^^^^^^^^^^^ MY CMN Goal is REACHED ^^^^^^^^^^^^

Thanks to my recent sponsor(s) that have helped me reach my CMN Goal of $400.00 I am so excited that I have made that goal! Its one goal I have successfully accomplished and on to the next goal of winning the local title that will put me on the Miss Ohio stage next June. So wish me luck!!


Thanks to my new sponsor Sheree Silcox for her generous donation to CMN and for reaching my CMN GOAL!!!


<3 Jess

*****************NEW WINNERS*****************

New WInners tonite:

Miss Maumee Valley - Kristy Moneysmith
Miss All-American City - Becky Minger Also Talent and Interview Winner
Miss Fallen Timbers - Courtney Monk

1st RU Emily Pheils
2nd RU Whitney Fricke

Miss MV OT - Sophie Carter
Miss AAC OT - Sarah Eash

Costume Winner - Whitney Fricke

Congrats!!

^^^^^^^^^^^^Thanks to my New SPONSOR^^^^^^^^^^

A great big Thank you and HUG to my big brother for sponsoring me for CMN.... I am so close to my goal and I am so excited. I only need $35.00 more to reach my goal.... This is so Amazing! Thanks to all my family and friends for believing in me.

New Sponsor:
Thanks to Chris Bauer, my Big brother

<3 Jess

^^^^^^^^^^MORE SPONSORS^^^^^^^^^^^

Thanks to another Sponsor for the Children's Miracle Network......and the Toledo Area Humane Society with a generous gift to both. I appreciate it very much for your support of me competing in the Miss Ohio Scholarship Program and also for sponsoring my Platform P.E.T.S. - Promoting Education, Training and Safety of Pets. - My Paws for Pets Campaign.....Dog $ Days!!!

William & Alison Blondheim ( my Cousins)

Thanks to everyone supporting me right now.... this is fantastic!! I am so excited for Miss Maumee Valley this Saturday! I promise I will do my best to bring the crown home for all of you!!!

<3 Jess

^^^^^^^^^^^More Sponsors^^^^^^^^^^

Again Thanks to my recent SPONSORS..... I really aprreciate your help

Aunt Marlene and Uncle Fran - also sponsored my Platform P.E.T.S. with a generous donation.
Grandma & Doc Engle

My BFF - Sarah Scrozynski

and proceeds from all who participated in the Hair cut special through Artistic Creations and Miss Ritchie Go.....

Still need to reach my goal of $400.00 so thanks to those who have donated and its close I think I need $95.00 still so if you are able to help I would appreciate it very much. Every little bit helps.

Miss Maumee Valley is only 6 days away and I am so excited to be competing again this year. Looking forward to a great day with great Directors. Wish me luck!! I love to hear from all my friends and family.

<3 Jess

^^^^^^^^^ SPONSORS ^^^^^^^^^^ To the rescue!!

As another preliminary rapidly approaches I find myself trying to get sponsors again to cover the required CMN fee so I can compete. I feel like I am begging, which I absolutely hate, but hopeful that family, friends and business's will be generous and help me to reach my goal of going to the Miss Ohio stage next June. I wish that raising the CMN fee wasn't such a struggle. I could use a little less stress in my life right now than worrying about rather I can raise the money to compete. I find campaigning for my platform is a lot easier to raise money than getting donations for CMN. WHy? CMN is a valid charity and people donate to charities all the time, so why is it hard to get a donation to CMN through my donation page. You can only ask family, friends or business's so many times before you feel like your harassing them. :((( not fun!! I tried a different approach by asking for $1 donations from everyone I know. Donating more than $1 is appreciated, but hopeful that the average person could at least afford $1 and donate that $1 toward CMN and/or my Platform cause as well. Hopefully donating dollars is more affordable for everyone rather than asking for large amounts. At this point, any amount is greatly appreciated.

