Did a Little Dance, Felt a lot 'o Love, Got Crowned Alright!

204 local contestants from around Louisiana narrowed down to:

35 remarkable young women.................... 

10 talented semi-finalists.......... 

 5 articulate contestants..... 

 4 impressive candidates.... 

 3 respectable contenders... 

 2 deserving ladies..  

1 blessed representative  

For the rest of my life, I'll attribute much significance and meaning to the day of Saturday, June 25, 2011:  A moment four years in the making, a wonderful celebration, a sweet victory, & the pinnacle of many years of {literally} blood, sweat, tears, and too much hairspray.  This day revised my future and was one for the record books.

It is with immense pride and gratification that I write this post to you, my supporters followers, as the newly crowned Miss Louisiana 2011.  Where to even begin?  I've been on an amazing journey the past four years — one that's had a handful of "low's" and an abundance of "high's"...  

Chapter One in my journey could've been suitably entitled, "Humble Beginnings."  The year was 2007 and, as a sophomore in college, I decided to enter the Miss University of Louisiana at Monroe pageant after watching the awe-inspiring Katherine Putnam win the previous year.  


Four facial burns (from a peel-gone-awry), some animal defecation on my talent costume (from laying it atop my car), and one gown from J-Mart (in case you were wondering, yes, that's a full downgrade from K-Mart...) later and I was a pageant girl!!!  I knew then that it would be an interesting ride...


But little did I know the experiences I'd have were sure to be the most rewarding, enjoyable, and humbling ones of my nearly twenty-three-year-old life.  The relationships I've found through the Miss Louisiana Organization are invaluable... fellow contestants, directors, families of contestants, Miss LA board members, and avid pageant enthusiasts — all of which make up a singular family that I cherish and am so proud to be a part of. 


If you think about it, many notable things occur in four-year cycles.  We attend high school for four years...  College lasts four years (well, at least for some of us it does!)...  A leap year occurs every four years to synch the calendar year with the solar year... Here in America, the presidential election falls every four years... The Olympic games run in four-year increments, giving athletes ample time to train and prove their dedication...  As it would turn out, my fourth year at Miss Louisiana proved to be the perfect timing, God's perfect timing.  Whoever said third time was the charm?


I believe when someone is given an incredible platform such as the title of Miss Louisiana, it's a divine appointment.  I've been placed in this position and given this voice to utilize it for a higher purpose.  From the time I was a girl until present, I have tried to make responsible decisions, live a virtuous life, and strived to maintain sterling character.  By no means have I been perfect at it; however, I knew someday these decisions would amount to something bigger than myself and that God would use me in ways I never thought possible.  It is my hope for the next year that I am given ample opportunity to impact lives and leave a positive impression on every individual I meet (and I will certainly need as many prayers as you can offer!) 


Immediately after being crowned Miss Louisiana, we hit the ground running with a media tour, workouts with my trainer, Rico Boyer, speaking at different events, getting the royal treatment from Dr. Hopkins Dermatology and my new hair dresser, Jana Norton, moving into the Miss Louisiana apartment, taking the official head and crown shots with the ever-amazing Steven Palowski, and making lots of decisions for Miss America (Still in shock that I'm going to THE Miss America Pageant!  *Insert wide-eyed, open-mouthed look of disbelief!) 


Here are some of the highlights:

 My best friends, Lindsey, Kelsea, and Brooke the night I became Miss Louisiana : ) These ladies have been there through it all and offered so much encouragement and love along the way.  Couldn't have done it without them!

Alexandra Cranford, KNOE-TV8's morning anchor

The first to try on the crown:  Kyle Myers, KNOE's morning meteorologist

I think he's got the crowning face down pat!

Being interviewed at KEDM

Getting miked up!

The uber-amazing Farrah Reyna, KNOE's evening anchor 

With my KNOE fam!  Clay, Emily, David, & Chris

Waiting to be interviewed by KTVE's Rick Adams

At the desk with Rick

Careful, Captain!!!

the lovely Kristen Blair, Miss Texas 2009

Dr. Larkin Page, official Miss TX fitness coach

Grabbing lunch in Dallas with two very special ladies:  Ashley and Jennifer Lenz, the designers of my red evening gown!  Love these girls!

One of the many perks of being Miss LA 2011 — iPad 2!!!

Emergency pit stop at the closest Mississippi hair salon... Jana, where are you when I need you?!

Leroy, our strong and fearless protector... and the man who gives us a front row parking spot!

With Gracey... Such a cutie patootie!

The incredible Taryn Foshee, Miss MS 2006 and former judge of mine, emceed the pageant.  I remember watching her in Miss America when I was a freshman in college and just falling in love with her! So honored to know this woman...

Behind the scenes at the Steven Palowsky shoot with Lynn Copeland's precious grand-baby : )

Assuming an incognito look...

With a special group of ladies at "It's All About Me" Junior League workshop for 10-14 yr. olds.

We talked about how to "Love the Skin You're In" and it was great getting to know each of them!!!

 

Show me your serious face...

Senator Francis Thompson and Senator Neil Riser

 Rep. Noble Ellington & Rep. Kay Kellogg Katz

 Senator Mike Walsworth

Mayor Mayo and friends

Judging by the number of appearances I've had in just 3 and 1/2 weeks, my year of service promises to be busy and exciting one but no matter how hectic it gets, it is my mission to make the crown count.  I aim to serve our state, the people of Louisiana, and all of you — my friends, family, fans, and encouragers — with dignity and grace, leaving a legacy as the greatest Miss Louisiana this state has yet to see.  If there is anything I can do for you, please don't hesitate to contact me at hopeanderson@yahoo.com.  In the meantime, I sincerely hope you'll follow along as I embark on this newfound adventure! 






