A Year In The Life of Miss Michigan Teen USA 2009

MISS MICHIGAN AND MISS MICHIGAN TEEN USA 2009

2009-09-19T22:49:00.001-07:00

My family for a year! Oh how I love the Pitchford family!

My stunning mommy, my amazing boyfriend, me, and my manager/brother lol!

My boyfriend, Mikey, and I <3

Me and the beautiful new Miss Michigan, Rima Fakih! LOVED HER!

Another of Lindsey and I... black on black that's how we roll ;)

Me and the wonderful, oh so talented, KENT!

One of Lindsey and I's last moments together :(

Opening Number Outfit.. "I got a feeling.. that tonight's gonna be a good night!"

Ready for prelims where Lindsey and I hosted!

I AM SO PROUD AND HONORED TO LEAVE THE CROWNS WITH THE NEW TITLEHOLDERS OF 2010. LET ME TELL YOU IT WAS A TOUGH YEAR, AND THE WINS WERE A BIG FEAT FOR THEM! THIS WAS PROCTOR PRODUCTIONS 10TH YEAR ANNIVERSARY, AND IT WAS A REALLY BIG PARTY. I TOOK THIS SHOW AS A WAY TO SHOW THAT I AM ALL GROWN UP NOW AND AM READY FOR THE NEXT VENTURE IN MY LIFE. I AM EXHAUSTED BUT THOUGHT I'D SHARE BEFORE I HEAD OFF TO BED. GREAT BIG THANKS AND A BIG I LOVE YOU TO THE PITCHFORD FAMILY; YOU GUYS WERE AMAZING FOR PUTTING UP WITH MY SCHOOL SCHEDULE. I LOVE MY FAMILY FOR SUPPORTING ME EVERY STEP OF THE WAY! AND FINALLY, THANK YOU, THE WONDERFUL STATE OF MICHIGAN, FOR EMBRACING ME, CHEERING ME ON, AND ALWAYS MAKING ME FEEL BEAUTIFUL. I LOVE YOU ALL!

<3 KRISTEN DANYAL
NO LONGER A TEEN!:P

Miss Teen USA 2009 (Atlantis, Bahamas)

2009-08-17T22:29:00.000-07:00

Evening gown by Carlos Alberto, Puerto Rico.

Me in evening gown. Dress by Carlos Alberto! The best gown designer out there!

Me, Kent, and My roomie (ohio), on the first day there! Love them.

Breakfast.

Our first breakfast. MMMMmmM.

Me and Calic-- chefs for a minute. Cooking!

At the cocktail party!

Some of my family and I after the pageant!

Dayana crowning me at the airport!

Hey everyone!

