Detroit-Cinncinatti-Detroit-L.A.!

So this past month has been extremely busy, and the pageant is just about a month away now!

Habitat for Humanity

Today I had the opportunity to volunteer with Habitat for Humanity as a gift wrapper at the Mall of Monroe. During our time, me, Stacy, and Gwen received over $50 in donations. This organization is so important to the community because it helps give people safe and affordable housing, all with the help of volunteers. This particular event at the gift wrapping booth will be helping a program within Habitat called "Women Build." It is a volunteer program that allows for women to learn construction skills, and so far, women have helped in building over 1400 houses - Monroe having 4 "Women Build" houses. I think this is such an important cause to support, particularly the "Women Build" portion of Habitat. Not only are volunteers giving back to the community by providing housing for those in need, but women are learning skills in a traditionally male-dominated role. I haven't had any experience in construction, but "Women Build" along with Habitat for Humanity has inspired me to take on a construction volunteer opportunity in the near future. I think I will definately feel more comfortable learning these skills with women just like me, which is one of the goals of the program. There are also many other opportunities within Habitat, and I highly encourage anyone with a little bit of extra time to check out the organization.

Visit the website: http://www.habitat.org/

Women Build of Monroe County: http://www.habitatmonroemi.org/programs/womenbuild.php

Cookies!

This past Saturday, Brooke and I had the chance to go over to my grandma's and make some delicious chocolate chip cookies. Earlier in the week, my grandma had asked if I wanted to help her address Christmas cards and have dinner, and I thought it would be the perfect opportunity for her to meet Brooke, and see us in our beautiful crowns (and yes, we did bake with them on)! After some yummy chicken, we decided to tackle the feat of baking homemade cookies. My grandma couldn't get the oven to work, and we didn't have any cookie sheets, but after a quick run to the dollar store and a brief review of the oven manual, we were on our way. I had such a fun time hanging out with Brooke, just being silly, and forgetting all about homework for a while. I can't wait for the holidays, and I'm looking forward to some of the fun activities I have in mind for both myself and Brooke.

Only 67 days until the pageant!!

Our Crowns

Both Brooke and I have officially received our crowns and sashes! Here is me in my crown and sash, and then me crowning Brooke as my Little Princess. Isn't she beautiful?!?

Memory Walk

Today was the Alzheimer's Association Memory Walk at the Detroit Zoo. Team Miss Wayne County raised over $100 and had a great time doing it! The 2K walk was set up so that participants would actually walk through the zoo and I have tons of pictures of all the really beautiful animals we got to see. I even got the unexpected treat of seeing some old and new Sigma Kappa faces at the entrance gates! Like I said, we had a blast, and I have a lot of pictures I want to download for you guys to see so that you can experience the day with me. I will have to say that my favorite exhibits were the amphibians, the lions, and our virtual submarine dive. Oh yeah, and the miniature poisonous frogs - so cool! Alright, I'm out, but I will get the pictures posted ASAP. Until next time...

Your Miss Wayne County

My First Blog

Hi everyone! Thought I'd write a quick note to say hello and introduce myself. My name is Erika and I am the current titleholder of Miss Wayne County Michigan U.S. Beauties 2011. I just recently jointed the "pageant circuit" in March 2010 when I entered (and placed 4th runner up!) in the Miss Michigan Galaxy pageant. I had such a positive experience that included meeting such wonderful girls and women of all ages. I am competing for the title of Miss Michigan Beauties 2011 because I feel that the mission of the pageant corresponds to exactly what I wish to promote throughout my community - the celebration and recognition of the modern woman.

I also want to mention quickly that I am so proud and excited to have my beautiful sister, Olivia, competing with me in the U.S. Beauties pageant as the titleholder of Miss Chicago Illinois U.S. Beauties 2011. It's such a good feeling to know that my choice to compete in my very first pageant has inspired my sister to enter the world of pageantry. I really hope she loves it as much as I do.

Well, that's all for now folks. I'm still waiting to receive my crown and sash and I will update you as soon as I do...with pictures of course!

In closing, I would like to leave you with a quote I found today:

"We are what we repeatedly do. Excellence, therefore, is not an act but a habit." ~Aristotle