Opening Ceremonies!

The three hour drive to North Platte this morning couldn't have lasted any longer it seemed but with my Redbull and water and a few phone calls, I was at the Airport Inn with the other contestants ready to kick off the day and week!  And what a pleasant little surprise when Miss America 2011, Teresa Scanlan walked into the room!  We weren't expecting her until Monday or Tuesday, but were graciously surprised.  Both she and Nicky spoke to us about what to expect with the job of Miss Nebraska.  It was all helpful information and these women have represented the state so well.  After lunch we all headed to the mall (if you've ever been to the North Platte mall you'll think of it as more of a hallway) for opening ceremonies where we were reunited with our little sisters!

My little sisters Haylee Serrano and Anabelle Gillen!

I had the pleasure of meeting Haylee at orientation but I didn't get to meet Anabelle.  They are both fabulous young ladies and I am so excited to be able to spend the week with them and get to know them.  

The beautiful Nicky Haverland, Miss Nebraska 2010.

Congratulations to the community service winners Jessica States and Kati Poppert.  They are both fabulous women and very deserving of the awards.  

Community Service Winners: 2nd place Jessica States, winner Kati Poppert.

My sister title holder Mindy Schreiber, Miss Douglas County.

After I left the mall I made my way to my host family's house (so they are basically real family since I've had them for three years now) where I found two of my host brothers running around with no clothes on while eating ice cream bars.  You may think that's crazy, but it's home.  And just think of how much easier cleanup is!  I was greeted with a giant chalk version of me in the driveway, a drawn picture of my on the chalkboard in the dining room, a sign by the front door and an entire Ziploc bag full of princesses that my host sister made for me.  I asked her how long she'd been working on them (there are probably 25 different ones) and she said "since yesterday!"  She must have had her hands full!  I am so anxious to be here and have halfway unpacked, finished rhinestoning and even uploaded pictures and watched some news.

My host sister Tonja.

I had an amazing chat with God this morning on the way into town and know that I am in the right place in my heart and that's all that matters.  I hope to be posting videos at the end of each day this week, but we'll see how busy I get.  It is Miss Nebraska week!  Oh yes, my grandma Mary and great aunt Donna were at a convention in North Platte this afternoon so I got a surprise visit from them at the mall.  I love them both dearly!

Time for a bit of supper and then off to rehearsals!

Kayla 

Miss Omaha

ps. the hand soap in my bathroom smells AMAZING!  I can't stop sniffing my hands.

It's here, it's here, it's really HERE!

See that excitement...not even close to what my face looks like right now!  (I just didn't want to embarrass myself with my excited face...maybe later in the week!)  I would have liked to get one us these up and posted last night but after the beautiful wedding and reception I was in for the long trek home to Lincoln and was awake enough only to shower and fall into bed before falling asleep...(okay, so the couple of really long blinks in the car could possibly count for sleeping too.  Don't worry, I blasted the music and the AC and shivered to stay awake!)  I can't believe as I sit here (hair done, no makeup) that today is the day that it all starts.  I have been on one crazy ride since my crowning in October and wouldn't give it up for the world.

I always tell people that this program is so great because of the scholarships awarded and what the program itself stands for, but in these last few months, even the last year, it has been a discovery of the friendship for me.  I have gotten to watch my New Hampshire sweetheart as she was announced 1st Runner Up this year and can now proudly say that I know Miss Hawaii 2011, Lauren Cheape.  My Miss Alabama Sweetheart is one of my closest friends and I have this system to thank.  I have made bonds and created friendships and relationships across the country and wouldn't have been able to do it without MAO.  Even when looking at my current competitors for the Miss Nebraska 2011 title I can proudly say that I have one great group of friends.  Some that I have spent years competing with, some that I spent high school with, and Mindy, who I got to spend my year with.  I couldn't ask for a better sister title holder.  We had the opportunity to do many appearances together and I couldn't be more proud.  What a sweet and loving woman who I have seen grow throughout the year.  It's these friendships; these bonds that I have created, that truly mean the world to me.

Going into Miss Nebraska I am up against ten of the most esteemed woman in the state and feel honored to have the chance to participate with all of them.  I can look at each and every woman in North Platte today and feel at ease with the fact that every single one of us has the potential to be Miss Nebraska 2011.

This is my third year trying for Miss Nebraska and I'm ready.  It has been a struggle always finding the time to go to the gym and do tons of community service this year, but that's okay.  I have conquered some of the biggest struggles I've ever faced this year and because of that I know that I can handle the job.  This year was about striving for this goal to be Miss Nebraska but through the process I have discovered exactly who I am.  I am the daughter of my Heavenly Father, I am a teacher, a student, a sister, a friend, a girlfriend, a sinner striving to be a saint, but most of all I am Kayla May Batt.  I have locked myself into place and strive now to show Nebraska me.  I love my competition wardrobe, I love my talent and I love my body; what else is there?!  I can't wait to build stronger relationships with the woman at Miss Nebraska and enjoy the crazy, hectic, busy but totally fun week.

