Jenna Edwards' Miss FL USA 2007 Online Diary

Queen for a Day on NBC6

2007-03-29T19:32:00.000-04:00

I had the priviledge of interviewing with Tony Segreto of South Florida's NBC6 prior to leaving for Miss USA. He produces the Spirit of South Florida each Friday and featured us the night of the pageant. I am quite impressed with his piece and encourage each of you to take a look!

http://www.nbc6.net/spiritofsouthflorida/11349376/detail.html

Miss USA

2007-03-29T16:40:00.000-04:00

I'm too tired to post words, so I'm just going to post a few captions for now.

WOLFIE!

Surprisingly, they were a good band...

At Breakfast

Since the camera guys were cool, we asked them to be in our picture, too.
Chanel (HI) has a great version of this picture...I put my poncho on backwards by accident and my face is covered by the hood. I can't wait to see it.

International Tennis Championship!

2007-02-21T14:43:00.000-05:00

On February 4, Super Bowl Sunday, I sang the National Anthem on national and international television. After spending a week of appearances related to football, tennis was a welcome change. Unfortunately, the match was rained out and had to be continued the next day. However, I had a great time despite the weather. A very special thanks to Jeff Klein for opening the doors for this amazing opportunity and to the ITC committee for inviting me to their event. Congratulations on a wonderful tournament!

You can see more pictures at YellowTennisBall.com.

Art Deco Weekend Parade on Miami Beach!

2007-02-20T09:48:00.000-05:00

Invited by my friends at Pollo Tropical, I rode in a small parade on Miami Beach celebrating the neighborhood's Art Deco history. The night was windy, but it was worth it! Especially for the fair food! I had my favorite fair food--corn dogs--and shared a plate of butterfly fried potato chips. I also met my favorite Miami DJs, Paul and Ron of the Paul and Young Ron show on Big 105.9 Miami's Classic Rock.

Between appearances...

2007-02-17T20:56:00.000-05:00

...I've been working hard on Queen for a Day and preparing for (and to be!) Miss USA. I've been having lots of meetings for potential funders, volunteers, and board members. You can also see me on the Just for Men commercial airing now!

Part of my preparations includes new pictures! Special thanks to Kari Stenholm for my new commercial headshot. And special thanks to Heather Forrester for my new pageant headshot.

Queen for a Day is currently benefiting from the 14th Annual Mercedes Benz of Miami Tennis Invitational in Pinecrest. Fila of Merrick Park generously provided a kick-off event on February 5th. Attendees were treated to appetizers and cocktails, plus 25% of sales from the event benefited QFAD. Over three weekends, QFAD offers tournament attendees an opportunity to bid on an array of silent auction items. The auction will end on the final day of the tournament, February 25.

2 days later, Tel-Air will host a send-off party! E-mail the pageant for more information.

Now I'm just waiting for my evening gown and interview suit!

Super Bowl!!!

2007-02-14T23:27:00.000-05:00

What a great year to be Miss Florida USA in Miami! I tried to get invited to as many events as humanly possible. Of course, with Miami traffic, it was a miracle I made it to this much.

Monday-- Jim Brown Celebrity Gala. I should probably know who all I met, but most of the celebrities were before my time. I did recognzie Bernie Cosar!

Tuesday-- attended a press conference in Boca Raton for an announcement regarding FAU, UM, and the Schmidt Family Foundation's $75 million donation for a new teaching hospital (QFAD related); Charles Fazzino signing at Park Sports Club, Seminole Hard Rock Paradise.

Wednesday-- Jim Brown Celebrity Golf Tournament, Charles Fazzino signing at NFL Outlet store. Seen here with Troy Drayton, retired Dolphins player.

Thursday-- NFL Celebrity Bowling Tournament. Trying to bowl a strike...

Friday-- Big 105.9 "Illegal" Tailgate party (invited by Pollo Tropical); Pairings party for the NFL Charities Celebrity Golf tournament.

Saturday-- NFL Charities Celebrity Golf Tournament. Seen here with Bill St. Clair, Hall of Fame 1964

Sunday-- sang National Anthem at the International Tennis Championship in Delray, telecast on the Tennis Channel and CBS Outdoors.