With endless gratitude,


Hope Anderson, Miss Louisiana 2011

LET'S START AT THE VERY BEGINNING, A VERY GOOD PLACE TO START

I'm fond of new beginnings.  Morning time has always been my favorite for this very reason:  It's a new start.  A new possibility.  Another chance to experience the unknown... A few months ago, I graduated from college and many new chapters--some exciting, some daunting--have sprung up as of late.  

Exciting: Getting my first "big girl" job as an Associate Producer at KNOE-TV8.  

Daunting: Moving out of my picture-perfect on-campus apartment and back into, that's-right-you-guessed-it, the Parent's house (*insert cliffhanger sound effect: "Duh, Duh, DUH!") 

Exciting: Applying to grad school at Johns Hopkins for a Masters in Health Communications--I'm keeping fingers, toes, legs, arms, locks of hair, and any other intertwine-able thing crossed...

Daunting: Waking up each day, rolling over, throwing a leg out from under the covers, & realizing that I still live with my parents. 

Exciting: Discovering a newfound joy.  I recently became a yoga instructor and it's been all-around uplifting & rewarding. 

Daunting:  Okay, okay I'll leave it on a good note...

If you happen to be reading this post, then you're getting a firsthand glimpse at the next installment of Exciting...  Always having loved to write, I've been thinking about starting a blog for a while and finally realized the opportune time is now.

A little backgrounder:  My name is Hope Anderson.  I enjoy working up a good sweat and making healthy versions of unhealthy dishes you never imagined were possible.  In other words, I'm a health-nut and try to manipulate others to live healthy, wholesome lives, too; however, I do have a sweet tooth that must be indulged every now and again.  One day, I hope to anchor the Today Show, reporting on health topics and writing features for major publications.  Just move on over, Mrs. Morales...  

Dancing has been a passion of mine since the age of three.  A big stage, pink ballet slippers, angel costume, lipstick, glitter, and hairspray synthesized for a magical combination and I've been hooked ever since.  

I like, make that love, to cook:  something I did a lot more of when I had my own kitchen, sans a woman I affectionately call "Nonnie" who protests when I even think about dirtying her kitchen... I always clean up my mess... (*Note: Cleaning the kitchen is a necessary evil that comes with the pleasure of cooking.  While I can honestly say I clean up my mess each time I cook, this assurance comes with no time constraints.)

The past three years have been largely dedicated to reaching a significant milestone:  winning the privilege and title of Miss Louisiana.  Now, before you try and deduce that I was one of those little tykes on Toddlers and Tiaras, hold it right there! I am no enthusiast for child pageants; in fact, I'm very opposed to them and think little girls should be gaining self-esteem through activities that build character (such as dancing, trying out different sports, acting in plays, taking art lessons, etc.), not being heaved across a stage by a domineering mom wanting her princess to have a "real" crown.  


The only run in with pageants I had as a child was as an audience member at my (then 3 year old) cousin Hannah's debut pageant career.  She was rolled, fluffed, primped, and ready to go on-stage.  That is until Little Miss Muffet decided she was hungry... and McDonnald's chicken nuggets sounded much more appetizing than curds and whey.  So my Aunt Anna did what any decent mother would do in this situation:  She sent someone to get that baby some Mickey D's.  Problem solved! Right...? Yea, right until it was time for Hannah to prance onto stage in the first line up--Aunt Anna couldn't pry Hannah's precious chicken nugget from her impenetrable baby fingers.  Hannah walks onstage with the other little debutants and we all sighed with relief that she at least made it up there! Nugget held between her teeth, she proceeded to introduce a talent portion of the competition by dropping down to the floor and performing full-out pushups.  Not just any baby can do that...and while biting a chicken nugget, no less.  We were so proud.  

At my own interest, I competed in my first pageant as a sophomore in college.  Since then, I've acquired tens of thousands of dollars in scholarship assistance thanks to the Miss America Organization, to which I will continue to avidly support long after I hang up those nude pageant heels. 

I've been immeasurably blessed by competing on the Miss Louisiana stage, discovered new sides of myself, and met remarkable young women who are just as proud as I am to call Louisiana home.  

This brings me to a noteworthy point:  In nine weeks, a new Miss Louisiana will be crowned and I will be competing as Miss Spirit of Ruston.  Miss Louisiana's been dubbed the "Super Bowl for Women."  Preparation is grueling...  Sacrificing is unquestionable...  Mental, physical, and emotional preparedness is key...  Ruthless contestants tackling each other backstage... I kid...... possibly... 

So needless to say, this chapter is a very important chunk of the story, my story, and much has yet to be inscribed.

"Do a Little Dance, Bake a Little Love, Get Crowned Tonight" is an imperfectly perfect account of life as I know it--  Leaping with total abandon through both the grande and petite moments, extending some love to others--occasionally with a homemade, nutritious goodie--and fervently preparing for a pivotal night that I hope will result in the chance to do something bigger than myself.

To echo musician Gavin Degraw, "This is the start of something good. Don't you agree?" I do. Wholeheartedly.