Is it already Monday?

While growing up, especially in high school, the question above became a part of my weekly routine. Somehow the weekend always flew by, leaving me to question that they actually existed as my alarm clock interrupted my much needed sleep. Is it already Monday?

Today, as Miss Vermont, I ask the same question. Only, instead of finding myself wondering where the weekend went, I'm wondering where the week went? As I am adjusting more and more to my new title, I'm finding that I am living the longest days but having the shortest weeks. The weeks are flying by, I cannot believe it's been over 3 weeks since being crowned Miss Vermont; pretty soon it'll be a whole month! But I have to tell you something, although the weeks are flying by, each day of being Miss Vermont has been such a blessing and I am carrying such distinct separate memories from each day. This past week has had a lot of wonderful memories--I'll share some of the highlights with you.

Just to warn you, I'm probably going to go out of order--why? why not?

Sunday, July 19th: While wearing my VIP pass (I'm not trying to sound smug...it was just soo awesome!), my mom and I arrived at the WOKO Country Music Festival where I was signed up to volunteer at one of the merchandise tents. Wearing the VIP pass was so exciting because I have attended this very music festival for years--and to now be attending as Miss Vermont was an incredible experience. As soon as we got through the gate and parked, my mom and I ran into Ashley (Miss VT 08) and Mrs. Wheeler--it was nice to catch up with them and they gave my mom and I some helpful advice. Ashley sang the National Anthem that day--how cool!

This music festival was special because it was serving as a send-off party for many of the Vermont troops that will be serving our country. It was such an honor to meet many of these individuals that will be deployed soon, and I hope they know how thankful we are for their service.

From 12pm-2pm, I volunteered at a merchandise table/donation table to raise money for the families of the Vermont National Guard. It was great to chat with fellow Vermonters, and enjoy the nice summer day! (Finally no rain!) I was told throughout the day that my photo was going to go on different people's facebook pages--so be on the look-out. Knowing how small our state is, it's very possible that I met some of your friends yesterday! haha. Speaking of friends--I ran into many familiar faces yesterday! It was great to see some of my girlfriends--Christine, Heidi and Maria--along with my first dance teacher, Angie Nulty! I also ran into 2 Miss Vermont/Outstanding Teen girls--Alayna Westcom and Erin Connor!

Keith Anderson was one of the performers yesterday, and I was able to get a little shout-out from him as I went to the front of the stage to take his picture. He pointed to my crown and said something that I couldn't make out during his song--but nonetheless, as a country music fan, it was exciting! --Before I change events, I need to thank my mom for being my chaperone for the day!

(On Sunday, I also chose my talent song!! As soon as it is confirmed, I will let you in on what I'll be performing on the Miss America stage!)

On Thursday, July 16th--I visited the Red Clover Salon for the first time as Miss Vermont, and I met my hairstylist for the year! Her name is Mary, and she is soo awesome! I really appreciate this special sponsor, because I need some major hair help! As of right now, I have 2 hair styles--I either wear my hair completely down, or up in a ponytail. I'm sure after meeting with Mary, I'll have some more styles to work with! Thank you Red Clover for your generous support!

On Friday, July 17th, I met with Wayne Tarr in St. Albans, to take my official head shots for Miss America! Wayne was soo easy going and fun to work with! I had so much fun in front of the camera and I can't wait to see the photos! Thank you Wayne!

I have been working out at Exercise America with David every day! And after I finish this blog, I will be getting ready to do some more working out! I am on a time crunch with my paperwork so any free moment that I have, I have been working on getting that all done so it can be completed in a timely fashion.

I just booked my tickets for Orlando! I will be there August 11th-16th to cheer on our outstanding teen, Sarah Cramton! Sarah has been working hard and I know she will be FANTASTIC at Miss America's Outstanding Teen!

My step-dad Mike has been amazing with helping me plan two very big fundraisers. He has been calling companies all over Vermont in request of some prize donations, and we have had great results! The first event--our Charity Golf Tournament will be September 14th! Mark your calendars! More information on our second fundraising event soon!

Nonni--you get the ultimate shout out and thank you for this week! My nonni has been incredible--serving as both chauffeur and chaperone! She is on top of everything and I really appreciate all of her help!

It's a beautiful sunny day in Vermont today--I hope everyone is enjoying it!

~Laura

p.s.--photos have been updated on my facebook. Please friend Laura Elizabeth Hall if you're interested!

Update

Hello Vermont!

These past few days have been busy! I'm not even sure where to start. I guess I'll start by giving a shout out to my new friends at Exercise America in South Burlington. Last Thursday, my personal trainer David had me attend not one, but two of his group fitness classes. Two classes right in a row. We're talking about 2 1/2 hours of continuous workout here! Maybe that doesn't sound like a lot, but for me, it was intense! The only thing that kept me moving and not dropping to the ground was the endless amount of energy that radiated from each individual in the class. They may not recognize this, but they are all very inspiring to me. David had us circuit training and continually changing up the exercise we were working on: from pull-ups to burpees to abs to push ups to sprinting...it was exhausting! But the energy and support of every person in that room was just wonderful. Thank you to all my fitness friends--I'm going to work on my running skills haha.