Your thoughts and prayers are so appreciated and I couldn't ask for a better family and friends.  Your support is so inspiring.  Thank you to everyone who has been through the ups and downs with me this year, Joel, Chandra, Abby, Sarah, you have all been so patient with me as a friend and I will never be able to thank you enough.  Thank you Nan, Mark, Gram, Mom, sisters, your support has always been unconditional even though we may not always agree on things, I know I can always count on you.  Marianne and Tracy, you've done wondrous things for me this year and I can proudly say I have the BEST directors ever!  I wouldn't be here without all of my friends and all of my pageant supporters and I couldn't be here without my faith.  I am so thankful to have Christ in my heart and I know that he has a plan and a guidance.  I pray with all my heart that He strengthens my heart through this process and shines through me.  Because he is my Rock and Salvation and is the only one who can stand beside me through all of this.  He is my Daddy.  

I will leave you with the verse that sets me into gear in the morning and the one that puts me to sleep at night.

"Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance.  Perseverance must finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything."  James 1:2-4

"I will lie down and sleep in peace, for you alone, O Lord, make me dwell in safety."  Psalm 4:8



I love you and thank you with my whole heart,

Kayla
Miss Omaha

Ps.  I will leave you with a song that has helped me in my discovery of myself.   Strip Me

Almost Miss Nebraska Week! Almost Miss Nebraska Week!

It's two days away from Miss Nebraska week and I am in Altoona, Iowa at my sisters friends wedding playing wedding singer.  I don't think I've ever been so tired from driving after my weekends of traveling cross country but it is part of the job isn't it?  After my weeks of traveling between Omaha and Lincoln and Gothenburg and Alliance and Iowa and back, I have officially completed my wardrobe.

~evening gown
~off night gown
~swimsuit
~opening number outfit
~production outfit
~interview outfit
~parade outfit
~"purse" onality outfit

And last but not least, my talent outfit.  I received my complete outfit on Monday of last week, got my rhinestones in Tuesday, didn't get the glue until Wednesday and have been bedazzling like crazy since then and I am pleased to say that I am nearly, almost, within inches of being done gluing 2800, 16mm rhinestones on my outfit.  And I must say...it is looking fabulous!  I was extremely intimidated by the project at first but and now very proud to have put in all the hard work and effort to complete it.

I took the day off of work today to complete my project and pack and I said goodbye to my babies at work and my three best girlfriends  before making my way to Iowa.  I was immediately set back by the car accident  on I-80 and was driving 25mph on highway 6 to Omaha.  Needless to say I did not follow my mothers suggestions of just sitting back and enjoying the drive, I instead choose to turn my music up louder and yell and rant loud enough that the car behind me could have heard.

I made it back to interstate and after a stop in Omaha made it to Iowa.  I enjoyed the rehearsal and dinner and now I'm ready for bed.  So much for a day of sleeping in as I have to be dressed and ready at the church at 9am.  Who needs sleep anyway, right?  :)

Tired and over ecstatic for the upcoming week,
Kayla Batt
Miss Omaha

ps. I received my autograph pages today...I can't wait to sign them and give them away!

Rain out at Werner Park

I had to opportunity to redeem myself from my "Christina moment" today as I headed to Omaha to sing the National Anthem at the Omaha Storm Chasers baseball game.  Unfortunately after a half hour postpone and a forecast that wasn't showing any sign of improvement, the game was postponed until tomorrow.  Because of this I don't get to sing unless someone cancels at another date.  I was pretty bummed about this and of course a quarter tank lower on my gas gauge, but I did get the opportunity to hang out with the mascots Casey and Stormy!

Casey and I 

Stormy and I

So fun! 

We even "Dougied" a bit on the field after the announcement of the game being postponed.  Even though the rain put a damper on my morning/afternoon, I still had a great time and got to dedicate my afternoon to my to do list!

I emailed a few people that needed to hear from me, ordered rhinestones for my talent outfit, took a teeny snooze, found a leather jacket to borrow for Miss Nebraska, made my autograph pages, talked to my mom and sister, and best friends, eat some dinner and supper, and watched Idol!  Oh yes, and I played dress up with about 20 outfits that will be traveling with me to North Platte for Miss Nebraska!  Natasha Bedingfield's album was my theme music for my dress up fun and it was very enjoyable.

Feeling accomplished and ready for bed,
Kayla
Miss Omaha

ps. almost only 10 days left until Miss Nebraska week kickoff! 

Miss Nebraska Preparation's!

DAYS UNTIL MISS NEBRASKA WEEK!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Well, I hope you all appreciate my scream via text because I don't think my neighbors enjoyed hearing through their walls...oops.  I can't believe the year has gone by so fast.  It seems like yesterday that I was being crowned Miss Omaha 2011 and now I am only weeks away from being on the Miss Nebraska stage for the Miss Nebraska 2011 pageant!  Let's just say that my list of things is coming alone...some slowly but they're coming.  

evening gown-check!

off-night gown-check!

swimsuit-IP (in progress until completion this SUNDAY!)

talent outfit- IP (I'm actually picking it up TOMORROW!)

interview outfit-check!

parade outfit-check!

