Our adventure watching "Janet's Journey" to Miss America!

My husband Ben and I were able to attend the 2009 Miss America pageant in Las Vegas, at the Planet Hollywood. It was incredible to see the pageant so promoted, Kirsten Haglund's face was everywhere as were all 52 contestants. We were so impressed with the show and had a wonderful time cheering on our Miss Washington, Janet Harding. She represented us so well. We are so proud of her. Check out her blog at www.misswashington.org called "Janet's Journey" for more of her take on her experience and life beyond the show.

We traveled with dear friend Mitchell and luckily he was more than willing to help us document our trip.

We landed in Vegas late morning, got checked into our hotel and made the most of our first day on "the strip." What fun!









Waiting for the show to start - such anticipation.




The Show... was amazing.





Waiting to see our girl.




After our first night of preliminary - with the lovely Janet Harding.




Spice Market Buffet - here we come!

The crab might have been our favorite part.



YUM!



We tried almost everything.



Dessert - in honor of it being Janet's favorite thing to eat, we tried EVERYTHING!





Touring the city.








LOVE!



We got to see The Beattles Love - Cirque de Sole! Simply amazing.



We might be her BIGGEST fans.


The INCREDIBLE Miss America stage.


In the end the state of Indiana got their first Miss America, and Katie Stam was crowned the new Miss America 2009.



What a trip this was for Ben and I.



Awaiting our hugs and congratulations for a job well done!




It's setting in, she's coming home to us!



Ben get's greeted by Jan.



We were astounded when they released Janet after the final performance to head to Cheeseburger restraunt for a get together in her honor.



Early rise tiem for our flight, and LOTS of cribbage to be played.




Headed home on Alaska Air.

Alicia Wallace Crowned 2009 Miss Auburn

I had a wonderful time this past February traveling with Janet and Peggy to the Miss Auburn 2009 pageant.








We had a great time backstage at the Auburn pageant and the young women were
wonderful.




All the beautiful contestants - there was a fabulous "Hollywood" theme.



Crowning the runner's ups. (First runner up not pictured - I lost the photo - send me your copy if you have one!)







The curtain at the Auburn pageant had a mind of it's own, and after playing her Miss America talent piece Janet was "attacked" by the curtain. I squealed in the wings and she just about couldn't pull herself together enough to head out to the audience for the second half of the show. We are all human - right?! :)





Announcement and Crowning of the new Miss Auburn - Alicia Wallace....




The Miss Auburn Scholarship Program crowned Alicia Wallace as the 2009 Miss Auburn on Jan. 31. Wallace, 23, is a senior at Seattle Pacific University and aspires to earn her M.B.A and move into urban planning. Her platform, Mentorships: Inspiring and Encouraging Growth in Young Women, will be furthered through the Big Brothers, Big Sisters programs.

The well-traveled Wallace will begin her service as Miss Auburn immediately and takes over for the outgoing Miss Auburn Cara Rudd.








Alicia Wallace as she takes her first walk as Miss Auburn 2009



Alicia Wallace, Miss Auburn 2009 pictured with Janet Harding Miss Washington 2008.




Miss Whatcom County 2008, Zandra Dennis, Janet Harding Miss Washington 2008, and Miss Thurston County 2009 Sharise Williams.

Janet's Journey - Red Carpet Arrival

Janet just finished her "Red Carpet Arrival" wearing a black and blue pencil skirted dress.



She was wonderful as always and even got pulled for an interview with "Extra" who was there covering the event!



This morning she checked in her wardrobe, had a fitting, ate a HUGE breakfast of chocolate chip pancakes (That's our girl!) with Peggy and truly began her journey with the Miss America Organization.

Below is a picture of her pancakes. Yes, the actual ones!


Pageant week is here!

Janet's Journey - Departure for Miss America

Janet Harding, Miss Washington 2008, has headed off on her journey to Miss America. She looked calm, collected, and beautiful as she left Seatac. She rode in style in a white stretch limo with state director Peggy Miller.