On July 10th, I drove down to Worcester, Massachusetts to go visit my school, Assumption College. I truly have to thank Assumption for all of their support and congratulatory messages after the news of my title spread down to Massachusetts. I received personal cards from Assumption's President and Dean of Students, along with countless e-mails from administration/faculty/staff members, and hugs from all those who I came in contact with during my visit Friday. Dr. Catherine Woodbrooks (Assumption's Vice President of Student Affairs)--I cannot wait to get a picture of me crowning you next time I'm at school! Knowing that I have support from my home away from home is just so incredible.

While at Assumption, I met with some of my Student Government Executives. Before I won the title of Miss Vermont, I was elected by the Class of 2010 to serve as Senator for the 4th year, and then the Senate selected me to hold the executive position of Senate Speaker. Having two very important roles this year will be chaotic, but I truly believe everything happens for a reason, and that God believes I am capable of serving both roles. I guess this is a good time to explain what my year will look like. I am entering my senior year and I will be a full-time student this year. However, I have set my schedule up so that I have classes only 3 days a week, which will allow me to spend 4 days in Vermont. My school is not too far from Southern Vermont, so I will even be able to do day trips if an appearance arises. It will be a busy year with traveling, but I know this is so worth it! One of my directors, Megan Plebani, is located in Massachusetts and my other director is close to my home in Vermont. Wherever I am, I will be supported and will be working to be the best Miss Vermont that I can be!

Ok back to the update...

While at Assumption, I did some SGA work for fall training and then had the chance to watch the Friday night preliminary for Miss Massachusetts. Saturday night was so exciting, because I not only got to meet the new Miss Massachusetts, but I also got to meet Miss Connecticut, Miss New Hampshire, Miss Rhode Island and Miss Minnesota! I love meeting the girls that I will be sharing the Miss America stage with. It is so surreal to know that I will be creating a wonderful sisterhood with the Miss America Class of 2010. I am so blessed to be Miss Vermont 2009.

I have some great photos from the weekend, but blogspot is not letting me upload them right now. Please feel free to Facebook friend me--search for Laura Elizabeth Hall.

This week is my busiest week as Miss Vermont yet! Between working out every day and working on my paperwork, I also have many side projects going on. I am working on a bunch of fundraisers to pay for my expenses as Miss Vermont and to raise money for the Children's Miracle Network. I will be hosting a golf tournament in September (look for details soon) and a Calcutta for the beginning of August (look for details even sooner). This Saturday I have having a huge bottle drive in South Burlington. I had a meeting today with a restaurant who is going to let me fundraise there sometime in the next couple months--I am soo thankful for the supporters who are helping me raise money to have the best year of my life. I am a young woman who truly benefits from the scholarship money that the Miss America Organization provides. The $6,000 I won this June pays for nearly my entire first semester at college--that is huge for me! Especially considering the amount of debt I will have in student loans by the time I graduate.

I have some great appearances coming up--I am waiting for the confirmation for a very exciting appearance for this Sunday--I'll wait to surprise you with the details soon!

I will be visiting my hair sponsor, Red Clover Salon on Thursday to get my Miss Vermont makeover. I cannot wait to get my hair styled! Friday, I will be taking my Miss America head-shot with Wayne Tarr in St. Albans. I can't wait! I just need to figure out what to wear!

Today I had a great lunch with Kesha Ram, the youngest legislator in Vermont! She is 22 years old and I am so excited to partner with her this year to spread our shared passion of Youth Empowerment across the Green Mountain State. I cannot wait to see the impact that we can make together. She is wonderful and Burlington is lucky to have her representing us! She will be so helpful with reaching my platform to different age groups.

I need to send a special shout out to Mike A. My chauffeur, chaperone, photographer and purse-holder! haha you are so wonderful and this weekend wouldn't have been possible without your help.

Well, I suppose I should be getting back to some of my paperwork.

Have a great week Vermont!

~Laura

p.s.--the date of this post and the video are suppose to be July 14th, 2009--I'm not sure why they say the 7th?

Crowning Moment

Thank you Harry for sending me this clip today. It brought tears to my eyes--what a moment! It gives me chills and reminds me how proud and humble I should be to represent such a wonderful state.

Feel The Burn

Last week while driving home with my step-dad, I received a phone call from a number that I didn't recognize. Normally I avoid answering the phone unless I know who is on the other line, but now that I am Miss Vermont I realize the importance of answering every phone call. A missed call could be a missed opportunity. When I answered the phone, the warm voice of our Miss America, Katie Stam, came on the line--and it was at that moment, that it finally sunk in--I'm going to Miss America.

