Miss Pre-Teen Galaxy 2008

And the winners are...

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Miss Preteen Galaxy 2009 Harley Chavez
Miss Jr Miss Galaxy 2009 Savannah Bradford

Brittany's Farewell....

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It’s hard to start the typical farewell speech since I wasn’t crowned in the normal fashion. I was the first runner-up, so who would have thought that I would be Miss Preteen Galaxy 2008. Even with the short amount of time, I had a blast with the title. One of the highlights was visiting the Colorado Galaxy pageant where I had the opportunity to be a co-host. I met so many amazing people that weekend that if ever I have the opportunity to visit again I will. I also participated in a number of events with the American Diabetes Association, which is an organization near and dear to my heart. With them I had the opportunity to help out at the Father of the Year Awards and I was invited to visit Camp AZDA. My proudest moment this year was starting a Relay for Life team.

As with the typical farewell speech I have a number of people to thank, first and foremost are my mom and dad, without them I wouldn’t be here. Thank you for being so supportive of me through the years, you have taught me the true importance of being a queen. It has nothing to do with wearing a crown; instead it is making a difference in my community at large. Thank you to my wonderful brother for never complaining about me monopolizing mom’s weekend time with all the pageant stuff. Thank you to Britt, for being an amazing director I hope that the pageant doubles again next year. It has truly been a pleasure working with you.

To all of the contestants this year, you are all winners. I wish it were possible to give each and every one of you the crown. It has been my pleasure spending the last few days with you. No matter what happens hold your head up high and enjoy the wonderful memories that were created during this week. Most importantly never give up on your dreams because they will come true when you least expect it.

To my successor, enjoy every minute of your year. You have an amazing opportunity in front of you. Don’t just walk away with the crown and think that’s it; get out there and be a part of your community. If you have the opportunity visit a preliminary pageant, it is such a fun experience to visit with the contestants. Represent your title to the best of your ability and most importantly have FUN!!!

It has been my pleasure being your Miss Preteen Galaxy 2008, thank you for this wonderful opportunity!

Brittany Poppen
Miss Preteen Galaxy 2008

Rehearsals part 2...

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No rehersal is complete without learning the production on stage.

Rehearsals part 1...

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I turned the camera over to Brittany and told her to take pictures during rehearsals. Personally I think she did a great job capturing the fun that the girls were having.

Pajama Diva Party

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I completely forgot to pull out the camera at the orientation, which means the photos for that pageant didn't start until the pajama diva party. The girls had a great time socializing, decorating their people's choice boxes and gorging themselves on pizza. This years Pajama Diva was Yara, Miss Southern Arizona.

Miss Preteen Galaxy's adventure at Disney World!

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No trip to Florida is complete without a stop at Disney World. We arrived a few days before the pageant started in order to take advantage of our proximity to the parks. It's also a great way to get the girls relaxed before pageant activities start.

I swear I didn't do it...

The originals and still the best

Will they really notice if I go through this door?

I was joined by my amazing pageant sister, Yara

What is this stuff falling out of the sky? Oh yeah it's rain, we don't see much of that in Arizona!

Camp AZDA

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Brittany was invited to spend a day visiting Camp AZDA, which is a week long camp for kids with diabetes. It was a wonderful experience to visit with the kids and teens attending this camp. Although I will say a few of those cabins looked a little scary, I guess the kids are concerned about cleaning up during this week. For many of them this is the one week out of the year where they feel "normal", since everyone else around them has the same disease.

Brittany toured the camp learning where the kids stay and what type of medical care they receive while there. Everyone we met from kids to counselors were having a great time. We were given the opportunity to eat dinner with the teens attending the camp. It was great to have the opportunity to visit and talk with them about their experience. It was very interesting when each of them sat down they started talking to each other about their blood sugar levels during the day. One of the teens said "I was high today", then she started to laugh and stated that if that conversation was taking place back at home everyone would interpret it a different way.

All I can say is it was an amazing opportunity to see first hand these kids having such a fun time. Our visit to the camp wrapped up with helping to set up for the carnival that the kids would be participating in that evening. It was a bummer that we couldn't stay longer to hang out with them at the carnival. Unfortunately, we had to get back on the bus to be home by 9pm.

Father of the Year Awards

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Brittany volunteered her time at the Father of the Year awards benefiting the American Diabetes Association. Four amazing fathers from the Valley of the Sun were recognized this evening for their contributions to the community and their families.

It was a long but rewarding day for Brittany. She helped with some of the set up in the ballroom and the silent auction. Then she had the privilege of signing in the guests for the event. It was a full house, which means it was a successful benefit for this amazing organization. Brittany has many family members with diabetes, which means she would love to see a cure for this disease. We'll continue volunteering with this organization even after she passes on her title in July.

Girls on the Run

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On May 17th, Brittany volunteered with the Girls on the Run organization at the WonderGirl 5k. This is a great program that helps build self-esteem in young girls. This is the second year that Brittany has volunteered at this event. Of course, in my rush I forgot to bring the camera with me, but I did want to give recognition to this amazing organization.

It was great to see the girls out there with their running buddies completing a 5K. Brittany had the honor of cheering them on while passing out water.

http://www.gotrmc.org/Index.aspx

Y-Me Walk to Empower

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Bright and early on Mother's Day morning, Brittany and I headed out to volunteer at the Y-Me Walk to Empower. It was a wonderful way to spend a morning with my daughter, I highly recommend it to anyone who is looking for a fun activity!

