Busy, Busy!

The word “busy” does not even begin to describe my life over the past few weeks! I’ve really gotten started on my life as the 2009 Miss Illinois County Fair Queen! I know I haven’t blogged in a while, so hopefully this will serve as a catch-up for all that I’ve been doing!

When I was home on Spring Break, I had the opportunity to go gown shopping for the summer at From this Day Forward in Farina, Illinois. I had such a wonderful time trying on what feels like hundreds of gowns! At the end of the day, I found 3 gorgeous gowns and a suit to wear for the summer. I cannot wait for everyone to see my choices!

Over Spring Break I also had my State Queen Reception. The Sangamon County Fair Board put on a beautiful event to celebrate my win in January. I felt so honored to have people travel from all over the state to congratulate me. Suzanne Cowman, Cheryl Washko, Rachael Atchison, Gigi Patterson, and my mom did a fantastic job planning the reception – everything was perfectly pink and utterly enjoyable!

After Spring Break, I headed back to school to finish up the school year. Finals week was all-consuming and stressful. The beautiful weather that came to Ohio made it very difficult to study for long hours in the library, but I managed to make it through! Soon, it was time to pack up my dorm room and head home for the summer!

As soon as I got home, it was time to start preparations for the Miss Sangamon County Fair Queen Pageant. I have visited a number of local high schools and spoke to girls regarding my experience as Miss Sangamon County 2008 and now as Miss Illinois County Fair Queen 2009. I’m very excited about the contestants we have gathered so far, but if anyone knows a young lady who would be interested in doing the pageant, please let me know! I think it will be another great year for Sangamon County. I am a little sad to think that it’s already been a year since I was crowned, but I am so happy to think that I still have a whole new journey ahead of me!

Just this past weekend, I got to have my official “State Queen” pictures taken. It was so much fun! We started out at the Governor’s Mansion, and when my dad stopped by to see how everything was going, I got to take some pictures on his motorcycle! After the mansion, I went over to the Old State Capitol building. It served as a beautiful backdrop for my new gowns! We ended the photo session at Studio 131, where I think we took even more amazing pictures! A great big thanks to Steve and Dave at Studio 131 for their help and support.

Morgan

Agriculture Legislative Day

Last Thursday, I attended Agriculture Legislative Day at the Illinois State Capital in Springfield. I was very excited to attend this event as it was my first “big” job as Queen! I had the opportunity to meet Clayton Zwilling, President of the Illinois FFA, as well as the rest of the State FFA board. There were also over 700 FFA members from across the state visiting the capital! To see the passion for agriculture in Illinois’ youth is truly inspiring. I appreciated being able to gather with such an outstanding group of young leaders in our respective communities.

In addition to meeting with the members of the FFA, I met the new Governor, Pat Quinn. I genuinely believe he is a refreshing and distinguished leader for the state. I was also introduced in the House of Representatives by my representative, Rich Brauer. After being introduced in the House, I was quickly taken to Sen. Larry Bomke’s office to meet with him before being introduced on the floor of the Senate where I was to speak. I was fortunate enough to be able to address the Senate about the importance of agriculture to Illinois’ economy and the significance of county fairs as a celebration of community. I was a bit nervous to be speaking to the Illinois Senate at the ripe old age of nineteen, but I am beginning to accept that my new role will provide me with opportunities I would otherwise not be afforded!

Perhaps the coolest part of my day (I know… what could be cooler than speaking in front of the Senate?) was after the hoopla of the day had calmed down. As I was leaving for lunch, I remarked that I was going to be happy to remove my heels after running around the capital all day. A joke was made that I should sneak into the Governor’s office and rest my feet. While I laughed, Wendy looked at me and said, “Why not? He’s out of the capital for the rest of the day!” So, off we went! I am proud to say that as the 50th Miss Illinois County Fair Queen, I am the FIRST to have sat in the Governor of Illinois’ Ceremonial Office, at the Governor’s desk!

Morgan
Miss Illinois County Fair 2009
Gov. Of Illinois, 2035? :)

Hello!

