Happy Holidays!

Hi all,

First of all, I know I know....it's been forever since I've written and I'M SORRY! My life has been an absolute whirlwind.  Between going to the National Sweetheart Pageant, starting teaching at Stevenson, traveling, the Iowa Hawkeye's going undefeated to the Big 10 Championship, Thanksgiving, and gearing up for the holidays, I barely have had a second to catch my breath! That being said, I am so excited that I finally have a moment to sit down and write about what has been going on.

Okay, so the National Sweetheart Pageant...
What an amazing, incredible, wonderful, and special experience. I seriously cannot say ENOUGH about my week in Hoopeston, Illinois. To be honest, as I was prepping to leave for Sweetheart, I was seriously stressed out. Taking a whole week off of school as a new teacher was absolutely insane but I am so glad that I did it! I met incredible women from all over the nation (including fellow teachers who also stressed over sub plans) who have become sisters for life. These women are talented, beautiful, true sweethearts, and above all, real. When I say real, I mean that these women are as weird as I am. Oregon can speak Klingon, Alaska tells wild moose jokes, New Jersey gets the "sleepy ha-has" (I know...I never heard of it before either), Rhode Island is sassy, Tennessee's Chicago accent was awful, and many would rather show up in sweats and a t-shirt than a face full of makeup and a gown.  The list goes on and on and I LOVE IT. Throughout the week, I bonded with these ladies who have forever impacted me. I already have big plans to visit all of them- especially now that I have somewhere to stay. To me, it is extraordinary that you can meet a group of complete strangers on a Monday and then leave sobbing on a Sunday because you've become so close with 43 very special women. Since Sweetheart, I have already flown to Missouri to reunite with our Missouri and Nevada Sweetheart. I wish all the sweethearts didn't live so far away! Because of it...I am also in the midst of making plans for a sweetheart reunion :) Many of the girls have already won new local titles....so watch out Miss America you have some AMAZING girls coming your way this year! Thank you to everyone who made their way out to Hoopeston, IL to watch me compete against some of the very best, it was amazing to finish in the top five. I couldn't believe the announcer kept calling me name! I was honored to represent the wonderful state of Iowa and even more in awe of all the love and support I received. Thank you thank you thank you!

Since then, everything has been absolutely crazy. There have been a few hiccups in the road, like my car going into a ditch on my way to Iowa to watch the game... but overall, I'm happy to update you that everything has been great, and I am so excited to be in the full swing of the holiday season. Classes have been wonderful, my students always keep me laughing, and they are prepping for first semester finals! What's even funnier is how eager my students are to find out more about Miss Iowa, competing again, etc. :) Between all my observations, meetings, and travels, it seems that time has flown by. I can barely believe that we are already in December! Being that we are already in December...the 50th anniversary of Miss Muscatine is approaching. This past weekend, we had orientation in Muscatine, and I had the chance to meet the contestants vying for the title of Miss Muscatine/Miss Pearl City 2016! Each and every girl was unique, talented, and I cannot wait to see them take the stage. Crazy to think I was in these girls shoes last year, competing for the the title. While it was great to see my fellow titleholders, Stacy, Christy, and Serica; it was also very bittersweet knowing that my year as Miss Muscatine is coming to an end very soon. I hope to see all of you at the 50th, where there are some great surprises, and where I will be sharing my final "thank you's" and farewell to the Miss Iowa Scholarship Program. I've had one hell of a year, and now it is time to figure out what's next for me, and to continue to enjoy promoting STEM in REAL every day life :)

You'll be hearing from me soon, at least before I become a former...



Happy Holidays!

Love always,
Kristen One
Miss Muscatine 2015

A love letter to pageantry

What happens after the state pageant that you put all your time and energy towards is over?

Well, you pick up the pieces, surround yourself with your support system, and take some time off of what we call "pageant life".

For me, the week after the state pageant was difficult. I was missing all of the other girls who went through the same roller coaster of a week as me. I was reliving those last moments when I was standing there in the final two over and over again. I was running through my talent again and again, trying to find areas that could have been better. And above all, I was crushed by the fact that my dream of going to the Miss America stage this year was not going to happen.