Whew! Then I parked myself on the couch at home Sunday night and watched the game in my pajamas.

I had so much fun! This week made me realize that I don't know what I will do when I'm not Miss Florida USA anymore! I truly enjoyed everyone I met and I have some wonderful memories. And my golf game is much improved.

SocialMiami.com Interview

2007-01-13T09:27:00.000-05:00

Queen for a Day
Jenna Edwards Helps Serve an Ace in February

Many little girls dream of being a queen, even if only for a day. These dreams become more significant when the little girl is fighting cancer. Now, because of the charity Queen for a Day, many young girls who are in the midst of fighting this deadly disease have the opportunity to actually become a queen -- a beauty queen that is -- under the guidance of the current Miss Florida USA, Jenna Edwards. SocialMiami.com took Jenna to lunch at Casa Toscana in Miami’s burgeoning Upper East Side to learn more about her and the organization that she and her mother founded more than six-years ago.

“After winning Miss Teen All America in Mississippi,” Jenna said while enjoying Casa Toscana’s homemade lasagna, “I learned that many pageant winners use their titles for philanthropic causes. This inspired me and I had the idea to give my tiaras to some of the girls at a local hospital and throw a tea party. The effect this act had on the kids was wonderful and inspired me to build Queen for a Day, a non-profit organization that provides quality of life services to pediatric cancer patients. Today we have 20 chapters and have aligned with numerous pageants and pageant winners who donate their tiaras to the cause.” There is even a “Heroes” program for young boys, which is inspired by local firefighters and policemen.

The most amazing aspect of Jenna’s desire to give is not that she merely does it, but how hard she works to be able to do it. Where many adult pageant winners use their title to make money for themselves, Jenna has chosen to use her title to garner support for her non-profit. In order to achieve this worthy objective, Jenna holds down two part-time jobs, which allows her the freedom to devote the necessary time to the less fortunate. But she prefers not to focus on herself and keeps the attention on the young people that she helps.

“Children cannot be treated like adults,” she said. “They get lost in the treatment and need the opportunity to be a kid again. Their bodies react best when they are able to be a kid and their treatments are combined with play. That is what we help to accomplish. We help them smile.”

During the last three weekends in February, Queen for a Day will participate in an amateur tennis tournament to be held at the Coral Oaks Tennis Club. The tournament is expected to draw more than 400 players with proceeds going to the charity. “We have some wonderful sponsors that have already committed to the event and silent auction, including our title sponsor Mercedes Benz of Miami, and Bacardi and American Airlines,” Jenna said. “We have a lot of momentum and expect more than 700 spectators and participants to come out and support us.”

To learn more about Queen for a Day, become a sponsor, or sign up to participate in their tennis tournament, contact 305-546-4459.

Pictures from the Grand Am experience

2007-01-13T09:12:00.001-05:00

Hyper Sport Racing announced a new sponsorship from SuperCuts the day we were there, so we posed next to the logo on the car. McDreamy and McGiggly...

Forecast for 2007?

2007-01-07T11:07:00.000-05:00

If my New Year's Day was any forecast for 2007, it will be a fabulous year! After spending New Year's Eve with some of my favorite people at Carlton's Restaurant in Hallandale Beach, I spent the day on the beach in perfect weather. I came home with a bronze tan and slightly sticky from the salty air. I then worked out and spent the evening in good company eating home-made fried chicken, biscuits, collard and turnip greens, and black eyed peas! It's a Southern tradition to eat greens and black-eyed peas. Greens represent good luck and money and black-eyed peas represent good health. The fried chicken and biscuits were a little extra, but very appropriate.

Lots of things are happening for Queen for a Day! On January 18, Carlton's Restaurant is hosting a Juan Carlos Pinera fashion show to benefit Queen for a Day and St. Jude's. For $150, guests are treated to a 4 course dinner, VIP cocktail, the fashion show and the after party which will feature Rudy Perez and Chelo. Telemundo is sending it's top 3 shows to cover the event and Aventura Magazine is the official print media sponsor. The charities will benefit from the luxurious silent auction and world-class media coverage. Queen for a Day is extremely grateful to Carlton's for working so hard to help children with serious illnesses.

