The Orange Blossom Special with a "Jazz" Twist!

About a month ago I was asked to be a part of a concert that was being held in DuBois, PA as a part of the DuBois Area Concert Association. I was told that I would be performing with a Jazz violinist that would be coming in to put on this concert for the community. Several emails later I was put in touch with Doug Cameron...the most amazing Jazz violinist I have ever met. Not only was he a great person, he was INCREDIBLY talented! I was so honored to perform the Orange Blossom Special with him on stage. We had so much fun and this opportunity came about all because of the Miss Pennsylvania title. This year has been incredible and I have been able to meet so many wonderful people--including Doug Cameron--that I will remember years from now!

The Miss Pennsylvania 2011 Contestant Orientation is only a few weeks away--I can't believe it! Over the next couple of weeks I have some exciting events coming up that I will be sure to share with you all! Thank you for all of your support and don't forget to click on the YouTube link for the video of my performance with Doug Cameron!! http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cytYjSQt7gs&feature=youtube_gdata_player

With Love,

XOXO

Courtney Elizabeth Thomas

What a Wonderful Year

It has been quite some time since my last blog entry so I have a lot to catch you all up on! It is very difficult to adequately describe my Miss America experience. Regardless of the final results I had the time of my life and met some of the most amazing friends. The experience itself was fun, exciting, stressful, exhilarating, hectic…. Pretty much every emotion you could think of jam-packed into 10 days. Looking back, there is not one thing that I would do differently and I was so proud to represent Pennsylvania on the Miss America stage. Prior to my arrival in Las Vegas, I had spent the last 6 weeks training and preparing for the pageant every day so that I could go to Miss America fully prepared with no regrets. I went to Finish First Sports Performance every day at least twice preparing for the swim suit competition. I wanted to go to Miss America with my best self, knowing that I gave everything I had to prepare for those 10 days. I know it sounds cliché, but going to Miss America you really cannot lose. The way I looked at it was that I was fortunate enough to win the Miss Pennsylvania title, and if I did not come home with the Miss America crown I would still be able to be Miss Pennsylvania, which is something that I am so proud of. To me, it was a win-win.

I have had some really fun appearances since January. One of my favorites was at the Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia. They put on a ‘Miss CHOP America’ pageant for Miss New Jersey, Miss Delaware, and I, which involved a talent portion and an on-stage question. It was filmed so that the children that were unable to make it to the pageant could watch it from their rooms. I love going to the Children’s Hospital. You can really learn so much from those kids!

It has been so wonderful going to the different local pageants this year and meeting all of the contestants. It is one of my favorite things to do as Miss Pennsylvania because I get to share my experiences and what I have gained from the organization with all of the girls. It really is a journey and for some, it is just beginning. The Miss Pennsylvania Class of 2011 is going to be a phenomenal group of women!

From parades to galas to pageants and interviews it has been an exciting past couple of months. I really wish I could be Miss Pennsylvania forever. I am so excited for the new Miss Pennsylvania because it will undoubtedly be the best year of her life. However, until then I will be sure to keep you updated more diligently with blog posts and facebook updates as I travel the state.

I want to close by thanking you all for your support. I have gained so much from this title and have grown considerably since being crowned last June. My directors and the Miss Pennsylvania board are such incredible people. I consider them all family and am so lucky to be able to spend my year with them. I could never thank them enough for all that they have done for me.

With love,

XOXO
Courtney Thomas

Miss Pennsylvania 2010