Mrs. Colorado® and National Infertility Awareness Week

Mrs. Colorado® and National Infertility Awareness Week

With no rest after being crowned, I went straight to work advocating for family-building during National

Infertility Awareness Week (April 24 – 28).

To kick off the week, my family and I joined other advocates from Colorado Fertility Advocates at the

Civic Center building to watch it light up orange (the color of infertility awareness). It didn’t go as

planned and there was a reschedule/redo at the end of the week which we couldn’t make. Regardless, it

was incredible to start NIAW week with so many other passionate individuals doing the work.

Tuesday, April 25, was a big day! That was Resolve, The National Infertility Association, Advocacy Day. It

is an annual day where participants across the states are scheduled to meet with their local

representatives to share their stories and create awareness for expanded family-building coverage. This

was my third year participating in Advocacy Day and my second year in a row as Colorado State Captain.

It’s an honor to lead this day and I see it as a privilege to get time with representatives who want to

make changes for all constituents in their state. This year we met with the offices of: Sen. Michael

Bennet, Rep. Ken Buck, Rep. Lauren Boebert, Rep. Diana DeGette, Sen. John Hickenlooper, and Rep

Brittany Pettersen.

National Infertility Awareness week might have passed, but you will continue to see me sharing my

voice, listening to the community’s storied, and being an advocate for the community that gave my

husband and me more than we could have ever imagined (our son, AJ).

If you know of anyone needing family-building support or there is an organization I can lend a hand in

amplifying the cause, please do not hesitate to reach out.

2023 Pageant is in the books!

Visit the 2023 Pageant Photos to see a collection of the Class of 2023!

An Alzheimer’s champion among ‘African Americans Who Make a Difference’

Sylvia Waller has made a difference in many people’s lives. She was a care provider for her father as his Alzheimer’s disease progressed. Using the lessons learned as inspiration, she has served as a community volunteer for the Alzheimer’s Association, leading community education classes and using her platform as Mrs. Colorado 2022 to raise awareness of the risk the disease poses to the Black community.

Now, the Aurora resident is serving as a role model. She has been recognized by the National Council of Negro Women, Denver Section. It’s just the latest honor for Waller, who was name one of the African Americans Who Make a Difference by the Denver Urban Spectrum.

“Sylvia Waller knows first-hand the challenges of caregiving for her father without support and resources before his passing in 2017,” said Rosalyn Reese, director of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion for the Alzheimer’s Association of Colorado. “We appreciate how she has used her pageantry platform as a meaningful opportunity to raise awareness and connect people to resources the Alzheimer’s Association offers, and congratulate her on this well-deserved recognition.” 

Waller has made Alzheimer’s education a personal cause. Recognizing that Black Americans have double the risk of developing the fatal disease that Whites do, she has become an evangelist, bringing information to her community.

“That higher risk is intriguing to me,” Waller said. “My doctor said that my blood pressure and blood sugar were up and could create issues for me. I changed my diet. I exercise. If you’re at higher risk for developing dementia, at least do your part to maintain a healthy body and you can fight against it better.”

Waller added that learning about the valuable educational programs and support groups available through the Alzheimer’s Association can make a big difference in the approach caregivers take to the disease and helping their own family.

“I felt very much alone,” she said. “There’s help available, including helping caregivers understand the importance of self-care so they can be there for their loved one. You don’t have to do this alone.”

To learn more about the information, programs and services offered at no charge by the Alzheimer's Association, go to alz.org or call the Association’s free 24/7 Helpline at 800-272-3900.

Alzheimer's Association

The Alzheimer's Association leads the way to end Alzheimer's and all other dementia — by accelerating global research, driving risk reduction and early detection, and maximizing quality care and support. Our vision is a world without Alzheimer's and all other dementia.™ For more information, visit www.alz.org or call the 24/7 Helpline at 800.272.3900.

https://www.alz.org/co/news/an-alzheimers-champion-among-african-americans-who

You are Invited to Galentines Event with Blush

Need hair and Make Up Options?

You can get dolled up for pageant weekend many different ways!

Here are a few options to help if you need the resources.

Tori Apodaca with Ivory Med Spa - Tori has been doing makeup for contestants and the queens for years.

Blush - They have different stylists at different price points special for the pageant contestants.

How do I write the pageant biography?