In February, Queen for a Day will benefit from the 14th Annual Mercedes Benz Tennis Classic in South Miami. We are in the process of working with several high end sponsors for a kick-off party and product sponsorship. Once things are finalized, we will make an official announcement. The tournament takes place over the last 3 weekends of February, with an awards dinner on the final night. We also hope to invite cancer patients in South Florida to a mini-camp the final day.

More exciting news...I was invited to the Grand American Road Racing testing trials in Daytona Beach by Hyper Sport Racing Team. FYI, Patrick Dempsey co-owns, co-drives for the team so yes, I met him again (and was able to do more than giggle like a school girl this time). He is incredibly humble and even more attractive in person. In his car, I noticed one of those Staples Easy Buttons installed on the dashboard. I immediately asked what function it held, if any. He said it was more of a joke, but when they pass someone, they push it and it says "Boy, that was easy." I really want one of those buttons... This weekend, the team announced SuperCuts as the newest sponsor of Hyper Sport Racing. I have been a fan of Nascar for a couple years and this was my first experience with the Grand Am circuit. Needless to say, I am a fan of this circuit, too! A very, very special thanks to Ben Kwitek for the invitation and the VIP treatment, to Joe Foster for arranging the garage passes, Erich Spangenberg for the accomodations, and Morgan Ortagus for chaperoning the weekend. More pictures to comes...

I also gave an interview to SocialMiami.com for Miss Florida USA, Queen for a Day, and our upcoming events. It should be up soon, so check it out!

The holidays are here!

2007-01-02T19:15:00.001-05:00

Thanksgiving Day I participated in the North Miami Winter National Parade with Miss Florida Teen USA, Annilee Hastey. What a way to bring in the holiday season! That day, I had Thanksgiving dinner with the Gravitt's. I felt so fortunate to spend that day with their family--they made me part of theirs!

I spent a couple evenings with the good folks at Carroll's Jeweler's for their Executive's Night in Coral Gables and Fort Lauderdale. They also presented me with a custom-designed necklace made of diamonds, sapphires, and moonstone, the official gemstone of Florida. It was gorgeous and I am delighted to wear it the rest of my life! Many thanks to Luke and Bob Moorman!

Neal Bendesky invited me to shop at All Canes with the children of Boys and Girls Club. We shopped for Miami Hurricanes gear and ate pizza with Sebastian the Ibis, my favorite mascot in the country! The next day, I headed to Fort Lauderdale for the Seminole Hard Rock Winterfest Boat Parade morning interview and VIP cocktail reception. I met Franky Valli who spoke to us in length about the best places to be for a life in showbiz. He was great to visit with! Saturday night I spent the Boat Parade on the Southern Wine and Spirits, Patron Tequila, YellowTail Wine boat. Thanks to Naeem Kahn (found in Neiman Marcus), I had a beautiful new cocktail dress and evening gown for the weekend's festivities. Thanks, Naeem and the Winterfest Committee!

I hope everyone had a happy holiday season! Did you eat your black eyed peas and collard greens for health and good luck??? Happy New Year!

November, Part 2

2007-01-02T18:27:00.000-05:00

It's a good year to be Miss Florida USA as the Super Bowl comes to Miami! I was invited to the official unveiling of the Super Bowl poster with artist Charles Fazzino. I was treated to a huge framed collectible poster that will one day pay for my children's college education. Ha ha! I saw Charles Fazzino again the next night as we unveiled the poster for the Winterfest Boat Parade at an exclusive VIP party for Boat Parade sponsors.

I was invited to play golf in the inaugural Homestead-Miami Speedway Celebrity Golf Tournament benefiting the NASCAR Foundation, the Bouniconti Foundation, and the Betty Jane France Speediatrics unit at Homestead Hospital. It was my first official golf tournament and it was a blast! I learned a lot (thanks to my helpful teammates!) and am eager for my next tournament.

