Locks of Love

Locks of Love has been an organization that I am passionate about. I thank God that I was blessed with beautiful, long, thick hair. But, there are children out there that are not as blessed due to illness. Alopecia is the #1 cause of permanent hair loss for children. Radiation and chemotherapy are a cause of long-term hair loss. Imagine if you were that child growing up with no hair- imagine the constant stares and whispers. All while you were battling a disease you yourself did not understand- and trying to find yourself and gain confidence in who you were at the same time. This time in those children's lives must be a hard because I know it was hard for me and I looked normal.

 I decided when i was 18 to donate my hair for the first time. I heard about Locks of Love from a hair dresser of mine. I wanted to cut my hair one day and she suggested I donate it. I had this sense of freedom in losing so much hair, but also felt this sense that I finally found a way for me to give of myself to help someone else. So at the age of 18, 21, 24, and 27, I have given in the most humbling way that I can think of- giving up what has always defined me: my hair.

Here we go!

10 inches donated for a sweet child

I have received a lot of negative comments and have those who do not support me. You can not believe it? Neither can I. I have been told that i do not look good with short hair. I have been told that it will hurt my chances of winning a pageant and i am just asking to loss. I have been told that my efforts are in vain. i have been told that I am losing myself. I am confidant in myself and the way that I look that I try to explain that I do not need my hair to feel beautiful about myself: but a child does.

I try to explain it like this: what if your 7 year old child woke up one day and all their hair was laying on their pillow? Gone. Fallen completely out. How would they feel? What would they think? How would YOU feel as a parent? Embarrassed? Heart-broken? Praying to God to please make it all better? Locks of Love does just that. They have answered the prayers of 2,000 children and parents every year. And they can not answer those prayers unless people like myself donate hair.

Fact: it take 10-30 hair donations to make 1 wig. Yes. You heard me correctly. Amazing huh?

That is why donations are vital. I have 3 friends that pledged to donate hair with me. And to them, I am forever grateful! Will you join me and make a pledge to donate? You only need 10 inches for Locks of Love. If you want to donate but do not have enough hair? You can still donate! How, you ask? Because they will sell your hair to other wig companies to offset the cost to make a wig.

Fact: it costs $1,000 to make 1 wig- YES! $1,000 to process, disinfect, sort, and sew in the hair strand to make just 1 wig. By donating too short hair, the sales from it go towards offsetting the cost to make a wig.

To date I have donated over 50 inches of hair...

So will YOU pledge to donate with me?

Here are images from my last 2 donations:

October 2009: 2 ponytails- 10inches each!

December 2012: 1 ponytail- 10 inches long!!

 Until next time friends...

Why Are You Competing?

This is the number one question in pageantry- Why do you want to win? This is a question that has never failed to be asked of me at each interview. And so, this is something that I feel is important for anyone competing to be 100% sure of.

Why are you competing? Are you merely competing because you want the CROWN? Or are you competing because you want the TITLE? I think girls sometimes get these two ideas confused. If you are competing for the crown, then that usually means your reign ends there. You have reached your goal of getting the crown. Period. The end. If your goal is to win the title, then your goal has just begun. Opportunities for you have just begun. You want more- you see this as a job, a mission.

The next time you think about competing, ask yourself WHY. A titleholder doesn't win the crown, put it up on a shelf, and that's it. A titleholder promotes her system and crown. To be a successful titleholder, you have to see the title as a part-time job. It requires dedication, devotion, and self-discipline. I am a firm believer that if you are not ready to devote time into promoting the title you are competing for, then you obviously are not ready to hold the title.

Think of it like this- Would you expect to look for a job, but once you get one, not work for your money? Absolutely not. You would be fired. The same should be applied to being a titleholder. You shouldn't expect to win but not do anything with your new title. Because, the girl standing next to you as your runner-up probably wanted the TITLE and not only the CROWN and would have given her all to PROMOTE the system and her TITLE. By not taking advantage of the opportunities to promote yourself and your system if given the chance to be a titleholder, you are not only doing a disservice to your system but a disservice to yourself. And you took away the opportunity for another girl to be what is expected of you.

