Well, today was a BIG day! Today was the contestant lottery to see what our contestant order will be for Miss America. It’s really cool how it works, so I’ll try my best to explain it. All 52 contestants logged on to the online lottery web site at the same time. When everyone was there, the Miss America computer randomly selected a state name, kind of like drawing out of a hat. Then, that first contestant got her pick of where she wanted to be in the lineup. The next contestant drawn got to choose from whichever slots were left, and so on down the line. Make sense?

So obviously, I was hoping I got selected fairly early to get the position I wanted. Well, to put it mildly, I have HORRIBLE luck in those drawings! Out of 52 contestants, I was number…50! Wow, there were only 3 slots left by the time I got to choose. But it all worked out, and I ended up with a spot that I wanted anyway. I felt very lucky that even though I had to wait 2 hours to find out where I would be, I got a placement that I was satisfied with.

So for anyone who wants to know, here is how my Miss America week is shaping up. I am in the Sigma Group, and I’m contestant number 5. That means that on Wednesday, January 24, I have my interview with the judges in the morning. On Thursday, I will compete in the swimsuit and eveningwear competitions. Friday is the night I perform my talent, and then on Saturday I will answer my on-stage questions. So I’m very happy with my lineup… thank goodness!

Other than that, my week was full of appearances. I went down to Tucson for the American Red Cross Save a Life Saturday for Families, and I spoke and signed autographs for kids. On Monday I went to the Ahwatukee Crime Prevention Task Force meeting, and on Tuesday I spoke to Oasis Elementary School. Wednesday I had a meeting with the Arizona Sexual Assault Network and CASA, which is the Center Against Sexual Assault. I’m so glad to be working with those organizations, and I’m happy that we’re all collaborating together.

So basically, it’s been a great week for me… I hope it’s been the same for you!

Until next time,
Hilary