I drove that night to West Palm Beach for a Champagne Breakfast benefiting the Women's Chamber of Commerce of Palm Beach County at Mar-A-Largo. What a beautiful facility! My function was to escort George Ross to the stage as he was the guest speaker. Much to the attendees surprise, Donald Trump showed up! Naturally, I introduced myself and took a picture to prove I actually met him! He had an approachable presence and spoke to everyone who waited in line for him. I am so grateful for the invitation to the event and the special treatment I received!

The next night I was the featured guest of the Beajoulias Nouveau wine tasting benefiting A Child is Missing. Not only did I help present awards to the sponsors, but I was asked to stomp grapes! Trust me when I say it's a memorable experience! It felt like cold mud at the bottom of a lake. But I did produce some juice!

The weekend ended at the Homestead-Miami Speedway for the final NASCAR race of the season. I spent Saturday and Sunday at the speedway trying to get an item autographed for auction. I also gave the invocation on live TV Sunday prior to the race. Best of all, I had a picture taken with Patrick Dempsey and Taylor Hicks during the drivers' meeting and it ended up in People Magazine! I've never giggled so much in my life. I felt like a school girl in front of Patrick! A huge thanks to Homestead-Miami Speedway and Neal Bendesky for giving me that once-in-a-lifetime opportunity!

After the race, my family and I made one last appearance at Dadeland Mall for the Evening of Giving Fashion Show. Despite being pooped from the previous 4 days, I modeling in a swimsuit and a beautiful fur. Thanks, Dadeland!

November, Part 1

2006-12-09T21:58:00.000-05:00

This post is the first of several for the month of November. It all began with a Halloween bowling tournament for the Westin Diplomat benefiting the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation. Everyone had to dress up in order to participate, so several people thought I worked for the Diplomat and the crown and banner was part of my costume. I bowled 3 strikes that night in full regalia! I truly had a wonderful experience with my fellow bowlers and am grateful to the Diplomat for including me in their family. Special recognition goes to James Gelfand for winning Best Costume of the evening!

I then trekked over to Fort Myers for the opening of Bass Pro Shops and joined celebrities like Martin Truex, Jr of Nascar, Ricky Medlocke of Lynerd Skinner, and Jimmy Houston of the fishing world. The new store is absolutely beautiful and the people are incredibly friendly. Thank you, Fort Myers, for welcoming me to your community!

I always enjoy working with Coral Square Mall when they host events for their Kids Club. I read Care Bear books to children and helped them with arts and crafts. Thanks to Coral Square Mall for inviting me once again to entertain their shoppers.

Gearing up for season...

2006-10-11T13:39:00.000-04:00

After NYC Fashion week, I returned to Miami for my official photo shoot with the renowned Bob Lasky. Not only did we shoot the formal crown and banner, but we also covered the much-needed commercial and corporate/spokesperson headshots. With my new pictures and acquired skills from Marc Durso's Act True acting classes, I'm ready for the new season!

I returned to NYC for a weekend reunion with my Miss America competition class. About 12 of us attended and were treated to NYC VIP-style! Evian Day Spa pampered us with reflexology, hot stone massage, and a facial. We had dinner at The Sea Grill at Rockefeller Center where they created a dessert especially for us--chocolate mousse cake with a white chocolate tiara! We danced the night away at the exclusive Double Seven and Lotus nightclubs. The rest of the weekend consisted of casual get-togethers over dinner and laughing about our three week experience in Atlantic City. I am so proud of my girls! Several girls from our class are competing for USA in their states, so hopefully I will have some company at Miss USA! Also while in NYC, I visited the Feraud showroom and they kindly offered to loan outfits for appearances.

Now that I'm back in Miami, I'm looking forward to my duties as Miss Florida USA. In fact, I have made a few appearances already. I attended a charity bowling tournament featuring athletes from the area and was pleasantly suprised at my bowling game. I also attended one of the Teen pre-tapings at the Hollywood ClamBake, for which Feraud graciously provided a floral dress.

