Kaley's Miss Michigan Adventures - Tuesday

We have interview today. Being contestant #22, I do not have my interview until this afternoon. Interview is scheduled for 2:12 PM. The judges seem as though they are a very eclectic group this year and will bring something different to the panel. I will write more after interview...

Finished up with interview and I feel as though it went very well. I walked feeling comfortable and as though the judges are well informed on where I am in life and what I stand for as a woman. I must admit that normally I would prepare a closing. For those of you who do not know, the Miss America Organization interviews are 10 minutes long and you are allowed to end with a 30 second closing. This is the time that some women chose to pitch the job, tell a brief story, etc.

This year, I really struggled with what I was going to say. I decided to sleep on it the night before and whatever came to my heart was what I was going to say. So I ended with a life lesson that has served me well and is sure to serve off those who read it or hear it well. "We find ourselves when we lose ourselves in the service of others."

I can promise you this; I will continue striving to serve whether or not I do that with a crown on my head or wearing an old pair of scrubs.

Signing off from the heart-

Kaley

From Loretta - Kaley will always wear a crown, whether it is for Miss Heart, Miss Michigan or in service to her patients. I think crowns and old scrubs could make a fashion statement!

Michael is on his way to Muskegon to spend the rest of the week with Kaley and the ladies. I will join him on Saturday for the Miss Michigan pageant.

Tonight is the first night of preliminaries. Kaley will shine!!!

Kaley's Miss Michigan Adventures - Monday

Monday:

So today was filled with rehearsal, rehearsal and rehearsal... and a lunch at the Exchange Club. I write this blog from my hotel room as we have an hour or so of down time before we head off to dinner at Buffalo Wild Wings.

The Exchange Club event was great and the keynote speaker/representative gave such a heart warming speech about the importance of service and philanthropy that it literally brought tears to my eyes.

I had the pleasure of sitting at a table with Dick and Donna, a couple who have been married for 56 years! I asked them what the secret was to a successful marriage and Dick said "well in my day we did not have trial runs!" Ha ha! Good advice. They also told me about how their granddaughter has competed in the program and at Miss Michigan and now is trying to make it on Broadway. After just a couple of days here, I am reminded of what great women come to the Miss Michigan stage and I am just proud to be among them.

I will do my best to keep updating!

Signing off from the Heart-

Kaley

Kaley's Miss Michigan Adventures - Saturday events

And we’re off!

Just arrived in Muskegon today! The day began with wardrobe check-in at the theatre, individual photos/head shots, and an orientation regarding the week.

What a crazy time in life! I literally finished up my final internship yesterday at 5:00 PM and arrived at Miss Michigan this morning at 10:00 AM. Tomorrow we start off with a full day of rehearsal and talent productions. I will do my best to update the blog and keep you informed on all the happenings.

Signing off from the heart-

Kaley :)

From Cleats to Crowns - Kaley's Story

The Miss America pageant is an organization that focuses on the four points of the crown that comprise the substance of the program: Style, Scholarship, Success and Service. However, not a day goes by that the representatives of this organization need to explain that it is not in fact a beauty pageant. Although Miss America does not focus on outer beauty, it still is rich in tradition and consists of glitter, glamour and crowns.

Had you met me when I was young, you would have seen a tomboy covered in mud and grass stains and playing in the barn. I grew up in the country with my horses, barn cats, dogs and neighbor’s cows. I spent my days fishing, hiking, playing sports and enjoying all that the outdoors had to offer. In fact, my favorite past time is America’s favorite pastime; baseball. I grew up watching my dad play ball since I was a baby. Summer meant days and nights at the ball field. I grew to love the sport and started playing at a young age.

Fast forward to my high school days and I was training to achieve college offers to play. It was my senior year that it was all coming true.

In 2005, we had an amazing group of women who were State Championship bound. I had earned the position of Captain and all my hard work was paying off. It was this year that my softball coach informed me that she had signed me up to run for our local Harvest Festival Queen. I could not believe she had entered me! She told me that she thought I would do well and they were trying to get as many girls as possible.

