Miss America’s Outstanding Teen was the best experience ever. I grew so much and made 52 new best friends.  I was truly blessed to be given the opportunity to go to MAOT because it changed my life! Here’s a quick recap of the week:

Rehearsal, rehearsal, rehearsal. We would wake up at 6 a.m., have breakfast at 7:00, rehearse from 8:00-12:00, have lunch, and then more rehearsal from 1:00 – 5:00 p.m.  We were then given 10-20 minutes to get changed and ready for dinner and an appearance.

Rehearsals were intense – we practiced the fitness production number, and then switched over to the evening gown parade and then finally practiced the 15 minute opening number. The best part was seeing all the contestants in sweat pants and T-shirts, wearing socks and heels. We soon figured out that wearing socks with shoes would save our feet from getting blisters.

Things got really crazy on competition days. We would have early morning rehearsals, lunch, and then more rehearsal at the theater until dinner. We would be given about an hour and 15 minutes to get ready for the show. Talk about craziness -- I have never seen so many girls rushing to get ready in record time!!   It was amazing to see how helpful everyone was. I would roll my hair, and then put on my makeup.  One of the contestants would come over and help me take the rollers out and even begin to tease my hair while I was finishing my makeup. Everyone was so helpful just as if we were one big family.

Each night after competition I was able to visit with my family, Miss Florida Pageant Board Members, Laura, and my friends at an organized Visitation.   The contestants would then walk back to the hotel and have a meeting to discuss the plans for the next day.   It was truly nonstop and there was hardly any time to think, but along the way, you were able to meet the most amazing people. My roommate who was Miss Hawaii became like a sister to me.  She made me laugh so hard that I cried and would always give me a hug when I would start missing my family. I couldn't have asked for a better roommate and I am already planning my trip to go to Hawaii and visit her!

I’m not sure if you know but during one of the competitions I pulled my hamstring preventing me from physically performing to my best capabilities. Unfortunately that was the hardest part but I know God has a plan for me and that plan was to keep me in Florida. I was given an experience that I learned so much from and it was a once in a lifetime opportunity.  Lewis, one of the Miss America security guards, told us one night in our meeting that God may have brought you here just to make that one little girl in the elevator smile when you signed an autograph for her - a memory she may keep forever - or He may have brought you here to win. This is now the new motto for my year. I do not know why I was blessed with this title but it was for a reason and a purpose that I am dedicated to fulfill! This is something that means so much to me and I just want to impact as many people as I can.  I have that opportunity also through CMNH.

I recently went to a Radiothon at Shands Hospital at UF to raise money for CMNH.  We achieved our goal of $100,000 and actually exceeded it. This experience was so humbling.  I met children who fight for their lives every day! It touched me the most when I spoke to a boy named James who had been in a car accident with his Mom. We talked about high school and football and then he proceeded to tell me about the accident. It broke my heart when he told me that he was glad that the truck hit the car on his side because he wouldn't want his Mom to suffer and go through the pain he was going through.

The Blue & Orange Fashion Show was so much fun. I wore yoga pants and a blue shirt that said Gator and I actually held a baby alligator. I loved meeting the UF dazzlers and spending time with Miss Gainesville and Miss Lake City.  It was great to see them since the last time I saw them was at the Miss Florida Pageant.

As I write this, I am smiling while thinking about my experiences. MAOT was the best week of summer and I would do it over again in a heartbeat!  I am grateful to everyone that came to support me during the Miss America’s Outstanding Teen Pageant and to those that sent me cards and words of encouragement. I hope that our paths cross during this year!

"Always remember you are braver than you believe, stronger than you seem, and smarter thank you think." 

At Medieval Times we were introduced and paraded around with our state flags before the show. 

 Teresa Scanlan Miss America 2011

Joey Page sang for us at the MAOT Gala!

 

The amazing Elizabeth Fechtel Miss America's Outstanding Teen 2012

WOW ,where to start…everything has been amazing so far but let’s get into the details.


      It began with my super long 4-day road trip all the way down from Jacksonville to Orlando to Miami to Orlando to Leesburg to Jacksonville. I don’t think ive ever seen so much of Florida in one month! In the last month, my mom and I drove down to Orlando at least every week or even twice a week! Luckily, my Aunt Sally lives in Orlando. I am really thankful because her home is another, home away from home for me and it’s always nice to get a good home cooked meal. The best part is that Aunt Sally is a great cook... and so is Uncle Bill!


