February Updates!

Wow -- February absolutely flew by! I have certainly been busy...

 



I participated in IHOP's National Pancake Day for Children's Miracle Network in Salem with Miss Monadnock Region, Jill Granucci. We had a blast visiting with all of the patrons and encouraging donations! CMNH is the national charity of the Miss America Organization and I always enjoy volunteering for this amazing program. If you are interested in donating to CMNH, please click here!

 

 

The weekend of February 16 and 17 was very busy but so much fun! My first stop on Saturday was the Frost Festival in Derry. I had the chance to perform Reflection and Somewhere Over the Rainbow for the children who were in attendance and visit with all the kids!

 

 

 Some cute kiddos at Frost Festival

 

Then, I was off to Miss New Hampshire's Outstanding Teen. On Saturday, there were two preliminary competitions: one for Group A and one for Group B. Emily, MGDOT, competed in the first preliminary show and I'm sure I was more nervous than she was. She was absolutely amazing in all parts of the competition and I am so proud of her!

 

I bundled up for a snowy Sunday afternoon at Frost Festival. This time, I was able to help out with face painting and crown the Frost Festival King and Queen. It was such a fun event!

 

Face painting :-)

 

With the Frost Festival King and Queen. Congratulations!

 

Finals of Miss NH's Outstanding Teen immediately followed. The show was so exciting! Each and every one of the young ladies competing did such an amazing job representing themselves, their schools, and their local chapters. Girls, if you're reading this, you should all be so proud of yourselves! It takes so much courage to get on that stage at such a young age and I loved watching you all shine. Emily made the Top 10 at Sunday's show!!! I was jumping up and down and may have lost my voice from cheering her on. Congratulations to Kenya Welch, the new Miss New Hampshire's Outstanding Teen!

 

Skylar and I getting ready to watch the show!

 

With my director Danielle Jean Cowan, a former MGD, and Krystal Muccioli, MGD 2009/Miss NH 2010

 

Team Emily! With Miss Greater Derry's OT and Preteen, and photo-bombed by Danielle and Krystal :)

 

"If you can dream it, you can do it." --Walt Disney

 

:)

Kendall

MGD 2013

 

 

"Vlogs" and Miss New Hampshire Boot Camp!

What a fun day! Today was Miss NH Boot Camp, the official start of the Miss New Hampshire competition season. I am trying to change things up a bit and post some video blogs, or "vlogs", so check out my first one to find out about my day at Boot Camp!

 

Please subscribe to my YouTube channel to see all of my video updates!

 

Class of 2013!!! (Photo by Katrina Bernard Photography)

 

After Boot Camp with my Contestant Guide

 

I can't wait to see what the next several months have in store!

 

"Believe you can and you're halfway there."  --Theodore Roosevelt

 

:)
Kendall

MGD 2013

 

Miss New Hampshire Class of 2013

The Miss New Hampshire Class of 2013 is complete! Congratulations to the final two titleholders who will be competing at Miss NH: Alexandra Mills, Miss Granite State, and Katy Piszczek! I was so happy to see these two wonderful ladies capture the final to spots last weekend. :)

 

Meet all of the contestants here!

 

The next several months (well, 78 days, but who's counting?) will be very busy for all of us, between last minute preparations for the competition, paperwork, and rehearsals, but I think I can speak for all of us that we are estatic. I cannot wait to spend more time with all of the other contestants as we get ready for Miss NH! One of my favorite things about the Miss New Hampshire program is the friendships you build with the other contestants. The Class of 2013 is already so close, so I'm looking forward to seeing these ladies on an almost weekly basis.

 

Our first event of the "pageant season" is the Miss New Hampshire's Outstanding Teen competition from Feb. 15-17th (Visit www.missnh.org/teen for ticket information). From there we have Miss NH "Bootcamp"/Orientation, several production rehearsals, a talent rehearsal, and then we hit the big stage to put the show together. Lots of fun! And LOTS of dancing!

