BLOG: SHANNON RYAN, MNYOT 2012
8/14 First night of prelims!!
Interview- I felt it went well, it went by very quick!
Fitness Wear- Our fitness wear routine was an absolute blast!! I had so much fun doing it, it was one of those routines that whenever we had downtime in rehearsal I would do it, because that was how much I loved it! So needless to say I was pretty pumped to preform it onstage and had the time of my life!
Visitation- MOM!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! MAL!!!!!! LINDA!!!!! JANET!!!!! YAY!!!
8/13 Medieval Times
Who would of thought that out of all of our rehearsals from the week that one would be for a medieval times jousting show?! Before rehersal we were able to take photos around the building and I even got to befriend a falcon with my dear friend Eileen Kelley Miss New Hampshire’s O.T! When show time came we all walked out one at a time as they called our state and we waved its flag! It was so fun reppin’ for NY at Medieval times! Elizabeth Fechtal came riding out on a white horse as the Princess. We were able to enjoy our show and dinner seated alphabetically! My girl NJ was particularly fond of the red knight, so we made sure to cheer extra loud for him…maybe a little too loud haha…we had a fantastic time! After the show we were able to briefly visit our families and ED it was wonderfulJ
Planet Hollywood 8/12
As we made our way through downtown Disney to Planet Hollywood, we took periodic detours to scenic fountains, sculptures etc. to film our lip syncing video to party rock. 53 girls with their banners on singing and dancing to party rock on the edge of a fountain in downtown Disney, you can bet we were quite the spectacle. Tourists were recording it on their phones and photo bombing. Our parents were there but we weren’t able to talk to them, we had our own parent paparazzi! Haha, it was a little wild but an absolute blast! Planet Hollywood was so much fun! I had the most amazing time, I love my sisters so much!
Rehearsals! Rehearsals! Rehearsals!
I didn’t include rehearsals in each daily post from MAOT because they all seem to run together. Most rehearsals were approximately eight hours long (which would be why they all seem to run together!). I would like to point out that most of those eight hours were not spent beveling in high heels (which we did do, and may have been my least favorite rehearsal activity…beveling for hours in stilettos…ouch!!) But were spent doing our jam packed cardio filled dance numbers! Which were an absolute blast to do! Plus it was like a Miss America Style boot camp! I love to dance, even when we had breaks, downtime I just kept dancing! Think everyone must have thought I was nuts, I had a fantastic time!
First days at MAOT!!
My first day in Orlando my mother and I went out for a lovely breakfast. We spent the rest of the day poolside chasing lizards and sipping on virgin strawberry banana daiquiris. Mid-afternoon I went up to the room and got ready to start filming for the show! I had to tape numerous introductions. I had so much fun, the staff was amazing! I got to lip sync, and had blast grooving! It was a day filled with smiles and giggles. Later that night my mother and I explored Orlando together!
The next morning was official check in. It was so exciting meeting the other girls for the first time! I also met Miss America’s outstanding teen Elizabeth Fechtal for the first time! She rushed out behind her table and embraced me in a big warm hug excitedly exclaiming “New York! New York was one of my best friends in last year’s competition!” She truly is a sweetheart who goes out of her way to make everyone she meets feel special. She was a much appreciated and pleasant presence throughout out the entire week! After picking up my welcome packet (and goodie bag courtesy of our incredible sponsors!) I was off to our Tony Bowls photo shoot done by Jen Cady design and photography. I had so much fun; they wanted us to vary our poses so I had to be “fierce” which really was such a challenge! After a few failed attempts to squander my giggles I pictured the opening scene from Bambi and was able to keep it together. The photo shoot was a blast, they did my hair up huge like a saloon girl and put me in a beautiful purple gown with some funky chunky jewelry! After the photo shoot I rushed straight off to rehearsal, I barely had enough time to change my clothes and had no time to change my hair! My first day of rehearsal was done with a bee hive and purple eye shadow! We all sat in a huge circle and played the name game, although it was easy to tell who everyone said because their apparel said it in rhinestones! I was so excited to start choreography, I love to dance! I had been practicing choreography for weeks with my fourteen year old brother and his friends (no it was not pretty at all! ). We were introduced to our choreographers for the first time, they were fabulous! They looked like super humans (and I mean that as a compliment!). Our head choreographer Pamela stood up and asked “I’m going to run the music, whose ready to show me what they know?”, ecstatic I jumped up and down cheered and clapped, I was met with the awkward silence of my new sisters. Then I heard another girl chime in “whoo yeah!” and start to clap. I looked over and it was my new roommate Miss Texas Outstanding Teen Margana! She looked at me with a smile and shouted “I got yo back roomie!” and we both began to laugh hysterically. I knew it was the beginning of a beautiful friendship! After our rehearsal we moved everything into our rooms. Margana and I were goofing off running around like raptors in no time! My entire room was filled with Texas pride. Everywhere I looked signs said “Make Texas proud”, “Go big or go home”, and my personal favorite “YOU are beautiful” in rhinestones above our mirror, I thanked it every morning! We then went downstairs we had orientation! We met our phenomenal security team Rodney and Louis (who can do the best wobble you’ve ever seen! ), and throughout the week would address me as “NEW YORK NEW YORK”. They’re awesome! They are so much fun and incredible professionals, true class acts. Donna Bozarth and Elizabeth spoke along with many other wonderful people. We also met our host mothers! We were briefed on security and provided with weeks rules and expectations. Then it was time to say goodbye to our families! It was a little tough, I’m so close with my family… but I WAS SO EXCITED!!! Soon we had our exchange party where each girl brings a gift for everyone which she feels represents her state. How fun is that?! The gifts were adorable, and so interesting! We were able to mingle, and enjoy additional gifts our sponsors (including philosophy) had provided us with. Then we broke up into our groups! It was so exciting meeting the other girls and our host mothers, go sassy smurfettes!! LOL we were the blue group, get it 
We then returned up to the beautiful hospitality suite where we were able to chat during a cupcake party hosted by the food network. I laughed with my new sisters while eating a delicious red velvet cupcake (my favorite) and watched Disney’s magic kingdom fireworks from our hospitality suite. Needless to say it was the perfect first night. Miss America, new sisters, food network cupcakes, and Disney fireworks… does it get any better than that? The evening felt like a dream.
