Hello Friends!
I have so much to tell you that I don't even know where to begin! Miss Florida week was the week of dreams!
I could barely sleep the night before I left for St. Petersburg. I was so anxious, excited, and nervous for the week to begin! I was asleep by 12:30 AM and up at 4:00 AM. As soon as the car was packed and ready to go, I remember my stomach making a giant leap. I could not believe that Miss Florida was finally here. Below is a picture of me before hopping into the car to St. Petersburg.
When I arrived in St. Petersburg, my mind began to shift gears. It had hit me at that very moment, that I was competing for the coveted title of Miss Florida...A preliminary to Miss America! I had always known that I wanted it, but this time, more than ever, I was determined to bring the title home.
My mom helped me move into my room. There was so much to move in!
The moment I met my roommate, Jenise Fernandez, Miss Miami, I knew that we would have a fabulous week together! She is one of the funniest and most real girls I have ever met and I was so blessed to have gotten her as a roommate. We had many laughs and were pretty much glued to each other's hips the entire week! Our friendship has truly grown, and we still talk just about every day.
Jenise and I
Before my mom left the USF dorms, she left me two posters that she had made with a quote on each. One quote stuck with me the entire week..."The future belongs to those who believe in the beauty of their dreams." -Eleanor Roosevelt. It is one thing to be prepared for ANY competition or obstacle in your life, but nothing can be achieved without your own belief that you CAN do it.
That afternoon was filled with video taping for our live telecast. After a long afternoon of taping, we went to Sierra Minott's, Miss Florida 2008, host family's house for a party. It was nice to just relax and get to know the other contestants but as soon as the night was over, I went to bed knowing that competition was about to begin the next morning with interview.
I woke up the next morning excited for my interview and that excitement carried on throughout the entire interview. It was a tough interview, but I knew that I had done well. After my interview, I went to rehearsals. The following day was filled with rehearsals as well. Our opening number was absolutely AMAZING! It was my third time at Miss Florida but this opening number topped the other two!
That Wednesday, we went to the Vinoy for a "Black and White" luncheon. The Vinoy is a beautiful Resort in St. Petersburg. I was so lucky to be assigned to the same table as Jenise! The luncheon was delicious!
After the luncheon we went back to the dorms for some down time, then we headed to the Columbia restaurant located at the St. Petersburg Pier. Yet again, I sat with Jenise. Haha...
After the luncheon we made our way to the theater to watch the Miss Florida's Outstanding Teen Pageant. I was so nervous! I knew in my heart that my sister would do well, but I was still so nervous. The teens were going to compete in Lifestyle and Fitness, and in talent. Saying that my sister would do well was definitely an understatement...SHE WAS UNBELIEVABLE! I had always known my sister was talented...but I must say...she truly took my breath away that night.
My poster of my sister! Hehe
I was so caught up in my sister's competition, that I almost forgot that I was going to compete the very next day in talent and onstage question. But after a good night's sleep, I woke up ready to give it my all.
I remember that first night of preliminaries, I felt on top of the world. For the first time in my pageant career, I actually enjoyed answering my onstage question! When the talent portion began, I suddenly became very calm. I knew that I had done everything I could in terms of preparation for my song, it just came down to my two minutes of performance. When they announced my name and my title, a rush of emotions flowed through me. I can honestly say that I left my heart on that stage.
Once everyone was done competing in their phases of competition, preliminary awards were given. Andrea Apple, Miss Kumquat Festival, won talent. Rachael Todd, Miss Suncoast, won swimsuit...and guess who won evening wear?...Jenise! I was so thrilled for her! Every single one of those girls truly deserved those awards.
The following night I competed in evening wear and swimsuit. I had so much fun while I was on stage! Preliminary awards went to Katie Crews, Miss St. Petersburg, for evening wear; Brittany Wardell, Miss Pinellas County, for swimsuit; and Ashley Ramsey, Miss Zephyrhills, for talent. Once again, well deserved!
