Empire State of Mind

As anyone who follows me on social media knows, I just ran the NYC Half Marathon through Manhattan this weekend and can’t even wait to tell you all about it! I started typing this yesterday, actually, as I was in the air over Pennsylvania on my way back to Kansas. What does running this race have to do with my year of service as your Mrs. Kansas United States 2013? You'll find out a little later in my post.

I entered the lottery for the NYC Half Marathon after my sisters-in law, Dana and Karla, suggested it following their finishes in the full New York Marathon last October. I’ve always been a runner, I was on the Cross Country team in high school and run six days a week at my local gym to stay healthy, but I’d never considered running such a long distance. And I think 13.1 miles is a pretty long distance! Along came December and, lo and behold, I was accepted in the lottery, officially claimed my spot and started training!

Now, obviously, it’s mid-March. Time to race! My husband and I got to New York, where both of my sisters-in-law live, the Friday before the race and I felt reasonably ready, even if the weather was looking a little chillier than I thought it would be. And, as you would expect, I was fashionably ready for the race thanks to the Barrett's Braids bar at the John Barrett Salon at Bergdorf Goodman and my new lululemon clothes! If I'm running in New York City you'd better believe I'm going to look good!

The morning of the race, Sunday, March 16, the three of us took a car from Brooklyn to Central Park South near Grand Army Plaza to warm up and get into our starting groups. A little before 8 a.m., our group was released, I was bib number 18034, and off I went!

I ran north through the middle of Central Park to Central Park North around 110^th St., then back through the west side of the park until I exited near Columbus Circle on Seventh Avenue and ran south toward Times Square. It was absolutely mind-blowing to run by all those neon signs through those huge streets that were lined with spectators and typically crowded with cabs and delivery trucks! I then headed to the West Side Highway down 42nd St., and ran through Chelsea, Soho, TriBeCa and Greenwich Village on my way to Lower Manhattan. Then, I ended the race near Battery Park in the Financial District after running through the Battery Park Underpass and by the amazing new One World Trade Center, which is nearly complete.

I have to tell you, immediately after finishing the race, I was totally miserable. Like, totally miserable. I was cold, my feet hurt, I couldn’t find my husband in the huge crowd, I was starving and thirsty. But after I drank my Gatorade, ate some pretzels, found Alex and sat down on the Subway for our trip back to Brooklyn, I had a chance to reflect on the experience and felt so proud at what I’d accomplished. I ran at a good pace, never stopped, and proved to myself once again I can do anything I set my mind to!

What made this race memorable for me, exactly? Well, nearly everything! The man in a gorilla suit banging on a cowbell near 47th St. just north of Times Square. The band playing (bad) covers of Blink-182 songs near 43rd St. The ladies standing by the Giuseppe Mazzini statue in Central Park holding signs that said "It's faster to take a cab! You're crazy!" The fact that I got to run it with my sisters-in-law, my husband was there to watch me and cheer me on, and I was running through some of the most iconic (and usually busy) parts of a city that I love. Most of all, though, I committed to running, to challenging myself, and didn’t back down. So happy!

I always enjoy traveling to New York City, too; the sounds, the smells, the streets, the people. So much happening everywhere all the time. It’s truly a lovely, albeit hectic, place where I find quite a bit of inspiration and energy. Whenever I leave I really do feel different; in an empire state of mind, if you will. That’s not to say I like it better than Kansas, though; I mean, there really is no place like home, right? But it’s one of my favorite places to go.

I was excited to write this not only to share my (awesome) experience but also to encourage you to make sure you take risks, step out of your comfort zone and continually challenge yourself throughout your life, like I did in signing up for this race. Never quit and never settle! If I can survive 13.1 miles through windy, chilly Manhattan with 20,000 other runners you can compete in your first pageant, go after that dream job you want or do any of the other seemingly crazy things you’ve contemplated but have never felt ready enough to do. Go get it! Get whatever you want, right now. It’s amazing what you can accomplish if you put your mind to it and find away to get over the fear you have.