The next time you are asked: "Why do you want to be ...?", really know the answer. Do you want the CROWN? Or do you want the TITLE? Do you want a shiny trophy to put on a shelf? Or do you want the job of holding the title? Know your goals, know your WHY.

My self quote that I truly live by is:

DO NOT DO ANYTHING UNLESS YOU ARE AT A PLACE IN YOUR LIFE TO DO IT TO THE BEST OF YOUR ABILITY.

Until next time friends...

Sierra's Haven Christmas Benefit

Thursday November 15, the Office of Community Development in Portsmouth, Ohio held a benefit fundraiser for Sierra's Haven for their outstanding service to the southern Ohio community. Since 2006, Sierra's Haven has spayed/neutered over 6,000 animals and house over 200 animals at a time until they are adopted out. I have adopted 3 of my fur-babies from this fabulous organization and felt the need to give back to not only this organization but to the community that I once called home.

 So, with the help of family and friends, we collected supplies and donated them to Sierra's Haven to help out with some of their needs.

Thank you all for the donations and effort in helping me help the community that I grew up in!

Packing up my goodies for Sierra's Haven

There are still a few more days in the "Thanksgiving" month to give back to a special organization! I challenge every one of you to give back to at least one organization that is doing good for your community! Thank them by giving...


Until next time friends...

the Office of Community Development will host a Christmas benefit on behalf of Sierra’s Haven - “for their outstanding service to the community,”

Read more: Portsmouth Daily Times - City hosts event for Sierra’s Haven

Cans for Christ

This past weekend i was honored to attend the Miss Ohio USA pageant in Portsmouth, Ohio. While there, I decided to give back to the community that I once called home. So I teamed up with my friend Brandon Hoyme who is Owner-Operator at Special Touch Embroidery in West Portsmouth to give back to our community. I rallied up a bunch of my pageant friends to bring non-perishable items to Cans for Christ.

 Brandon had a goal of collecting 6,000 non-perishable item by December 3 to donate to Mylee's Mission and ROAR Mission. These organizations feed hungry and under privileged families in southern Ohio.

I could not have helped Brandon and his mission without the help of these amazing people:

One of the most amazing women I know, Rian Valentine, Mrs Petite America

The beautiful and with a heart of gold, Jennifer Skogman, Michigan's Perfect Miss

The ever entertaining Brea Galvin, Ohio's Perfect Preteen

The adorable Bailey Loew, Ohio's Perfect Jr. Teen

The stunning Michelle Moore, America's Perfect Woman

The fabulous Rick Martinez, national award winning photographer

Thank you all for helping me help others in southern Ohio! I challenge you to give back to your community this month. Let us all reach a hand out to others and show them that we are all in this together...

Group shot with Brandon. What a big heart this man has.

 I have another "GIVING" benefit that I am working on this week so be checking back to see what it is!

Until next time friends...

Miss Ohio USA

This past weekend was a busy one for me! I went back to my hometown of Portsmouth, Ohio to be a guest at one of the most amazing productions in pageantry- MISS/TEEN OHIO USA 2012. I use to participate myself when I was younger. Like a previous post, I was honored to place as 2nd RU at Teen Ohio USA and 1st RU at Miss Ohio USA. So going back to watch it in my home town was something I have been looking forward to for awhile!

Catching up with some fabulous people!

 I went there as Ms Captivating to support Studio RM's Ohio USA preliminary title holders- Megan Wise, Miss Heart of Ohio and Ivy Hankins, Miss Teen Heart of Ohio. Ivy placed 3rd RU and Megan placed 1st RU! Other former Studio RM titleholders also placed in top 15 including Sarah Newkirk (Ohio's Perfect Miss 2011) and Alexia Castillo (Teen Captivating 2011)!!!

The best part about going was meeting up with friends that i met through this industry! I had an amazing time!

Ms. Captivating '12-'13 and Michigan's Perfect Miss '11- Jennifer Skogman

Ms Captivating'12-'13 and Mrs Petite America '12- Rian Valentine

This picture just sums up the night! A great night spent with great people! We had the biggest cheering section there! Once a Studio RM girl, always a Studio RM girl!

