MENC comes to Colorado

One of Mrs. America's sponsors is MENC, the National Association for Music Education. I was honored to be a part of the Colorado Music Educators Conference in Colorado Springs.

There were over 3,000 attendees to support music education.

Mrs. America delegates are coming together with MENC to gather 1 million signatures to present to congress in Washington D.C. in June. The goal is to get music education and the arts in our public school programs as part of the core curriculum.

I kept busy getting several hundred signatures to represent the Mrs. Colorado Organization in Washington D.C.

Mrs. Denver, Lori Pace, also collected several hundred signatures the following day. Thanks Lori!

Happy New Year!

We are well into the new year and I have finally got used to dating all of my checks . . . 2009.

I hope all of you had great Holidays and are looking forward to opportunities that this year will bring.

We are all in charge of our own successes. No matter what they may be, be passionate about your goals. Work hard to achieve them. And remember the person you should be trying to impress most of all is yourself.

May 2009 be a year to impress!

Happy New Year!

The Jingle Bell Run

I apologize for the delay in these photos but I had "technical difficulties" with my camera and thought I had lost all of these photos. Thanks to the camera shop, I was able to retrieve my pics!

Just a few weeks before Christmas I co-hosted the Jingle Bell Run with "Murphy" from KOSI 101. Even though the temperature was -4 it was still a great turn out to support the Arthritis Foundation.

Everyone was real troopers despite the weather and we all had a great time.

A few of the Nuggets Cheerleaders were also troopers to come out and cheer on the runners.

The costume winner . . . Santa's Little Helper! I judged the costume contest and not only was this festive but remember, it was -4 degrees! She earned 1st prize!

Whats a snowy day in December without Frosty and Santa!

28th Annual Heart of Hearts Gala . . .

My husband and I had an evening we will never forget at the 28th Annual Heart of Hearts Gala. We were presented with the Henry M. Porter award, a humanitarian award, for our work in the community educating and preventing heart disease.

The Hearts of Hearts Gala is hosted by the Rocky Mountain Adventist Healthcare Foundation in support of cardiovascular services at Porter and Littleton hospitals.

Porter Hospital saved my husband life. Before being presented with the award the Gala was shown a short video of our story and what we have done since his heart attack. Cameramen had been filming various events over the past couple of months to make the video. It was very touching to see our story on screen.

As an ambassador for the American Heart Association, a wife of a survivor and as Mrs. Colorado I have taken this opportunity to educate that this disease does not discriminate.

My husband started the Colorado Pain & Rehab Charitable Foundation with proceeds going to the American Heart Association. Together we have been able to share our story hoping to prevent anyone else having to go through what we did just over a year ago.

We are so blessed to have a second chance and feel that giving back to the community is the least we can do.

THANK YOU to the Rocky Mountain Adventist Healthcare Foundation for presenting us with this honorable award.

We had an evening that we will cherish forever.

John and I were SO honored as we were presented with the Henry M. Porter Award.

In my acceptance speech, I was able to thank my husband for being a fighter and for inspiring me, the American Heart Association for having me as an ambassador, the Rocky Mountain Adventist Healthcare Foundation for this honorable award and of course the Mrs. Colorado organization for giving me the opportunity to have a voice that could be heard.

John's acceptance speech was so touching and very inspiring.

This night brought all of my roles together . . . American Heart Association Ambassador, wife of a survivor and Mrs. Colorado. One of the proudest moments of my life.

My survivor and motivation!

With last year's recipient of the Henry M. Porter Award, Dr. Bruce Paton.

We were honored to be his successors.

With the Master of Ceremonies, Mark Koebrich from Channel 9.

John and I before dinner.

Laura Fitch, part of the Rocky Mountain Adventist Healthcare Foundation. She was the person responsible for planning this amazing event.

JOB WELL DONE!

John and I had an evening we will never forget!

Peter Howell, the CEO of John's group Colorado Pain & Rehab, and his fiance' Judy came to show their support.

Children Diabetes Foundation

Acting Mrs. Colorado director, Emily Stark, and myself were honored to attend the Children Diabetes Foundation Brass Ring Luncheon held at the Marriot Civic Center downtown.

The event benefits the Foundation and the Barbara Davis center.

I was so honored to model these beautiful Pink Pearls designed and made by Barbra Davis' daughter. They were sold at the live auction to benefit the Children Diabetes Foundation.

This years luncheon was the biggest turn out with over 600 guests.

Saks Fifth Avenue hosted a runway fashion show featuring "The Best of Saks".

Board members of the Foundation. True heroes to the kids of Colorado with diabetes.

Coordinator of the event, Susie Hummell. Thank you so much for having me.

