Liz Dunn

Miss LA Week, Day 1

2010-06-21T22:35:00.000-07:00

Teen top five

My watermelon flower arrangement from the Farmerville Jaycees. : )

With Reagan Drewett, my piano teacher and pageant mentor's beautiful little girl.

With my gorgeous roommate, Katie Cook

Me and fellow contestant Hope Anderson

Sister Queens: LA Watermelon Festival and Union Parish

Miss Louisiana 2009 Katherine Putnam and I

Several of us with the Chick-Fil-A mascot (?, I guess that's what you'd call it)

Team Liz, the move-in squad

With my outstanding, Outstanding Teen, Lauren Ford

With Meghan at the teen pageant prelims

Goodbye OskyWosky

Friends and Family,

It's been over a month since my latest blog post. I have several in the edit stage, and others in the to-do list stage, but my focus has been the priority. And it has certainly paid off. My 11 months of hard work has come to fruition. I have arrived at the Miss Louisiana competition and am ready as EVER!!! Here are some updates on the past 24+ hours, but I must be brief... beauty rest is a must!

- First thing's first... had to drop my baby (Oskar the dachshund) off at the babysitters. It was emotional enough for me that I took a picture... in the 1:28 chance that I have to immediately move to Monroe, I could not be sure of when I would see him again. Sad moment for mommy. :'(

- Last night was the teen pageant's preliminary competition. Seeing the Monroe Civic Center stage for the first time was a little overwhelming. I've spent months visualizing a place that I had actually never seen in person. Seeing the venue felt like the last piece to the "mental" puzzle of fulfilling this goal in my mind's eye.

- We moved into the dorms this morning. Thank you to Rachel and her personal trainer friend (can't remember his name, but see picture below... you'll know who he is) for helping me move into the dorms at ULM... which might be some of the most impressive dorms I have ever seen!!!!!! And thanks to my parents for many many years of moving during college, they deserved to be off the hook for this one. : )

- After move in we had lunch with one of our sponsors before heading to the Press Conference. This event was filled with even more opportunities to thank and meet sponsors. I experience such nervous excitement when I am at a Press Conference, because I love to speak in public so much. I was interviewed with a few other girls for a segment by the Louisiana Home Network, and I was their chosen representative for the Baton Rogue viewing market (... so if you're in the area and not coming to the pageant, check it out on WBTR-TV on Saturday from 8-10pm!).

- Rehearsals... ahhh, I love dancing. The opening number dance is on "fiya" it's so hot. And the other production number is to Lady Gaga's "Bad Romance," so I don't think I need to say how much I love this choice. It was also great to burn some calories during one of our scheduled activities.

- Next we went to Pecanland Mall to eat at Chick-Fil-A, another meal sponsor for this week's competition. I freely ordered off the lo-calorie menu, ate everything, and then felt like I had consumed the most filling meal of the past month. We'll be back at Pecanland Mall tomorrow for the annual "Style Show" in which the Miss contestants will all sport fashions courtesy of Dillard's... and two lucky ladies will likely sport a swimsuit on the catwalk. So to reiterate, I'm EXTREMELY grateful for the healthy meal at Chick-Fil-A. : )

- The teen pageant finals were tonight, and I had a very emotional experience. First, I was so proud of my sister queen, Lauren Ford, who placed as 3rd Runner Up and looked GORRRRRGEOUS doing it. Then, I lost it when the outgoing teen queen presented her farewell speech. Kelly is beautiful and mature beyond her years. She is someone who has welcomed me into this organization with open arms. She is always encouraging and uplifting when I'm around her. And as you can see, I look up to her as much as she might look up to me, considering I'm about six years her elder. And finally, I wept when they crowned the new Miss Louisiana's Outstanding Teen 2010, Brooke Hotard. I didn't cry. I didn't ball my eyes out. I WEPT. Yes, it was a little ridiculous, but at that moment, all of my emotions intersected, and this journey made a full circle for me. After months in the Miss America Organization, I realized that I had fallen in love with a group of people and a noble cause because it's what I was raised to love and strive for: scholarship, success, service, and style. Those words define the doctrine of the Dunn household just as much as they define the four points of the Miss America crown. Brooke's win was so spectacular to me because her older sister is a Miss contestant with me. As I am an older sister myself, I know what it's like to be proud of and also feel so responsible for a growing young woman (I love you sissy!). And that's exactly why I want to represent this organization. I want to recruit young female scholars to pursue self-enrichment through pageantry. I want to recruit businesses to support this organization through scholarships and through yummy healthy meals previously mentioned. I want to recruit universities to send representatives to the state pageant. I want to recruit children and teenagers to "join the cause" of celebrating Louisiana and becoming community leaders. Of course, all this makes sense if I should acquire the job of Miss Louisiana. But should the timing not be right and the cards not be in my favor at the end of this week, I have already decided that I will continue to recruit for and serve this organization, whether it be as a preliminary director or a donor or merely as a grassroots-level promoter. The Miss America Organization can offer amazing things to young women, especially scholarship money for college, and I feel so blessed to be a part of it as well as to comprehend it's blessing in my life, now and forever.

- A massive massive MASSIVE thanks go out to David and Carry at Regalia, Katie McGee Barras, Darra Jung, Jackie Johnson, Stephen Wright, and especially Deanna McCallum for finding a solution to getting my competition evening gown to Monroe. Deanna gets the "especially" because she had the winning solution... the Louisiana Legislature's session ended tonight, and the dress is returning to Monroe with Rep. Frank Hoffman. Crown or not, I feel like royalty already. And thanks to EVERYONE else for pitching in with prayers.

- And my finally update. I will do my very best to keep you all updated with nightly emails or calls or texts. I will not have my cell phone for much of the day, ever. Feel free to send me text messages (the best thing) or emails or other forms of support. It will be difficult for me to respond to everyone, so please don't take it personal... know that every single happy thought is what produces the smile on my face. Keep it comin'!

Until tomorrow...

Liz Dunn

Miss Louisiana Watermelon Festival 2010

Things Change, Stuff Happens

2010-05-14T22:14:00.001-07:00

Here was the plan for my most recent Louisiana weekend:

- Wake up SUPER early and drive to Alexandria
- Meet up with fellow Watermelon and other queens to visit the local CMN hospital (9am)
- Have coffee with friend A Brent Caplan, former President of the Central Louisiana Chamber of Commerce (noon)
- Participate in an all-women Habitat for Humanity build (3-7pm)
- Go home to Baton Rouge and sleep :)

Here is what actually happened:

- The local CMN hospital called me on Friday to cancel the visit, because all of their patients were discharged due to Mother's Day weekend. I got this news around 4:30pm on Friday, so in between the WHS cheer tryouts and the LSU baseball game, I made a stop by my local CMN hospital at Our Lady of the Lake in Baton Rouge. I could not let this project go to waste! Even though much of the staff was already gone for the day, I was able to meet a sweet and personable girl, named Ashton Elizabeth. I cannot wait to return to hang out with her and the other children and teenagers at OLOL... I'll certainly blog about it as well. : )

- I was able to sleep in... big yay.

- A Brent had to cancel, so instead of coffee, I stimulated the local economy by heading to Dillard's at the Alexandria Mall, where I found my backup interview dress and my outfit for the upcoming Miss Louisiana Day at the Capitol.

- The women's build was still on as scheduled... whew! I learned that this was a national event, that for the first week of May, women all over the country were building homes with Habitat for Humanity. Carrying two-by-fours around will give you a good workout. : ) However, about an hour into the build, a contractor realized that the roof beams were all cut in different, incorrect lengths. Ooops. So the build was postponed for another weekend.

- Since I had more time, I met up with my sister queen, Meghan Melder! She was having a Louisiana-style BBQ with her family (which means lots of carbs and meat, stuffed with more meat and carbs). They were sweet enough to let me share a meal with them, and what a meal it was!

- Since I did not get my caffine fix around lunch, I was able to stop by a coffee shop before heading back home. I met up with friend Rodney Smetak... you may remember him from my post about the Louisiana Talented Tables. Well, we got together to talk tourism and pageants and music and community service and lots more I'm sure. After giving him a poster for the upcoming Miss Louisiana pageant, I was headed back to the Capital City.

While the day did not go as planned, I was still able to accomplish the same amount of appearances. This day was a good lesson in being flexible and available for any activity. "Beauty queens" are often put in situations that require patience and resilience and, of course, a smile. May 8th was one of those days for me... another experience of many I have this year that prepares me for things ahead!

And if I have my way between now and the end of June, I will be back to CenLa (Central Louisiana) to accomplish what I originally intended.

Bringing Farmerville to Baton Rouge

2010-05-11T15:17:00.001-07:00

"Take! me out to tha baaaaaaallgaaaaaaaame..."

Last Friday, Stephen and I went to the LSU vs. Vanderbilt sweeps opener. What was extra special about the game is that we were joined by Fred and Nancy Futch of Farmerville, LA. I have written about the Futches many times in my posts, so now you'll get to see them (and what a pretty couple they are).

Even though the game was FIVE HOURS LONG, we had a great time. Stephen and Fred reminisced about Fred's years playing college ball, especially the year his team won the World Series (if you click in on the picture, you'll be able to see his championship ring). I thoroughly enjoyed my brisket sandwich in the "New 'Box." I got to stalk, errrr meet, two ball players when I got their signatures on a ball cap for Ms. Nancy. And the best part, of course, LSU won!

WMS Cheer Tryouts

2010-05-11T14:58:00.001-07:00

In my post about the 2010 Miss LSU pageant, I let my throng of blog readers know how I first started competing in pageants, the catalyst being the end of my cheering career. Like the alumni game at my high school, I sometimes have opportunities to re-experience cheerleading. That happened last week when I was asked to judge the tryouts for the cheerleading squad at Woodlawn Middle School. Here are a couple pictures, enjoy! (and you can find these previous blog posts by scrolling your mouse over this paragraph... you'll see it)

Me with the coaches: Jay Whittington, my former (and stellar) boss at Abercrombie and Micah Davies, fellow Student Government Exec-Staffer at LSU.

Me "in action."

Remember that FOCUS fundraiser I told y'all about...

2010-05-04T11:58:00.000-07:00

... Well here are a couple pictures from it! :)

With Laura Gerdes, my best friend's cousin.

With Doc, my "older brother" in Baton Rouge. Doc and I met when I was a student leader in FOCUS and he was the advisor... he is still the advisor to this day, and is still making great changes with the program!

Queen of the Road!

2010-05-03T10:00:00.000-07:00

"Queen of the Road" is apparently my new nickname, thanks to Ravayna Tracey, one of many lovely ladies who I have met through the pastime of pageantry. A visit with Ravayna was one of the 'sweet treats' during my latest weekend in NoLa... even though we ate salads. : )

This past weekend was a blur of food and fun throughout South Louisiana. One of Stephen's good friends (and fabulous local artist) was celebrating her birthday. In between my arrival and departure, I made sure to get some good grub and shopping done... shopping being the priority. I was also able to catch up with a few pageant ladies, which is always a good time and never short on entertainment.

For lunch on Saturday, Stephen and I headed a few blocks over to Cafe Freret in Uptown. While my spinach & mushroom quesadilla was a delicious delight, I loved the ambiance of the place even more: dogs at the tables outside, customers squeezing through the kitchen to get to the bathroom (awkward but expected and enjoyed), and students from several of the local universities and colleges.

Next, I headed over to Oak Street for some shopping. My final shop stop was On The Other Hand, a vintage boutique. Now, if you think you know me just a little bit, then you definitely know how much I luuurrrve vintage clothing and accessories; so, I did my best not to go absolute bananas in this store. Preppy headband? Check. Vintage Izod (who sold their famous alligator logo to Lacoste) sundress? Big check. Velour and satin navy shift cocktail dress, for $12? Epic check. Fully sequined/beaded turquoise dress of my dreams? They don't make check marks big enough. Sigh. Even after all of these fabulous fashion finds, my favorite part of the trip was meeting the store owner, Ms. Kay (pictured), and her sweet sweet sidekick (whose name I do not recall, I apologize). Ms. Kay's lovely face reminded me of my grandma Dunn's, big and warm smile and twinkly eyes that prove years of wisdom. Ms. Kay gushed as I tried on big hat after big hat (it was Derby Day after all, May 1st). She then demanded that she dress me for next year when I will attend the Kentucky Derby (apparently she is insisting that I go as well). In the midst of all the "ooos" and "ahhs" over her merchandise, she promptly stopped and prayed with her young companion for God to "make the wind stop blowing to the oil would not reach New Orleans." It was so touching... especially if you could have met her young friend. He is a boy, my guess is about 13 in age, but you would never guess based on conversation or attire. He was dresses in what you would see men wear in the 50s, complete with hat and suspenders. When I tried on the above mentioned turquoise sequined "thing," I could tell he was fashion-smitten... he followed me off to the dressing room to tell me, "back in the old days in France, it was not appropriate for women to show skin, even their ankles. But if men were to tell women they had nice ankles, it was considered quite the compliment. So my dear, I would like to tell you that you have beautiful ankles." Then, clearly, I was smitten. At some point my shopping had to come to an end, but I thoroughly enjoyed meeting these two lovely Louisianians, and I CANNOT WAIT to return to the store and to see them. This is but one story of why I love the people and the places here.