 

"Be happy in each moment, that's enough." -Mother Teresa

 

-Kendall
MGD 2013

Create Something That Will Make the World Awesome.

Having a bad day? Need some motivation? Then you certainly need to watch the cutest little pep talk I have ever seen!

 

 

Yes, "Kid President" is probably only twelve years old, but he has an amazing message. We have a heartbeat, and that heartbeat stands for a purpose. You have the power to do anything you want to do: to make the world awesome. So, get out there and do something amazing!

 

Happy weekend!!

 

"Create something that will make the world awesome." --Kid President

 

Kendall
MGD 2013 :) 

What I'm Loving Now

Hey everyone! I thought it would be a fun idea to post not only about my appearances and what I'm up to as Miss Greater Derry, but to share a little bit more about myself...So, here's "what I'm loving now"!

 

1. Pinterest. If you have yet to be introduced to this new Internet phenomenon, do so with caution as it can be quite addicting! Pinterest is an online "pin board" where people post recipes (can you say dessert that I shouldn't be eating?!), household tips and tricks, outfit inspirations, motivational quotes (my favorite), workout tips, and more. Connect with me on Pinterest!

 

 

A recent pin on my "Thoughts and Quotes" board.

 

2. Vitamin Water Zero "Squeezed" Flavor - This tastes  like lemonade, and I am absolutely addicted! The Zero version is all natural. It's such a yummy alternative to plain water and has penty of vitamins to ward off sickness.

 

3. Bikram Yoga - I tried Bikram Yoga with a few friends recently and I am hooked! Bikram is a 90 minute 26 posture sequence done in a room heated to 110 degrees!!! What a nice alternative to the chilly temperatures outside now. I must say, I have never sweat so much in my life. I'll definitely be taking Bikram classes leading up to Miss NH - such a great stress relief and workout!

 

4. 1990s Pandora Station - Barenaked Ladies, Train, Madonna, and the Backstreet Boys on one station. Need I say more? Currently playing: If You Could Only See by Tonic.

 

5. Lilly Pulitzer Agenda - This may be the best purchase I have made in quite some time. I have been hesitant to purchase this agenda because it is expensive ($26!), but it is keeping me sane this semester. It has a hard cover, plenty of space for notes, and bright, fun colors and patterns. Between classes and assignments, work, appointments, and appearances, this is helping me to stay organized. Obviously I have everything color coded as well!

6. Chambray Shirt - These are the denim-like button up shirts that are very popular right now. I got one for Christmas and love it! I wear it at least once a week. It is so comfortable, versatile, and fashionable.

 

7. Starbucks Iced Soy Latte - This is probably my favorite item on this list! If you have not tried an iced soy latte from Starbucks, it is a must. (Even when the temperature is creeping below zero degrees). Soy lattes are probably my favorite coffee beverage, and are fairly nutritionally sound as well. They are expensive, though, so I'm glad that I have to go out of my way to get to a Starbucks!

 

What are you loving now?

 

I'll definitely try to throw in some fun posts in addition to my regular appearance posts! After all, this blog is so I am able to reach out to those in the Greater Derry area, throughout New Hampshire, and even throughout the rest of the country.

 

"Every moment is a profound opportunity" --Unknown

 

--Kendall

MGD 2013

:)



Miss Auburn

Last January I won the title of Miss Auburn 2012. Miss Auburn is one of the 28 local titles, like Miss Greater Derry, that will compete at Miss New Hampshire this April. I was so excited to have the opportunity to compete at Miss NH last year and was so proud to have reached my goal of making the Top 10! Thank you so much to everyone who made my time as Miss Auburn so amazing!

