Miss Missouri 2006 Sarah French

	September 30 Go Tigers!!! I went to the Mizzou vs. Colorado game! I had so much fun! I saw Melanie Collier, Miss Teen Missouri 2006. Mizzou won the game 28 to 13! This is the first time the Tigers have been 5 and 0 since 1981!
	September 29 Today I had a meeting with KPLA radio station. I will be doing an interview with them on Oct. 4 for the Children's Miracle Network Radiothon. The event will be at Head Motor Company, which is located on the Business Loop. I will also be signing autographs around 4:00 p.m., so I hope to see all of you there! Dan Fowler, Director of Development for Children's Hospital, also gave me a tour of the hospital today. In spite of the fact that it is difficult to see children in this condition, it was an uplifting and amazing experience. These children have much to teach us about life and perseverance.
	September 25 I traveled to Kansas City to visit Stephanie O'Dear, Miss Missouri 1992. Stephanie works with a clothing company called WORTH. She has been amazing at helping me put my Miss America and appearance outfits together! Thanks Stephanie! Visit www.worthny.com for more information.
Click here to see more !	September 24 Batter Up!!! I played with the Graceland's Ghosts in the Vintage 1880s Baseball Game during the Walk Back In Time Country Fair in Mexico, Mo. Our team played against the St. Louis Unions, part of the Union Baseball Club of St. Louis. We had so much fun, and I even scored a run! My team consisted of Steve Hagan, Stuart Miller, Steve Hobbs, Lloyd Little, Chad Shoemaker, Vince Fuemmeler, Joe Long, Justin Webber, Andy Baker, Michael Myers, Skip Elkin, Keith Louder, Michael Daughtery, and Mrs. Missouri, Tessa Heard.
Click here to see more !	September 23 Saturday evening I emceed the Miss Texas County's Outstanding Teen and Miss Texas County Pageants. It was great to see my directors from Miss Mid-Missouri, Layla Earl, Lelar and Paul Corbett. Congratulations to the new Miss Texas County's Outstanding Teen and Miss Texas County! After the pageant, we celebrated at McDonalds! I'm enjoying the vanilla ice cream cone! (It's only 150 calories!)
Click here to see more !	September 23 Saturday afternoon I emceed the Miss Tiny, Little, Petite, and Pre- Teen Texas County Pageants. I had so much fun, and everyone involved with the pageant was wonderful! Thank you so much for inviting me!
	September 23 I enjoyed a wonderful lunch at Fratello's with the judges for the pageant. Shari McCallister, Director of the Miss Texas County Pageant, presented a gorgeous gift basket to me for emceeing. This was an amazing surprise! Thanks again Shari!
	September 22 After the tornado had passed, I went to rehearsal at Houston Performing Arts Center for the Miss Tiny, Little, Petite, and Pre- Teen Texas County Pageants. I had the honor of emceeing, and all the girls did a fabulous job!
Click here to see more photos from this appearance	September 22 I spoke with 5-8th graders at Raymondville Public Schools on a program called Right Decisions, Right Now. I encourage students to make the right decisions in their lives, and I motivate the kids to resist negative peer pressure. We had a very exciting afternoon! During one of my speeches, a tornado warning was released in Raymondville! Everyone had to take cover in the hallway! This was definitely an experience that I will never forget!
	September 21 Chase Crawford, star of The Covenant, was in Columbia visiting his sister, Candice, one of my best friends. Everyone should go see the film! http://www.sonypictures.com/movies/thecovenant/
	September 20 Thank you Jim Dye and Lou Leonatti for giving me words of encouragement before my mock interview!
