I was excited to go to St. Louis not only to meet Allyce King, who custom-designed my competition suit for nationals in a few weeks, but to check out the latest fashions from Bridal Elegance and also visit my in-laws. All great reasons for a short trip to Missouri!
The full weekend of events, which included the nationwide model search, a Pageantology workshop with Shandi Finnessey and Susie Castillo, a pageant panel, trunk shows from Allyce King Swim and Bridal Elegance, and of course the fashion show I participated in with a handful of other current and former titleholders, was held at the lovely Chase Park Plaza Hotel. It was an amazing backdrop - a truly beautiful hotel!
We arrived Saturday morning for fittings and got to peruse the racks of clothing that the ladies of Bridal Elegance had brought along from their shop outside Chicago. It was tough picking out just two dresses to wear in the fashion show! I spent the rest of the morning getting ready and catching up with current Mrs. United States, Aquillia Vang, Miss Kansas Teen USA Aly Klinzing and Mrs. Missouri United States, Kristy Kelley. Then it was time for the fashion show! Scroll down for a few pictures from the event.
A few familiar faces were there modeling with me - a few former Miss Kansas USAs, Miss Kansas Teen USAs, Miss Missouri Teen USAs and the current Miss Missouri USA, Ellie Holtman, among many other beautiful ladies. We each modeled two Allyce King Swim bathing suits and two dresses from Bridal Elegance. I wore a lovely, brand-new MacDuggal pageant gown and a cute pink cocktail dress in addition to my two suits by Allyce. It was great! Can't wait to get my competition suit in the coming days. If you missed this audition, don't worry because Allyce is heading to a handful of other cities throughout the U.S. this summer and fall. This weekend she's in Nashville, but make sure to click here to stay on top of future model search dates.
Then it was back to Lawrence for a very short work week before welcoming my family to town for the Fourth of July! It was a much needed, and much appreciated, long weekend.
This weekend we have our last Vanbros boot camp in Kansas City before nationals! I'm looking forward to meeting Mrs. Texas United States, Janet Randolph, for the first time and seeing the other Miss Teen USA titleholders and my Mrs. United States sister queens from Tennessee and Missouri as well. I can't even believe how quickly nationals are approaching. My wardrobe is set, I'm hitting the gym more than ever, I'm preparing my state gifts and the signs for my family to hold up in the crowd at the Stratosphere, and I had my last great session with Valerie Hayes to prepare for interview ... I simply can't wait to head to Las Vegas to compete!
Have a wonderful Thursday and Friday, and also a wonderful weekend!
All the best,
RYK
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| My husband, Alex, and I after the show. He's great! |
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| Me with Allyce King and Mrs. Missouri United States, Kristy Kelley. |
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| Me with Mrs. United States Aquillia Vang and Kristy. |
