I ran the Autism Information booth at Lambda Sigma Tau's annual Autism Amped Event at St. Catherine's University. Thanks for including me in a very successful event!

I know! I was terrible about keeping up with my blog from National Sweetheart! Every day was so jam-packed with activities that by the time we got back to our housing, all I wanted to do was sleep! AND, I started school the day after I got home. Needless to say, it's been a bit crazy!

There are few words to describe what a wonderful experience I had at the National Sweetheart pageant over Labor Day weekend. The small town community of Hoopeston, IL united together to give the Miss America state pageant runner-ups the warmest welcome we have ever experienced! The 40 contestants spent the week touring Hoopeston’s factories, shopping at its small town boutiques, eating free Dairy Queen, visiting schools, and rehearsing to compete at the national pageant that comes second only to Miss America. Meeting those 39 girls was inspiring. I loved hearing about what they were doing to impact change in their home communities. The National Sweetheart pageant experience left me feeling energized and motivated to keep pushing myself to the next level. As I always say in regards to my platform and my life, “There is no barrier that cannot be overcome.” I am rearing to go! National Sweetheart was an incredible journey! I learned so much and came out of it with 39 lifelong friends! I hope to see these girls again at Miss America someday soon!

A picture speaks a thousand words! Take a look at the amazing friendships that were made in this one week.