On February 25th 2012, my dream of becoming Mrs. Colorado came true. As I sit here and write this message to you, I am truly honored and humbled to have been given this opportunity. As a mother, a wife, and a full time Director of Human Resources, I am excited to know that I am living a life of passion and purpose every day. As Mrs. Colorado 2012, I am happy to say, “Dreams really do come true.”
The desire to become Mrs. Colorado started off as a bucket list and then turned into a dream that penetrated my soul. It was almost four years ago, when my family and I relocated to Denver. It was a warm summer night and I remember we ordered the movie “The Bucket List” starring Jack Nicholson and Morgan Freeman. It was that night, that my mind starting thinking about my “bucket list” and all the things I wanted to experience in my lifetime. Moving to a new city, one of the goals on my list was to network and build relationships within the community. Another one was to get into the best shape of my life, especially after having two children and being in graduate school for years. A third goal was to enter a race that involved swimming (I did not know how to swim) and running (I'm a horrible runner). Like any mother of two, multi-tasking is a critical skill so I began to evaluate my list and starting linking items in an attempt to consolidate goals.
The next morning, I was watching the news and happened to see an advertisement for the Miss America pageant. At that moment, I looked at my husband and said, “I’m going to enter the Mrs. Colorado Pageant!” Like any smart husband, he replied with, “Great honey, you do that!” We laughed together, but, the more I thought about it, the more it made sense. Having a local state title would be my vehicle to networking with the community and would also inspire me to physically train to get into the best shape of my life. That was it; my mind was made up and I was off to win the title of Mrs. Colorado 2009.
On May 16th, 2009, I did not win the title of Mrs. Colorado but I was able to cross off a goal from my bucket list and it felt amazing! Out of 46 contestants, I was blessed to place in the top 10. I experienced the thrill of preparation and competition. I realized the power and art of "telling a story." I made some amazing friendships and was inspired by so many women in my community. One contestant lost over one hundred pounds and entered the pageant to overcome childhood insecurities of being overweight. Another contestant was secretly entered by her husband and co-workers because they wanted her to conquer her fear of people looking at her. One story that I will always remember, was from a contestant who entered and had a speech impediment. She told me that she wanted to demonstrate to her children that you should always be confident of who you are regardless of what others may think or say.
After the pageant was over, my son came up to me and said, “Why didn’t you win mommy?” I bent down and put my hands on either side of his face and said, “It’s not always about coming in at 1st place, it’s about trying your absolute best and being proud of whom you are. I did win in my heart.” He smiled and said, “You’ll always be my queen mommy.” On June 6th 2009, I crossed off #2 on my list, finishing a triathlon.
In 2010, my bucket list achievement became a dream as I watched the pageant as an audience member. I then realized that winning a pageant was so much more than having a pretty face and poise. It was about self-discovery, preparation, and rediscovering your inner sparkle. It was at this moment, my bucket list achievement was transformed into a dream.
 |
My Journey, My Story
 |
| The Mrs. Colorado Class of 2012- An Amazing Group of Women |
The next morning, I was watching the news and happened to see an advertisement for the Miss America pageant. At that moment, I looked at my husband and said, “I’m going to enter the Mrs. Colorado Pageant!” Like any smart husband, he replied with, “Great honey, you do that!” We laughed together, but, the more I thought about it, the more it made sense. Having a local state title would be my vehicle to networking with the community and would also inspire me to physically train to get into the best shape of my life. That was it; my mind was made up and I was off to win the title of Mrs. Colorado 2009.
On May 16th, 2009, I did not win the title of Mrs. Colorado but I was able to cross off a goal from my bucket list and it felt amazing! Out of 46 contestants, I was blessed to place in the top 10. I experienced the thrill of preparation and competition. I realized the power and art of "telling a story." I made some amazing friendships and was inspired by so many women in my community. One contestant lost over one hundred pounds and entered the pageant to overcome childhood insecurities of being overweight. Another contestant was secretly entered by her husband and co-workers because they wanted her to conquer her fear of people looking at her. One story that I will always remember, was from a contestant who entered and had a speech impediment. She told me that she wanted to demonstrate to her children that you should always be confident of who you are regardless of what others may think or say.
After the pageant was over, my son came up to me and said, “Why didn’t you win mommy?” I bent down and put my hands on either side of his face and said, “It’s not always about coming in at 1st place, it’s about trying your absolute best and being proud of whom you are. I did win in my heart.” He smiled and said, “You’ll always be my queen mommy.” On June 6th 2009, I crossed off #2 on my list, finishing a triathlon.
In 2010, my bucket list achievement became a dream as I watched the pageant as an audience member. I then realized that winning a pageant was so much more than having a pretty face and poise. It was about self-discovery, preparation, and rediscovering your inner sparkle. It was at this moment, my bucket list achievement was transformed into a dream.
In 2011, I dared the stage for a second time and was blessed to place in the top 5. It was also that same year that my sister was diagnosed with breast cancer at the ripe age of 36. My world suddenly came to a screeching halt and my dream of becoming Mrs. Colorado was a distant memory.
It was moments before one of my sister’s major, life altering, surgeries that my world had a monumental shift. We sat there, in the pre-op room and we made small talk. I remember her looking up at me (she was laying down on the hospital bed) and she said, “So Court, you going to compete for Mrs. Colorado this year?” I replied instantly with, “Oh, no…that was just a dream and now with all you’re going through I have realized that it really doesn’t matter.” I continued with, “All that matters in health and family.” Her big brown eyes welled up with tears and she said, “Are you kidding me? Look at me. You never know when your time could come to an end. That is your dream, and you go get it!” In that moment, we cried and hugged and made a sisterly pact to live a life a passion and purpose.
 |
| Janell Ames, Emily Stark, and Me |
As I stood on the stage on February 25th 2012 and my name was called as the new Mrs. Colorado 2012, it was surreal and humbling. I feel honored and blessed to have this title and will cherish it with all my heart. I thank all of my friends and family for believing in me. I thank Emily Stark, the director of this pageant for encouraging me to chase my dreams. I thank Janell Ames, Mrs. Colorado 2011, for guiding me back in 2009, for showing me the ropes, and for being a true friend. I could not have made this dream a reality without you all. For everyone reading this blog, “Here’s to a fabulous 2012 and let the journey of making your dreams a reality begin!”