Red Carpet ~ Las Vegas Style

What a busy week it has been leading up to the arrival in Las Vegas. Sunday was the send-off party at the Shrine Auditorium. On Wednesday, two presentations were done for the students and staff at Elder Grove Elementary School.
Picking up last minute essential, finalizing wardrobe, and packing consumed lots of time. Friday morning, with scarlet tagged "Montana-Aladdin Hotel-Las Vegas" luggage in tow, I was off to Las Vegas via Denver - and of course a 40 minute delay in departure from the terminal.
Arriving at the hotel, roommate Taryn (Miss Mississippi and also a member of the Alpha Group) and I filled the extra clothing racks in our room and then prepared for the Red Carpet Welcoming event.
Las Vegas Mayor, Oscar Goodman, presented each of us with a red rose. Each contestant is amazing, poised, fit, trim, beautiful, talented, and intelligent. Each represents her state honorably.
At an orientation meeting, we meet the staff of MAO, the security team, our hostesses, and representatives from the Children's Miracle Network. The Quality of Life finalists were announced; they are Alabama, Arizona, Georgia, Indiana, Michigan, Rhode Island, and Virginia. A highlight was the preview of the CMT Pageant School that was taped this past September in Santa Monica, CA. Tune your television to CMT on Friday, January 26 for this show. Also check your TV schedule for airing of information on CMT this week.
Tomorrow is a surprise day! Through the leadership of Miss NY, we have comfy, black, hooded jackets to wear at rehearsal. Each jacket is bedazzled with our name, MAO Class of 2007, and our state's name. Collectively, we had one designed for Jennifer Berry, Miss America 2006. Competition wardrobe will be checked-in with the hostesses and rehearsals will begin.
We are looking forward to the debut at the Fashion Show Mall and autograph session.
Las Vegas has welcomed us royally!
Thank you for your support and assistance.