Singing for Seniors -- August 16th 2010

Hello!

Yesterday was my final appearance before heading to FL for MAOT! I had the opportunity to perform for the residents of Atria Marland Place once again through my program "Singing for Seniors". Singing for Seniors is a program that I created several years ago where I schedule performances at local senior centers and recruit students from my voice studio to perform with me. It is my very favorite community activity because I am able to see the joy on the seniors' faces, encourage kids and teens to volunteer, and sing -- all at the same time! Since encouraging volunteerism is the basis of my platform, it is so rewarding to see students come back month after month to perform.

Jennifer, Hannah, Krystal (Miss New Hampshire), Sienna, and I performed! We all had a fabulous time!


Sienna and I singing "The Climb"! Shes too cute!


Krystal performing!


Jenn singing "On My Own" :)


Hannah performing!






I sang "Landslide", "Hallelujah", and my song for MAOT! I was happy to hear that the residents enjoyed our performance. I can't wait for the next Singing for Seniors in a few months!

...only THREE days left until Miss America's Outstanding Teen!!!

Love,

Kendall :)

Send Off Party! -- August 14th 2010

Saturday was my Send Off to Miss America's Outstanding Teen! I had a fabulous time visiting with family and friends. I had the chance to perform my talent for Miss America's Outstanding Teen, and model my competition wardrobe. Thank you to everyone for attending my party, bringing me gifts and cards, and supporting me one hundred percent. It means so much to have so many people behind me and rooting for me. Thank you times a billion to my family (especailly my Mom) who worked to plan my party and has been with me throughout this entire experience! Here are some pictures from the day!


With a few of my friends :)


Cutting my beautiful cake made by Alie Lacasse (Thank you Alie!) -- It's a lot harder than it looks!


Loren and I enjoying our delicious cake!


With my boyfriend, Nick :)


Christie, Amanda, and I




Mommy & I :) I made her put her hand on her hip! Lol


My voice teacher for ten years, Danielle, and I! Thank you Danielle for all that you do!

Thank you again to everyone who was at my party or has sent good luck wishes my way! I had a blast!

Love,
Kendall

Preparations for MAOT :)

Hello!

Over the past few months, I have been extremely busy preparing for Miss America's Outstanding Teen. I leave in exactly one week! I will be competing with 52 other amazing young women from across the country for Miss America's Outstanding Teen 2011 in Orlando, Florida. I don't think I could be more excited! Meeting the other contestants will be fabulous, and I'm especially excited to meet my roomate, Miss Iowa's Outstanding Teen, Aly! I have been counting down the days since there were about 80 days to go, and I can't believe we're down to SEVEN!! :)

I have been working with the official Miss Massachusetts and MMOT Interview Coach, Michelle Hantman (Thanks, Michelle!), weekly and I have a mock interview next week. I have been working hard on my talent, working with my voice teacher, my fitness routine, and learning several other production numbers!

My mom and I have been running around shopping and purchasing all of those last minute items. Is it bad that we logged over 800 miles on her car in one week!? I have everything I need for the week!! :) I love my competition wardrobe and cannot wait to wear it! Thank you to The Crowning Touch for my amazing gown!

The rest of my summer has been filled with working on my AP Summer Assignments, going to the gym, reading the news, and spending time with family and friends. Although I've been busy this summer, I have still found time to have a couple of beach days and go into Boston! Massachusetts is such a great state because there is so much to do! I'm so excited to represent Massachusetts at Miss America's Outstanding Teen, and I hope to make my state proud!

My send off party is tomorrow. I can't wait to see my family, friends, and the Miss Massachusetts Board! It should be a lot of fun. :) Check back over the weekend to hear all about my party!

One more week!

Love,

Kendall :)

Miracle Treat Day -- August 5th 2010

Happy Miracle Treat Day! Today I volunteered at The Dairy Queen in Westborough, MA for Miracle Treat Day. The Children's Miracle Network is the national philanthropy of the Miss America and Miss America's Outstanding Teen Organizations. Dairy Queen has partnered with CMN to raise funds for the fabulous organization. For each blizzard purchased, Dairy Queen will donate $1 to CMN! Last year's Miracle Treat Day raised over $4,000,000!! Check out miracletreatday.com or childrensmiraclenetwork.com for more information on this fundraiser!

I had a good time at Dairy Queen promoting blizzard sales, even though 11 am on a cloudy day proved to be slow! I even sold a few blizzards...do I see a job at Dairy Queen in my future?!

Here are a few pictures:






I set a goal to personally raise $500 for CMN, and I'm very excited because I have almost reached my goal! I have $127 of "Glow for Kids" bracelet sales. I am in fact only $3 short of my fundraising goal!! I hope to exceed $500. Here is my fundraising page:
http://www.maoteen4kids.org/m.aspx?i=1759059A0F31C3115

Happy Miracle Treat Day!!

Love,
Kendall

Feast Parade -- August 1st 2010

On Sunday I was in the New Bedford Feast of the Blessed Sacrement Parade. The Feast in New Bedford is one of the largest Portuguese Feasts in the country! I was able to speak with many people and see my Big Sis Loren, Miss MA, Ashley, Miss New Bedford, and Ashley B., Miss Apponagansett Bay.


With Loren, Ashley, Rachel - New Bedford Junior Miss, and a Cinderella titleholder.


Ashley, Loren, and I!


With Barney Frank and other representatives!


When I said that this Feast was one of the largest Portuguese Feasts, I wasn't kidding! Along the sides of the street at the parade, people were 5, 6, even 7 deep!




Thank you to my fabulous driver, Mauricio, of Executive Motors, and Bob Burgess for providing a convertible once again! :)



I always have so much fun at Parades. I'm always able to meet so many people and speak to them about the MAOT Organization, my platform - The Kindness Campaign, and the Children's Miracle Network! :) I had a blast at the Feast Parade!

Love,
Kendall :)

Bedford VA Hospital -- July 30th 2010

Last Thursday I attended the Bedford Veteran's Hospital Family Day Cookout! I was shocked to see how big the facility was! The Bedford VA is a 500+ bed facility with Veterans Community Care Center, Vietnam Veterans Outreach Center in Lowell, MA, and Veterans Day Activity Center in Winchendon, MA. They also have four community outpatient clinics.

At the cookout, I was able to visit with many of the residents. They were all so welcoming and inviting. One man even gave me a poem he wrote! It was very inspiring and I'm going to put it up on the bullitin board in my room. The last line was "Seek and you shall find", which is very ironic because that is a line directly from my MAOT talent song!


This man was one of the friendliest people there!


A recent Veteran, serving in Iraq.


With some boys from the Beverly High Marine Corps JROTC!


Another Veteran!

I was able to visit with children at the Cook Out as well -- the kids I met were so cute!


My new friend Bailey and I. Too bad she's looking down!


These boys said "Cheeeeeeeese!" as soon as they saw the camera. Adorable!!

I had a fabulous experience at the Bedford VA Hospital, and I am hoping to be back again sometime soon! Thank you to all of our troops and veterans for serving our country!

Love,
Kendall :)