The next day, Saturday, July 11th, was the day that the top ten would be revealed and then ultimately a new Miss Florida would be crowned. I went to bed that night after all preliminaries were over knowing that I had done all that I could. Yes I was nervous and anxious for the results, but I knew in my heart, that whatever the outcome, I had done my best during preliminaries.
I woke up that Saturday morning surprisingly calm. After all of our stuff was together, we made our way to the theater for rehearsals. Rehearsals were intense. The production team was determined to have the show run as smoothly as possible for our live telecast.
After rehearsals, the teen finals took place. I had to watch from backstage. My sister competed in evening wear and onstage question. She answered her question eloquently and looked stunning in her gown. When they began calling the top ten for the teens, I began getting nervous again. My sister was the last called for the top 10! I was so proud of her that I began to cry. Jenise was standing right next to me and she gave me a big hug. She seemed to be just as proud as I was. Hehe. Then they began to call the runners up. I was already so proud of my sister's top ten accomplishment, that I forgot that someone was about to be crowned. They had called 4th, 3rd, and 2nd runner up...my heart was racing...then they announced my sister as FIRST RUNNER UP! Just when I thought my sister had finally ceased to amaze me...she proved me wrong. Knowing that this was her very FIRST pageant and to end up as first runner up was amazing! I am so proud of her!
After the teen pageant, I had to recollect myself and prepare for my own competition. My heart was racing as we were standing backstage waiting for the opening number music to start. As soon as I was onstage, I felt on top of the world...little did I know...that as soon as the opening number was finished...I would be the first of the top 10 called!!! There are not enough words to describe what that moment felt like. In all honesty...I don't even think I remember! It was such a blur. Oh and guess who else made top 10...Jenise! Yet again...we were together.
After the top ten was announced we competed once again in swimsuit, talent, and evening wear. My energy was through the roof...I had so much fun!
After competing, the top ten was brought on stage for the calling of the top five. While waiting for the commercial break, a rush of emotions came to me...I couldn't believe that I was standing amongst the top 10. I took it all in...I took instant snapshots of the crowd, the judges, the familiar faces, my family, my friends, and my mom all sitting in the audience. I felt so proud...
Then I heard the host say, "And our first top five finalist is...
Miss Florida Sunshine...Kristina Janolo!"
When I thought I had cried enough, a whole new rush of tears began to stream down my face. Top Five!!! I was in the top Five!!! All my hard work had paid off. After the calling of the other four, I suddenly became very peaceful. At that moment, it didn't matter if I won, because I already felt as if I did. I had worked so hard and out of 46 beautiful young ladies, I was one of the top 5. I felt fulfilled.
After about 15 minutes, they began to call the runners-up...
"Your Fourth Runner Up is Miss Florida Gator, Diana Kelly!"
Oh my gosh...oh my gosh...
"Your Third Runner Up is Miss St. Petersburg, Katie Crews!"
Oh my gosh...oh my gosh...is this really happening right now??
"Your Second Runner Up is Miss Pinellas County, Brittany Wardell!"
Ahhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh!!! I am one of the last two standing!!!
There is no way to describe what I was feeling at that moment when I was standing with Miss Suncoast, Rachael Todd. The world suddenly became so small. I forgot that there were about 50 other people on stage and over a thousand people in the theater. It was just Rachael and I.
I was then announced First Runner Up. I was so proud of myself and of Rachael! Rachael was crowned and I knew in my heart, that everything happened the way it was always meant to happen.
After the pageant, we made our way to the Miss Florida Gala. My sister was announced as the overall talent winner and winner of the scholastic award! Yet again...I was amazed. As I walked down the staircase and was announced as the First Runner Up...I was filled with so much happiness!
That night, Jenise and I tried to pull an all nighter...Needless to say...we weren't successful.
We moved out the next day. I was sad that Miss Florida week was over but happy and proud of my accomplishment.
Although I did not come home with the crown, I had accomplished what I had come to accomplish, which was true belief in my own ability. Without belief in myself, I would have never made it that far. That week was a life changing experience filled with memories and dreams come true...and yes...my dream of becoming Miss Florida still lives on...
Miss Florida 2010...here I come!