Razors Edge interview 8/7
While I was in New Jersey for my brother’s baseball tournament and to visit sponsors (see previous post) I was also finishing up paperwork for additional scholarships through the Miss America Organization. I finished all of my paper work at roughly 8pm the night prior to the day it was due. A family member tried to toy around with my computer while I was in the shower and accidently deleted all of my work. I had written over ten essays. I wasn’t mad there was nothing I could do at that point but giggle, they felt awful, but it’s not like they meant to do it! I felt bad they felt bad. There are far worse things in life. I took a deep breath and started typing again; thank goodness I have a good memory! But let’s just say I certainly had my work cut out for me that night. I believe my paperwork was submitted at 11:59pm! A few days later (when we were home again) I received a call from Nova Southeastern University, I had applied for their Razor’s Edge leadership scholarship. I was interviewed over the phone for their scholarship, most of their questions were pertaining to leadership (obviously!), something the Miss America organization has taught me a lot about!
Times Union, Community News, Schenectady Gazette
It was so cool to have reporters calling me wanting to talk to me. Most importantly it was such an exciting opportunity to spread publicity regarding my platform and to share with New York all the incredible opportunities the Miss Empire Rose, Miss New York and Miss America organization have provided me with, along with how I have grown through the organization. Opportunities and growth are two things the Miss America organization fosters for young women all over the country! Fun fact of the day; the Miss America organization is the largest scholarship provider for young women in the world! The interviews were also good lessons for me as an aspiring broadcast journalist, because it quickly became evident which reporters listened and which did not. It could be a bit comical; there were times I read something about myself, where I had to ask “how did they even come up with that?!” But those were few and far between, most were wonderful! A special thanks to Glenn Griffith of the Community News for always taking the time to get the story right! He is a kind man who is so passionate about what he does. He truly puts all of his heart into his work. Thank you for your beautiful articles; it was an absolute pleasure working with you!
8/1/12 Fox News- Fox In Focus
When I got the call that Fox wanted to interview me for their show “Fox in Focus” I was ecstatic! As an aspiring broadcast journalist, someone passionate about her platform and about serving the Miss America organization, what a wonderful opportunity! I was able to provide publicity for organizations tied to my platform, and speak on behalf of the Miss America organization and all that it has given me and has given thousands of young women across the country. I mean right there I was practicing one of the very skills it has helped me to develop, public speaking and articulating an opinion under pressure and in an instant. I was able to share that the Miss America organization is not a “Beauty pageant” but a scholarship program based off of interview skills, public speaking, talent and academic achievement. It is the largest academic scholarship provider for young women not only in the country but in the world. This opportunity would not have been possible without Arthur Hunsinger, a dedicated volunteer for the Miss New York organization, an employee of Fox news and a firefighter! All around an amazing man. As always it was so wonderful seeing him, thank you Art!
Razors Edge interview 8/7
While I was in New Jersey for my brother’s baseball tournament and to visit sponsors (see previous post) I was also finishing up paperwork for additional scholarships through the Miss America Organization. I finished all of my paper work at approximately 8pm the night prior to the day it was due. A family member tried to toy around with my computer while I was in the shower and accidently deleted all of my work. I had written over ten essays. I wasn’t mad there was nothing I could do at that point but giggle, they felt awful, but it’s not like they meant to do it! I felt bad they felt bad. There are far worse things in life. I took a deep breath and started typing again; thank goodness I have a good memory! But let’s just say I certainly had my work cut out for me that night. I believe my paperwork was submitted at 11:59pm! A few days later (when we were home again) I received a call from Nova Southeastern University, I had applied for their Razor’s Edge leadership scholarship. I was interviewed over the phone for their scholarship, most of their questions were pertaining to leadership (obviously!), something the Miss America organization has taught me a lot about! So exciting!
8/1 Fox in Focus
As an aspiring broadcast journalist I was thrilled when Fox called and said they wanted to tape a segment for their show Fox in Focus. Everyone was so hospitable, and I was able to seek advice first hand from professionals in a field I am considering pursuing! It was so interesting to tour the studio and meet all of the professionals involved in the broadcast. Soon it was show time! It was a round table style discussion (with my crown in the center of the table haha) It was my first time ever doing a television interview, so exciting! I always love speaking on behalf of the Miss America organization, it is an organization which has given so much to young women like me. I would not be who I am today without it; I can not say enough good things about it! I was also able to talk about one of my other favorite topics, my platform! The fact that I am able to give publicity to organizations I am involved with; organizations that do so much for others, has been a gift I have been given this year. I am so grateful!
Stay Connected
Links
Recent Posts
Miss America Homecoming
March 14-17, 2013
VIEW WEBSITE
DONATE HERE