She arrived at Seatac greeted by state director Patti Belik, volunteer Charlie Curry-Vantramp, The Schuberts a CMN family, and lots of family and friends.



Piled high with her giraffe print luggage, a sponsored gift, they loaded 2 carts to overflowing. Pictured below, Janet's dedicated and loving father- Ron Harding, with cart one.


State Director Patti Belik, behind cart number two.



Pictured here, Ron and Myrna Harding - Janet's parents - as Janet checked into first class. We missed you RJ! (Janet's brother). Miss WA travels in style.



One of Janet's many admirers showed up with signs in tow and big smiles to greet her and wish her good luck.


Alex Jacobson and Janet Harding - Alex is sporting the Miss WA t-shirt for the year. Local folks, be sure to contact Carol Starcher if you are going to join us for the luncheon on Friday wearing your shirt!


This might just be Janet's biggest fan. She didn't want to pose with the photo toward the camera, she just wanted to gaze into Janet's beautiful brown eyes.


Janet poses with Brad Brotherton, Miss Washington friend, partner and sponsor.


Here she receives a gift from Brad.... clearly delighted.


Even more so when she sees her very own Seahawks Jersey with her name "Miss Washington" printed on it!


She wondered if she could wear it everyday in Vegas.


Here Janet receives a phone call from her local director, mentor and friend Carol Starcher.


This send off was filled with smiles, well wishes and plenty of pride. Janet is ready for the task and so excited to be there starting the process. Preparation is done! Miss America here we come.

To view Janet's Brotherton Cadillac Commercial visit:
http://www.hitmanproductions.com/brotherton/brocaddy.mov

To see Janet's arrival in Vegas and her own Reality TV visit:
http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=-5601993588408596787&hl=en

Contact me if you need her address in Vegas to send her your well wishes.
Signing out for now, Alex Jacobson

Pinecone Princess Coordinator

I am so thrilled and honored to have been officially offered the postion of Pincecone Princess Coordinator for the Miss Washington Scholarship Organization. This year the Miss Washington pageant and the Miss Washington's Outstanding Teen program will be taking place at the same time. This means that the Pincone Princess will have a chance to interact with Teen and Miss contestants.



What an exciting prospect! Quality young women and teenagers mentoring girls from across the state.

There are still many decisions to be made, but I am looking forward to taking on the job and seizing the opportunity to establish these fabulous mentoring relationships!

Back to School!

It is so good to be back at school! Back to work and a regular routine. I missed the kids and staff so very much. Plus I think I am much less "Needy" as a wife now that I am not home all day on my own. :)



The kids are finally falling into a routine and it feels good for all of us. A big change for me was finding my new identity here at school as "Mrs. Jacobson." The kids have already gotten used to it for the most part. Although I sometimes feel like a split personality., being called "Miss Duchemin" in the bathroom/hallway by a student from last year and then "Mrs. Jacobson" in my classroom by this year's students. But I love it! I am truly a Mrs. and get to hear it everyday.



I just started Jazzercise with some young ladies from my small group and it is so much fun! I am really excited. However, it does remind me of my pageant days and how "not a dancer" I really am.



Ben and I moved furniture this weekend and worked around the house, we've started attending a small group in our neighborhood and are having so much fun meeting the people in our community.

We are looking for some more consistent work for Ben and maybe something with benefits. It's amazing what becomes important when you are a "grown up." :) If you know of something, let me know!



Life truly is falling into a wonderful routine with fun surprises here and there. I am looking forward to the pageant season as I plan to do some judging in the Miss America Outstanding Teen program this year - let me know if you need a judge. I've also been keeping up with Janet (Our Miss Washington 2008) and her schedule. She truly is a remarkable woman. It means so much to continue to be a part of this incredible organization.


www.misswashington.org

Thanks for reading!
Alex Jacobson