Turn For the Judges ~ Mrs. International Photogenic Winner!

A Special "Thanks" goes out to EVERYONE out there who voted for me! WOW... I won the Mrs. International 2008 Photogenic Contest on the "Turn For the Judges" website! Thank you, Thank you!!!

See link:
http://www.tftj.com/News/Poll_Finalresults.htm/160

Mrs. International 2008 ~ Reflections

What can I say? Of the many things I have envisioned myself doing in life, I never imagined that one day I would end up on a National Stage as Mrs. New Hampshire International competing for the title of Mrs. International. For me, this has been a "once in a lifetime opportunity" that I will treasure forever. I can't even begin to explain it. It was by far one of the most individually competitive things I have ever done (non sports and work related). It was an honor and privilege to be among such educated, professional, accomplished and beautiful women who truly had genuine passion for their platforms and causes. I thought I had done and achieved many things, well, let me tell you, every single woman had a resume, attitude and overall aura about them that was just outstanding!

Ok, so I'm personally disappointed that I didn't make it as a finalist, but I look at it this way, if I'm not going to win, well, I'm happy knowing that I competed among the BEST. And for this particular moment in time, the Best was Laine Berry! Congratulations to her, she was stunning from all perspectives.

What I take away from all of this is first, the friendships I made with many of these ladies. Some I got to know very well, others, not as much, but that's ok, it was such a hectic week and it was difficult getting to know everyone. There is this network of women from all over the US and Internationally that I can reach out to at any time and feel that there will always be a connection from the Mrs. International class of 2008. To me, that is priceless! Second, is the experience. Seriously, it still makes me giggle when I put my crown and banner on to think I represent a state. New Hampshire, I can honestly say, I feel I did you proud. I can walk away knowing that I did my best and I represented our state with class, pride, passion and most of all with character and integrity! Ok, so I can also kick butt on the stage a bit - thanks to all my former dance and theater past (wink wink). And last but not least, I take away from this experience the unyielding support and love of my close friends and of course, my family! My mom watched our girls during the pageant week - thank you!!!! My girls, well, they are my biggest fans and they just kept telling me "mommy, break your leg, break your leg", as they say in theater. Only it's coming from a 3 and 5 year old, so you get the point! And my husband Scott, what can I say there? Correction, Mr. New Hampshire International. He's been on the ride with me every step of the way. I love him dearly.

So now, we are back to reality here in New Hampshire. I am still Mrs. New Hampshire International. I have lots of things to do and awareness to raise in regards to the mission of the March of Dimes and promoting / encouraging volunteerism in our schools and communities. I go back to work at Brookstone in August. I'm one of the incoming Volunteer Coordinators for one of our Elementary Schools here in town so, there's lots to get organized and ready for the upcoming school year. I'm also coaching cheerleading for the Amherst Patriots, lots of routines to choreograph as practice starts next week. Then there's all the "other stuff" I'm involved in which is too much to list. And oh yes, the most important job, I'm Mr. NH's "Wife" and my girls "Mama". So, life is busy to say the least. Yet in all the craziness of life moving at this super fast pace, I try to stop, take a breath and remember to always be thankful for life and every single one of it's blessings.

Coronation Ball

Friday, July 19th, 2008 at the Coronation Ball. During the Coronation Ball, they announced all the Preliminary Winners. Not only did Laine capture the title of Mrs International 2008, but this woman won ALL the Preliminary Events! You Go Girl! YOU ROCKED IT OUT ~ now that's a WIN! Congratulations!!

With the lovely, newly crowned, Laine Berry, Mrs. International 2008
Current and Former Mrs. Internationals
Sharing a few moments with seriously one of the sweetest people I have ever met, Rebekah Negrete, Mrs. International 2007. She is gorgeous both inside and out!
One last picture with my wonderful hubby at an event of a lifetime!

Finals Night ~ and the Winner is.....

Saturday, July 19th, 2008 was the Finals Competition. What can I say, I don't Evvy the judges because there are so many that are just extraordinary. But here can only be one Winner.......Congratulations Laine Berry

Mrs. International 2008

Top Five Finalists with their husbands.
Mrs. International 2008, Laine Berry, Mrs. Southeast Int'l with Mrs. International 2007, Rebekah Negrete
On stage, waiting to hear the Finals Results. You could cut the tension with a knife!!

This is my Favorite picture from the entire event because it's with my amazing husband, Mr. New Hampshire International, Scott!

Preliminary Night ~ Evening Gown

Friday, July 18th, 2008, Preliminary Evening Gown Competition. WOW is all I can say! Everyone looked INCREDIBLE! The gowns were unbelievably gorgeous, one after another.

A group of us striking a pose before we went on stage!
Me and my "Stunning" roommate Mrs. SC, Shannon Devine
I just love this woman, Mrs. OK, Sasha Townsend, so sweet!
Ready for the Evening Gown Competition. As much as I LOVE sparkle, I fell in love with this dress, "Simple Elegance".

Preliminary Night ~ Opening Number

Friday, July 18th, 2008. Here we are at the Preliminary Night in our Opening Number outfits, Sherry Hill. Everyone looked fantastic and we had a blast on stage!

Getting excited to perform!
Just plain "FABULOUS"
On stage during our "Opening Number" routine - "Go Red".