Veterans Dinner

It was such an honor to be a special guest at the 2008 Veterans Dinner in Idaho Springs.

Irv Kruger was a USMC in WWII in Korea. He turned 93 years old this month!!

He is a true hero and is such a reminder of why we support our troops!!

Nicole Cucinella was given an EMT award for her duties as a paramedic. She works with the Clear Creek County EMS.

Jamie Davis received a special award from the Idaho Springs VFW Post for her hard work in the education system. She is a 6th grade teacher with Georgetown Community School.


Emma and her father have made attending the Veterans Dinner and having a photo with Mrs. Colorado a tradition. This is Emma's fourth year meeting the reigning Mrs. Colorado. I remember seeing her photo on the blog with the previous queens . . . I was SO excited to finally meet her!

Seminar at Liberty Media

My trainer, Ray Kahn of Kick-fit Sports hosted a seminar at Liberty Media on "Living a Healthy Lifestyle".

He invited me as a guest speaker and to share my story of living through almost losing my husband to a heart attack and why and how we now live a heart healthy life.

Ella Blue Fashion Show for Families First

I had such a great time being part of the Ella Blue Fashion show. Pictured here with boutique owner and friend Kim. A percentage of all of sales for the evening went to the charity, Families First.

Ella Blue has GREAT clothes, accessories, and pampering products.

Families First is a charity to help rehabilitate children and families who have been abused. The event was a big success and brought awareness to this great charity.

Queen For A Day!

Patrice Williams Miss Colorado USA, Taylor Schettler Miss Colorado Teen USA and myself Mrs. Colorado all came together to support a great cause . . . Queen For A Day.

The event is at Children's Hospital and it is a time for some of the patients to get pampered like princesses! The girls get to enjoy make overs by the Colorado Queens and other princess volunteers. The girls get their make-up done, nails painted and even their own crown! The boys get to enjoy meeting the Police Cadets and their mascot, McGruff.

The kids are SO grateful and it is always so amazing to see these kids smile!

Police mascot, McGruff. I knew I had made it big when I did an appearance with McGruff!

I have been his biggest fan since I was a kid!

Traci Tate coordinated this great event and I was SO honored to be a part of it! Job well done Traci . . . the event was a huge success!

Taylor and I could not pass on a photo op with McGruff and the police cadets that were also there to make the day extra special for the kids!

The little girls just LOVED getting pampered by princesses all day!

She is ready for her "royal ball". What a brave and beautiful princess!

This beauty did not need a make over but she DID deserve some pampering!

Her and her sister after their "queen pampering". She is such a fighter and SO humble! It was so great to be able to take her mind off of her hospital stay.

Of course the best part of going to the hospital is going to visit patients in their rooms. They are always SO brave and SO inspiring.

It is always so great to see the smile on the kid's face when I pop in for a surprise visit!

Queens finishing up after a great day at Children's Hospital!

The Zarlengo Foundation Ball

Henry Winkler (aka, The Fonz) . . . producer, actor, writer and motivational speaker was the special guest of the evening.

The Zarlengo Foundation benefits the Havern Center, a school for children with learning disabilities. These group of people help fund these educational programs and have gone above and beyond to bring awareness to children with learning disabilities.

Henry Winkler has been a HUGE success despite growing up with learning disabilities himself. He was so inspiring and I was so honored to be a part of this great event.

I modeled a 7 karat diamond bracelet that was donated by one of the board members. The bracelet was worth over $9000. The raffle for the bracelet raised quite a bit of money for the Havern Center.

A special THANK YOU to the Zarlengo family and all of the attendees that help raise money for such a great cause!

My handsome date, my husband John. (Notice, I'm discreetly showing off that diamond bracelet to him! I convinced him to buy LOTS of those raffle tickets!)

Winner of the 7 Karat diamond bracelet! He had to pry it out of my hands!!

Congratulations!!

Anna Marie Zarlengo, Board of Director member and event coordinator.

Enjoying the evening with fellow guests.

Mrs. Colorado Book Cover Photo Shoot

On Oct. 30th I had GREAT fun shooting the cover for the 2009 Mrs. Colorado book. I can't wait to see it! It is a Mrs. Colorado tradition that the cover of the book be kept a surprise until pageant weekend. How exciting . . . but the suspense is killing me!

Official Mrs. Colorado photographer, Meagon Anderson with Graphique Fine Art Photography, is wonderful to work with.

Also there at the shoot was Colorado acting director Emily Stark, Updo-ologist D.J. McDermott and Make-up by Kari, Kari Kisch.

A BIG thank you to the whole gang for making the day so fun!

Mapleton Education Foundation Gala

With the Mayor of Thorton, Erik Hansen.

