What an awesome weekend it was! It was filled with so many exciting MPFO events! I love coming up on for weekends like this one! Both Winter Meeting and our Photo Shoot were a blast!

This year’s winter meeting turned out to be a great one! It’s always so wonderful to reunite with old friends and make new ones. And of course it is impossible not to have a good time with the MPFO there with you! It was a long day full of serious business, but at the end we were able to enjoy ourselves at a wardrobe show for none other than the fabulous Kristen Blair, Miss Texas! Kristen looked awesome in all of her wardrobe and I know she is going to shine on that Miss America stage next weekend. I’m so excited for her! Winter meeting was a lot of fun and it makes me even more excited to think that we are only 6 months from Miss Texas 2010! Ah!

Bright and early the next morning we began our photo shoot for our official headshots for Miss Texas! Photo shoot day has always been one of my favorites, it’s really busy and there is a lot to be done…but it’s so much fun! We started off by taking our headshots and crown shots, then towards the end of the day all 4 titleholders got to take some fun pictures together, which was really cool and really special. Thank you to Troy, John David, and Rhonda from Troy Richard’s Salon for making all of us look fantastic for our pictures! And of course thank you to Zac, the photographer for not only taking amazing pictures, but for keeping me laughing all day even though I was feeling a little under the weather!

Big thanks to David and Michael for opening up their home to my mom and I Saturday night. Also Jeremy and Joshua, I had so much fun spending time with both of you playing The Price is Right on the wii! You boys are too much fun!

The whole weekend was such a wonderful time for me! I can’t wait to see what these next 6 months bring as I prepare more for Miss Teen Texas this July! Thank you to everyone for an awesome time!

Love,

Madison

Teen Frisco 2010

My last season…

            Every senior says these words at some point during the year: “my last.”  This phrase definitely defined my senior season of twirling for Baylor football.  Without a doubt, I would not have traded any of my experiences twirling at the halftime of every game through the four years I’ve been at Baylor.  Being a college feature twirler was a dream of mine since I began twirling in fourth grade, and now I’m here at the end of it all.  I thought that I would be sad at my last performance of my college career, but all I felt was an amazing sense of accomplishment.  It probably didn’t hurt that this game was at the new Cowboy Stadium!

            Since one moment does not accurately depict what an amazing experience this was, I thought I would give you the top 5 most awesome twirling moments of my senior year.

            Number 5: Taking a picture with one of the Baylor Bears!  Every season I have tried to convince the Baylor Chamber to let the twirlers take a picture with Lady or Joy, but they have continually told us about the dangers of being around a live bear.  This year, they said yes, and my nerves immediately took over.  The bear literally would stare you down as you tried to smile and look comfortable in the presence of a huge animal!  But, I did get my picture!

            Number 4: My last game at Floyd Casey, Baylor’s stadium.  I’ll have to admit that this was very sad because they announced all of the seniors’ names, and we stood in front of the band at the end of halftime and sung “The Baylor Line,” our school song.  However, the photographers did get some pretty awesome pictures of me twirling off the field for the last time!

            Number 3: Meeting Miss Texas in Aggieland!!!  Talk about a small world!  I had no idea that in the midst of 80,000 people I would have the pleasure of meeting Miss Texas 1993, Bo Chandler!  My world got even smaller when she told me that she took from my twirling coach, Janice Jackson!

            Number 2: Baylor’s 100^th Homecoming!  How cool is it that this anniversary happened to fall on my senior season?  It got even better when Baylor Ambassadors, an organization I am a part of on campus, nominated me for Homecoming Queen, and I was honored to be named one of the four Homecoming Princesses.  The icing on the top of this announcement was that David White, my former Carrollton director, came down to see me walk gracefully across stage and then attended the party afterwards as my special guest.  The entire Homecoming court got to ride in a special carriage during the Homecoming parade as well as being announced at halftime of the game, but I would not be kept from my duties as a Feature Twirler.  So, in a Baylor first, I twirled the halftime, ran off the field and put on my tiara, and was then announced among the 100^th Homecoming Court!  

            Number 1: COWBOY STADIUM! So, I had hoped Baylor would make it to a bowl game, but twirling on this field completely makes up for it!  The only word to describe this experience is surreal.  I could not believe when I looked up to a completely full stadium which was around 97,000 people!  That is easily the largest crowd I have ever twirled for!  One of the weird things about twirling there was that whenever I would look up to catch my tosses, I could see myself twirling on their MASSIVE HG TV!  All I wanted was to have a picture of myself on the mother of all jumbtrons, and thanks to Cristie Kibler, who was at the game; I got several pictures of me on there!  One of the things I have cherished about Baylor is that no matter where I go, it seems I am not far from my Baylor family.  Even in Arlington, I sat two rows away from Erin Hunt and her family and even ran into Kathryn Dunn, the soon to be Miss Plano.

