Inspiration!!!

Aside from the support from her family and friends, music is getting her though CANCER at age 20. (Bonus she just happens to be belting Adele ;] ) This is why I will always support music. In school and in general. Music saves.

This needs to change

I wish that every girl would believe that she is beautiful, and a perfect girl from God. :( This is so sad.

Saving the Beat, One Note at a Time.

                     I've such a busy past 3 weeks! 3 pageants in a row, work, school, a few exams... but I made it through! This past weekend was Miss NWO, and it has been my favorite to date. I loved having a dress rehearsal before and an awesome host mom, Pam, who gave me a lot of good advice. I rocked my interview, and after some swimsuit alterations rocked that too! ONQ, not so much, but I know I'll keep improving on that. And as always I had Jess N. and Mom there to cheer me on, as well as my sisterfromanothermister Rachel, and my Dad, Stepmom, Little Brother and Sister there too! So definitely a solid fan section, thank you everyone!

                     Today, I started my tour of the local school's music programs with my own alma mater in Mansfield, Ohio, at Madison Comprehensive High School and Jr. High, and got to talk to two of my favorite music teachers, Mr. Fowles (Band director) and Mr.Green (Choirs Director). Thankfully, Madison has an excellent music booster program that helps fund our programs. The budget has been cut slightly, but they are still doing alright with money. It is definitely good to know that the programs and groups I grew up in are safe. AND not only are the arts doing well, but Madison achieved an "Excellent" rating in school districts as a whole! I'm so proud of my school!

                    Next schools on my list to visit both in Toledo and Mansfield area are: Ashland, Ontario, Crestview, Sylvania North and South, Clearfork, TPS, and many more... I'll get them all eventually!

                    My other fundraiser, Shots for Tots, is going well. I'm making contacts and setting up shoots, and it should be up and running very soon! I'm so excited for this awesome opportunity! I might even get business cards... lol


Lastly, I'd like to give a big birthday wish to my little sister, Brianna, who is turning 11 tomorrow! I hope it's an awesome day for you, and I can't believe how much you've grown. I've watched you grow from newborn to preteen, and quite frankly? I feel old. I love you so much, BriCat!


Quote of the Moment: "After silence, that which comes nearest to expressing the inexpressible is music."
-Aldous Huxley

                                                                                                                     Rhythmactically,
                                                                                                                           Lo.

Mr.Green, my jr. high and high school choir director and I.

In it to Win it!

                     2 out 3 pageants in a row down so far :] Miss Maple City was a blast, although personally I think I took a step back from the Miss MV/AAC/FT pageant :/ I'm worrying too much, even though I know I shouldn't. So I've made it my goal to just go with the flow and not freak out about every little detail. It's going to take some work.

                     I will be competing this weekend in the Miss Northwestern Ohio, and I'm soooo looking forward to it! All the girls that I have talked about it with said it was tons of fun, So I'll see you there!!


                    I also, as promised, am sharing some my progress in my fitness goal, as well as what I want to look like in my short term goal, below. :)

Quote of the Day:
     "To stop the flow of music would be like the stopping of time itself, incredible and inconcievable."
                                                                                                              -Aaron Copland


                                                                                                            <3 Always,
                                                                                                                           Lo.

Brotip of the day!

Miss MV/AAC/FT and Birthday weekend

                 Well, first let me say how eventful this weekend was. For one, as of this past saturday, I am officially no longer a minor. Woo!! I get a horizontal license instead of a vertical one!! :) And I was lucky enough to get to spend my birthday doing something I love: competing. This past saturday has shown me how much I have progressed in just 3 pageants. Interview, while still making me a bit of a nervous wreck, went well, at least in my opinion. I didn't really stumble on questions, and I didn't freeze on my final 30 sec wrap-up. Bathing Suit? My confidence was soaring. Talent started rocky, but I love my song so much and can feel and identify with every lyric, and layed my heart on the stage. And Evening gown also went well. I absolutely LOVE my greek goddessesque white dress. And to my surprise, it was a little big when I put it on!! Which is good, it means I'm on my way to my goal, however a bit inconvienent as it wanted to fall off of me. But I'm still happy. :) OHH I almost forgot my onstage question... It was perfect, I couldn't have asked for a better question. All in all I am so proud of myself. Thanks to my fan section: Rachel, Nick, Jess, and Mom aka Bonnie. And congrats to all of the new Misses and Outstanding Teens! Pics will be up ASAP.