Sorry it's been so long since I've been on. I have finally caught up on my sleep since the pageant. I will try to make this as short as possible while still hitting major parts of my trip. First of all my flight was at 6 a.m. and I was all alone. I carried my dress on the plane with me and the pilot and crew were nice enough to let me leave it hanging in the captains den so it wouldn't wrinkle. I slept the entire flight. I had a brief stop, and continued on to Nassau where I met a lot of the girls. The first day we met each other at the Atlantis and were pretty much free to do what we wanted. The next days to come were nothing like that. I was sleep deprived. We had 18-20 hour days. Waking up at 5 a.m. every morning, getting back up to our rooms at 11 p.m., and not sleeping until 1-2 a.m. Being organized and having a clean room (which Miss Ohio and I strived for our entire trip) really helped us get ready every morning. We had a cocktail party on Tuesday, which I unfortunately had nobody to be there with. Families were allowed, but because of whatever reasons, my family couldn't make it to the Bahamas until Thursday. Nobody ever knew this, but there were times where we would be walking from one part of the hotel to another, and I would start to tear up seeing all the girl's families waiting for them in the halls, cheering them on. I just wanted to see my family and feel their love. Finally when they arrived, they came straight to the restaurant we were at, luggage and all, and surprised me. I burst out in tears! I was so happy to see them; that brought all my spirit back up. I got to see them for only a split second because the organization got notice of who they were and made them leave. I turned back to join the group, and all the girls were crying of happiness for me. It was one of the greatest bonding moments I've ever felt with a group of girls. Presentation show was on Thursday. It was so nerve wrecking, even more than the final night. You know nothing about the judges or what they want, all the choreography was new, and it was our first moment on stage. I immediately pointed out my family in the audience, and I was all smiles! Back to bed I went after that, being that I had to be up at 6 a.m. to get ready for my interview at 8 a.m. There I met the judges! My interview was TOOOO much fun. The judges were very nice; we laughed a lot. There was one time I remember in particular where one of the judges immediately asked me, "Which celebrity do people say you remember most?" All weekend I was getting it, as I did at the Michigan pageant. Jokingly I said, "I know what you're thinking, JESSICA SIMPSON RIGHT!?" She look so confused, saying "Oh, no. That is not who I was going to say at all!" Then I started laughing and said, "I am SO joking... Kim Kardashian I know, everybody thinks that once I leave my hometown!" We were all cracking up, which set the mood for my interview! After the first group of girls went to interview, the second group got to go, so I hit a couch in the lobby and took a nap. As I was sleeping I heard someone coming to wake all the girls up for breakfast, so I took my blanket and ducked under my blanket (at that point I would have rather been sleeping). One of the ladies who worked at Atlantis insisted I got up, but i didn't move. She grabbed my blanket off me and everyone started singing Happy Birthday to me. I was so shocked. I did not expect this at all. I was so overwhelmed with all the pageant stuff, I forgot it was my birthday! That was the best part of the entire trip! Finally, it was finals night. That night I was called into top 15! Nothing at that point could ruin my day. My one and only goal was to make top 15, anything from there would have been a blessing, but I put the entire situation in God's hands. Everything happens for a reason. Who knows maybe you'll see me again on one of those stages.

Cool things!

-My birthday was the day of the pageant.
-Sea lions and dolphins smiled, blew kisses, talked, and acted on command!
-I made top 15.
-I was put in a dance group for the opening number, and I can't dance choreography.
-I messed up the dance at every rehearsal, but not for the show!
-I won best hair by SEVENTEEN Magazine.
-I was delayed at the airport in the Bahamas for 5 hours, got stuck at the Ft. Lauderdale airport for 5 hrs., got put in a hotel for a night by the airline, had to transfer to Miami International, got transfered to another airline, and got delayed another hour, before we got home 2 days later than planned!

<3Kristen

Just can't sleep.

2009-07-25T23:21:00.000-07:00

So it is 2:30 am this Saturday night/Sunday morning, and I am still awake. I just have all this adrenaline pent up, and I just want to go on my plane to the Bahamas. Too bad I have so much to do tomorrow (which is technically today) to get ready for the Bahamas. I have been packed since last month, but now that it is coming closer to the time of departure, I've realized I have a lot more to pack LOL. On the agenda tomorrow: eyebrows, nails, hair, wedding until the a.m., come home, grab my things, and off to the airport at 3 a.m. I know you may be thinking I'm crazy for going to a wedding, but I need to stay up tomorrow night, or else I will miss my flight sleeping in. It is an indian wedding, which is something I have never been to before. I am wearing a sari and everything!! I'll post some pictures. It shall be fun!

Anyways, I will post something before I go. Hopefully I will have internet service and I will try super hard to post a blog each night for you all.

<3 Kristen

SKYDIVING! Because My Mother Told Me NOT To!

2009-07-18T20:34:00.000-07:00

Tony and I after our jump. THE END!
Landing!
Pulling the parachute. No wonder they make you sign your life away :/
Must be 18 or older to ride this ride.
Jumping out of the plane. <:o
Me and Mikey getting all ready to go! We were so rushed trying to beat the rain.
Me in my cute skydiving outfit.

*They Call It Tandem SkyDiving.

*I went to the best place to skydive in Ray, MI. It was called Midwest Skydiving..

*It was the best feeling in the world.

*I think that's all that needs to be said.

*I'll leave the rest to the pictures!

:D Kristen is happy!

It's Getting CLOSE!

