Teen USA 2007
Want to know what went on while Jena was in Pasadena??? Check out the updates and photos straight from Jena in Pasadena!
This is my experience...
In my 18 years so far, I have experienced many defining moments that changed my life. These past 2 ½ weeks, by far, tops everything. One thing I went in to Miss Teen USA 2007 knowing, I was at the top of my game, completely prepared, knowing only one would walk away as the winner. What many do not realize is what it takes at the state level to win your title. States such as Georgia, Tennessee, Texas, Illinois, and Louisiana have from 100-200 girls just at the state level vying for the title.
I received nothing but compliments from my security guards, chaperones, and Mr. Trumps staff with the Miss Universe Organization. Fortunately, I feel I made such a good impression that I was picked to do solo promotions with Mario Lopez, Katie Blair, Conn Jackson, and spots for TODAY, Extra, MTV, and Access Hollywood. Working with judges from Victoria Secret models, YMI jeans CEO, BSC Thailand CEO, celebrity stars, and NBC executives for 15 days was an experience I will never forget.
In the past 3 days since leaving Pasadena, I have received offers to do spots for the Weather Channel, opportunity to fly to New York for a commercial for Do Something, invitation to a celebrity telethon, and many others. So my networking, and speaking abilities certainly paid off for me.
I will always be a 2007 Trump girl, but for now, you can find me studying like crazy in my dorm room at Belmont University, attempting to eat cafeteria food, and experiencing living in a 12x12 room with two other roommates, I found out real quick that my 27 pair of shoes I took to Teen USA would not quite fit in my closet, and are stored in my car! The first thing I did after the pageant was ate lots of brownies, and drank a coke.
On a day to day basis, we were treated like celebrities. We had 10 security guards that guarded the doors, and made sure that we were constantly safe. Everyday we had rehearsals, where all of the NBC crewmen adjusted lights, video and sound. It was stressful at times, but by showtime, I was confident that everything we had practiced would fall into place. We also had several social activities. Monday night we had dinner at Holly Street Bar and Grill. They served us grilled chicken, and we danced to a live band! That was the first activity where all the girls started bonding, and we really had a good time, not worrying about the competition. The next activity was shopping at the Los Colorado Mall. 51 girls in one mall, definitely did some damage. After that, we went to Universal Studios. We all rode a roller coaster, then a water slide ride. Everyone ended up soaked! The 80-ft. dropoff made all of the girls run to the bathroom and freshen up their make-up and hair. That day I learned that water and beauty queens don't mix, when in public. The most meaningful event was the Best Buddies kickball game. Best Buddies is an organization where children and adults with special needs get to interact and do fun games with mentors. We split up into two teams, and by the end of the day, we "tied" and ll left as winners! After those fun activities, we had our preliminary competitions, and the last week was nothing but rehearsals, running the show over and over until the producer felt that it was perfect.
In the next few months, I will fly to Haiti for a volunteer event, Yele Haiti, with Petra Nemcova, Victoria Secret Supermodel, and Wycleff Jean, Hip-Hop Mogul. In December I will be attending a fund raiser for Hero for Children in Marietta, and I have a "Pageant of Hope" for my children with cancer coming up in Canada. I will also be volunteering on a regular basis at Vanderbilt Children's Hospital, and hopefully the Nashville Boys and Girls Club.
Things I brought away from the pageant, besides the friendships, is knowing that I was surrounded by girls like me. Girls with goals, a mission, strong wills, and a desire to change the world. I read a "Maxine" card that said you would think with all of the beauty queens around we would have world peace by now. Winning isn't everything, as long as you learn something to improve yourself, and appreciate the opportunities you are given. I will never forget my roommate Miss Nevada Teen USA, the 12 hours days of rehearsals, the Best Buddies volunteer event, filming for tv stations at 7am, working with NBC choreographers, and realizing you can stand in 5 inch heels, while smiling, praying your butt glue holds tight all day and night long.