I guess it could be worse, but why not make it easier on the contestants? Its not enough that we have to pay for clothing, gowns and accessories, swimsuits, interview suits, and talent preparations with lessons ie costumes, photography plus traveling expenses. Sometimes its not just a one-time expense but multiple expense until you get the right combination of items...... Who can afford to purchase a new gown every prelim?? Most contestants are probably like me, a POOR College student!! But as robotic as it seems we strive to get the perfect combination of clothing and coaching to win that prelim title for fulfilling the DREAM of going to MISS OHIO and then starting all over again preparing and the insanity goes on and on.... lol Thank goodness for sponsors that support us and help us to achieve our Dreams!! Dreams can be so costly without any guarantee of ever being fulfilled But without our DREAM what do we have?? Its what DREAMS are made of that keep us moving forward in life. We Dream of being Miss Ohio/America, We Dream of being College Graduates, we DREAM of having a stable career, we DREAM of getting married to that perfect man, we Dream of having a beautiful home and raising a Family, we DREAM of having a happy Life right? We DREAM, and DREAM and DREAM!!!!!! We have to DREAM then all we can do is work hard to achieve and Hope that all our hard work pays off in the end and our DREAMS come true!!

So Again, I want to take this time to thank all my previous sponsors listed on the sidebar. Plus a NEW Thank You to the donations I have received today from my Aunt Marlene and Uncle Fran who have supported me every year (Third time for Miss Maumee Valley/Northwestern Ohio) since I have started competing. Also THANKS to my grandma and Doc for their donation today. I really appreciate your sponsorship and hope you can come to see me compete at one of the upcoming prelims that I am planning to do. Your SUPPORT means the world to me! :))

++++ YAY!!!! Heather Waterman - New Miss Clayland

Congrats to the new Miss Clayland - Heather Waterman
winning Ray King Talent and Interview Award

1st RU - Kristy Moneysmith
2nd RU - Sherry El Sakr

Community Service Scholarship Winner - Danielle Henry

Contestants: Heather Waterman, Kristy Moneysmith, Sherry El Sakr, Danielle Henry, Ashley Bowman and Samantha Hartings

CONGRATS NEW MISS PORTSMOUTH

Congrats to the new Miss Portsmouth Anna Reis

1st RU Nicole Iezzi-Blessing

Well.... things can go real Good and then goooo real bad!! BLAH!!!

Well I have been super busy since the UT vs OSU game. The night before the game we spent the evening in Cleveland at Crocker Park. The Cheesecake Factory was awesome... all the P-lows (Piccolo's and Flutes) enjoyed an evening shopping and then eating out together. On Saturday, we lost the game as most of you know by now. I wasn't as much disappointed in losing the game to OSU as I was at how the OSU fans treated us. Being an OSU Buckeye fan myself I was really disappointed in the way OSU fans talked to us and heckled our UT Band. Now granted I know we aren't as good as OSU's Marching Band because they are awesome but we don't pretend to be better, either. I have seen them perform before this game at a concert at Stranahan Theatre in Toledo. and was so excited to see them perform on the field the day of the game for the first time ever in person. Its just awesome!!! FYI, majority of UT's fans and band members are OSU fans as well. My mom wore UT Rockets shirt because I asked her to to support the Rockets which she did but she also wore a buckeyes necklace and wore the flashing OSU sunglasses I bought her too!

But the fans that were around the UT Band that day, told us that we sucked, to just shut up and sit there and not play. That we should pack it in and go home now because we are losers who can't make a good sound, etc ....... and the list goes on. It was very offensive and rude to be heckled that badly by a group of people loyal to OSU. Unknown to them just because we go to UT doesn't mean that we aren't supportive of our Buckeyes too! To be truthful here guys, we were treated better by University of Michigan Wolverine fans last year and UT Rockets beat them. That says a lot!! As a Ohioan I was very ashamed of my fellow Ohioans that day for the way they acted. When you sit there and say we are from O-H-I-O.... well so am I. Toledo is in Ohio too! I am a Buckeye too! So if any Ohio State fans read this please consider how you talk and treat the opposing teams. Its okay to be loyal and even have a rivalry with the opposing teams but lets be competitive with character and class and not with the low class mentality that we received during the game.