2009-07-18T20:08:00.000-07:00

It's almost here-- the pageant. I have been trying very hard to prepare for it. From working out to mental preparation, I've been doing it all. Is everyone as excited as I am? Although it is not televised, I hope everybody is keeping up with what has been going on. When pageant time comes, remember, we are competing for one of the most prominent titles a teen can earn in a beauty pageant. Also keep in mind, all 51 of us are very lucky and special girls. Winner or not, we all have come so far. I cannot wait to see how it turns out. To my family and friends, keep me in your prayers! I love you all so much.

<3 Always

Kristen

OH! And make sure to check out the new website missmichiganteenusa.com Here is peek at some of the new things on the site!!

Weekend in Ohio <3 May 1- May3

2009-05-06T09:43:00.001-07:00

Posing together Ohio and Michigan Teens <3 If you look closely to the left there is another picture of us hanging on that wall!
A sneak peak from my photo shoot with Deb!
Kelsey (my roomie) and I <3
Travis and I on stage as he makes "the fine lines disappear".
Travis and I before going on stage.
Travis and I after he made me beautiful!
The happy drive there. (Nothing like the drive home lol)

Over the weekend, I took a road trip down to Cincinnati, OH to spend time with my wonderful director, Melissa! It was a long 5 hour drive with my sister, Tiffany, and my cousin, Ashton. We played road trip games and video taped ourselves singing songs-- it was hilarious. We got to Melissa's house, where we met up with Ohio Teen as well, and went to sleep right away because it was so late. We woke up extremely early, 4:30 a.m. to be exact, and got ready for a busy busy day! Macy's at Kenwood Mall was having an event with Dior, where we were scheduled to appear and be models for different makeup lines. I was a model for Travis at MAC (everyone loved him). Immediately after that, we went to meet with Deb Knoske, a local photographer and one of my judges (you can see why I love her so much), where we had a photo shoot; she even took some photos of my sister and cousin. I love Deb's photos because she likes to keep them very natural. After, we went back to Melissa's house to watch Miss Teen USA 2008 and really analyzed it. Oh, yeah! And just when we thought we were ready to go to bed at 12 a.m., Melissa was sure to get us up for walking lessons! It was really fun though. The next morning we woke up really late. I worked out, and by the time I was done Melissa's husband made me the most amazing smoothie in the world! Because of him, on the way home I stopped at Bed Bath and Beyond and got myself a Magic Bullet! Overall, I had a great weekend... Minus the long drive home!

<3 Kristen

VEGAS! Miss USA 2009

2009-04-26T10:40:00.000-07:00

A few of the other teens, Trump's son, and me!
Me, Miss Photogenic (Jessi, Miss West Virginia), and Ohio Teen <3
YEAH! Michigan
Nevada teen, me, and Kentucky Teen <3
At fashion rocks!
My new best friend and Ohio Teen
Arriving at the airport.. look what I SAWW!

Going to Vegas, I sacrificed my week to study for final exams that I had to take the day I got back. I have to say, it sure was worth it. Miss Ohio teen and I had a lot of fun attending the True Beauty Expo, fashion rocks, Planet Hollywood's pool and after party, and many meetings with our directors. While in Vegas, we also took some photos with Deb Knoske who is SO GOOD its scary! And the pageant itself, was so surreal. I can't explain what it feels like when you know that is what you are going to be doing in a few months. It's really hitting me now. My lovely Miss Michigan-- I could not be more proud of her. Even after the pageant, she was still very grateful and happy that she had that opportunity and did not let anything effect her, proving again that everyone is a winner!

I want to take this time to say I hope everyone comes to the Miss Teen USA pageant on JULY 31, 2009 at the Atlantis Resort in the Bahamas. Get YOUR PASSPORTS ready!

<3 Kristen

Carter Studio Photoshoot

2009-03-07T06:57:00.000-08:00

Over the weekend, Heather and Jonathan Carter informed me that my proofs were ready. I have never been happier with photos, hair, and makeup! I think they did an awesome job. Here are a few!

<3 Kristen

Lasik eye surgery update!