The first Miss Louisiana I ever met was Miss Louisiana USA 2007, Liz McNulty. We met the night that I became Miss LSU-USA 2007, and we have been friends ever since. Liz is an amazing consultant when it comes to fashion and makeup and modeling and everything that is fabulous. She has makeshift closets because she is busting from the seams with fashion. She has MULTIPLE chandeliers in her two-bedroom (understatement) apartment on Esplanade. After learning about foundation, those makeshift closets, and alterations, I said, "au revoir" to Liz (and her equally high-maintenance dog, Bianca).

The next item on the agenda was to hang out with Ravayna... this ended up being brunch on Sunday at Cafe Rani. I have not seen or spoken to Ravayna (other than facebooking) since the night that I won Miss LA Watermelon Festival, so we had a lot to catch up on... so much has happened in my journey since last July!

Finally, I headed off to Lafayette to watch some friends compete for the Miss Lafayette/Miss Teen Lafayette titles in the USA system.

And 320 miles later, I made it back home in Baton Rouge... time to start another week!

(Note: I did my best to link all of the great establishments I listed above. So if there is a place you want to know more about, just scroll the mouse over the words and click to be routed to the website! Buy local, right?!?)

Same Kind of Different As Me

2010-04-28T15:24:00.000-07:00

"Reading is good." -Billy Madison

I'm not much of a reader... I prefer solving a quadratic equation or a sudoku puzzle. But like Billy Madison, I understand the value of reading. I usually get my "reading-learning" through books on CD. I travel so much, so it's a great way to spend the HOURS on the lonely roads. I usually listen to James Patterson books, entertaining fiction that stretches my deductive reasoning muscles. Right now I am listening to the Women's Murder Mystery series, which is like Sherlock Holmes meets Sex and the City... fabulous, right? Well, one can only listen to murder stories for so many hours without getting a little tense, so I decided to switch it up.

On my last trip around the state, which I expected to require about 12 hours in the car, I purchased some political book CDs. In an effort to be non-partisan, I purchased both Barack Obama and John McCain's latest books, as well as Al Gore's (which I cannot help but note, was on sale for $3). I'll let you all know how it goes...

Occasionally, I do pick up a book to read for mild-pleasure. One of my interviewers in my most recent mock interview asked me, "what's the last fiction and non-fiction book you read?" (a favorite question by those in academia, btw) Lucky me, I read an outstanding piece of non-fiction this past fall: Same Kind of Different As Me, by Denver Moore and Ron Hall.

Like any good piece of non-fiction that's written like a story, I cried. This book is about the friendship that forms between two unlikely friends: Denver, a homeless ex-con who once lived as a slave in Louisiana, and Ron, a wealthy, Christian (although once adulterous) international art dealer. And of course, it's also about the amazing (and by amazing I imply gutsy and stubborn as well) woman who brings them together.

"Gritty with pain and betrayal and brutality,
it also shines with
an unexpected, life-changing love."
-www.samekindofdifferentasme.com

I enjoyed this book for several reasons. First, I found it refreshing that it was a spiritual book. It taught me some valuable lessons that I can apply to my own faith without trying to overtly witness to me. Great job guys! In addition, I love a good Louisiana character. Denver reminds me of a man I once met, Warden Cain of Angola Prison. And I suppose it's ironic that a man once in prison reminds me of a man who runs a famous prison. Nevertheless, these two men are characters who epitomize the term "old soul." No matter how proper or improper their diction or grammar, nearly every other sentence they speak has the power to change how you look at the world. No amount of schooling can give someone that type of wisdom, and being around such people is such a breath of fresh air for me, as I am constantly communicating with those in academia. The book also gave the reader a close look into the world of homelessness. If you're interested in supporting efforts to eradicate this in our society, you should check out the book website or current website for Miss Florida 2009, Rachel Todd.

Just wanted to share something a little educational, a little enjoyable, and a little Louisiana with you all. Happy reading!

Just a typical weekend (2.5 days, 700 miles, and about 11 appointments)

2010-04-22T06:46:00.000-07:00

It's amazing to experience something that's equally exhausting and energizing...

... But that's one of the great things about Louisiana. Here is a story of my latest Louisiana weekend.

I just spent another weekend touring the state of Louisiana. After lunch on Friday with friend and fellow tourism advocate Whitney Dawn Breaux, I hopped in my two-month-old Corolla and headed North to my other home, Farmerville. The trip between Baton Rouge and Monroe, and then Farmerville, has now become a very easy and enjoyable trip (especially now that it's sunny and not... snowing?). My Farmerville destination was the Relay for Life at the new Union Christian Academy ball field. Darra, my director, gave me infamous Farmervillian directions (for example, "turn at the Sonic then at the house with horses.") that surprisingly included "we're way out in the country." Well, about 1.5 miles past the town courthouse, I arrived at the event, and just in time to hear my sister queen's first performance. Lauren Ford, Miss LA Watermelon Festival's Outstanding Teen, was asked to perform as entertainment at the event and specifically during the memorial moments-- during which she played Josh Groban's "You Raise Me Up."

It was such a blast to see my sister queens again, as well as their parents, who are sort-of my adopted pageant parents. We all hung out at the Jaycee's tend; the Jaycees make up a group that produces the Watermelon Festival (and pageant!) among other events in Farmerville, LA. In telling you about this event, I must comment on how great is was to support such a worthy cause. I am so blessed that cancer has not gravely affected my friends or family. However, my mother sees daily the negative impacts of this illness. She currently works in a chemo and other, what I call, "bad drug" clinic. We occasionally talk about what she sees and who she meets at work, and it is almost always about sadness and anger. Relay for Life, which happens in cities and towns all over America, is an amazing event because it celebrates life and the battle. Here are some pictures from the event.

The Watermelon Queens (Miss, Teen Princess, Outstanding Teen) and our director, Darra Jung.

Me reacting to a performance request.

The Farmerville Jaycees and their Watermelon Queens. : )

With Dylan Jung, Darra's son.

I spent Friday evening with the Futches, who are like my Farmerville parents or grandparents (somewhere in between ;] ). After a Saturday last-morning rise at 9am (ha, ha), I had breakfast with Ms. Nancy while Mr. Fred was "spreading out some corn in the woods looking for turkeys." Then I had the bright idea to go for a run. The first "set-back" was that I could not get Internet service on my cell phone, therefore no music via Pandora. After about five minutes, I realized that I was going to survive without Lady Gaga or 3Oh!3. Then after 15 minutes of the sun beating down on me, I realized that I had ZERO clue where I was. Lovely. Intuition, just "keepin' on," and a phone call to Darra later, I made it back to the Futches, in one hour... I ended up just turning around. :) If you go running in the countryside, you won't need any music because of all the great sights and sounds and scents, but you'll probably run twice as far because you'll get lost.

Once I recovered from my run, I stopped by Darra's house. I was able to show off my talent dress as well as see the BEAUTIFUL dress for one of my Fleur de Lis Princesses. I departed Farmerville by 2pm and headed to Natchitoches; this was only the second time in the past year that I had traveled this path (the first time was my infamous and somewhat sketchy journey to the Watermelon Pageant).

Two hours later, I arrived in Louisiana's "City of Lights" and met up with Farrah Reyna for coffee. I've probably written about Farrah before... she interviewed me at the Watermelon Pageant, and we have stayed in touch ever since. She is as beautiful as she is a great prelim director and outstanding business woman, and I love having her as a friend so much. She works for the City of Natchitoches, which was having an exciting event-- the Jazz Festival! I did not have much time in between my engagements, but I made a few strolls up and down Front Street, and even made a "sacrifice" to taste test some cracklin. =)

That evening, I headed off to a post-wedding party in Many, LA. Stephen (my handsome and ambitious boyfriend) was the best man in his best friend's destination wedding, so post-honeymoon, the newlyweds had a shindig back home. I met so many lovely and/or wild-and-crazy Louisianians, but I specifically enjoyed meeting Mr. Robert Ammons and his wife. After speaking with Stephen about local politics, Mr. Ammons introduced himself to me and immediately made an exciting connection-- he and his wife are former directors of the Miss Sabine preliminary pageant and at one time even Miss Louisiana Board members. All of the pageant girls out there know, it is SUPER (DUPER) exciting to meet "pageant people" at a non-pageant event. It was a great trivia exercise for me as well...

Mr. Ammons: "I remember interviewing a very beautiful and graceful black woman at the Watermelon pageant, I think she went on to Star Search..."
Me: "Nita Whitaker!"
Mr Ammons: "Yes, that's her."

... and now I have another fun person to keep in contact with in Natchitoches.

With Stephen at the BBQ/party in Many, LA.

Sunday (is this weekend still going?!?), I headed BACK up Hwy 167, passed the Jimmy Davis Tabernacle sign, passed through the Village of Hodge (and informed my bestie Donald Hodge), and ended up in Ruston, LA.... for another piano appointment (and inevitably motivation session) with EHD, or Elizabeth Haynes Drewett! She has a beautiful daughter and charming son, both brimming with talent, and I had a blast chatting with Reagan throughout the afternoon... she has really warmed up to me, which shows me another reason why I absolutely want this job. Elizabeth and I worked on technique (I'm almost where I/we want to be!), my talent piece (gives me chills when I play it now), and some extra pieces. One part of the job description of Miss Louisiana is that you represent the "talent of the Miss Louisiana Organization." Quick digression:

The talent portion of competition in the America system is one reason why I was not eager to compete in this system when I first started pageants, but not because I feel untalented. I took seven years of piano lessons, countless years of "lessons" from my father on playing piano by ear and through chord theory, two years of guitar lessons, and many years in church and school choirs. If I had my way, I would play piano and guitar (simultaneously of course, so I guess I would have to use my toes?), while singing, then stand up, do a back tuck, and then tell a joke about it. If you asked my parents, they would say that the above would truly represent my "talent." But let's be honest, that would just be odd and a little overwhelming. So instead, I have focused on playing piano as opposed to any of my other perceived talents. In the 1 out of 29 chance that I become Miss Louisiana 2010, I would have to properly represent my talent as well as of all of the diversely and amazingly talented women in this organization. Playing "Don't Stop Believing, the favorite go-to piece in my repertoire, just won't suffice. So I'm in the process of learning several pieces for this purpose. Music is a love of mine, and I wish the day had 30+ hours so I could spend the extra time becoming a scholar of this art. But alas, the day does not. So my goal now is to challenge myself, fulfill my potential duties, and share with others my love for and experience with the language that is music.

I guess that was more of a soapbox rant than a digression, but I'm learning I have a lot of those. :) Anyway, I have a lot of homework between now and the last week of June, however, everyone from Elizabeth to my parents have noticed drastic changes in my playing, so I truly feel as if I've accomplished what it means to embrace the piano as my talent.

After one of my final lessons with Elizabeth, I still had two more stops. I had dinner with fellow LSU alum and Student Government buddy Heath Hattaway. And FINALLY, I got to see a family member! My cousin Howie went to Louisiana Tech for several years until he moved back home to Florida and work. Well, he has moved back to Ruston, so I got to stop by his place and chat a little.

WHEW!

Upon arriving home in Baton Rouge, I calculated that I traveled about 700 miles within a period of 2.5 days. And in two months, my car has gone from 7 to 5000 miles on the odometer. I think I'm getting ready... ; D

Love
Liz

Focus On College and Unlimited Success (FOCUS)

2010-04-16T09:59:00.000-07:00

Hello "Pageant People," I wanted to send you all a flyer on an upcoming fundraiser that is so important to me. When I was a freshman in college, FOCUS (Focusing On College and Unlimited Success) was the first student organization I joined, and as a result, I discovered my career passion for education. This service-learning program provides a learning connection between LSU Honors College students and high-achieving students from under-resourced high schools in the Baton Rouge area. You can find out more about the program at http://www.lsu.edu/student_organizations/focus/. If you live in or near Baton Rouge, please come out next Tuesday to support this great cause. And if you cannot, please help me out by forwarding to your friends, family, and business contacts in the Capital City.

Sincerely,
Liz

The FOCUS Program of the LSU Honors College presents it's 5th annual celebration of the arts:
ART SERVING ART 2010!

All proceeds from this fundraiser art sale go directly to FOCUS, a non-profit benefitting Baton Rouge-area high school students.
Enjoy a night of art, live music, refreshments and a river view.
Guests Welcome!

Music performances by:

Della

Chris Prudhomme
Linden and John

Refreshments provided by:
Matherne's Supermarket

FOCUS summer seminar is partially funded by:
Shell Oil Company and Blue Cross Blue Shield Louisiana

The Elephant in the Room

2010-04-07T16:36:00.001-07:00

Alright, I've had it. I'm done with all the nastiness out there that is the message boards. One week ago, I gave up on it and am pleased to say I'm still going strong. I have spent seven days free of reading the nonsense. And you know, they say that seven days makes a habit... Anyway, my Director gave me great advice the other day via her facebook status: "At some point you have to realize you have no control over others, only yourself." How true (and relevant to pageantry) this is. And I thought to myself, "I do have control over my blog!" Lovely! So here is my latest post, dedicated as the anti-message board. Enjoy! And share if you like. ;)

I am new to this organization, which is scary. My parents live in a different state and can't always be there to help me, which is scary. I work a full time job, pay a mortgage, and am trying to compete for the job of Miss Louisiana... which is downright insane. But amidst all of this 'commotion,' I feel so blessed to have been a part of the Miss America Organization for the past eight months. The people I've met, the traits I've developed, the list of personal blessings is so long. And this happens for all of the girls who compete in Louisiana and across the U.S., all 12,000 who are awarded the $45 million in scholarship funds. Wow.