	September 18 If you watched the news on Monday evening, you know exactly what I was doing at Lee Elementary School! I had the honor of kicking off a statewide student-fitness program. I joined other state and local leaders, including Mayor Hindman, at Lee to launch the Shape Up Our Students program, part of the Shape Up Missouri effort. Shape Up Our Students, a partnership between the Governor’s Council on Physical Fitness and Health and the Show-Me State Games, is a nine-week initiative for K-12 students that focuses on fitness and nutrition. During the program, participating schools can vie for grant funding to purchase fitness curricula and students can track their progress against other schools via the Internet. Here I am pictured with Stacie Blumberg, one of the Shape Up Missouri Coordinators. Shape Up Missouri is a team-based program that lets Missourians compete in a variety of challenges aimed to increase activity, change eating habits and lose weight. Adults and schools can sign up for the Shape Up programs this week by registering at www.SMSG.org
	September 16 I traveled to Unionville for the Missouri Trappers Association’s 2006 Fall Rendezvous. I spent the afternoon meeting members, and I spoke at the general meeting, giving thanks and appreciation for their continued support of the Miss Missouri Scholarship Organization as well as for the lovely custom made fur coat they present to Miss Missouri each year. Here I am pictured with Kevin Whitworth, the MTA’s Miss Missouri Pageant committee chair. Kevin even bought me a teddy bear made out of raccoon fur for my birthday! Everyone was wonderful! For more information on the Missouri Trappers Association visit their website at www.missourioutback.com
	September 13-14 As one of three captains for the MU Diamond Darlings, Katie Ferrell, Candice Crawford, and I held interviews for the 2006-2007 squad. I am lucky enough to have my two best friends as captains with me! We are all broadcast journalism majors, so we had no problem asking lots of questions during interviews. The MU Diamond Darlings work for the baseball team. During off-season, we do promotional work for the team, recruit campus tours, and fundraisers. During season, you will hear us over the intercom! We try to get the crowd motivated with games and prizes! Also, you will see us on the field! We get the balls and bats, drag the field, paint the white lines, etc. We have a blast, and the Diamond Darlings are the most applied for organization on the MU Campus!
Click here for photo gallery	September 5-12 I traveled to LA to film the TV Show "Becoming Miss America." Everything is confidential, and the show will not air until January! But here are the photos I can show you! My roommate was North Dakota, and we got along so well! I felt like I had known her for years! The final night all the contestants took a trip to downtown Hollywood, and we had an amazing party at the Roosevelt Hotel! I met several former Miss Americas! Marilu Henner, known for her role on "Taxi," was autographing her new book called Healthy Holidays. Also, I was thrilled to meet Doris Roberts, Marie Barone on "Everybody Loves Raymond." I had a fabulous time, and I am anxious for the show to air!
	August 31 As a member of the MU Homecoming Steering Committee, we had our official photo taken on the steps of Jesse Hall today. I was one of 27 students selected to serve on the 2006 Homecoming Steering Committee, and I was selected to emcee the homecoming talent productions. The University of Missouri began the tradition of Homecoming in 1911. This tradition has spread throughout the world, but the University of Missouri still takes pride in the largest student-run Homecoming in the nation. Go Tigers!!!
	August 30 Here I am visiting my cousin, Jerry Douglas, in Nashville, TN. He was nominated today for the 2006 CMA Musician of the Year Award! We were all very excited! Jerry has won 11 Grammy Awards and two CMA Musician of the Year Awards. I'm also pictured with Jerry's daughters, Nola and Olivia. We had a blast! For more info. on Jerry, visit his website at www.jerrydouglas.com
	August 23 I spent the day with Pat Gruber thanking our sponsors for their donations to the Miss Missouri Pageant. Here I am with Debbie Trabue. All the contestants signed a group photo for the Optimist Club. They donated a fabulous dinner to us during the week of the pageant. Thanks again to all our sponsors!
Click here for photo gallery	August 19 We went to the CEO Party at 5 p.m. and again the food was outstanding. I enjoyed meeting and visiting the Miss America Board Members. The pageant started at 8:00, and it was a great show! The girls had amazing talents, dresses, and sports wear. Melanie represented the state beautifully! I was so proud of her! I sat with a group of Missourians, and I enjoyed getting to know her family. Stacie Cooley, Miss Missouri 2005, and I sat together and cheered for Melanie! The Pageant was over around 10:30. New York is the new Miss America's Outstanding Teen. I had a blast! Thank you to the Miss Missouri Organization for sending me to the Teen Pageant! This was an amazing opportunity!