We were placed along the walk route to give directions and cheer people on. This photo was taken as we were walking to our location. We had a great view from the Mill Avenue Bridge.

It was great to see so many families out bright and early.

We had a great time cheering on the walkers as they passed. It was worth it to get up early when so many of the walkers thanked us for volunteering! Of course we thanked them for walking.

Run for Literacy

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Brittany volunteered at the 12th annual Run for Literacy. This is a local fundraiser which promotes life long reading. Proceeds from the run benefit Arizona classroom literacy by awarding grants to teachers for classroom literacy projects. The morning started out with filling and handing out the goodie bags.

The next part of the morning was handing out certificates for a free book at the finish line. Keeping with the theme of the event, every person who participated received a book.

Relay for Life Peoria

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At the end of April, Brittany attended the Relay for Life in Peoria. She spent time talking to different people about team fundraising and how long it took them to reach their goal. She also checked out the various booths to get some ideas for her own relay booth. She is excited that her own Relay for Life team has been formed.

Checking out a booth, prize wheels are ALWAYS a big hit with walkers.

Walking the relay course. Not too long from now and her own team will be doing this!

The girls with Ms. United States Worldwide 2007, Cyndee Baczynski-Head.

MADD - Strides for Change Walk

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Brittany participated in the MADD Strides for Change walk as a member of team QADD (Queens Against Drunk Driving). This is the 2nd year that she has been a member of team QADD.

It is amazing how much this team has grown since last year. It will be nice to see it double next year.

The queens from last years walk.

Diabetes Expo

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The girls with Anne Dennis, the School Walk for Diabetes coordinator. The school walk for Diabetes is one of the first events that Brittany participated in with the American Diabetes Association.

Helping kids sign up to win a bicycle.

The girls had the honor of selecting the winner of the bicycle.

Arizona Women's Expo

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After Pat's Run, Brittany headed over to the Arizona's Family Women's Expo. She enjoyed walking around talking with different people. She even had the opportunity to meet some of her favorite morning newscasters from one of our local stations.

Brittany with Tess Rafols.

Brittany with Olivia Fierro, from her favorite morning newscast.

Brittany, Tana, Yara and Marissa with various Ms. Arizona Seniors.

The girls met Eileen Proctor, author of Tip Dog's Top Tips for Tip Top Dog Care. They spent some time talking with Eileen and telling them all about the Galaxy Pageant. She was so excited that the girls stopped by to talk that she gave them autographed copies of her book. Not only is Eileen an author, but she is an advocate for animal rights.

Pat's Run

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Volunteering at Pat's Run is always an experience. Last year we were at a water station, this year we were on the field at the finish line "directing" the crowd. Basically it was out job to tell people where the water was located, as well as the exit to Sun Devil Stadium. Pat's Run is done in honor of Pat Tillman, all proceeds from the event benefit the Pat Tillman Foundation.

This photo was taken when the crowd was a little lighter. At the height of the walk, I really wasn't able to take photos. Also, Brittany and I were put at different stations. I remained on the field while she went to pass out water. So I wasn't able to get any photos of her doing her "job".

This walker from Texas wanted a photo with the girls.

Colorado Galaxy Pageant

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Okay, so I've been a little slow updating the blog. I'll try to do a better job from here on out, by updating on a weekly basis.

Brittany had the opportunity to attend the Colorado Galaxy Pageant in April. This was the first year for the Galaxy Pageant in Colorado, and let me just say the director, Elba, did an AMAZING job. This is definitely a pageant we would like to visit again. If you live in Colorado, you MUST contact her in regards to competing next year!

Look it's the Rockies and there's snow!!!

Brittany co-hosted with the wonderful Brooke, Mrs. Cheyenne Galaxy 2009.

Getting the crowns ready for the pageant finale!!

Brittany and Brie, Miss Colorado Teen Galaxy 2006

Crowning the new Colorado Pre-Teen Galaxy, Jacqueline!

One final photo after the crowning the new Colorado Queens.

Congratulations...can't wait to hang out with you at the Galaxy National Pageant!

Brittany and the amazing ladies from Wyoming.

Deanna, Mrs. Colorado Galaxy 2008

Amanda, Miss Galaxy 2008

Jamie, Miss Colorado Teen 2008

Walk for Wishes

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Brittany's first appearance as Miss Pre-Teen Galaxy was attending the Walk for Wishes. She would love to volunteer her time with the Make-A-Wish foundation but will have to wait until she is 13, as they have age restrictions. Until that time, she can attend the various events that benefit Make-A-Wish.

The turnout for the walk was really good, considering it was a chilly morning.

All right...only 1K to go!

Miss Preteen Galaxy

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Brittany recently found out that she is the NEW Miss Pre-Teen Galaxy 2008. Even though her reign doesn't have many months left, she plans representing the title to the best of her ability.

NFL Experience

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As many of you know the Superbowl was in Glendale, Arizona this year. I was amazed how many Superbowl activities took place around the Valley of the Sun! One of them was the NFL Experience. Brittany was lucky enough to have the opportunity to attend where she participated in football related activities and met various football players.

Matt Lineart, talking to the kids attending the NFL Experience.

Super Kids

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Native American Festival

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Run to Remember

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Phoenix Suns Celebrity Shoot-Out

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Walk to D'Feet ALS - Tempe

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