Be True to You

Forty days until state!!! I am so excited for this opportunity! It has been loads of work but I know it will pay off. One of the things that I really have been working hard on is my platform, "Be True to You." My goal is to help youth find what they are passionate about and really shine through that. Theatre is something I have a passion for. This is where I met Jayne Luke, a great influence on my life. She valued everyone's opinion and was always kind. I always wanted to be around her because I felt important. I know what theatre has done for me as well as my friends and knew that I could influence others through it. I directed a neighborhood play in hopes to give the youth an opportunity that would boost their confidence. It was a success! It was incredible opportunity to see each person grow and have so much fun with it. I grew to love and appreciate each youth. I definitely want to do another one soon!

Yesterday I volunteered at the share a smile triathlon. It is such a great program where they raise money to give free dental reconstruction to those who cannot afford it. My family and I have been involved in it for years and have loved giving back. I finished off the day by going to "Dancing under the Stars" at the Scera Shell with one of my good friends. The Scera is such a great supporter of the Miss Orem pageant and its great to see all their great productions. This one was especially good. Dancers such as Jenna Johnson, Malece Miller, and Travis Wall graced the stage with the best dances I have ever seen.

School started this week. I have a feeling that high school is going to be great!

Love Always,
Brenna Jeffs Miss Orem's Outstanding Teen 2013

“Be the change that you wish to see in the world.”
― Mahatma Gandhi

Recent Stuff!

On Saturday we hosted a fundraiser for Scera's arts programs and it was a princess tea party. Little girls came with their moms and friends and did all sorts of fun things. Got their nails painted, got crowns, sashes, ate yummy food from our sponsor Harmons, watched us perform, and learned a dance to perform for their mothers as well. We taught them the princess wave, walk, and proper princess etiquette of coarse. My dress was donated to me by Bridal Center to sponsor. It is beautiful! I love it and Julie and Renee were both so helpful and generous for their donation. I am so grateful for their donation because now I have a dress if I need to wear a formal gown for another event! If any of you need a dress for an upcoming event, check out their 2 locations in Lehi and Provo! They have amazing stuff for amazing prices! Here is a link to their facebook page......https://www.facebook.com/pages/Bridal-Center/142534155784913

They are altering it specifically for me this next week and we are going to add straps out of the shawl. It was perfect for a tea party with little girls. The girls were all so excited and cute. I loved giving out autographs like I was a celebrity to them. 

The scera sponsors us to go to their events, and Dallin and I loved the last concert. We went to Josh Turner, and before the concert we got to go to a VIP party where we got to meet him and take pictures with him. Dallin was over-joyed that Josh called him "Mr. Orem." haha it made his night, and it was such a fun concert because we are big fans. Before the concert I took pictures with little girls and gave autographs to a few cute girls sitting outside the arena. 

This week I got another dog!! For those of you who know me well, you know that my dog Jake (turning 2 years old on July 27th) is my world, so you know how excited I was to get another puppy. She is the same breed as Jake (cava-malt) but she's a little girl so I get to put her in dresses and bows! haha I know I'm a dork. Here's a pic of the 2 of them together. They cuddle when they nap :)

The 4th of July was fun! We were in the freedom festival parade of coarse, and it was fun seeing the kids I used to babysit Kaila and Hunter Bradtke, my professor at school Amy Markgraf-Jacobsen, David Graff, and a personal training client Anna Sorensen. My "Mommas & Thomas" were there of coarse escorted by their handsome steed Bentley. Afterward I went swimming with the Graffs and to Red Robin with "Mommas & Thomas" it was so fun! Here are some pictures!

I got a chance to go to the Princess Festival at Thanksgiving point and give little girls awards for different things. I remember doing this last year as well and both years I have felt overwhelmed by the amazing qualities of these little girls. Some of them have incurable diseases, I've met some with MS, some couldn't walk, and others were going through other hard things at home or in school. They were all so positive and happy. I wish that every one could retain that natural "goodness" as we age. It made me think about what's important in life and try to be better. 

Sometimes driving to events in a big fancy dress, crown, and sash is kindof awkward. I took this picture after arriving at an event because people were laughing at me or giving me weird looks or waving at stop lights. It does look kinda funny...can't blame em.

I can't even remember if I have included everything that I've done or not because I've been doing so much! Tonight we are going to a play sponsored by the Hale Center Theater, so a big thank you to them as well for the tickets! Hope you all are having an excellent summer!

-Sydney (or the "MO")

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