwide and entertainment related, everyone else had to do with their states, funding, etc.
Two judges came up to me when it was all over and said they really liked my platform and were very impressed with my knowledge on it, my speech and how much I know about the ADA and they hope I continue to pursue my passion to get line of sight implemented across the country. I'm not stopping because I didn't win. It's still a problem -- crown or no crown. I think another downfall was a lot of people didn't know what line of sight was/is or what a riser is. We were sitting on a riser for our speeches and our crowning. On top of that they added 8 more feet of riser to it in about 5 minutes so that tells you how long it takes to put up and down depending on the size.
I did my best, I had a wonderful time, and came out with so many new lifelong friendships. That's worth a lot more then any crown. The winner is deserving. She is beautiful inside and out, intelligent and a very sweet woman. She will represent the organization well. I probably would have broken some rules, what can I say -- I'm a rule breaker.
Ohhh -- I did find out in one our workshops from a lady from TX in a chair that the new Cowboys Stadium isn't exactly accessible. She said Jerry Jones put a lot of trust into this lady that the new stadium would meet ADA requirements and for the most part it does except for the seats closer to the field. For those seats you have to take an elevator up and it is extremely SLOW and I can't remember what all she said it was wrong, but Jerry was not happy that it didn't meet requirements. He said he is very good about working with her (the lady from the workshop) so hopefully those seats will be resolved soon. She did say the stadium is beautiful and the Jones family is just wonderful!!
Everyone in their dog leaving the pageant I was a Cowboys fan. MC announced it among other things, and all the girls knew. Ended up with a Dallas flight crew on the way home from Chicago to Sioux Falls and co-pilot said I had a nice looking sweatshirt. After getting crap for being a Cowboys fan from most of the men last week -- I was shocked and said really?? He really like my D-Ware jersey underneath! Should have asked if he was single! Was too tired to be on my game!
Thanks for your support! Now, I'm officially ready for FOOTBALL!!
