The Beginning of the Whirlwind

Monday was the first day in 3 days of non-stop movement! We started bright and early at the Fellowship of Christian Athletes breakfast at 7am. There were several speakers, including Gene Stallings, the former college and professional football coach. I sat up at the head table with some of the other coaches and speakers at the breakfast. (I was scared for a minute that he was going to ask me to get up and speak, since it seemed like everyone else at the table was a speaker, but fortunately he never called me up- it would have been a very impromptu motivational speech!) After the program, I got to go up and talk to Mr. Stallings and get an official GMAC Bowl football signed by him. Just as exciting was that while I was waiting in line, a girl came up and asked for MY autograph! It was unexpected, but so exciting! I like to think that me and Gene gave a pretty solid autograph session.
After the FCA breakfast, we headed over to the University of South Alabama Women and Children's Hospital. I got to make the rounds with a few players from each team and a few Azalea Trail Maids. Once we all split off, I got to go around and visit all the kids with one of the players from the Michigan team, Eric, who was just drafted to the Canadian Football League! We visited several kids throughout the hospital, giving out teddy bears, T-shirts, and high fives. It was a blast, and so rewarding.
After our hospital visit, we headed over the the famous Wintzell's Oyster House for a dinner with the coaches' wives and their families. It was a fun and filling event, and it was nice to get to talk to some of the families that are involved in the GMAC Bowl. I sat near Connie Hudson, a Councilwoman in the Mobile City Council and Gayle Stripling, the wife of Steve Stripling, the head coach of the Central Michigan Chippewas.
The day rolled right on after Wintzell's. I dashed over to Fusion Point Media studios for my glamorous photo shoot. After 3 outfits, 27 angles, and 4 hours, I think we got a head shot that will do! This is the official AJM 2009 photo that will hang forevermore in the halls of AJM headquarters, and also the photo that will be used on the program cover for nationals next year. The shoot took ages, but I'd say it was most definitely worth it.
Halfway through the photo session, Haley Hill, a local go-getter and fashionista, paid us a visit. She and other women and high school girls in the Mobile community area are planning two fashion shows to raise money and awareness for Junior Miss. They're integrating a few AJM video bytes throughout the show, where I'll be talking about my time with Junior Miss! It all felt very Hollywood- Haley sat in a chair and directed, while I locked eyes with the camera and told little bits and pieces of my Junior Miss story. The videos will show in small bytes throughout the fashion shows in May. All those in the Mobile area should be sure to attend!
After a quick dinner and wardrobe change, we went to a planning session for Haley Hill's fashion show. About 40 girls from high schools all around Mobile were there helping to plan the upcoming show. We stopped by for about 20 minutes to meet with the girls and I talked about what Junior Miss has been like for me, and how it's gotten me where I am today. The money that they are working to raise will go straight toward scholarship funds. Props ladies!
After that, we headed out to the dog racetrack for GMAC Media Night, which was just a very laid back night for the press and all those involved in the publicity of the bowl game. Although I wasn't betting on any dogs, some of the guys at my table were on quite a winning streak! After the fifth race, the official GMAC Dog Race of 2010, a few of us from the press box got to take a picture with the winning dog. What a group: AJM, football coaches, the executive director of the GMAC Bowl, and a panting greyhound.
Finally, around 10, we headed home, and I hit the hay. FCA breakfast, hospital visit, Wives' Lunch, photo shoot, movie shoot, fashion show talk, racetrack down; so much more to go...