Eliot Sloan with Blessid Union of Souls was the special entertainment at the 2013 Mrs. Ohio Pageant.
Visit his website at http://www.blessidunionofsouls.net/
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Tuesday, September 24, 2013
Friday, August 30, 2013
The Mrs. America Pageant
Hi all!
This is going to be a loonngg blog post, so grab a cup of coffee, a soda, or a pizza and join me! :)
What an utterly exhausting and exhilarating last ten days I have had! I am so happy to be back in the comfort of my own home, and back with my family, but I'm not going to lie, I miss my girlfriends (and being treated like royalty! lol). After you spend ten days with women who are not only beautiful, but supportive, uplifting and fun, you are bound to miss them. I have 51 new friends, and I couldn't be more excited. I am looking forward to going to visit some of them in their home states, and I have already decided that I WILL be at Mrs. America next year. It will be a fabulous reunion with members of my class, and I want to be there for the next Mrs. Ohio!
The entire pageant experience was such an adventure. I got off the airplane, and was greeted by cameras and videographers. I felt like a celebrity! Those cameras remained throughout the week to capture every event and record the memories. On day 1, we arrived at the resort, got settled in our rooms, and met some fellow contestants. That night we had an orientation dinner where we dressed up in evening gowns and met all the staff members, and introduced ourselves. There were some pretty humorous moments...like when Mrs. Nebraska said that her and her husband like to joke that being married to each other feels like ten minutes.....under water! :) I received a very beautiful Mary Frances evening purse that night from Elaine Marmel for not giving up on my dream of being Mrs. Ohio and competing 5 times. Day 2 was spent touring old Tucson, complete with pink cowboy hats. We had a ton of fun that day! I hope you all have seen the pictures and videos. If not, please check out my Mrs.Ohio America 2013 Facebook page, the Mrs. Ohio America Pageant Facebook page, and also the Mrs. America website! Other activities that we participated in were going to a downtown café where we presented the mayor of Tucson with a gift from our state, a cocktail dinner in the Marmel's suite where we presented the hotel manager our state gifts, and seminars provided by Vault Denim, the major sponsor of the Mrs. America pageant this year. We even received 2 free pairs of jeans, and their full skin care line...and it's all awesome! We also had a contestant gift exchange one night at rehearsals. Imagine all the loot from 51 other contestants! The remainder of the time was mainly spent rehearsing with Frit and Frat, the choreographers of the pageant. They are hilarious!! And, even if you have two left feet (I'm fortunate that I don't!), they will make you shine! Rehearsals are exhausting...but also a lot of fun and great bonding time with the other ladies.
The preliminary and final competitions were just incredible. I cannot even accurately describe the atmosphere! The best description would be that it reminds you of what the feeling is like for the Emmy's, Oscars, Academy Awards or something like that. DeAnna Holliday, Mrs. Ohio America 2012 told me that when you get out to Mrs. America, that is when you really realize what you have accomplished, and it's so true! Even my husband made the comment that he didn't realize what a big deal this was until he got there to see it all, and when he did, he realized that being Mrs. Ohio America is a HUGE achievement. These women are all so beautiful, smart, accomplished, committed, and compassionate. And, I am one of them! It was an honor to be among them, and to be able to stand on that stage as the representative of my state. I was blessed enough to make the top 15 (that was a big goal of mine), and I couldn't be happier! Someone asked me if I was disappointed that I didn't go further...my honest answer...no! I believe that God set this journey in motion. I became Mrs. Ohio America at just the right time in my life, and if it was my time to be Mrs. America, that would have happened as well. Yes, it would have been awesome to be Mrs. America...but I believe that God has a different path for me, AND I believe that He chose the right woman to represent all of us. Just a few moments with Austen (Mrs. Texas) would leave you feeling the same! I cannot wait to see her represent our nation in China at Mrs. World. I am so proud of who she is as a woman, wife and mother, and I think it is so incredible that she is making history as the very first African American Mrs. America...the same year as the 50th anniversary of the Martin Luther King speech!! How cool is that?!
