Monday night I attended the Susan G. Komen Race for the Cure Committee Meeting. Thanks to my good friend Patti, my Grandmother Jean, and Aunt Connie who are all breast cancer survivors, this will be my third year as a volunteer for the Race. My friend Beverly announced during the meeting that I was crowned Mrs. America, so I had a chance to speak about my plans this year to help with promoting "Kids for the Cure," being an official "Speaker" for Komen, and a "Team Leader." Next month, I will participate in approximately 20 events in Tucson for Breast Cancer Awareness Month including "Tied for the Cure," "Fiesta for the Cure," and "National Mammography Day." My friend Holly is a volunteer for "Character Counts" and I attended that meeting this evening. We are planning to incorporate the "Character Counts" program with "Kids for the Cure," a program which allows volunteers to speak to children in classrooms about the importance of nutrition and healthy lifestyles. Looking forward to an exciting year promoting "Breast Cancer Awareness."

-- Diane

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This week I had a wonderful opportunity to recruit volunteers to make a difference in the life of a child. Alex Stuetze, my co-worker Greg's niece, is a vibrant 13-year-old Tucson girl who has been undergoing chemotherapy for non-Hodgkin's lymphoma since October 2004. She has recently developed Leukemia and is in desperate need of a bone marrow transplant. It was a successful day, and because of the generous volunteers and donors, our goal of registering 1,000 new bone marrow donors is within our reach.

Thank you for all your support.

-- Diane

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Early Monday morning, at the 93.7 KRQ Radio Station with Carrie, JohnJay, and Rich. I had a blast talking about my wonderful experience at the Mrs. America Pageant.

"Intern Randy"

Tuesday morning- As soon as I walked into the voting poll I heard all the volunteers sing, "There She Is, Mrs. America!"

Attended the AAMB (Arizona Association of Mortgage Brokers) luncheon and spoke before the guest speaker Eric Harper, Director of Operations for the University of Arizona football team. I spoke about the Mrs. America Pageant, my platform "Breast Cancer Awareness," and recruited volunteers for the Bone Marrow Drive. My friend Sylvia gave me a beautiful red rose wrist corsage.

Arrived early Thursday morning at the batting cages in Phoenix to crown the new Mrs. Arizona, Kris Baker. The kids there were so excited for the crowning!

Crowning Kris on the "Good Morning Arizona" television show.

Attending a luncheon at Dr. Genifer Chavez's office with her amazing staff. Dr. Chavez presented me with a 1-year supply of protein shakes, energy bars, vitamins, and skin care.

Thank you for all your support!

-- Diane

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The morning after the pageant, I met with David Marmel, CEO of Mrs. America, Elaine Marmel, Senior VP, Bob Mazza, Executive VP Marketing, and Diane Ritter, Executive Director of Mrs. AZ and Mrs. UT. I'm so lucky to work with kind, intelligent, motivating people. I'm really looking forward to this amazing year. This is going to be a wonderful opportunity to speak about "Breast Cancer Awareness" and "The National Anthem Project."

Thank you so much to 9.37 KRQ Radio, 1330 am The JOLT, Mortgage Daily, Arizona Daily Star, The Explorer, Tucson Citizen, and Sierra Vista Herald, and Channel 13 for the interviews.

My family and I went out to dinner at the Claim Jumper restaurant and I was asked to get my picture taken with the Task Force Stonewall Virginia Army National Guard. It was a pleasure meeting Calvin, Greg, and Scott. Thank you for serving our country.

Yesterday morning I was in my office returning my 200 voicemails and 300 emails! I have the best family and friends. By afternoon, my husband offered to take me for a drive.

-- Diane

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Congratulations Mrs. America 2006, Diane Tucker!

Click here to see more photos from pageant night.

-- Diane

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This morning I had my interview with the celebrity judges! The judges were very pleasant and kind and I had a great time! Right after my interview, my Executive Director Diane Ritter was so sweet to take me to my favorite "Ra Sushi" restaurant for lunch. It was so much fun to catch-up with her and tell her all about the interview. I love spending time with my Di! At dinner I was approached by Mrs. Pennsylvania's beautiful daughters, Jacqueline and Julia, who wanted our autographs. They started a trend in the Ventana restaurant and every little girl there asked for our autographs. They were so cute!

When I came back to my room I was so surprised to see a beautiful bouquet of peach and white roses from my Mrs. Arizona friends. Thank you so much Debbie Lee, Molly, Shanna, Helena, Cathy, Tracy, Britt, Carolyn, Marisa, and Terres. Thank you to my friends Ozzie, Tracy H., Helena, Stacey, Dianne, Cathy, Diana, Hannah, Amy and Arash, and the Fryer family for my amazing cards. And thanks to Shanna, Jaime, and Paula for my faxes. I feel so fortunate to have such amazing support.

-- Diane

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Last night the Mrs. America contestants had a blast dancing at the Buddha Lounge at the resort. I ran into Steve, my co-worker, and he was at a barmitzvah party down the hallway. He and his wife Courtney asked if I'd dance the first dance with birthday boy. We danced to the "There's She Is Miss America" song! The contestants and I had a blast at the lounge and all of us danced to my favorite "80's" music. This morning we had rehearsal to get ready for the preliminary night, tonight! I'm really looking forward to seeing my family and friends!

-- Diane

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Prelim night went really well. Thank you so much to my family and friends for all your support. Thank you to Alison for the beautiful crown picture frame and bracelet, Ozzie for your helpful advice, and Angie and Mona for your patience with fighting humidity and blow drying my hair! Thank you so much to my Director Di for the beautiful angel ornament and beaded Arizona flag purse. Thank you to Patti and Jason for the sweet note and flowers. It was too wonderful to see the Aceto family yesterday. They are the Directors for the Mrs. Illinois Pageant and their daughter Julie also works for Argent Mortgage.

Julie is an Account Executive in Chicago and one of the top reps. It was so fun to see her little dog, Bebe, with a little crown on her head. Rehearsals all day today from 9 a.m. to 11 p.m. Yikes!

Looking forward to seeing you again tomorrow.

-- Diane

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This morning we had a delicious brunch at the "North" restaurant at the new La Encantada mall. Then we had a quick hour to do some speedy shopping! They were so generous with an entire bag full of discount coupons! They really know the way to a gal’s heart! Four contestants, Mrs. New Hampshire (Jessica), Mrs. Alabama (Monica), Mrs. Connecticut (Billy Jo), and Mrs. California (Cheryl), and I piled up in my car and we had a blast getting pedicures and tanning! I know... rough day!

This evening we had an amazing dinner at El Charro Café downtown. We received our crazy, busy schedules for tomorrow starting with a swimsuit photo shoot at 6:00 a.m. and ending with dance rehearsal from 7-10 p.m. I am looking forward to tomorrow's Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation seminar and the President's dinner with David Marmel, CEO of the Mrs. America Pageant.

My director, Diane Ritter arrives tomorrow and will be filling in this blog for me as our schedule is getting crazy! I will write when I can but she will keep you "posted" on all of the events and tons of photos!

Thank you so much Jaime and Mark, George and Cindy, Corrie, and Stacey and Mayda for the gorgeous flowers. My hotel room looks so beautiful now. Thank you to Ali for the card, energy mixes, and goodies, Ozzie for your beautiful message and card, Diane Ritter for the awesome bath basket and MacKenzie for the fax.

Gotta go!

-- Diane

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