On a personal note, I recently began a new job at Carlton's Restaurant and C Lounge in Hallandale Beach as a Social Director. My responsibilities include bringing in special events or parties to the venue. Eventually, I will host my own night! Not only is the food amazing, but every time I come to Carlton's, I meet another interesting person. It's great for networking! As events fill the calendar, I will keep everyone updated. Carlton's is also a new sponsor for the Miss Florida USA and Miss Florida Teen USA pageant! www.carltonsrest.com

Until next time...

"If I have the belief that I can do it, I shall surely acquire the capacity to do it
even if I may not have it at the beginning."
~ Mahatma Gandhi ~

p.s.
Here are a couple pictures from the QFAD, California trip with Mike Wallace:

Denver and Fashion Week

2006-09-17T20:30:00.000-04:00

Recently, I traveled to Denver for the local chapter's annual fundraiser. They event was a huge success and I truly enjoyed getting to know the Denver chapter volunteers. A lot of the attendees didn't realize Queen for a Day is a national organization. While in Denver, I was able to give an interview on the cable station's morning show, Colorado and Company. We talked Queen for a Day and the upcoming Miss USA competition. I also visited with a childhood friend who is now married and lives in downtown Denver. It was a great trip and I hope to return to Denver to do some hiking! The Denver community was so supportive of Queen for a Day and I am so grateful for all those that attended the event and donated to our cause!

While in NYC, I met the Public Relations firm that handles several fashion designers. He was excited to hear I was Miss Florida USA and invited me to Malan Breton's show during Fashion Week. Malan was a contestant on the current season of Project Runway. I even wore one of his fabulous daytime suits to the show!! Thank you so much for making me feel like a real celebrity!

Until next time...

"Those that bring sunshine to the lives of others cannot avoid it themselves." -- J.N. Barry

Queen for a Day in California

2006-09-17T20:12:00.000-04:00

The past few weeks have been so busy that I've lost track of what day it is! It all began with a visit to my good friend and mentor, Frank Sweeney in NYC. Frank worked for MUO in the 70s and owns the Miss Teen All American title, which I won in 1999. He's been a source of advice and guidance ever since. For fun, we dressed up and took a picture together in the MUO office lobby.

The next day, I flew to California to host a Queen for a Day event in Fontana. Fontana is also home to the California Speedway which hosts two Nascar races per year. Thanks to a good friend with connections, I was able to invite a Nascar driver to the hospital for the event. Mike Wallace, driver of the Miccosukee Indian Gaming Dodge Charger, was kind enough to take time out of his schedule that day to visit the patients. The hospital was ecstatic to have us and the kids were beside themselves!

In fact, one little boy who couldn't sit up on his own, struggled to sit all the way up to give Mike a huge hug around his neck. Mike let the boys wear his racing helmet and told them they looked "really fast!" At the end of the day, we saw 8 girls and 15 boys. I overheard a nurse saying this was the first time she had seen the patient in room 2D smile--ever. One of the girls we saw was leaving the hospital later that day. It was a perfect ending to her hospital experience!

A very special thanks to Ameriquest for providing volunteers through the League of Volunteers program, Mike Wallace, and Fontana Medical Center. After the event, Mike invited me to the race track to watch qualifying and practice for the race the next day. I always enjoy walking through the garage area feeling the vibration from the engines and trying to avoid getting run over!

Until next time...

"We make a living by what we get, but we make a life by what we give." --Winston Churchill

Giving thanks...

2006-08-28T22:23:00.000-04:00

I'd like to take this opportunity to show appreciation for the fabulous staff at Tel-Air for making the Miss Florida USA system one of a kind! You all have worked so hard at each event, making sure every small detail is covered. Your easy-going attitudes lifted the contestants' spirits and made us happy to be at the pageant. Working with you has been a wonderful experience and I look forward to getting to know each of you better!

Grant, Mary Lou, and Grant, Jr.--Thank you for being supportive of my goals and aspirations. Not only are you supportive, but you are proactive in helping me reach those goals. I am so grateful to be able to work with you. I look forward to the amazing opportunities this year will bring!

To the contestants--you were a complete joy! I was honored to spend the week with my new friends. I hope we will see each other soon!

