Pearl City's Outstanding Teen: Junior Year

Hi Everyone!

A lot has happened the past few weeks, and I apologize for keeping that from my blog.

September was full of debate practice, show choir rehearsal, all state preparations, and keeping up with my classes.

Debate has been going great! This year I became president and have been working hard to keep up with everything I need to do. I have been helping a lot with different fundraisers that our team needs; however, there is always something more that needs to be done, so the work never ends. I am up for the challenge, though! Recently, I went to a tournament in Des Moines where I placed 3rd place in original oratory. I was really pleased with my placement because I know I will only continue to improve.

Show choir has been going well, too. Lately, we have been having a lot of rehearsals to solidify our show. It is great to be able to see it all come together. I am really excited for our works in progress show coming up on November 7th. Any one who is available that night should come! It will be a great time.

All State was a long process that finished up this past weekend. Students from all over the state of Iowa tried out for the All State Choir. After a couple months of preparing, it was the final moment. Only one person from my school made the choir, but as my choir teacher says, we all got better through the process. Next year, I plan to put forth more effort in order to finally make the choir.

I have also recently joined a new club, Best Buddies. This club allows students to spend time with those who are special needs. I was paired up with a 14 year old special needs boy named Richie. I look forward to getting to know him with all the activities we do!

Class work has kept me pretty busy as well. On the plus side, I maintained a 4.0 for the first quarter. Not only that, but I have began working with middle school students. I tutor them in french, and it has been a lot of fun. Hopefully this progress will continue as the year goes on and my classes get harder! I even went to take my PSAT's and I am anxiously awaiting my score!

Homecoming was also a great experience. Better yet, I got to enjoy two since my boyfriend and I go to different schools. It was so much fun. Here are a few pictures:

Davenport North Homecoming

Our Group

Bettendorf Homecoming

I played stylist for all but two of the girls pictured :P

Just a couple of weeks ago, I attended the Miss Eastern Iowa pageant. It was a great show and I truly enjoyed it. Here are some pictures from that pageant as well:

The new Miss Eastern Iowa, Erica Lester

Miss Iowa, Jessica Pray.

Finally, one of the most exciting things that has happened recently was Miss Muscatine's Pageant School. There were many speakers including: Katie Stam, Miss America 2009, and Jennifer Caudle, Miss Iowa 1999. I loved getting to talk with both of these women. Both of them, along with the other speakers, are amazing women who I truly learned a lot from.