Mrs. Kansas United States 2013: 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