Start here!

This will guide you in completing your Delegate Biography Template.

2023 Host Hotel Selected

We have officially selected the host hotel for 2023 pageant. The hotel is walking distance from the Saturday nights Ellie Caulkins Opera House in the Denver Performings Arts Complex. Activities prior to the Saturday night pageant are at the hotel. You are welcome to stay at Magnolia A Trubute Hotel pageant weekend.

Link to book room

November from your Mrs. Colorado 2022

Giving Thanks! November is the beginning of the holiday season! It is this month, and every

month we should reflect on the many blessings given. I am thankful for my family, God’s

provision, my life, and every ach and pain because it means I’m still here for a purpose. Life can

constantly take you off course and you’re anxiously trying to find your way back. During this

journey we often neglect to see the beauty and the lessons along the way. There is joy in Every

situation, and we can’t lose sight of that!

God has created each and every one of us with intent and purpose. To find true happiness we

must pursue God’s purpose for our life by spending quiet time alone in prayer and meditation.

“For I know the plans I have for you, plans to prosper you and not to harm you. Plans to give

you hope and a future” ~ Jeramiah 29:11

In our efforts to repair the wounds of our divisive and hostel climate remember LOVE concurs

all. Love is your superpower! Tis the season to share your heart with others; a prayer, a smile,

a hug and sometimes a simple gesture of; I see you or I hear you, can make a huge difference in

someone’s life.

Happy Thanksgiving to you all! And enjoy your time with your beautiful families!

Mrs. Colorado Springs 2022

Have you seen the Mrs. Colorado Springs 2022

Watch Mrs. Colorado Springs 2022

Opening Number Dress Options

We are already choosing the opening number dress for the pageant production. Did you know you do not have to dance in the opening number? Yes, that is correct. We have contestants walk on stage and hire professionals to dance!

Should we go with this dress?

Program Book Advertisement Pages

These are the Colorado national advertisement pages for the program books. Thank you to Megan Anderson of Graphique Fine Art Photography and Tori Apodaca of Ivory Med Spa.

The Colorado Queens are off to the national pageant

Follow our social media as the three Colorado queens head to Vegas!

Thank you European Heels!

We have a new sponsors who generously sponsored a pair of heels for our Colorado queens. Below is the pageant heel that was created just for us!

Click here - USE MCO for a $25 discount

Guest Speaker at Phenomenal Women Gala

Catch up with Mrs. Colorado 2022

All Glory to God! June 17th I received a new hip! The unknown was a little scary! How would my body respond? How long would my recovery time be? But The Joy of the Lord is always my strength! And my faith kept me trusting and believing! Blood pressure went thru the roof this week driven by medication. Doctor determined the cause and eliminate that medication.There are alway kinks in the links but thru it all I praise Him!!

I am No longer dependent on an old lady walker. I’ve progresses to a cane! And I am off the heavy duty narcotics for pain. It’s a struggle but pushing thru with Tylenol and rest! Gods Grace and mercy is so good! I have a tendency to push and do too much when I feel good. I’m not suppose to be up on my feet for long periods of time. So I’m trying not to over do it. The hip area fells Great no pain at all. I Went to sleep with a rickidy hip and woke up with a new hip just like that!

The recovery is about the muscle nerves and tissue around the new hip and Senergy balance. My other joints have compensated for the bad hip and now they have to be trained it work together. Each joint pulling its own weight! And the muscles, tendons and nerves all woke up very angry!! The pain I experience are in my quads and glute. They had to cut thru the quad muscle and tissue to remove the degenerated hip and replace it with new functioning material. The incision, muscles and tissue surrounding are still swollen, painful and healing.

I started Physical Therapy yesterday. Slow and easy on the way to recovery as I prepare for Mrs. America pageant in Vegas on August 20th. GOD is so good!! Won’t HE do it?! Just trust and believe in HIS promise!!!

I still have a ways to go and I know there will be some good days and bad days. However, I’m taking one day at a time with one step at a time. Taking it day by day. I am ready for the challenge.

I’ll check in with more progress and frustrations as I go! Hopefully I can encourage someone along the way to keep pushing.

Thank you to everyone who reached out pre surgery and post with prayers, messages, warm wishishes, cards flowers and meals! I’m forever grateful and thankful for you all.

God Bless!