Oops!!
Sorry the updates ended so abruptly... my web designer injured her hand and couldn't type (she is still in a cast). When she gets her other hand healed we will finish up with the updates!! Sorry for the delay!
August 18, 2007
We went to Universal Studios yesterday.. we all rode the Mummy, Jurassic Park, saw 2 shows, and took a tour! We all got soaked on the Jurassic ride because there was an 80ft. drop with water splashing everywhere!
2 days ago, we went shopping! I got two tops, and some ear rings.. imagine that! Having fun.. as always!
Just finished my interviews. went very well.. its was like no other interview i have experienced before.. They didnt ask anything from my bio information.. It was mainly on fashion, los angeles, and overall, it was very conversational.
white shirt is from shopping, Miss Arizona and I are holding up 1230 (23 have the same birthday, I am an hour older)
This is my bed before I packed up all of the things I got.. and that is only half of it...
The photo of me in the pink shirt is from Universal, and I snapped a pic of myself in the mirror before interview.. just to show yall my outfit!
Headed to play kickball..
(Click here for kickball video!!)
August 16, 2007
Hey everyone!
I am so busy!!
Tuesday we had to get up early and take our swimsuit shoot at 7am! We filmed spots for the Today Show, Extra, BSC Thailand, MTV, NBC, and Access Hollywood! Not sure when that is airing so watch!
We have also had long rehearsals these past 2 days.. We learned our dances and the evening gown and swimsuit walks.. You will see that they are very different than years past..
The stage that we will be performing on is the first stage that Michael Jackson ever did his first Moon Walk in public on!!
Tonight we had dinner at the Holly Street Bar and Grill, and we danced. The food was great, and we enjoyed a live band. The girls all get along. Suprisingly, there are no cliques or catty girls. I am bonding with my roomie (of course), Florida, Colorado, Maine, Washington, Kentucky, Virginia, and Idaho. I know it sounds like alot, but they are all nice!
This experience has been pleasant so far, and I am truly having alot of fun. Tomorrow we have rehearsals and then a shopping outing.
Here are pictures!!
August 15, 2007
Check out Jena's new photos on the www.missteenusa.com site. Her new headshot, evening gown picture and swimsuit picture are all up!! Isn't she lovely???
August 14, 2007
Jena's Video Interview and Online Written Interview is now posted on the Teen USA Website! Go and check it out!
Click here to see Jena's Online Interview
Jena's Aunt Pat in Florida found pictures of all the girls on the NBC website. You can CLICK HERE Go to Jena's picture (Make sure you're at HER picture), go to bottom of her page and you can post a comment to Jena.
On a side note - anyone care to see the crown?? Here it is! Check it out:
August 13, 2007
Hey everyone!
I am having a blast.. but I am very busy! I finished all of my online photo shoots, and online interview. Here are some candid pics!
- Jena
August 12, 2007 - A Note from Jena's Mom
Jena looked amazing when she left, and had the most beautiful smile and bright eyes I think I have ever seen. She is ready for Pasadena! She is excited to see her sister queens again. She had met 30 of the 50 at Miss USA in Los Angeles and Eagle "U" Leadership Camp in Dallas so she is excited about the reunion with them.
Unfortunately, she wont be able to answer back all of the emails that you send, but she will read them. She will have 16, and some 18 hour long days, but did want to be able to email you all a few times while she is gone.
Take care, and dont forget to tune in on 8/24 on NBC! She will have 10 fans from Nestle in California, 2 fans from Alaska, 2 from Michigan, 2 from Virginia, 2 from Tennessee, 1 from Boston, and 6 from Georgia in the audience cheering her on!!! Thanks for the calls, flowers, cards, support, hugs and help (for me) this week! It means so much to us Sims girls!
PS- She didn't actually wear red flip flops! She had her red high heels in her purse!
Jena's Collage Photo from the Miss Georgia website