Sums up the night!!!

 Until next time...

Pacer's Home Opener

Tonight I had the privilege of attending the Pacer's home opening game! I had so much fun!I got to sit in a suite for tonight game and the view was awesome!!

Suite 32!

The view from my suite! The yellow is a shirt for those who came!

 I love living in a major city because of the convenience of being able to support my home team! Indianapolis is a blessed city because they have 2 of the top sports venues (Bankers Life and Lucas Oil) in the country! And they are both at my fingertips! Find what fabulous things your city has to offer, enjoy it, and tell others about it!

My daughter and I

After watching the game that the Pacer's won in double overtime, I was able to take Kenna on the court and shoot some hoops! She was so excited even though Mommy shot an air-ball!

That is me at the foul line!

 Tonight was such a fun night spent with great people! I am so blessed with the many opportunities this city has to offer for a fun night with the family. I encourage all of you to find the time and place to have a night out with your family too!

Go blue and gold! Until next time...

Trick or Treat for Kids Off Their Feet

This year for Halloween my daughter decided she was going to be a Bumble Bee. We got her costume, bought a blue jack-o-lantern bucket ot put all her goodies in, and are getting all excited to go trick-or-treating. One day last week at work, my co-worker and I were talking about how much fun Halloween is and how sad that some kids might not get to experience Halloween. So we researched a way to help the best way we know how! So we found "Trick-or-Treat for Kids Off Their Feet" which brings Halloween to the kids at Payton Manning Children's Hospital. This is for the hospitalized child, the child going through chemo and has special isolation, the child who can not get out of bed because they are too sick or too weak. The community donates goodies for the staff to pass out on Halloween!

All the goodies I donated!

There was way too much to hold!

 I also had my daughter help pick out some toys and fun favors and i told her why we were doing this. Instilling in a child at a young age to give is sometimes more rewarding that receiving is vital! I find it to be one of the most important traits a child can take from their parent.

Helping Mommy put all the goodies in a bag to take to the kids at the hospital!

I challenge you to find a way to give back to your community this month!


Until next time friends!

Official Headshots

I'm so excited!!! Official headshots are up! Our director, Rick Martinez of Studio RM, did it again! He made my sister queens and I look AMAZING!

My beautiful sister- MISS Captivating (former Miss Michigan Capt.)

The adorable TEEN Captivating (former Teen Midwest Capt.)

Me- MS Captivating (former Ms. Indiana Capt.)

Three beautiful and accomplished woman from different part of the country and different walks of life have come together to be the current CAPTIVATING queens and are honored to hold these titles. Who will we crown next June? Who wants to follow in our footsteps and have the honor of wearing one of our crowns? I look forward to seeing YOU next summer!

Until then...

Indianapolis Marathon 5K

This weekend I had the privilege to participate in the Indianapolis Marathon 5K! This makes my 2nd 5k I have ever participated in. The first one was the Ronald McDonald House 5K which I walked in. This time I wanted to challenge myself and RUN a 5K. So, with my sister in tow as my motivational support person, I RAN my first 5K!

1st mile marker and still going strong!

Crossing the finish line and finished in 48 minutes!

 I love a good challenge so I wanted to see if I could actually run 3.5 miles! I'll admit, I had to take a few walk breaks, but to say I RAN a 5K is one thing I can check off my bucket list! There is only one thing I am a little embarrassed to admit... my beautiful sister just had a baby 4 months ago... and she beat me! She was the one pushing me to keep going!! She is such a driven individual and I admire her for her competitive nature!

My sister and I with our finisher medals

One thing I have gained from this experience is to challenge yourself. If you think you can not do something, do it just because you think you can't. The worst thing that can happen is you fail. But what is worse than failing is being scared to not even try at all. Failure isn't losing, however, because you already beat the person who was too afraid to try.