      While in Orlando I went to Regalia…and I FOUND A DRESS! There is this hard to describe feeling you get when you try on the right dress, it isn’t like butterflies when your nervous, but a warm fuzziness of confidence. You feel absolutely beautiful and you just know it is the one! The dress is stunning, even more than I ever expected it to be. Carry O’Neil and David Lang are the most amazing people to work with and know how to find that “perfect dress.” There is never a dull moment when it comes to shopping with them. They always have me singing, dancing and laughing the whole time. I love David and Carry and I am so SO thankful for their kindness, generosity, and loving support!


     Next stop was at Ann Marie’s in Homestead, FL and let me just say her store is AMAZING! It has everything, for everyone! I had such a great time trying on dresses, clothes, and jewelry. It was a great day spent with Mary, Laura, my mom and Ann! Ann is beyond generous and I am so thankful for her wonderful sponsorship. I definitely got some super cute dresses to wear at MAOT!


     My next stop was Copperhead Salon in Orlando, FL. If you have never been to Copperhead not only have they done an amazing job with my hair, but their salon is absolutely beautiful! Chris Martin works magic. I say this because I am obsessed with my new hair cut! It waves, has volume and curls just the way I want it to. They have taught me all the tricks in the book for managing my own hair, but I can only hope it will look as good as when they do it.


     Once I came back to Jacksonville, my sunshine princess, Kendall and I made knotted blankets to deliver to Wolfson’s Children Hospital. Afterwards we made an appearance with Miss Duval County, Kalli Kearney, at a Children’s Miracle Network Fundraiser at Mimis Café, hosted by the Jeep Wrangler Club in Jacksonville, FL. It was truly an amazing experience because people were so giving, while asking who were and what we do, giving us an opportunity to explain the Miss America Organization and promote the organization’s National Platform.


     After all of that traveling it was time to get into the dance studio. Practice, practice, practice. That’s what all of my days have consisted of and I have never felt so prepared. I can’t tell you enough how excited I am for MAOT!


     Not only have I been preparing at the dance studio, I also had a mock interview! Thank you Norma Storms for setting it up! The judges asked me great question and gave me helpful advice. The mock interview really helped settle my nerves and only made me even more excited to meet the judges at MAOT!


      I am so blessed to know that I have amazing support and such a loving group of friends and family! Thank you to everyone who attended my send off party! Even to the people who couldn’t be there, your “spirit” was still with me in my heart. I had such a wonderful time, we had cake and delicious edible arrangement (Thank you Jennifer Herrington) Of course, the chocolate covered strawberries were my favorite! Everyone enjoyed playing with my fat head poster and then we even had a little mock on stage interview, that really helped and was funny too!
Thank you to my Sunshine Princess and her family for hosting this event. I appreciate everyone coming by and all your support. Go Florida!


     With only 1 days left I feel better than ever and I can only hope to make Florida proud. I am not permitted to have my cell phone, computer or anything that can connect me to the outside world, but if anyone would like to send me letters during the week, I would love it! Your prayers are always needed for my health, strength and mental wellbeing. Thank you for all the encouragement and support, it means more than you will ever know. Wish me luck!

Miss Florida’s Outstanding Teen
Jennifer Stehlin
Rosen Centre Hotel
9840 International Drive; Orlando, FL
32819-8122

MFOT week was truly a great experience! I'll never forget all the laughs shared, and memories made! All of the girls are so kind, beautiful and talented and I am truly inspired by all of them! I've never been around so many girls that share the same passions as I do but that are all unique in there own way! I enjoyed getting to know all of them and learning about there lives and how they are making a difference in their communities!  They are the best of the best in Florida and I know they all will do great things in the future! I am so proud and honored to say I represent such an amazing group of girl!

Wow is the only word to describe how I'm feeling. When everyone said if you win, it will all be a whirlwind...they mean it!

The next morning after being crowned, Mary and I sat down at the computer to get started on MAOT paperwork! After a few days of paperwork in St. Petersburg,  the writing, typing and finding pictures continued but down in Miami!

On Monday I drove to Orlando to shoot with Deanna Meredith and it was fabulous! She was so amazing and really made me feel beautiful. She made me feel confident that we would find the perfect photo to send into MAOT! Though I can't share the photo with you just yet...it's worth the wait I promise!

The next week I arrived at the beautiful Laura Mckeeman's (Miss Florida 2012) house! She was so generous to let my mom and I stay with her so that way I could come and train with Nick Peterson.

I am truly so thankful for Nick offering his services to help me because the work outs and diets he is giving me make me feel confident that I am going to see amazing result. Even through it's very intense, it is still a lot of fun!

The future belongs to those who believe in the beauty of their dreams. - Eleanor Roosevelt