I'm thrilled to keep my family and friends updated on my exciting events this year. I was crowned Mrs. Arizona America, on May 27, 2006 and look forward to competing for the title of Mrs. America! The Mrs. America Pageant is scheduled for September 6, 2006, at Loews Ventana Resort in Tucson, Arizona. I’ll be blogging my experience, so stay tuned and wish me luck!

To tell you a little about myself… I’ve held the titles of Miss Sierra Vista 1996 and Miss Tucson 1999. I’ve served as the Executive Director for the Miss Tucson/ Miss Pima County Pageant for four years. I have my Bachelor of Science Degree from the University of Arizona and am employed by Argent Mortgage as an Account Executive. I’ve studied dance in the areas of tap, jazz, ballet, Polynesian, and clogging. I enjoy modeling for Maya Palace's television commercials, magazine ads, and fashion shows. I’ve been married to my husband Thomas, a Tucson Firefighter, for five years.

My community service platform is Breast Cancer Awareness. I chose this platform because three women in my family have been affected by this disease. For the past two years, my family and I have volunteered for the Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation to recruit members and volunteers for the "Race for the Cure." During my year of service to the pageant, I look forward to speaking to domestic violence shelters, civic organizations, and schools on Breast Cancer Awareness.

Thank you for allowing me to share my journey with you!

-- Diane