Now before I go any farther, let me clarify something. There is not one bone in my body that is not happy/excited/thrilled for our new Miss Iowa. I LOVE Taylor. She is going to be an amazing representative for the state of Iowa at Miss America. Throughout the week, she was one of the people that encouraged me, made me laugh until I had tears coming down my face, and supported me when I thought everything was crashing around me. #teamTaylor

That being said, first runner up is an incredibly honorable but difficult place to finish. After Taylor was crowned, specialty awards had been handed out, and backstage photos were snapped, I was finally allowed to go out to see my family. My first tear fell when I saw my parents. If you don't know my parents, they are extraordinary. They have believed in my Miss America dream since day one. After a stressful, emotional, exciting week, there is nothing better than being able to hug your mom and dad. Seriously though. I didn't hug too long because a girl doesn't want to ruin her makeup before the after party (am i right?)! To my friends and family standing there in that moment where I was completely vulnerable, thank you for being kind and passionate people. There is something to be said about wonderful human beings like you. There was not one moment where I didn't feel incredibly loved.

As I walked out to the reception for Taylor, I realized something. I have THE BEST support system. I could never have finished the way I did without some very amazing people. I can't give a shout out to everyone because we would be here for days, so I will keep it short and sweet! For starters, my directors. Kindra and Ashley--thank you for EVERYTHING; for being able to make me feel and look like Miss America, and for instilling confidence in me that I never knew I had. Michelle and Jess--the countless mock interviews were worth it! Best Overall Interview was a goal of mine, and I couldn't have done it without your advice, critiques, and encouragement. My family and friends who came out to support me-- seeing your faces in the audience gave me this sense of peace, and I hope I made you proud. I'm so lucky to have people like you in my life. Lastly, to the Miss Iowa Scholarship Program. You guys rock. End of story. I loved every second of my Miss Iowa week. Between my wonderful hostess and the countless events throughout the week, I had a blast.

Throughout Miss Iowa week, I tried to remember that everything happens for a reason. The week after Miss Iowa, I was searching and searching for a reason. And that's when it hit me. I don't need a concrete reason. I did everything that I could, there is not ONE thing that I would change about my performances on and off stage. And luckily, I have the best of both worlds. Even though I won't be on the Miss America stage, I will be on my very own stage, teaching high school students about the wonders of chemistry and physics. This experience was unforgettable and I am so humbled and thankful.

Post Miss Iowa, I have moved back to Illinois, and started prepping for my new teaching job. I've used this time to recuperate, pick up the pieces, and of course, have some ice cream. In my "time off", I have also read a couple of articles from fellow pageant titleholders about rejection, disappointment, and pageantry. It has been incredible to read and see women coming together, not only about winning, but also about losing. The MAO is a family, and win or lose there has been a common thread throughout every article and blog. That common thread is that women are learning and finding out who they really are throughout these pageants. Yes, pageants are subjective and yes, they tend to have a bad rap, but until you stand up on a stage and compete, you won't understand why women do it year after year. I too, am someone who has been changed by pageantry and will always appreciate the lessons that I have learned.

That being said, here is my love letter to pageantry.

To every judge, director, and titleholder,

I would not be the person I am without you today. Thank you for pushing me to look my best. Without the midnight workouts and constant sweat, I would have never found the healthy lifestyle that I am living today. I have never felt better and despite what people think, I had fun working it in my swim suit on stage! Every doughnut and milkshake that I turned down was TOTALLY worth it.

Thank you for teaching me that one can never have enough determination. In the past, I've heard that talent is my weakest area of competition. This year, I worked diligently on my talent, practicing every little step until I felt confident. With my will to wow the audience, my determination grew. I can now say that I have never had so much fun dancing than on finals night of Miss Iowa.

Thank you for teaching me the importance of becoming an educated citizen of todays society. Between the mock interviews, promotion of my platform, and of course CNN, I know that when it came down to the interview portion, I gave the judges a run for their money. Interviews used to intimidate me and now it is my favorite phase of competition. This is a great skill to have, and because of it, I landed my dream teaching job!

So many people find pageants to be degrading so this one may surprise you. Thank you for making me feel beautiful. Walking on that stage in a gown that was to die for was the cherry on top of this entire experience. But what really made me feel beautiful were the other titleholders and people that were a part of this unique experience. In movies, you see girls tearing down one another in pageants but in reality, my competitors were my best friends throughout the week. If there were tears, someone was there to make you laugh. If there were nerves, someone was there to assure you that you are GREAT. If there were doubts, someone was there to tell you that you were there for a reason. And if there was a need for sisterhood, it was ALWAYS there. I cannot say enough about the wonderful people that I've met through pageantry.

Last but not least, thank you for teaching me that life doesn't always work out the way you want it to. Rejection and disappointment is common in pageantry. Only one girl can take home the crown. And if it wasn't you, it wasn't meant to be. Rejection is part of life whether it is over a job, a boy that you like, education, or the crown. It is a hard lesson to swallow, but I know that what one judge thinks is not the end all be all. Ask any pageant girl, and they are familiar with it. But it is part of life, and the fact that we pick ourselves back up and keep going is what sets us apart.