I was honored to be able to attend and support the Mapleton Education Foundation Gala. This foundation has enabled the schools in this district to offer the children wonderful programs such as the arts program, bus transportation, free lunches for the children and much more.

Rebecca Cavanaugh-Miller and Carol Beckler are city of Thorton council members who are huge supporters of the foundation.

What a surprise to sit next to Carol Beckler who was the director of Mrs. Colorado over 17 years ago! She was Tricia Dampier's (my director) director when she was the reining Mrs. Colorado.

Photographer for "Black Tie Colorado" has been photographing Mrs. Colorado queens for several years around town at Black Tie fund-raisers. I was able to turn the camera on him for a change!

Just before dinner and the live auction.

My date for the night, Raeanne Duca, with the Royal Image Boutique. Raeanne supplied my beautiful dress and jewelry for the event.

Royal Tea at the Brown Palace

It was honor to be able to support and be part of the "Royalty Team" of the Cancer League of Colorado at their Royal Tea event. Pictured here with chair woman of the Foundation and the head of the Tea Committee.

This is a fundraising group dedicated to the eradication or control of cancer. It has raised millions of dollars to support cancer research, patient care and family programs in Colorado.

There was a "princess" there who was also part of the "royal team".

Boo at the Zoo

I had great fun passing out candy to over 20,000 attendees to the Boo at the Zoo event. I was there supporting the American Heart Association and promoting the Go Red for Women Movement to fight heart disease.

Best costume of the day!

Miss Poland International was there to take over my shift. It is always nice to bump into fellow title holders especially when we are supporting the same cause.

25th Anniversary Make A Wish Gala . . .

What an honor it was to be a part of the 25th Anniversary of the Make A Wish Gala. Pictured here with the founder and CEO, Joan Mazak. Make A Wish has granted 3000 wishes in Colorado for children with life threatening medical conditions to enrich them and their families with hope, strength and joy.

I was able to give my support that night by modeling and selling raffle tickets for a beautiful baby pearl necklace and by assisting in the live auction.

What a night to remember!

The stunning Miss Kennedy! Kennedy is an up and coming artist. Her wish was granted when she traveled to Paris to see the original Mona Lisa. She also was able to visit and photograph the garden of Monet'. This is one of her original paintings from one of her photos from Monet's garden. It was an auction item and well . . . I aggressively outbid everyone there! I wanted this painting to always remember Kennedy and all of the Make A Wish kids.

The beautiful Miss Austen. She not only is a "Make A Wish Kid" but she was one of the great entertainers of the night. She sang the most beautiful version of Rainbow Connection from the Muppets . . . she brought the crowd to their feet! AND, she loves to bake! A dozen of her home baked cookies went for over $100. Her wish is to meet Rachel Ray. I have a feeling her wish will come true . . . thanks to the Make A Wish Foundation!

I had such a great time mingling with the crowd and selling raffle tickets for this beautiful baby pearl necklace, donated by Hyde Park. The raffle alone raised over $2000.

MISS COLORADO & MISS TEEN COLORADO PAGEANT

Congratulations to the new Miss Colorado USA, Patrice Williams!! Good Luck at Miss USA in April of 2009!!!

Congratulations to the new Miss Teen Colorado USA, Taylor Schettler!! Good Luck at Miss Teen USA in August of 2009.

I had the honor to help out the staff of Future Productions again this year. I was able to spend the weekend with all of the contestants. What great fun! On final night I enjoyed greeting all of the guests before the show. What a great time!

With the 2008 queens on the last night of their reign. Miss Colorado Teen USA, Daniel and Miss Colorado USA, Becky Hughes. I was there last year the night they were both crowned and even got to go to Vegas and watch Becky compete for the title of Miss USA. Congratulations ladies on a great year!

One of the Teen contestants was having the staff and contestants sign an official Miss Colorado USA shirt for her friend who is in the hospital fighting cancer.


I was SO proud of ALL of the beautiful ladies that competed for the title of Miss Colorado USA!


More beautiful ladies . . .

. . . and MORE beautiful ladies!

Having some girl time with my gal pal, Diane, before the show.

Getting ready for showtime with my fellow chaperones for the Miss Colorado contestants, Darlene and Diane.

Rick Cruz, father of our home state girl, Hilary Cruz Miss Teen USA 2008. It was so fun getting the update on her acting career in New York. He is a very proud papa . . . as he SHOULD be!

Future Productions is a huge supporter of the "Best Buddies" organization. I was honored to have my picture with a couple of the gentlemen from Best Buddies that escorted contestants during evening gown.