                I also launched my new fundraiser 'Shots for Tots', and the info is in the below post. Come have fun, get some pics done, and help two awesome causes all at the same time!!

                My upcoming pageants: Miss Maple City this sat, and Miss Northwestern Ohio one the 12th, if you are interested in coming, let me know!!



                                                                               Forever Yours,
                                                                                       Lo B.

Shots for Tots!!!

Hey Everyone!

I am starting this new fundraiser in order to raise money for my platform, Vh1's Save the Music, and for Children's Miracle Network. It will be ongoing starting now! :)

What it is:

I have a love of taking pictures and editing them, and if I do say so myself, I'm pretty decent at it. I also love to make people feel good about themselves.

So, I got the brillant idea of: why not put a hobby to good use for  great causes?

The deal is, I will go wherever you would like (reasonably :] ), and you can bring however many outfits, and I will shoot you (with a camera), edit your photos, and put them on a disc for whatever you may wish to do with them, for a donation. The price will depend on how long of session and how many pics you would like edited.

Basic Package:
2 hour session
Any amount of outfits
Any Location
15 edited pictures of your choosing
CD of all the pics in the Shoot

for the donation of $40



We can work up or down from there! :) Proceeds will go to the above (CMN and STM) charities!

Have you ever wanted a Glamor shoot? Pictures with your best friends? Maybe the love of your life? Or Maybe a glam shoot to surprise the love of life... :) This is your opportunity.
Also perfect for baby bump and baby pictures, family pictures, or just random 'I feel pretty today' pictures.

Remember, Christmas is coming! Pictures make priceless, meaningful gifts!

So call, text, and/or message me on here so we can set something up...Let me shoot you! ;D

                          Forever Yours,
                                 Lo B.

This Girl has an amazing voice an range as only an 8 year old!

Recent VH1 Save the Music Success Story, Pretty Cool!

Neal Middle School: Durham, North Carolina

2011 VH1 Save The Music Foundation Grant Recipient 

Music Teacher, Kenneth Joyner shares how he started his music career at Neal Middle School and now is going back to his alma mater as a band director…

 

I grew up a very shy young man and mostly kept to myself. My parents encouraged me to try different activities like football and boy scouts in hopes to bring me out of my shell. I remember watching an episode of The Simpsons where Lisa Simpson met a saxophonist named “Bleeding Gums Murphy”. The scene of the two characters playing a beautiful and sorrowful duet filled me we awe and excitement. My mother, a grade school trumpeter and violist, suggested that I join band when I started the sixth grade at Neal Middle School. From that day, becoming a saxophonist was my primary objective while in middle school. 

 

Sure enough, band at Neal Middle School became the highlight of my day. I started my musical studies on clarinet, playing at all hours of the day. My first band director, Ms. Patricia, wrote “Very good tone” on my report card, further fueling my zeal for music. I reached my goal in the seventh grade, earning the right to play the tenor saxophone in band. 

 

High school helped me in improving my social skills. I became a section leader for the marching band and brought an overwhelming amount of enthusiasm to the position.   Band is one of the only places where I could let loose without feeling self conscious. While this energy received perplexed looks from some, it helped to galvanize my section to work harder.

 

My community was a constant source of support. My Uncle Trevor, an accomplished jazz bassist, worked with my grandparents in getting me two tenor saxophones to further my musical studies. Influenced by high school band and math teachers, Javanti Rogers and John Greene, I decided to pursue music education. My father and many of my fellow church members were pleased to learn I was following in their footsteps to become a North Carolina Central University student. After several amazing years, I marched with the NCCU Marching Sound Machine for the last time during the Tournament of Roses Parade with everyone at home watching!