I would not be the person I am today without pageants. I know that the pageant world can be crazy but I wouldn't trade my time for anything. That being said, who is ready to jump back into pageant mode?! Sweetheart, here I come.

Love always,

Kristen One
Miss Muscatine

She believed she could, so she did

Earlier this week, I drove back home to see my family and friends before Miss Iowa week kicks off! I have been so fortunate to spend these past couple of days with wonderful people. On Sunday, fellow contestants, friends, and family stopped by my house and I have never felt so loved or supported. Everyone has their doubts and failures, including me. Despite that, I am so grateful to be surrounded by people who see strength and talent in me. Thank you for believing in me.

                          

Following Sunday, I turned 23! Holy moly. I almost can't believe it! Just the other day someone asked me where I was going to college....so at least I don't look that old :) Either way, all the messages, phone calls, and words of well wishes were so appreciated. The best part of my birthday was being able to be together with both my brother and sister! This is the first year that all three of us are in different places. I have been in Iowa City, Justin has been in Chicago, and Jennifer has been in Minneapolis so it was wonderful to be all together.

Since I have been home, I have been running errands NONSTOP, picking up all my last minute things before Miss Iowa week begins. Although it can be stressful at times, I am so thankful for the wonderful Muscatine board, my incredible directors, and our sponsors. They are always checking in on me--not just to give me feedback but also to give support! 

On top of all of this, the Miss Muscatine Scholarship Program had a huge success with our Muscatine Consignment Sale and Vendor Fair! On set up day, we got to work organizing everything and making sure we were ready for the big day. I had a sleepover with my directors and then woke up bright and early the next morning! The consignment sale and vendor fair went great and a huge thank you to everyone who came to support us. It was so nice of a couple other titleholders to come as well, including Aly! 

As Miss Iowa approaches, I am getting so excited! I thought I would be more nervous as the week gets closer, but more than anything I am grateful for the opportunity and cannot wait to see how everything unfolds. I wish I could just fast forward, find out the results, and know already! (wouldn't that be nice?) Anyways, I cannot wait to get up on that stage and just have fun. Honestly, I know that if I give my all, my best, and enjoy myself, that in itself will be a victory for me. Of course I want to take home that crown but until we have the results, I will keep chasing after my Miss America dream. 

XOXO

Miss Muscatine 2015

Kristen One

Crunch Time!

Happy Memorial Day Weekend Everyone!

I am so excited to finally say that we are in CRUNCH TIME for Miss Iowa! We are only a few short days away from Miss Iowa week kickoff! One of the best parts of Miss Iowa week will be spending the week with the other wonderful contestants. These girls are amazing. Seriously though, Iowa is full of immense talent, and I cannot wait to spend the week with them.

This past week, I had the opportunity to go zip lining with some of the girls. Maddison, your Miss Burlington, came for a sleepover so that we could carpool the next day to Dubuque. We had so much fun catching up and slumbering!

After waking up bright and early, Maddison and I met Jessica, your Miss Eastern Iowa, and Taylor, your Miss Clinton County, to drive to Dubuque for zip lining. When we got there, it was beautiful weather! We signed up and then waited for the other girls to arrive. From there, we hit the trails! Zip lining was so much fun and I am so glad I got to do it side by side with these gals! 

If zip lining wasn't enough fun already, my wonderful director came out to Iowa City today to help finalize wardrobe for Miss Iowa week. At one point, we couldn't see anything in my room due to all the numerous pairs of shoes, cocktail dresses, and jewelry, but thankfully we got everything organized and ready to go for Miss Iowa week. I cannot wait to show off some of these great outfits! A huge thank you to Ashley for sticking it out with me....we definitely had to make some hard choices!

Finally, as Miss Iowa approaches, I am making sure that I am confident in every aspect of my prep. Thanks to all of our sponsors, I am on my way. As Miss Iowa week approaches, I am making sure to get the support I need and give myself some time to breathe and not worry about my diet, my prep, and CNN so much :) It keeps me sane and allows me to really enjoy every step of my journey to the Miss Iowa stage.

Last but not least, as I go into crunch time, I find myself reflecting on these past couple of months. When I think back to being crowned Miss Muscatine and everything that I have accomplished since then, I can't help but smile. I am so lucky to have this opportunity, and I hope others can see how much I have enjoyed this journey.  Thank you to everyone who has been a part of it.

Have a wonderful long weekend!

XOXO

Miss Muscatine

Kristen One

Cheers to the ending of one chapter and the beginning of another!

