White Hall Community- Home Sweet Home!

I owe a HUGE THANK YOU to the wonderful and great community of White Hall for (1) Being my home (2) For being more than supportive during this life changing journey that I have been blessed to experience. I couldn't have done it without 100% of your backing and you did MORE. I knew I had your support, but it wasn't until last weekend that I realized how strong that support was! I choked back HAPPY tears all day-from being the Grand Marshal of the 70th Anniversary of the Founders Day Parade, cutting the cake to begin the CELEBRATION, and the best introduction ever by Mayor Foster! Might I add, throughout this year and all of the breath taking moments, I have never CRIED. Well I did on Saturday!! There is truly nothing like going back to your hometown where it all began and the place that helped me make it as far as I have. Saturday was a HUGE Honor that I will cherish always and NEVER forget. A special thanks to the Foster Family for a great day and letting me grow up spending many Friday nights & summers at your house-You have always been family to me! Also to Mr. Scott Ray, Mr. David Beck, Mr. Andy Lunsford, Mr. Ken Smith, and Mr. Dane Reed for being the BEST sponsors I could have asked for! Last but not least, Thank you to the White Hall Community- I could not be here without you! You guys helped make a great day a SPECIAL day. For that, I will forever be grateful and White Hall will ALWAYS be my home!!

Love these guys!!!

 More pics from Founders day coming soon!

These pics are from the White Hall Pageant a couple weeks ago. I had the honor to attend as the Mistress of Ceremony! 

Beautiful girls! I had the opportunity to work with Annagrace and Madison in preparation for the pageant!! They ALL did a wonderful job! Annagrace is your Miss Itsy Bitsy White Hall!!

Stopped for a photo-opp with the double crowned (talent & beauty) Miss Chloe Ward.

The "Older" Junior Devision- My Piper Lu(right) did such a great job competing with the older  gals!  She held her own an will soon have a title & crown of her own!! She is a NATURAL! Stay tuned for the little ones Halloween costume- it will be much appreciated!
*A special Thanks to Cindy's Pageant Dresses- My girls had AWESOME dresses!

BUSY Weekend!

Hello again!

Sorry I am a little behind on my blogging! I have been one busy girl since last Friday. I spoke at two elementary schools in Siloam Springs and attended the Dogwood Festival on Friday. I had a wonderful day and really enjoyed reading to the all-girls 2nd grade classes. They were adorable! Here are a few pics from my busy day. Hope you enjoy!

I was interviewed by KURM Radio!  My first time to ever be on air! :)

My dad!

I hope you can tell from the pictures that I had a blast!

On Saturday, I was able to attend the Grand Re-Opening of Kristy & Co. Salon and the Rain Garden Celebration with the Illinois River Watershed Partnership.  I had a wonderful time at both events and can't wait to share the pictures from each event.  SO... STAY TUNED!

Thank you so very much for keeping up with my journey.  I am getting very excited for Vegas and busier every day as it approaches!! I leave in less than one month :)

Love,
Lakynn
XOXO

AR Travs- First Pitch!

I HAD A GREAT TIME!!!! Not to mention, my pitch was not bad at all :) I think I would have made all of you very proud!! The weather held out long enough for me to make the first pitch and meet & greet with some wonderful fans.  It was such a fun night! I hope you enjoy the pics!

Happy Tuesday! Love ya XOXO

Time of my Life! Busy~Busy

Hello again!


I hope you have all had a FABULOUS weekend, I sure have!  So many exciting things have happened and I can NOT wait to share them all with you.  I also have a couple sneak peaks for you at the end!  It's so great to have you back, visiting my blog. :) Thank you! 


Over the past couple of weeks, I have had so many amazing opportunities and have been very blessed to be able to meet some wonderful people.


To start out, I want to share with you what I think is one of the best perks of being Miss Arkansas USA 2011.  I was able to speak at Hackett Elementary and Hardin Elementary before their Benchmark tests last week.  As most of you know, kids are my passion and being able to spend time and speak to them is a big highlight in my reign.  I was able to give them a little pep talk about the Benchmark Test and discuss how important the test really is.  However, my favorite part was when the kiddos got to give feedback and ask questions.  Let me just say that the saying, "Kids say the darndest things." is  SO true.  In fact, I probably learned a lot from them. Haha!  My favorite question was at Hackett Elementary when I was getting ready to leave.  I was saying goodbye to everyone while getting the best and sweetest hugs when I was tapped on the shoulder by a little boy with a VERY serious question.  "Miss Arkansas, Miss Arkansas, I just have one last thing to ask you..." Judging by the look on this little man's face, I knew that I had to give him my undivided attention.  "I just have to know, what is it like to be famous?!"  The kids at both schools absolutely made my day!  There is no other feeling in the world that compares to the smiles on their faces, the HUGE hugs that take the breath out of you, hearing a little girl say, "Miss Arkansas USA, you are my role model.",  and the thought that something I did or said might make a difference in their life forever and give them hope that nothing is impossible. After leaving, my Facebook Fan page blew up with the sweetest comments in the world by these kids.  It is those little things that make every day as Miss Arkansas USA, worth it!!!! 