2009-03-07T06:54:00.001-08:00

I got my surgery and it was the best thing I have ever done in my life. My recovery is going really well. The first day was a disaster. My eyes were burning and I couldnt even open them, but the doctor told me that was going to happen. I wanted to cry but I was so scared to because it literally felt like my eye balls would fall out, lol. It's hard to take showers and I have to wear sunglasses all day, but I started to feel MUCH better the nextj day. I will not fully recover for another week and a half, but I could not be happier about doing it.

<3 Kristen

Lasik Eye Surgery

2009-03-02T15:49:00.000-08:00

This Wednesday I am getting Lasik surgery on my eyes. I am so nervous. One of my biggest fears is going blind. I do, although, have the privilege to go to one of the best doctos.. in fact he was the first person in North America to perform this surgery on near-sited people (which is what I am), so that relieves a lot of my stress. In the meantime, I am praying for a successful surgery and recovery. Please pray for me as well. I'm sure many of you have gone through surgery as well and know the feeling, but I haven't and I can use your prayers. Thank you!

<3 Kristen

So Much To Do In Pittsburgh

2009-03-02T15:32:00.001-08:00

Don Baker, me, and my fabbbbbulous director!

Me, Miss Ohio, and Miss Michigan

Michigan, Ohio, Pennsylvania, and West Virginia girls

My photo shoot with Carter Studios. The best photographers I have EVER worked with!

Me and Chelsea Cooley (Miss USA 2005)

Pittsburgh was so much fun. We met with Chelsea Cooley, Miss USA 2005, Don Baker, a communications guru, AT Dunn, a fitness guru, and our directors to prepare even more for our pageants. They had such important keys to success at our national pageants. These people are the best of the best at what they do, and we have our directors to thank for the time they gave us with them. It was such a fun, relaxing, bonding experience. We had a mock interview session with mock judges, and later had a dinner with the judges. During the weekend, I took photos by Carter Studios. They did everything from the photos to my makeup. I was more than pleased. At the end of this weekend I was so relieved to be at a hotel that was connected to the airport; it allowed me to leave 20 minutes before my flight took off. Unfortunately, I lost my phone and my luggage on the way home (I ended up getting them back two days later!)

<3 Kristen

Fox 2 News

2009-03-02T14:54:00.000-08:00

Video Clip from Fox 2

Working Out.

Posing with the Fox 2 news anchor, Kerrie Trompics, and a future contestant in the Miss Michigan Pageant

I had my 5 minutes of fame on Fox 2. I got my makeup done by Barbara Deyo at Touch Salon (I know what your thinking, who wears makeup to the gym.. it was being filmed!). She did a great job. Kerrie Trompics, who usually trains pageant girls, was the trainer in the video clip. She is tough but the things I love about her 1. She talks the whole time making time go by fast 2) She is very hands on 3) You really feel the burn, I mean REALLY! and 4) She really knows what she is talking about. Everything was filmed at Snap Fitness in Birmingham which has a very modern and downtown/city feel. This event was definitely different from the norm and I loved it. I think the video clip explains the rest. Enjoy!

<3 Kristen

Give Kids a Smile, U of D Mercy

2009-03-02T14:42:00.001-08:00

My "kid" for the day and me, in my sisters scrubs. Feb. 7, 2009

Give Kids a Smile was a spur of the moment thing that I did. Although I didn't go into it as Miss Michigan Teen USA, I still want to share about it. Give Kids a Smile is an event that takes place all around the country, where dental providers perform dental work at no cost for underprivileged children. In Detroit, it took place at my sisters school, the University of Detroit Mercy Dental School. I went with her that morning and I had a 5 year old little girl who was bouncing off the walls, she was so excited. My job was to stay with her the entire day as she was moving from station to station getting worked on. I had so much fun, with my sister helping out. I plan to go back to the school because I am hearing that there is another event to take place, possibly called Give Adults a Smile. Same concept, but with adults.

<3 Kristen

Pageant Bootcamp!! Jan 2-Jan 4

2009-03-02T14:13:00.000-08:00

Sorry, I know it has been a while since I've updated my blog. Keeping up with school and the pageant consumes my life. Now that I am on spring break for school, I am going to fill the huge void. :D

The Ohio girls and the Michigan girls at the airport waiting to go home!

