Homecoming 2008 -- Miss America Style

"How important it is for us to recognize and celebrate our heroes and she-roes!"
-- Maya Angelou



What a party! The excitement was slightly wasted on the likes of me – simply because I spent as much time in transit as I did enjoying the festivities.

Much to my surprise, I glanced up from my sad excuse for a salad while waiting to board my connecting flight out of the twin cities and saw none other than GI Jill - Miss Utah! We hopped aboard and proceeded to trek towards Michigan.




I arrived in frigid Muskegon, MI around 11PM. Jill and I were greeted by Hannah Keifer - Miss Virginia and escorted to a swanky stretch-limo of the Ford Expedition variety where we waited for roughly 1½ hours for Molly Hazlett - Miss Texas to arrive. Our driver was exceptionally professional and gracious and earned some major bonus points when he ordered pizzas and had them delivered to the car while we waited. I swear, I’m like a man in that respect… fastest way to my heart being through my stomach and all.





I finally tucked myself into bed a little after 2AM, sharing a room with my dear friend Diana Reed – Miss Iowa.



We were all business the next day. Breakfast at nine and we were promptly across the street for rehearsal. I was so impressed with how put-together the show was. Something like 142 performers, visiting titleholders, and stage/tech pro’s were on-hand to make this extravaganza happen! When we weren’t expected to be on-stage, we visitors found ways to entertain ourselves…


I had the pleasure of proudly introducing the new Miss Michigan – Gina Valo to my Miss America sister contestants at rehearsal. “Proudly” isn’t at all an understatement. When asked, “Who’s that girl over there in the brown?” I promptly responded, “Oh, you don’t know?! That’s the new Miss Michigan. I thought everybody knew that…” :D Oh, you know I said it with more than a hint of playful sarcasm. Gina and I bonded in 2006 when we both finished in the top five at the National Sweetheart Pageant.

Roughly eight hours later, we were sent back to our hotel rooms to dress for dinner and head to House of Chan, a long-time Miss Michigan sponsor. Not only did we get to visit with many of Kirsten’s closest friends and family members, we had an impromptu birthday celebration for Jill.



We left the restaurant and went straight back to the theatre. It’s Show Time! “Dreams Come True” showcased Kirsten Haglund – Miss America, performances with members of the Haglund family, the Miss Michigan Top Ten, Several talented vocal and dance groups, and ten Miss America contestants. For this performance, I opted to perform my Miss Seattle talent song, “Soar,” and was dazzled by the talents of ALL performers to grace the stage.


The beautiful theatre was full of many loyal fans, volunteers, and spectators. They made us feel extraordinarily welcome and appreciated! It still tickles my fancy to casually say, “Well, a few weeks ago when I was at Miss America’s Homecoming…..” So easily entertained, I suppose. A brief after-party was held in a suite following the show and then it was off to bed! Wait, after we visiting titleholders dined in the lap of luxury - - Pizza Hut delivered. Yes, pizza again. Don’t judge – not like I’ve got to prepare to walk around on-stage in a swimsuit again!

The last leg of the trip was a little tiring. And when I say “a little tiring,” I mean “thoroughly exhausting.” I was supposed to leave the hotel around 5:45 in the morning, apparently the pilots were staying at the same establishment and we’d be carpooling to the airport. This was my morning: The 5AM wakeup call I ordered never arrived, I missed the shuttle with the pilots, I managed to survive the treacherous cab-ride to the airport only by the grace of God, and arrived at the airport seven minutes before the plane was scheduled to leave. This is the second time in my life my hands have been raised in thanks toward the heavens due to “computer difficulties” incurred by my airline. A quick plane change in Minneapolis had me back in Seattle with just enough time to cruise through the Starbucks drive-thru, take a shower, and head to the Miss Pierce County pageant.

All in a day’s work...


Tirelessly your titleholder,

elyse*