Hello Everyone!

Oh my goodness! I still can’t believe I am able to introduce myself as Miss Illinois County Fair Queen 2009. The entire concept of my new title seems so very surreal, but I am beginning to become accustomed to it. I’ve been buzzing about non-stop since the pageant, but thanks to a canceled class I have a free hour to blog and let everyone know of my experiences at the state pageant and what I’ve been up to!

The weekend of state began very smoothly. Thursday, we began with pictures, rehearsals, and a pizza party to get to know the contestants. On Friday, I left my interview feeling very confident about my performance, and had the opportunity to attend my high school basketball game and enjoy dinner with my family. My Saturday began very early with hair and makeup preparation for the preliminary competition. Because I was in the evening group, I returned back to my room after the grand march to relax for a bit. In the afternoon I attended the 50^th anniversary reception of the pageant. It was wonderful to see all of the “past queens” and talk with them about the impact the pageant has had upon their lives. Then, it was time for the evening preliminaries. After the evening gown competition, I began to feel sick to my stomach. Standing backstage in my swimsuit, I realized I needed to sit down immediately. I began to feel faint and the State Crew was concerned that I might not be able to complete the entire walking pattern. They urged me to take a shorter path but I refused. As they helped me to stand up, I collapsed! It was then that they urged me to not even go on. However, I popped back up and said, “No! I’m going and I’m doing the entire thing!” and out I went. That entire portion is a little bit fuzzy to me at this time, but I’ve heard it went well!

Sunday morning, I awoke still not feeling my best. I opted not to attend the morning rehearsal but was feeling better in time to attend Queen Molly’s reception. As I watched her discuss what her experience meant to her, I began to realize how amazing this experience could be for me. Before I knew it, it was time for Sunday’s competition. When my name was announced for Top 12, I felt a rush of emotion. I could not believe I had been chosen from the field of 65 wonderful ladies as one of the Top 12 contestants. Top 12 was the very best part of the State competition. We were all so thrilled to have received recognition for all of our hard work and felt that we had made our counties proud. From that point on, the pressure was off! I simply enjoyed myself and hoped I wouldn’t faint again!

Before I knew it, we were on stage for them to announce the winner. I was so happy for Kaitlin Weitekamp and Megan Ervin as their names were announced for 2^nd and 1^st runners-up. In the painfully long pause before the winner was announced, I knew I would be fine with any outcome. I had done my best, overcame obstacles with as much grace as I could muster, and was extremely satisfied with how I had represented myself and my county. When the announcer called my name, I was so shocked! I was tempted to ask him if he was joking! The entire crowning was very dreamlike. My family was so excited – my grandma was jumping up and down like she was at a rock concert and I don’t know if I’ve ever seen my dad smile so big. After I was finished taking pictures and everything calmed down, I still hadn’t absorbed what had happened. I ran into the bathroom just to look in the mirror to see the crown on my head because it didn’t seem real!

I couldn’t have become Miss Illinois County Fair without the help and support of others. First and foremost, I would like to thank the IAAF for their support of the pageant, Wendy Bell – for all of her hard work and dedication, and Viola Suits Palumbo for initializing what has turned into one of the most respected pageant systems in the country. I would also like to thank the Sangamon County Fair Board for all they did to help me prepare for the state pageant. I am positive that I had the most supportive Fair Board out of any contestant. The Sangamon County Pageant Crew, specifically Suzanne Cowman, Becky Douglas, Debbie Dobbins, Cheryl Washko, and Rachael Atchison, was also stellar – from my room decorations, to the gift basket, to the “perfect” pair of earrings, I was a very pampered queen the entire weekend! A big thanks to my friends back at school – the voicemails and text messages of encouragement were both entertaining and uplifting! To my family: thank you so much for being my support system throughout this entire process, for calming my nerves, for letting me believe I can do anything I set my mind to, and for loving me no matter what the outcome might be.

Everyone, thank you for helping me to reach this point- for because of you, I am Morgan Metz, your Miss Illinois County Fair Queen 2009.