Keep your eye on the grand old flag!

Happy Independence Day, everyone! I hope that you’ll all have the opportunity to join family and friends in celebrating our nation’s birthday! My sincere thanks to the brave men and women serving in our military, who continue to stand by America’s side and fight to protect our freedoms!

Though I have not made any appearances since my last post (how strange!), the past seven days have been both exciting and marked by personal achievements and new experiences. Yesterday, I completed my summer psychology course which means that: A) I am schoolwork-free until September!!!!  B) I can now tell you a thing or two about adolescent thought and behavior patterns. Not far out of the teenage years myself however, I think my own observational studies gave me near-expert status on the topic of adolescence long before starting the course….  

I’ve also gotten back into biking lately and I’ve appreciated the great weather that we’ve had over the past few weeks as it’s allowed me to take daily rides along the ocean and the Saco River. I’m truly blessed to have grown up in such an incredible area. Members of this community are friendly and supportive and the landscape is absolutely beautiful, especially in the summertime! If you’ve never been to Maine, July is definitely the time to visit. Spend the day with First Chance Whale Watch in Kennebunkport, head to Portland’s Old Port for a night out, bring the kids to Old Orchard Beach, take a hike in Acadia National park, and do some shopping in Bar Harbor. I guess I’m just in a Patriotic mood on this Independence Day, proud of my country and proud of my state. 

Now, for the most exciting part of the week: My first fashion photo shoot! On Friday, Meredith Brockington, an RIT student and fellow Thornton Academy graduate, took me into the Saco Island/North Dam Mill area for a SUPER fun shoot. Meredith is a fabulous photographer! The new pictures will be a fabulous addition to my portfolio, which also includes photos by Tess Johnson , the incredible photographer who took all of my official crown and gown shots! 

 Photographer: Meredith Brockington

So, what’s next? There are several pageants taking place over the next few weeks. North Dakota and North Carolina will be holding their High School and Collegiate Pageants on July 9^th, Texas and Florida will be holding their High School and Collegiate Pageants on July 16^th, and Arkansas will be holding its High School and Collegiate Pageants on July 29-30. I will be attending the Arkansas pageants myself, and cannot wait to meet all of the contestants and reunite with my MHSA/MCA family!! 

And speaking of reuniting, I’ll be heading down to Massachusetts on Saturday night to cheer on one of my MAOT sorority sisters, Taylor Kinzler, at the Miss Massachusetts America Pageant! By my side will be another of my MAOT sisters, my former roommate, Angie Angers! Taylor is such a beautiful, talented, intelligent and dedicated woman and would make a fabulous Miss Mass. Of course, I’m a bit biased, but she certainly has my vote! I can’t wait to watch her shine on the Hanover Theatre stage!

Have a fabulous 4^th! 

Shannon