Summer!

Summer, I love it! Swimming, lemonade, summer camps, and of course vacations. So many great things have already happened to me this summer and more things are just going to keep happening! To start it off, I suffered through a week of drivers ed. Nine hours a day learning about driving is hard but it will be worth it when I finally get my license. The next week my best friend and I headed to Logan for a week of EFY. It was an outstanding experience and I grew so much as  a person. I can't wait to go again! After a short break of relaxation, Sydney, Kim, and I went and supported Amy at the Miss Utah pageant. She nailed it! I am so proud of her! Soon after we attended as ribbon cutting for Strictly Ballroom, a new ballroom company by center stage. The place was fantastic! There were chandeliers and hard wood floors and excellent dancing. If any of you are interested in taking a class or hosting an event I strongly recommend them! And just yesterday I arrived home from trek. Even though I am no camper I had so much fun! I can definitely say that my summer has been busy but I have truly loved it!

EFY! Was so much fun with this Girly!

The Brigham City Tabernacle was such a cute little place.

At the Miss Utah Pageant there were these flags to help cross the street... I couldn't resist.

Go Amy! She won a Preliminary Award for Swimsuit!

Kim and I just before the Pageant.

And my yucky feet right after Trek. They used to be pink and flowered!

Love Always,

           Brenna Jeffs Miss Orem`s Outstanding Teen 2013

My Life Now Days

Lately I have been incredibly busy. I am in summer school, working as a writer for blogs and websites, coaching gymnastics, personal training, and also doing miss orem stuff. This last week has been especially busy because of summer fest, and I honestly didn't mind at all because every year Summer fest is something I always look forward to. I love how Orem has such a sense of community and family values, and Summer fest, for me, is a culmination of that. We got to perform on Friday, and it was so so fun! I think the main reason why everything has been so fun for me this year is that I love the girls I am working with. Brenna, Janale, Amy, and Mallory are all such fun, sweet, beautiful, talented girls. We have become really close as a royalty, and these are friendships that I know I will treasure for a lifetime. Our little Miss Charity is also so cute. We have loved watching her come out of her shell as she has been to more and more parades. Here are some pictures of us performing, judging the baby contest, at the fair, and in the parade.

Lately I have noticed that I have so many people who love and support me. I am so thankful for all my friends and family that come to events or let me talk their ear off when I'm stressed. Mickie Anderson, Rachael Chanhmany, Hannah Harkness, Kimberly Campa, Dallin Graff, Tom & Christyann Green, Shelly & Rod Flanigan, the Graff family, the royalty girls, and so many others have made a difference in my life and I feel so blessed to know them. I have been feeling overwhelmed and stressed about the whole Miss Orem thing, and after talking to these wonderful people, and seeing that I have so much support, I am more excited for the year than stressed. I can't wait to get to do all the amazing things I'm going to do, and I know I'll remember this year for the rest of my life. This is definitely a once in a lifetime opportunity, and even though sometimes it is demanding, it has been completely worth it.

 This week is Miss Utah week and I'm looking forward to seeing the amazing Amy Tuttle rock it at Capitol Theater. I know she will do amazing and I'm excited to see what I am in for next june! Anyway, if you're reading this it probably means that you care about me in some way, so I want to thank you for supporting me and being there for me. There's no way I could mention everyone who has impacted me, so just know I'm grateful for what you do-no matter how small. Have a great week everyone! Good Luck Amy and the rest of the Miss Utah Contestants!

Love, 

Your Miss Orem 2013

Sydney :)

Whirlwind Week!

This week was jam-packed full of events and I was crazy-busy. It was so fun going to my first events! We went bowling as a royalty and decided everything we wan to accomplish this year. (I'm not sure if Brenna has already posted this, if so apologies.)

Next was meeting with makeup artist and former Miss Orem first attendant Chrissy Keller to learn more about makeup for our state pageants and for events.We met at the program director, Kim Harris's house and this is her fat, adorable dog Ella who I love! She looks so much like a little white Ewok from Starwars!

As you saw on Brenna's blog post, next was the bike to work event. This made me so grateful to live in a city where bike paths and involvement in the community is the priority. We had a great turn-out for the breakfast, and all the sponsors were so gracious. Some were even giving away free helmets!

The next day was the Grand Opening for Brokerage Real Estate in Orem. It was really fun to meet and talk to lots of new people and have great food.