	August 19 Saturday we could sleep in because we didn't have to meet until 11 a.m. We boarded the bus for Planet Hollywood for lunch! They gave us CMT and Planet Hollywood T-Shirts, which we wore for the photo shoot. All the contestants got to introduce themselves on stage during lunch also! We arrived back at the hotel around 3:30. I took time to go to the venders' shops and try on a few evening gowns. This was very interesting as many of the contestants were there trying to find the perfect gown. At one time, their were 3 of us in one dressing room.
	August 18 The Farewell Dinner was a blast! I sat with Melanie and her parents. The party had several interesting events! Melanie's dad took part in a dance. All the contestants' dads were asked to participate. He actually was very good. The food was wonderful too!
Click Here for photo gallery	August 18 Friday we had to be on the bus for Walt Disney World at 7:30 a.m. This was a great trip for me! We got VIP treatment, not having to wait in line, and we could ride as many times as we pleased! We got back to the hotel around 4:30. Then I had to get dressed for the Farewell Dinner Party for Megan, Miss America's Outstanding Teen 2006.
	August 17 I attended the final night of the prelim competitions for Miss America's Outstanding Teen Competition. Our Teen, Melanie, did a fabulous job on her talent. She performed a classical jazz routine which Stacie Cooley, Miss Missouri 2005, helped choreograph. In the photos, I'm with Miss Arkansas and Miss D.C.
	August 16 I attended the 15th Annual “Reach Out America” Golf Tournament in Kansas City at the Tiffany Springs Golf Course. I took pictures with the teams and handed out awards. I also addressed the audience during lunch on my platform "Health and Fitness for Life." Reach Out America uses Life Education programs to help children make healthy choices for life and to resist alcohol and other drugs. For more information, visit www.roakc.org .
	August 14 I was a special guest at the Girl Scouts Heart of Missouri Councils 12th Annual Golf Tournament at the Columbia Country Club. I spent the day meeting the teams and taking photos. Visit http://www.gshomc.org/ for more information about the Heart of Missouri Council.
	August 8 I made an appearance at the YMCA summer camp in Mexico, Mo. I talked about my platform “Health and Fitness for Life,” and all the kids participated in my workout routine! The Mexico Ledger even covered the event! http://www.mexicoledger.com/articles/2006/08/09/news/news01.txt
	August 7 & 11 I spent two days at the PAVE – Project Anti-Violence Education – Summer Camp in Troy, MO. This is a program of the Girl Scout Council of Greater St. Louis. I was a motivational speaker for 6 different groups of girls. I also taught an aerobics class and discussed the importance of health and fitness in their lives. These girls were absolutely amazing, and this is an experience that I will never forget! For more information, visit the Girl Scouts’ website at www.gscgsl.org
	August 3 I went to a Cardinals game! It was amazing! Emily Pritchard, Miss Pulaski County, invited the sister queens, Jayna Altman, Miss Tri-Counties, and Lindsey Lou Rich, Miss Southern Central, to enjoy a day at the ballpark! Emily’s dad has season tickets right behind home plate! I was so close to Albert Pujols! I couldn’t believe it! Unfortunately, the Cards lost to the Phillies, but I still had a great time just being there with my sister queens!
	August 1 I spoke to the women’s PEO group of Mexico, Mo. I had the most amazing dinner, and the women were just a delight to be around! I talked about what I have been doing so far as Miss Missouri and what I plan to do with my year of service. In the photo, I am with my wonderful host mom, Judy Dye, who is a PEO member.
	July 30 I am with State Representative Steve Hobbs who has continued to support the Miss Missouri Pageant. I'm also with US Senator Kit Bond who has served as a mock interview panelist for the past several years for the Miss Missouri titleholders.