Well, that’s about it for today! Thanks for letting me share my story. And because no blog post from me would be complete without a comment on the weather, here you go: it was freezing in New York so I am very excited to be back in the Heartland where it's nearly 60 and sunny!

Finally, I have to once again congratulate my sister-in-law Dana on her (very) recent engagement! And by recent I mean Saturday, the night before the race. It’s so great to have been included in that celebration and I look forward to helping with all the wedding plans and officially welcoming Lindsay to the family (though he’s unofficially, for lack of a better term, been part of it for quite some time)!

Enjoy the rest of your March. There are only 21 days left until I crown my successor! If you're interested in applying there's still time, just visit www.mrskansasunitedstates.com or call Janet Parkes at 913-381-7121.

All the best,

RYK

At the Expo in Manhattan Saturday picking up my bib and tee. 

I survived! Trying to stay warm in my medal and space blanket after the race. 

Yum! I couldn't resist, just like Olympians do on the medal stand. 

With my newly-engaged sister-in-law, Dana, after the race on Sunday. 

Team Karwas! My husband, Alex, me, my sister-in-law Dana and my sister-in-law Karla at Henry Public Sunday night. 

Models for Miracles Fashion Show

Hey there! It feels to me like it should be spring on beautiful Mt. Oread here in Lawrence, but it is still so chilly that I can't believe it will literally ever be warm again! Not sure why I start every blog with a comment on the weather, but it appears to have become a theme for me. Anyway, today I'm writing about my recent trip to Wichita for the Models for Miracles Fashion Show; it was so much fun and for such a great cause!

I arrived at the DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel Wichita Airport Sunday morning and waited with the other 200-plus models to get checked in before our quick orientation. We heard a little about the background of the fashion show, how it supported the critical work of Children's Miracle Network Hospitals in their efforts to improve the lives of ill children and their families, and learned of our boutique and room assignments. I was lucky enough to be outfitted by BodyTrends BoutiQue out of Oklahoma City! Such great ladies and the most amazing prom and pageant dresses. Seriously. 

We rehearsed a little, then hit the stage for the first show at 1 p.m., during which I got to wear a beautiful white-and-gold beaded Terani Couture dress, and the second show at 4:30 p.m., where I unveiled a gorgeous lacy pink peplum dress (a personal favorite of mine). I also got to catch up with 2014 contestant, Mrs. Wichita Kristin Wetta, again and was proud to be part of an event that raised over $23,000 for Children's Miracle Network Hospitals! Truly amazing! Check out the pictures below to see how things went. 

There were quite a few titleholders there, it was great to see so many queens come together for a great cause! Ashten Vincent, Miss Oklahoma's Outstanding Teen, was there as was Miss Kansas' Outstanding Teen Kristen Boxman, Miss Teen Kansas United States Tobie Roberts and Mrs. Kansas All World Beauties Airin Nelson Rinehart. Local Miss Kansas titleholders Callie Hobkirk, Miss Hay Capital 2014, Krystian Fish, Miss Lyon County 2014 and Megan Keller, Miss Wichita's Outstanding Teen 2014, were also there! Simply amazing. 

A huge thank you to all the gracious and patient volunteers and to Mrs. Kansas International, Kim McDowell, for all you did to make this event an amazing success and a fun day! It was truly an honor to have been a part of something like this. I hope I can do it again next year! 

While I was in Wichita, I also had the opportunity to meet and shoot with photographer Ashley Clupny of Ashley Clupny Photography at EJF Studios and it was so much fun! It was great to meet not only Ashley but also her twin sister Amy and Eric Frank of EJF Studios, but also to spend some more time with 2014 contestant Kristin (who also did my hair for the shoot). And, I will admit, I always enjoy my time in front of the camera; photoshoots are really one of my favorite things to do. Thanks, Ashley for the opportunity! You can check out a few of my photos by going to her Facebook page or by scrolling down to the bottom of my blog post.

