Latest Appearances!!

Good Morning!!!

I hope everyone has had a wonderful week, I know mine has been amazing and CRAZY!! Last weekend Anna (Miss Outstanding Teen) and I were emcee's at The Bridal Expo in Muscatine... What an amazing event! There were so many beautiful brides to be and a few brave gentlemen that joined them.  Thank you to everyone who took part in putting the show together!! So lovely.  Monday morning I joined Tony Tone from Vintage Radio (93.1) and was able to share with him my experience thus far being Miss Muscatine.  I had so much fun with him! He is an extremely funny, caring and light hearted man.  Such a pleasure to be around!  I do have a little secret... on my way to the radio show, I found myself driving around town oblivious to the station being RIGHT in front of me!! I felt so silly, but everyone was so helpful when I called.  At the end of the show, I was able to take pictures and talk with a few different people who make Vintage Radio so amazing.  I am so honored that they asked me to come back in February and shoot a 60 second PSA for my platform on eating disorders.  I am SO excited and cannot wait to have the opportunity to spread an air of hope over the radio!! Thank Vintage Radio for this memorable opportunity!

This week I had the honor of being apart of the Muscatine Capital Day.  I was able to meet a lot of special individuals that made this experience incredible.  One of the highlights was having someone drop their food in attempts to shake my hand and take a picture with me.  We laughed for what seemed like hours! :) There were many connections that I made that will allow me to voice my concern on eating disorders and get Indulging In Hope out into the communities.  I am anxious to pursue these connections and also help Senator Beall from Fortdodge, Iowa to work on passing a piece of Legislature concerning advanced treatment for eating disorders.  Senator Beall also gave me an honorary Iowa pin that is now on my sash and asked me to take an oath of not only serving Muscatine and our wonderful State, but also having fun while doing so.  What an extraordinary honor! I not only was able to spend time with the Muscatine Delegates, but I was also able to meet some of the Iowa Legislature.  The Iowa Majority Leader, Linda Upmeyer, was an absolute DOLL!! She had this glow about her and we could not help but enjoy each others company.  I was also able to spend a descent amount of time with the Mayor of Muscatine, DeWayne Hopkins, and talked about everything from the amazing Mariah Cary, to gun control and political matters.  The two of us had the opportunity of being blessed with the presence of a Veteran from WWII.  I then met with Representative Mark Lofgren where he introduced me to the House of Representatives at the beginning of their session.  WOW.  An extremely humbling experience! They all stood for me, thanked me for joining them and congratulated me.  This is a day I will never forget! As I was leaving, Representative Lofgren asked me if I would be interested in coming to speak to his wife's library classes at four different elementary schools.  I think I squealed when he asked me I was so excited! This is, IN FACT, my dream job.  I cannot thank everyone enough for all their love and support and for the Muscatine Board and community for making this possible.

Have a great weekend!!

Blessings,
Isabella

The beginning of an amazing journey!

Happy Tuesday!

I am so honored and excited to be the new Miss Muscatine 2013! I cannot wait to see what this year has in store! God has been guiding me every step of the way and it would truly be impossible without his unconditional love. This last weekend was a dream come true... Not only was I able to dance on stage for the first time in four years, but I was also able to advocate for and share my platform, Indulging In hope, with everyone I had the pleasure of meeting.  Indulging In Hope is an opportunity to provide knowledge, support, and hope to all those affected by an eating disorder.  Overcoming an eating disorder myself, I find it imperative to spread knowledge of this life threatening illness and also to offer an air of hope that an eating disorder does NOT define who you are.  What an extraordinary opportunity becoming Miss Muscatine is.  Along with promoting my platform during this year, I will also be able to work closely with the Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals!  This is seriously my dream job!! :-)

I do have a confession... with this being only my second pageant, I was absolutely TERRIFIED and unsure of what to expect.  I felt inexperienced in this industry.  However everyone at the pageant, including the other amazing contestants, made me feel right at home.  Their kindness and genuineness demonstrated exactly what the Miss America Organization is all about.  I am so blessed to be apart of this family! I ended up having the time of my life and meeting so many wonderful people.  My first appearance will be next Sunday, January 20th in Muscatine.  I am so excited and cannot wait to fill you all in!! Until then, I will be training for my talent (dance), and working on becoming a better ME every single day.  I hope you have a wonderful week and be sure to watch Mariah Cary shine at Miss America 2013 on Saturday! She has a beautiful platform and heart.  GO MARIAH!!!

"Strive to be a righteous person opposed to a perfectionist.  A perfectionist attempts until perfection is met and is constantly finding disappointment.  A righteous person performs his task until it is right and then moves on to the next task finding peace and joy in his accomplishments."

All my love,

Isabella