January, February, and March!

JANUARY

January I was able to attend Miss America to support the beautiful, smart, and talented DaNae Couch, Miss Texas 2012!  I was so proud of her incredible accomplishments.

After Miss America, I buckled down and studied for the LSAT.

FEBRUARY

Toast to Life - The Toast to Life event is another DIFFA fundraiser.  I loved being able to spend time with my beautiful pageant sisters <3

Also, I would like to mention this month, the Violence Against Women Act was reauthorized and expanded!!

MARCH

Breakfast with the Stars for the Tarrant County Food Bank - At this event with some of my Fort Worth Organization sisters, I found a man making balloon animals and was able to get him to give me a non-twisted one so I was able to twist one myself!

 On Dr. Seuss' birthday I went to read to the children at NorthEast Mall in Hurst, Texas!

I also attended a fundraiser for SafeHaven of Tarrant County at the Studio Movie Grill in Arlington!

My favorite appearance this month, however, was a Wounded Warriors event: Heroes Night Out.  At this event, I met one of the most incredible men I have ever met, Army Sgt. Joel Tavera.  Joel is one of the two most injured Iraq War veterans and now one of my favorite friends.  Tavera is burnt on over 60 percent of his body.  He has also lost his sight, his right leg, part of his skull and some of his fingers.  In 2008, while driving in a Humvee in Iraq, he was struck by a rocket.  However, what Joel has gone through has not changed his funny and full of light disposition.  Every time we have spoken on the phone since our initial meeting, it is as if I am speaking to a regular 25 year old guy with normal considerations and lifestyle.  I feel so blessed that this appearance gave me such an inspirational friend.

December's Holiday Season!

DECEMBER

In the month of December, I was able to attend and assist the Northeast Tarrant County Chamber of Commerce gala w/ Keli Kryfko and Taylor Lowrey.  Thank you so much Heather Bruce for including me in this incredible event!

Additionally, the Miss Texas Organization held a Winter Meeting, which has not occurred since I first became involved in the organization.  It was so great to not only see old friends, but also to meet new ones and hear how the new Board of Directors plans to vastly improve this year's production and establishment of Miss Texas.

Although it wasn't technically an appearance, I find it noteworthy to mention that this month I went to the SMU Celebration of Lights.  It is by far one of my most cherished SMU traditions.  The entire community comes to meet on the quad in front of Dallas Hall where hot chocolate and hot apple cider (my favorite) are given out around the massive Christmas tree.  There are various songs sung by soloists, groups, and with all the attendants together, and then President Turner reads the Christmas story as the crowd lights candles in solidarity.  Finally the event concludes      with the group singing Silent Night.  Being so far from my family, this truly gets me in the holiday spirit.

Along with the Holiday spirit, my fantastic Associate Director, Lynn, registered Holly and me for the Grapevine Parade of Lights.  Lexis donated a beautiful convertible for us to ride in.  We are so thankful for their generosity!

ZINOBER HOLIDAY TIME!

At the end of the month, I went to Florida to visit my family.  My sister's husband is the Executive Director for the Beef O'Brady's Bowl so my whole family was able to go, including both my siblings, my dad, Carolyn, and Dala - my mother.  Also on this trip, I was able to spend time with my beautiful special friend Jillian Joyce.  The Joyce family has always been so supportive and this year they have decided to fly out to support me at Miss Texas!  The extent to which they have become such cherished friends warms my heart.  I cannot express my love for this family and for Jillian, who truly is a gift of a friend.

At the bowl game with my sister - Tina - and mother - Dala.

With my little older sister :-) Love you sissy!

With my amazing daddy at the Tampa Bay Bucs game!  Daddy-daughter time is always my favorite.

The Zinober ladies! Carolyn is truly a blessing.

Yes, my father takes me to take a picture with Santa EVERY year.

AND FINALLY...

 My princess and singing-partner, Jillian Joyce.  I love you with all of my heart.  Thank you for lighting up my life since we were in eighth grade together at the Academy of the Holy Names.  You have taught me what persistence and true and enduring friendship really means.  I have never met anyone else who values friendship as much as you do.  Thank you for always loving me and always being my friend.

Safehaven of Tarrant County

 

 

I am so humbled and thankful to become a partner with the SafeHaven of Tarrant County.  Because SafeHaven is so central to my reign as Miss Tarrant County, I have decided to make this an ongoing post that I will continuously add to throughout my year.

For over 35 years, SafeHaven of Tarrant County has changed the lives of countless women and children caught in abusive relationships and homes.  They have two shelters in Tarrant County – one in Arlington and another in Fort Worth.  Their passionate goal is to end domestic violence through safety, support, prevention, and social change.

 

My contact with SafeHaven is Annie Potasznik – a former associate producer and reporter for NBC and the current Communications Coordinator for SafeHaven.  This woman is an inspiration due to her outreach and unremitting dedication to helping those in abusive relationships.  She is a pageant-girl’s dream contact because she truly wants to include me in the works of SafeHaven – and I could not be more thankful for her in helping me to spread my story and message.

