And that’s a Wrap!
June 10th, 2009
WOW! What a year is all I can say. These past twelve months have been everything I had hoped for and more; happy, sad, emotional, exhilarating, nerve-racking, wonderful, amazing, incredible, and so much more! Thank you to everyone who has supported me and followed along with my journey. It has truly been an honor and privilege to have represented Missouri this past year. I cannot say thank you enough!
Lauren McCreight, Miss Missouri’s Outstanding Teen 2009: I am so excited for you! I feel so blessed to call you a friend. The Miss Gateway St. Louis Outstanding Teen pageant of 2009 was my first time crowning someone (you), and the Miss Missouri Outstanding Teen pageant of 2009 was the second time I had crowned someone (literally)! You are very deserving and will accomplish wonderful things in your reign, and I look forward to seeing you over the summer. I can’t wait for Orlando =]
Tara Osseck, Miss Missouri 2009: You have always been there for me, no matter what! I knew you had some incredible things in store for you when I first met you. I am so happy for you; you will make a fantastic Miss Missouri! I can’t wait to see you rock the Miss America stage!!!
Thank you again; it’s been a breathtaking ride!
God Bless,
Sydnee
This Saturday, I got the chance to be a part of a very extraordinary fundraiser for a girl named Jessica, who is Miss Knob Noster Outstanding Teen 2009. A short time ago, Jessica was diagnosed with cancer. She has since then under gone surgery and even donated her hair to Locks of Love; what a selfless and courageous young woman! I got the chance to perform twice, and indulge in a mouth-watering dessert bar! I also got the chance to visit with Carmi, a friend of mine from last June! It was so good to see her! Then, I settled down to chat with 
Jessica. We talked about her hometown of Knob Noster and some very exciting events she will be a part of this June! Yes, Jessica is one talented pageant girl! However, what makes her truly exceptional is her ability to take a difficult situation and turn it into something remarkable. I learned a lot from spending just one day with her! I loved watching all the performers who each brought something unique to the stage. I really enjoyed meeting the characters from Star Wars as well =] Thank you so much to all those who helped make this event such a success & for including me! My best wishes to Jessica and her family!
Today I got to speak to my old elementary school about The Healing Power of Pets! It was very strange as I walked back through the doors of Chesterfield Elementary, everything seemed so much smaller! Especially the cafeteria! When I arrived at Club Hope, a club all about animals, I got to hear members of the police force talk about their jobs and how canines are involved. I even got to see a German Sheppard attack a police man! Then, I got to speak to about 150 kids about the power of the human-animal bond. Club Hope even had all of the student members and their parents sign a petition against 
puppy mills! I loved visiting with familiar faces and seeing my principle from four years ago, Mrs. Ramsey! Thank you so much to Stacy Rolfe, Susan Simon, Mrs. Ramsey, and Club Hope for having me!
This morning my mom and I walked two dogs at the Walk a Hound, Lose a Pound community walk! The dog my mom walked, Melody, was even adopted that day! It was so nice to see Dr. Johnson again, and everyone else who helps out with the program!
Tuesday night in Columbia, Missouri, I helped out at the Mid-Missouri Humans Society fundraiser, “Dining out for Animals”! I had a great time waitressing and visiting with everyone! And most of all, spreading the message about the ZooToo.com competition they are in! If they receive the highest votes, they will receive a $1 million dollar makeover! Make sure to vote for them!
This weekend I attended the Model Citizen Fashion Show where I got to see Kelly Marchbanks model! The fashion show benefited the Thompson Center for Autism and Neurodevelopment Disorders. There was a wide variety of name-brand clothing and designers including students from Steven’s College and the University of Missouri-Columbia, Mizzou. The clothes were so unique and very cute! As an audience, we also met a girl named Abby, who suffers from autism. It was very touching and an incredible message about all the wonderful work the Thompson Center is doing. All together, the show was amazing! Kelly- You looked so cute & you were an awesome model!
