Boot Camp and (Many) Other Happenings!

I can't even believe it is almost July! This month has been so incredibly busy, I sincerely apologize for not having written a blog since the first week of June! Hope everyone's summers are going well and if you are experiencing weather like we are here in Kansas, you are surviving the crazy, humid heat! I thought today I would update you with what I've been up to since my last post.

I recently spent a busy weekend in Kansas City at pageant boot camp with two of my three Mrs. sister queens and four of the five Teen USA titleholders. I got to meet Amanda Uggla, Mrs. Tennessee United States, for the first time and was reunited with Kristy Kelley, Mrs. Missouri United States, for the first time in a few months. Nearly all the Teen USA girls were there, including Jasmine Fuelberth (Nebraska), Graham Turner (Oklahoma), Aly Klinzing (Kansas) and Brenda Smith-Lezama (Missouri), most of whom I hadn't had a chance to speak with much when we first met at the CureSearch Walk in April. I really enjoyed getting to know them better, and am looking forward to following their journey to Miss Teen USA in the Bahamas this August!

Over the weekend we practiced walking, posing and stage presence with one of our sponsors, former Miss Arkansas USA and Mrs. Arkansas United States, the fabulous Kim Forsythe. We also had two intense but extremely helpful mock interviews, as well as a crash course in hair styling and hair care from Nashville stylist extraordinaire (seriously he is amazing), Bryan Wood of Salon Capelli. It was exhausting but absolutely wonderful! It left me with a renewed excitement about nationals, feeling so fortunate to have this time to not only prepare as best I can, but to have a chance to get to know the six other Vanbros girls who were there so much better!

While in Kansas City, I received some new goodies from the team at Vanbros which I absolutely love! My director, John, gave me my custom-designed car magnets, business cards, stationery and an engraved business card holder, as well as a custom Warriors for Ross sash which I can wear to raise awareness of Vanbros' official charity and one of the two non-profit organizations (in addition to CureSearch) that I support to fight children's cancer! There are pictures below if you'd like to check them out. Everything is lovely. Thank you, Jason Vannatta, for designing not only these items but also my program book ad for nationals. You are so talented!

John also booked my flights a few weeks ago so I am off to Las Vegas for nationals exactly a month from today! Registration will be Saturday, July 27, kicking off what is sure to be a busy and exhilarating five days of competition to see who the current titleholder, Aquillia "Q" Vang, crowns Mrs. United States 2013! I am so excited, and so thankful I have a supportive director and three sister queens to share in the experience with. I would love for you to come out to Las Vegas to support me and the great state of Kansas! The pageant will be at the Stratosphere Casino, Hotel & Tower and finals are Wednesday, July 31.

On another note, I also met Elizabeth Stephens a few weeks ago during our photo shoot for Kansas Alumni magazine. Elizabeth is the reigning Mrs. Kansas America, who is also a resident of lovely little Lawrence, Kansas and a fellow University of Kansas alumna! Rock Chalk! I'm looking forward to our article in an upcoming issue of the magazine. In my interview, I discussed my preparation for nationals, my connection with the University of Kansas, the causes I support and so much more. So if you're a KU alum, make sure you get your copy of Kansas Alumni in the coming months! Really excited about that. Really, really excited.

I'm heading to St. Louis this weekend to not only visit my in-laws, but also walk in a fashion show showcasing designs by my amazing swimwear sponsor, Allyce King Swim (AKS), as well as pageant dresses from Bridal Elegance and Mac Duggal at the Chase Park Plaza. Can't wait to see the custom suit Allyce made for me to wear at nationals! The fashion show is in conjunction with the Allyce King Swim Model Search, where six lucky ladies will win a $30,000 prize package and become the next faces of AKS, and a fabulous Pageantology Workshop by two former Miss USAs, Shandi Finnessey and Susie Castillo.

Auditions for the model search are taking place all weekend, so make sure you click here to register and select a call time! Interested in attending the Pageantology Workshop? Click here to see if there are spots left. Hope to see you all in St. Louis!

I know that was a very, very long post; I promise not to go for so many weeks without writing again! Have a wonderful Fourth of July holiday and I look forward to letting you know how the trip to St. Louis went!

All the best,

RYK

The goodies Vanbros gifted me with at pageant boot camp last weekend.
Thanks, Jason & John!

My beautiful blue and orange Warrior for Ross sash!