Earlier in February, I had the opportunity to meet another amazing and promising 2014 contestant, and ordered my gifts for all the ladies competing in April as well. So excited to see everyone, and meet the ladies I've only spoken to over the phone, in just a little over a month! I can't believe how fast this year has flown by. Incredible. And I really can't wait until the pageant, live from the Historic Missouri Theatre in quaint and welcoming St. Joseph, on April 5 and 6, 2014! I can only imagine what the next year has in store for the 2014 winner. 

Have you ever thought about competing? It's not too late! Just visit the Mrs. Kansas United States website or call Janet Parkes at the Vanbros offices at 913-381-7121 to apply for your chance at a $15,000 prize package and the opportunity of a lifetime. I promise, you won't regret it. You'll get to represent the married women of Kansas from July 20 to 25, 2014 at the South Point Hotel & Casino in Las Vegas! 

And, to follow along with everything that's happening during my last month as your Mrs. Kansas United States, make sure to follow me on Twitter at @RealMrsKSUS and on Facebook at facebook.com/MrsKansasUS! You can also email me at mrsksus2013@gmail.com if you want me to make any appearances before I crown my successor. 

I'm heading to the Mrs. Kansas America and Mrs. Missouri America Pageants this weekend and get to see my boo Kristy Kelley, Mrs. Missouri United States, as well as fellow Lawrence lady and University of Kansas grad Elizabeth Stephens, and a few other pageant friends who will be there. So excited!  

That's about it. Have a great week! 

All the best, 

RYK

In my Terani Couture gown from BodyTrends BoutiQue. 

In my favorite pink and lace peplum dress onstage at the Models for Miracles Fashion Show.

With 2014 contestant and friend (and fab hairstylist), Mrs. Wichita, Kristin Wetta.

Shooting with Ashley Clupny Photography at EJF Studios in Wichita. 

One of the photos from Ashley with my crown and sash. 

Heart Throbs & Heroes Fashion Show

Well, the weather is quite different then when I wrote my last entry in mid-Jaunary; it's barely above zero and there's a foot of snow on the ground! It may be February (which in my mind means the end of winter) but it is definitely still winter. Like, really. Anyway, today I am writing about the Watercolors High Fashion Heart Throbs & Heroes Fashion Show I walked in a few weeks ago that benefitted St. Luke's Health System at Harrah's North Kansas City Hotel & Casino. It was so much fun!

A few weeks before the show, I drove to Watercolors High Fashion in Kansas City to pick out my two looks. It was so hard to decide! There were hundreds of dresses to choose from, all from top brands. I decided on a fabulous MacDuggal pageant gown (my first look) and a Sherri Hill cocktail dress (my second look), and a blue light-up dress as my back up. After leaving, I was really excited for the show.

I arrived bright and early the day of the show and went to the VooDoo Lounge at Harrah's North Kansas City to get my hair and makeup done. After a few hours of hanging out and getting to know the other models, we started rehearsing. And then we rehearsed, and rehearsed ... and rehearsed! There were hundreds of models, a live DJ, the COMPANY MEN, an emcee, and models from St. Luke's (former patients), so it was critical we all knew when we were supposed to walk and with whom.

After rehearsals, the guests were allowed in the ballroom, and all the models were lined up in their first look. I donned my crown and lined up with Megan Johnson, Miss Johnson County and Alexis Rewalt, Miss Kansas United States and former Miss Kansas Teen USA. We hit the stage for our first look, changed, listened to the intermission performance by the COMPANY MEN, and then went out for our second look. Finally, it was the grand finale, after the three queens were introduced and that was a wrap! I was so happy to see my husband, Alex, cheering for me in the crowd and that I got to catch up with friends and family who came to see me. It really was a great day!

There were models of all ages in the show; from elementary-school-aged girls, to ladies like me, to young men who were professional models, to an 80-year-old former model who was lovely inside and out and her husband of 40 years. Just amazing! I am so happy we could all come together to support such a great cause. It was the least I could do to support the patients of St. Luke's Health System. Check out the pictures below to see one of my dresses (the awesome Sherri Hill dress).