On Friday night, I hosted the Miss Missouri’s got Talent competition alongside Lacey, Miss Missouri. All the talents were extremely entertaining and I’m sure the judges did not have an easy time deciding who the winners would be. I really enjoyed visiting with Mary Bauer, Miss Missouri’s Outstanding Teen 2007, who is such a nice and very talented girl! Congratulations to all the winners! 
This past weekend I traveled to the Ozarks where I attended the Greater Ozark Outdoor Adventures Sport Show! Saturday night, I got to assist Elvis (Billy Wayde), onstage during his performance! I also got to talk and visit with the audience before the show and in between Mr. Wayde’s costume changes. I got the chance to meet and visit with Haley Dunn, a member of the US Olympic Team, and Kevin Blake Weldon, a Nashville recording artist. Haley, Lacey and I also got serenaded by Kevin for Valentine’s Day! Thank you so much to Billy Wayde and Kevin Weldon for including me in their shows!
Sunday, Lacey and I enjoyed meeting and visiting with everyone inside the Civic Center, whether they were venders a part of the event, or there to see it. I even got a free golf lesson! We also got to hold some adorable puppies. Later, Lacey and I introduced Kevin at his Bad Bob and Jimmy show and watched his awesome performance! Thank you so much to the Lions Club and to Mr. John Phillips for having me attend! 
God Bless,
This weekend I traveled the Lake of the Ozarks for the Miss Lake of the Ozarks pageant! I was thrilled to see Madison Burke, Miss Lake of the Ozarks Outstanding Teen 2008; I had so much fun visiting with her and hearing about her year. I really enjoyed the show and listening to Charlie Runnels, Miss Lake of the Ozarks 2008, sing some very beautiful songs. Congratulations to Miss Tara Osseck, the new Miss Lake of the Ozarks 2009, who I’m sure will have a wonderful and very exciting year! Thank you so much to Wendy White and the whole 
board for having me attend! 
I arrived in Las Vegas on Tuesday, January 21st where my mom and I met up with my Grandma. We checked into Planet Hollywood where I then checked in at the Miss America offices. I received my tickets for the week and my “badge,” which allowed me to visit Lacey after every prelim night! I was so exciting walking through the hotel that afternoon; I got to see all the OT’s again from MAOT! Tuesday was the first prelim night which started off with the amazing Miss South Dakota’s Outstanding Teen singing the National Anthem. Lacey did an amazing job with onstage question! Wednesday night Lacey did absolutely incredible with evening gown and swimsuit! She was so much fun to watch on 
stage and her personality shined through in every phase of competition. Thursday night, Lacey sang, “Proud Mary,” and had all the OT’s singing and dancing along =]! I got to perform on the Miss America stage Thursday night as well with all the teens! It was so much fun being on THE Miss America stage and standing where so many Miss America’s have been crowned! Friday, MAOT held a Dolphin Entertainment workshop for all the OT’s where we learned about everything from our own unique styles, to the secrets of becoming the perfect actress. Thank you to everyone involved with making the workshop possible; it was a blast and also very helpful! 
In my down time, I got to walk the Vegas strip with my mom and Grandma. While walking out of Planet Hollywood, the TV show EXTRA asked me to ask a question to Scarlett Johansson for a later showing! My mom also asked a question about the new movie, “He’s just not that into you.” Friday night, a large number of the MAOT girls and I took a stretch Hummer limo to Hard Rock Café with our photographer, Zac Gramaldo! It was so nice to visit with everyone again and hear about Taylor’s year so far. After dinner, we all rode the New York New York rollercoaster (I rode it twice =]). 
Saturday, I got to meet lots and lots of former Miss Americas—all the way back to the 1950’s! It was thrilling to be able to talk to these women, and discover just how down to Earth all of them really are. Later, all the MAOT girls and I had an autograph signing in the trade show following a lunch in, sponsored by Savvy. Thanks Savvy! 
Love,