As I said, one of the greatest 'joys' of this process is meeting those affiliated with the Miss America and Miss Louisiana Organizations, especially the contestants. So I just wanted to take a moment of my day to say something nice about each of these young women. Ambition is a characteristic that I value so much in myself and in others, and I think that people should be lifted up and encouraged when pursuing their dreams. Here goes!:

Katie Cook- one of the prettiest girls I have ever met through pageants, and with an equal amount of sincerity and sweetness.

Raven Hollins- We haven't met, but I loooved her outfits at state meeting. Nothing beats animal print or royal blue dresses, IMHO.

Brittany Pippin- I am secretly jealous of her melanin. And I have a special affection for university titleholders (she was Miss Northwestern LOB last year).

Lauren Abshire- Another former university titleholder. She won the first prelim, so there's much to be said of her determination!

Becca Price- I met Becca at the Watermelon Pageant and fell in love. I wish I had a voice like that. And she is such a beautiful, Louisiana-looking girl!

Jenny Russell- I got to follow Jenny on facebook before I met her, and her pursuit of the Miss La Tech title was quite inspiring!

Jamie Lombardino- Girlfriend is a beauty! And she sure knows how to "werk it!" on stage!!

Erica Durr- I have probably become closest with Erica this year, we just 'clicked' at the Watermelon Pageant. I think she's hilarious, and I could listen to her talent for hours.

Meagan Lee- Her sister is my sister queen, so we get to see each other a lot. It's been so much fun to watch her "blossom" into a Miss contestant, and she's done quite a nice job of it!

Tori Close- What a figure! And she let me put my camera, etc. in her purse while we were shooting videos... sweet points for sure!

Meghan Melder- My sister Miss queen!!! She has been so encouraging and helpful to me in my first year in soooooo many ways. I think she is AMAZING, and I cannot wait to see her rock the stage in June, y'all better look out! : )

Haley Warrick- Another lady I have not had the chance to hang out with yet... She wore a denim jacket at the state meeting, so she gets loads of fashion points from moi. Denim is so in this Spring.

Gabby Palma- Gabby is one of the first contestants who I have ever met. She's as sweet now as the day I met her, and she is another lady with a talent that I'm just in loooove with.

Lacey Sanchez- She is apparently quite the pole vaulter for SLU! Very evident by her bangin' triceps and biceps. She's gonna rock the physical fitness competition!

Hope Anderson- This lady does not take a bad picture. And I'm pretty sure she'll be a Miss Louisiana one day. :)

Kim Rusley- Another fellow Watermelon competitor who is sweet as apple pie. She is someone who I can always count on to give me a genuine hug and smile... and what a beautiful smile!!!

April Nelson- I've had the joy of watching April blossom from Miss Buffalo Baker to Miss Louisiana's Outstanding Teen to Miss Slidell! And blossom she has, so beautiful and grown up!

Archana Shingwani- We have yet to speak one-on-one, but she is quite beautiful (I think that Indian men and women are some of the prettiest on the planet!). And I respect ANY woman who is working on a graduate degree.

Carley McCord- What a bundle of fun. She is another who I had a blast watching and encouraging during her pursuit of her university title. And if I've got the calves, she's got the abs... and rest of the body as well.

Sara Comiskey- Sooooooo so beautiful, and she's a student at LSU, so I'm a little partial. Geaux Tigers! :)

Cyd Hutson- While she was very quiet, I did get to speak with her at the state meeting. She is so put together! The hair, the makeup, the outfits! I loved! (we're talking Texas pageant standards, fabulousness)

Brittany Dugas- I got to watch her in the Lafayette pageant, and she ROCKED that stage. And while not a part of her necessarily, her talent dress was the prettiest evening gown I have ever seen in my life, hands down. (well maybe it tied with Zuleyka's chain dress at Miss Universe, but that was pageant fashion history)

Lacie Thomas- Enough funny and sweet for 10 people! And a talent that is super duper entertaining!

Lauren Vizza- My roommate (in my everyday life) is a lyrical dancer, so Lauren has a talent that I'm so excited to see (especially since I'm a non-dancer). And I'm definitely excited to get to know her, since she's the one girl I really don't know! Shame on me!

Nicole Fairburn- I told her once, "I'm gonna see you at state missy!" And here we are! Determination, and what a great competitor.

Brandy Hotard- Yay for a fellow "woman" (cause we're the older girls). Beautiful face. Beautiful voice. Beautiful beautiful beautiful.

Andrea Sonnier- This lady is going to move me to tears by the end of the week at the state pageant. She has such an inspiring story, and I sincerely hope that we get closer and closer through the months/years! She's just the kind of amazing person that you want to surround yourself with.

Kelsi Crain- One of my first acquaintances with the Miss Louisiana Organization. She's always been so sweet and welcoming to me, so I cannot wait to spend a week with her in the Azalea Group!

Please take this for what it is, an honest attempt to encourage those who have helped me to make it this far. We all win (literally, because we will all receive some scholarship money!). One girl is offered the job, but the rest all still benefit from the journey. Can't wait till June, it will be one of the most memorable weeks of my life!!!

"Keep on keepin' on." ; )

Love
Liz

Line-up/Talents

2010-03-30T12:24:00.000-07:00

Magnolia Group
Wednesday a.m.= Interview
Thursday= Talent/On-Stage Question
Friday= Physical Fitness/Evening Wear

1- Katie Cook, Vocal "Broken Wing"
2- Raven Hollins, Dance "It Don't Mean A Thing"
3- Brittany Pippin, Vocal "There You'll Be"
4- Lauren Abshire, Vocal "Open Arms"
5- Becca Price, Vocal "Gimme Gimme"
6- Jenny Russell, Vocal "At Last"
7- Jamie Lombardino, Vocal "Not for the Life of Me"
8- Erica Durr, Vocal "Glitter and Be Gay"
9- Meagan Lee, Jazz Dance "Fame"
10- Tori Close, Vocal "On My Own"
11- Meghan Melder, Flag/Jazz Dance "Ain't Nothin' Wrong With That"
12- Haley Warrick, Ballet "Feeling Good"
13- Gabby Palma, Lyrical Dance "Gold"
14- Lacey Sanchez, Vocal "Don't Rain on My Parade"
15- Hope Anderson, Point Dance "Cheek to Cheek"

Azalea Group
Wednesday p.m.= Interview
Thursday= Physical Fitness/Evening Wear
Friday= Talent/On-Stage Question

16- Kim Rusley, Vocal "Someone Like You"
17- April Nelson, Vocal "O Mio Babbino Caro"
18- Archana Shingwani, Dance "Bharatanatayam"
19- Carley McCord, Vocal "I Will Be"
20- Sara Comiskey, Vocal "Black Velvet"
21- Cyd Hutson, Tap Dance "Get Happy"
22- Brittany Dugas, Vocal "I Will Always Love You"
23- Lacie Thomas, Jazz Dance "It's Oh So Quiet"
24- Liz Dunn, Piano "Over the Rainbow/My Favorite Things"
25- Lauren Vizza, Lyrical Dance "If No One Will Listen"
26- Nicole Fairburn, Vocal "Via Dolorosa"
27- Brandy Hotard, Vocal "And I'm Telling You"
28- Andrea Sonnier, Dance "Hands"
29- Kelsi Crain, Dance en pointe "Trouble"

State Meeting, the PICTURES!

2010-03-29T17:20:00.001-07:00

State Meeting, the actual meeting part!

2010-03-29T16:48:00.001-07:00

So much has happened in my life since I became Miss LA Watermelon Festival this past July...

Many of these happenings lead up to the State Meeting. This weekend is the opportunity to meet the other girls, turn in paperwork, finalize ads, visit with vendors, see ULM's campus where we will stay, learn about the state pageant and production numbers, take pictures with Miss and Teen contestants, tape commercials to play during the state pageant, and drumroll... choose competition numbers!

I left Baton Rouge on Friday morning after a long work week filled evenings of finishing paperwork details (the evenings that I wasn't working for LSU, that is). My first destination in Monroe was Antique Alley, where I filmed a commercial with several girls. The costume shop was pretty funny, as we got to play around with Mardi Gras masks and hats and wigs. The best part of filming was definitely the free ice cream at one of the antiques stores.

After filming ended around 4pm, I picked up my final check from ad sales and headed over to campus to turn it in along with all my other paperwork. I was one of the first Miss contestants to have it all complete... it felt pretty dadgum good to have everything check out ok AND to have my ONE cashiers check plus Miss Louisiana checks add up to the correct amount. Officially a big girl I suppose. : )

I then stuck around campus for the Gala. We had a delicious, carbalicious meal provided through the campus caterer, which included cheesecake. Mmmm. Following dinner we were entertained by Jeremy Dupree, brother of Miss Louisiana 1998 Heather Dupree Kirkpatrick. After a long day of traveling and filming and eating, I went straight to bed, whew!

The next day was the official meeting part of state meeting. I was able to sleep in (relatively speaking) because my paperwork was already complete and turned in, as well as my filming complete for the commercial. Insert ANOTHER sigh of relief. We learned about scholarships, Children's Miracle Network, tickets, operations, hostesses, dorms, the Job of Miss Louisiana, rules, preparations, judges, phases of competition, the Program Book, production numbers, and our competition numbers. From 9am to 3pm.

My favorite part was hearing the job description of Miss Louisiana. One of my unique qualities as a contest is that I already know what it means to have a job and be concerned with a job description. Let's face it- I go to work from 8-5 everyday and do want I'm told in order to pay the bills. :) It's exciting and sexy, I know. So having this work experience for the past 1.5+ years has allowed me to really value a well-written job description, like the one for Miss Louisiana. This document included the "Face," "Voice," and "Talent" of the MLO, as well as the job expectations. I am even excited about the possibility of being "on-call" all the time and living at the University of Louisiana at Monroe... I miss living on a college campus. :)

I talk a lot about the amazing people I meet in this organization... so I MUST give a "shoutout" to Stenson Baker and Wayne Gentry. Stenson is a prelim director and was named Volunteer of the Year! Wayne was inducted into the MLO Hall of Fame for his many years of service in the organization. I've had the pleasure of being mock-interviewed by Stenson and hangin' out with Wayne in Vegas... congrats to two amazing men who have had an impact on my life and hundreds of young women.

Step One of State Meeting... the PAPERWORK!

2010-03-29T14:14:00.000-07:00

This year is my first to participate in the Miss Louisiana (MAO) system. One of the unique aspects of this system is that Miss Louisiana is a job, and with that comes an application. The two most important components of the paperwork are the resume and platform statement. After about three months and revisions from about seven "strong women" in my life, I feel like it's some of the best paperwork that I've every submitted for ANYTHING! This past weekend we turned in our paperwork, and our guest speaker summed up my feelings best: "The closest you'll come to being perfect on the job is when you submit your resume." I know (and my dear parents will remind me, I'm sure) that I'm not perfect. But I want this job for what I can give to the state and for the experience that I will give me in pursuit of my career (which could possibly be as serving the state as a University Chancellor!). My first step is complete-- I have a perfect resume. : )

The second step on paperwork was selling ads. I ended up taking 1.5 days worth of vacation to work on ad purchasing packets as well as follow-up calls (and even cold calls, yuck) to businesses. I thought the light at the end of the program book tunnel was surely a train. But alas, it was not. Instead, I successfully sold (and designed!) 6 ad pages, which not only made me the fifth-highest ad seller of Miss contestants, but also provided me with money back! Yay for checks! Because I'm oh so pleased with my new found Photoshop skills, I've included the ads below for all my readers. Enjoy!!!

(in retrospect, I really did have a blast with the ads I was able to design myself... the Cook Hotel at LSU is the only ad that I didn't touch!)

Another Miss LSU comes and goes... ;,(

2010-03-29T06:28:00.000-07:00

Time for a little story...

I, like so many girls, grew up watching Miss America. My parents encouraged me to be everything that one might find in a 'pageant' girl-- talented, well spoken, poised, well dressed, approachable, ambitious-- but they never encouraged me to actually do a pageant. My first pageant experience was behind-the-scenes, when I started (and directed and choreographed and organized and fundraised for) the Miss Tate High School pageant when I was a high school Junior. A love of the stage was born. : )

When I came to LSU, my initial goal was to cheer in Death Valley in front of 92,644 screaming fans, THAT was the stage that I wanted to be on. Well, that didn't quite work out. I was instead able to "find myself" at college through extra curricular groups and service activities, a blessing that showed me my career passion. But during that formative freshman year, I remember attending the Miss LSU pageant and thinking, "forget cheering, now THAT is how I want to represent my university!!!"

A year later I participated in my first pageant. My heart was in it. I wanted the crown. I just knew that I would be great for the job. Well, heart ain't all it takes people... cause I was a hot mess. : ) But I survived and was even more excited about pursing my goal. I was able to see a good friend, Rachel Smith, crowned Miss LSU 2006, a senior at her fourth attempt for the title. Being close with Rachel is something that absolutely pushed me further. So the next year, I changed exactly what the judges wanted-- I got a new ($270) dress, I lost some weight, and I made better eye contact in interview. And I won. I went from not placing amongst 30 girls to being crowned the winner amongst 30 girls. And hence, my pageant journey began...

March 21st was the 2010 Miss LSU pageant. This year was especially bittersweet (or possibly even scary) because Rachel and Courtney Rawls, Miss LSUs 2006 and 2005, judged... and I was 2007. I am almost old enough to judge. Wow.

