Timpanogos Storytelling Sponsor Lunch

Friday was the Timpanogos Storytelling Festival Sponsorship lunch at the Manor in Riverwoods.Karen Ashton founded the Timpanogos Storytelling Festival in her backyard 22 years ago. It has grown to be the second largest storytelling festival in the country.

Karen Acerson is the sponsorship committee chair. She is INCREDIBLE!

My mom and I helped prepare the sponsor gifts. I just want to add that my mom is fabulous. She is always there for me, goes to all the Miss Orem events, takes pictures so I can blog, and really is the wind beneath my wings. She is rarely in a picture but yesterday one of the ladies picked up the camera and took a few shots. I love you mom. You are AMAZING.

It was my pleasure to help greet the sponsors and give them a nametage as they arrived.

Lunch was delicious and sponsored by Chef's Table.

Chocolates sponsored by Condies Candies.

The Timpanogos Storytelling Festival Sponsors are so remarkable and generous. They truly care about our community and make a difference.

Mark your calendars today and plan on attending the Timpanogos Storytelling Festival on Labor Day weekend. It is a rare and magical experience.

Love, Hannah Harkness

Miss Orem 2011

Little Miss Orem

Meet Little Miss Orem, Emma Lee.Just like me her favorite color is PINK!

Her family calls her "Emma-bug."

When I was younger, my older brothers called me, "Hannah-bug."

Just like me, she really likes getting a manicure.

Emma is the youngest of three.

She is going to help me at the Miss Orem Scholarship Pageant on Saturday, April 21st at 7:00 pm. Reserve the date on your calendar!

Emma is going to be my escort during the EVENING WEAR portion of the Miss Utah competition, June 12-16th.

Emma and I make a great team.

Love, Hannah Harkness

Miss Orem 2011

Orem City Council Meeting

Tuesday I had the opportunity to go before the Orem City Council and present the 2011 Orem City float, parade trophies.The Orem City Council meets every other Tuesday at 7:00 pm in the Council Chambers of the Orem City Building. The public is always welcome and this meeting was well attended.

The council is made up of the Orem City Mayor, Jim Evans, and 6 council members, Mark Seastrand, Margaret Black, Karen McCandless, Mary Street, Brent Sumner, and Hans Anderson. At this meeting the city manager, Bruce Chestnut, was also in attendance. It has been my great opportunity and pleasure to come to know these amazing public servants. They do so much for our community.

This year the Orem City parade float was awarded FIVE prestigious awards. The first was the Springville GRAND PRIZE award.

On the same day we were awarded the Orem Summerfest BEST OF PARADE. That is very meaningful to me since I have been attending the Orem Summerfest parade every year since the age of three and had always privately dreamed of being a princess on a float.

In July, at the Freedom Festival Parade in Provo, we were awarded the MAYOR'S AWARD. Thanks Mayor Curtis!

At the Days of 47 Parade in Salt Lake City we were awarded the GOVENOR'S AWARD. In this parade, out of all the city floats, there are only TWO awards presented, and we received one of them.

And for the first time ever we received an award at the BYU Parade, the PRESIDENT'S AWARD. All the trophies will be on display for the coming year in the foyer of the Orem City Building. Stop by and check them out. Special thanks to the City of Orem for being so incredibly supportive of the Miss Orem Organization.

I can't help but mention that at this City Council meeting the Orem High School Basketball Team was recognized for winning the 4A Championship. Go TIGERS!

Love, Hannah Harkness

Miss Orem 2011

Miss Utah Workshop

The Miss Utah Pageant is just around the corner - put the dates on your calendar; June 13-16th! Saturday was our second Miss Utah Workshop. Exciting! All 44 contestants were there from all over the state. It was so much fun to meet everybody.We had informative speakers explain how the Miss Utah week works with all the details. Danica's opening remarks were very team and self-esteem building. She is amazing!

During the breaks there was time to shop at the vendors.

Exciting news is the contestant lottery is complete; we all have group and number assignments. I'm contestant number 16 and I'm in the Alpha Group. The Miss Utah website has loaded all the contestant headshots. Check it out at: www.missutahpageant.org/contestants.html.