 

Music education has given me some of the most rewarding experiences of my life. I know I cannot take for granted the love and encouragement my community gave me. As band director of Neal Middle, I now have an opportunity to bestow the same passion and love for music that was instilled in me long ago. It is now my turn to uplift my community and I couldn’t be happier. 

 

*Neal Middle School discontinued its band program in 2010 due to financial constriction. Thanks to VH1 Save The Music Foundation grant, Neal Middle School resurrected the band program and Mr. Joyner was hired as a full time band teacher

Adele rocks my world!

I'm currently obsessed with this song!

Where have I been?

           Looking back on my Miss America Bound, I realize I haven't updated lately. BUT for good reason as I barely have time for breathing :) So. on this beautiful monday of UT's fall break, while I have a little bit of breathing time, ;) I thought I'd let y'all know about the things that make my life go around. Let's start with my number one favorite time suck: UT Colorguard (Rodsquad).

                                                                      Band Camp/Practices



After 9 years I still love every second of it :)

  

Fam(ily)

 

Each year is a little crazy...



My Guard family line!

 

Dillan and I always have the best faces!



  

The Guard Backbend

     



Adriana and I had our own 80's day! :)



Performances and Games

Our first Halftime show was a 60/70's theme, with the songs Proud Mary, Shake a Tailfeather, Think, Hush, and Everybody's Everything (Karate). The Left picture was taken at the Horseshoe from when UT played OSU (and got jipped!!!!), and on the Right is is our performance at a home game in the Glassbowl.

Adriana and I on the left, and me and my mini-me Allie at the high school performance on the right.

At the UT vs Boise game, lots of the Rodsquad and Ut's Feature Twirler.

Work and School

Next is not nearly exciting, but necessary. Work and school. :) School is going ok, but after taking a couple online classes i'm learning that they are not for me. My favorite class by far this semester is Sociology. I find it so interesting to try to figure out people. Medical Ethics is also pretty good at holding my attention. Although, it's online my professor does an excellent job of engrossing you in her readings.

Work is also going well, as I am now a full time Sales Associate in the juniors dept of Dillards. I love being around all the fashion and helping people find the right clothes and style to make them look and feel good about themselves. Although, my paycheck is always in danger, since I want just about everything we sell. Especially the dresses!! The only things that aren't so fun are when:

 

People have the tendency to shoplift. A lot. It makes me so angry!

And fighting over the homecoming dresses, it ranges from humorous to sad that people act the way they do about things.

All in all my job is awesome!!

Pageants

The pageant scene has been kinda quiet for me, as I said before I competed in my first one, Miss Northcoast, and it was an awesome experience to be with one of my good friends, Jess Nelson, as she took her well-deserved crown. :) Then, I competed in the Miss Miami Valley/Montegomery County program, where I met lots of new awesome friends that I'll hopefully see in the future.

Coming up, I will be competing in the Miss Maumee Valley/All-American City/Fallen Timbers Program on my 21st birthday, on Oct 29th. Hopefully that brings me luck ;) I'm also set to compete in the Miss Northwestern Ohio pageant on Nov 12th in Defiance.

I'm Under Construction!

 Speaking of all the other work, I am also working on myself! Don't get me wrong, I love myself and I love the body God gave me. I'm voluptous, and proud! In fact, Swimsuit is my favorite part of the competition, because I'm confident in myself, and I want to show everyone that you don't have to be stick-thin to be beautiful. But, and there's always the but, based on my family history of health problems and obesity, I know that in order to make sure I have a long, healthy life there are steps I need to take to make it happen. So. I now make regular trips to the gym, have cut out unnecessary junk out of my diet, and am drinking water like I'm a fish. The only thing I'm finding difficult is cutting out the fast food since it's so convenient and, well, fast, to get between practice and work.

I have also discovered a new love at the gym, and his name is Zumba. Zumba and Turbo Kick are two of the funnest ways to get exercise out there. Not to mention they'll kick your butt! Both involve elements of cardio dance, Zumba more then Turbo, and both are very fast-paced. Definitely not for the light of heart. But if the opportunity ever arises to take either of the classes, DO IT! I promise you won't be sorry! :)

But anyway, back to working on myself. I am vowing, and now publically, to not give up. I am promising myself that I will not quit until I reach my goal. My goal is simply to look and feel the best that I can. I know I will never be supermodel thin, but I also know that I wouldn't want to be. I wouldn't look half as good, and I wouldn't be me! And in order to show myself, and the world I can keep my promise, I will be tracking my progress on here. Starting now:

This is swimsuit at Miss Northcoast, (with an attractive facial expression lol) this is where my journey begins..

