Miss Connecticut 2010 Brittany Decker: Please follow along on my journey this year as Miss Connecticut!
March 17
This morning I went to CT Children’s and met with Scott for my monthly visit with the patients at the hospital! It had an amazing time, as I always do.
Happy St. Patrick’s Day! This afternoon I went to New London to be a part of the St. Patrick’s Day parade in the center of town. There were so many there to watch the parade- even on a Thursday!
March 16
Today I was asked to shoot a video to be used on a web page for a new media company!
March 15
Photo Shoot with Catherine Fiehn, our wonderful state photography sponsor!
March 14
Today I had the privilege of speaking with Governor Malloy about the Miss Connecticut Organization at the state capitol with Sharalynn, Mr. Kuziak, and Tom.
This evening I actually followed the Governor back to Bristol to hear him speak about his tax legislation and budget plan.
To end the evening I was asked to sing “Amazing Grace” at the Police Officer of the Year ceremony in Bristol. I felt so honored to be there!
March 13
Today was the Miss Connecticut open forum in New London… It was very exciting because it was really the first time that all of the contestants were all together for the first time!
This evening Logan and I emceed the Miss Nutmeg and Miss Mountain Laurel Pageant.. Congratulations to Jessica Lesage and Alex Tenney!
Saturday March 12, 2011
Today was Girl Scouts Mall Madness day in Enfield, CT! I emceed the fashion show, signed some autographs, and met so many wonderful girl scouts from different troops throughout Connecticut.
Tonight was the Miss Mattatuck pageant. Congratulations to our new titleholders: JoJo, Brittany, Melissa, and Alyscia! Everyone did a fantastic job.
Friday, March 11, 2011
Today I went to an auction to benefit John Trumbull Elementary School. It was nice to meet those who came to support the event and to also help out with the auction. I even decided it would be appropriate to auction off a “lunch with Miss Connecticut.” My donation went for over $200!
Thank you to Linda Lubrico for joining me at the event!
Thursday, March 10
Today I auditioned for the MYTV9 Star position! It was held at the Mcdermott Lexus dealership in New Haven. The position is to serve as a representative for WCTX MyTV 9, doing many sales/promotional events and broadcasting for different businesses. As the face of MyTV 9, the "Star" travels to many events throughout the state, shoots/edits/produces to create packages/ commercials, and serves as the talent behind the camera. The job is absolutely everything that I love! Nearly 200 people auditioned/ interviewed for the position.. WISH ME LUCK :)
Wednesday, March 9
This evening I spoke at the Bristol Exchange Club meeting. I know many members of the group very well, so it was great to share my experiences with them from Miss America and what I have been up to. I also had the opportunity to show the music video I created while in Haiti. They really enjoyed it! So much in fact that one member, Don Soucy, is providing funds for me to return to Haiti!! The generosity of people I meet absolutely amaze me... I am more than appreciative and so excited to go back!
Tuesday, March 8
This evening I went to the city council meeting in Bristol. Our wonderful mayor, Art Ward, gave me both a city and state proclamation recognizing my accomplishments. I spoke of how I am proud to be from Bristol and how my involvement within the city has helped me to become who I am today. The support I have from so many in Bristol is unbelievable. I stayed for the duration of the meeting, which was very interesting!
Bristol’s Miss CT saluted
By KAITLYN NAPLES
STAFF WRITER
Miss Connecticut was honored last Tuesday at the town council meeting for her poise and her represen- tation of Connecticut and Bristol while competing in the Miss America Pageant this year.
Bristol native Brittany Decker received two procla- mations last week, one from the state and the other from the city of Bristol, com- mending her and honoring her for her accomplish- ments during her reign as Miss Connecticut, and com- peting in the Miss America pageant this past January.
“Unfortunately the judges didn’t see it our way,” Mayor Art Ward said about the result of the competi- tion. “If we were the judges you would have won the title of Miss America.”
Ward said he usually doesn’t watch the pageant, however, this year he did not miss a minute of the competition.
“I am always so proud to say I am from Bristol,” 21- year-old Decker said. “Bristol has made me who I am today,” she said, adding that without the organiza- tions she has participated in throughout the years have made her who she is today.
Decker stayed for the two-hour council meeting,
because she said she want- ed to. She also added that she hopes to be a future city leader one day.