Love, Hannah Harkness

Miss Orem 2011

Police Department Blog Post

It is awesome working with the the Traffic Division of the Orem Department of Public Safety. It is so great to get the message out about the dangers of distracted driving in the Orem Traffic School. This month, National Distracted Driving Awareness Month, my platform of "Ready Behind the Wheel" was also featured on the Orem City Police Department Blog. Check it out here:

www.dpsblog.orem.org/?p=735

Love, Hannah Harkness

Miss Orem 2011

Miss Orem Royalty Lunch

I love my royalty sisters. We have so much fun together and really enjoy each other's company. On Friday we got together and had lunch. We are all so busy that it is nice to set aside some time to catch up on what is going on in each other's lives.
With the warm spring weather I decided on a fun Paula Deen green and yellow table setting.

The main course this month was a Harkness Family favorite - Sticky Finger Salad. It is topped with a spicy chicken that is so quick and easy to make - and it is so yummy!

Pecan Pie Cake for dessert was heavenly.

Add super cheesy bread and a little fruit and vegetables and the meal is complete.

Thanks girls for another fun gathering - Monique, Brittany, me, Maddie (Sheri's younger sister), and Sheri.

Love, Hannah Harkness

Miss Orem 2011

Zions Premier Wealth Management Center Ribbon Cutting

This morning was the ribbon cutting for Zions Premier Wealth Management Center located on 180 North University Avenue in Provo.One Center. Diverse Resources. No matter what financial need you may have.

Kelly Ward is the area President and Manager of the Provo Region.

The Utah Valley Chamber of Commerce Pace Setters are always in attendance to welcome businesses.

Steve Densley is the longest sitting Chamber of Commerce President in Utah. He does an amazing job. He is quick on his feet, and knows all the facts and faces.

Visit Zions Premier Wealth Management Center; they can meet all your wealth management needs from investment advice, life planning, private banking, online bond auctions, trust services, and insurance.

Love, Hannah Harkness

Miss Orem 2011

Miss America's Outstanding Teen's Birthday Party

Last night at the Provo Beach Resort in the Riverwoods was Elizabeth Fechtel's (Miss America's Outstanding Teen) 18th Birthday Party. It was so much fun!Here I am with my younger sister, Esther, and Miss Utah's Outstanding Teen 2012, Jessica Richards, and Miss America's Outstanding Teen. Elizabeth was Miss Florida's Outstanding Teen 2011 and became the seventh Miss America's Outstanding Teen. She has won more than $30,000 in college scholarships.

Elizabeth's talent is dance and her platform is S.E.R.V.E: Students Everywhere Recognizing Volunteer Efforts. She is an amazing example of how the Miss America Organization empowers young girls and women.

Tiare Keeno, Miss Utah's Outstanding Teen 2011, has just been accepted into Julliard. I am so happy for her! Tiare's talent is ballet. She is a FABULOUS dancer!

Many of the local title holders were there; Ciera Pekarcik (Miss Pioneer Valley), Whitney Talbert (Miss Spanish Fork), Lauren Tucker (Miss Utah County), Meredith Gaufin (Miss Provo), Danica Olsen (Miss Utah), me and Brooke Christensen (Miss Rocky Mountain).

Danica Olsen, Miss Utah 2011, is the nicest person. She has a bubbly personality and is gracious to everyone. I always enjoy interacting with her.

This was the first time Esther had the chance to speak with Danica. I think she was surprised at how outgoing and friendly all the title holders are.

Renita Revill is the Miss Utah Executive Director. She has a big responsibility and does an INCREDIBLE job. I know that I always want to be associated with and serve in the Miss American Organization.

Meredith and I have had a great time serving together in our Sister Cities - Miss Orem and Miss Provo. Many times we are invited to participate at the same event.

Last night was such a blast!

Thanks to Amy Rasmussen, the Miss Utah's Outstanding Teen Director, for organizing this event and bringing Elizabeth Fechtel to Utah to celebrate her birthday.

Love, Hannah Harkness

Miss Orem 2011