I also have to say the staff at Watercolors High Fashion and the volunteers were amazing -- so patient! I can't say enough about the selection and knowledge of the staff at that store, I'm very lucky to have Shelley Wood and Watercolors High Fashion as one of my official sponsors!

Hope your February is going well and that you enjoy Valentine's Day next week!

All the best,

RYK

Backstage after changing into my second look from Sherri Hill.

With Alexis Rewalt, Miss Kansas United States, in the ballroom. 

With my husband, Alex, after the final walk. Glad he could come!

Natalie M. Foundation Fashion Show

Well, hello everyone! I write you, on the eve of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Day, with my windows open and the sun shining in; I can't believe it's so temperate and gorgeous outside! I could really get used to this! Today, I'll be telling you all about the day I spent working and modeling at the Natalie M. Foundation Fashion Show last weekend. Enjoy!

Last Sunday I went to the Overland Park Convention Center to work at the Vanbros table recruiting contestants (check out the picture below) and walk in the fourth-annual Natalie M. Foundation Fashion Show; it was so much fun! Over 500 models from all across Kansas City were on hand to show off the amazing designs of Tony Bowls, who was also in attendance, with three sold out shows throughout the day. I got to catch up with former Miss Kansas USA Lisa Forbes and former Miss Kansas Teen USA Aly Klinzing before walking in the final show of the night in a gorgeous gold Tony Bowls dress from Natalie M. It was great to be there -- did you know that since 2010, the Natalie M. Foundation has raised over $250,000 for education? Such an important cause and a really fun day! If you go to Design and Capture Studios website, you can view the entire gallery from the event, but I hope to have more photos soon!

Next week I'm walking in the Watercolors High Fashion Heart Throbs and Heroes Fashion Show at Harrah's North Kansas City Casino & Hotel benefitting the St. Luke's Women's Heart Center. I can't wait! Not only will there be hundreds of models wearing the latest fashions, there will also be a live performance by the COMPANY MEN -- you know you want to come! You can buy by clicking here, and for all the details visit the Watercolors High Fashion website. Hope to see you there!

Enjoy your long weekend and try to make time to honor the memory of the amazing Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. by serving your community, not just tomorrow on King Day but always! I try to remember what Dr. King stood for: justice, empowerment, love and peace. So important. Enjoy the rest of your January!

All the best,

RYK

Holding down the Vanbros table at the Overland Park Convention Center.

New Year, New Perspective

Happy New Year! Hope everyone had a fabulous time celebrating the holidays with their friends and family. While 2013 was a truly unbelievable year, I always relish the opportunity to start anew, set fresh goals and look forward with positivity while remembering all the experiences I had the year before that got me to where I am today. It's with that in mind that I write today: making sure I embrace change while reflecting on the moments and people that made an impact on me in 2013, and recapping a few of my most recent appearances. Read on!

I traveled to St. Louis for the 2014 Miss Missouri and Miss Missouri Teen USA Pageant at Lindenwood University in November. I had a wonderful time seeing my boo, Mrs. Missouri United States Kristy Kelley and a few other titleholders, though it was bittersweet saying goodbye to Ellie Holtman and Brenda Smith-Lezama, my 2013 Vanbros sister queens. I know wonderful things await them as they start a new chapter in their lives! But I know it's difficult to pass on the crown. Congratulations to the 2014 titleholders, Erica Sturdefant (who did a great job helping me prepare for interview this summer at boot camp before nationals) and Samantha Bowers! I added a few pictures of the pageant below.