To wrap this all up, I am excited to represent my state for the remainder of the year and look forward to all the opportunities that come my way. There are some of you reading this who have considered competing in this pageant, but have let fear or insecurity hold you back. I am telling you to take a leap of faith and do it. There are some of you reading this who have competed before (maybe more than once) and have been disappointed, and maybe even felt devastated. Don't give up. It took me 5 times! Your time may be coming. Do what it takes to improve. Believe that you have everything it takes to hold this title. Surround yourself with people who support you, believe in you and want to see you excel. Back away from those who are negative or want to squash your dream. Dreams are placed in our heart for a reason. I am willing to help you in any way I can. Please don't hesitate to contact me and we can talk it over. And, don't let anyone steal your sparkle!! :)
Much Love,
Teri
Mrs. Ohio America 2013
This is going to be a loonngg blog post, so grab a cup of coffee, a soda, or a pizza and join me! :)
What an utterly exhausting and exhilarating last ten days I have had! I am so happy to be back in the comfort of my own home, and back with my family, but I'm not going to lie, I miss my girlfriends (and being treated like royalty! lol). After you spend ten days with women who are not only beautiful, but supportive, uplifting and fun, you are bound to miss them. I have 51 new friends, and I couldn't be more excited. I am looking forward to going to visit some of them in their home states, and I have already decided that I WILL be at Mrs. America next year. It will be a fabulous reunion with members of my class, and I want to be there for the next Mrs. Ohio!
The entire pageant experience was such an adventure. I got off the airplane, and was greeted by cameras and videographers. I felt like a celebrity! Those cameras remained throughout the week to capture every event and record the memories. On day 1, we arrived at the resort, got settled in our rooms, and met some fellow contestants. That night we had an orientation dinner where we dressed up in evening gowns and met all the staff members, and introduced ourselves. There were some pretty humorous moments...like when Mrs. Nebraska said that her and her husband like to joke that being married to each other feels like ten minutes.....under water! :) I received a very beautiful Mary Frances evening purse that night from Elaine Marmel for not giving up on my dream of being Mrs. Ohio and competing 5 times. Day 2 was spent touring old Tucson, complete with pink cowboy hats. We had a ton of fun that day! I hope you all have seen the pictures and videos. If not, please check out my Mrs.Ohio America 2013 Facebook page, the Mrs. Ohio America Pageant Facebook page, and also the Mrs. America website! Other activities that we participated in were going to a downtown café where we presented the mayor of Tucson with a gift from our state, a cocktail dinner in the Marmel's suite where we presented the hotel manager our state gifts, and seminars provided by Vault Denim, the major sponsor of the Mrs. America pageant this year. We even received 2 free pairs of jeans, and their full skin care line...and it's all awesome! We also had a contestant gift exchange one night at rehearsals. Imagine all the loot from 51 other contestants! The remainder of the time was mainly spent rehearsing with Frit and Frat, the choreographers of the pageant. They are hilarious!! And, even if you have two left feet (I'm fortunate that I don't!), they will make you shine! Rehearsals are exhausting...but also a lot of fun and great bonding time with the other ladies.
The preliminary and final competitions were just incredible. I cannot even accurately describe the atmosphere! The best description would be that it reminds you of what the feeling is like for the Emmy's, Oscars, Academy Awards or something like that. DeAnna Holliday, Mrs. Ohio America 2012 told me that when you get out to Mrs. America, that is when you really realize what you have accomplished, and it's so true! Even my husband made the comment that he didn't realize what a big deal this was until he got there to see it all, and when he did, he realized that being Mrs. Ohio America is a HUGE achievement. These women are all so beautiful, smart, accomplished, committed, and compassionate. And, I am one of them! It was an honor to be among them, and to be able to stand on that stage as the representative of my state. I was blessed enough to make the top 15 (that was a big goal of mine), and I couldn't be happier! Someone asked me if I was disappointed that I didn't go further...my honest answer...no! I believe that God set this journey in motion. I became Mrs. Ohio America at just the right time in my life, and if it was my time to be Mrs. America, that would have happened as well. Yes, it would have been awesome to be Mrs. America...but I believe that God has a different path for me, AND I believe that He chose the right woman to represent all of us. Just a few moments with Austen (Mrs. Texas) would leave you feeling the same! I cannot wait to see her represent our nation in China at Mrs. World. I am so proud of who she is as a woman, wife and mother, and I think it is so incredible that she is making history as the very first African American Mrs. America...the same year as the 50th anniversary of the Martin Luther King speech!! How cool is that?!
To wrap this all up, I am excited to represent my state for the remainder of the year and look forward to all the opportunities that come my way. There are some of you reading this who have considered competing in this pageant, but have let fear or insecurity hold you back. I am telling you to take a leap of faith and do it. There are some of you reading this who have competed before (maybe more than once) and have been disappointed, and maybe even felt devastated. Don't give up. It took me 5 times! Your time may be coming. Do what it takes to improve. Believe that you have everything it takes to hold this title. Surround yourself with people who support you, believe in you and want to see you excel. Back away from those who are negative or want to squash your dream. Dreams are placed in our heart for a reason. I am willing to help you in any way I can. Please don't hesitate to contact me and we can talk it over. And, don't let anyone steal your sparkle!! :)
Much Love,
Teri
Mrs. Ohio America 2013
Thursday, August 8, 2013
Be True to You
I can't believe that in less than two weeks, I will be leaving for Tucson, AZ to compete for Mrs. America! I am so excited I can hardly stand it. I have been so busy preparing for this adventure, as well as working and getting two of my sons ready for college and the other children ready for school. It is non-stop activity around my house!
