In the Bristol Observer: Thank you Mr. Mike!

VOTE "MACT" to 24470!

ATTENTION: Please take a moment to text "MACT" to 24470 to vote for me to be in the Top 15 as America's Choice at the 2011 Miss America Pageant! You can vote every day until January 13! Thank you for the support :)

Merry Christmas!

^{Saturday, December 25}

^{MERRY CHRISTMAS to all of my amazing friends and family!}

^{Please keep the families of the teens in Griswold, CT who recently lost their lives in your thoughts and prayers over this holiday season. Also, remember the children who are spending their holiday in a hospital and all those children close to you…Please keep my little friends in Haiti in your hearts too. Thank you!}

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9VWKucmdzys

Christmas Eve toy drive!

^{Friday, December 24}

Today I went to assist with the toy drive at the Wallingford Wal*Mart for Connecticut Children’s Medical Center. I couldn’t have chosen a better way to spend my Christmas Eve- with special friends and collecting toys for children who deserve them!

Miles: 9,170.5

Interviews :)

^{Thursday, December 23}

^{Interview “conversation” at the Prete’s home! Thank you to Patty, Ann, and the Prete family for all of your help!}

^{total miles: 9,122.5 miles}

Bristol Wal*Mart Toy Drive for CT Children's Hospital

Tuesday, December 21

^{102.9 WDRC Toy Drive at the Bristol Wal*Mart for the children at Connecticut Children’s Hospital!}

Don Baker/ Holiday cards

Monday, December 20th

Interview preparation with Don Baker! He is incredible.

My beautiful Holiday card by Catherine Fiehn!

total miles: 9,060.5

Miss America Send-Off Celebration!

Sunday December 19, 2010

^{Today was my send-off celebration for Miss America!}

^{I am very thankful for having the most amazing send-off organized by my Hartford County/ Rocky Hill family. What a great surprise to see all of my Rocky Hill/Hartford County sisters performing in the opening number and speaking throughout the evening. I was honored to have Sharalynn and Kate emcee the event; they truly made it extra special! I was proud to show my Miss America wardrobe and perform my talent to an audience filled with the most important people in my life. I could not have made this journey alone… the love, support, and guidance I have received along the way means more than I can even write in words. Thank you for helping to make my dreams come true.}

^{MISS AMERICA HERE I COME!!!}

Total miles: 9,012.5

Luis's holiday show!!

^{December 18}

^{This evening I sang in Luis’s Holiday Show in Norwich, CT! It was great to see Luis, Stanley, Gail, Patty May, Frank, Logan, Pat, and many more of my wonderful friends. The show was very entertaining and it surely put me in the holiday spirit! Everyone did a great job!}

^{Total: 8,970.5}

Crowning Touch!

^{December 17}

^{Today I went to New Bedford Massachusetts with Marla and my mom to pick up my Miss America wardrobe at the Crowning Touch. It is always wonderful to see Maria Neves and my wardrobe is BEAUTIFUL!!! I have to say everything I am wearing reflects who I am. That is what is important! Thank you for making everything PERFECT! I will feel like a million dollars walking on that Miss America stage.}

After our appointment we went to the Providence Mall to get a few other last minute necessities for the big day.

^{Total: 8,850.5 miles}

Katie Boyd!

^{December 16th}

^{Workout with Katie Boyd in Massachusetts.. Miss America is almost here!}

^{I can't wait to show my "Body by Boyd" in the swimsuit competition!}

^{Total: 8,504.5 miles}

Mock Interview :)

^{December 15th}

^{Mock interview in North Haven at the Prete’s home. Thank you for all of the help and support!}

^{Total: 8,298.5 miles}

RECENT ACCOMPLISHMENTS!

Just thought I would give a quick update on some recent accomplishments!!

The semester at school has come to an end. Even with my busy Miss Connecticut schedule and Miss America preparation I received a 4.0 GPA!

^{Also, I have recently received a shipment of hundreds of pairs of CROC shoes worth in value over $5,000. I will be sending this shipment to the Christian Haitian Orphanage in Haiti. Angela Vonella, from the CROCS store at Westfarms mall contacted me after seeing my video that I produced to make the donation. I want to thank them from the bottom of my heart for their generosity. The children will be so excited to receive a pair of shoes!}

^{I wrote about Canterbury Elementary School in a previous post about a month ago. The children have been working extremely hard throughout the entire month of November and they have raised over $1,000 for the orphanage in Haiti!! This goes to show how people (even very young children!) can come together to make a HUGE difference. They truly understand the concept of being a part of “One World.” THANK YOU!}

Another Brittany Mission: I know I have previously posted a few times about my very special friend- 9-year old girl, Brooke Lowe. Just to recap, Brooke has been diagnosed with OTC deficiency (Ornithine Transcarbamylase). OTC is a life-threatening illness where her body builds up ammonia, a very strong toxin, which stays in her system.

had the idea to grant her wish of flying her to Las Vegas with her mother for the Miss America Pageant. Her mother was in tears when I mentioned the idea! I have chosen her as my sign-holder to be part of the "Show Me Your Shoes" parade on Friday with all of the other Miss America contestants.