To my friends and family-- Your generosity and sacrifice goes beyond my wildest expectations. You've taught me so much about life and about myself. I can honestly say I am a different person because of your contribution to helping me prepare for this competition. I look forward to the next phase of this journey--to Miss USA and beyond!

I'd like to extend a warm welcome into this world to Coy Thomas Edwards, my brand-spanking new nephew as of August 15. This is a picture of him with my 3 nieces (right to left), Carlee Madison, Anna Gabrielle (my namesake), and Madeline Grace. And congratulations to my brother and his wife, Thomas and Vicki. How am I going to afford spoiling all these little angels??

Until next time...

Constant kindness can accomplish much. As the sun makes the ice melt, kindness causes misunderstanding, mistrust and hostility to melt. --Albert Schweitzer

Week 3 and counting!

2006-08-08T10:10:00.000-04:00

Hello!

This week started bright and early with an 8am in-studio interview at WIRK, West Palm Beach's hottest country station. I know JD and the crew from emceeing the Miss South Florida Fair pageant the past 2 years. We talked about the unique experience of representing Florida in 2 national pageants, dating, baking, and what to expect as Miss FL USA. They were so much fun! I felt honored to be invited by JD, Tiny Tim, and Meg for the special interview. They also gave me a project: take pictures of a larger-than-life cutout of JD in odd places to win a contest! So far, I have dressed up my partner-in-crime in my sash and crown in the passenger seat of my car and I took him to my appearance at the Miami Veteran's Hospital. Let's see what other trouble I can get him into...

As I mentioned, I visited Miami's VA Hospital. A close friend of mine is a Vietnam Veteran who has made a visit once a week for 13 years. He brings candy to the Spinal Injury Ward and makes appreciation certificates for the vets in the Post-traumatic Stress Disorder and Substance Abuse units. For 3 years, I have accompanied my friend on these visits. The week before Miss FL USA, I visited as Miss North Miami USA. I then attended this past week to update the guys, who were all so supportive. As it turns out, many of them watched the pageant because of my appearance the week before the pageant. The guys in the substance abuse unit were especially excited as they watched the entire telecast! In all my visits, I have never seen them so energetic! They said they jumped and down when I was announced as the winner. I am always so grateful to these gentlemen for their sacrifice for our country. Visiting them is the least I can do to show my support for their efforts.

Friday morning, I met with Luke Moorman of Carroll's Jewelers, one of the sponsors for the pageant. Each year, they custom-design a necklace for Miss FL USA based on her personality and tastes. We spent nearly an hour trying on various styles and colors of necklaces. Then we played with rings just for the fun of it! I was quite spoiled by the time I left. I am so excited about the possibilities Luke and Bob will come up with! They were so good at pointing out what complimented me the best--no wonder they are one of the premier jewelry stores of South Florida! I highly recommend a visit to their Las Olas store if you're in the market for fine jewelry.

For lunch, I met with Adam Polen and Tuan Vo of Quest Diagnostics for a charity-auction luncheon benefitting the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation. Adam was the beneficiary of the luncheon and was told his luncheon guest was a surprise. He was definitely surprised when Miss FL USA walked in the door! Mary Lou Gravitt attended with me and we all had a great time talking about pageants, South Florida, and Quest's many philanthropic involvements. Thanks for the great company, guys!

The Embrace Girl Power Foundation deserves a huge thanks for my Sunday afternoon. They invited me to an afternoon at a Marlins game as part of their sponsor-appreciation luncheon. They also arranged for me to throw out the first pitch of the game! Honestly, I was so nervous about the potentially embarrasssing situation. However, Billy the Marlin proved to be an excellent catcher, after my pitch nearly hit one of the photographers (who thought he was safely out of the way!). My pitch went far right and up, but at least it didn't roll on the ground.

Here's a link to the You Tube video documenting my baseball debut: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hqDnSsX_WvA

Embrace Girl Power Foundation encourages young, disadvantaged girls to expect more of themselves and to achieve success. I look forward to being a part of this very special movement over the next year. They are a wonderful group of community leaders and I am humbled that they asked me to be a part of their project.

