Miracle Blizzards

In August I assisted with the Dairy Queen and Miracle Network's Miracle Treat Day at several stores in Yellowstone area. As we approach winter weather, here is a photo of the marvelous Dairy Queen workers at one of the stores in Billings taken at the event on August 8. Thanks to everyone who supported this event and enjoyed a 'blizzard" in the summer!
An article with this photo was also published in the International Dairy Queen fall magazine.

Helena Middle School Honors Assembly

While in Helena, I was the guest speaker at the Helena Middle School for their BOB Assembly. This is a special time when the school recognizes a few students who have displayed exceptional behaviors and attitudes that make for a positive school environment. They call it the BOB PAK because their mascot is the Bobcat and they are Leaders of the PAK. Their guest speaker last year was Mike Van Diest, the head coach of the Carroll College national champion football team for several consecutive years, so I felt the need to fill some large shoes.
I spoke on recognizing our motivations for making decisions and choosing actions, and how one of mine is music. I also sang a few songs for them and fulfilled the Principal’s request for some yodeling (I sing 'Cowboy’s Sweetheart' which involves a bit of it). The students and parents enjoyed it and gave me a standing ovation (wow!). I felt more like a performer with the auditorium and a great stage technician who adjusted lights and sound volumes when needed.
I had a great time at Helena Middle School!

Special Olympics International Basketball Games

For three days I had the privilege of attending the Special Olympics activities in Helena. Their state basketball tournament turned international when a team from Calgary, Alberta drove down. I sang at the Opening Ceremonies both the American National Anthem and the Canadian Anthem (O Canada in case you didn’t know ;).
I also attended their Family and Friends dinner before their highly anticipated Carnival and Dance. I will have to inform the next Miss Montana when her time comes that fine point sharpies DO NOT last when signing on laminated paper. Afterwards I was caught red-handed at the Dairy Queen by members of the Chouteau team. Luckily it was only a sugar-free dillybar, not a Blizzard.
At the Saturday closing ceremonies I assisted the volunteers as they handed out medals to the teams. I had replenished my supply of Sharpies (the normal tip – hurray!) and signed everything from nametags, hats, t-shirts, and again…shoes!
The Special Olympics is an extraordinary organization. Every member, volunteer, and family is just as excited to be there as the athletes. This enthusiastic participation makes for an unforgettable experience for everyone and I am honored to be a part of it.

Lincoln

I never cease to be amazed at the raw beauty that can be found in Montana’s landscapes. I drove to Lincoln through the Flesher Pass on Highway 279. The roads were dry (thankfully) but the trees and mountains had lingering snow from the last storm front. With the sun breaking through intermittently, it was a picturesque moment.
Lincoln is a quiet mountain town made famous for an infamous resident. However, the town reflects nothing of the sort. The school is made to look more like a mountain lodge on the outside than an ordinary school.
The PTSA sponsored my visit and the students (especially the younger grades) were excited to have me there.
It’s funny that one question is ALWAYS asked at each school and this was no exception: “How old are you?” My response usually involves a lesson of good manners (“it is not usually proper to ask someone their age”)…but I tell them anyway.

Minneapolis and More!

I spent a few days in the metropolis of Minneapolis/St. Paul Minnesota. While there I found many essentials for Miss America.
I also met with Miss Minnesota, Nicole Swanson, and members of the Miss Minnesota state board. We had a great breakfast before she was off to her duties and I, mine. Nicole is very sweet and really TALL! It was nice to see her again since we last met in California.
We also had dinner with Dr. Glenn Harmon and members of the local Coon Rapids pageant board. Dr. Harmon was the lead judge for the Miss Montana pageant and has been a wonderful source of support and information.
A few people who made the trip a great success are Brenda and Jason, Sarah, Cheri, and Glenn. I would especially like to thank Avice and Cami for making the trip a priority and using their own time and resources for my sake.
And my last remark is one suggestion for anyone driving around an unfamiliar metropolitan area: the "neverlost system" is invaluable!!

A Weekend with Educational Professionals

What better group to address about Music than Educators? I spent the week of October 18 with various groups for education in Montana. I first spoke at the awards luncheon on Wednesday at The Montana Conference of Educational Leadership (MCEL) which incorporates the Montana School Boards Association (MTSBA), the School Administrators of Montana (SAM), and the Montana Association of School Business Officials (MASBO), held in Billings. They honored schools and individuals for their contributions to quality education.
On Thursday morning, the general assembly kicked off with over 800 attendees. I had the honor of singing the National Anthem and then had to leave right away to drive to my next event in Missoula.
The National Association for Music Education (MENC) is the national organization that created the National Anthem Project which has been a defining mission in my year as Miss Montana. The state organization that falls under the umbrella of MENC is the Montana Music Educators Association. Their convention was held in Missoula on October 19 and 20. I have my own cherished memories of attending All-State Choir. Returning to address the music educators as Miss Montana was a bit unreal. I did get to briefly address the All State choir and was pleasantly surprised to find that the guest conductor was one I had just worked with at my university last spring. The concert on Friday night was, as usual, amazing.
I also had the opportunity to meet and have tea with a former Miss Montana, Joanna Lester, who placed in the Top Ten at Miss America. Ms. Lester went on to professionally use her vocal talents in both the United States and Europe. She now lives in Montana and is a delightful vocalist and lady.

