what a weekend

About a week and a half ago, all of the 2013 Miss Arkansas contestants gathered at the Pleasant Valley Country Club to enjoy a yummy brunch, meet each other, and choose their spot in the lottery.  If you're new to this, like me, the Miss Arkansas Lottery is a list divided into three groups: A, B, and C, that is the overall lineup that determines which night you perform what at the Miss Arkansas pageant! This year each group would have 15 contestants; meaning 45 total!  The lottery is something I was nervous over...if we're being honest!  It can mean a lot in the long run of your Miss Arkansas experience, ALTHOUGH they say if you don't get the spot you want, no worries, the judges will find their new Miss Arkansas! Anyway, I had kept an eye on Group C after I was crowned Miss Lights of the Delta and was learning more about what the state pageant would consist of! Group C starts with Wednesday night being swimsuit (meaning I could have an Oreo or two sooner than later), Thursday being Evening Gown, and Friday being the talent portion for your group.  I mainly liked it because of that Oreo AND the fact that Friday night would be the night I had so highly anticipated: TALENT! What a dream.  To sing in front of thousands... everyone you love, care about, represent, and who looks up to you.  They all get to see you do what you love in a fabulous gown as they cheer for you and support you.  What a dream! I absolutely cannot wait.  Friday night of prelims will be when more of my friends and family will be attending due to the work week being finished.  The more the merrier! Wow. I'm so excited.  But I accidentally skipped the story. Yes, I landed in Group C. Here's what happened:  a ton of prayer, and a "good feeling". I sat toward the corner of the room at the country club behind my director and a name card that stated Miss Lights of the Delta.  About half way through the meeting, someone announced that they were going to begin drawing names for the lottery.  All of the girls wiggled in their chairs, nervous, and anxious to know their place!! You wanted your name to be called first because that would mean you could choose any spot on the whole board.  But at that point, I had a weird feeling... I knew - I just knew - they were going to call my name first.  A peace and contentment came over me that I was in the right place at the right time: The Miss Arkansas system.  A window where I could be a mentor, a representative, a speaker, a singer, etc. I finally felt so content. ...Sloane, our lovely reigning Miss Arkansas, drew the first name from the bowl... "Miss Lights of the Delta, Maggie Benton".  Woah!  I knew it!  Crazy...I would be first to choose my spot in the lottery. An answered prayer.  I discussed my choice from Group C with Mrs. Marrietta (my incredible director), smiled at my mom, walked over to Mrs. Jessie, and asked for spot 42 in Group C.  The perfect spot for me.                                         
                                                                                           

Following the meeting, I had the rest of the day to bond with my sister queens from NEA.  We all "hit it off"! Jenn (Miss NEA), Sarah (Miss ASU), and Somer (Miss River Delta), and I all had dinner at 7:30 and didn't even leave the restaurant until 10:30 if that tells you anything. AND we went and had ice cream because we still hadn't finished all the talking that needed to be done.  It was perfection.  The next morning, we woke up and got ready for the Golf Tournament and Arkansas Children's Hospital tour.  I went to the tour expecting to see what I saw on television.  I didn't know that it would affect me as much as it did!  After we made Happy Birthday posters and Congratulations posters downstairs, we got to go meet some of the patients.  One in particular was a girl named Alex.  A sweet, strong, courageous, beautiful twelve year old girl I will never forget.  She asked that all 20 of the contestants that were touring at the time, come visit her room.  A huge leap of faith on her part.  We all filed in as she sat in a chair beside her bed.  She was connected to a machine from every angle.  It was like everything that we had been so worked up over the whole weekend just faded away and all that existed was the situation matter.  She passed around three long necklaces full of beads.  It was a system they did at Arkansas Children's called Beads of Courage where each patient gets a bead when they go through a trial…whether it be an X-ray, a surgery, a night in the ICU, or many more things. Three. Long. Necklaces.  She was very proud and she should have been.  I have never seen a more courageous girl.  I was later informed that Alex received a new heart and was doing well. Another answered prayer! God is so faithful.  I truly got to see firsthand why the Miss America Organization loves and supports Children's Miracle Network. 

Okay so not to mention that prior to all of that excitement, every single contestant had a model shoot with Tony Bowls where we were completely pampered.  Tony picked out our dresses, shoes, and earrings…artists did our hair and makeup, and we modeled for an incredible photographer. We also had quality time together as contestants. I really got to know Kylie Wright Miss OBU whom I already love! She is so sweet and I know we'll be spending a lot of time together during the week of Miss AR! ...After my morning photo session, I drove home quickly to watch my boyfriend graduate, and then that night I graduated, too.  I had my hair and makeup already done! How ideal! I couldn't have asked for a better graduation day.

Kylie and Me!

Having a blast!

Finished product. What an amazing experience!

 It was truly a blessing of a weekend.  Thank you to all who have supported me so far.  I can't wait to represent NEA and the Lights of the Delta at Miss Arkansas this summer as the best me I can be.  It will be a one in a million experience and I am so thankful.