Then, as 2013 came to an end, I went to Wichita for the 2014 Miss Kansas and Miss Kansas Teen USA Pageant at Maize South High School the weekend before Christmas. I got to catch up with a few friends I hadn't seen in quite some time, which was wonderful, met a 2014 Mrs. Kansas United States contestant, Kristin, and was there as 2013 titleholders Staci Klinginsmith and Aly Klinzing passed on their crowns. I will miss them both, especially Aly, Miss Kansas Teen USA 2013. She was such a sweet girl who made every moment of her year as a titleholder and truly made a difference in the lives of many. I made quite a few appearances with her, and was fortunate to have her as a little sister queen. I know she will go on to do wonderful things. Aly, you are fabulous! There's a picture of us below. Congratulations to the new 2014 Kansas titleholders, Audrey Banach and Claire-Bailey Lee; welcome to the Vanbros family!

Christmas came and went, and then New Years Eve was upon us! I had such a wonderful time ringing in 2014 with my husband, Alex -- check out the picture below -- and our two best friends who just moved back to Kansas City after hiking the Appalachian Trail last year. What an amazing accomplishment! It's adventures and opportunities like that, ones that people think you're crazy to take but that end up being so rewarding and changing your priorities and perspective, that are so easy to pass over and ignore. Don't ever ignore those opportunities! Since being crowned your 2013 Mrs. Kansas United States, I've tried to live in the moment, take chances and continue to step out of my comfort zone. It's definitely changed me as a person and I'm so thankful for the opportunities I've been given and the unique people I've met.

If you're ready for the chance of a lifetime, make sure you visit www.mrskansasunitedstates.com or call (913) 381-7121 to apply and take the first step. You never know, 2014 could be your year! Feel free to email me with any questions you may have at mrsksus2013@gmail.com. No matter how things turn out, I promise you won't regret competing. I promise.

I can't even imagine where this year will take my husband and I, but wherever we go, we're so ready. I'm excited to see who I crown the new Mrs. Kansas United States this April, and look forward to seeing how the "power of the crown," as they say, positively affects the next titleholder as it has so positively affected me. So go out and make 2014 your best year yet! Strive to be better, go farther, do things that scare you and never compromise who you are for others while remembering the experiences of 2013 that helped shape who you are today.

I'll leave you with a quote from the current Miss USA, Erin Brady: "You will have chances you can't even imagine. If you can break away from 2013, you can start a wonderful life in the present moment."

Here's to a truly fab New Year ... cheers!

All the best,

RYK

Kristy, Ellie, Brenda and me at the Miss Missouri USA Pageant in November.

Me with Mrs. Missouri United States Kristy Kelley at Miss Missouri USA.

At the Miss Kansas USA Pageant with 2014 Mrs. Kansas United States contestant Kristin.

With Miss Kansas Teen USA 2013, Aly Klinzing at Miss Kansas USA. 

Ready to ring in 2014 with my husband and friends in Kansas City! Cheers!

I'm Thankful For ...

Happy Thanksgiving! I can't believe we only have a little more than a month left in 2013. While I watch the first of two football games on television (seriously love holiday games), I thought I'd take a minute to write about the many things I'm thankful for today ... and everyday!

I'm thankful for my family. My parents and sister are so supportive of me that I really don't know what I'd do without them! They remind me everyday what unconditional love really is and have been by my side for my entire life. Such sweethearts! Just want to make them proud. I added a picture of my parents and I at my rehearsal dinner below - they're so darn cute!

I'm thankful for the Vanbros team and especially my excellent director, John Vannatta. I don't take for granted the fact that John and his brother Jason have more than 25 years experience in the pageant industry and are positive and encouraging forces who would do anything for their queens. Love you guys!

I'm thankful for my sister queens. One of the most meaningful aspects of pageantry to me has been the close relationships I've forged with the four other titleholders from Missouri, Tennessee, Texas and the current Mrs. United States who I've been fortunate enough to take my journey with so far this year. Kristy, Amanda, Janet and Lori you are all wonderful! I posted a few pictures of us below.

I'm thankful for my sponsors. You know they say it takes a village ... and that's so true! There's absolutely no way I would have had such great success at the national Mrs. United States Pageant this summer if it wasn't for the talented group of professionals who helped me be the best me I could be. I'm not only a better, more polished contestant but also a more mature and self-confident person. Great people who want the best for me - make sure that you check out the list to the right.