As I have been preparing, there have been moments that I have questioned my own judgment and decisions. I think that when you are making any big changes or decisions in your life, this is human nature. However, I want to share something that I have learned throughout the five years that it took me to get to this title....no one can be a better you. Trust yourself, trust your instinct and follow your heart. Leading up to the Mrs. Ohio pageant, I had made the decision, that crown or no crown, I was leaving it all out on the stage. I wanted to walk away with no regrets, and the feeling that I wouldn't have changed a thing. In my past performances, there was always something that didn't feel quite right....the clothes, the hair, the make-up, or my interview and on-stage performance itself were keeping me from being my best self. Some of this was due to letting others influence me as to what they thought I should be. At other times, it was due to my own insecurities, and the pressure I placed on myself to be exactly what the judges were looking for. But, you know what? None of us knows what the judges are looking for! And just because they didn't choose you, does not mean that there is something wrong with you. A wise friend once said to me, " a different judging panel, a different day, equals a different result". That is so true! So, do what you need to improve upon your interview skills and onstage skills, and get the advice you need as far as your "look". But, do this while staying true to who YOU are. I am doing exactly that as as I prepare for Mrs. America, holding on to my convictions, and making decisions based on what is comfortable for me what is best for my family. As Judy Garland said, "Be a first rate version of yourself, not a second rate version of someone else".
Please keep me in your prayers over the next couple of weeks as I finish my preparations and travel to Tucson! :)
Hugs!
Teri
Mrs. Ohio America 2013
As I have been preparing, there have been moments that I have questioned my own judgment and decisions. I think that when you are making any big changes or decisions in your life, this is human nature. However, I want to share something that I have learned throughout the five years that it took me to get to this title....no one can be a better you. Trust yourself, trust your instinct and follow your heart. Leading up to the Mrs. Ohio pageant, I had made the decision, that crown or no crown, I was leaving it all out on the stage. I wanted to walk away with no regrets, and the feeling that I wouldn't have changed a thing. In my past performances, there was always something that didn't feel quite right....the clothes, the hair, the make-up, or my interview and on-stage performance itself were keeping me from being my best self. Some of this was due to letting others influence me as to what they thought I should be. At other times, it was due to my own insecurities, and the pressure I placed on myself to be exactly what the judges were looking for. But, you know what? None of us knows what the judges are looking for! And just because they didn't choose you, does not mean that there is something wrong with you. A wise friend once said to me, " a different judging panel, a different day, equals a different result". That is so true! So, do what you need to improve upon your interview skills and onstage skills, and get the advice you need as far as your "look". But, do this while staying true to who YOU are. I am doing exactly that as as I prepare for Mrs. America, holding on to my convictions, and making decisions based on what is comfortable for me what is best for my family. As Judy Garland said, "Be a first rate version of yourself, not a second rate version of someone else".
Please keep me in your prayers over the next couple of weeks as I finish my preparations and travel to Tucson! :)
Hugs!
Teri
Mrs. Ohio America 2013
Saturday, July 27, 2013
Whew! I finally have a moment to catch my breath, sit down and share all the details of my last couple of weeks. It has been a whirlwind...but a super exciting one!
I have met with Dr. Bapna, at Ohio Face, who is an official sponsor of the Mrs. Ohio pageant. What a great visit! He provided consultation on how to get my skin ready for the national stage, and then his aesthetician, Olivia, gave me my first ever chemical peel. My skin feels amazing, and I can't wait to go back and see what else they have in store for me.
I have also met with my costume designer, Josie Wills, a couple of times to brainstorm and sketch out my costume and then to get measurements so she can start sewing. I cannot wait to see the finished project. I can't tell you what it is going to look like, but I can tell you that it is going to rock!