Nashville! Oh boy! I was very tired that weekend, yet felt, still, very fortunate to have had the opportunity to go to Nashville for training. I titled this entry pageant bootcamp because it was literally bootcamp. For the entire weekend I probably got a total of 10 hours of sleep. Over the course of the weekend we had extensive training with walking guru Kent Parham. I really learned the dynamics of walking and presenting on stage.. and it is not as easy as it looks.. I PROMISE! We also participated in a fashion show at a bridal expo. It was very strange to put on a wedding dress. That weekend I became very close with title holders from Ohio, Georgia, and Tennessee (all beautiful). Overall, the experience was memorable and very effective.

<3 Kristen

The ARC of Livingston's Celebrity Holiday Fashion Show and Live Auction

2008-11-25T10:05:00.000-08:00

My sidekick and me! Love her <3

My cousin Ashton, Drew Henson from the Detroit Lions, and Me

All the ladies for the final walk <3

We did not even plan on matching. How ironic!

Chris and I before our first walk down the stage!

My cousin Ashton and I were guests at this years ARC Fashion Show. (You will probably be hearing a lot about my cousin Ashton, she is my sidekick! LOL.) It was snowing all night. It made a normal drive there go from one hour to three.I was actually a model for this as well. I guess every year a guy named Chris walks with the Miss Michigan's, and this year I carried on that tradition. He encouraged me not to be nervous, and his positivity helped me not to be. There I met a lot of prominent people. The organization is to serve those with development disabilities. This cause hit home because in junior high and high school I was always surrounded with people who had development disabilities. A lot of them were my friends and I loved talking to them because it is almost like they do not see any bad in the world. They are always happy and I admire that because I would do anything to be like that. This has probably been one of the funnest events yet! I hope I can attend it again next year!

<3 Kristen

Sister's Hope Pretty n' Pink

2008-11-25T09:32:00.000-08:00

My friend Mandy and I in our dresses that we modeled!

Me modeling a casual outfit during the fashion show. All clothing was sponsored by Clothing Cove!

On Wed. September 19, 2009 I went to attend the Sister's Hope Pretty N' Pink Breast Cancer Fashion Show. A good friend of mine, Mandy, called me and asked me if I would model for the event; it was such a great cause that I went and missed school for it. The lady I met there, Mary Wood, was so welcoming and so enthusiastic about the entire event. When you are around people like that, you can't help but to want to be the same way in return. The whole morning and afternoon was just relaxing and fulfilling. The lady who the whole organization was made for has passed away from a battle with breast cancer; I met her daughter who is so insightful. She gave a speech which brought tears rolling down my cheeks; I could not help myself. She really is a strong girl. With that, I am posting their website for everyone to visit. I do think it has potential to be very big and could work wonders!
http://sistershope.org/index.html

Oh, yeah! And they had a really great photographer taking pictures with a really cool border. I will try to scan them and put them up soon! For now enjoy!

<3 Kristen

Nov. 7-8 Michigan Festivals and Events Association and Kalamazoo's Annual Christmas Parade!

2008-11-09T18:23:00.000-08:00

Some of the characters in the parade.

The police crew took us back to our hotel because it was too cold to walk!

Lindsey and I infront of the car we rode in!

A precious little girl wearing my crown!

Tonight was a night of many firsts. It was my first official event after being crowned, it was my first time being in a parade, and it was the first time I met with my director and my partner in crime, Miss Michigan, since the pageant. First, I drove out of my way to pick Lindsey up from her house down the street... but anything for her! We headed out at around 9 a.m. to Kalamazoo. The drive there was a great bonding experience. We got to our hotel and had 5 minutes, literally, to get ready for a luncheon. There Lindsey sang and I spoke briefly to the audience. We then headed up to a private suite where there was a party for special guests. We headed down to a place where there was a booth set up and we got to sign our new autograph cards. It was so surreal; I kind of felt famous for a second. We went to bed early that night to prepare for the morning we had ahead of us. The next morning we woke up for the Christmas Parade. It was around 65 degrees the first day and below freezing point the next day with snow drizzling. That's Michigan weather for you! It was so cold, but Lindsey and I pulled it through and rode down the path in the Volkswagon Convertibles they had for us, sponsored by Maple Hill Auto Group. After the parade, we ate lunch at an All-American Restaurant. Finally, we headed home that day at around 5 p.m. The drive home was so comfortable because Lindsey and I really connected. This event gave us a lot of appreciation for the people who coordinate all the events in Michigan that have become so popular and fun! Thank You MFEA and the City of Kalamazoo!