Interview Competition

Here we go, the competition begins!!! The Interview Competition was 50% of our overall score, so this was a Big Day!

We were the first group to interview, looking good ladies!

Formal Dinner Night

Formal Dinner Night was great - everyone looked amazing and we had lots of fun!

How lovely!

The 2008 International Contestants with Mary Richardson and Rebecca Negrete, Mrs. International 2007

Rehearsals & Having FUN!

Rehearsals were SO MUCH FUN!!! I absoutely love being on stage and it was great to have such wonderful and talented choreographers and producers to work with!

Love these ladies, Sasha (Mrs. OK) and Amy (Mrs. WV)
The lovely Rebekah Negrete (Mrs. International 2007) having a "Crown moment".
2 of the sweetest ladies I met, Patti (Mrs. SC) and Carol (Mrs. AK)
My wonderful roomie for the week, Shannon Devine (Mrs. NC) and I on our way to rehearsal!
Enjoying lunch with Mrs. Midwest, TX, KS, ME and CO.

Out and About in Chicago

Wednesday, July 16th, we are all heading out on the town for a fun Trolley Tour of downtown Chicago and then lunch at Water Tower Place - the Signature Room. It's a great day to be outside!!

Heading out for a day in Downtown Chicago with the gals!
All the 2008 Contestants at Water Tower Place before lunch at the Signature Room
Group 1 photo in Downtown Chicago during Tolley Tour
Shannon (Mrs. NC), Stevie (Mrs. CA) and I striking a pose
Cindy (Mrs. Maine) and I riding the Trolley

Orientation Day

Tuesday, July 15th was the Contestant Orientation Day. This was the first time all the contestants were meeting each other. It was wonderful to be able to put a "Live" face to all the pictures. What an incredible group of women - WOW, all educated, accomplished, involved in their platform areas and stunning! We also were given our contestant #'s. Lucky me... I'm #1. That means I go first on everything - YIKES - the pressure ~ ARG!!! Well, I'll just have to start things off with a Big NH Bang ~ You go Girl!!

The ladies in Group #1

The ladies I sat with at Orientation

Arrival in Chicago for Mrs. International

It's Tuesday, July 15th, the plane landed, Cindy Doucette (Mrs. Maine) and I got off, got our luggage and we're off to the Hotel! I can't believe that we're finally here in Chicago, ready for what I think will be one of the most incredible experiences of my life!!! Here we go girls!

Taking a quick moment to pose by the Mrs. International sign while entering the Hotel.
This HUGE sign was hanging outside the Hotel - how cool!!!

Leaving for the Mrs. International Pageant

I can't believe the day has arrived to leave for what I expect to be one of the most amazing experiences of my life! I can't wait to meet everyone involved! I wish every single woman competing the absolute best of luck! I'd like to thank all my sponsors for the wonderful support and committment to me. I would also like to extend my deepest gratitude to my closest friends that have been there for me to keep me smiling, energized and away from chocolate for the past few months. And last but certainly not least, thank you to my family that has been so incredibly supportive with everything that I do! I am the luckiest person in the world to have wonderful parents, an amazing husband and incredible daughters - you are my inspiration and the wind beneath my wings! My platform has been about "promoting and encouraging volunteerism and community involvement with an emphasis with 2 organizations, the NH March of Dimes and the Amherst PTA". Both of these organizations have such a powerful message to extend out to the world, not only for people that need their services, but for anyone who cares for babies as they enter this world and for anyone who has children in the public school system. My goal is to promote their causes not only on a local level, but to take it to a National Platform. In unity there is strength to make a difference!

Amherst PTA

every child. one voice.

Vote for Mrs. NH International 2008

Vote for me and Donate to Go Red for Women and to the NH March of Dimes!

http://www.mrsinternational.com/voting.php?id=202

The below link gives you the opportunity to vote for your favorite contestant (me) and donate to a cause that is near and dear to all of our "hearts"...

The proceeds of on-line voting are split between the contestant with the most votes and Go Red for Women. I pledge to donate any portion going to me, to the NH March of Dimes, as they are the organization that I find amazing, as they support babies, mother's and families that are faced with concerns during pregnancy & child birth.

Voting will close at noon on the day of the finals pageant (July 19th).

4th of of July Parade

*** God Bless America ***

4th of July Parade, Amherst, NH

What better way to celebrate the Independence of our Nation than with a traditional parade going down the Amherst Village Green? This parade has gotten bigger & better every year! As part of the parade there were decorated dogs, decorated bicycles, various floats, clowns, riding horses, marching bands, marching children, service men, politicians and of course, a wonderful turn out of spectators! Nancy Head, the Parade Organizer did an amazing job putting it all together~kuddos to her! God Bless America! My hubby Scott, our girls and me, ready for the parade! I came to this country at the age of 2 yrs from my native country of Greece. At 21 yrs, with a proud heart & soul, I took the oath of becoming an American Citizen. That moment is forever embedded in my mind! I would never have imagined the feeling I had today while parading in my own town, representing the state of NH. I am once again, so Honored and so Humbled to be an American!

Ahhh.. YES!!! What America is all about and what we stand for!

Parading down the Amherst Village Green Parade route.

How adorable is this little clown? I love the piggy tails!
The Alton Girls with Mama celebrating the day in Red, White & Blue