This week I traveled all over the state in search of the perfect nationals gown. My first stop was at the Ritz in Portsmouth. Wow! Those ladies were incredible! They have a whole room downstairs just dedicated to pageant gowns, with a platform and stage lights. They were incredibly attentive. I have never had such great customer service. they even helped me take my shoes off! :) There were so many beautiful gowns there, and I had a very hard time
choosing. My next stop was at She Said Yes Bridal and Formal in Chillicothe. The store is owned by my dear friend, Cyndi Newman who competed with me this year at Mrs. Ohio. She generously offered to sponsor my national gown. Her new shop is beautiful, with a platform for modeling your dress, complete with mirrors at every angle. She had many beautiful pieces there, and I chose my gown for Mrs.America. In other words, I said "Yes" to the dress! I also met with Dr. Levy in Gahanna, another official sponsor of the pageant. He is providing teeth whitening, so his staff took my impressions for the bleaching trays and sent me home with everything I will need for a beautifully white smile.
This week, I will be photographed by the talented Rick Martinez at RM Studio. He will be providing my crown photos. He also created my ad page for the Mrs. America program book. It is amazing and I can't wait to share it with you all. But, right now it's under wraps. Rick was also the photographer for my Mrs.. Ohio headshot, which helped me win the Mrs. Photogenic award.
Many of you follow me on Facebook. Thank you for that! If you don't, you should! :) Follow my page, Mrs. Ohio America 2013, and the Mrs. Ohio America Pageant page to keep updated on all the happenings.
I am having such an amazing time! If you are thinking about competing, do it! You won't regret it.
I have met with Dr. Bapna, at Ohio Face, who is an official sponsor of the Mrs. Ohio pageant. What a great visit! He provided consultation on how to get my skin ready for the national stage, and then his aesthetician, Olivia, gave me my first ever chemical peel. My skin feels amazing, and I can't wait to go back and see what else they have in store for me.
I have also met with my costume designer, Josie Wills, a couple of times to brainstorm and sketch out my costume and then to get measurements so she can start sewing. I cannot wait to see the finished project. I can't tell you what it is going to look like, but I can tell you that it is going to rock!
This week I traveled all over the state in search of the perfect nationals gown. My first stop was at the Ritz in Portsmouth. Wow! Those ladies were incredible! They have a whole room downstairs just dedicated to pageant gowns, with a platform and stage lights. They were incredibly attentive. I have never had such great customer service. they even helped me take my shoes off! :) There were so many beautiful gowns there, and I had a very hard time
This week, I will be photographed by the talented Rick Martinez at RM Studio. He will be providing my crown photos. He also created my ad page for the Mrs. America program book. It is amazing and I can't wait to share it with you all. But, right now it's under wraps. Rick was also the photographer for my Mrs.. Ohio headshot, which helped me win the Mrs. Photogenic award.
Many of you follow me on Facebook. Thank you for that! If you don't, you should! :) Follow my page, Mrs. Ohio America 2013, and the Mrs. Ohio America Pageant page to keep updated on all the happenings.
I am having such an amazing time! If you are thinking about competing, do it! You won't regret it.
Sunday, July 7, 2013
Time to Vote
The Second Annual Fabulous Faces Contest voting has begun at the Mrs. America website - www.mrsamerica.com. You can vote your Mrs. Ohio America 2013, Teri Grothaus right into the semi-finalists with your votes. All proceeds raised from the Fabulous Faces goes towards women charities.
This year, Mrs. America introduced a special twist where you can vote one first runner-up from all the state pageants into the Mrs. America pageant. The 1st Runner Up for Mrs. Ohio is Katie Grace Kissel. She is vying for the coveted 1st Runner Up Contest taking place online now.