Now.... then after the game, the UT Marching Band made a guest appearance at Lakewood High School Marching Show and that was a lot of fun, even though we were all tired. It was nice having parents of HS band members say how awesome we were and that we are good roll models for HS students. It kind of made up for the mean things earlier in the day. Yea... Sarah Eash I was at your home town school and didn't know it until afterwards, but it was really nice and we were met with kindness and support from all the fans. Thanks!!

Since then, I have been working, going to school Mon-Fri and trying to get ready to compete again coming up. I had received a personal invitation to rush for greek week and after my interview I did receive a bid for Kappa Kappa Psi. Yay!!! I am so excited to be a part of it. Its something I never thought I would ever do.... didn't think I was the Sorority type girl lol. I guess there's a first time for everything. But.... just the beginning for me.

I was to walk for the Race for the Cure in honor of my second mom, Kathy Sroczynski, my best friends mom who passed away Miss Ohio night June 20, 2009 from Cancer. I had to work late the night before or early am and didn't get to do the walk which I was so disappointed but my heart and spirit was with Kathy's family and friends who did. I am one of Kathy's Krusaders even if its in thought and spirit.

What's new?? I find myself without any wheels.....the transmission in my car just went out so now we are gonna rebuild it and if that doesn't work then I will have to get a new car. Sucks being without a car for now. I love my car and so upset its broken!!

Well lots going on this weekend..... Miss Portsmouth is Saturday, so good luck to all competing, have a fun day!! Then on Sunday is forum for Miss Northwestern Ohio in Defiance. I will be working tonite and then I have then weekend off to try to catch up on everything I am behind on.... so have a great fall weekend!! Until my next update God Bless!! <3 Jess

WEEKEND..... yay!!!

I am so excited for this weekend..... we are leaving tomorrow afternoon for Cleveland. We (The UT Rocket Marching Band) will be staying at a hotel in Crocker Park area and spending the evening in Crocker Park shopping and dinner. Then Saturday is the BIG game at the Cleveland Browns Stadium between U of Toledo Rockets and Ohio State Buckeyes, which begins at 12 noon. Then later we will be traveling to Lakewood High School for a performance at their band show! It will be a great weekend... check back later for pics and update on my weekend.

Random photos from prelims

me at Miss Mansfield with my celeb date.....


These pics are from Miss Maple City.....
me and Alicia Hugyhe

me and Ashley Miller

me and Miss Ohio 2007 Roberta Camp

me and Ashley Warholic

me and Heather Wells

me and Emily Pheils

me and Ashleigh Lemon

Miss Maple City Contestants: Stephanie Rogers, Ashleigh Lemon, Courtney Monk, me Emily Pheils, Ashley Miller, Jen Ciccone and Ashley Warholic

Courtney Monk, Me and Ashleigh Lemon

Congratulations to Ellen Bryan

Congrats Ellen on winning the new Miss Miami Valley local this weekend in Dayton.

Congratulations Becky

Congrats Becky on making Top 11 at Sweetheart pageant this weekend!!

Good Luck

Good Luck to Becky Minger who is competing at Sweetheart pageant this weekend and also to the contestants competing in the Miss Miami Valley today.

BACK TO SCHOOL .....

BACK TO SCHOOL........

Well the past couple of weeks has been eventful, as I have been working almost everyday up until this week. Band Camp has started and I am there from dawn to dusk. I didn't think I missed it that much until we were all together again at camp and it rejuvenated my spirit of love for band and music. I am playing the Piccolo again this year. We have 4 returning from last year and 8 new Freshman and incoming upperclassmen new to UT RMB. Our first home game is 9/11 against Colorado and will be televised on ESPN so watch us if you can or see you at the game ROCKET fans!!