On a warm Saturday evening, I found myself at the local band shell in a gown and heels, running for Harvest Festival Queen. 18 local girls graced the stage, answered on stage questions and had a formal interview earlier that day. Wouldn’t you know it! I won! Throughout that year, I had the opportunity to serve my community, attend local events and grow as a young woman. I found that I loved the experience and didn’t mind rotating the softball cleats for the queen crown.

As my year progressed, the committee of the Harvest Festival Queen said I should run for National Cherry Queen. And so it began. I started to apply myself in a new capacity outside of the softball field. Friends of mine smile and smirk when they see me in a sequin gown because they remember me best in a softball uniform with grass and dirt stains. I feel strongly that I have had such great success through this organization because I have never let go of who I really am, and that’s a country girl playing in the haystacks. What I love most about this organization is the ability to bring together such a wide variety of women and all who find success learning to embrace who they really are.

Signing off from the heart

Kaley

She Did It!

Well I survived and OH MY, I WAS TOTALLY RECHARGED!!! I fear that I have become thoroughly addicted to skydiving! The experience was unlike any other. By far the best part was swinging my feet out of the airplane door, folding my arms, and leaning forward and falling into the open sky. Truly a one of a kind experience that words can NOT describe. Falling at 120mph for 40 seconds and traveling a mile was amazing. I felt alive, I felt free, and completely fulfilled. I have always been a bit of an adventure and, ok, an adrenaline junkie, and I have not had my fix in some time. Skydiving was definitely the ticket!!! I will absolutely do it again in the future. Next time I would like to do it at sundown and jump into a pink, orange, and red sky. Jumping at Harbor Springs was also the right choice. I could see all the way to the Wisconsin coast! I saw Mackinac bridge, Green Bay, and all the islands in between.

The lesson behind this experience for me was to always remember to live each day to the fullest. To take chances and receive great rewards. To remember who I am and what I want out of life. Thank you Skydive Harbor Springs for the most incredible experience.

Signing off from the heart and the SKY!

Kaley

Free Falling

Free Falling from Kaley

Well folks, as long as the weather holds on May 15^th I will be jumping out of a perfectly good airplane! It has been a long time dream to go skydiving and I am finally making it happen! I actually believe that it will be a very therapeutic experience. Life is very busy and unknown right now. It is the first time in my life that I have no idea what is to come in the near months…and it is a fairly surreal feeling. I have always been a planner who sets goals and meets them! It is a foreign feeling to not know what to anticipate. So I decided to let it all go, be at peace with whatever comes my way and jump out of a plane! I am very excited. Did you know that you free fall for up to 30 seconds!!! Count um’ one thousand one, one thousand two…that’s a long fall. Hopefully the weather cooperates and I can send pictures of the view 12,000 feet up and the journey down. Write again soon!

Signing off from the heart-

Kaley :)

Kaley's new adventures

New adventures!

Hello all. I hope the spring weather is finding everything well and reinvigorating your spirits! I have taken on new adventures in the past couple of weeks. I have been working in a care unit rehabilitating individuals with neurological impairments and traumatic brain injuries. I was leery of this work at first, because I grew so very attached to the little ones I was previously working with. However, I find that the challenge of working in neurology is rewarding.

I have clients that range from teens through older adults. Each story and case is different. My heart goes out to the families and individuals who have experienced a traumatic accident that has completely changed the lives of those involved. Can you imagine losing your ability to communicate, walk, express, and be independent? My job is to get those skills back! I work every day to help these individuals work toward independence and achieving their prior level of function.

One of my clients found out that I was the reigning Miss Heart and showed up to my session with a paper crown!!! What a riot. I so admire the ability to never lose your sense of humor.

Wish everyone the best and signing off from the Heart.

Kaley

Miss Heart 2010