Colorado Pain & Rehab Charity Golf Tournament

My husband's group, Colorado Pain & Rehab, hosted a charity golf tournament. All proceeds went to two different charities, the American Heart Association and Mount St. Vincent Children's Home.

Of course, as an ambassador, I'm always supporting the American Heart Association and I have been a volunteer and raised money for Mount St. Vincent Children's Home for the past several years.

I was so honored to be there to show my support and appreciation to the golfers and to give out all of the prizes at the end of the game. The event was a huge success with over 50 golfers and over 15 sponsors. Thank you!!

The golfers were ready to T-off!

A special thank you to ALL of the CPR staff who worked so hard to make this event possible and such a big success.

The Summit Medical Center Dancing With the Mountain Stars Gala

After taking a few weeks off after returning from Mrs. America, I was SO excited to dive back into what I love . . . being Mrs. Colorado. I have an exciting 8 months ahead of me and I look forward to all of the great opportunities.

I was honored to be a special guest and keynote speaker at the Summit Medical Center Dancing With the Mountain Stars Gala in Keystone, Colorado.

The black-tie event was a huge success with over 400 attendees. NINE professional dancers were brought in from L.A. to dance different dance styles with local "Summit Medical Center Supporters" or as we like to call them . . . celebrities. The amateur dancers trained for several months to put on a great show! They ALL were amazing!

All proceeds went toward equipment for the cardio-vascular lab. This equipment is key for the today's technology in preventing and detecting cardiac disease. The hospital has been there just over 3 years and has grown to be one of the main medical facilities in the mountain areas.

The goal was to raise $100,000 toward the foundation's $250,000 goal (which is half the cost of the machine).

I am always honored to share my story of the wife of a heart attack survivor, mother of two, Mrs. Colorado and an American Heart Association Ambassador.

Head of the Summit Medical Center Health Foundation, Deb Edwards. She coordinated the event and it was amazing!! I was honored to be there!

Paul Chodkowski, the CEO of the Summit Medical Center. Congratulations on a successful event and thank you for having me!

The Dancing With the Stars winner, Kelly Renoux!! She did an amazing dance to "Singing in the Rain". Fred & Ginger would have been proud! She is a Benefits/Compensation Manager for Copper Mountain and Winter Park Resorts.

Congratulations to the "People's Choice" winner. She did an amazing version of the Charleston! She is a nurse by day but she was a "show stopper" that night!

During the professional dancers finale. They were amazing!

My handsome date . . . my husband John.

Raeanne Duca, owner of the Royal Image Boutique, donated over $400 for the event. She provided the wardrobe for the fashion show a few months ago in Breckenridge.

Miss Wyoming and Miss Teen Wyoming USA

Of course my first photo HAD to be with my Mrs. America 2008 alumni, Mrs. Wyoming Michelle Woodard. She was an official judge for the Miss Wyoming & Miss Teen Wyoming competition.

I have had a blast over the past couple of years being part of the crew of Future Productions, the production company and state directors for 6 states for Miss USA and Miss Teen USA. This year was a bonus to also be a part of it as Mrs. Colorado.

The 2009 queens are . . . Miss Wyoming Teen USA, Amy David and Miss Wyoming USA, Cynthia Pate. Congratulations ladies and GOOD LUCK at Miss USA & Miss Teen USA.

Myself with the 2008 Wyoming queens. Cassie Shore, Miss WY USA 2008 and Callie Bishop, Miss WY Teen USA 2008.

I was there last year the night these ladies won and was there this year to watch them give their farewells. Good luck with your future endeavors ladies! You are FABULOUS!

The official Future Productions photographer, Mike Solberg, never gets HIS picture taken. I couldn't resist turning the camera on him.

I, of course, had to take some time to stop by and do some shopping at the booth set up by the Royal Image Boutique, one of the official sponsors.

A reminder of why I'm inspired!!

This is my beautiful daughter, Lila Christine. She is 5 years old and my princess!

Just a reminder, if you scroll down my blog photos you will see a picture of me in Tucson during the Mrs. America group pool shot in a red swimsuit and this red hat.

My daughter just loves this hat! She came in the other day in this outfit and said, "Mommy, I'm Mrs. Colorado!" Awww, every mother hopes their daughters want to be like them!

This journey as Mrs. Colorado has NOT been about being a "beauty queen" but about being motivated to do something that I am passionate about and about never giving up! My daughter has witnessed that and as learned so much from it.

After Mrs. America, she asked me if I was sad that I didn't win?? Before I could even answer her, she added, "Because you shouldn't be mommy, you did your best and that is all that matters. And, I still think you are the best mommy ever!"

Okay, enough said! That has made my year as Mrs. Colorado ALL worth while!