January fifth was the 6th Miss Auburn competition. I enjoyed spending the day with the fabulous Cara Bound and Linda Silva, directors of Miss Auburn, and the ten lovely contestants vying for the title and opportunity to compete for Miss NH. We had a blast dancing to Gangnam Style for the opening number! (No, but really, it was so much fun! I had been dying to learn the infamous dance and as someone who has two left feet, it was fairly simple!) I had the chance to sing the National Anthem, A Broken Wing (my talent selection for Miss NH 2012), and I Hope You Dance.

 

All of the contestants were phenomenal and it was so nice to spend the day with them. Congratulations to Mary Beth Bjork, Miss Auburn 2013 and the newest member of the Miss NH Class of 2013!!



 Dreams don't work unless you do.

-Kendall
MGD2013 :)

 

 

 



Busy December

Hello! I hope your holiday season was filled with family, food, and lots of memories. It seems as though the holidays always fly by, which is too bad because I LOVE the month of December and the holiday cheer that surrounds you everywhere you go!

The first several weeks of December were spent finishing up my first semester classes and taking final exams. This semester was a lot of hard work, but it certainly paid off in the end!

On December 8th, I had the chance to go Christmas caroling in the Wolfeboro Chamber of Commerce's Christmas Spirit Open House. I adore the town of Wolfeboro, and caroling in shops and businesses while looking out at Lake Winnipesaukee was a great way to kick off the holiday season!! I sang a variety of holiday tunes and met many wonderful people.

On December 16th, I performed at The Voice Studio's annual Holiday Recital at the Opera House in Derry. I sang "Grown Up Christmas List", which was a little tough to get through because I performed it only several days after the shootings at Sandy Hook. It is one of my favorite Christmas songs and it is a song that I really relate to at this point in my life.

 All five MGD queens - from Miss to Princess!

 Performing Grown Up Christmas List

The week before Christmas I volunteered at three holiday events. First up was the Capital Region Food Program. I spend the afternoon at the National Guard base in Concord filling boxes of food to be distributed to families for the holidays. My shift alone filled 1248 boxes of food! I was so impressed by how organized the program was and how much of an effect they have in the greater Concord community. I cannot wait to go back next year!

 With volunteers from Capital Region Food Program (with boxes upon boxes of food in the background!)

A few days later I had the opportunity to volunteer for the Salvation Army's Toy Shop in Manchester. This may be my favorite event I have been to as Miss Greater Derry!! Upon arrival, we were briefed about how the day would work. Each volunteer was paired up with a parent from the community who was shopping in the Toy Shop for their children. The Toy Shop had thousands of toys organized by age group. The parents got to pick out four gifts for each child, plus a book and a stocking stuffer. I had the chance to help five parents shop for their children. This experience was so incredibly rewarding! The parents were incredibly thankful and it meant so much to see the joy on their faces that they could give their children a happy holiday season.

 With Miss Souhegan Valley Samantha Russo, Miss Londonderry Megan Cooley, Miss Lakes Region Holly Blanchard, Miss New Hampshire Megan Lyman, and Board Member/State Traveling Companion Claudette Jolin :)

I also volunteered for Breathe NH by wrapping gifts at the Manchester Harley Davidson store. According to their mission statement, "Through education, advocacy, research, and partnerships, Breathe New Hampshire works to eliminate lung disease and improve the quality of life for those living with lung disease in New Hampshire." It was a lot of fun to talk with people doing their last minute holiday shopping while collecting donations for a great cause!

 Wrapping gifts with Miss Bedford Julia Neveu and Miss Lake Sunapee Region Brittany Dube

This month I also attended Miss New Hampshire Megan Lyman's Trunk Show and Send Off Party. Meg is so ready to compete in Vegas! Meg just got to Las Vegas for Miss America and I wish her the best of luck!! Be sure to watch Miss America on Saturday January 12th on ABC. :) I also attended a Yankee Swap/Pot Luck with some ladies from the Miss NH Class of 2013. It was great to be able to hang out with a bunch of the girls!

"A wise man will make more opportunities than he finds." --Francis Bacon

Happy New Year!!!

:)

Kendall

MGD2013