Decker attends Western New England College and has traveled to Cambodia and Haiti, and worked on a documentary for school about her time there, and creating awareness about Third World countries.
“You have made the state proud, the city proud, your family proud, and most importantly yourself proud,” Ward said.
Comments? Email knaples@BristolObserver. com.
Sunday, March 6
This evening was the Miss Greater Hamden Pageant. Logan and I were the emcees for the evening. Ann DeMatteo and the board of directors did a wonderful job with the production. Congratulations to our new titleholder Casey DelBasso and all of the other contestants who were all very talented!
Friday, March 4, 2011
Today I emceed the John E. Pagels Elementary School Talent Show in West Haven with Logan. I opened the show by speaking and singing a song. During the show, there was one little girl who forgot her words while singing on stage and she ran off crying. Of course I went back to be sure she was okay. She really opened up to me after I shared a story of how I ran off stage one time after forgetting my answer to a question on stage at a pageant. I encouraged her to have the confidence to go back on that stage to face her fears and to perform again. After a few minutes of pulling herself back together, she wiped her tears, and did just that! When she came back on Logan and I went on stage to sing with her because we could tell she was still very nervous. She did such a beautiful job and we were so proud of her!
All of the performers were wonderful. Thank you Mikayla, CT’s Rising Star Petite, for inviting us!
Thursday, March 3
Today I was invited to attend a ‘Bristol Risings’ meeting. Bristol Rising is a group that is working toward gaining support of the revitalization project in downtown Bristol. I absolutely love my town and am a huge advocate for the development of our downtown community. I felt honored to be asked to attend this meeting and there were many in attendance to show their support!
A couple of weeks ago I received a very special e-mail from Amy and Jay Engle, the executive directors for the Miss Nebraska Scholarship pageant. It was an invitation extended on Teresa’s behalf to invite me to her homecoming celebration in Nebraska for the long weekend! I was very lucky to have Teresa, Miss America 2011, as a roommate in Las Vegas. We quickly became friends and established a close relationship with each other. I felt honored to be invited to Nebraska, not only because I was going to see Miss America- but to see my friend again and to see how she is doing.
Thursday, February 24
My flight this morning left Bradley Airport around 8am. I had a quick layover in Michigan and I arrived in Omaha around 1:30p.m. Bob Kropp and Caroline Bright, Miss Vermont, greeted me as I got off the plane. We waited for quite a while at the airport because of delayed/ cancelled/ missed flights. The time went by quickly though because I was in such great company! Ericka Dunlap, Miss America 2004, came to join us. Then Emoly West: Miss Oklahoma arrived, and finally Jalee Fuselier: Miss Hawaii and Miss Washington: Jacquie Brown! I can’t even explain the feeling of excitement to see everyone again! We went on a corporate jet to North Platte, Nebraska. I have to say, that was one of the most exciting experiences I have ever had! We all were in awe of the plane and we made jokes the entire flight of how we felt like celebrities. It’s not everyday that you get to ride on a private jet!
We landed in North Platte, met with Alyse Eady, Miss Arkansas, and headed to a VIP reception at the Spike. At the small gathering we were able to see Teresa and she ran right up to give me a huge hug! We mingled for a while with everyone, took some pictures, and then ate as we caught up with one other. Teresa is doing very well- of course she is very busy, but she is really enjoying herself. She is still the same Teresa that we all know and love!
After the reception, we were picked up in a stretch hummer limo! Ericka had the great idea that we go through the drive thru at a fast food restaurant. We went to this place called Runza and we decided to all go inside and make a scene instead of going through the drive thru! It was a very funny sight to see all of us. I did not try a Runza, and I’m still not exactly sure what it is, but my milkshake was delicious!
We were dropped off at our hotel and all of us girls, including Teresa and Ericka, got into comfortable clothes and hung out for a while before going to bed. Our “girl talk” was great… I really don’t think I have laughed so much in a very long time. It is just so nice to see how “real” everyone is. I am so lucky to have such amazing friends!
Friday February 25
This morning was very special and almost impossible to describe in words to those who weren’t in attendance. It was the Miss America Prayer breakfast that took place in a large ballroom at our hotel. One thing I love about Teresa is her openness to express her faith. She, herself, explained that she didn’t know she was ready to win- however, it was God that had it in her plans. They read aloud one of her favorite scriptures, Timothy 4:12-16, which says a lot about Teresa’s Message.
