Miss Maine & Massachusetts

Hello everybody!

I had a very exciting weekend attending the Miss Maine and Massachusetts finals.  The Miss Maine finals were especially exciting because of the emcee: Lu Sierra, the official runway choreographer for Miss USA and Miss Universe!  She is hilarious.

At Miss Massachusetts, I was able to connect with many people I've worked with and met along the way (my favorite ladies Katie Boyd of MissFit, Maria from The Crowning Touch, and Michelle Neves Hantman).  I also saw Jeff Cohen and Amy Diaz, both of whom judged me just a few weeks ago when I was crowned as Miss Vermont USA 2011.  What lovely people!  I made a few new friends as well, and was able to meet the new titleholders at both pageants.  I am not sure if they will remember though... moments after being crowned, everything is such a blur!  I also spent time with Lacy Folger, Miss New Hampshire USA 2011.  Our states are neighbors!

Overall, last week was an exciting whirlwind. It is hard to believe that Thanksgiving is already over... in fact, November is already over! Where did this month go? I was able to spend some quality time with my family, which is very important to me.  Thank you everybody for the support.  You all mean so much to me.

I Am Thankful

Happy Thanksgiving to everybody!  I hope you all found time today to be with family and friends, and to think about everything in your life that you appreciate.


This morning, I ran a 5k with my good old friend Brendan.  I hadn't run since June and was a little nervous, but I ran without a problem!  It was a great way to kick off Thanksgiving morning.

After our early run, I was able to spend time with my fantastic family and friends.  I am very fortunate to have these people in my life.  Many of them (over 20!) gathered at my parent's house for Thanksgiving.  Most of these people, and more, came to Miss Vermont USA earlier this month as well.  Words cannot explain how much these people mean to me.  They are caring, thoughtful, and supportive... but at the same time totally goofy and fun.  I couldn't ask for a more entertaining group of people to be in my life and cheer me on at pageants.  I love you all!  (Even if you are a little wacky sometimes)

To top it all off, my wonderful Mom had a congratulatory cake for me.  It said "On the way to USA!", and even had a crown on it!  Thank you so much Mom for your never-ending supply of  love and support.  And thank you to the rest of my amazing family

My Favorite People

Today, I visited my friends at an assisted living home.  I worked there for several years and grew quite close with the residents.  I have been a Licensed Nursing Assistant for several years now and find it to be one of the most rewarding jobs out there.  You truly make a difference in people's lives, helping them with their daily tasks and providing companionship.  I have worked not only there, but also in the hospital, as a visiting nurse, and in hospice homes for the dying.  These people are so inspirational- no matter what life throws at them, they maintain a positive, cheerful outlook.

My friends were so thrilled to see me and hear of my success.  I love them all so much!  They are all looking forward to seeing me on NBC for Miss USA this spring.  A special thanks to Tracy for being great, as always.  I miss you all!

Show and Tell Day

Well today was an exciting day.  My sweet little neighbor Thyra was thrilled when I was crowned Miss Vermont USA 2011 and she invited me to her third grade class as a show and tell!  Word got out that Miss Vermont USA was in the building, and so I ended up visiting with kindergarten, first, and second grades as well.  I talked with the children about the importance of washing hands during this cold and flu season (use warm, soapy water and sing Happy Birthday!)  Being a nurse really opens your eyes to the abundance of germs in our world!  I also discussed how beauty is more than something you see, and how all of us are uniquely beautiful inside and out.

Then I opened the floor for questions.  Oh boy, was this fun!  Everything ranging from, "How do you do win a pageant?" to "What is your favorite ice cream?" was asked, and  I was also informed by a little boy that he was "Mister Las Vegas".


In the library, I found another queen: Queeny Chenney, Queen of the Library!  What an honor.  I liked her crown.

And of course... everybody wanted to touch my crown.  But only if they washed their hands first!

Dream Becomes Reality

Hello There!
 Considering the fact that you found this blog, you must have heard the news- I am Miss Vermont USA 2011!!!

What a dream come true.  I entered my first pageant last year when I competed in Miss Vermont USA 2010 as a Mother's Day present.  I have the most hard-working, supportive, amazing Mom and had to do something fantastic for her, and she had always encouraged me to enter a pageant. Needless to say, the experience of preparing for and competing in a pageant was absolutely addictive... and here I am today as your new Miss Vermont USA! Miss Vermont has not won Miss USA since 1955.  It's time for a change.

I was crowned on November 7th, but two weeks later it all still seems like such a dream.  I have literally been preparing for Miss Vermont USA 2011 since the moment I stepped off last year's stage.  Now, my dream is a reality.

I had three exams within three days of being crowned, all the while firing hundreds of emails and phone calls back and forth with regards to prospective appearances, sponsors, charities to work with, and volunteer opportunities. The weekend after I was crowned, my FANTASTIC director Randy Sanders arranged for Miss Vermont Teen USA Bridget Martin and I travel to Connecticut for some wonderful communications skills development with Don Baker.

I also visited Fletcher Allen's cancer unit, where I was a student this summer.  It was an absolutely remarkable experience to enter a patient's room not in scrubs, but in crown and sash.  I never imagined how I could truly make somebody's day by visiting them as Miss Vermont USA.  One patient said, "You have really brightened my day. I just want you to know that." Another said, "I am so glad you stopped by. It made my day so much better." It is wonderful to bring light to people's days. I also hugged a dying woman, who burst into tears and would not let go... I told her how incredibly strong she is,  and how she is an inspiration to us all.  We can learn so much from our sick and dying.

This is going to be an INCREDIBLE year and I am so excited.  I am looking forward to meeting many amazing people, working with our fantastic sponsors, and being helped by my director Randy Sanders of Pageant Associates.  I will be updating here quite frequently with photos and stories, so stay tuned and enjoy the ride!

~Lauren Carter