<3 Kristen

The Night I WON!

2008-10-17T08:18:00.000-07:00

Elizabeth Hawthorne (Miss Michigan Teen USA 2008) and I after she crowned me. I don't think anyone could have handled the responsibility of this job better than she did!

Taking pictures, waiting for Miss Michigan USA to start!

The girls from Top 15!

Miss Michigan USA 2009, Lindsey Tycholiz and me after I put the sash around her.

We found out we live across from each other, on the same street, in Sterling Heights! This picture is priceless!

Immediately after I won!

2009 Diamond Group <3>

in this group! It's been known to be good luck!

Top 5 minus one girl (Danielle Goike)!

Hi, everyone! I guess I should start my blog off by sharing my experience of winning Miss Michigan Teen USA 2009. I remember everything, but I will try not to get too carried away, although at times it's hard to hold myself back. I walked in the first morning and felt so out of place because every single girl there had family or friends with them to cheer them on. Unfortunately, my mom and close friend couldn't make it until later that evening. I went into it thinking everyone was going to be for themselves when, to my surprise, I realized all the girls there were so welcoming to one another. With that said, I encourage any girl to get into this sort of stuff because I know a lot of good friends and experiences could be made through it. I was titled Miss Sterling Heights for the weekend. I have to admit, it was not all rainbows and butterflies. During rehearsals my dress was getting stuck to everything. I had to literally CUT my dress with scissors to make it work. I was running on 4 hours of sleep each night. Worst of all, I could not see my mom at all, which is very hard for me because my mom and I are inseparable. My two closest friends were Danielle and Samantha which is very ironic because my middle name is Samantha and my last name is Danielle. These two girls moved forward with me to top 15. It was so nerve wrecking because all the girls I made the strongest bonds with were being called for top 15 and I was so proud of them, but I thought i was not going to get called. I got called 14th and at that point, I felt accomplished. I would not have minded if that's where i placed the last time. I moved on to top 5 to mine and my family's surprise. It was weird because there were girls who have been doing it for years that I thought for sure would make it before me. I was asked an onstage question, "Do you think shows like Gossip Girl are influential to teens today?" I replied, "Yes, but i don't think the girls portray positive role models. There should be more shows with role models that display good intentions directed towards teens."I could not have been asked a better question because I stand so strong on that belief. Immediately after, finalists were called. They called 4th runner up which I was sure I would have been. My name wasn't called. They kept counting down the finalists and I was so surprised to not have heard my name by then. Finally, it was the last girl and me. My mom always reminds me of the time when it was just us to standing and I looked towards her like... What the heck is going on I'm so confused. Finally, they called runner up which wasn't me, meaning I won. I did not know how to react. I couldn't laugh, I couldn't cry. I felt frozen. My mom, brother, and best friend ran up to me. My mom is very bad at showing her emotions and I've never seen her in so much joy like she was that night. That's when I started crying. I felt like I made her proud. She reassured me when she said, "Kristen, this is what I've always dreamt for you." I got more gratitude out of that than the whole night. As Miss Michigan Teen USA 2009 I put the sash on Miss Michigan USA 2009 who ironically lives right across the street from me. It was too much fun. I know I said I was going to try and not write a lot, but I cant help myself. In all, I love the Miss Teen USA system. The people all around me were always helpful and caring. I loved the judges and my pageant director, along with her husband, who I got to meet up close and personal. Most of all, I learned a great deal of respect for pageants. I had the greatest opportunity to gain confidence, meet great friends, and make a memory that will last a lifetime!

P.S. My next blogs will not drag on as much I PROMISE! <3

Love Always,

Kristen