Some Words of Thanks

There have been some special people supporting me in every step I take that I feel that I need to recognize. First off, God. It's cliche, I know, but without him helping me and blessing me with all of my wonderful family and friends. Also, my parents for bringing me into this world. Then my Grandma, I know she isn't here with me physically, but I know she's my perfect guardian angel. She's in my heart and she makes me stronger. Though I miss her everyday, I know she will never leave me. Next in line is my Grandpa, he's constantly there for me giving me support and love whenever I need it. Without him, I can't imagine my life. He is my rock! Next is my best friend Rachel and Momma: I would be lost without both of these beautiful women. They have given me so much, more then I could ever deserve. They have been there and given me every kind of kindness in the world. Words cannot express my graditude to them. I'd like to thank Jess N. and Mom who inspired me to start competing and got me on my feet, and have given me tons of support. Another thanks goes to my "pageant mom" Nick. He's helped me through a lot and helped me with a lot of decisions. I just wish he didn't live 3-4 hours away. :( Lastly, but not leastly I'd like to thank my other best friends who complete and support me on a regular basis: Mariah (my future make-up artist), Emily, Trinity. And also to the Rodsquad and RMB who make up my second family.

 Thank you all! I love you all so much!

 I couldn't be more excited for the future competitions! I have so much in store :) A new gown and a new talent song, and I am so ready to strut my stuff and win that crown!

Until next time my loves, be safe, keep your heads up, and turn on your favorite playlist on your iPod. Because no matter what music will NEVER let you down. Don't Stop the Beat.

xoxo,

Lo<3

Marilyn Monroe | Forever Young

An amazing memorial video of one of my biggest role models...

Getting the Beat Started...

Hello Lovies! Hope you're all well! :)

        Well, it been a little awhile since my first post, and a lot has happened, sooo here it goes. Within the past couple weeks I scored a gorgeous gown from dillards for, wait for it.... $50. and i also got a cute little black monokini to show off for swimsuit. As well as some interview outfits and shoes (love me some clothes and shoes ;D ) But enough about my 'shopping like I'm not broke' problem. I'm working out with my trainer, Rod, getting myself all in shape to knock out the competition... :)

         It turns out I was 2 days too late in getting my paperwork in for Miss Cuyahoga County/Greater Cleveland, BUT Sylvia was a sweetheart and talked to the Miss North Coast director, and so now my first competition will be for the title of Miss North Coast! I'm so excited and can't wait for August 6th to be here. I'm honored to competing amongst all the other beautiful ladies, like my friend Jess Nelson. :)

         But I guess I'll have to keep myself occupied with my super exciting (but not really) jobs, and Guard (one the other loves of my life) which starts with flag/band camp august 10th. (yay band!)

         Until the next time, have fun in the summer sun and don't stop the beat! <3


Love,
     Lo

My First Blog!

            Well, This is exciting! My first blog... it's like the big girl version of Xanga... speaking of Xanga, what ever happened to it? One minute i'm typing an entry about my jr. high woes, the next i'm laughing about statuses and tweets on facebook and twitter on my droid. Anyways, enough of my random ramble. Let's get to the point, the reason for this blog in the first place:

          My new adventure in competing in the Miss America Scholarship Program.

             But I shouldn't get ahead of myself. My first step is to win a local title, after that is Miss Ohio, and if (and when ;] ) I get to that level after is, Miss America! But let me just say now, I have a long, long, loonggggg way to go, and a lot to learn. But I'm ready for it, bring it!!! :)

             Although my first blog is quite short, that's all she wrote tonight, as it's Midnight and I'm exhausted. Don't worry though, I'm sure there will be plenty to come with a lot more to say. Goodnight!

:) xoxoxx,

Lo