It's finally SHOWTIME!

Hello from Vegas once again!
First of all--we're all safe--thank you for your concern yesterday after hearing about the fire at the Monte Carlo. It was scary for our Mankato local committee---they were staying at the Monte Carlo--they're all safe and sound and have been relocated but it was frightening. The hotel sustained significant damage but no loss of life which is what's most important!
Sorry we've been out of touch--it's been kind of a couple of crazy days! Our Miss Minnesota is so HOT! She is getting lots of attention from everyone here--the newspapers love her; she's been featured on CNN; Fox News; the Twin Cities television stations; Mankato television stations and has been requested for satellite tv feeds to places we don't even know! :-) I think Jenn is a favorite of the media because she has such a fun personality. The camera loves her and she's not been without a smile in the past week!!!
Before the show on Thursday, the contestants walked the red carpet for the Rambo premiere. Jenn wore her black sequined cocktail dress and red heels. She looks awesome--sorry--no pictures from the red carpet event!
Thursday night, Jenn performed her talent. She did a great job--looked fabulous in her red dress and shoes--(her shoes have gotten a lot of attention here too!). She was the third contenstant to perform and she was awesome. The crowd liked her which is always good!
There was lots of good talent on Thursday night--singers and dancers and even a yodeler!
We got to see her at visitation again and she just is having so much fun here.
Yesterday morning, some of us attended the Miss America breakfast which was really fun. We sat at Dorothy's (Benham!) table and had a great time. There were a lot of formers there--Lee Meriweather; Donna Axum; Vonda Van Dyke; Phyllis George; Dorothy Benham; Susan Powell; Heather Whitestone; Chantal Smith; Heather French; Katie Harmon; Erika Dunlap; Deidre Downs; Jennifer Barry and of course, Lauren Nelson. (Minnesota's Gretchen Carlson is here too--she stopped by the Minnesota party last night to support Jenn!) There was a ceremony for the retiring traveling companion--she's retiring after 18 years of traveling with the reigning Miss America. I'm sure she's got some great stories!
Last night Jenn and the contestants attended a gala fundraiser for Miss America. Jenn called when she got back to her room and said it was great fun but They got home to0 late to watch the final episode of Reality Check on TLC! SO . . . HOW ABOUT OUR MISS MINNESOTA? Making the top 10 on the show? WOO HOO --- wasn't that something??? The state board, and former Miss Minnesota's Tiffany Ogle and Nicole Swanson (Allyson Kearns is here too but haven't caught up with her yet!)gathered in a hotel room to watch the show together--it was so exciting! I know you're all so happy for her too!!
And now . . .it's Saturday! Tonight the show begins for us at 5 so we have to be at the theater and in our seats by 4:30. We talked to Jenn this morning and she said she got a good nights sleep and is feeling good about tonight. We're very excited and very hopeful for her. At the same time--you never know what the judges are thinking at any pageant . . . . What I do know, and I know I speak for all of us involved in the entire Minnesota America system, Jenn is a remarkable Miss Minnesota. She's worked so hard for this day, and has been a passionate supporter of rights and acceptance for those with with autism. She is a great advocate and spokesperson for the Miss Minnesota program and our hope, support and love will be with her on that stage tonight! Watch for her head on stick and listen for the shout outs for Jenn tonight. We are so incredibly proud of our Miss Minnesota! SHINE SHINE SHINE JENN!!MINNESOTA LOVES YOU!