12 Don’t let anyone look down on you because you are young, but set an example for the believers in speech, in conduct, in love, in faith and in purity. 13 Until I come, devote yourself to the public reading of Scripture, to preaching and to teaching. 14 Do not neglect your gift, which was given you through prophecy when the body of elders laid their hands on you.
15 Be diligent in these matters; give yourself wholly to them, so that everyone may see your progress. 16 Watch your life and doctrine closely. Persevere in them, because if you do, you will save both yourself and your hearers.
Teresa’s speech was moving. After she finished, Jay- her state executive director, introduced me before coming up to sing. He explained that people are brought into each other’s lives for a reason and he shared a little bit about the special friendship Teresa and I developed while at Miss America. When I came up to the microphone I, too, felt the need to say a few words on behalf of all of the girls. I just mentioned how we are blessed to have Teresa in our lives and that we are so proud of her and will be with her every step of the way. Then I sang Amazing Grace. It was a very slow, acoustic version of the song that struck emotions of many in the audience. I feel honored that I was given the opportunity to sing at such an amazing event. To top off the morning, philanthropist George Garlick donated 50,000 to create the Teresa Scanlan Scholarship fund to benefit the Miss Nebraska scholarship. He is truly amazing!
This afternoon we had lunch at the Canteen Grill at the hotel in our own small room. It is always great to eat in good company! Afterwards, we had a sound check in the ballroom for tonight’s performance. At around 2pm we went to the Platte River Mall for an autograph signing. We signed about 900 autographs for many children and other Miss America fans. At night was the Evening of Dreams gala where we ate a delicious meal, listened to Teresa speak, and we state titleholders performed. We mingled with the guests and took many pictures before heading up to bed! A wonderful and eventful day!
This morning we flew on our private jet to Omaha, Nebraska! As soon as we hit the ground our driver, Walter, picked us up and brought us to the children’s hospital. We went around to many rooms visiting the children! We talked to each patient, gave autographs, took pictures, and even sang happy birthday to a couple kids! Before leaving we went to visit a floor of the hospital with children suffering from eating disorders. A few girls and their mothers waited for us to come. I enjoyed this visit especially because I was able to have a conversation with them. A few moms told how this illness really was unexpected to them because they didn’t think their child, as young as 10 and 12 years old, could suffer from an eating disorder. They were very happy to talk with us and they were thankful for Teresa promoting her platform of eating disorders to get the word out.
While at the hospital I met a gentleman from a local TV station named Chase who is a friend with former Miss CT contestant and my good friend, Corrina Pysa! We made a video to send to her to say hello! It’s really a small world.
After the hospital, we all went to have lunch with all of the former Miss Nebraska’s. It was really great to meet everyone and to chat during our meal!
After lunch, Marsha took us to the zoo! We had so much fun visiting the desert, the rain forest, and the aquarium! Who knew you could enjoy so many exotic places during the wintertime in Nebraska!
After the zoo we went back to the hotel. I found out recently that I had family in Nebraska, so during our down time before the evening events my relatives stopped by the hotel for a short visit! It was so wonderful to see them!!
For our last big event, we had another dinner gala in the hotel. We had a wonderful meal and we were all able to perform our talents again, listen to Teresa speak, and mingle with everybody there. At the end of Teresa’s speech she told an inside joke that only myself, the other contestants, and Ericka Dunlap understood because of our conversation the previous night in the hotel. We all burst out in laughter as the audience sat there watching us. This just goes to show that Miss America is a ‘real’ person, and to us who are able to know her well, a great friend.
Tonight we all gathered in our hotel rooms to spend time with each other before we departed in the early morning. Jay and Amy Engle and Marc Angeli from Miss America joined us. I will truly miss everyone so much. It was an incredible weekend.
Teresa did not join us because she was busy meeting and greeting others downstairs at the hotel. However, I stopped by her room before she went to sleep. It was really neat to see the huge suite she was staying in! I gave her a frame of a collage of pictures of us from Vegas. I also gave her a pin called the “Circle of Friendship” and a note to go with it. The pin had one angel holding hands with a circle of other people. I explained that she is the angel and holding her hands are the rest of her Miss America sisters that will be here for her throughout her journey. I wanted her to know that she has a friend to talk to at any time; even Miss America needs that!
Sunday February 27
This morning we said our final good-byes as we went to the airport and left our separate ways. I am so thankful that I had this opportunity!