Anyway, it was a thrill to attend another annual Miss LSU pageant. My friend (and former Golden Girl and Miss LSU top ten'er) Jackie Dixon-Tuttle has been the choreographer for four years, and her circus-inspired opening numbers was a delight! I was definitely dancing in my seat at the PMAC, just can't help myself when someone plays Britney. I was honored to have been asked to speak at a previous rehearsal, so it's always a joy to see the ladies "in action" on competition night. Ainsley Beeman, Miss LSU 2009, was a feature of this 'main event,' and it was especially touching to see her. Ainsley was 1st Runner-Up when I gave away my title, and that was her first pageant ever; the following year, she won the title. Since I work at LSU, I was able to work with Ainsley throughout the year as she prepared for Miss Louisiana USA and appeared at events all over campus. She is a remarkable and memorable woman. And it was amazing seeing her this March and witnessing the growth that she has had over the years, one of the many fantastic results of pageantry: personal growth and discovery!

So as I prepare for one of my final pageants (the precise goal would be two, Miss LA and Miss A ;D), it is nice to reflect on where all of this started. Miss LSU is so much more than just a pageant, and it has been one of the defining moments of my life thus far. Here are some pictures from the evening!!!

With Merrill Bankston, who made it into the Top 10! I'm so proud of all that she's accomplished as an LSU student, and she has been a great lady who I've met through pageants. : )

With my lovely and soon-to-be-married predecessor, Rachel Smith!

With the outgoing Miss LSU, the classy and beautiful Ainsley.

Miss LSUs, past and present. From Left: Rachel Smith, 2006; Liz Dunn, 2007; Kelsey Davis, 2010; Ainsley Beeman, 2009; Lauren Edwards, 2008; Jennifer Hale, 1998; Anne Katherine Lene, 1999.

March updates! Wahoo! Three-ish months to Miss LA! Bigger wahoooo!

2010-03-11T14:23:00.000-08:00

Well, the big thing that happens in March is the notorious State Meeting, which is also the moment when all of the contestants must turn in every crumb of paperwork. So let's get efficient... I'm just going to list all the other appearances and events I've got going on the rest of this month!

- February 28th-- Miss Lafayette/Acadiana Pageant (not quite March, but close enough... it was the final prelim, and it was lovely to attend one so close to my current home.)-- Congrats to Brittany Dugas and Lacie Thomas!

- March 1st-- Miss LSU Pageant rehearsal-- Speak to Miss LSU contestants about competing in pageants, where the Miss LSU pageant has taken me, and important things about the university.

- March 5th-7th-- Trip to Orlando-- I had a delightful, sunny, and much-needed road trip with my momma down to Orlando. In addition to shopping for pageant items, we were able to visit my sister in Gainsville and my cousin (and only family member to ever to pageants!) in Orlando... those closest I'll get to R&R this month.

- March 9th-- Shadow Girls Academy fund-raising drive (super cool blog post to follow about this event)

- March 13th-- St. Patrick's Day Parade, Baton Rouge-- I've been asked by the local semi-Irish group "Kilts and Kisses" to be their designated Irish girl for their inaugural walk in this amazing parade!!!

- March 14th-- Sherri Hill Trunk Show, at Tre D's in Port Allen-- i.e. trying on gorrrrrgeous gowns that are drippppping with crystals. ;)

- March 15th-- Visit Sigma Nu-- I'll be making a stop by the Sigma Nu fraternity at LSU after work... I will of course tell these young scholars about studying abroad, but I'll also be taking a picture with the gentlemen of Sigma Nu... they purchased one of my many program book ads. Thanks guys!

- March 17th-- Personal paperwork deadline... hey, this is a pretty momentous event!

- March 20th-- Coastal Restoration Service Project-- I will be a group leader for LSU Honors College freshmen who are participating in this event. 6am-6pm, in da swamp, sha!

- March 21st-- Miss LSU-USA Pageant-- As Miss LSU-USA 2007, I will do my best to attend this every year, especially when I get old enough to judge (gulp). This was my first pageant and first title ever, and I will cherish the experience FOREVER! I can't wait for another great production and another great winner!!!

- March 22nd-- Attend faculty lecture: "150 Years on Race and Gender at LSU." While I love Louisiana (see "platform") and love music of all kinds (see "talent"), I have several other passions, many that are academically-based... one of those is reading and learning about the history of race and gender.

- March 26th-27th-- Miss LA State Meeting

- March 28th-- Piano lesson with Elizabeth Haynes Drewett

- March 31st-- My 24th birthday (another gulp)

- March 31st-April 4th-- That much-needed R&R I was talking about! Panhandle beaches, birthday fun, and Easter with the fam... doesn't get much better after a crazy month!

I'll try my best to update y'all with pictures and funny comments along the way. Thanks as always for all the love and support!

Love Liz

Pictures- National Pancake Day

2010-03-11T14:16:00.001-08:00

This was a fun and rewarding way to spend one of my mornings. And I now get about two text messages per week from friends saying, "Hey! I saw your picture when I was going to the bathroom in IHOP!" Whatever it takes to help out a good cause, right?!? Enjoy!

We likey?!?

2010-03-05T07:36:00.000-08:00

Website/program book headshot.

March = the month of mucho paperwork. Just thought I'd give you a 'taste' of what I've been working on.

LD

Watermelon Queen Can Flip Pancakes Too!

2010-02-22T13:21:00.001-08:00

MEDIA ALERT

Come join Liz Dunn, Miss Louisiana Watermelon Festival, for IHOP National Pancake Day Tuesday, February 23, 2010 at the College Drive location in Baton Rouge, Louisiana. Liz will flip pancakes and deliver them to guests. She will also sign autographs for IHOP patrons.

IHOP National Pancake Day partners with Children’s Miracle Network and the official CMN Ambassador the Miss America Organization. Liz is excited to take part in this great fundraiser for Children’s Miracle Network. “I have practiced my flip technique for tomorrow’s event and I can’t wait to show it off,” Dunn said.

Liz will compete for the title of Miss Louisiana in June 2010 in Monroe, Louisiana. To learn more about the Miss Louisiana Organization log on to http://www.misslouisiana.com.

Since beginning its National Pancake Day celebration in 2006, IHOP has raised more than $3.25 million to support charities in the communities in which it operates. While IHOP's National Pancake Day typically takes place on Shrove Tuesday, this year the company will host its free pancake event on Tuesday, February 23, extending the fundraising window by one week to maximize donations for Children's Miracle Network. With your help, we hope to raise $5 million in five years for Children's Miracle Network and other local charities through your donations in 2010!

Known also as Fat Tuesday or Mardi Gras, National Pancake Day dates back several centuries to when the English prepped for fasting during Lent. Strict rules prohibited the eating of all dairy products during Lent, so pancakes were made to use up the supply of eggs, milk, butter and other dairy products...hence the name Pancake Tuesday or Shrove Tuesday.

###

(thanks to my 'publicist' for helping out with this)

Children's Miracle Network update... including IHOP National Pancake Day, tomorrow!!!

2010-02-22T12:02:00.003-08:00

Hi there friends and family,

Update number one is that I am alive and well after Las Vegas... and even more motivated in my quest for the title of Miss Louisiana and beyond. It was a great trip with just the right mix of business and fun, but I am glad to be back in Louisiana, home sweet home!

Since the end of January, I've been busy at work with our spring study abroad fair (which doubled this year in attendance numbers!) and two upcoming application deadlines. My "spare time," as you know, is filled with pageantry of all sorts: preliminary competitions, piano lessons, parades, a Fort Polk visit, and a painting fundraiser. If you took part in my first Children's Miracle Network event, thank you so much. We were able to raise several hundred dollars for this worthy cause. I was a little overwhelmed to be a part of something so important and "bigger" than me, and I can't wait to continue these efforts in the future.

Speaking of... tomorrow is National Pancake Day at IHOP! Anyone can visit a local IHOP from 7am-11am, receive a free stack, and make a donation to the Children's Miracle Network. Miss America will be out in Los Angeles at the exact time (well, minus the time zone difference) that I will be at the IHOP on College Drive in Baton Rouge, how exciting! And since I'm also all about promoting Louisiana, check out this super cool fact about the history of National Pancake Day:

"Known also as Fat Tuesday or Mardi Gras, National Pancake Day dates back several centuries to when the English prepped for fasting during Lent. Strict rules prohibited the eating of all dairy products during Lent, so pancakes were made to use up the supply of eggs, milk, butter and other dairy products...hence the name Pancake Tuesday or Shrove Tuesday."
www.ihoppancakeday.com

Thanks to all for your support of me and the platforms that I care so much about. Do your best to swing by IHOP tomorrow before work or for an early lunch. Drop me a note if you do... I'd love to hear the little successes about the event. And if you can't make it, then look for more opportunities to donate to CMN in the future... we've still got four months to raise as much money as possible!

Sincerely,

Liz Dunn
Miss Louisiana Watermelon Festival 2010

Painting with a Purpose!

2010-02-22T12:02:00.001-08:00

I had my first CMN fundraiser... and it was a success!

We raised several hundred dollars at this one event. It was almost overwhelming to finally become a tangible part of this amazing organization. Thank you to Steven, Holly, Nicole, Darren, and all of my new friends who took part in this fun night for charity!

Mardi Gras, New Orleans Style

2010-02-22T11:59:00.002-08:00

With my close friends, Tres Cossaboom and Logan Cooper, watching the Rex and Zulu parades.

One of the many people you can spot in a Mardi Gras parade... a bag piper!

Our group at the Rex ball.
(From Left, Logan, me, Megan, Tres, and Parker)

Apparently I missed the "we're taking a photo with former First Lady, Laura Bush" memo. But still very cool that she was there!

After bowing (curtsying) for the Queen of Rex.

The red carpet on Canal between the Rex and Comus Balls... of course, I had to "werk it!"

Parker and Tres Cossaboom with their grandmother, Bittsy, at the Comus Ball.

Mardi Gras in New Orleans is a special event... I think everyone should experience it at least once in their lives (and not just on Bourbon Street for heavens sake!). The last time I went to NoLa during MG week(end) was my freshman year of college... the excitement lasted that long, trust me. This year, my good friend Tres invited me to go to the Rex ball on the evening of Fat Tuesday. How could I say "no?!?" So after my 'interesting' weekend of traveling to and from Farmerville, I packed up a pageant dress and some street clothes and headed down Interstate 10.

On Tuesday morning we woke up and headed out to St. Charles Ave. (only 5 blocks down Octavia) to the parade route. We saw most of the Rex and Zulu parades... probably because the Rex parade runs so slow with all of the Kings toasts to former Kings of Rex. We watched some as we walked through the crowds, half of who were dressed in Saints attire. We watched the rest of the parades at the end (or start?) of St. Charles at Tres' grandmother's home. "Bittsy" is the sister of Germaine Laville... to those of you who attend(ed) LSU, the name might sound familiar. East and West Laville Halls on campus were named after Germaine Laville, this first female student who died in service. My first year at LSU was spent in a 2nd floor dorm room in East Laville Hall, so it was very exciting to meet the sister of a notable LSU student.

That evening was the much anticipated ball. Now first, I had never been to a Mardi Gras ball before. Second, Rex is pretty much the fanciest ball that you can go to during Mardi Gras. A quick history: Rex is the King of Mardi Gras, and at some point he established that purple, green, and gold would be the colors of Mardi Gras. I'm no history buff, but Rex is kind of a big deal. Instead of it being a 'party' like other balls, Rex is pretty much hours of clapping and bowing. But amidst all the pomp and circumstance, we made time to present ourselves to the King and Queen of Rex, as well as meet the former First Lady, Laura Bush!

At some point, the court of Comus came and presented themselves to the Rex court, and then the party ended as the King and Queen and court and guests moved over to the Comus Ball. Rex took place in the Sheraton and Comus at the Marriot, so there was a red carpet stretched out across Canal Street for all the royalty and guests. At Comus we were reunited with Bittsy as well.

All in all, I learned a lot on this Mardi Gras trip to New Orleans... what a Beouf Gras is, what it takes to become the Queen of Mardi Gras krewe, why there are high school bands from all over the state and country in parades. I think that I'll be able to handle back-to-back Mardi Gras for 2010 and 11... Laissez les bons temps rouler.

Mardi Gras, North Louisiana Style

2010-02-22T11:59:00.001-08:00

As a "transplant" of Louisiana, I initially assumed that Mardi Gras was just a big thing in South Louisiana; however, just like being a Saints fan, this tradition is celebrated with equal exuberance across the entire state. I was able to be in my first ever MardiGras parade, which took place in Farmerville, LA.
(to the left is Katie Lee, Miss LA Watermelon Festival's Teen Princess, and myself, atop one of the Farmerville Firetrucks!)

The last time I went to Farmerville was for the Christmas parade, during which Baton Rouge and Monroe got snow, but not FV. For this February trip, the snow had already started before I left. Despite watching the weather reports, I was determined to make the drive on Thursday night. Halfway between Woodville and Natchez, MS, my car disagreed with me. I ended up in a small wreck due to ice. I wasn't hurt, my car was drivable, and after a night stay in Natchez plus a visit to the local Honda in the morning, I was on my way up north. Amidst all the drama, I will say that it was a beautiful sight to see the heavy snow and wake up to about 4 inches in a small town in Mississippi. By the time I arrived in FV, it was half-melted in some places, but what I got to see on the ride up was truly magnificent... how often do you get to see snow-covered swamp terrain?!?