            To all who have supported me along this journey, I can not even begin to describe how thankful I am.  Janice: You have come to be much more than my coach.  You are my mentor and friend.  I hope that I have made you proud on and off the field.  Bryce, my youngest brother: My wonderful photographer and biggest fan.  Thank you for all the pictures and coming to every one of my games!  Stephen, my teenage brother: You’re a trooper.  These were your high school years, and you still came to support me.  Dad: I don’t know how many fishing trips you cut short just to make it to halftime, but I appreciate it more than you know.  MeMe and Dandy: I LOVE that you have come to all 99% of my games! Y’all are the best fans I could ever hope for.  My costume designer, fan, friend, and supporter: Mom.  I love you. Thanks for all the hours you have spent rhinestoning, being nervous as I perform, filming, taking pictures, doing hair, and just being amazing.  I couldn’t have done it without you.  We have always said we were a team, and you have been my better half.  I cherish all these moments and can’t wait for the future!

            I hope you enjoy my walk down memory lane! Twirling is my passion, and I can’t wait to show you more of it this year!

Love,

DaNae

Miss Frisco 2010

“So when is our photo shoot?” I asked Zac this question even before winning the title of Miss Plano. One of the greatest aspects of being an MPFO titleholder is the Zac Grimaldo Photo Shoot! This year especially was a treat because we had the Troy Richards Salon doing our hair and makeup! John David, my stylist for the shoot, did a fabulous on my hair and makeup. Now we all know how I love my big Texas hair… and John David made it look perfect! My makeup looked flawless, as did the other girl’s. They made each one of us look like a Miss America! Just beautiful.

Now, Zac is always a hoot to hang out with! It seems that he and I are always having fun no matter what we’re doing, and this photo shoot was no different!  I think that there is something magical about Zac’s photography, seeing that he can take any girl, add a little lighting and fan, and make her look like a rock star. As MPFO likes to call it… he “Zac-a-fies” them!

We always joke around and say that Troy makes us beautiful and Zac shoots us that way. However, it is no joke that the both of them have an eye for beauty. MPFO is so lucky to have Zac Grimaldo Photography and the Troy Richards Salon as our sponsors- your generous contributions are greatly appreciated and we love you! Thanks for everything!

January 20, 2010

            It was a cloudy day in Waco, but for me, a very good day because an article appeared in the Baylor Lariat, our college newspaper, featuring Miss Plano, Kathryn Dunn and myself.

            Fellow Baylor girl and the current Miss Southeast Texas, Erin Nipper, interviewed me last week about my experiences in pageants and especially about the Miss Texas pageant last summer.  I was so glad when Erin asked to be interviewed because it is a great chance to tell the Baylor community what pageants have meant to me after such a brief time in them.  

            One of the biggest things that people don’t realize, myself included, is how much time local titleholders devote to serving their communities.  These girls live the lives of Miss Texas in their cities and promote positive values as role models to everyone who sees them.  

            You can find the article online, click here

Enjoy!

DaNae, Miss Frisco 2010

January 17, 2010

            It has truly been a pageant filled weekend with the wonderful cherry on the top: a photo shoot with none other than the famous Zac Grimaldo!  I had a BLAST taking pictures and goofing off with the other MPFO girls.

            After arriving and getting my clothes hung up in the dressing room, I was able to start my make-up with John David, of the Troy Richard’s Salon.  Then Troy styled my hair which I told him would be a huge challenge because of its aversion to curling, but he seemed to make it gorgeous effortlessly!  I can only say that he is truly a MASTER!

            One of my absolute favorite things growing up was playing dress-up with my girlfriends, so getting to model different clothes and pose for Zac was like a dream come true.  I can’t wait to see what all the pictures look like!!!

            Special thanks to all of my wonderful helpers: Troy, John David, Rhonda, David, Ricardo, Jan, and of course Zac.  I’m so blessed to have all of you in my life!  Thank you for making me beautiful.

Love,

DaNae

Miss Frisco 2010

January 16, 2010

            I can hardly believe that six months have passed since Miss Texas!  It seems like only yesterday we were in Texas Hall finding out that Kristen Blair would be Miss Texas 2009.  I can truly say that these months have flown by especially when you try to cherish every waking moment, so I can’t even begin to imagine how Kristen feels. 

            I had so much fun at Winter Meeting because I got to see all my pageant sisters together at one time!  Plus, getting a bunch of the MPFO gang together always provides a good time!