My bbf Kate, has started Chemo this week and I am so worried about her. If anyone wants please say an extra prayer for her healing and strength. My other BFF, Sarah is doing fair after the passing of her mom, Kathy. Kathy passed away the day of Miss Ohio finals. Kathy was also a good friend of my moms and she was like a second mom to me. So, I dedicated my talent song to Kathy at Miss WCO and that same night, Sarah and her family were at Crystal Lake in Michigan where they laid Kathy to rest in her final resting place. What a wonderful tribute to a great lady who is dearly loved and missed. :(

It's hard to believe that classes start Monday. I have the usual Biology and Chemistry. I am also taking an English class, Intro to Jazz (elective) and Marching Band = full load. I will continue working part time at my job even though it will only be a couple days a week. I have classes Mon-Fri.

I am working on things for competition to improve and have started a new work-out program. I know about the bashing of me and my mom on the voy board and we don't really care what people have to say. We realize that I will be criticized for something, no matter what I do right or wrong and mom will be bashed for defending me. What is most important is how I feel about myself and my accomplishments. Which I feel really good about things in my life right now and the improvements I have accomplished. I have dropped another size in my jeans and I am ecstatic, my hard work has been paying off since this is 2 sizes since the first of the year.

It has been my dream to be Miss Ohio, from the first time I met a Miss Ohio, Ellen Pasturzak, when I was 5 years old and I got my picture taken with her. I have been preparing my whole life for this, from kiddie pageants to modeling classes, voice lessons, dance classes, endless photo sessions, mock interview sessions and practicing smiling. It is my goal to be Miss Ohio and I am working hard to improve myself to achieve this goal. If it doesn't happen and I never become Miss Ohio it will not be because I didn't try or give my best each time, but because I believe God has a different plan for me. At Miss WCO, KayLani Rae Rafko-Wilson made that point in one of her many inspirational talks and it hit so close to home. I believe that to be true in everyday life no matter what goal you try to achieve. There are other benefits to being involved in the MAO program such as scholarship money, interview experience, working with charities, raising money and promoting something you believe in, keeping healthy and physical fit, getting to look like a Princess at times and the wonderful people I have met so far and new friendships I have made. That all = Priceless!!!!

Hope to see you all soon! God Bless!!

<3 Jess

Pics of me from recent Prelims

From Miss Greater Cleveland/Miss Cuyahoga County Prelim view photos at :
http://www.farrophotography.com/shoppingcart/sessionproofing.php?action=login

I am in the following photos: 022, 094, 218, 220, 223, 347, 350, 467, 473, 475, 490, 491, 492, 496, 497, 499, 506, 507, 509, 512, 513, 518, 551, 556, 558, 561, 563, 564, 566, 568

For Miss West Central Ohio/Miss Lima Square Fair view photos at:
http://roarkstudios.com/wco/

I am in the following photos: DSC 5, 6, 7, 26, 27, 87, 88, 89, 90, 196, 197, 198, 199, 200, 201, 202, 203, 281, 282, 283, 284, 285, 314, 315, 354, 355, 356, 375, 404, 405

I will try to post my photos soon... that mom took, which includes from Miss North Coast and Miss Ohio 2009.

<3 Jess

Congrats to the winners......

Friday night two more young ladies win local titles securing a spot at Miss Ohio next June.

Congratulations to the winners:

Miss Lima Square Fair - Shannon O'Neill
& Talent & Interview winner

1st RU - Kristy Moneysmith & SS Winner

Miss West Central Ohio - Katie Bowen
& Interview Winner

1st RU - Stephanie Spitnale & Talent Winner

2nd RU - Katie Ulrich & People's Choice

3rd RU - Courtney Monk

SS Winner - Devon Stansbury

I was excited as I got to meet and talk with Miss America 1988 - Kay Lani Rae Rafko. She's so awesome and an inspiring person to be around... Got pics will add when I can.

Miss WCO & Miss Lima Square Fair

It's tomorrow....will be there at 9 am....so time to get some beauty sleep!!