These past couple of weeks have been SO SO SO amazing and I am thrilled to see where my next chapter in my life leads me. I have hit some huge milestones and am beyond blessed to be where I am today. First of all, I just finished student teaching. Student teaching was such an incredible experience and I will never forget my first batch of students. They were so welcoming and I had so much fun with them! They have allowed me to grow as a person and as an educator, and I will always be thankful for that.

On top of that, I have also accepted a job at my alma mater, Adlai E. Stevenson High School. The job search has been a long process but I have definitely found my perfect match. Stevenson is a one of kind school and when I told them about my dream to become the next Miss America and my journey to the Miss Iowa stage, they were incredibly supportive and encouraging. I couldn't believe it. What more could I ask for?! A job that I love, colleagues that are rooting for me, and an incredible school?! I could not feel more loved and supported going into Miss Iowa.

Last but not least, I graduated from the University of Iowa with my Master's of Arts in Secondary Science Education this past Friday. I DID IT! I seriously cannot believe it. The graduate commencement ceremony took FOREVER but was so worth it to hear my name called. I am so thankful for the very special people that could be there to witness my graduation. On top of that, I was surrounded by my fellow classmates, who constantly pushed me to be my best and encouraged me when I needed it. It was a very special day that I will never forget. Iowa has been home for the past five years and has given me an education that cannot be paralleled. Today, I am no longer a student at the University of Iowa. Today, I am Kristen One--the current Miss Muscatine, a Miss Iowa contestant, a science educator with a Bachelors of Arts in Chemistry and a Master's of Arts in Secondary Science Education (crazy to finally say), a graduate, and a forever Hawkeye. Here's to this next chapter!

Thank you thank you THANK YOU from the bottom of my heart to everyone who has made these past couple of weeks and milestones so incredibly special for me. I cannot tell you how much I appreciate it and how humbled I am to have your support. 

XOXO,

Kristen One

Miss Muscatine

Reasons why I love Iowa

In 4 days, I will be finished student teaching...

In 11 days, I will be graduating with my Masters...

In 28 days,  I will be turning 23...

In 40 days, a new Miss Iowa will be crowned...

I think it is pretty safe to say that I have some big things happening.

As my days as a graduate student at the University of Iowa come to an end, I have started to reflect on the reasons why I love Iowa and why I chose to call Iowa home for the last five years. Maybe I am starting to get sappy because I know graduation is right around the corner, but I feel like a couple things have happened to me in the last two weeks that make me so proud to be an Iowa transplant. So without further or do...here are just a few reasons why I love Iowa.

1. Everyone is so loyal to Iowa--Wherever I go, I always have someone yell "Go HAWKS!" I love being part of this Hawkeye family. I have had strangers come up to many while wearing Iowa gear just to tell me they love the school. Just recently while I was in Florida, I had someone give me a "Go Hawks!". It is so awesome to be surround by others who bleed black and gold.

2. Everyone is willing to help--Just this past weekend, I had the WORST day. I was driving to the post office when all my mail got caught up in the wind and scattered EVERYWHERE in the parking lot. I was frantically running around to pick up the papers when a woman approached me and let me know that my front right tire looked a little low. Low and behold, I had a flat tire. On top of that, I had 10% battery on my phone, which allowed me to call my parents but died shortly after. I took out my spare, the tools necessary, and then started pumping away when an elderly gentleman came by and asked if he could help me. I told him that my dad had taught me how to change a tire so I was okay but he insisted on staying. He was wearing hawkeye gear (just like me) which got us talking about what I am studying. I found out that his daughter went through the same MAT program as me and is now a chemistry teacher in Alaska! How cool! Trying to be respectful of his time, I thanked him, but he told me that the only place he had to be at was his granddaughters soccer game and he would rather help me and supervise. I was so incredibly thankful and I was overwhelmed with his kindness to help a complete stranger.

3. The University of Iowa ROCKS--As a student, I have had various teachers, and I can honestly say that all of them have been wonderful. Each and every one of them has impacted me in one way or another. I am so grateful for their constant encouragement, words of wisdom, and time that they put aside to work with their students. I love this school and I can't believe that I am finally finsihing up...unless I go back for a PhD :) As a tour guide, a student, and an employee, I have loved Iowa's welcoming campus and its people. 

4. The sense of community is so important--Just recently, a student from West High in Iowa City passed away due to brain cancer. As a practicum student, I got to know a little bit about Austin's case and his courageous battle. Austin inspired an entire community with his courage and his willingness to kick cancer's butt. Not only did students of West High mourn the loss of Austin, but the entire Iowa City community. Tons of articles and words of hope were posted in effort to spread word about Austin's story and how he made a difference in the short 15 years he had. I love that community is so incredibly important in Iowa.  Like we say in Dance Marathon, "Cancer is horrible, but cancer cannot touch our minds, it cannot touch our souls, and it cannot touch our hearts." Prayers to his family and friends.

