Judging my very first National Pageant

So it hit me when I was leaving Philadelphia after a weekend of judging...I should let people know all of the neat things I get to do as a former Miss Delaware! Hence, the creation of this blog. Unfortunately, life after the crown also includes school still. Therefore, this past week I have been a little preoccupied with exams and papers for my summer courses. Thankfully it is almost over, at least for the summer.

Anyway, I was invited to judge the America's National Teenager Scholarship Organization's Preteen Sweetheart pageant. It was a wonderful experience. A little history about myself:
the very first title I ever held was Delaware's
Junior National Teenager in 2004

It was amazing being able to go full circle and end up judging a national pageant for the same organization that granted me the opportunity to compete in my first national pageant. When I competed in the pageant, nationals were held in Nashville, TN. This year was their first year out of Nashville, and it was the start of their journey all over the country. Each year, the ANTSO pageant is going to be held in a different city. It just so happened to luck out in that this year it was in Philadelphia. What an incredible opportunity! I got my first judge's bio and head shot in a national program book, too! One of the best parts was getting to know the girls competing and getting to know my fellow judges. Debbie and Linda Lee were phenomenal to work with. It was rewarding to know that I was going to dramatically change a girl's life forever!!! It was not a job that I took lightly and one that I will always remember. I look forward to judging more pageants in the future. I'll take any excuse to travel!
Thank you very much Gerald Odom, judges coordinator, for giving me this opportunity. I had a spectacular time getting to know you and all of the others involved in this great organization.