In my travels so far as Miss Watermelon, I have logged over 10,000 miles, and nearly 5,000 of those have been travels around the state on my personal vehicle... whew! So I was already prepared for the day when my poor little Honda would chug along no more. I am so thankful, not only that I was not hurt, but also that I had time to make a decision about a vehicle replacement (as opposed to the poor little car just stopping on the road one day and refusing to make another step... trust me, I've put her through too much). After talking to my parents and making some "big girl" financial decisions, I am now the proud owner of a 2010 Toyota Corolla. And don't worry, about 25% of my dad's business comes from legal cases (he's an expert witness, a specialist on polymers and nylons) dealing with car part failures, so we know what we're doing... best of luck to Toyota, should be an interesting few weeks, years, decades ahead! :/ (listen to your local NPR if you want the congressional updates)

A Memorable Trip to Natchitoches

2010-02-22T11:58:00.001-08:00

One of my appearances before attending Miss America was a weekend in Natchitoches (probably my favorite city, town, or village in Louisiana) and Shreveport/Bossier City. I was asked to 'model' in the bridal showcase at the Natchitoches Events Center, an event that featured over 45 bridal vendors and even a "Man Cave" for the fiances in attendance. Now, I say 'model' and not model because it was a very unique vendor... I 'modeled' a table. That's right, I wore a table. My new friend Rodney is like a Renaissance Man of Event Planning, and part of his business is what he calls Talented Tables. A person can book a table and model for an event, and she strolls around with this five foot hip extension covered in hors d' oeuvres. It was great practice, 1- modeling, and 2- being laid-back in a verrrry new situation. (you never know what you might encounter as a Miss Louisiana!) : ) Here are the pictures to prove that I wore a table.

And here's a picture with Erica Durr, the current Miss Natchitoches City of Lights at the Miss Holiday in Dixie/Bossier City/Jazzland (she was the outgoing Miss BC!)

Vegas, Day 2; Alive and Well!

2010-02-22T11:57:00.000-08:00

It was difficult to imagine that my first day in Vegas could be following by a second day in Vegas, but as the sun always rises, day two certainly came with a bang!

I sprung out of bed at around 8:30am Vegas time... internally, I must have known that time should not be wasted!! I got some fruit and water for breakfast and scurried back to the Miss A Trade Show. I was able to briefly hang out with fellow LA contestant Hope Anderson and try on a few more dresses for fun.

Since I was only in town for two days, and since I didn't want to lose momentum on my workouts, I decided to go for a jog on the strip... it seemed the most efficient way to see as much as possible! I started at Planet Hollywood, crossed the street to the Bellagio fountains, ran through all the stone step walkways at Caesar's Palace, trekked through the 'jungle' (errr, limo driveway) at Treasure Island and around the corner to see the Wynn. Then I took in the hotels and casinos on the other side of Las Vegas Boulevard on my walk back. After this journey, I came to a conclusion: Las Vegas is a combination of New York and New Orleans. Like New York, the city never sleeps, there is always something to do and see and somewhere to eat and play. However, people walk as slow as molasses in LV like they do in NoLa. It's a similar kind of Big Easy appeal, and I think Vegas probably claims the English version of our "Let the Good Times Roll." And after this discovery, I decided that I could live in Las Vegas, Nevada (or at least come back next year, winkwink).

Later that day, Robbie and I headed to Caesar's for some retail therapy, or at least looking in my case. Then we scurried back to get ready for the MAIN event, THE MISS AMERICA PAGEANT, LIVE!!!

I shockingly got ready in time and headed down in a packed-like-sardines elevator. Luckily, I found Don Humble and his wife Renee in the elevator, so I was able to tag along as we made our way in to the theatre. Now I can't remember exactly what happened, but some boy taking tickets apparently dropped something or stared awkwardly. Who knows, but Don took great delight in pointing it out, so you'll have to ask him about it the next time you see him...

The show was such a great experience. I had the joy of sitting next to Molly Causey, a fellow pianist, and Miss Louisiana 2005- and we had a typical and fun commentary throughout the event. It was my first time in a live televised performance, so it was very entertaining to see what happens during a commercial. I love watching pageants, but sitting in that auditorium and watching anxiously (understatement) as Katherine kept making it into the next round was exhausting. I probably lost 5 lbs from nervousness. The most shocking thing about the live event was how different it makes the crowning moment! Watching on TV gives you a tearful experience like little Olive on Little Miss Sunshine... you want to cry and wave and cup your face just like the winner. In person, she's crowned and she's so far away, and people quickly get up to leave. "People... We just watched Miss America 2010 get crowned LIVE! Take it in!" is what I wanted to yell. But alas, that's TV for you. : )

After the pageant, the state delegations headed to the ballroom to watch the presentation of the contestant. I snuck in a quick trip to the buffet (hey, a girl has to eat!) where I met some new friends in Texas who were convinced they would see me in Vegas next year... so I told them, "I'm working on it." : )

I made it to the ballroom as they began calling out the state delegates. Katherine was one of the last ladies introduced, as she placed 3RD RUNNER UP at Miss America. Woohoo Louisiana! My second favorite contestant was Mallory Ervin, Miss Kentucky, so it was super fun to be next to the Kentucky table during the coronation ball.

After the ball, I crashed. I crammed in enough fun and memories to give me sweet dreams and a good rest, and to motivate me over the next few months in my pursuit of the job of Miss Louisiana. What happened in Vegas may not stay there... ; )

No longer a Vegas Virgin!- Day one in Vegas

2010-02-11T09:58:00.000-08:00

Hello friends! I am alive and well (and not a gambling addict)!

I didn't have computer access (or ANY extra time, as you will soon read) while I was in Vegas, and upon coming home, I had to deal with that lovely thing called a jay-oh-bee (job). The dust hasn't settled much (more on deserts later), as I am heading back to Farmerville TONIGHT, but I figured that I had better get my loyal readers and super-loyal 6 blog followers an update on the BIG SHABANG! So here goes...

As you can see from my previous post, the trip was off to a rocky start... a two hour snow delay in Memphis. Luckily, I was a passenger for some brilliant pilots, so not only were we the first plane to de-ice, but also we made up for one hour of the delay in the air. And speaking of rocky... during this flight, I sat by my coveted window like a kid in a candy shop, gazing at what was on the other side of the glass. I have yet to determine if we flew over the Rocky Mountains and/or the Sierra Nevada Mountains, but I KNOW we flew over a snow-topped Grand Canyon... check it out to the right! (and my apologies for the phone-camera quality, but hey, it's a step toward me taking my own pictures...)

I also had the good fortune of flying on the right side of the plane, which put me in prime view of the strip. The statement "so excited I could pee my pants" was an understatement (but thankfully not a literally statement). I made friends with a local but Texas-native on the plane who gave me a ride to Planet Hollywood. Dropped off the goods in the room (bragging interjection, I packed so light that I didn't have to check luggage, and that was for a trip to VEGAS to go see a PAGEANT!). The next step was the tradeshow or pageant expo or whatever it was called... there were literally more dresses to try on than one could ever fathom. I found a airbrush tan vendor, one check off the list. I found a swimsuit, two checks off the list. I also found two new best friends, David and Carry with Regalia in Florida, which is my parents home-- I've lived in LA for 6 years and FL for 8 years, so this place is just as much a home now. :) Anyway, while playing in pageant gowns, I happened to have the privilege of meeting Stephen Yearick, a bridal and evening gown designer who I discovered just this year and whose designs I have fallen in love with... and I met him while trying on one of HIS gowns. Talk about a priceless moment! AND... drumroll... I got the pictures to prove it! It was one of many dream-like moments of my trip (such as the glorious and free Vegas-style buffet), as I have secretly wanted to become a muse for some sort of designer... while the whole 5 foot 3 thing makes it a difficult goal, I can now check off numero uno: meet designer who likes you. Check out my picture with Stephen and, my favorite, the picture where he and his son are "admiring" (?) the dress, or me, or both... who knows!

Little (the Executive Director of the Miss Louisiana Organization) at their "day job" at a hospital, which is how hooked At the trade show, I met up with my roommate, Ms. Robbye Black. She works with DewanaRobbye was recruited to be a hostess at this past year's state competition. DewanaRobbye and I up to be roommates with the disclaimer than we might "get into trouble together." Well if trouble is spelled, "go buy some tall heels (just looking for me, but ooooo Ms. Robbye can SHOP!) and try to meet Mario Lopez," then the answer is yes. ; )

While I was not fortunate enough to take a picture with Mario, I was able to find my own celeb... making it in the real(ity) world opened up some long-term pageant doors for him... we know him as Jonathan Kayne, but all you Project Runwayettes out there know him as Kayne!

Robbye, Jana, and I also hung out with Mette Boving Castor, Miss Louisiana 1997, and Wayne Gentry, who produces the state pageant (in addition to his sweet and beautiful new bride). And I am pleased to say that we stayed out of trouble... no detention at Bayside High School for us! (couldn't help it... Mario will ALWAYS be Slater)

It's difficult to imagine that all of this happened from 6am CST to 2pm PST (or that I was awake for all of it!). But there was another day in Vegas to enjoy... post to follow soon!

Trip to Vegas/Miss A: Flight #1

2010-01-29T06:57:00.001-08:00

I'm siting in the Memphis airport waiting to board my second plane that will take me to Las Vegas... Here are a few ruminations I journaled in the process.

~ Don't pack new toothpaste... Or your favorite Aveno face exfoliator. It will be sad when you have to throw them away.
~ Flying Northwest (soon to be completely swallowed by Delta). They gave me three treats! Biscoff (i.e. a cookie), mini pretzels, and dry roast peanuts, plus a diet coke! Ahhh breakfast of champions.
~ I always prefer to fly during the day and during sunrise/sunset times, so my trips to and from should be beautiful... And I'm already on my second window seat! Bam! Score! :)
~ However, I think that sunrises might be prettier on earth than in the clouds...
~ In the spirit of OSQ...If you could be a cloud, what kind of cloud would you be? Someone asked me this question last weekend and I said cumulonimbus. I also like the little puffy ones that are little happy cotton balls. :)
~ A Michael Jackson mix is PERFECT for getting pumped for Vegas... Intertwined with a recording of your talent piece, now THAT makes a perfect mix for Miss America IN Vegas!!!
~ Fun experiment: Try to sit still during the above, especially Billy Jean.
~ The #2 cool job for me (other than my current job, my ultimate career, the job of Miss LA, and the #1 cool job listed on my resume- a secret-... So I guess that makes this job #5? Anyway...) would be Quality Control Officer for an airline. Dunno if this exists, but I'd like to just hop on planes all day long.
~ I watched the John Stewart Show last night and got so excited that I already knew all the "news"/feature stories from listening to NPR... iPad/Steve Jobs, and what everyone thinks of that name... Congress confirming someone (that someone being Fed Chairman Ben Bernanke)... & the State of the Union Address (I didn't watch it on t.v., as I try to avoid that blackhole, but I did know that the First Lady wore an aubergine-sp? Issac Mizrahi-sp? outfit. Just wanted to share. :)
~ And my final pointless thought: It's pretty cool to see the Mississippi River at liftoff and touchdown, but I'm ready to go WEST! (this is actually pretty telling about me life)

Gotta go! No more phones! And I see snow!!! On the plane, yikes!

Ciao

Liz

January update

2010-01-25T15:40:00.000-08:00

As I have done previously, I'd like to post my e-mail update on here... it gives a lot of info on my upcoming appearances, etc. Let me know if you'd like to be added to the distribution list. We've almost reached 100! (98 to be exact)

Hello all! Well the time has come for another update. January and February are looking to be my busiest months... I had ONE weekend available, then SNAP!, looks like need to head to Houston now to work on talent. The past two weekends, I was in Pensacola for the end of the break (and helping a good friend with her makeup... check it out at http://lizanndunn.blogspot.com/2010/01/i-share-because-i-care.html) and at the Trunk Show/Send Off for the current and GLAMOROUS Miss Louisiana, Katherine Putnam! This weekend, I'm heading to Natchitoches (by far, my favorite Louisiana place to visit and to spell). In Natchitoches, I'll be working on my wardrobe for upcoming events and the state competition, modeling in a bridal show, and riding up to Shreveport for the Miss Bossier/Holiday In Dixie/Jazzland pageant. My now good friend (we met when she was one of my judges for the Watermelon pageant!) works for the city, and she has set me up in a stellar Bed & Breakfast... first a plantation, and now a B&B?!? I told y'all I loved Louisiana! Anyway, I'll be staying at the Samuel Guy House B&B, so DEFINITELY look out for a blog post about it in the near-to-distant future. The next weekend, if all goes well, I'll be working with my Uncle Rob to "tie the bow on the package" that is my talent piece for state, and then the final weekend, I'll be heading to Vegas to watch the Miss America pageant (and I just can't say enough about how amazing THAT experience will be)! Now, for February, which is the main reason I'm writing this e-mail... The first and last weekends of the month, I'll be attending some local prelims to support my fellow contestants at Miss Baton Rouge and Miss Lafayette. The second weekend is Mardi Gras, which is a pretty special event in all parts of the state... I'll be taking a trip up to my beloved Farmerville, where I'll be in their Mardi Gras parade as well as visiting schools, working with a former Miss Louisiana on my talent, and maybe even holding a fundraiser for my preparations, specifically for Children's Miracle Network (more info to come, for sure!). The other remaining weekend, specifically February 20th, I'll have another fundraising event. I've teamed up with a Louisiana business, Corks N Canvas, that has exploded and is opening locations across the state. The concept of the business is BYOW(ine)- of course optional- while you learn to paint... you sign up for a specific picture, and the cost of the night covers the supplies... and then, you take home a "masterpiece" that you can brag to friends is your own work! Because my personal platform is about sharing and celebrating Louisiana, the painting will be of a Fleur de Lis comprised of a crawfish and other Louisiana creatures... it will actually be the debut night for this piece! The event is open to the public, not just "my pageant people," so please please PLEASE book your spot as soon as possible... tomorrow, the Feb calendar will be updated on their website, so you should be able to book your spot then (and I scheduled it for a Saturday so all my North Louisiana friends looking for a date night or ladies night could join as well... so NO EXCUSES)! So here are the logistics... When: Saturday February 20th, 7-10pm
Where: Corks N Canvas, 711 Jefferson Hwy #3A Baton Rouge, LA 70806
What: Fundraiser for CMN and Liz's other preparations for the state pageant
How (much): $45 http://www.corksncanvas.com/index.php WHEW! I think I got all of my updates out in one e-mail. PDF flyers will follow, as will a facebook event invite. But I just wanted to give you all, my VIPs, a chance to go ahead and save the date and book your spot! Thanks to all for a great six months so far... only six more to go... : ) With Much Love Liz

Headshot for Program Book?!?