5. Schools are dedicated to making a difference--Between student teaching at Linn-Mar, having practicum at both Iowa City West High and Regina Middle School, and volunteering at City High, I have confidence that our schools are dedicated to making a difference in students lives. On top of that, I have worked with various STEM partners and professors in Iowa and they too are pushing to make a difference in the schools. I love teaching. It has been so rewarding and I cannot wait to have my own chemistry classroom! 

Thank you Iowa for being so good to me :) I hope to continue giving back to this great state by continuing to represent Muscatine and Iowa! Cheers to these next couple of crazy weeks! Enjoy the sun!

XOXO

Kristen One

Miss Muscatine 

April Showers Bring May Flowers!

Today, I finally have some time to sit down and write about my crazy past couple of weeks! I have made huge strides with my platform and am excited to share what I have been up to. Since I last wrote, I have definitely gotten used to the dark hair and the new length! Huge thank you to A New U Salon. It's perfect! After headshots, I had to sit down and go through like 150 photos and narrow it down to find my state headshot. The state headshot is what the audience will see in the Miss Iowa Program book and what the judges will see before my interview. I was able to get it down to my top five, and then my directors helped me pick the final one! I am thrilled with how the photos turned out. Thank you Mississippi Pearl Photography!

On another note, the Miss Iowa Class of 2015 is complete! How exciting is that. I attended the sweeps pageant in Cedar Rapids and helped by crowning our last couple of titleholders. It was such a wonderful day. I am really looking forward to being with the entire class of 2015 for orientation this upcoming weekend. It will be so great to finally be all together and just get to know each other further.

With orientation coming up, I have made sure that all my paperwork and photos are completely up to date. That being said my platform is finally finished. My platform is STEM Education: Unleashing our Future Scientists. Thanks to Legacy Consulting, my platform is exactly what I wanted it to be. I cannot tell you how pleased I am with the final product. My platform is based off of three very important things: my thesis which was written on the driving force behind STEM, my internship in Cape Town, South Africa, and my passion for teaching students about science. Since my platform has been finalized, I also was able to collaborate with the SE STEM Regional Hub Manager, as well as the executive director for Million Women Mentors-Iowa. I cannot wait to continue working with them as well as continue looking into STEM based clubs around Iowa!

If all of this was not exciting enough, this past week I received a huge piece of news! I was given confirmation that my committee reviewed my comprehensive exams (chemistry and science education) and they found it satisfactory meaning I PASSED! Masters of Arts in Teaching....here I come! It is kind of crazy to believe that in less than one month, I will be walking across the stage to receive my M.A.T. degree! 

As the rain comes down, the flowers are starting to come out and the weather is getting warmer. How can you not be in a good mood?!

Have a wonderful week!

Love,

Kristen One

Miss Muscatine 2014

Thank heavens for our sponsors!

Where would would I be if I didn't have the support of all my incredible sponsors?!

Seriously though, they are amazing and I've seen almost all of them in this past week! Last week, I got to spend a couple days in sunny Florida with my mom which was so necessary. It was beautiful, warm, and relaxing!

 Don't worry though, I still kept up with my workouts, practices, and work! On the way back to Iowa, I stopped at one of great fitness sponsors, 8one8, and had a kick butt workout with Katie. Between the circuits, the weights, and the dead lifts, I was working up a sweat--but in a good way. The trainers are amazing and always make time to see us!

Once back in Iowa City, it was back to teaching! Between finishing my thesis (which is turned in.. HALLELUJAH), writing lesson plans, and lead teaching, the week flew! But...the week wouldn't be complete without my fabulous sponsors. On Thursday, I made the trip to Muscatine to see a stylist at A New U. There, I made some drastic changes! I couldn't be happier with the outcome though.

I also got to talk with our sponsors from the Legacy Pageant Consulting Group. Michelle and Jessica are fantastic. We made some leeway in my platform, where I envision it to be, and talked about the weeks leading up to Miss Iowa. Both Jess and Michelle are crucial members of the team that make sure that I am ready to take the Miss Iowa stage in June. 

After my visit at the salon, I was ready for headshot! Yesterday, all three of us Muscatine titleholders, including Stacey and Christy, had headshots taken by the wonderfully talented Michale from Mississippi Pearl Photography. Kinda was there to curl hair and make sure we were picture perfect. The only hiccup in the day was that I needed one strand of hair cut a little shorter. It was driving everyone crazy, so while in Davenport, I left the shoot with Kindra and drove to Five Star Salon. There, Jeffrey, did a quick snip to my bang and saved the day! Ashley from Made Up was also there at the photoshoot to do my makeup. She did an amazing job and I absolutely LOVED it.