            After hearing several different people speak about the 75^th Anniversary of the Miss Texas pageant, I am SO ready for it to be here next week instead of in another six months.  I am so lucky to have joined the Miss Texas family when I did because this is such a monumental time in Miss Texas history.  How thrilling to be a part of it!

            Following the meeting, our beautiful Miss Texas, Kristen, treated us to dinner and wardrobe show of everything she will be wearing at Miss America.  I don’t want to give away any secrets, but Kristen is going to be unstoppable in Las Vegas.  Every time she came down the runway, it was in something more wonderful than the outfit before!  I’m a self-confessed fashion-a-holic, and I think Stacy and Clinton, of TLC’s “What Not to Wear,” will have their socks knocked off!  All jokes aside, I still remember holding Kristen’s hands nervously as the final two standing at Miss Texas, and I am so proud of how she has grown even in these past six months.  I told her before I left that she was glowing!  That might seem like an unusual comment, but she absolutely radiated confidence.  I am so proud to call her my Miss Texas.  I hope that her journey at Miss America only enriches what she has already learned her in Texas.  Best of luck Kristen! I can’t wait to see you in the FINALS at Miss America!

Love always,

DaNae

Miss Frisco 2010

The official kick-off of 2010! Lots of information was given out regarding the pageant and while I don’t want to spill all of the details, I will summarize it in one word… GLAMOUR! The 75^th crowning of Miss Texas promises to be a good one, full of new events, returning alumni, and of course many great girls that are vying for the title of Miss and Teen Texas.

Kathryn Dunn

Miss Plano 2010

January 15, 2010

            When I was growing up, my mom always tried to throw me unique birthday parties, but I was never lucky enough to have real princess as party guests.  Two beautiful twins hosted Kathryn, Kaitlyn, and I at their birthday, and I’ve forgotten how much fun it can be to be a 3^rd grader!  When we got there, many of the girls stared at us in awe, but then quickly invited us to play a game of hide and seek.  Sadly, I was the first one to be found, but I think my crown might have given me away!  After our game, the girls wanted to make crowns just like we were wearing, and I can honestly say these girls have some serious creative and artistic abilities.  Glitter, sequins, cut out letters, and much more went onto these crowns, and they were ready to start princess training.  We talked to the girls about what being a real princess is all about including staying healthy, serving others, and being polite and poised.  We even got to talk to them about being a talent, and I showed them a little twirling in a dress and heels!  After that, the girls put on a talent show for us!

            When the evening was wrapping up and the girls were eating pizza, one sassy little girl told me she had two questions for me, so I told her to ask away.  Little did I know that she was tougher than an interview judge!  Her first question was: “Do you have to be skinny to be Miss America?”  As I looked at her and the rest of these precious little girls eating pizza and staring up at me, I realized what an important question this was for them.  So many times people get skewed perspectives on what it takes to be Miss America especially because lifestyle and fitness is most commonly referred to as swim suit.  I told the girls how important it was to stay physically fit and eat well because it keeps you healthy, but I said that my way of doing that was through a fun activity, like twirling.  I also told them that I loved pizza and birthday cake!  After that question, you might think that I would have forgotten about the second question, but she fired away and said, “Are you real nice or fake nice?”  Again, she struck right at the heart of a huge stereotype, but I laughed.  I told her that I always try to be nice to the people around me, but I realized it was hard to do especially if other people aren’t nice to me.  When that happens, I always try to find something positive that I like about other people, so I can give them a genuine compliment the next time I see them.

            These girls provided tons of fun and laughter but also gave me two really important questions to think about on my journey to Miss Texas this summer.  Even as Miss Frisco, girls look up to me, and it is SO important to be a good role model for them to look up to.  They may never remember my name, but they will always remember how I made them feel.  And, who knows, maybe one of these girls could be the future Miss Texas or Miss America?    I certainly hope so!

Blessings,

DaNae

Miss Frisco 2010

This past weekend (Jan 15^th), the 3^rd grade girls of Canyon Creek Christian Academy were celebrating their friend’s birthdays with crafts, pizza, and of course- princesses! Kaitlyn, Danae, and I were honored to be the special guests. We taught the girls what it means to be a princess, decorated crowns, rocked out to Taylor Swift, and had a talent show so all the girls could showcase their talents! We had so much fun with the girls, and every one of them walked out with their new princess crown and attitude. 

Kathryn, Miss Plano 2010

Taylor’s mom sent me some fun photos of Taylor from December.  She got to drop the puck at a Dallas Stars game against the Houston team, ride in a Cinderella carriage in the Lufkin Christmas parade, and her Christmas Card.  She writes a blog on the Teen Texas website