I have had so many different and varied experiences the past couple of weeks, and I have been caught up in such a whirlwind of excitement that I haven't had a chance to post lately! I left you last after the Miss AU Pancake Breakfast in April, where we raised over $500 for Children's Miracle Network...
On April 21st, I traveled with some of the Auburn Alumni Association members, Coach Gus Malzahn, and Aubie to Florida for the Emerald Coast Alumni Meeting! We boarded a small private (orange and blue!) plane in Auburn and traveled to Destin, Florida. Upon arrival, we were warmly greeted with a limo that took us to the meeting! I was tempted to pinch myself to test if this was real or not- what an amazing experience!
We arrived at the Emerald Coast meeting and met some Auburn alumni at the door who escorted us in. As I kept trying to follow the others that I had traveled with into the meeting, I was continually stopped and found myself at the door for several minutes greeting and mingling with some of the most kind hearted people I have had the pleasure of meeting.
As you can see, they showed us a lot of love in Destin! After a wonderful dinner and some speeches by Alumni Club VP and by Coach Malzahn, we left the meeting for Auburn. It was so surreal to leave Auburn at 4 and arrive back by 10 with so much happening in between! I am so thankful so have taken part in such a rare opportunity. And I certainly expressed to the Auburn Alumni Association that I am free to travel with them again whenever they would like me to!!
The Miss Alabama Workshop weekend approached and left very quickly in my opinion. My mother and I stayed at the historic Tutwiler hotel in downtown Birmingham during the weekend. On Saturday, I was up bright and early to arrive at Samford University with my wardrobe. My group of contestants was ushered into production number choreography rehearsal. We had a great time learning a bit of the numbers, but mostly enjoyed letting of some steam and getting to know each other even more. After production number rehearsal, we tried on our entire wardrobe for some Miss Alabama staff and they provided suggestions and approval for each contestant to ensure that we look our best and most beautiful during the week of the pageant! On Saturday night, the Miss Alabama Gala was hosted at the Tutwiler hotel.
I am pictured above second from the right with some of the other wonderful Miss Alabama contestants. This is just after our introductions at the Gala. Sunday brought talent approvals. Each contestant was able to perform her talent on the stage in the Wright Center of Samford and get a feel for the room, and in my case, the lighting. My baton routine to "Conga" went well and I am more excited than ever to perform for the audience at the pageant! The end of the weekend has made me even more excited for the week of Miss Alabama and for the time all of the contestants will be able to spend with each other!
After workshop weekend on that Sunday night, I served as the emcee for the Sustain-A-Wear fashion show on Auburn's Campus. Student designers entered the competition and had to make their garments out of recycled materials. It was really fun to see such creative designs and to be able to help at this event. I admire the students of ASAP (Auburn Sustainability Action Program) and all of their unique ways of promoting sustainability and making it appealing to all majors and personalities.
Pictured above is the winning design and myself behind the podium introducing it to the judges and the audience!
As you may know, I am involved with a group on campus called Campus Kitchens. We strive to take leftover food from on campus and serve it in high need areas around the community in order to fight hunger and strive for food sustainability! During the last weekend of spring semester, we had a pick up from a dining hall on campus where we received a LOT of food! Everything from lettuce to cookies to turkey! As the Community Partnership Liaison for Campus Kitchens, I coordinated this pick up and the drop off at Ease House, a nursing home for those in poverty who aren't able to support their own care. The ladies at Ease House were thrilled when my little white SUV pulled up full of food! We unloaded the food and it was immediately served to all the residents. I am looking forward to all the numerous pick ups and distributions we will have this summer!
Before I left Auburn for a week at home with my family, I visited the Columbus Regional Children's Miracle Network hospital for Miracle Friday. I was able to help with the lunch rush by taking up money and directing people to the correct area and to get a look at some of the great baskets for the raffle. I greatly enjoyed my first visit to Columbus Regional and was happy that I could help in some way.
I look forward to updating you all again soon on the last couple of weeks until Miss Alabama and all of my experiences that week!
With Love & War Eagle,
Emilee