The funny thing about that phone call was that I had just bit into a huge brownie from a local bakery when the phone rang. I interpret that phone call as a sign that I really need to lay off the junk food. haha

Something that my personal trainer, David Chess of Exercise America in South Burlington, quickly picked up on about me is that I can be quite the procrastinator. I guess you can look at the story above as an example of how implement this skill. Within two days of working with my trainer, I think he knows more about me than some of my friends at college. I guess I subconsciously delay our training sessions by chatting and laughing with David...only he's totally picked up on this!

I've never been an athlete. In fact, when I was a junior in high school, I had just transferred to the Williston Northampton School in Massachusetts where they encourage students to try a sport. That spring when I was 17 years old, I tried out to be on the softball team. Well, long story short, I ended making the JVB team, which essentially was the middle school team. I was the oldest member of that team, and I'm pretty sure I got hit with the ball more times that I actually hit it--but it makes for a great story now.

So back to my point. I've never been an athlete, and I've always looked for alternative methods to exercise. I love to dance, but I also make use of the Green Mountain State by going hiking and taking long walks among the beautiful scenery that Vermont provides. I have some great work out tapes from the 80's (my personal favorite being Tami Lee's Buns of Steel)--but when it comes down to it, I am just not a girl who enjoys being in a gym--until now (sorta).

I started working with my trainer two days ago, and I really really feel the burn! David is great at creating workouts that continually switch up the different body parts I work on, and he has made me work out muscles that I didn't even know existed. He is very knowledgeable, but he balances his knowledge with his great sense of humor. He has been so generous volunteering his time to help Miss Vermont out that I'm sending him a Shout Out and a HUGE Endorsement for anyone who is considering working with a trainer. WORK WITH DAVID!! He also has a pretty cool dog that can jump over mattresses--now that should be enough to persuade you!

So right now as I type this, I am in pain. Especially in my quads. (I know that sentence is a fragment, but that's ok-I hope you'll let it slide.) But even though I feel the burn, I also feel the sense of accomplishment. It's a good type of pain I guess--because I know I'm one lunge, burpee, squat, pull-up, push-up, and jog closer to my ultimate goal.


I'm going to go get some aspirin now...so have a great night everyone!

~Laura

Don't Rain on My Parade!

Well--it rained! All weekend. Our 4th of July weekend was quite a rainy sight here in Vermont, but that didn't stop the fun!

This weekend I made my first official public appearance as Miss Vermont, and I am soo thrilled to start making my mark as Miss Vermont 2009. Sarah Cramton (VTOT) and I were invited to be in the Montpelier 4th of July Parade and we had a blast! It was great to start our journey of appearances at our state's capital! Sarah and I rode in a car from the 1930s, and our driver, Chuck, was soo entertaining to ride with. He and Sarah had me laughing the entire time...they are both "cheeky"--according to Chuck.

On Saturday July 4th, my mom, step-dad, and dog Tucker (you'll probably learn a lot about my Tucker this year--so get ready!) ventured over to Morrisville, Vermont. I was invited to be in their parade, and I had a great time! The weather, in true Vermont fashion, kept switching between rain and clear skies--but my awesome driver, Ken, insisted on keeping the top of his Mustang convertible down the entire time. I didn't mind getting wet, but I hope the water didn't harm his interior! It was great to meet and greet with Vermonters, and I know that the people I meet this year will be a true highlight of my year!

After being in two parades in less than 18 hours, I got to have the afternoon of the 4th off to spend with my family.

Today, Sunday, we had a beautiful sunny day! I spent the day in Burlington, Vermont. Church Street was lively as always, Al's French Frys was fabulous as always (my 2nd and probably last time going since being crowned Miss Vermont! I meet with my trainer tomorrow haha) and seeing my family was awesome (you guessed it) as always! I got to visit with my aunt, uncle, and grandfather at my Grandpa Hall's house. After a nice visit I then headed over to South Burlington for a family bbq at my Nonni's house. I've already realized that my family will really be an important part of my year as Miss Vermont. My family keeps me grounded and in touch with reality--they help me realize who I am/who I want to be, which in return will hopefully lead to a stronger Miss Vermont. (Does that make sense?) I think I need to avoid writing these blogs when I'm exhausted haha.

Being Miss Vermont is truly a humbling experience, and I am loving every minute of this journey! I am soo blessed to have so much love and support behind me, and I know all of your kind words and positive energy will be the fuel that keeps me running and working towards being the best Miss Vermont I can be.

Tomorrow I meet my trainer for the first time! I'm sure that there will be an update about that experience soon! haha--I have always opted for alternative methods of working out, so being in a real gym should be interesting! I'm excited, but I already feel completely clueless! haha

Hope everyone had a Happy Independence Day! Thank you for making mine so memorable!
~Laura