My farewell speech presented to those in attendance of the Miss St. Tammany Heritage 2013 pageant.
I just want to take this time to thank you all for being here. From experience I know that having this kind of support from the audience makes this evening different. It does something to change the atmosphere. Having your friends and family here, cheering your name, is a reminder of what one is doing up here on this stage. It’s a remedy for the nerves and helps the ladies relax, knowing that no matter what you are making someone proud.
On December 10, 2011, I was crowned Miss St. Tammany Heritage 2012. I was given the chance to represent my city and my parish and I could not have been more honored. Almost exactly a year ago I received more than a sash and a crown. However, I received more then that. I received a new sister. Alexa Aertker. If you haven’t met her, I urge you to at some point tonight. She is a phenomenal young woman. Within just a couple weeks of being crowned, Lex cut something like ten inches off of her hair to donate to a precious little girl in her family that is battling brain cancer. I was still getting to know her at that time and when I saw her new “do” I instantly learned more about her character in that single moment then any conversation with her could have ever taught me.
Together we rode in various Mardi gras parades, rocked it at the East St. Tammany Relay for Life event, attended the Louisiana Bicentennial Celebration here at Slidell’s Heritage Park, represented St. Tammany Parish in the Miss Louisiana and Miss Louisiana’s Outstanding Teen pageants in Monroe, and along with Miss Missy and Rachel we attended the Children’s Miracle Network event entitled Boo at the Zoo this past October.
This being said, I’d like to thank Alexa for being an amazing representative of this organization. I am so proud of her and all that she has done.
Since the night that I was crowned there has always been a group that no matter what I was doing, they have been the epitome of a support group. I remember vividly the majority of them stumbling in late for the pageant. I could see them from this very stage while I was modeling for fitness in my swimsuit. So a massive thank you to my best friends. They are the slightly ridiculous, always obnoxious siblings that I absolutely could not live without.
And to my family, they’ve put up with all of this for the last four or so year that I’ve participated in the Miss Louisiana Organization. None of them are shy about my wardrobe choices. Especially Joe, poking fun at my heels. I don’t know if I’ve ever thanked you enough. And mom, I can’t even begin to accurately thank you. At least this last time around I could drive. For those of you who probably don’t know I waited to get my drivers license for a while. Throughout high school, when I held a couple of outstanding teen titles, she literally drove me EVERYWHERE imaginable! So mom and Joe, I love both of y’all so much. Thanks for putting up with me.
To Nicole, my first ever sister when we held the titles of Miss Slidell and Miss Slidell’s Outstanding Teen 2009. She has been my role model and I had the privilege of walking in her wedding as one of her bridesmaid when she and Jeremy got married. She has truly helped me beyond words. She helped me prepare for my Miss Louisiana interview and supplied what seemed like half of my competition wardrobe. She loaned me this evening gown and it is what I was wearing when I was crowned Miss St. Tammany Heritage and I took it to Monroe with me as well.
To my fleur-de-lis princess Brielle, thank you for being by my side on that massive Miss Louisiana stage! I was so thrilled to share that moment with you and I hope you had a blast in Monroe!
And last but not least, Miss Missy. This is a lady who means the world to me. She has been there for me since the beginning of my journey through the Miss Louisiana Organization. So Miss Missy, don’t think you can get rid of me very easily! I’m not going anywhere.
Once again, thank you to everyone in attendance. It truly means the world to these girls on stage.
And to the next Miss St. Tammany Heritage, congratulations a head of time. I hope all of you girls are listening. Don’t ever forget who you are representing. This parish is full of wonderful people and wonderful experiences to had. Break a leg at Miss Louisiana and just have a wonderful time!
Miss St. Tammany Heritage 2012
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