Montana Gumbo

Monday, October 16
When estimating travel time, my parents have convinced me to over-estimate which at times has been very helpful, and other times has gotten me to my destination LONG before I am expected. This is not usually a problem because there is always something to do in a school.
When I visited Winnett school, for example, my timing was perfect for me to sit in on their choir period. I may have made some of the students a little nervous but it was good to hear them. During the grade school presentation, there were also students attending from a country school on the Musselshell River.
One of the teachers introduced herself to me afterward and said that they occasionally come into Winnett for assemblies and library time. She told me about how the roads were full of gumbo and I had remembered a pickup I saw outside when I parked my car. I said, “The roads do seem to be pretty wet. There’s a big Ford parked outside that looks like it’s been engulfed in mud.”
She replied, “Yes, that’s mine.” ….. Ah, it all made perfect sense.

Sheridan Electric Co-Operative Annual Meeting

October 14: Touchstone Energy--Innovation and Power
My last appearance before braving the drive home was in Medicine Lake. The Sheridan Electric Cooperative held their annual meeting and dinner. Sheridan Electric and three others eastern Montana rural electric co-operatives, graciously sponsor the Miss Montana Scholarship: a big thank you to Rick for organizing these funds. In appreciation, I sang the National Anthem while attending their meeting.

I would like to thank Healthworks for allowing me to work out in their facility for the few days I was in Sidney, and Bill and Linda for sharing their home with another Miss Montana!

Culbertson K-6

In Culbertson, located on Highway #2 and also near the state line of North Dakota and Montana, I presented to the K-6 students as the older grades had a previously scheduled assembly. It was nice to hear both the Superintendent and the Principal say that they looked forward to having me back to speak with the older students later in the year.

Bainville!

After a rainy/frosty night driving to Sidney, I spent the next few days in the northeast corner of Montana. I first visited Bainville school with their nice facility and “no shoe” policy on the gymnasium floor. The school is so close to the border that some of the students actually live in North Dakota or will work across the state border. This does not seem like much of a deal, but when a time change is factored in, I would think it would get a little tricky.
A true Miss Montana memory that I will have at this school is the reaction I received to my Miss America Talent song title. One student asked what I will sing for Miss America and I replied, “Il Bacio – it means ‘the Kiss.’” At this word some of the students let out a big “eeeeeeww.” I could not help but laugh. This was also the first school where I was asked to Prom :)

Foiled Parade & 50th Anniversary Celebrations

October 7 - My cousins live in Bozeman and are graduates (and thus proud supporters) of Montana State University. During the summer, my family and extended family enjoys weekends out on the lake waterskiing, wakeboarding, and just soaking in summer fun. This was the inspiration for my cousin’s plan of having me in the parade for MSU’s homecoming. They would hook up their blue and white boat to their blue SUV and title it “A Boat-Full of Bobcats and Miss Montana.”

However, I am again experiencing the fact that the best laid plans are sometimes never allowed to materialize….It rained. And rained. And was COLD. So the boat and the crown were put away and out came our shopping shoes instead!
After a quick drive back to Billings, I sang for a banquet that kicked off the 50th Anniversary of my home church. I also sang at the Sunday morning service and at the luncheon that followed. It was very special to have ten or more pastors at one service.

Saturday Live!

Saturday Live is a Billings School District tradition. It is a carnival held at Pioneer Park in which most every school participates with a booth or attraction. My former grade school and church music teacher, Mrs. Pittack, asked me to join her students as they sang the National Anthem and other patriotic songs to kick off the afternoon event. She has made the Star Spangled Banner a permanent part of her curriculum in schools and does a great job preparing students (like me!). They gathered at the performance stage and I’m pretty sure there were over 100 students standing on stage. They sang The Star Spangled Banner, God Bless America, and America the Beautiful. Then I said a few words on how these songs are an important part of music education, but more importantly, as our responsibility as American Citizens. The attendance was a record high and many people were gathered around the stage. What a great event!

In the evening I sang at my old high school, Billings Senior High, for their homecoming football game on September 30. A former Miss Montana, Kristen Garlock Brook, made the arrangements and met me at the stadium. After working with the microphone in the announcer’s box, I went down to the field where I was to sing the National Anthem. Once the cheerleaders were in place with flag in the center of the field, I raised my microphone and sang the first note…and that’s all they heard. It turned out that the batteries were low and gave out right as I started singing. Thankfully, the crowd on the other side began to sing, and soon the entire stadium joined in to finish what I could not do without a microphone. It was actually a nice feeling to hear everyone else sing the Star Spangled Banner in a huge crowd like that. Sometimes things never turn out as planned, and often the way they are handled makes them successful anyway.
Afterwards, some of the girls on the sidelines were very sweet and asked for autographs. That was the first place I was asked to sign shoes!