Once outfits were picked out by Ashley and Kindra, we began shooting. Michale was amazing and she even got Ashley to help fan me for that "wind blown" look :) The shoot was the perfect way to show everyone my new hair! I shared this photo as my "sneak peek" to my headshots AND to my new hair!

Thank you to ALL of our AWESOME sponsors. They are amazing. None of this would be possible without them. I cannot wait to continue working with them as Miss Iowa becomes closer and closer! All of these people are so generous to give their time and energy to help us get ready for the Miss Iowa stage. Thank you thank you thank you!

Spring has Sprung!

Hope everyone is enjoying this wonderful weather--I know that I am!

Since I last wrote, I lot has happened! It has been a crazy couple of weeks. I have been on the go 24/7! For starters, I had my first big girl job interview at a high school! I was definitely nervous, but went in prepared and excited for the opportunity. The interview went extremely well and I'm sure that my experiences through pageantry helped equip me for the interview process. I felt really good about it which was such a relief. The science directors were so generous and kind which made it really easy to talk about my passion for teaching about science!

I also have been studying for my content exam in chemistry. This test heavily weighted in chemistry, as well as physics, biology, space and the universe, and more. I had to look into all my old chemistry classes including Organic chem, Physical Chem, and Analytical Chem to prepare for this test. Unfortunately my exam fell on the same day as Miss Cedar Valley so I was unable to attend. But the good news is.... I passed! I was so thrilled and it was such a great way to start spring break!

After passing, I picked up two of my best friends from campus, and we headed to Chicago. Once we got home, my parents surprised me with this! They are seriously the greatest!

My friends and I enjoyed spending time together, celebrating, and relaxing in each others company. It was such a wonderful night. The next morning, we got up and spent the day together before getting my friends ready to head to the airport! Both of them were taking off from O'hare and heading to New Zealand! They are such wonderful people, and I know that while they teach in New Zealand, that they will impact a ton of young minds. I am excited for them, but of course will miss them dearly! Bye Nicole and Holly!

Now if that wasn't already a big enough weekend, I also have made great strides in my thesis. Being a graduate student, this thesis is a big deal and I am so excited to say that it is on a topic that I am so excited about. My platform and thesis have made large strides by getting in contact with STEM Americorps, Iowa Mentoring Partnership, Million Women Mentors- Iowa, and the Governors STEM Advisory Council. I can't wait to share more about my platform and thesis as it comes together! Although writing a thesis takes time, I know that at the end of this, I will be proud of it.

Now that my spring break has started, I finally have some time to get a little extra sleep, a little more work done, a little more planning started, AND some grading (of course). I also am taking a short mommy-daughter trip to Flordia starting tomorrow which I am extremely excited about. But, with Miss Iowa approaching, I will continue prepping and practicing! Hard work always pays off!

Have a wonderful week! Enjoy the sunshine!

XOXO

Kristen One

Miss Muscatine

Give a girl the right shoes, and she can conquer the world!

This weekend, I had the great fortune to have my Miss Iowa shopping trip with my wonderful directors. After finishing teaching on Friday, I made a road trip to Polo, Illinois. I ended up taking back roads from Marion, Iowa and it was absolutely beautiful until I had to go over a very tiny and narrow bridge which I have to admit was a little scary! Once I made it over the bridge, I was home free and arrived in Polo. Kinda, Ashley, and I (and Rylyn) had a slumber party while watching the Miss Muscatine video! We had so much fun rewatching and reliving the crowning moments of that night.

After a wonderful night of rest, we hit the road bright and early to get to my house in Vernon Hills. Once we arrived at my house, I had a warm welcome thanks to my dog Sierra and my parents. As soon as we were settled, we got the fashion show started! I tried on all of my cocktails that I had at my house and we picked out ones that I was going to take with me to Miss Iowa week. We also found the perfect pair of shoes for my interview dress which was a total win! After trying on a million dresses and swimsuits, I definitely worked up an appetite. We had a great lunch and then hit the road for Woodfield mall. Before going, we decided what we were going to look for so that we could make all the right stops. We hit Bebe, Express, Mac, and a ton of other shops. I would say that we had a very successful shopping trip. While shopping, we shared a lot of laughs and just enjoyed our time together. It was relaxing, light, and so much fun--just the way all shopping trips should be! Out of all the stores that we hit, Mac was my favorite. Heather, the make up artist at Mac, was amazing. She truly was an artist. I showed her a picture of my Miss Iowa evening gown and she knew right away what she was going to do to accent the right colors. She even had me practice doing it on my own so that come competition night, I'm ready to go! Both Kindra and Ashley were pleased with the end result and I cannot wait to rock the look come Miss Iowa week!