I mean, don't you think I'm doing pretty well?!  I do!  I have yet to glue rhinestones (not exactly sure how excited I am about that project), get more autograph pages and make sure I'm all packed and prepared for the week in North Platte!

In the midst of all my hustle and bustle with the pageant world, I did take the time to celebrate my birthday with some fun in the sun (totally got my face fried) and friend time this weekend.  It was so nice to be able to spend time with my best friends and create lasting memories of the best birthday celebration of my life!

My "princess hat" aka "crown" 

But now, it's game time.  My mind is focused, my body's healthy, and I'm feeling like my loud, obnoxious, crazy self, complete with my game face.  I can't wait to spend an entire week with some of the most talented women in the state of Nebraska as well as the greatest board and staff (i/e: Darrell).  Thirteen days will fly by and before I know it and I will be making my trek out west for the biggest event of my summer, Miss Nebraska.  

Motivated and charged,

Kayla

Miss Omaha 

 

End of school, Piano Recitals, and PAGEANT COUNTDOWN!

Let me just introduce you to my next few weeks and you'll understand the photo above:

2 days until I get to sing the National Anthem at the Omaha Storm Chasers baseball game
5 days until my little sisters dance recital
12 days until I get to play "wedding singer" at my first wedding of the season
13 days until Miss Nebraska kickoff in North Platte
19 days until Miss Nebraska 2011 is crowned!

Screaming with joy about describes me at this point!  I am so excited for this part of my journey of the summer.  In the midst of all those days I also have many birthdays, mock interviews, volunteering, appointments for Miss Nebraska prep, and work everyday!  I must say too, how happy I am that my junior year of college is over.  It was a stressful semester and as I turned in my 34 page manuscript last Friday, I was finally able to breath again.  As for grades...I don't want to check!  Not to say they are going to be bad, but I get very nervous to look and would much rather wait for a few days of summer to set in before I look at them.

So off my list of things to do, school is no longer one of them! Check!

This Saturday also brought up the end of my piano lessons through the studio I work at with our Spring Recitals.  I am always so proud of my students at recital and I will miss them over the summer.  I felt very loved when I told them that last weeks lesson was the last one of the semester.  They looked at me and responded with a sort of "Ahh, really?"  It was clear that they were going to miss me just a teeny bit!  But I'm sure they were tired of hearing my birthday and Miss Nebraska countdown every lesson.  I think my student Miles could tell you more things about those days than even I know.

Miles and I after recital

I have a touch of sleepiness when it comes to holding babies

Even though school and piano are out of the way for now I still feel busy as ever and I don't think it's going to stop!  Please keep me in your thoughts as I continue this journey into the great unknown (okay so known really) land of Miss Nebraska!  

That's all for now,

Kayla

Miss Omaha

My Life!

Striking a pose at the top of Courthouse Rock

Hello and welcome to the crazy, hectic life I live!  I must first and foremost apologize for my lack of participation in my blog and justify it solely for the purpose that I took on a heap of things this semester and just couldn't quite keep up with everything going on.  I have now learned a lesson and through lots of trials and consequences, am feeling much better about things.  I turned into quite an emotional mess earlier this spring (before orientation I believe) and struggled financially for quite sometime (am struggling) and of course I couldn't just have a few things going wrong but my computer had to crash, (I'm not joking) and after that got fixed my car decided that it needed repairs too.  But because of the wonderful people in my life I was able to get my computer fixed and my car fixed and school is OVER!

I was able to make the trip back home for Easter and brought the man with me (his first experience in my neck of the woods).  We visited Carhenge and Courthouse and Jailhouse Rock in Bridgeport, even climbed our way all to the top of Courthouse Rock.  It was great spending time with the family and I had been missing the 65mph winds too so I'm so glad I got to experience that too!

Easter Picture, just missing my other sister and her husband and daughter!

After Easter breakfast and lunch at home, Joel and I made our way to my grandma's for our annual Easter Egg hunt!  Joel seemed very confident going into the hunt but after he saw my bag of eggs the disappointment sunk into his face!

Oh yes, I most definitely won the hunt, and for once I didn't cheat!  I must say that there has been a few years that the little cousins participating will set their bags down and my hands just seem to find themselves in the bags stealing their eggs, but this year I played fair.  There were over 300 eggs and eight of us...I was second oldest behind my cousin Chance who is 24.  We like competitions in my family!  I was able to refill my coin jar with all the money eggs I found and stock my candy dishes at home.  

It was a great weekend and it's been a blessing since then to get things crossed off my list of things to do.  

Ready for the upcoming month,

Kayla 

Miss Omaha