Interview at Western New England

Tuesday November 16, 2010

Thank you to Professor Garton and four Western New England faculty members for setting up a mock interview session today. It was very helpful!

Total: 6963.5 mi

Dr. Posner: Thank you!

November 15, 2010

Today I had a dentist appointment to get more sets of my invisalign! Thank you Dr. Posner for sponsoring my teeth to make my smile perfect! :)

Don Baker/ Haylee's first birthday/St. Anthony's with the Children's Chorus!

Sunday, November 14, 2010

This morning I was privileged to have an interview preparation session with the well known and extremely intelligent, Don Baker. I really enjoyed listening to everything he had to say; he is an extremely engaging speaker. He offered some very helpful tips to keep in mind while preparing for Miss America.

After leaving Glastonbury, I stopped by to wish the beautiful Haylee Brooke a Happy First Birthday. Haylee is my local business manager (and great friend)- Tracy Patton's, daughter and she is adorable! At the celebration I was also able to see many of my pageant friends that I haven’t seen in a very long time!

This evening I went to St. Anthony’s Church in Bristol for a rehearsal for their Annual Showcase of the Stars Christmas show. I was able to sing a few songs with the children’s chorus. They were all so excited to have me there, just as I was to be there. I am looking forward to the show on December 4^th!

Total Miles: 6,918.5 miles

Connecticut Rising Star Pageant

Saturday, November 13, 2010

Connecticut Rising Star Pageant

Today Logan and I emceed the Rising Star Pageant in North Haven. It is really wonderful that so many girls are being introduced into the Miss America Organization at such a young age. Congratulations to all of the contestants and especially the winners of this afternoon’s pageant…

CT Outstanding Princess Peyton Troth

CT Outstanding Petite Mikayla Szostek

CT Outstanding Junior Gia Iwanec

CT Outstanding Pre-teen Krystiana Bouchard

I look forward to spending the year with you!

Miles: 70 miles

Total: 6,862.5

Comedy Show Fundraiser for Miss America!!!

Friday, November 12, 2010

WHAT A SUCCESS!

Ashley Hayden, Miss Apple Valley
Riki and Meg
My amazing grandpa!!

Gail, my wonderful business manager!

I have to start off by saying… Thank you, thank you, thank you! And that goes to every single person who was there tonight to support my benefit comedy show to raise funds for my journey to Miss America. Over 150 tickets were sold and we raised over $3,000! Thank you to Rick Carino, Pat Oates, and Darren Rivera- three comedians who donated their time to make this event possible. Thank you to Nuchie’s Restaurant, those who donated raffles, my grandparents, Linda Lubrico, and my parents who helped to put this entire event together. Even more than the money raised, seeing the faces everyone who was there to support my dream meant the most. Thank you!!

Pat Oates and Rick Carino!
My mom, grandma and grandpa!
My dad!!
Grandma and Linda Lubrico!

Ragtime Boutique/ Libero Jewelers Fundraiser!

Thank you!

Thursday November 11, 2010

This afternoon I went to see Natalie and Mary Jane at Ragtime in Watertown to go pick up two dresses that Natalie is giving to me! They are both absolutely beautiful and I cannot wait to wear them! Natalie has always been there for me and many other girls that I know. Please, go in to see what new dresses she has in her store- she has something for any age and occasion that may be coming up!

This evening I drove to North Haven to go to Libero Jeweler’s for a Miss Connecticut Organization Fundraiser. 15% of all sales went to benefit our scholarship fund. It was so nice to see everyone from the board of directors, Mrs. Amerone, Linda Lubrico, my mom, and Diana LaRoe there to support the event. Thank you to Luis and Stanley who bought me a Hershey Kiss necklace. I didn’t know it was Christmas (hehe :)). And a special thank you to Libero Jewelers for their generosity to our program.

Total 11/11/10: 112mi

Total: 6792.5

Cheshire Exchange Club: Thank you.

Monday November 8^th

Today I had the privilege of speaking at the Cheshire Exchange Club meeting. I truly do appreciate anyone who is willing to listen to me speak about the Miss America Organization, my platform, and my accomplishments- and these men and women were genuinely interested in what I had to say. My platform, "One World: Hope for All Children" relates to the Exchange Club national platform of Child Abuse Prevention, which made our conversation even that much more interesting. As soon as I arrived, everyone made me feel so welcome and I really enjoyed their company throughout dinner. I shared with them the true meaning of the Miss America Organization and how it affects young women and how it has molded me to become who I am today. I then spoke of my platform- telling many stories and showing my video presentations that I have produced in Cambodia and Haiti. They were engaged in my message and they asked many questions. I received many thoughtful compliments afterward.

I feel so blessed to meet such wonderful people each day. I find it important to keep the relationships with those I meet as well. So hopefully I will be seeing the members of the Cheshire Exchange Club in the near future!