I'm thankful for the opportunities I've been given as a result of my title. I truly believe that once you win, your year is less about yourself and more about others. The people I've met at appearances, and the things I've been able to do since winning last March, have really enriched my life and made me a better person. No doubt about it!

Finally, I'm thankful for my friends and my fab husband, Alex. They keep me grounded and help me keep things in perspective ... and always keep me laughing! Great people. And Alex is (obviously) really special; a very supportive, lighthearted and calm person. A perfect balance for me! There's a picture of the two of us at our wedding below.

That's about it for today. I hope you have a wonderful Holiday season, regardless of what you celebrate or who you celebrate with. Enjoy your Thanksgiving! And take a few minutes to think about who and what you're thankful for ... which I'm sure is plenty!

All the best,

RYK

Me with my Mom and Dad at my rehearsal dinner last year.

From left to right my 2013 sister queens (minus Lori); Janet, me, Kristy and Amanda. 

Me with Kristy and Amanda at the Stratosphere in July.

Me and Kristy goofing around at the Miss Missouri and Miss Missouri Teen USA Pageant. 

Alex and I at our wedding last year!

Kansas Travels

I'm going to start this blog almost the same way I started my October blog: I can't believe how fast this year is flying by ... it's already November?! Seriously.

I hope everyone is enjoying their fall; it is certainly brisk and rainy here in Lawrence, but beautiful as the leaves finally change color on the campus of the University of Kansas as winter quickly nears. Since I've had a little down time lately, I thought I'd fill you in on my recent travels throughout this lovely state!

After a very busy September, both at work and making appearances, a quiet October was a welcome change! My husband and I were able to clear our calendars and take a few short weekend trips to different small towns and explore the beauty and eccentricity of north central Kansas. It was a lot of fun and we met quite a few interesting Kansans along our journey!

The second weekend of October we took a trip out to Wamego and Manhattan, just north of the beautiful Flint Hills. We stopped by downtown Wamego, which was cute and quaint but busy, and then headed onto Manhattan, the other large college town (home to Kansas State University) down the highway from my home of Lawrence! Just outside Manhattan sits the Konza Prairie, a native tallgrass prairie, which was absolutely beautiful. The people in each town were friendly and welcoming, the rolling hills of the prairie were breathtaking. It was the perfect way to unwind from a really crazy September.

Then we decided to head a little further into the Flint Hills and check out Council Grove and the Tallgrass Prairie National Preserve the next weekend. Council Grove was a tiny little town, but was so full of history. After walking through a park near downtown and looking at a few of the historical sites, we drove south to the National Preserve and were able to walk around for about an hour before the sun went down. It was really quite amazing, rolling hills for as far as the eye can see! Make sure you scroll down to see a few of the photos we took during our travels.

After coming home from these trips and having a few weeks to reflect, I am reminded of how unique the state of Kansas is. I think it's important as a titleholder to get to experience as much of the state you represent as possible so you can personify your state in a way, particularily the special and often resilient spirit of the residents. Even though I've only lived in Kansas for 10 years, I've really grown to love this state and am so fortunate I am to be able to represent such a naturally beautiful place that has such an interesting history and such lovely residents. I couldn't resist adding a picture of my crown and sash below -- go Kansas!

Well, November's shaping up to be a busy month! Next weekend I'm heading to St. Charles to watch the 2014 Miss Missouri USA Pageant! While I'm there I'll be able to reunite with my sister queen Kristy Kelley, Mrs. Missouri United States, for the first time since rooming with her in July at nationals. Then, when I'm back in Kansas I'm meeting with a few 2014 pageant contestants. Can't even wait!

Have a wonderful weekend and enjoy what's left of your fall!

All the best,

RYK

Exploring the Flint Hills outside Council Grove. 

The Konza Prairie just south of Manhattan.