Saturday was the official ribbon cutting for the new bike path that is going from Provo to Draper. They are planning to eventually have it go from Ogden all the way down to Provo. It was really fun to lead the Pledge of Allegiance and meet all the influential people in our community that made this big project happen. Here we are with the Mayor and the Timpanogus Mascot.

 Other than that, this week was pretty typical with school and work. I recently moved into a new house, so made a new wreath and planted flowers outside. Decorating all the rooms has been so much fun. 

My dog Jake got to be a model for 1st Attendant and photographer Janale Henderson on Saturday

 That's all the news  I've got! "Stay Classy Orem" :)Love, Miss OremSydney Flanigan 

There's A First For Everything...

Today was our first real day of service as Orem's royalty! We started the day off with a bike ride for "Ride Your Bike to Work Day" and had breakfast with the Mayor. Riding your bike is a great way to stay fit, save gas, and save the earth. But don't for get your helmet;)

Afterwards Mallory and I went to the Stonehenge of American Fork. It was great to perform for the Senior Citizens and share our talents. I hope we get to do it again! ( sorry I didn't get very many pictures!)

Last of all... Everyone come to the ribbon cutting for the Murdock Canal Trail this Saturday at 8 a.m. 1200 North 800 East. See you there!

Love Always,

Brenna Jeffs, Miss Orem's Outstanding Teen 2013

Remember if people talk behind your back, it only means you are only two steps ahead

~Fannie Flagg

Ready. Set. Go.

If I had to sum up this week in one word it would be clothes. All that I thought I would need was a simple blazer to look nice and professional. It turns out I was wrong! I guess you could say I kinda went a little crazy. Besides my shopping spree I decided to follow through on my New Years Resolution and be more crafty. I tried to up-cycle some old pants into summer shorts with polka dots. It turned out better than I thought it would!

After getting a more crowded closet, the Royalty and I went bowling! It was a great way to bond! It just made me even more excited for what is coming up. 

Yesterday my school went to a competition called Music in the Parks. My school's choir, band, and orchestra all preformed some pieces and then went to Lagoon for the rest of the day. Then we had this big awards ceremony.  We won first place in every division that we qualified for! 

Here's a picture of the choir I am in:

Last of all I would just like to say Happy Mothers Day to the greatest person I know. I am truly blessed to have this amazing woman in my life. Love you Mom!

Love Always,

Brenna Jeffs, Miss Orem's Outstanding Teen 2013

Even if you're on the right track, you will get run over if you just sit there.

~Will Rogers

Let the Journey Begin!!

The first thing I said after finding out that I had won Miss Orem was, "What?!?" I was shocked, surprised, and overjoyed all at the same time. Being the first attendant for two years I guess had inadvertently prepared me for being 1st attendant again. I was on cloud 9 and time seemed to pass in slow motion for the next few minutes. Because I was so surprised, it took a couple days for the magnitude of it all to sink in. 

I feel so incredibly lucky to have won with the competition that I had. Every one of the contestants are amazing, inspiring women who all "won" in their own way. That sounds cheesey, and it took me a while to figure that out, but it really is true. I remember when I got 1st attendant 2 years ago, I was really upset and disappointed. Over the course of the year, however, I realized that what I learned throughout the pageant process was irreplaceable. The people that I was able to meet, the experiences that I had, and the amount of self-growth that occurred wouldn't have happened any other way. That was my first time performing in front of an audience and figuring out who I was and where I stood on tough issues. I am so thankful for every   experience that pageants have given me in the past, and I am looking forward to the new adventures that this year will bring.

I am especially excited for the lovely ladies on the Royalty. They are all such fun, beautiful, and smart, and I can't wait for the wonderful times we will have this year. 

Okay, now for the thousands of people I have to thank. I wish I could tell every one individually who helped me out with the process of doing this. I would never be here if it weren't for the committee, friends, and family. I was so happy to see all of them out there supporting and cheering for me.

As soon as the pageant was over, guess where I went first? Iceburg, of coarse! Diets are rough, and I was stoked to be done!

I met these sweet girls who just came from a dance performance, and right away became a celebrity in their eyes. It was awesome to feel looked up to, and tell them they can all be princesses too.

Right after my interview and before the pageant was about to start. I was so nervous!

My cute escort Mark Bonney. He did so good! 

Even my dog Jakey was happy for me!

The royalty was in the Daily Herald Newspaper on Thursday!

This journey has started out as a blast and I am thrilled for the adventure of a lifetime!

With Love,

Sydney Flanigan Miss Orem 2013