	July 29 I took a trip to visit Shelley Kelly, one of our Miss Missouri Sponsors. Her store, Clarks Bridal & Formal, is located in Jonesboro, AR. Shelley Kelley was so kind. She went above and beyond in helping me find clothes that were just right for me. If you need pageant gowns, cocktail dresses, wedding gowns, swimsuits, jewelry, or shoes...Clark's Bridal is worth the trip. Thank you Shelley!
	July 21 I had the honor of being a part of the 2006 Show-Me State Games Opening Ceremonies. I lead the crowd in the Oath of Athletes at the Mizzou Arena, and I spoke at the VIP reception. The Show-Me State Games began in 1985, which was a great year for sports in Missouri. The St. Louis Cardinals faced the Kansas City Royals in the I-70 World Series and the first Show-Me State Games were held in Columbia, MO. As a non-profit program of the Governor’s Council on Physical Fitness and Health, the SMSG came to life in the form of an Olympic style sports festival to inspire Missourians of all ages and skill levels to develop their physical abilities. The Games have continued to grow steadily and have gained a reputation as one of the best state games in the nation, attracting former President George H.W. Bush, George Foreman, Bruce Jenner, Mia Hamm and Dick Enberg to speak at the opening ceremonies. So it was an honor when I was asked to speak. New sports and a third weekend of the Games were added in 2001, putting the Show-Me State on the fast track to being named one of the biggest and best State Games in the Nation by Sports Illustrated in 2003. Since then the Games have continued to expand, bringing the total number of sports offered to over 40 and the number of participants in all SMSG events to 36,000 in 2005.
	July 11 David Pickering, a member of the Kiwanis Club and our wonderful webmaster, invited me to speak at the Kiwanis Meeting in Mexico, Mo. Thank you for thinking of me!
	July 4-6 I visited Sequoyah County and Cherokee Nation in Oklahoma. I also had the honor of meeting the Cherokee Chief Chad Smith. I am a registered member of Cherokee Nation. My family donated the land to preserve the home of Sequoyah. Sequoyah developed the Cherokee Alphabet, which brought the Cherokee people literacy and the gift of communicating through written language.
	June 29 I covered the “Missouri Takes Action on Obesity” conference for KBIA News. I had the honor of interviewing Dr. William Dietz, a nationally recognized expert in the field of obesity from the federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Dietz is the director of the Division of Nutrition and Physical Activity at the National Center for Chronic Disease Prevention and Health Promotion.
	June 29 I covered the celebration of the new Susan G. Komen Foundation affiliate in mid-Missouri. First Lady Melanie Blunt helped open the new affiliate with a ribbon cutting. Mrs. Blunt will serve as spokesperson and honorary chair for the organization that strives to raise support for breast cancer education, research, and patient services. "Breast cancer touched my life personally, when as a teenager I lost my mother to the disease," Mrs. Blunt said. I also had the privilege of meeting Columbia's Mayor Darwin Hindman.
	June 27 Saiid Fayad helped me decide on my official stationary at Charm's Hallmark in Mexico. Thank you Saiid for being a sponsor! Jeff Frazier from Cellular Today in Mexico gave me the honor of carrying a brand new pink razor phone! Thank you Jeff and everyone at US Cellular for supporting the Miss Missouri Pageant!
	June 22-25 My first appearance as Miss Missouri was at the Miss Arkansas Pageant. I had the privilege of being introduced in the opening number. I even received a standing ovation. On Thursday night, I met the newly crowned Miss Louisiana, Jamie Wilson. Friday night I performed my talent. And to make my trip even better...one of my dearest friends, Amber Bennett, was crowned Miss Arkansas 2006! www.missarkansas.org
	June 15 Jim Grillot in Oklahoma took my official crown shot. Thanks Jim! Jennifer Hover White, Miss Missouri 2001, also welcomed me into her home in Tulsa, Oklahoma. She cooked a phenomenal meal and was a fabulous host! www.jimgrillot.com