Farewell

Where do I start? The time that Evangelina Duke said to me, “You should run for Miss Montana” and I laughed at her not knowing anything about the program? Maybe up on stage with only two of us left and each of our names starting with the sound “krIst.” Or perhaps talking with the Billings Gazette on the cell phone directly after my “first walk” as Miss Montana? I’m not sure exactly when my journey began but now my year as Miss Montana is closing.
I truly can’t believe the growth that has occurred from last June to the present. My year has been full of meeting gracious people, seeing gorgeous sites, and learning vital career and life skills. There certainly have been challenges but overcoming them is all a part of the Miss Montana education. I hope that I have given back to this state as much as it has given me. The young lives in this state that are so impressionable need Miss Montana to be a great role-model and to give positive guidance. With so many changes in our society and tragedies in the last year, this is one area we cannot compromise in.
The best piece of advice I heard this year and one that my generation needs to take is the fact that “It’s not all about you.” It’s about the people who got you where you are and the lives that you influenced on your way. With that being said, let me thank a few people who have made my year happen. The IMAGE board and the massive number of volunteers in this program, thank you: I’ve always been impressed with the Glendive community and all that they accomplish strictly through volunteer means. Thank you, Avice and Cami, for the many hours that you dedicate to the program. To all the former Miss Montanas that I have encountered during my year: your wisdom and grace is undeniable and I am honored to join your ranks. To everyone who has supported and encouraged the endeavors of my platform and purpose in my year…I appreciate it all. To my support system: my parents, my sisters, Ray, and many family members…I am blessed more than I can express. Thank you Lord. Oh, and I can’t forget my grandma for telling everyone she knows and meets that “She’s the grandmother of Miss Montana”

So now it is time for another lucky young lady to start her adventure. I wish her the same fulfillment as I have experienced and hope that she will continue the positive impact that is our goal. I have been proud to represent this great state. Thank you.

Sweet Home Miss Montana Week, June 10-18

On Sunday, June 10, I met all of the Miss Montana contestants at registration and began the pageant week in Glendive. The week went by so fast with numerous events around the community and lots of rehearsals at the high school. I am still amazed at the workings of volunteers in Glendive and all they can do.
Kristen Garlock Brook, Miss Montana 1997, was one of the Emcees and we got to know each other very well during the week. She is so much fun and we had a blast both on and off stage!
Each contestant performed beautifully and I am so proud of every one of them. We talked a lot about the benefits of the program simply just by competing and I hope they each left with a feeling of worth and growth.
I wish Kristen Mantooth, Miss Montana 2007, a year full of great experiences and skills.

MMOT Red Carpet Arrival

The twenty-one Miss Montana contestants arrived in Sidney at the Miss Montana's Outstanding Teen Program to a red carpet welcome and interviews with KUMV-TV news anchor and many cameras flashing.
Holly Matz, Miss Montana's Outstanding Teen 2006, greeted the contestants and Miss Montana who were escorted by Ryan Doll.

Miss Montana's Outstanding Teen Program -- Sidney

One of my privileges in the Miss Montana program is acting as a “big sister” to Miss Montana’s Outstanding Teen. This is a similar position to Miss Montana aimed at a younger age group with the same high standards of scholarship, service, style, and sophistication. Miss Montana’s Outstanding Teen 2006 was Holly Matz from Missoula. She has done a fine job with her platform of Healthy Lifestyle Choices and her entertaining jump robe routine. June 8-10 was the MMOT pageant in Sidney and I was there to help the contestants prepare for the afternoon pageant on Sunday. We worked on stage walking and presentation as well as some talent coaching. The girls did a great job and were very enthusiastic. I was so proud of all of them and congratulations to Chantell Bury from Glendive who was crowned Miss Montana’s Outstanding Teen 2007!

Princess Party (American Heart Ball)

One of my last events in Billings was a fun one that stemmed back to the Heart Ball I attended in February.
One of the items at auction was a “Princess Party” package that included having lunch with Miss Montana. So, I attended a princess party at Juliano’s on June 6 with a small group of wonderful little princesses.
They arrived and departed via limousine and each presented me with a rose! We had a little “crowning” ceremony, a wonderful meal, and I sang a few Disney princess songs. Every one of them was dressed to the nigh and VERY well behaved.
I enjoyed it just as much as they did.

HKM Engineering

I have worked at an engineering firm in Billings during my school breaks for about 5 years and they have always been wonderfully supportive of me in my schooling and my Miss Montana ambition. They asked me come and sing for them before my reign was over. On June 5 I talked about my year and how it was coming to an end quickly. They enjoyed the songs and were quite interested in what I did as Miss Montana. Now can anyone tell me, when was the last time Miss Montana officially appeared before a roomful of engineers?

American Legion Girls State-Helena, MT

A few days later in Helena, Girls State was held at Carroll College where I was asked to speak to the girls on June 4. A roomful of high school juniors (entering seniors) at first was a little daunting, especially when they had been sitting through presentations in the morning for several hours. One of the chaperones mentioned that I should try to be funny or something to get them re-energized. Hopefully I was funny anyway but I began by teaching them the Montana song and having them spell out the word by creating the letters with their bodies – something I’ve done with my school presentations all year. At least it got them up and moving. I talked about service and how it often gets lost in our generation because of a decline in integrity and good decision making skills, and our attitude of “it’s all about me.” Afterward I opened up the room for questions and the funniest one was, “How many pairs of shoes do you have.” To my surprise, my answer was disappointing to them…I didn’t have as many as they expected. I estimated at around 30-40…that’s a lot! And my dad will be the first to agree! I stayed to have lunch and sat with a table of very excited girls..they were funny.

Children's Miracle Network Telethon for Shodair

The partnership between the Miss America Organization and the Children’s Miracle network has been quite fruitful thus far in Montana. Each of our contestants running in the pageant in June has raised at least $250 each with many raising much much more.
I also had been given the opportunity to help our Montana hospital, Shodair, raise funds through their annual telethon. The telethon was aired live on CBS affiliate stations throughout Montana on June 2. They aired on location from the hospital and had many guests.
One of the first segments featured me talking about our partnership and singing the Montana song. Throughout the day I helped answer phones and talked here and there. Miss Rodeo Montana, Megan Hardy, was also there and we had another great time joining forces at an event.
Another highlight during the day was presenting the check from the Montana Dairy Queens. From my personal history with DQ and since I helped several of the Billings Dairy Queens during Miracle Treat Day on August 10, 2006, I could talk from experience about the work Dairy Queen does to raise money for Shodair Hospital.
I had one memorable call that came from Kalispel. The gentleman on the phone first said, “Wow! How did you get the band Styx on your telethon? You guys are good!” I explained that he was watching the national broadcast but the phone number on the screen was for the Montana Children’s Miracle Network Hospital, Shodair. He then said that he would pledge $100. About mid-conversation I mentioned that he was talking to Miss Montana. His response… “Holy smokes! Then why don’t you double that pledge!” Wahoo!