Day 4...Gift exchange and President's Dinner

Today was fun! In between rehearsals we got to exchange gifts from each state. I think I am going home with more than I came with! Oh well...my son will have fun ripping into the snacks!

Later we were able to attend a nice sit down dinner for the President of the resort. We each presented him with a gift from our state. Mine was a basket filled with Hawaiian treats like Chocolate, Anahola Granola, Pineapple, Mac Nuts, Kauai Cookies and Raw Natural Honey made by my grandfather Oliver Shagnasty (he gave himself that name when he was 20 something. I guess it stuck!).

Day 3...Rehearsals and Charity Fashion Show

Today started off with a 6:00 am workout in the fabulous resort spa and workout room facilities. Then had rehearsals all morning till lunchtime. After lunch we rehearsed for the charity fashion show!

The charity fashion show offered $125 tickets to attend. This included appetizers and cocktails. The show was basically US! Half of us modeling evening gowns and the other half did costumes! I got to do mine! The monies raised from tonights event benefited Donors Choice, which supports public school teachers in Arizona. They can post classroom project requests on donorschoice.org. Request range from pencils for poetry writing unit, to violins for a school recital, to microscope slides for a biology class, which often times teachers pay out of their own pockets!
It was a great event and I enjoyed meeting former Mrs Americas and Mrs. Worlds Diane Tucker and Nicole Brink!

Day 2...Busy Day!!!

Day 2 of Mrs. America started off with a swimsuit shoot at 6:15 am! So that means we had to wake up roughly 2 hours ahead of time so that we could get ready!

Then it was off to breakfast followed by rehearsals. We had a nice lunch in the resort before we left for shopping at La Encantada shops!

After shopping we had a nice Mexican dinner and then back to the hotel. I dont have photos of Dinner because I totally forgot to snap a few! Mrs. Wyoming and I were too busy trying to get extra grilled chicken! 

Mrs. America Day 1 Orientation

Today is the first day of Mrs. America 2010! We had an awesome dinner at the Lowes Ventana Canyon Restort, where we are staying.
My first friend that I made was Mrs. Montana. We both were on the same flight from Denver. We were both so sleepy that we didnt even notice each other until we got off the plane!
My roommate (Mrs. California) and I got settled into our room and everything is all organized...for now!
Tomorrow we have a full day starting with swimsuit photos at 6:15 am!
So here are a couple of photos from tonight!

Hawaii Foodbank's Walk for Hunger

Yesterday I got to emcee the Hawaii Foodbank's walk for hunger with good friend Kinsey Texeira Mrs Hawaii International 2010.
We had a wonderful time supporting this event that feeds so many hungry families and shelters across the islands!
We had a wonderful time as you can see in my photos!

 

 

My Birthday!

Today was my birthday and I started my celebration by volunteering at the re-grand opening of the Shriners Children's Hospital. The new building is amazing. It was so nice to be there supporting as the hospital has helped my younger cousin who suffers from severe brain damage caused during birth. Unfortunately, he has really bad episodes of spastic seizures that has left one side of his back muscles over developed. Shriners has helped him in so many ways!
While I was there I was able to meet US Senator Inoue and Akaka and our Lt. Governor Duke Aiona.

Then later today I helped "Team Miss Hawaii" at the Kapolani Children's Miracle Network radio-athon. Our shift was a little slow but I was able to raise some money making calls to my family! Thank you Grandma and Aunty Cheryl and my hubby too!

I got to work with Kinsey Mrs. Hawaii Intl. Tiffany Ibale Miss East Oahu and Shannon Dresser Miss Oahu! 

  

Send off Party Success!

Thank you to everyone for your support at my Send off Party. It was amazing to see so many happy faces enjoying themselves. My director Luana did an amazing job helping with the candy buffet and food. We had so many sponsors who donated like Anabel, who donated food and Kat's Yummy cakes, who donated the cupcake display.
Unfortunately, I was not able to take photos with everyone there. I thought about it after and wished that our photographer had shown up. Rick where were you? :)
The music was so good. Thank you to my brother in law Kaina Costa, who is also Don Ho's grandson, for organizing the musical line up.
The silent auction was very nice. We had a trip to Vegas, beautiful jewelry, limited edition artwork and tons of gift baskets!
I did glance a few times to the Kids corner, which seems like it was a hit. The kids were going nuts. I am sure the candy buffet did not help! Thank you Kinsey for helping me with this!
I am so appreciative to everyone for their help and support. There are so many more that I could thank. You know who you are!
Love you all! Alicia