What a year of celebration! Being crowned Mrs. America last September and then 1st runner up Mrs. World, making appearances all over America and now the birth of our third child! My family and I have had one of the most exciting years of our lives. Before the Mrs. America pageant my husband and I promised our two children Kylie and JD a trip to Disney world if I won. Well, I found myself 8 months pregnant walking (waddling) the pavement of the Magic Kingdom!

My year has been full of appearances, parades, judging pageants and speaking engagements. It will conclude with MCing St. Charles Fashion Week and Drum Corps International World Class Finals in Indianapolis Indiana as a special guest of the MENC (The National Association for Music Education). All this happens before I head to Tucson at the beginning of September to crown Mrs. America 2011.

I have been proud to wear the crown and all it represents throughout my year as Mrs. America 2010. One of my favorite moments came when I spoke at a Purity Revolution for young girls encouraging them to save themselves for marriage and to move on from mistakes they have made! I have also enjoyed my role as an official ambassador for the Women Sports Foundation and encouraging others to get out and get active. I had the privilege of launching two multi-sport clubs in Missouri.

Although my year as Mrs. America has come to an end, I will reflect on all the wonderful memories of this past year and continue to support the wonderful organization that David and Elaine Marmel founded over 30 years ago, the Mrs. America Organization. My family, my husband and 3 children are grateful for the life experiences we have had on our wonderful journey this past year. I wish all the incoming contestants the best wishes for a successful and rewarding pageant. See you in Tucson!