After all the shopping, my parents met us at Woodfield for a fabulous dinner at Cheesecake Factory. Apparently my directors are crazy...because both have been to Cheesecake Factory, but neither have ever ordered cheesecake there! Well that all changed on Saturday! After ordering a great dinner, we finished the night off with a piece of Oreo cheesecake and Fresh strawberry cheesecake. It was the perfect ending to the night.

The shopping trip just made me even more excited to hit the Miss Iowa stage in June. I cannot believe that it is a little under 100 days away! Everything is slowly but surely coming together...its exciting! That being said... this has been a huge week for me personally, my platform, and my prep for Miss Iowa. Here's to a great week and the sunshine finally coming out!

XOXO

Miss Muscatine

Kristen One

Come Get Your Pancakes!

Today, I had an AMAZING time at the Coralville IHOP in support of Children's Miracle Network. The Miss America Organization and the Children's Miracle Network have a longstanding partnership. The share a commitment to raise awareness and funds for one another. Every local competition, each contestant must raise a required amount of money to support the Children's Miracle Network. What a great way to raise funds! Tonight, I had the great fortune to be in the company of Miss Burlington, Miss Greater Des Moines Outstanding Teen, and your Miss Iowa!

We walked around talking to customers about their pancake choice and how they can show their support to Children's Miracle Network! Guests were happy to talk and find out what we were doing there which is always fun.

One of my favorite conversations was when we were talking to an elderly man and he took out all of his photos from his front pocket and phone a picture of his grandson. He told me that if I gave him my phone number and name that he would have his grandson call me! It was so sweet. Aly, Sophia, Maddison, and I had a blast talking with the guests and taking pictures with the kiddos who were waiting for pancakes. I am so glad that I got to take part in IHOP's National Pancake Day as your Miss Muscatine!

Stay safe and warm!

XOXO

Kristen One

Miss Muscatine

How far can your rocket fly?

Thanks to my snow day, I finally have some time to sit down and write about my fantastic weekend as Miss Muscatine! On Friday, I had the great fortune to participate in Penn's Elementary STEM night. For those of you who don't know, STEM stands for Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math. Over these past couple of years, the push for STEM education in schools has really grown. Thanks to the Governor's STEM advisory council and the new STEM programs, Iowa has really honed in on how to promote students interest in STEM education. Penn STEM night was so much fun because I got to work with my colleagues from the University of Iowa College of Education and I got to see one of the many teachers that has mentored me on my pathway to becoming a high school chemistry teacher. My colleagues and I wanted to look like the professional scientists that we are, and all matched in white lab coats which was picture perfect!

At our table, we had college of education pencils, paper for students to build their rockets, tape, and STEM pamphlets to pass out. It was so funny because once I looked at the pamphlets, I realized that I was on it! In the bottom right corner, there was a picture of one of my colleagues and I showing a sheep eye dissection lab at the Brain Awareness Day.

The rockets were a smashing hit and the kids loved trying to reinvent their rocket after they saw it fly the first time. It was amazing how creative some of the rockets were and some of them even flew extremely far! I was thrilled how successful our station was. My group and I even made UI College of Education STEM Twitter page!

I cannot wait to continue promoting my platform of STEM and helping out at events like this that benefit so many young minds. Thank you to Penn Elementary for having me, I so appreciate the opportunity :) Promoting my platform of STEM has been amazing, and I recently made contact with some great people that can help me continue making a difference! #GOSTEM!

On the note of thank yous, thank you to Le Chic as well for helping me find a vital piece necessary for Miss Iowa Week! I made the trip to Muscatine on Saturday morning and left with an amazing dress! We love our sponsors! I can't wait to rock this number.

Stay warm and safe! xoxo

Miss Muscatine 2015
Kristen One

So much to write about, so little time!

These past couple of weeks have been crazy and unfortunately there are not 30 hours in a day for me to accomplish everything that I want to! Many of you know that I am currently student teaching at Linn-Mar High School which has been a great experience for me so far. I have officially taken over lead teaching 2 out of the 3 blocks of general chemistry and am having a blast! Yes, it is a lot of work and energy, but it is so worth it when the students get excited for something as small as Demo Day or the new review game. The students are such a constant inspiration. On top of my student teaching, I have been working on my Master's Thesis which is on the importance of Science Education and the push for STEM in Iowa. I recently interviewed a couple of members from the Governor's Advisory council which was such a great opportunity. It was so interesting listening to the goals and aspirations of the council. I hope to continue to learn more and be part of this STEM education adventure.

