Catching Up!

I hope everyone had a wonderful spring break! I truly enjoyed mine... even though it did not feel like much of a break. I went with my family to visit relatives in Illinois and introduce them to the newest member of our family, my nephew, Mason. He has been such a blessing!

Great Grandma Gai meeting baby Mason (8 weeks old)

When we returned I was able to support other Kansas City members at the St. Patrick's Day Parade in Westport, MO. There was a great turn out at the parade and a lot of neat floats!

Later in the week I was able to relax at the lake with my family and dog Brandie. Brandie is a miniature husky and loves the outdoors!! She gave us a little scare by chasing squirrels up the bluff, luckily, she came back quickly. She is so much fun and I have to admit... I'm a little obsessed!

Toward the end of the week I traveled to Arkansas with my mom to meet Laine at The Royal We! Laine was extremely helpful with finding me the perfect gown for Miss Missouri 2010! A huge thank you goes out to Laine and everyone else at The Royal We. I'd also like to thank Shelley Kelley and all from Clark's Bridal in Jonesboro, AR!

Back to teaching for now! I've got quite a few upcoming appearances and would love to see you all there! If you would like me to help out with an event please contact me at Kari.gai@hotmail.com

Tentative Appearance Schedule:

March 26- Speaking at Warrensburg Elementary Schools

March 27- Miss Missouri Orientation in Mexico

March 30-31- Mix 4 Kids Radiothon to benefit Children's Miracle Network

March 31- Easter Egg hunt in the Park!

April 4- Easter Sunday!

April 5- Kansas City Day- I will be all over town selling newspapers with the Royals and Chiefs players

April 6- Thanking sponsors in Mexico, MO

April 7- CMN fundraiser in Blue Springs at Golden Corral

April 9- LATE Show Lock-in Motivational Speaker

April 10- Miss MO preparations

April 10- Celiac Disease Booth at the Kansas City Health Fair

April 16- Relay for Life- I will be singing the National Anthem and participating

April 24- Traveling back to Arkansas to see Shelley

May 1- Race for the Summit

May 15- Speaker at the National Celiac Disease Conference in Los Angeles

May 22- Gluten Free Picnic in St. Louis

June- Time for Miss Missouri!!

I hope all is well! I will leave you with a quote that has truly changed my life:

Go confidently in the direction of your dreams. Live the life you have imagined. -Thoreau

The Ladies of Miss Missouri

I got a chance to catch up with some past contestants in Waynesville! We watched gorgeous ladies compete for the title of Miss Pulaski County and got a bite to eat afterward. It was great to hear what the girls have been up to and how they are making differences in their communities.

Me'Lisa Enyard and Chelsey Jones and I catching up at dinner

Power and Light District

I am so excited for the partnership of the Miss Kansas City System and the Power and Light District. For my first appearance here I was at the Boutique grand opening. This shop has it all ladies. I seriously wanted to take everything with me that day from the new hip headbands, to the killer shoes (you can never have to many shoes), and even this green cocktail I fell in love with that I just may have to go back to see if they will let me borrow for Miss Missouri.
A huge thanks to Power and Light for letting me come and can't wait for our year together. Another member to our amazing team.

Modeling with Fox 4's Shawn Edwards and City Councilman Terry Riley!

Wearing "Reign"
She has the cutest MU and KU boots! Go check them out!!

National Pancake Day!

February 23rd was National Ihop Day! Did you get your free stack of small pancakes because I sure would have if they were gluten free!!
I was on a tour of Kansas City today thanks to the KU Medical Children's Miracle Network. From 8am-11:30 I was at the IHOP in Lee's Summit.

From 3-5:30, I was flipping pancakes at Kansas City's IHOP on Choteau Trafficway and I was not stopping there, from 6-8 I took donations at the Kansas City IHOP on 64th
Then to end my IHOP tour, I made an appearances at the Grandview and Independence locations. I enjoyed visiting with the crew at the Lee's Summit location that I even stopped back by before heading home. What a day!

Miss Kansas City

Something amazing happened on February 20th, 2010. Can you guess? I was crowned Miss Kansas City! It was so unexpected and I had worked so hard for this title all year. I can't wait to serve this area and get to know my board who is truly top notch. The theme of the pageant was "Kansas City Girl" which was sang to the tune of "Brown Eyed Girl". A huge thanks to Kay Lea as she gave us an old Miss Kansas sign. It really gave the pageant that extra something.
Now to introduce you to my sister queens:
Miss Greater Kansas City: Lauren Alumbaugh
Miss Kansas City Outstanding Teen 2010: Morgan Carnes
Miss Greater Kansas City Outstanding Teen 2010: Mattie Elliott
For more information visit: www.missgreaterkansascity.org

I am very excited for this year. Each year that I have been a titleholder, I have grown. This year in so different but I am ready to grow into the title of Miss Missouri 2010 and I know this board, as a team, can get me there.

Think about this until next time: "The first step in the acquisition of wisdom is silence, the second listening, the third memory, the fourth practice, the fifth teaching others."
Solomon Ibn Gabriol

Welcome

Greetings everyone,
I want to take a minute to welcome you to my new blog! I believe that community service is a key part of the mission statement of the Miss America Organization. By having this blog not only can you see what I will be doing during my year of service as Miss Kansas City, but its a great way to also look back on all the amazing memories I will make.
Can't wait for a great year!

Kari Gai