My Business Manager, Gail, received an e-mail from Carl, a member of the Cheshire Exchange Club, the morning after meeting them. This, to me, was the ultimate compliment:

"Brittany Decker, Miss Connecticut 2010, is a firecracker of enthusiasm, beauty, intellect, and confidence. Last night, Brittany was the Cheshire Club's guest speaker. Those in attendance were caught up in her passion for her "kids" in Haiti and Cambodia. She explodes with energy from every breath she takes. Her smile and laughter however, invites you into her world of intimacy with the Miss America Pageant. She is a true ambassador and great spokesperson for the the eighty plus year organization that selects the right woman to represent America. The state of Connecticut is to be very proud of its selection and we all wish Brittany the best as she competes in January for the CROWN that she has thought of since she was 7 years old."

Total: 6680.5 miles

Birthday Surprise, CT Talent Jamboree, Miss Apple Valley 2011!

Sunday, November 7, 2010

A Birthday Surprise!

This morning I went to a Suffield for a little girl’s 11^th birthday party- “Brunch with Brittany.” Her name is Donatella and I have known her father because he is on the Board of Trustees at Western New England College. All of the girls at the party had their own sashes with their names on them and they wore crowns. We all had so much fun! I took a picture with each one of the girls to put in frames that we decorated. I made the girls balloon animals and they played the game “Pin the crown on Brittany” with a big portrait that Donatella created of me! We ate a delicious brunch as we had girl talk (haha, they were so cute!). Mr. Mancinone showed me his collection of motorcycles, which was very cool... and they had an indoor pool! Before I left I sang a few songs for the girls and they danced along. I had so much fun celebrating Donatella's birthday! The Mancinone’s said they are going to have a big Miss America viewing party at their home to watch me in January! How exciting :)

CT TALENT JAMBOREE!

This afternoon I emceed the CT Talent Jamboree to raise money for the Miss Connecticut Scholarship. There were so many amazing acts! Talia Vendetto won the competition with her incredible dancing abilities- she was a well-rounded, entertaining performer. I thank all of those who performed and who came out to support the show.

MISS APPLE VALLEY PAGEANT 2011

Tonight I emceed the Miss Apple Valley Pageant. All of the contestants were dear friends of mine and they all were wonderful to watch. I felt honored to host the event and I had the opportunity to sing a couple of songs... I even brought my cowgirl hat along (with a crown on it of course!) Congratulations to the beautiful Ashley Hayden- Miss Apple Valley 2011!

Without a doubt, an EVENTFUL WEEKEND!

Miles: 68 miles

Total: 6,652.5 miles

Veteran's Day Parade/ Antenna Salon/ Storybook Gala for Connecticut Children's Medical Center

Saturday November 6^{th: Day 1 of a very eventful weekend!}

Early this morning was the Veteran’s Day Parade. FX and Loretta were there waiting when I arrived. The parade began in Pawcatuck, CT and crossed the border into Westerly, RI. I truly enjoyed listening to those who spoke at the ceremony following the parade. I even had the opportunity to speak. I thanked all of our Veterans and our active duty service men for all that they do for us. They should all be celebrated not only on Veteran’s Day, but everyday. Seeing the chaos, disorder, and lack of freedom in the third world countries I have visited, helps me appreciate even more the freedom that our United States military has fought for us to have, and put their lives on the line to keep for our country everyday. I told of my very close friend, Matt Lavoie, who was in a roadside bomb a couple of years ago in Iraq. He has undergone over 50 surgeries and has lived at Walter Reid Hospital in DC. for the past two years. It is the service men and women in our country who are our hero’s.

After the ceremony, my mom and I drove to Antenna Salon in Norwich so they could make me look beautiful for the gala that was later that evening. JD and his amazing staff always make me feel like a million dollars!! They go way above and beyond. I felt so special as JD curled my hair, Janet painted my nails, Hector did my make-up, and a woman from the Norwich Bulletin interviewed me- all at the same time! Also, Prime Restaurant across the street brought over a platter of delicious sandwiches for lunch!! I always love to go to Antenna!

This evening was very special. It was the Children’s Medical Center’s 2010 Storybook Gala to raise money for the hospital. I was very honored to be invited to this event and to have Scott Organek come with me. We arrived around 5:30 for the cocktail hour prior to the event to mingle with everyone. I met the emcee, Mike Hydeck- former WFSB Channel 3 anchor who now anchors in Washington D.C. I also met the guest speaker, Mike Lupica, a famous sports author and a very nice guy! I sat at a table with a very nice family; it was great to meet them and they were a lot of fun to talk to. The dinner was incredible and I really enjoyed listening to Marty (the president/CEO of the hospital) and Mike Lupica speak. After dinner I helped Mike Hydeck and the auctioneer announcer with the auction. It was unbelievable how giving many of the people there were. There was one anonymous donor of $150,000! Many others donated amounts- as much as $20,000, $15,000 down to $500. There were over 500 people in attendance and they usually raise over $500,000 at the event for the hospital. How amazing is that?! At the end of the evening the band played music and I was dancing with many new friends. I felt honored to be at such a wonderful event… especially because it was for the Children’s hospital!

Mike Lupica, Sports Author

Miles: 197.3

Total Appearance Miles: 6,584.5 miles