 

My first appearance for SafeHaven was actually at the Arlington shelter.  The employees for Mercedes-Benz came out to build a brand new playground for the children that they had designed themselves!  In attendance were Senator Wendy Davis, Mayor of Arlington Robert Cluck, and the reporter Deborah Ferguson.  At the end of the event, Annie actually showed me around the shelter so that I could really see and understand where these women and children live and are counseled.

 For the dedication of the playground, I sang “God Bless America” and briefly spoke about my experience with domestic violence and my platform L.O.V.E: Learning to Overcome Violent Environments.  After I spoke, Deborah Ferguson said a few words about how important this work was and then she said something that will always stick with me as a definition of why I tell my story and spread my word.  She said to those who had worked so hard all day to build the playground, “Behind the walls of this shelter, there may be a little girl who is able to become the future Miss Tarrant County because you have given these children a sense of normalcy.”  The fact that my presence and mention of how I had overcome domestic violence made her think about how important any grasp of normalcy is to have a positive future really touched me.

 

 

My next appearance for SafeHaven was for their fundraiser at J Pepe’s in Dallas.  One of the best parts of this appearance was that I was able to spend quite a bit of time getting to know Annie.  SafeHaven collected so many valuable donations for the shelter and both Annie and I told our stories and how our lives had been impacted by domestic violence.  I cannot express how proud I am of her for having the courage to get on a stage and tell her story (this was her first time telling her own!)

 

I was then invited to speak and sing at the Women Are Golden Holiday Affair that was sponsored by the Texas Business Woman of Arlington on behalf of SafeHaven.  The women heading the event for the organization, Daphne Banks, was so hospitable and wonderful in making me an integral part of this event.  I was also excited to have my associate director, Lynn Alexander, present for this event.  Lynn’s platform was also supporting victims of domestic violence when she was competing so it mean the world to me to have that connection with her.

SafeHaven of Tarrant County and particularly Annie are really helping me to spread my message and allow me to really act upon my platform to make my year as Miss Tarrant County leave a legacy of hope and dedication.  I cannot express my gratitude for their assistance and inclusion in their work to combat domestic violence and empower those who have been victims and witnesses to such violence.

My November Experiences!

ANNOUNCEMENT!! I’m SO excited to be able to announce that I was chosen to be a board member for the Genesis Young Leaders, an auxiliary for Genesis Women’s Shelter. 

Photoshoot  with ALL my Fort Worth sisters!! – I have always wanted to shoot with the incredible Zac Grimaldo and I was so fortunate this month to have that opportunity.  I cannot thank him and his beauty team (Micaela and JJ) enough for such an incredible experience and making me look and feel beautiful.

 

Cowtown ball – Directly after our photoshoot, Rachel Garrett, Kaylee Killingsworth, Tiffany Weeks (one of our board members and the2012 Miss Duncanville), and I went to the Cowtown Ball in the Fort WorthStockyards.  The Cowtown Ball is a benefit for the American Cancer Society. Rachel and I were paired up to sell raffle tickets for a diamond ring, but halfway through we got the opportunity to race armadillos!!  Only in Texas do titleholders get to race armadillos!!

TCU appearance for sponsor – One of the most important parts of being a titleholder is making sure you represent your sponsors well.  Tan 2 Glow is our wonderful tanning sponsorand they make themselves always available for our needs.  Ivana, Mallory, and I went to the TCU Frog Alley to help advertise and represent Tan 2 Glow and we had a fantastic time.  Thanks Tan 2 Glow!!

Sears Anti-Bullying Event – Bullying is such a prevalent issue in our society and Sears is making an effort to stop this problem with their Anti-Bullying Campaign.  Brittney Bennett, Holly Morgan (my teen), and I were invited to come spread the word and sign autographs at Sears!

Miss Dallas – It’s important for us titleholders to gosupport our pageant sisters compete and all of the other local pageants.  I highly respect the Miss Dallas organization and wanted to go show my regards by attending and supporting theirpageant.  The pageant was filled with INCREDIBLE competitors, and the stunning Monique Evans won the crown.  I was so impressed to see how hard she has worked since Miss Texas.  Congrats Monique and Tati (Miss Dallas’ Outstanding Teen)!!

MFWSO Round Table – I loved getting together with all of my organization sisters again as we went through make-up tips with our make-up professional Caitlin Sisk and worked on our interviews.  I am so impressed with the extensive knowledge and conviction of my fellow pageant sisters.  To be surrounded and loved by such a supportive and inspiring group of young women and board still astounds me everytime we all have the chance to get together.

Fort Worth Parade of Lights – Getting together with the Fort Worth, North Texas, and my own Tarrant County group for the Fort Worth Parade of Lights was incredible.  I was soblessed to have had my amazing parents come in town to spend Thanksgiving with me and to be a part of this great experience. There were countless attendants at the parade that went through downtown and it was fantastic seeing my parents waving at me and snapping pictures.  THE BEST PART: Apparently, at one point in the parade, one of my ED’s (Shelli Bates) overheard a couple with their toddler shout, “We know her!! We know Miss Tarrant County!” as I passed by.  When my ED asked how they knew me, they said they had gotten to know me at an appearance. That’s what this is all about – they didn’t feel like they had just met me, they felt like they had gotten to know me, and that is the job of a titleholder.