Since I last wrote, I went to the Miss Fox Valley pageant in Dekalb, IL to crown the next Miss Chain O' Lakes, took a daddy daughter trip to New York, got observed by my supervisor at student teaching, celebrated Valentines day weekend in Chicago, talked with one of my favorite sponsors Legacy Pageant Consulting, AND went to an event in Muscatine called Benefit for Hayden Daufeldt. 

Helping out with those early morning interviews... Time for a nap!

These contestants were nothing short of fabulous!

New York City!!!

Those are just a couple photos from my past couple of weekends. Tonight, I had the great fortune to attend the Benefit for Hayden in Muscatine with the beautiful Stacy Phipps! We had a great time helping out at the kids table and just catching up! Both Stacy and I are student teaching so we are both busy AROUND the CLOCK with our students! The benefit was held at a bowling alley and there was a ton of people who showed up in support for Hayden which was so heartwarming to see.

If you could send your prayers to Hayden and his family, that would be greatly appreciated. He is still fighting and we are all battling with him! Stacy and I were so happy to be a part of such a great cause.

With love,

Kristen One

Miss Muscatine

Muscatine Winter Festival

Today, I had a wonderful time at Muscatine's Winter Festival at the Municipal Golf Course. Christy and I carpooled from Iowa City together, grabbed lunch on the way, and tried our best not to break any windows as we sang and jammed out. Once we got to the golf course, we suited up for the day, putting on our crowns, sashes, and heels. We were ready to start our day  in the wonderful city of Muscatine!

Once we walked in, we were given directions on how we could help out and what we would be doing for the rest of the day. As children and their parents began to fill up the golf course clubhouse, Christy and I sat with some of the children coloring pictures of snowmen, snowflakes, and ice skating. The kids were so excited to get the Snowpile Treasure hunt started and kept talking about how they have already seen some of the hidden golfballs. Finally it was time to get going so Christy and I got set up at our stations. I was handing out wristbands and Christy was handing out finger puppets. The kids searched for golfballs and ran back and forth claiming their prizes. Although it was a bit misty and cold, the kids loved digging through the snow.

After the Snowpile Treasure hunt, Christy and I were challenged to try the golf simulator inside that all the kids had been playing. Both Christy and I are no pro-golfers so we hesitated but figured we should give it a shot! Christy was up first, and although she whiffed a couple of times, she ended up having a great last hit! WOOHOO! I went second, and let me tell you, it is not so easy to have a great golf stance when you are in 4 inch heels...but I made it work! Both my dad and brother often go to the golf range to hit balls so I've had a little bit experience, however I am no Tiger Woods. Mini-golf is more my game. :) Anyways, I ended up going 2/3 which was a very pleasant surprise.

The next part of the Winter Festival was the Snow Sculpture Contest. Christy and I were asked to be guest judges which we were both thrilled about! The contestants had an hour to sculpt so we took that time to stop by and visit one of our favorite sponsors, Le Chic! We stopped in and then headed back to the golf course to score the snow sculptures. Each sculpture was judged out of 30 points, 10 for creativity, 10 for aesthetics, and 10 for quality. Judging was WAY harder than I thought, and I was so impressed with all of the sculptures. In the end, the whale took first place, Eiffel Tower took second, and the army tank took third. I actually picked all three winners!

I have to say that I personally loved the Eiffel Tower since I visited Paris for the first time this summer! I had to ask the family that made the Eiffel Tower where they got their inspiration from. The family said it was their daughters idea. She told me that she draws Eiffel Towers on all of her homework and that she wants to go to Paris one day. I told her that I went to Paris the summer after I graduated from college, and her parents looked at each other and told her that after she graduates college, she can go too! :) Standing next to the snow sculpted Eiffel Tower reminded me of how beautiful it was in person! Can't wait to go back!

While we tabulated scores, Christy and I took a walk around the golf course stopping at each food station. There were smores, hot apple cider, snack bags, and a grill out station. I don't remember the last time that I had a smore, but yum!! Christy and I might have burned our marshmellows but that was the way we liked them! By the end of our walk, we were soaked and had chilly fingers, but it was absolutely worth it!

Once everyone finished the walk, we said our thank you's and goodbyes. It was such a wonderful day! I am so glad that I get to represent the city of Muscatine and spend time with such great people! Until next time!

XOXO

Miss Muscatine 2015

Kristen One