• Tuesday, June 8th:  Interview
• Wednesday, June 9th:  Evening Gown, Onstage Question
• Thursday, June 10th:  Talent
• Friday, June 11th:  Swimsuit
• Saturday, June 12th: Parade (am), Top Ten, Crowning

Each night, the show starts at 7:30 p.m. and is at it’s usual location, the Missouri Military Academy. Although it’s at the same venue, it’ll look somewhat different than usual. There will be a runway! Also, the building is now air-conditioned, so you definitely do not have an excuse to miss out! I welcome signs, glowsticks, and all the cheers your lungs can handle. You all have already been such great support system, and I’d love for you all to be there. 

Lastly, I learned that Morgan Gish is my new little sister! She was Amelia’s little sister last year, and I met Morgan at the pageant this year. She’s a doll and I can’t wait to get to know her better. Thanks again for my fabulous bracelet, Morgan! 

Thanks, Regina for this picture! I’m looking forward to visiting more with Morgan in the coming weeks before Miss Missouri.

Did you know I'm also a former Miss Paris? I won my freshman year of high school - that seems like so long ago! I felt very privileged that the Alpha Phi sorority asked me to return as Miss Audrain.

Miss Paris was a great success. I enjoyed spending Wednesday afternoon at the girls’ rehearsal, giving them tips and getting them motivated! The night of the pageant, I also had the opportunity to present my talent. Everyone said they loved it, and I had a great time preforming it.

I emceed the Miss Paris Pageant. Here I am with the new Jr. Miss and Miss Paris 2010

 I have to give David Eales, of the Monroe County Appeal, for giving me these photos. Thanks, David! And thank you for your continuous support!

It’s been exactly one month since my last post – that is unacceptable! Many apologies. I promised earlier that I would tell you about my visit with fourth graders at Eugene Field Elementary in Mexico, Mo.

"With this age group, I usually begin with an interactive game called "That's Me." I ask students a series of questions, like, "Who turned on lights today?" or "Who ate breakfast?" The students then raise their hands and say, "That's me!" Ultimately, I make the point that most of our daily activities involve agriculture. Usually, many are surprised to learn this.

I had a blast. I spoke for about a half an hour to two different classes. We mostly talked specifically about Missouri agriculture because the fourth grade classes have been learning about different Missouri facts in their regular curriculum. I taught them how Missouri is an agriculturally diverse state. The state is able to host many different production areas, like corn, wheat, soybeans, horses, beef and dairy cattle, and poultry.

We talked about many different areas of Missouri agriculture. Agriculture in Missouri is so diverse, you can find everything from corn and cotton, to cows and chickens!

One thing I also like to ask students is, “What do you think of when you hear the word, farming?” I often get replies that have something to do with a farmer, wearing overalls, chewing on straw, and wearing a plaid shirt. Although I can attest that many farmers do indeed fit this description, I make the point that farming is so much than that. Agriculture is all around us, and effects us every day. It’s more than just cows, plows and sows. Daily innovations in agriculture, particularly in Missouri, are helping it become a modern industry to sustain the billions of people that need clothes on their bodies and food in their bellies.

At the end of each lesson, Megan asked the students to write down two things they learned. I was so pleased with the different responses I got. They remembered everything from the differences between broiler and layer hens, to how big an acre is. I was so proud, and felt accomplished by sharing my agricultural message.

I’m looking forward to visiting other classrooms during my year as Miss Audrain. I have plans to visit a kindergarten class at Grant Elementary in Columbia, and my little sister, Morgan Gish’s, class as well.

To fantastic, fourth grade fun,
Ag

P.S. If you are an educator and would like to incorporate agriculture into your regular curriculum, Missouri Farm Bureau, with help from experienced teachers, have created comprehensive lesson plans to do just that. I highly recommend you check it out!

I spent some time getting pampered by Mark from Renaissance Salon and Spa.

I spent a few hours with David Pickering for my first photo session as Miss Audrain. Megan and Bev also came, and I know I had a blast hanging out with everyone. David got to try out a new lens, and it was so fun being his “experiment.” David got some great shots. I’ll add some when we get them all picked out! Thanks, David!

David took so many great pictures, it's hard to choose one favorite, but here's one of them

I also had several "crown shots" I got to have a lot of fun when posing for these! I can't wait to take more photos!

The rest of the afternoon, I walked around town with Megan and Bev to thank the generous Miss Audrain sponsors. A special thanks goes to Weddings by Picher’s, Merle Norman Cosmetics, Melody’s Quality Jewelry, and The Scrapbook Store and More (such an adorable place!).

I got to visit with several Miss Audrain sponsors, including the fabulous people at the Scrapbook Store and More.

I wrapped up the day with a visit to the Meuschke’s home, and got to meet the Meuschke canine clan (for those of you who don’t know, I’m obsessed with dogs – I want one so badly!). Needless to say I’m looking forward to more visits for good company with the whole “family.”

I’ll have more posts coming soon. I was back in Mexico last weekend for a visit to Megan’s fourth grade classes to talk about agriculture, and later that night I was a featured speaker at the Monroe County Ag Night. I look forward to sharing those stories with you soon!