Miss Duncanville – As I said earlier, I truly believe in supporting our numerous organizations whenever possible.  I went to the Miss Duncanville pageant and was able to watch my teenie (Holly) give up her title as Miss Ellis County’s Outstanding Teen and cheer on LaKesha Clark as she won Miss Duncanville!

 

 

DIFFA – Deck the Doors – This appearance was beyond fun!  The other titleholders were Brittney, Rachel, and the new Miss Duncanville’s Outstanding Teen, who is just a gem.  Rachel and I were paired in the back with the photographer, and boy, did we have a blast!  The toy-soldier models even came to take pictures with us!  I loved spending time with my beautiful sisters for such an incredible cause.

 

My month of October!

My first official duty as Miss Tarrant County was to help at the Miss Keller/Miss Carrollton pageant.  I was so fortunate to be able to perform a few fun songs and share about my platform as I cheered on my friends and welcomed Kaylee Killingsworth (Miss Keller), Brittney Bennett (Miss Carrollton), and Jacy Etter (Miss Carrollton’s Outstanding Teen) into our MFWSO family.  Considering they are all young ladies I highly respect and have been fortunate to get close to prior to our reigning together, I was beyond thrilled.  I also was able to cheer a few of my closest pageant friends at the same time.  Here I am with the beautiful Megan Clark, who eventually went on to win Miss Plano!

I also had the opportunity to judge my first pageant (Great Peanut Butter Festival Pageant)!  Ken Prachtar, a good friend, actually recommended me to judge the Great Peanut Butter Festival pageant.  This was such a well-run and upbeat pageant with boys and girls ranging from infants to my age.  I loved seeing the little girls who were genuinely enjoying themselves on the stage!

This month I gave up my title as Miss Northeast Texas at the Miss Arlington/Miss Kaufman County pageant and was very blessed to be co-emcee with one of my closest and best friends Meghan Miller (yes, the very first Miss America’s Outstanding Teen).  I’ll be honest, we were pretty cheesy at this pageant as we divulged on our love and commitment for this organization and as we silently cheered on some of our other great friends, including our other best friend, Michelle Hanson, who happened to be crowned Miss Arlington that night.  Congrats to Michelle and the beautiful Emily Falkenberg (Miss Kaufman County)!!

Later that week, I was able to attend the Texas State Fair for the first time ever!! The incredible Bruce Wallace invited Anna Combrink and me and was nice enough to give me a historical tour, which included the walk to the Vietnam memorial.  I had an absolute blast meeting all the children and riding in the parade.  I even saw a college friend of mine as I rode on the parade!

Brittney, Rachel, Ivana, and I had the privilege to attend the DIFFA event - Burgundy & Burgers.  I am an avid supporter of DIFFA (Design Industries Foundation Fighting AIDS) and am so thankful to Miss Bobbie Scott for involving me in so many of their events.

I loved being part of the Tarrant County Buddy Walk.  This event promoted awareness for children with down syndrome.  Here is a picture of me with my beautiful little buddy Brooke Garbe.  Her mother, Mrs. Lisa Garbe, is not only part of the Cinderella family that I was once a part of but was also one of my sorority advisors in college!  That means this little angel is an Alpha Chi Omega legacy (and a total sweet one too)!

SPONSOR SHOUT OUT! – I got to go in for my very first appointment with Lash Lounge in Fort Worth to get my new eyelash extensions!! Thank you so much Lash Lounge!!

Round table! Though I don’t have pictures from this event, I loved getting together with my entire MFWSO family as well as our board members for training and mock interviews.  Anytime we get together is a blast!

After the training, I actually met up with my beautiful pageant sisters Meghan and Michelle as well as Bruce Wallace to play around at the Texas State Fair.  What a great time we had together!

ClubCorp Charity Classic benefiting Mothers Against Bullying – I cannot express how humbled I was to be asked to attend the ClubCorp Charity Classic benefiting Mothers Against Bullying.  I had one of my pageant heroes (Faith Bates) as my traveling companion.  At the end of the night, I received a thank you note from the man who requested an appearance from the Miss Texas Organization asking if I would be willing to attend another event in the future.  The fact that he requested me again really humbled me and made me feel like I had done my job!

Spoke at Natalie’s School – The fourth strand of the “wolf pack” (the name we call our best friends) is Natalie Baker, who also happens to be a member of my MFWSO board and last year’s 2^nd runner up at Miss Texas as Miss Fort Worth.  She happens to be a middle school teacher so I took the day off and came and spoke to her classes to do my school program “Owning You”.   Her critiques were beyond helpful as this was the first time I had done my program after revamping my points.  I can’t wait to do more! (P.S. In between two of her classes she asked me to sing at her wedding!  I could barely hold back the tears!)