This medal is going in my "Accomplishment Cabinet"

I didn't win or even place in the top 100, but I challenged myself and finished. I was so proud of this accomplishment and want to use this as an example that if you set your mind to it you can do anything. From this experience, I have set a new goal: to run in a 5K every month (every other month at the least) and maybe by next year you will see this girl running in her first mini or half marathon! Who knows... Only I can determine that!

Until next time friends...

Miss Indiana USA 2012

Today I was honored to be a guest at the Miss Indiana USA 2012 pageant in Carmel, Indiana at the Renaissance Indianapolis North Hotel. It was so much fun being in the audience to watch all the fine young ladies from all parts of Indiana competing for this prestigious title.

Myself and Mrs Sarah Baird

The dresses were beautiful! I wanted every dress in the top 10! Each girl brought to the stage her unique style, amazing poise, and contributions to the great state of Indiana! One girl started an organization called "Warming Heart" which takes blankets to children for Christmas. Another girl started a non-profit organization that helps veterans with PTSD get service dogs to ease their fear and keep them company.

Top 10 in Miss

The winners were so deserving! The amazing Emily Hart won the title of Miss Indiana USA 2012...

Emily Hart #28 is the new Miss Indiana USA 2012

The stunning and beautiful Darrian Arch is the new Teen Indiana USA 2012.

Darrian Arch #2 is the new Teen IN USA 2012

I met some fabulous people while attending the pageant. I was very honored to meet and talk to the beautiful Mrs. Indiana United States 2012, Carrie Owens. She is such a fabulous woman! Look out because we just may tag-team a few events! Who knows!

I had such a fun night hanging with and meeting some amazing people! Next weekend I have another adventure planned so check back next Sunday night to see what I am getting into!

Until next time...

Flu Clinic

Today I volunteered at my first of 6 flu clinics! The St. Vincent PCC offers a flu clinic every Wednesday from October through March for people, young and old, to get their flu shots. It is so important to get the flu shot not only to prevent yourself from getting ill form the flu, but more for your family so that you do not pass it on to them.

Another reason to get your flu shot is so you don't miss work! DUH! Do you really want to use 3 days of your hard earned PTO days or even go unpaid because you were scared of a little needle?! I don't think so! There has been no evidence that the flu shot gives you the flu... EVER! It is a myth, so if that is your excuse not to get it, then you now know it is not the truth! AWESOME!

I had a blast using my nursing skills and knowing I helped people not come down with this potentially life threatening illness by volunteering my time today! And I'll help almost a hundred more in the next few months, volunteering at 5 more flu clinics! Get out there and get yours today! Ms. Captivating and your very own personal nurse said so!

Until next time friends...

If You Want The Truth, Ask A Child...

You know the saying "If you want the truth, ask a child"? Well, it is true. When I decided to compete for Ms. Captivating, I had to ask myself "WHY?" Why compete after not competing in so many years? What is the compelling factor for me to take the plunge back into an industry I thought I had retired from? Why did I want the crown? This was my answer:

I wanted to win for my precious baby girl. I wanted to show her that you can chase your dreams and you can achieve them with hard work and dedication. I wanted to show her to never let things such as money, people, weight, society discourage you from reaching your goals in life. And lastly, I wanted to show Kenna that, yes, you really can be a princess. And my goal and dream of this came true. Not on the day that  I won and had the crown placed on my head, but 2 days ago when Kenna walked over to my "Pageant Case", asked to take out my CAPTIVATING crown, had me put it on, and said "Mommy. You a pity 'pin-cess'!" I started to cry because I wanted her to see that if Mommy could be a princess, then she could too one day! I then placed the crown on her head and said, "One day, if you want to, you can be a princess too!"

Right after I won MS. CAPTIVATING

Always remember, if you set your mind to it, you can be anything you want to be. Just remember, it might not happen when you want it to or how you want it to, but you can achieve your dreams. I dreamed of being MISS UNIVERSE since I was 14. I never became MISS UNIVERSE or even MISS OHIO (though I came close!), but I did win a national title 13 years later, and I was able to share this amazing experience with my daughter. THAT is way more than I could ever ask for...

Until next time friends...