I am really looking forward to competing tomorrow at Miss Lima Square Fair. A year ago after watching Miss WCO I was so jealous that I couldn't compete there because of being a closed system. My mom and I told Leslie then that we wished it was open so I could compete and look I got my wish!! Weird how some things work out, and I am so excited about being a part of this production. Win or lose this will be my last competition for awhile due to my college schedule and commitments with Marching Band. Even with all that I will be continually preparing for the next competition!!!

I wanted to take a moment to thank everyone for their love and support. Also thanks to all my SPONSORS, without your kind generosity I wouldn't be able to compete. Thanks again to Kale Chevalier for sponsoring me a second time and Bobby Davis for this weekend. I promise I will do my best and I won't let you down!!

Wish me luck!!

<3 Jess
\^^^/

Miss WCO & Miss Lima Square Fair

I'll be in Lima tomorrow for rehearsal for Friday's Big show.... still trying to raise money for the Children's Miracle Network so if anyone wants to help me reach that goal please donate to http://www.missamerica4kids.org/m.aspx?i=127939FFA+975CA89

On another heart to heart note....It seems every time I compete I have a positive-negative experience. The negative aspect of it is the feeling of loss. The feeling like I listen to advice, I make changes, I work hard and constantly improving myself and then nothing at the end of the day, no result for all the hard work. My parents remind me that I am a Nelson. Things do not come easy for us, we struggle, we work hard and have to follow all the rules in order to get ahead or for things to actually go our way! BUT Eventually it will all work out for the best and all the hard work pays off BUT the journey there is full of ups and downs. Its the journey that we learn from and grow! So the positive side to all of this is that in the end when the time is right it will be my time and I will shine! Mom keeps reminding me that God has a plan for me. I may not understand it and it may not turn out the way I want but in time he will reveal all to me. It will happen... and all my dreams will come true BUT In the meantime I need to believe that my moment will happen and keep the faith.

SO..... this Friday....at the Lima Civic Center come see me shine!

<3 Jess

Miss West Central Ohio & Miss Lima Square Fair

Friday at the Lima Civic Center I will be competing for Miss Lima Square Fair. There are 11 girls competing for MIss WCO and 4 for Miss Lima Square Fair. If you have nothing to do come support me and the other contestants as we compete to win the crown and our way to the Miss Ohio stage next June. The doors open at 7 and the show starts at 8. Its a BIG production..... it will be televised and should be a great show! Tickets are $15. I do have 10 tickets in my possession if you want to attend you can purchase from me, just let me know. Contact me via facebook....

I also need a sponsor for this pageant. Any business or individual interested in sponsoring me for this please contact me. I still need to raise money for the Children's Miracle Network. Please donate to a great cause and support me at http://www.missamerica4kids.org/m.aspx?i=127939FFA+975CA89

Wish me luck.... can send me goodluck wishes via facebook.....I will see them faster!!


Thanks <3 Jess

The New Miss North Coast 2009

Congrats to the The new Miss North Coast 2009 - Sarah Hider

1st RU is Heather Wells

Swimsuit - Heather Wells
Non-finalist Talent Alicia Hugyhe

I had a really fun day competing at North Coast. Thanks to Sarah, Alicia, Brandi and Heather for making the day fun and a good day competing. A great group to be around. Everyone there was very supportive and encouraging which makes for a very positive experience overall. The judges were very supportive and very nice to talk to during interview and even afterwards. I can't say I wasn't disappointed in not winning because that would be a lie and I appreciate all the kinds words and praise. I am trying to be patient but it is very frustrating at the same time. Anyways before I say anything else I am going to put this one behind me as well and move on.....one more try yet this coming weekend so will post more later on it. <3 Jess

Miss North Coast

Miss North Coast is Saturday at Brunswick High School Performing Arts Center.

There are 5 contestants :
Brandi Herceg, Alicia Hugyhe, Sarah Hider, Heather Wells and me.

Looking forward to a great weekend with a great group of ladies and friends. See you there!!

Thanks to my sponsors for making this possible for me to compete:

Tim Newton, Oliver Arnold III, and Kale Chevalier