The Crown Chronicle Miss Kentucky Pageant
Total Page:16
File Type:pdf, Size:1020Kb
JUNE 13, 2018 The Crown Chronicle Miss Kentucky Pageant A Note From The Executive Director Good morning and Happy Wednesday everyone! I hope this issue of the Crown Chronicle finds you well. The last two weeks have been a blur! We transitioned from MKYOT to focus solely on tying all the loose ends for Miss Kentucky. And then...we received the #ByeByeSwimsuit news from Miss America. While this does not directly impact the Miss Kentucky areas of competition for this month’s Miss Kentucky pageant, it will impact the Miss Kentucky crowned and her preparation for “The Big Show!” While we stand again June 28th - 30th, on the sunrise of change, I’ve never felt more positive and excited about the 2018 direction and future of the Miss Kentucky Scholarship Organization. Know that we are and will remain focused on ensuring that the young women competing in this state have a top notch experience and the opportunity to earn significant scholarship dollars. That being said...we announced our distinguished panel of judges this week! Their bios are included in this issue so you can get to know the group that will have the difficult task of selecting the next Miss Kentucky. We’re so excited about this panel! In this issue of the Crown Chronicle, we catch up with another one of my favorite people, Erynn Landherr! This Forever Miss Kentucky’s Outstanding Teen was my Bluegrass Princess once upon a time and boy have I enjoyed watching her develop into the amazing young woman she is today! Make sure to check out her segment to see what she’s been up to! Also in this issue we will check in with Molly and Joanna. I can’t believe it’s almost time to say goodbye to the beautiful and oh so lovely Molly Matney! Check out what she’s been up to as her year of service comes to a close. And see what Joanna has been into during her first couple of weeks as MKYOT. As always, I wish you a splendid week and we look forward to seeing you in Lexington in a couple of weeks! Have a great week! Yours in Service, Ashley Anderson 1 Forever MKYOT Erynn Landherr, Miss Kentucky's Outstanding Teen 2011 • What have you been up to since you’ve given up the Miss Kentucky’s Outstanding Teen title? After completing my reign as Miss Kentucky’s Outstanding Teen 2011, my life has had many milestones that I hold as close to my heart as I do the title of MKYOT. I graduated as a dance major from the Youth Performing Arts School/DuPont Manual High School in 2013. I then went on to The University of Kentucky where I became a member of the Beta Psi chapter of Alpha Delta Pi. During my second year in college I participated in the Disney College Program in Entertainment being a character and parade performer. The Walt Disney Company allowed me to earn college credit and work for the happiest place on earth simultaneously for an entire semester. I then went back to UK and continued my studies and membership in Alpha Delta Pi as I volunteered for the Ronald McDonald House Charities of the Bluegrass and became apart of The UK Student News Network and a writer for The Kentucky Kernel; our very own student ran telecast and newspaper. Fast-forward two years later and I graduated from the University of Kentucky in May of 2017 with a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Broadcast Journalism. I am now back in Orlando, Florida working for The Walt Disney World Resort as a performer being friends with Snow White, Winnie the Pooh, Chip and Dale, plus many other iconic Disney characters. I have the most unique job in the world where I get to entertain guests and continue Walt Disney’s legacy on a daily basis by bringing characters to life and keeping the magic alive. It is truly a dream come true. • Looking back on your year of service, what was your most memorable moment? Reflecting back on my year as MKYOT, my most memorable moment was the time I spent with the Miss contestants who were competing for the title of Miss Kentucky. I had grown up in this organization starting back when I was just 8 years old in the Little Miss division with my first pageant and first title ever being Little Miss Jeffersontown. I always looked up to the Miss contestants as the “big girls” and every pageant I went to or competed in from that point forward I always begged my parents to stay for the “big girl” pageant that night. I went on to compete in the Pre-Teen division and then of course the Outstanding Teen division as well. So to finally be Miss Kentucky’s Outstanding Teen after 3 years of competing and to be under the same roof as those “big girls” I had always admired and seen as role models, was the most exciting, memorable moment I recall. This was my first true “duty” as MKYOT, where I was able to be roomies with the current Miss Kentucky, go out into the 2 Lexington community for service, visit veterans and children’s hospitals, attend and be introduced at the preliminary pageants and even performed my own talent on The Miss Kentucky stage that I had always dreamt of being a “big girl” on. That time culminated with another one of my favorite memories, gaining my big sister queen Ann-Blair Thornton, Miss Kentucky 2011. I was so grateful for my time spent with those women and it’s something I will always cherish. •What is something you miss? I miss every aspect of competing in the Miss America Organization but the thing that left the biggest impact are the people I met over the 12 years I competed. From people inside the organization such as contestants, titleholders, local directors, board members, volunteers, sponsors, donors, mentors, friends, and even the family members of these people. From people outside of the organization such as students, teachers, community leaders, dance instructors, mock interview judges, you name it. I simply miss the people. This organization created a pageant family for me; built up of so many individuals who I love dearly and will never forget. • What advice do you have for teens interested in competing? My advice for teens interested is two words: do it. This organization will shape you into the version of yourself you didn’t even realize you were capable of becoming. It’s incredible to see how young girls flourish into young women and then into grown women all in a matter of years. I met some of my best friends, gained confidence, public speaking skills, became more knowledgeable about the world we live in, all while learning the importance of healthy lifestyle choices. I promise you will not regret your time spent competing no matter the duration. Crown or no crown, we all have something to learn and to gain. •What did you learn about yourself while you were MKYOT? How has your participation in MKYOT impacted your life? During my year as MKYOT I learned that any dream you have is worth chasing. The first year I competed in Outstanding Teen I was 13 years old and I was the youngest one in the entire competition. I went into the pageant weekend with no expectations, no goals, and no high hopes. I was just there to have fun, make new friends, perform on stage like I loved to do, and spread the message of my platform for my youngest brother. That year, I was awarded a placement in the Top 5 as 4th runner-up as I was standing next to 4 other young women who I could not believe little 13 year old Erynn was standing next to. From that point on, you better 3 believe I made it my dream to one day become Miss Kentucky’s Outstanding Teen. All it took was that little glimmer of hope to spark a dream I was determined to make come true and soon had come true just 3 years later. During that time frame of competing I learned the importance of believing in yourself, the power of persistence, and how an open and outward mindset can end up changing your life. I dreamed I’d compete in Miss Kentucky like the “big girls”, I dreamed I’d attend and graduate from an SEC university, I dreamed I’d work for The Walt Disney Company, and now I continue to dream my most wildest dreams because no dream is too big. That is what I learned and that is what I hope many other Little Misses and Pre-Teens and Outstanding Teens can someday learn too. ♫ Notes From Joanna ♫ Whoo! Where to begin! My first few weeks of my reign have been nothing less of a dream! I went to Miss Priss, one of our AMAZING sponsors, to pick out my national wardrobe. I am so excited to reveal my evening gown to you all in Orlando. The Lantern at Morning Pointe was kind enough to host me for their "senior prom" where I crowned the Prom King and Queen! That weekend, I emceed the Tiny/ Little/ Junior/ and Preteen Miss Kentucky Pageant. I had a great evening in Louisville shooting my official head shots with Ryan Kendall for the MAOTeen program book. Lastly I was nominated at Southland Christian Church in Lexington to be in the dunk tank for the family carnival! I was probably dunked about 20 times and still have some bruises haha! Next on my agenda is attending Miss Indiana/ MINOT pageant this weekend, and next weekend I move into the Miss Kentucky house ahh! I am so excited to find out my Miss Kentucky.