Also, an interview with PageantCast, the only podcast dedicated to pageants, released my interview with them: PageantCast 033
Thanks, Tim!!

Until next time...

"It is difficult to give kindness away. It keeps coming back to you." --Cort Flint

Miss Florida Seminole Princess Pageant

2006-07-30T22:12:00.000-04:00

I'd like to thank the Seminole people for making my first official appearance as Miss Florida USA a memorable, amazing, wonderful experience. I was invited to participate and help judge the new Miss Florida Seminole and Junior Miss Seminole pageant. I wish to express my sincere gratitude and let everyone know that I appreciated so much, the opportunity to be a part of this special event as it provided me a rich insight and experience of the unique, colorful traditions and culture of Florida's Seminole nation.

Held at the at the fantastic Seminole Hard Rock Hotel and Casino, the other judges and I interacted with the contestants for 3 days over dinners, interviews, and the onstage competition. This pageant is different from most pageants as the winner is an ambassador for the tribe to other tribes across the nation. She educates other Indian nations on the culture and traditions of the Florida Seminoles and competes in the Miss Indian World competition in April.

Because I and most of the judges were not familiar with Seminole history, we were treated to a tour of the Ah-Tah-Thi-Ki museum and an airboat ride at the Billie Swamp Safari. The most exciting part was riding in the Tribe's helicopter to and from the Big Cypress Reservation! Native American history has always intrigued me, so I was delighted to be immersed in the culture. Interacting with the contestants also gave me insight into how modern Seminoles live. The Seminoles are very generous people and showed us all a good time with good meals, spa day, limo rides everywhere, and showering us with pieces of their culture. My favorite gifts are an antique silver bracelet and a modern patchwork skirt. Seminoles are most famous for their traditional wear decorated with handmade patchwork--and being the "Unconquered Seminoles," having never signed a peace treaty with the US government. I could go on and on about the history I learned, but I'd need a couple days! Congratulations to Britney Yescas, the new Miss Florida Seminole, and Tianna Garcia, the new Junior Miss Florida Seminole. They have an amazing year ahead of them. Also, I can't thank enough Wanda Bowers and Chairman Mitchell Cypress for treating me like a rockstar! I can't wait to come back!

I also attended the North Miami Chamber of Commerce luncheon and thanked the city for their enthusiasm as their first state titleholder in their 42-year pageant history. Penny Valentine has been a phenomenal friend and supporter. I will always be grateful to North Miami for opening their hearts to me.

I was quite fortunate to celebrate my 25th birthday during the pageant. My mother drove down from Tallahassee to spend the weekend with me and pass along birthday wishes from Dad. It was a birthday weekend to cherish forever!

Until next weekend...

Kindness in words creates confidence.
Kindness in thinking creates profoundness.
Kindness in giving creates love. --Lau Tse

Jenna
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cQqwfYQU_6w
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1qAk33ZyUFE

Only 7 days old?!

2006-07-21T21:47:00.000-04:00

I can't believe it's only been 7 days since the crowning of Miss FL USA 2007! The FL USA Class of 2007 already has an email list so we can all keep in touch. I look forward to hearing from everyone throughout the year.

The day after the pageant, I met with the Gravitt's to discuss the contract and the expectations for the next year. We concluded from that meeting that it will be a great year! After unpacking and repacking, I saw my parents off to the airport. Then I flew to New York City for a pre-scheduled week-long class on non-profit fundraising and proposal writing. I am so invigorated from the class and all I learned. I can't wait to apply what they taught us.

Several Miss FL USA appearances are already planned and I look forward to attending each one. To all those who have sent congratulatory notes, thank you so much for your thoughtfulness and kindness!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=53P9JI9vE6o

Welcome to my blog!

2006-07-18T16:49:00.000-04:00

Hi everybody. I'm Jenna Edwards, Miss Florida USA 2007. Welcome to my "blog."

Since blogging is all the rage...I thought this would be a great way to communicate with those of you who are interested in what's going on with me during what is going to be an exciting year.

Check back often and I'll try to keep things updated. Thanks for visiting.

Jenna