To poofs, smiles, and not being directionally challenged,
Ag

Melanie Collier, Miss Spirit of St. Louis; Tara Osseck, Miss Missouri; and I attended National Pancake Day at Columbia's IHOP. The event served as a CMN benefit for MU Children's Hospital. (Photo Credit: MU Children's Hospital)

I ended up staying for quite a while, helping servers take food to tables, and visiting with customers about the Miss America Organization and it’s CMN partnership. Right before I headed out, the manager, Eddie, approached me and even offered me a part-time job since the servers said I did such a good job helping . I guess my serving experience showed. Unfortunately, between the two jobs I currently have, and now Miss Missouri prep, I had to decline. But I told him I’d definitely be back for more shortstacks!

I had a fabulous time serving up shortstacks at the Columbia IHOP. In order to celebrate National Pancake Day, the restaurant provided free short stacks in exchange for a donation to the Children's Miracle Network. All the money raised at the Columbia location will benefit MU Children's Hospital.

I haven’t heard how much money the Columbia location raised, but I certainly saw a lot of people donating while I was there. This marks the fifth year IHOP has celebrated National Pancake Day. In that time, more than 1,400 restaurants nationwide have raised about $3.25 million for CMN. And this year, its goal was to raise $1.75 million for a total of $5 million in five years. Also, did you know that if you stacked up all the pancakes served Tuesday, that it would be about 20 miles high? That’s a lot of pancakes!

I’ll be sure to post what the total amount CMN received from the event when I get those numbers.

To making a short stack go a long way, Ag

Here I am pictured with my pageant gals Lacey Fitzgerald, Kara Adams and Amanda Williams

The pageant was great. It was so nice to sit back and watch, which doesn’t seem to happen often enough! Congratulations to the new Miss KC title holders, Kari Gai – Miss Kansas City and Lauren Alumbaugh – Miss Greater Kansas City!! I also have to give a shout to out The Mikey Needleman Band. They were performing on the stage with the contestants, playing all the music for each phase of competition. They did a great job, and put a fun little twist on the usual pageant scene! I was also lucky enough to get a free CD after the pageant, but only upon promising to spread the word about their band, so I hope this will suffice!

It was an interesting trip up to Platte City. I left Columbia in monsoon-like weather, which quickly turned to a snow-rain mixture, and that ultimately became a blizzard! Let’s just say traffic was pretty slow going by the time I reached Kansas City. But, I arrived save and sound. The snowfall continued throughout the night, and by the time I was headed to the hotel with Lacey, it was most certainly a winter wonderland. For some reason, my windshield wiper decided to fail me, and had flown off. So, Kendell Misemer, a veteran of the Miss MO organization, and one of the band members helped fix it! Of course, Lacey documented the occasion. I thought that moment was too priceless not to share. I may be a farm girl, but I am certainly no mechanic!

I had to get some help from Kendell Misemer and one of the band members so my windshield wipers would work! Thanks, guys!

Despite the slight setbacks, I still had a fabulous time! A weekend full of some of my best pageant friends, good music, and even the pretty (albeit dangerous) snowflakes made for a great weekend as a new title holder.

Oh, and I wore snowboots this time .

To living, learning, and awesome Audrain adventures, Ag

Below is a copy of my post-win post from another blog I maintain where I mainly discuss my reporting and traveling adventures. Feel free to check that out as well!

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Well, the past couple of days have been pretty amazing! As I mentioned in my last entry, I am hitting the pageant scene again after taking the year off. I competed in Miss Audrain yesterday and much to my surprise, I won! I’ll be returning to Miss Missouri for the fourth year (a reminder of how much older I’m getting!).

I’m so looking forward to working with Bev, Megan and the rest of the Miss Audrain board – I think we’ll be a perfect fit. Mexico is a great location since it is close to Columbia and my hometown of Perry, so I plan on making many trips there over the next year. The community has already been so supportive and receptive, I cannot wait to see where this year takes me.

Myself (R) pictured with my sister queen, Courtney Thomure, Miss Audrain Outstanding Teen just moments after crowning. (Photo Credit: Brenda Fike, The Mexico Ledger)

I must say that last night, just a couple hours after winning I was walking to my car parked on the square. I was parked in front of the Hallmark store, and a gentleman was sweeping the snow off the sidewalk just outside of it. The man stopped for a moment and asked me if I was the new Miss Audrain, to which I excitedly replied “Why, yes! I am!” He then introduced himself as the owner of the Hallmark store and told me of his partnership with the Miss MO Org. He then proceeded to sweep all the snow off my car! This was an awesome gift to the new queen who was still wearing her open-toed high heels during a snowstorm (apparently my common sense went out the window upon crowning). So, thank you!! He also gave me a chocolate, which I gladly ate!

What was most exciting about yesterday was that my entire family was there to support me, along with some friends! Since the pageant was so close, they were all able to come, which is unusual for most locals I’ve competed in. I got so many hugs and well wishes after the crowning – it was indeed a memorable moment!

Many told me after the pageant, “Abby, we’re so glad that you’re back!” I am as well. Taking the year off last year really made me realize how much I missed this program, and I cannot wait to reconnect with everyone in the Miss Missouri Organization.

I don’t have much time until Miss Missouri, so I’ll be hitting the ground running. However, I’m so excited and feeling extremely motivated by the way things have worked out, so I couldn’t be more thrilled to be doing so! So, stay tuned for updates on “Abby’s Awesome Audrain Adventures.”

To new adventures and wearing snow boots,
Ag