Speaking to Hackett

Answering questions! I LOVED the questions that these two young men had for me.

My visit to Hardin Elementary

It was Hobo Day for the Hardin Kiddos'!
They wanted to do well on the test so that they won't grow up to be Hobo's! 

                               

Yesterday, April 17th, I was asked to emcee a very exciting event at the Clinton Library!  Haute in the City Fashion show was held to showcase the Fall/Winter 2011 fashions of Arkansas' very own, Linda Rowe Thomas.  The fashion show featured Romas by Linda Rowe Thomas and introduced Michael Blake Menswear by Michael Bennett.  We also had additional Fashion and Accessories sponsored by the FABULOUS boutique, Jeante' One of One, Belle Vie Designs, and Solemates.  All of which are located in Pleasant Ridge Shopping Center!! You should definitely visit them. 

Tanya and I- Owner of Jeante'
Beautiful inside & out!!!!

Linda Rowe Thomas and I- Designer of Romas
I was so blessed to be able to meet this wonderful lady!

Linda and I with Phillip- Banquet Coordinator
He was a lifesaver!

Linda's wonderful family snapped a pic with me!

As you can see, it was a great time!  I was very blessed to fill in and attend such a great show.  Linda Rowe Thomas is a very talented designer and I recommend that everyone check her out!  I can't describe what an honor it was getting to know her.  Her line can be found at Jeante' and I believe her online store will be available to you all very soon!
Also, the tee-shirts in the photo are available to everyone!  It is part of Linda's new campaign.  For every tee-shirt sold, the proceeds are given to a needy family in Japan.  What a wonderful cause?!!  Get yours and make a difference!  Check out her website- www.romasdesigns.com and like her Fan Page on Facebook

Guess what?!  Most you remember my trip to New York to shoot with Fadil Berisha.  Well...... my pictures are almost ready!!  I can't wait to share with you, the final images! Here is just a sneak peak for you while you wait- 

I wish you all a wonderful week!  Thank you so much for reading this extremely long blog post.  I only shared a few pics from each event. Don't forget to join my Facebook Fan page if you want to see more!  http://www.facebook.com/MissArkansasUSA  


Love you guys!!!!!!!!! So much :) XOXO


Stay tuned for more events and appearances!  
This week:
Tuesday- I am throwing out the first pitch for the Arkansas Travelers!  Come out and join the fun!
Friday- I am throwing out the pitch for the Northwest Arkansas Naturals! Gotta support my Arkansas Baseball!! C'mon out :) I hear there will be Fireworks!!! 
Sometime in between- Going to visit my trainer for a new workout plan!  Going to see my Competition gown in Kansas City. IT HAS ARRIVED! YAY!!!!

Lots to Talk About!

Hey there!!

Happy Saturday!  I hope you all have had an amazing week.  We have been so lucky to have such beautiful weather!  Except for today...  I hope this little cold front will pack up and head on out.  Although I have enjoyed cuddling up and watching movies today.  Thank you all for stopping by and keeping up with my blog.  I apologize for being behind on my post.  I have been one busy girl but, I am NOT complaining one bit.  I am almost three months into my reign and this has been the best time of my life.

 "Bag Stuffing Party"
The Arkansas Angels Pageant is Arkansas first special needs pageant for differently abled children.  It is an awesome organization and I am so grateful for getting to be a part of it.  Unfortunately, I was out of town on the day of the pageant but, I was able to attend the "Bag Stuffing Party".  The party was held at Cindy's Pageant Dresses in Jacksonville.  It was so good to see so many people, who care about these Angels, come together and donate their time to benefit this cause.  We formed an assembly line and got busy stuffing the goodies into bags for each contestant.  I had such a great time and had the honor of meeting some wonderful people.  This event was truly heart-warming!

The "Bag Stuffing Party" was held at Cindy's Pageant Dresses, a sponsor of the Arkansas Angels Pageant.  She has the sweetest, most precious little things for competing kiddos.  If you are looking for your little one a new, competition wardrobe, GO SEE CINDY!  She is wonderful!

 I would like all of you readers to take a moment a say a prayer for a special Angel, Andrea Thorn, who did not get to participate on the special day due to illness.  I haven't gotten the opportunity to meet this sweet girl yet, but from the pictures and updates she seems to be one of the happiest little girls that I know.  Andrea is staying at Arkansas Childrens Hospital and undergoing a series of various surgeries.  I have faith that God is going to take care of this little lady!  Lets pray for Andrea's strength and a speedy recovery.