Tuesday, July 2, 2013
Photo for Mrs. America Website
Thoughts From Mrs. Ohio 2013
Good Morning! :)
I am still on cloud nine, and every time I think about that crowning moment, I smile from ear to ear! What an incredible night, and what an incredible group of ladies that I had the pleasure of sharing the stage with! Each one of you is amazing and you should be so proud of yourself for stepping out in FAITH and taking the journey leading up to the Mrs. Ohio pageant. Which, brings me to why I am writing this! I want to share my journey with you....first I want to share my journey leading up to Mrs. Ohio America....and then I want to share my year with you, so please stay tuned! :)
I am not a pageant girl by nature! In fact, the only stage experience I ever had was competitive baton twirling, a few talent shows, and singing in church with my father when I was little. Five years ago, at the suggestion of a friend who competed in the NAM and Miss Teen USA system, I entered the Mrs. Ohio America pageant. I had absolutely no idea what I was getting myself in to, and no idea what I was doing. I made a million mistakes....starting with ill fitting clothes, and ending with a gown I spent WAY too much money for. There were 12 of us that year, and I placed 4th runner up and won the photogenic award. I was thrilled! I never intended to place at all, and I was only doing it for fun anyway! But, that year I was bitten by the "bug". What I loved the most was the preparation and discipline it took to get there. Deciding to compete made me set a goal and stick to it, and that took hard work. I also loved the women I met there. Each woman there was supportive and uplifting of the others. Some of the very first women I competed with have become some of my very best friends! So, I entered again...this time working more on my appearance and stage presence as well as my interview. But, it still wasn't my year, and the next year was more of the same ( I was second runner up both of these years!). One thing that was missing in those early years was the "why". I knew I wanted to be Mrs. Ohio, but the reason wasn't quite clear to me. I decided to compete for a 4th time, and that year, I worked a little harder on my paperwork, had help in finding the right "look", and worked on my stage presence. I knew that I wanted the title, and I had a general idea of what I wanted to do with it. I felt it was my time, after all it was my fourth time competing. But, at the end of the night, my name was called as first runner up. I went home and was devastated, and that is honest. I spent the next week sure that I was never going to compete again and wondering what was wrong with me. I cried, I prayed, I talked to close friends about it, and I made up my mind that perhaps this just wasn't the title I was supposed to have. But, in my heart, I knew that this is what I wanted, and I believe that God places a dream in your heart for a reason. He places it there for it to grow, so that His work can be fulfilled through you. So, I entered again, and I did everything I could possibly do to improve upon my weak areas, I defined the "why", and I had FAITH that God led me here for a reason.
I was a different woman this year on that stage, and I did not get there alone. I had a network of amazing people who helped me make it to that crowning moment. I want to share with you some words of wisdom as you prepare for next year's pageant....
Best Wishes to all of you and much love!
Teri
Mrs. Ohio 2013
I am still on cloud nine, and every time I think about that crowning moment, I smile from ear to ear! What an incredible night, and what an incredible group of ladies that I had the pleasure of sharing the stage with! Each one of you is amazing and you should be so proud of yourself for stepping out in FAITH and taking the journey leading up to the Mrs. Ohio pageant. Which, brings me to why I am writing this! I want to share my journey with you....first I want to share my journey leading up to Mrs. Ohio America....and then I want to share my year with you, so please stay tuned! :)
I am not a pageant girl by nature! In fact, the only stage experience I ever had was competitive baton twirling, a few talent shows, and singing in church with my father when I was little. Five years ago, at the suggestion of a friend who competed in the NAM and Miss Teen USA system, I entered the Mrs. Ohio America pageant. I had absolutely no idea what I was getting myself in to, and no idea what I was doing. I made a million mistakes....starting with ill fitting clothes, and ending with a gown I spent WAY too much money for. There were 12 of us that year, and I placed 4th runner up and won the photogenic award. I was thrilled! I never intended to place at all, and I was only doing it for fun anyway! But, that year I was bitten by the "bug". What I loved the most was the preparation and discipline it took to get there. Deciding to compete made me set a goal and stick to it, and that took hard work. I also loved the women I met there. Each woman there was supportive and uplifting of the others. Some of the very first women I competed with have become some of my very best friends! So, I entered again...this time working more on my appearance and stage presence as well as my interview. But, it still wasn't my year, and the next year was more of the same ( I was second runner up both of these years!). One thing that was missing in those early years was the "why". I knew I wanted to be Mrs. Ohio, but the reason wasn't quite clear to me. I decided to compete for a 4th time, and that year, I worked a little harder on my paperwork, had help in finding the right "look", and worked on my stage presence. I knew that I wanted the title, and I had a general idea of what I wanted to do with it. I felt it was my time, after all it was my fourth time competing. But, at the end of the night, my name was called as first runner up. I went home and was devastated, and that is honest. I spent the next week sure that I was never going to compete again and wondering what was wrong with me. I cried, I prayed, I talked to close friends about it, and I made up my mind that perhaps this just wasn't the title I was supposed to have. But, in my heart, I knew that this is what I wanted, and I believe that God places a dream in your heart for a reason. He places it there for it to grow, so that His work can be fulfilled through you. So, I entered again, and I did everything I could possibly do to improve upon my weak areas, I defined the "why", and I had FAITH that God led me here for a reason.
I was a different woman this year on that stage, and I did not get there alone. I had a network of amazing people who helped me make it to that crowning moment. I want to share with you some words of wisdom as you prepare for next year's pageant....
- Believe that you are worthy of the title and worthy of the crown.
- Know the "why" behind the title. What is your passion and purpose?
- Get the help you need to improve, and take constructive criticism.
- Surround yourself with people who believe in you and your dream.
- Don't ever give up!!! Your shining moment may be closer than you think!
Best Wishes to all of you and much love!
Teri
Mrs. Ohio 2013
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