2010-01-25T15:18:00.000-08:00

It's that time... PAPERWORK time for Miss Louisiana. One big, excuse me, HUGE, part of the decisions is what picture to use as your headshot for your profile... is anyone morally opposed to the picture below? Speak now or forever hold your peace!!!

P.S. Please let me know if you (or a group of friends or your business) are interested in supporting me via an ad in the program book. Thanks!

Picture Catch-up

2010-01-25T14:36:00.000-08:00

Where the journey started. With Meghan Melder, sister queen and Miss Union Parish and Katherine Putnam, Miss Louisiana 2009.

A stop on the way back from the Miss Shreveport pageant... it's always fun/challenging to ask a stranger to take your picture with a disposable camera in front of a closed building while you are wearing a zebra-print sash. Check THAT off your bucket list! ; )

With previous and current prelim winners at the Miss Shreveport pageant... Justine Ker, myself, Meghan Melder, Hope Anderson, and Joy Thomason. (I'm going to hold off on naming everyone's title... current vs. previous titles would make this very confusing.)

With President of the Community Trust Bank, Tim Tettleton (left), and Mayor of Farmerville, Stein Baughman.

A second photo from my plantation photoshoot... loves the natural lighting.

With Jenny Russell, Miss La Tech, at the Miss Holiday In Dixie/Bossier City/Jazzland pageant

From Left, Me (Miss LA Watermelon), Lauren Ford (LA Watermelon Festival's Outstanding Teen), and Justine Ker (Spirit of the Red's Outstanding Teen... any fellow pianist)... at HID, etc. pageant.

At the top of the ULM belltower with Kelsi Crain, Miss ULM, during a visit to North LA... she gave me a fab tour of the university, which is a sponsor for Miss Louisiana. Gotta love a good university belltower. ; )

With Kelsi at Katherine Putnam's Send Off/Trunk Show after-party at the home of Dr. Cofer, President of ULM. P.S. The dress is one of many vintage fashions I will sport this year thanks to Time Warp boutique in Baton Rouge... you can't see very well in the picture, but it's a navy cocktail, Victor Costa, and it even has pockets. L. O. V. E. Love me some vintage. : )

As you may or may not know, I break digital cameras. So until I can afford a new one (budgeting for Vegas >> digital camera), I tend to enlist the help of event photographers, newspaper writers, and some of my pageant "moms"... shoutouts to Renee Melder, Angela Scriber, Karen Ford, Mama Durr, Mama/Papa Bernard... the list goes on. Sometimes I even stoop so low as to buy a disposable camera (P.S. Why are these things so expensive, still?!?). So, the above are some pictures from the previous weeks (cough, months, cough) to get everyone up to speed.

V.I.P.?

2010-01-12T14:29:00.000-08:00

Is this what it feels like to be a V.I.P.?

- My long-time photographer friend has been inspired (cough, cough, by me?) to write a blog... and I ended up as one of his first stories! : ) Check it out here:
http://www.kennethwilks.com/blog/2010/01/11/liz-dunn/

- I was asked to be in a commercial! For... drumroll... propane! Go ahead and lol. Actually, I'm a little nervous... I DON'T HAVE AN ON-STAGE-QUESTION-ESQUE OPINION ON PROPANE! I'll work on that soon. : ) However, in the commercial, I'll be at a crawfish boil, so I figured that it would be a good opportunity to show my face and support a local tradition. (Did I tell you I ate crawfish on Dec 30 so I could have some before my diet? Guess I'll really have to act it out.)

- I was asked to be on an advisory board for a state pageant... I feel like I've officially entered "expert" territory after all of these years of pageantry.

That's all for now... just a couple quick updates on some of the AMAZING honors and opportunities going on for me during the month of January. Muah!

Love Liz

"I share because I care."

2010-01-06T13:15:00.000-08:00

A friend of a friend told me that today after he shared the most delicious-sounding smoothie recipe... well, almost anything sounds delicious when you're trying to eat vegetarian for the first time in you LIFE. Which is exactly what I'm doing right now. While most people begin the new year with new resolutions, I began my new year with my six-month timeline of goals leading up to the week of Miss Louisiana. First step = cut the fat! Because I'm short and have the body of a gymnast out of training (i.e., short and stumpy, with enviable calves), I wanted to lean up before I started any heavy lifting... my evening gown might be heavy enough for arm exercise (that's the only tip you're getting)! Anyway, I'm now on Day 6 of vegetarianism. But I didn't want to pass out with all the cardio, so I decided I'd still eat seafood and eggs/egg whites and skim milk... which I'm told is actually pescatarian?!? It's been interesting and challenging, but I prefer rules like this to rules like "No fried! No carbs! No sugar!" Gag. So here is Petro's breakfast/snack smoothie for champions, i.e. the "Share Because You Care Smoothie"... I haven't made it yet, but it sounds muy delicioso!

My morning/midday sustenance for the past two years, utterly delicious, healthy, and vegetarian. It's a shake. To make it, I blend:

3 tablespoons dannon light-n-fit vanilla yogurt
1 tablespoon natural crunchy peanut butter
1 banana
A few shakes of Quaker oats out of the container
Some frozen blueberries
Some frozen peaches
Light vanilla soymilk (Silk)
Optional: vanilla protein powder if I have any and I'm lifting

These 7 ingredients in these proportions make almost two 16 ounce glasses of shake which fills me up nicely until late afternoon or dinner, depending upon when I drink it.

Yum! Can't wait!

... BUT I'M NOT FINISHED YET!...

So this favorite new quote brought to mind some fun I had this past weekend. Charity Butler-Butler, a fellow Tate Alum and Olive Baptist-goer from P'cola, recently asked if I could give her some makeup tips... Is my name Liz? Do I have red hair? Do I own as much makeup as a Drag Queen?!? (the answer to all of that is "yes," by the way) I was conveniently going to be in Florida for 1.5 days, so instead of a facebook message, we got to play "dress up" with makeup for 2.5 hours! Charity is two years older than I am, and she was a star softball player at our 5A high school... so much so, that she went on to play at the University of South Alabama and even internationally in Sweden! Charity Butler married her high school sweetie, Jonathan Butler (go ahead and giggle) and they are now this dynamic entreprenuering duo!!! It's so uplifting to reconnect with someone six or so years down the road, when you've both grown and matured and changed so much, only to find out you have grown in some of the same ways and share some of the same interests!

So this businesswoman is developing some self-help videos for high school girls looking to promote themselves as athletes and scholars to university programs. She will be taking photos and videos throughout the month of February, so we had so much fun discussing matte vs. bronzer as it relates to light, how fabulous Make Up For Ever's HD Foundation is, and that the eyebrows are THE most imperative feature to emphasize to properly showcase your eyes and highlight your face. We were both so thrilled with the product of our lesson, and she left with thorough shopping and to do lists. It almost made me want to be a makeup artist. Almost. But I love the idea of serving in the Education sector too much. However... coming full circle... I "shared because I cared." Sure, it's nice to do nice things for nice people. But I enjoyed our time together the most because I was able to share my knowledge with someone in an effort to help her become more successful. I've learned so many beauty and general life lessons through pageantry... but sometimes, the competitive nature of the sport makes me sad, because all this stuff in my head about arm position and head tilt and hairspray secrets does me no good to just sit in my head! All of us inside pageatry know how applicable what we learn is in the real world... so why not share it with someone outside our circle and educate them about this great organization at the same time?!?

Ok, off my soapbox.

Here's my plug for some of her recent endeavors, business and otherwise.

www.exceed-sports.com/

www.getilog.com

Look for updates on Charity's fabulousness and my pescatarian journey in the future! : )

I swear I'll post this before December/2009 are over! ;-)

2009-12-28T15:49:00.000-08:00

Usually my posts begin with "Last weekend," because I often write about events and appearances during the following week ... unless/until pageantry becomes a full-time job, these afterthought must be just that... after the event. Which is usually not an issue... unless I'm so derned busy that I skip a weekend! The horror! So, my apologies, I forgot to blog about my third festival experience... so here it goes... the LA Renaissance Festival!

December 12th and 13th was the final weekend of the Renaissance Festival, which is held a skip down the road from me in Robert, LA (which I originally assumed was pronounced "Row bear" like any good Louisiana name... but alas, Southeast Louisiana is not the same as SouthSouthwest Louisiana). Anyway, I headed over to Robert on Sunday afternoon. Like many small Louisiana towns, the local festival is THE annual event. It seemed like the whole town came out to see the fireworks on closing night, despite the standard December inclement weather. But all that mud just seemed to add to the ambiance. When I walked in, I was immediately greeted by, uhh, a Renaissance Man?!? (see above) There were rows of vendors, some selling corsets, others selling homemade candles claiming to contain frogs legs and other creatures. All-in-all, I had a fun evening of everything that I expected... So on my list are now the LA RenFest, LA Watermelon Festival (of course!), and my first festival ever, the Shrimp and Petroleum Festival (only in Louisiana would those two be a pair...).

Here are some pictures of what you can find during the day at the RenFest. And check out www.larf.org for more info... they've already got the dates posted for 2010!

Drumroll... the result of the photoshoot...

2009-12-22T07:21:00.001-08:00

Plantations and Pictures

2009-12-21T06:48:00.001-08:00

This weekend I had the pleasure of taking some more pictures for Miss Louisiana, and I had even more pleasure in taking them at Bocage Plantation, a recently restored plantation just outside of Baton Rouge in Darrow, LA. The photographer shot looks from Marilyn-inspired to even voodoo-inspired... I can't wait to see how they turn out! Here are a few pictures of our magnificent backdrop:

"Considered the best and most original interpretation of American Greek Revival architecture in the nation, Bocage is an historic treasure not to be missed. Steeped in history with ties to Christopher Columbus and the early colonization of America, the magnificent mansion was designed by famous architect James Dakin and built in 1840. (The original 1801 Creole cottage on the site burned.)"

"Bocage Plantation was a wedding gift from St. James Parish planter Marius Pons Bringier to his eldest daughter, Francoise “Fanny” Bringier (just 14 years old), upon the occasion of her marriage to Christophe Colomb (a native of Paris, France, who claimed to be a descendant of Christopher Columbus), in January 1801."

[from the website, check out more at www.bocageplantation.com]

From One Sunshine State to the Next!

2009-12-18T11:10:00.000-08:00

As you may know, I claim Florida as my home-home... I spent my dramatic and formative middle and high school years in Pensacola, and both of my parents are originally from Florida. And while I consider myself a recovering beach addict, I still get a lot of that great sun-and-fun here in my new home, Louisiana... as evidenced by a recent Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) survey on HAPPINESS! Apparently, the sunnier the state, the happier the people. The Sunshine State ranked at No. 3, and No. 1 was OF COURSE reserved for the "You Are My Sunshine"-state-song State! Yours truly, Louisiana!

Check out the article here!!!

I told y'all I was 'happy' to be here. : )

Ballets and Christmas

2009-12-14T07:33:00.000-08:00

Christmas would not be Christmas without The Nutcracker. At this time last year, I was transitioning to work at the Baton Rouge Ballet Theatre. While I had ballet experience only as a 4-to-7-year-old, I thoroughly enjoyed my time at the ballet and found a deep respect for this art. Be sure to check out BRBT in conjunction with the Baton Rouge Symphony Orchestra if you're in or near Baton Rouge this weekend... visit www.batonrougeballet.org for more information.

And check out my new friend Kelsi Crain, Miss ULM, as she represents the LA Delta Ballet to promote their upcoming Christmas performance! It brings back many memories of morning news shows at 5am. ;)

First Weekend in December

2009-12-10T17:42:00.000-08:00

The reigning "big girl" Watermelon Festival Queens, from Left: Katie Lee, LA Watermelon Teen Princess; Liz Dunn (me!), Miss LA Watermelon; Lauren Ford, LA Watermelon Outstanding Teen; Meghan Melder, Miss Union Parish.