Thank you all for reading and I promise to pick back up on my blogging!! I forget how much fun it is to share my journey with you guys.  Please forgive me, I have been doing lots of traveling to Kansas City in preparation for Miss USA.

Please keep checking back!! I have booked some really exciting appearances and can't wait to share all of them with you.

I am leaving tomorrow morning for New York!!!!!  I have a photoshoot booked with the AMAZING, Fadil Berisha.  I cannot explain how excited I am to work with him.  Also, I have never been to NYC!  I just might not want to come home. JK!! I will return on Tuesday.  Stay tuned for all of the details on my trip and hopefully a sneak-peek or two. :)

Love you all!!
XOXO

VANBROS 2011 Photo Shoot

More Updates and Pics!

Hi Guys and Gals!

Happy Thursday!!! That means it is almost FRIDAY! TGIF! I will be heading back to Kansas City for the weekend.  We are having our second bootcamp and I will be reunited with my Van Bro's 'Miss Sisters'! At this bootcamp we will be going over modeling/walking/stage presence with the wonderful Kim Forsyth. I am also excited to meet Lupina! She will be doing our ettiquette training session and this makes me a little nervous. I am very excited to see what they have in store for us this weekend! A little prayer for safe travels would be greatly appreciated. ON THE ROAD AGAIN!

I just recieved a couple pictures from the fashion show that I hosted with Miss OKLAHOMA USA and I thought that I would share them with you! :) I hope you enjoy. By the way, the knockout blondie in the middle is the very talented designer of the awesome bags that we are modeling.  Faith Nicole is the disigner of her own fashion line, Flaunt-Love Who You Are. Her work is truly great and get this, she is only 18. I admire this girl. We were lucky enough to take home one of her pieces. I LOVE MINE and I think you should have one too! :) Check it out!!
http://www.facebook.com/l.php?u=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.flauntfashion.com%2F&h=49885



Flaunt- Love Who You Are by Faith Nicole

Thanks for following along!! I hope you all have an amazing weekend. Stay tuned for my article in River Valley and Ozark Edition of Arkansas Democrat Gazette.

Best Wishes,
Lak- XOXO

I have not forgotten about you!!! Lets play catch-up!!

Hello!

I promise I have not forgotten about my blog and my wonderful followers!  I have just been a very busy girl since the Kansas City trip. That means we have lots to talk about!!  First things first, I hope you all have had an amazing weekend and not too crazy of a Monday.  We all know those can be rough.  For some reason, I was dragging today and could not get it together.  However, I managed to make it through my work-outs, finish a bit of homework, replied and caught up on all of my e-mails and Thank You cards, and now playing catch-up on my blog.  So, I would say it has been a pretty successful Monday.

Some exciting things have happened since my last post...

The weekend before last, I took a trip to Kansas City for our first boot-camp with the Vanbros team.  It was a photoshoot with the amazing Will Patterson, the beautiful Kim Forsyth, the very talented Lisa Proctor, our awesome extension sponsor Brent Peterson, and the hair guru Bryan Wood.  I also got to meet all four of my Miss sisters and all five of my Teen sisters.  I can't wait to pick the photos that will be sent to Miss USA.  With our outstanding team, I know we will have some great shots.  Kansas City is a really neat place and I'm glad to call it my second home now. :) This coming weekend, all five of the Miss queens are headed back for our second boot-camp and I cannot wait to see what is in store.

This past weekend was an adventure!  I flew to Oklahoma City to meet with Sherri Hill and design my competition gown for Nationals.  Miss Oklahoma and I had such an amazing time trying on numerous gowns and styles too find the perfect choice.  It was a great experience and I can't wait to see my gown!

A special thanks to Serendipity Boutique for sponsoring the gown and Alisha Hill for the AMAZING shoes.

The Mirror Dress

Kaitlyn (Miss Oklahoma USA) and I also had the opportunity to MC a Prom Fashion Show put on by Strongarm Productions.  The fashion show was with two of OK's top dress designers, Johnathan Kayne and Sherri Hill.  The show featured over 200 gowns and also shoes by Alisha Hill.  We had such a great time hosting the show and getting to wear Sherri's 'mirror dresses' (A MUST HAVE) and her beautiful pageant gowns.








As you have probably noticed, I have been a busy lady for the past couple weeks!  I would not change a thing about it!  I am having the time of my life and meeting a lot of great people in the process.  Stay tuned and keep checking back because I will have more surprises for you SOON!

Please feel free to leave comments.  As I have mentioned before, I NEED FEEDBACK.  I want to answer any questions that you may have and hear what you have to say. Thank you so much for visiting and reading my blog.  Lets stay connected.  Be sure to 'Like' my Fan page on Facebook and follow me on Twitter @RealMissARusa.

LOVE YOU ALL!