With Luke, one of the first guests! He was extremely kind and helped me get warmed up on my finger spelling!
I honestly do not think I could have asked for a better weekend! Friday got it off to a great start because I was able to attend a Decades Dance sponsored by the Metro Regional Program for Children Who are Deaf and Hard of Hearing. I had so much fun dressing up in 90's clothes, but I also loved the activities at the dance!
Slow Dance
After the kids ate, they started dancing to classics such as Elvis and the Grease Soundtrack, but they also enjoyed modern music such as Taylor Swift and Justin Beiber! The only thing the kids seemed uninterested in dancing to were the slow songs. So I dragged some of the kids on the dance floor, got them into a big circle, and got them swaying together and singing along dramatically with the song - they seemed to love it and didn't skip a slow song again! I even got asked to slow dance once by a young man named Michael - I am pretty sure he has had lessons too because he knew the hand placements!
Picture Time!
Hula Hoop Contest!
Besides the dancing, the kids also got to have their pictures taken and had fun with several activities throughout the night! The first activity was hula hooping. I watched the kids compete in the contest with immense ease when I heard "Oh princess..." I'm pretty sure my face turned bright red - hula hooping really isn't my forte! I got up and joined in the fun anyways, lasting maybe 5 seconds! The kids had a great time though and cheered me on anyways!
The kids also played a game in which the boys stood on one side, the girls stood on the other, and the sides took turns leading the other side through the passageway they created. It started off with the girls picking a way to move through their peers and the boys following, but it quickly changed to the boys leading. This is when it really hit me - at any normal middle or high school dance, the kids would make fun of the way someone a little different danced down the aisle or mock them. These kids followed along no matter how silly or awkward the moves were and seemed to enjoy themselves the entire time.
At this time I realized that I have NEVER been in a room full of that much loving, kindness, and acceptance. I found myself sitting back several times throughout the night with a slight smile on my face thinking how lucky I was to take part in this activity and spend time with such wonderful people!
I was also incredibly excited when I realized that I was able to carry out an entire conversation without ever opening my mouth! My goal this year is to become conversational in sign language, so this was a huge accomplishment for me!
Overall, the dance reminded me exactly what I am working for and re-energized my work for my platform. I cannot wait to travel this state, and hopefully this nation, to spread the message of hearing loss prevention and awareness!
Saturday morning I woke up and started getting ready for the Polar Plunge, it was once again time to plunge into freezing cold water to raise money and awareness for the Special Olympics! As I moved about, getting things ready and putting on my swimsuit, shirt, and yoga pants, I thought back to my experience last year.
Plungers run all the way out to the mannequin
Last year was my first experience ever taking the plunge and I remember thinking it was a great once-in-a-lifetime experience. I even remember questioning why anyone would do this more than once. Yet, I somehow found myself asking some of my sister queens to join me and plunge for the cause. Charissa Hauge, Miss Heartland, and Kalyssa Hoeffer, Miss Star City joined me Saturday morning walking around in the cold and enjoying the excitement radiating from all of the plungers. 
I was so happy to spend the morning with these ladies!
Kalyssa and I before the plunge
Running into the frigid water
Running out!
I think that is what brings people back every year - the energy and charity that is evident at the event is beyond many others. This is a group of people truly interested in making a difference and willing to go outside of their comfort zone to support those who deserve it!
Team Shivering Star Wars
Just Monkeying Around! ;)
Special Olympics Polar Bear
After plunging last year, I thought I knew exactly what to expect and wasn't very worried as we prepared to start the days festivities as the first ones in! I quickly found out that plunging on your own is a lot different than plunging with others! The water was colder than I had expected and I had forgotten how muddy and sticky the lake bed was. I had trouble getting started and I got stuck a few times, but it was totally worth the experience!
One of the Special Olympics Board Members - what a brave soul!
I am so happy that I went back to support the Special Olympics and I am thrilled that Charissa and Kalyssa joined me! It made the experience even better and I know they enjoyed it too!
Mario Kart!
Before the plunge I asked one woman if she would mind using my camera to capture some pictures while we plunged and she kindly agreed. After the plunge (and changing into dry clothes!), I went back out to thank the lady and get my camera back. I started panicking a little when I couldn't find her. I did eventually find her, but the girls had already headed out by the time I was ready to go. On the way out, I happened to get stopped and interviewed by two news stations!
The interviews are posted below - enjoy :)
Hundreds Brave Icy Waters for Charity - www.kmtv.com
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