This past weekend, I took my third trip to Farmerville... which is probably more than anyone else in Baton Rouge unless they've got family there (but I guess I do now!). : )

Darra Jung, a Farmerville Jaycee and my amazing director, asked me to be in the Christmas Parade along with the other local queens... and she said it was the first time possibly ever that all of the queens were together other than the Watermelon Festival... how neat!

To Farmerville and back takes me about nine hours of driving, so I decided to be as efficient as possible (my Engineer father would be so proud) and schedule some additional appearances and events. I headed up late on Thursday, arriving at Darra's house at an early 11:45pm (my earliest arrival so far!). Waking up bright and early on Friday, I headed off to meet the mayor at 8:30am. One of the first things that he did was to give me a handful of Farmerville and 2009 Watermelon Festival lapel pins. Miss LA Watermelon Festival is only my second title, but I absorbed so so much on my first time around: Lesson 14- collect lapel pins from other titleholders and from travels, and put these on the back of your sash to have a great memory of your year's experiences. So, as you can imagine, an entire ziploc bag of pins could have been enough to make my trip feel like a great accomplishment... but that was only the first five minutes!

My only request of Darra was that "I want to meet the mayor and take a tour of Farmerville." Well, Mr. Stein Baughman had an AMAZING morning planned for us. We started out at the local Ford dealership, Preaus Motors. Like almost every establishment in Farmerville, it had a story to be shared. Throughout the morning, we visited three banks, two car dealerships, two supermarkets, one pharmacy (Mr. Baughman's family was in the pharmacy business), and four schools. I am now so excited about working with these businesses in the future, whether it's in promoting their organization through opportunities with the Miss Louisiana Organization, or coming back and greeting customers, or talking to students about some of my favorite subjects... science and math and music. The schools were our last stop, and here are some pictures of me with students at D'Arbonne Woods Charter School (I know, you have to squint really hard to see me in the group pictures... kids are getting so big these days!... taller heels next time):

October and November Birthdays

With two of their top students, Aimee' Bourgeois and Jordan Jones.

I had to scurry off because I had another item on the agenda: a tour of ULM with the current Miss ULM, Kelsi Crain! Not only was I looking forward to meeting Kelsi, but also I was looking forward to seeing the university. One of my "nerdy" hobbies is to visit universities whenever I go to a new city, and ULM was no exception, as it plays a huge role with the Miss Louisiana Organization. The tour was amazing, and I was soooo impressed with the infrastructure at ULM, especially their building dedicated to academic success. I can't wait to come back for Miss LA week and stay in their dorms (and you don't hear that kind of excitement every day regarding dorms).

I started my Saturday with a visit to Elizabeth Haynes Drewett, Miss Louisiana 1992 (pictured right). She is a former Miss LA Watermelon Festival and was one of my judges for that pageant. After meeting her, I knew I wanted her to mentor me throughout the next year as I refined my piano skills and broadened my repertoire in preparation for Miss Louisiana. After nearly two and a half hours at her home, I had a new technique regimen, had met her two lovely and beautiful children, had decided on a talent piece, and had a "plan" for the next six months for pursuing my goal of Miss Louisiana. Let the scales begin!

Saturday evening was my first reason to visit Farmervile... the Christmas Parade! It was insanely cold, though I didn't help myself out with my 'chic ponytail' hairdo. After surviving the weather... and 30 minutes of ear-to-ear grinning... the group headed off to Sevin's (say-vans) to lap up some gumbo and red beans and fried everything.

To top off my "North Louisiana Weekend," I headed off to Monroe to hang out and spend the night with my dear friend, Rachel Walker. (pictured below, and in the middle is Jessica Crain... who just happens to be Kelsi Crain's cousin, small world!)

... Thanks to everyone who made this weekend so amazing!

A final picture from the Chancellor's Pancake Breakfast...

2009-12-08T06:33:00.000-08:00

Both LSU Dining Service and LSU Residential Life departments have featured all of these amazing pictures on their websites. And in searching through them, I found this gem! So I had to post one more. : )

This is a picture of Rachel Smith, Miss LSU 2006, who now works in the Chancellor's Office. As I was Miss LSU 2007, we have a long history of working together... and she's definitely one of my "Louisiana sisters!"

Anyway, she's an amazing gal. Check out her fabulous blog here: http://blisseventsbyrachel.blogspot.com/

Official Headshot for Autograph Cards

2009-12-08T05:44:00.000-08:00

Here's the official headshot that I'm using for my autograph cards... it's a little difficult to not wear green when you're the "Watermelon Queen." ; )

If any of you have friends or family who would like me to mail you one, just comment below or send me an e-mail request at lizanndunn@gmail.com. Please check out my photographer's website; Kenneth Wilks has been a friend for years (he actually did my first pageant headshots ever!), and I'm so pleased with out latest shoot. Definitely give him my name if you're interested in taking pictures with him.

Thanks!

A "typical" day in Higher Ed

2009-12-02T14:10:00.000-08:00

Yesterday was BANANAS (but really it was cookies and pancakes...)!

First, I started the day with a run. It was the first time that I had run in the morning before work. I was slow. I only ran 2 miles. It was cold. And I was tired. But with my running per week on the rise, it may be the only way I can fit in some extra mileage! Here's to time management. ; )

Like any good Tuesday, I was hard at work, helping students discover new ways to study away through LSU's study abroad programs and affiliations. I don't know if I've told you all, but Higher Education is WITHOUT A DOUBT one of my greatest passions in life. I am so thankful, not only that I discovered what I wanted to do for the rest of my life, but also that I discovered it while still in school and that I am already living out that dream... it's definitely what gets me up in the morning (for my run).

Not the most exciting news... but I also got my H1N1 vaccine on campus yesterday. If you're considered in the "priority group" (students and staff under 24 are such), then definitely head over for your free shot! Thanks to my nurse mother, I get a seasonal flu vaccine every year. While shots are never fun, you should ABSOLUTELY take advantage of this opportunity to support the CDC's efforts to keep America healthy. Now... enough with shots, on to CHRISTMAS!

After work was the beloved Candlelight Celebration. Kleinpeter, the Louisiana-based dairy company, brought the Egg Nog (which, I learned is made of milk, egg nog mix, and food coloring... sorry kids). Dining Services made s'mores. LSU's Hillel sang Jewish folk songs. So many performances and tasty treats to start December off in the most festive ways possible!

Then, as if my day weren't long enough, I volunteered to serve pancakes at the Chancellor's Annual Pancake Breakfast with other LSU faculty and staff. It was amazing to see all of the 2000 students who we served food to in the two hours between ten and midnight. Check out the pics below of "Team Highland," Chancellor Mike Martin with students, and the evidence of what we did with the leftovers. : ) I am hopeful that one day I will be attending another Chancellor's Pancake Breakfast... as the Chancellor myself!

What a good-looking group of cafeteria "ladies."

A man of the people

Yummy... but not Mam-Maws.

Another Month Bites the Dust!

2009-11-30T12:29:00.001-08:00

Whew! The Holidays are here and the month is almost over. While I may have been absent in text-form, I have certainly been out there in the community and preparing for Miss Louisiana.

October 31st: Miss Louisiana USA 2009... congratulations to Sara Brooks.

November 14th: LSU Homecoming Parade... 7 years of Miss LSUs!

November Something-th: Running my first 5 miles since High School!!!

November 21st: Taking official headshots as Miss LA Watermelon Festival 2010.

November 21st: Miss Slidell Pageant, congrats April Nelson!!!

November 21st-22nd: Visit to Slidell, New Orleans, and Mandeville.

November 28th: Arranging talent piece with my Uncle Rob!

What We're Known For... the Crescent City!

2009-11-24T11:24:00.000-08:00

If you haven't noticed, the first thing that Non-Louisianans reference in our state is New Orleans. While New Orleans is one of the most unique and diverse places in the country, as well as a window into the spirit of our state, it does not define us. However, with such rich history, it is definitely a MUST on my list of places to visit throughout the year.

As you know, I attended the World Cultural Economic Forum several weeks ago, which was held in the French Quarter. Walking around Bourbon and Royal and St. Louis streets during the day and in a suit, I definitely got a fresh perspective on this historic part of town. Here is my journal entry after my first day downtown:

I have survived my first day of my first conference...

After the quick skip down to New Orleans from Baton Rouge, I arrived at the Omni Royal Orleans... well, before that, I had to find a parking spot. When driving in the French Quarter, one must abandon any previously honed skills of parking; driving and parking in this part of the city seems similar to parking in a European city, confirmed by one of my new contacts from Greece. If even the parking experience was evidence of a still-strong European influence, I was sure to be bombarded with more examples throughout this meeting of foreign dignitaries.

The conference opened with a press conference led by the Lieutenant Governor, during which he called upon representatives from sister countries. An Ambassador, a Consulate General, and a Nobel Laureate all identified not only the necessity of the intersection of culture and commerce at such a meeting, but also the appropriateness of New Orleans in playing host. I heard one after the other speak to the greatness and respect that they have for our state, and I couldn't help but think, "Why don't Louisianans see and share this?!?" It seems that America puts Louisiana at the bottom of every list, but other countries around the globe put Louisiana as number one on their lists... such a perplexing contradiction!

The Nobel laureate said it best: "culture equals peace." Now, as a 'pageanteur,' of course I believe in world peace. :) But the Lt. Governor further clarified this bold statement, saying that with treaties, there is always a country that has more power or money, and who wants something, but with culture, we all have something great and unique to bring to the table, and that if we negotiate by first sharing culture, we will have more success at achieving global peace. What a profound idea, and what an opportunity for Louisiana to lead, as we are certainly a special place with a dense concentration of cultural experiences!

(Time passes... work meetings... I'll save you from the boredom.)

And now, I sit in Hermes Bar, a part of the infamous Antoine's, hearing the standard hoots and hollers and orders for Sazeracs that accompany any great Nola joint. Antoine's is as rich as Reese's Peanut Butter Cups (Halloween on the brain), but in history... check it out! And like any Louisiana establishment, the food and flavors are unparalleled... the Bisque d' Ecrevisses (de Saison), i.e. what I think was a roux-based crawfish bisque, melts in my mouth.

Hermes gets its name from a Louisiana Krewe, as this is the arrival meeting place of Krewe members and royalty during the Mardi Gras celebration. The bartender points out to tourists (the place is so historical that there are tour groups coming in and out!) the Czechoslovakian hand-blown glass beads... "When I came in '74, they were throwin' those!" He also informed us that Hermes is for "the partiers... definitely not Rex."

After my dinner, I plan to go to Tipitina's for the Louisiana Music Showcase put on by the Lt. Governor's Office, and I'm sure I will be further drenched in Louisiana culture. But I certainly don't mind. : )

This past weekend, November 21st and 22nd, I took my second trip in a month down to New Orleans... blog post to follow soon!

And again, thanks to those who supported me in my attendance at this conference and in my other events and travels around the state this month.

World Cultural Economic Forum/Louisiana Cultural Economy Summit

2009-11-04T08:30:00.000-08:00

This past week I attended a conference for work that was in conjunction with a conference relating to my platform. Here is the note that I sent out to friends and family... please comment on this post if you'd like me to add your e-mail to my mailing list!

Friends and Family,

I just wanted to send you all a quick e-mail to 'wish me luck.' I will be attending the World Cultural Economic Forum and the Louisiana Cultural Economy Summit this week. Not only is this my first work-related conference, but also this is my first opportunity to network with key players in relation to my platform (Visit Louisiana: Promoting Tourism and Pride in our State).

The Forum and Summit are put on by Culture, Recreation, and Tourism/the Lt. Governor's Office, a close friend of the Miss Louisiana Organization. At the Forum, I will be networking with international representatives from around the world... The Netherlands, Greece, Trinidad & Tobago, and Korea are some of the countries with which I already have individual appointments scheduled! With these representatives, I will be able to discuss educational opportunities for our young population, and I am hopeful that my pride and excitement in what this state has to offer will open doors for new relationships.

In conjunction with the Forum is the Summit, and in true Louisiana fashion, it will be a feast for all of the senses. Music, art, festivals, culinary art, dance, folklife, film, design/preservation, theatre, literary writings, crafts, archaeology ... all of the cultural disciplines that are such a vital aspect of state. As you all know, I've grown to love this state, so much that I stayed upon graduation. At the Summit, I'm going to be able to take that love to the next level, by attending workshops such as "Saving Historic New Orleans Neighborhoods," "Film Business Opportunities in Louisiana," and "When Art Makes the Grade."

These events kick off Thursday morning and end late Friday. Please keep me in your thoughts and prayers throughout these days, that I would have safe travels, make fruitful connections, and create ideas for the future... for me, LSU, and Louisiana. And please forward this to any friends and family who would like to know or pass on encouraging words as well!

Sincerely,

Liz Dunn

lizanndunn@gmail.com (personal e-mail)
lizdunn@lsu.edu (work e-mail)
225-964-2002 (cell)

Eye on the Crown/Finish Line

2009-10-25T22:04:00.001-07:00

One of the major preparations for Miss Louisiana is going to be in the physical fitness category. While staying healthy, a contestant must rigorously work on nutrition and exercise. Personally, I like to focus first on the exercise portion, and I much prefer a plan that has clear goals and is efficient. So... drum roll... I have decided to train for a half-marathon!