Many thought I was crazy when I brought up the idea because Miss America is coming so soon, I still need to raise my own funds to pay for the cost of my wardrobe etc., and everyone wants me to focus on my own preparation- all I must say, are very valid points. However, I just feel so lucky to have this once in a lifetime opportunity and I want to be able to share it with someone special. I just cannot let money get in the way of a memory of a lifetime for the both of us to share and the opportunity to change a little girl’s life. That is what Miss America is all about- impacting the lives of others.

Within 24 hours I sent out about 100 e-mails and went to several local businesses to ask for help with this mission. Well, the plane tickets are booked and Brooke and her mother are on their way to the Miss America pageant. Nothing is impossible :).

I would also like to mention that my new friend Zac Thomas is including me as a part of his project/ presentation for school.. I feel so honored! Thank you Zachary!

Children's Hospital Teddy Bear Give Away

^{Monday Dec 13}

This morning I went to Connecticut Children’s Hospital for the William B. Meyer Teddy Bear Give-away. I walked around the hospital with my arms filled with teddy bears to give to the patients. Each smile lit up as I got on one knee to talk to each child… they were all so excited! At the end of the day, I was even lucky enough to see my friend Jillian Duffy, 13 years old, and recently diagnosed with cancer. I saved a special teddy bear for her.

And this is truly what the Holiday season is all about. It is about giving back to others- especially children, bringing hope and encouragement to those in the midst of difficult times, putting life in perspective to realize how lucky we all are to be living, and simply just putting a smile on the face of others. That is the greatest gift of all.

^{Tonight I had a mock interview in North Haven at the Prete’s home.}

Total Miles: 8238.5

Mock interview :)

^{Sunday December 12, 2010}

^{Today was a great day to relax a bit! I went to church this morning, fit in a good workout at the gym, and spent some time with my family.}

^{This evening I had a mock interview. Thank you to everyone who came to my home to help out with my Miss America preparation! I am getting more excited everyday!}

Little/ Miss Litchfield County Pageant!

Saturday, December 11^th

^{This afternoon I went to the Little Miss Litchfield County Pageant to support all of my little friends! When I spoke to the audience filled with friends and family members, I personally thanked parents for getting their daughters involved with the Miss America Organization at a young age. The self-confidence I have developed and my overall growth as a result of this program is incredible and I will use the tools that I have gained from this program for the rest of my life. The Miss America Organization empowers young women to be the best that they can be and it surrounds these young girls with positive role models. The overall talent on the stage this afternoon was unbelievable! I was so proud of each and every one of them for having the courage to walk on the stage.}

^{Congratulations to} Tara Shaye Lynch - Junior Miss Litchfield County!

Hailey Auburn - Little Miss Litchfield County

Tonight was the Miss Litchfield County Pageant. It was a wonderful production! Congratulations to our new titleholders who will be competition for my title in June!!

Tiffany George -Miss Litchfield County 2011

Jaine'Coann LeFebvre - Litchfield County Outstanding Teen

Total: 8,146.5 miles

SONIC!

Friday, December 10^th

Today I had a fundraiser at Sonic in Wallingford. It is the first Sonic in Connecticut and the owner, Brad, said it is the busiest one in the country! During the summertime, customers would wait over two hours for a server to skate to their car to deliver their meal!

My purpose today was to sell Community First Cards to raise money for the Children’s Miracle Network. I carried my “Miss Connecticut Smile Tray” full of napkins and condiments and approached each car to introduce myself. I even roller-skated a bit! The only thing I would change about the day was the weather…it was SO COLD!! However, it didn’t hold me back from staying outside for the entire 8- hour shift. Gail, Brenden, Scott, and others came to visit to help out and keep me company.

Total: 8,106.5 miles

Holiday Photo By Catherine Fiehn!

National Anthem at the State Capitol for Laying of the Wreath Ceremony

Monday December 6^th

Today I had the privilege of singing at the State Capitol building in Hartford. I sang the National Anthem for the Laying of the Wreath Ceremony, honoring the fallen soldiers. It was an emotionally moving ceremony and I even had the opportunity to meet some “Gold Star” families that have lost a loved one during war. It is so important to think about our military men and women, both past and present, every single day. Freedom isn't actually free, it comes at a high price- sometimes at the cost of the ultimate sacrifice. I was honored to be part of the ceremony with state representatives, members of the Fallen Soldiers organization, military men, and families.

Total: 8,060.5 miles

Supporting Miss CT USA and Miss Greater North Haven

Sunday, December 5th

Today I went to show my support at the Miss Connecticut USA pageant in Farmington. I had many friends who competed: Acacia Courtney, Juli Bradley, Marissa Barnard, Karen Link, and Marie-Lynn Piscatelli- all previously have competed for Miss Connecticut/ Outstanding Teen America. Congratulations to all of my friends who made the top ten, Acacia for making the top 5, and Marie-Lynn as first runner up!

Tonight I went to the Miss Greater North Haven Pageant. It was nice to visit with everyone and to see the wonderful production!

Congratulations to…

Miss Greater North Haven 2011 - Ashley Membrino

Miss Greater North Haven's Outstanding Teen 2011 - Danielle Trusch

Miss Greater Hamden's Outstanding Teen 2011 - Brianna Smail

Miss Quinnipiac Valley's Outstanding Teen 2011 - Alexa Farrell

Total: 8,028.5 miles