I ran track and cross country in high school, so running is something that I 'enjoy.' However, don't assume that I am fast or have great endurance; our team was extremely small/slow, evidenced by me running events from the 4x100 to the 2-mile... all in one track meet! My best friend and mother are both runners, and both have run into 'hurdles' with their knees. So I have decided that now is the time that I need to pursue this goal if I want to experience it in my life, while my body is still up to the challenge.

After consulting with friends, I came across a chart online of an example running schedule, which included rest days between runs and a steady increase in mileage per week, starting with 3-mile runs and ending with 12-mile runs. After just two weeks, I am still on schedule, having run a total of 22 miles in 7 non-consecutive days. Not only was training for a marathon or half-marathon a goal that I never thought I would pursue, but also it was a goal that I never thought I could complete; staying on pace in my first two of ten weeks of training is such an exciting achievement, and I can't wait to see what I accomplish in the coming weeks! Updates are sure to continue, so be on the lookout. ; )

Full speed ahead!

Coming "Home" for Homecoming

2009-10-12T08:55:00.000-07:00

October 2nd marked the 2009 Homecoming for my Alma Mater... not LSU, but my high school, J.M. Tate! While I consider Louisiana to now be my home, Pensacola is where so many of my roots are. My parents were both born in Pensacola, and both sets of grandparents live there today. My parents also went to high school together, at Tate, where there were in SGA. My grandmother (affectionately known to students as "Mrs. Dunn, The Bun," for her sassy blonde knot atop her head) also taught Latin and English at Tate. My mother was her teacher's assistant before dating my father, which is one of many great stories at Sunday Dinners. So when I was asked to come back to Florida to cheer with the alumni for Homecoming, I could not resist!

I had such a blast cheering with old friends... and young ones too, as my cousin Paige is now a cheerleader on the Freshman squad. On Saturday, I was reminded of my 'maturity' even more as I watched a house full of freshman girls giggle and take pictures before the homecoming dance. I now realize part of why I do pageants... I LOVED picking out new dresses for every homecoming court and dance and pr om in high school.

"Time flies when you're having fun..."

2009-10-01T13:33:00.001-07:00

Has September already come and gone?!?

Indeed, it has. It has been my busiest month to date, with events and preparations every weekend taking me all over: Houston, Natchitoches, Farmerville, and even Washington D.C.!

September 2nd-7th
I started the month off with a bang with my first trip to the nation's capital (and I am hopeful not my last). My best friend from LSU attends graduate school at American University, and we decided Labor Day Weekend would be the perfect time to start an annual tradition of a trip/vacation/trip-to-see-the-other. I love to travel, and I love to plan, so we did our best to pack in as much (especially food) as we could... monuments, museums, Arlington, Annapolis, "The 18th Amendment," The White House, Eastern Market, a Nationals game (almost), American University... what a wild four days! Check out my pictures for more on the trip.

September 11th-13th
My next trip took me to our neighbor state(/country) of Texas. I had the privilege of being invited to help judge a Speech & Debate competition hosted by the University of Houston and Louisiana State University, affectionately known as the annual Pussycat Swing (UH Cougars and LSU Tigers... clever huh?!). My minor in Communication Studies qualified me to give my subjective opinion of the participants, and I judged categories from prose to poetry to extemporaneous (and you thought on stage question was hard...). I left straight from work on Friday, and I arrived back in Baton Rouge at 10:30pm... WHEW! Judging the events, seeing my nephews, and even doing some Miss Louisiana wardrobe shopping turned out to be a tiring but oh so successful weekend.

September 20th
Finally, I took a one-day trip!!! September 20th was the Miss Natchitoches City of Lights Pageant, another prelim to Miss Louisiana. Farrah Rayna, the Director of Miss NCOL, was one of my judges in the Miss LA-Watermelon Festival Pageant. After hitting it off in interview, she asked me to come to her pageant to perform to piano pieces. Now, let me tell you... I love music, I love piano music, and I love playing the piano; however, I would hardly consider myself a pianist. I worked for a few weeks on the pieces, definitely making sure to get stellar outfits as well. :) The production was so classy and the ladies were gorgeous. This was my third visit to Natchitoches, all which have been very short, so I look forward to taking another trip (I hope for the Christmas festivities!) again very soon. Congrats to Erica Durr on her win... a picture of us should come soon.

September 26th
And finally, the last weekend of the month, I was able to go back to Farmerville. The Union Parish Chamber of Commerce hosted their first annual fashion show, promoting anything from PJs to vintage jewelry from boutiques from all over the parish. It was great to be back in this community, not only to emcee the event, but also to see my Director Darra (who modeled beautifully in the fashion show) and my host family (Fred and Nancy Futch, who I stayed with again!).
This trip was especially important to me because I was able to contribute to my platform-- Visit Louisiana: Promoting Tourism and Pride in our State. One goal I have for this year is to promote Louisiana businesses, as they play a large role in bringing people to visit and live in this great state. It was great to support the businesses of my crowning community, and I cannot wait to work with them again in the future!

Here's to hoping that October is just as exciting and eventful... it always is in Louisiana.

Miss LA Watermelon Festival 2010
LD

Miss America Article in USA TODAY

2009-09-05T07:36:00.000-07:00

Check out this great article about the best of America... and look for a Louisiana version to come soon!

Reason #27 Why I Love Louisiana

2009-09-01T13:02:00.000-07:00

If you live in Southeast Louisiana, you know that one of the closest waterways is the Tickfaw River. Ever since I moved to the Capital City in 2004, I've had at least one opportunity a year to visit a river camp; as I hail from Florida, I'm a sucker for a great time on a boat...

Last weekend I received my annual invite to take part in a weekend on the Tickfaw, a great way to wind down the summer. It was just like every other great Saturday and Sunday I've spent on this river:

The seemingly endless open waters of Lake Maurepas...
The best local shrimp and hamburgers that you can imagine...
The discovery of a new (actually old) local dive (with said food)...
The meeting of at least one new stranger who is instantly an old friend...
The sunset scenes that can only be rivaled my movie special effects...

I could go on and on, but one moment of this weekend definitely stands out in my mind. I made the standard pre-weekend trip to my bank. Naturally ecstatic about the adventure ahead, I gleefully told my teller about how I would be boating on the Tickfaw and how I love water having grown up in Pensacola. She was in dismay... "how could you leave Florida for Louisiana, what's so great about Baton Rouge," she asked?

I proceeded to tell her that Pensacola's population is only about half that of Baton Rouge, so there are so many more opportunities here. My professional passion is Higher Education, so Baton Rouge has been an ideal place to start my career. It's a great place to raise a family but has the progressiveness of a state capital. And could you really do without this food for more than a week?!?

When I go out on a boat on the Tickfaw, I never think, "I wish there was white sand" or "I miss seeing hundreds of beach umbrellas." The food, the fun, the people... they are all what originally drew me to this great place and what keeps me here today. I am hopeful that I convinced the teller that Baton Rouge and Louisiana are special places. I that wish everyone would take a moment, think about one amazing thing that their city and this state have to offer, and then share it with a smile. :)

A Louisiana Weekend

2009-08-17T07:27:00.000-07:00

This past weekend was my first of many traveling across the state...

The weekend started on Friday night, when I had the opportunity to attend my first Saint's game. Although it was only a preseason game, it was great to see what makes the Dome the Dome-- the Saints! We then headed to the Warehouse District for an after-the-game staple: Lucy's. It was a standard night out in New Orleans, but I got to experience two firsts... I will definitely be a repeat customer of both.

On Saturday, I made the drive up I-49 to see the Miss Shreveport pageant. The production was phenomenal, the winner was gorgeous, and the rest of the ladies were amazing as well. Afterward, I opted out on the boats (I'd much rather spend my hard earned money on a Badgley Mischka frock, sigh, Rachel Zoe starts in a week, by the way!).

In the A.M., I started the sojourn back to Baton Rouge. There's really something special about the middle of Louisiana on a Sunny Sunday... I love a good roadtrip, and Sunday's ride is definitely at the top of my list of wonderful trips. Of course, that might be because I stopped in Lecompte on the way home. What for, you ask? Where is Lecompte, you ask? Lecompte, outside of Alexandria, is the Pie Capital of Louisiana! They are home to the Pie Festival, and the infamous Lea's is the place to go for the best pies around. I'm not much of a dessert girl, but I always enjoy a trip to the quaint diner (and this definitely wasn't my first trip for Lea's pies).

In one weekend, I visited the great Louisiana cities of New Orleans, Baton Rouge, Lecompte, Benton, and Shreveport. I can add a few checks to the list, but there are definitely more adventures on Louisiana highways to come!

A few of my favorite things

2009-08-04T07:31:00.000-07:00

Not raindrops on roses or whiskers on kittens... no, it's a trunk show! This weekend I had the opportunity to attend my first trunk show, and it was for Kelly Bernard, Miss Louisiana's Outstanding Teen, before she heads to Orlando to compete nationally. I had the pleasure of meeting Kelly last week when she was speaking to a group of students participating in a summer agriculture program. Her platform is healthy eating, and it was great to hear her speak to teens about her own struggles and the importance of a nutritious and balanced diet. I was so impressed to hear her field questions from the audience, ranging from teenage pregnancies to "can you sing us a song?" She definitely garnered their respect, and mine also, as she belted out a Whitney Houston song. Wow. So on Saturday, I got to see Kelly again, this time showcasing all of her wardrobe choices for the national competition. As my fashion icon Rachel Zoe would say... d-i-e, I die! It was such a blast to see her modeling everything that I am certain she spent months picking out. I understand so well the pressure pageant girls face to pick out the perfect shoe and the sparkliest earrings and the goooorgeous dress, as I too am now on my quest for the "perfect _______." But Kelly looked outstanding in everything because you could tell that she loved it and felt utmost confidence in her choices. I cannot wait to see how she does at the competition THIS WEEKEND... and I can't wait to start shopping myself! ; ) So trust me, there will DEFINITELY be a trunk show before Miss Louisiana. And we shall all "d-i-e." (Quick shoutout to Rachel Zoe: Season 2 starts on August 25th on Bravo-- one of my favorite channels)

In the Farmerville Gazette

2009-07-30T07:44:00.000-07:00

Here's the article that the Farmerville Gazette published about the Miss pageant and the Jaycees giving two titles!

http://www.fgazette.com/news.php?id=1010

Pageant season begins... with a WIN!

2009-07-29T06:18:00.000-07:00

I recently decided that I needed to compete in the Miss America Organization (MAO) system of pageants, because I love scholarship/academics and can play a mean piano. The Miss Watermelon pageant is the first that I was able to participate in this season, so this past weekend, I made the trek to Farmerville.

Trek is a grand understatement. I began my adventure with "packing." Now the biggest fear I have with pageants isn't falling, or "blanking" during the on stage question. No, my biggest fear is forgetting to pack something, so I didn't want to rush the process. After packing, a spray tan, more packing, and consultations from a friend, I was ready to make the sojourn to North Louisiana. I originally planned to break up the trip by spending Thursday night in Shreveport and driving the remainder in the morning. Well, when you leave Baton Rouge at 9:30pm, that will put you getting to Shreveport at about 2:00am. Needless to say, I did not make it all the way to Shreveport and had to take a catnap in my car in Natchitoches. And don't worry, I stopped at a safe place like LSMSA. ;)

Awaking at 4:30am, I continued my journey north, but the new route was from Natchitoches to Farmerville... what a special trip! I somehow never made a wrong turn through all the back roads, like 167. The stars were amazing; I still have to figure out what star or planet is almost directly NE right now-- SO BRIGHT! I rolled into Farmerville at around 7:00am (I was supposed to be there by 9), and spent the next few hours getting dressed and ready for interview, chatting with the "coaches" on the phone, and obviously drinking LOTS of coffee.

Interview was the first part of the competition and 30% of our score. Half of the time the panelists drilled me on my platform, which is "Visit Louisiana: Promoting Tourism and Pride in our State." The second part of the interview was about my talent, personality type, job, and any other information I had included on my application. After the interview, I felt energized and calm at the same time... the best word to describe the experience was "comfortable," and I was pretty sure that was a good thing.

During the next 24 hours we met and spent time with our host families, rehearsed for the pageant, and participated in events at the festival. I knew before this weekend that even if I did not win that I would have a blast, and I SURE DID! My host and hostess, Fred and Nancy Futch, are adorable and remind me so much of my grandparents (she teaches Sunday School like Grandma Dunn and he watches MLB in his recliner like Grandpa Dunn). My favorite festival activity definitely had to be eating from the other halves of the prize-winning watermelons in the Judge's courtroom; now I know the difference between a Charleston Gray and a "plain ole stripe."

Saturday night was the pageant. A great friend, Rachel Walker, came in town from Monroe to help me with hair and make-up (and pictures later on). There were 12 participants, and everyone had such outstanding talent, so I knew the judges had a tough decision in front of them-- so tough that they decided to crown two girls! First Runner-Up was Meghan Melder, so she received the title of Miss Union Parish 2009. I only half heard the emcee when she announced that #5 was the winner... that was my number! (prime numbers are my favorite) Winning the pageant was such a thrill, but winning a preliminary in July AND having an outstanding director and title is icing on the cake! I can't wait for the next year, especially the next 11 months leading up to the Miss Louisiana pageant!

With this blog, I will keep you updated on my preparations, my platform, my performance, and other personal tidbits. Holler if you have any questions or comments or requests, and I hope you enjoy sharing in this experience with me!

Yours Truly,

Liz Dunn
Miss LA Watermelon Festival 2010