My Final Blog....or is it?

     I guess  it is unspoken pageant etiquette for the former queen to write her "final" blog. So, here I am! (Better late than never, I guess!)
     I have to admit, that the two weeks leading up to pageant weekend were kind of rough ones for me. There were a couple of days that I just cried off and on all day, knowing that my year was coming to an end (I'm just keeping it real). Maybe this sounds silly to some of you. But, as Emily said to me one day as I vented and asked if this was normal, "it is when you have cherished it as much as you have". And she is right, I have cherished every moment. I had the opportunity to meet amazing people and spend time supporting a cause I am so passionate about. The title opened up doors. But that is not the only reason I cherished it....
     It took me 5 years to become Mrs. Ohio. So, for 5 years, I was always in "pageant mode". You know, paying attention to what I ate, really working on my physical fitness, personal development, getting interview coaching, picking out gowns, interview outfits and obsessing about every detail (like making sure my toenails were the right color, lol). So, in those last two weeks it hit me that this was it! I had worked so hard for so long, accomplished the goal of becoming Mrs. Ohio America, and then in the blink of an eye (that is what it felt like), my time was over.
     Pageant weekend was incredible though. Once I was there I was so happy to meet all the beautiful ladies competing. I had fun at rehearsals and at all the activities and I truly felt like a queen up there on that stage during the show. And as if all that was not enough, my beautiful friend Austen (aka Mrs. America) came to surprise me and was there all weekend as a judge. My "going-away" party could not have been any more special.
     I am not going to recap my year. Since many of you followed my page on Facebook, you know what I have been up to. What I will do instead is tell you that this is not the last you will see of me. The Mrs. Ohio pageant is a huge part of my life. I feel like I grew from a seed to a flower while competing! I learned so much about myself (and others), made lifelong friends, and really grew in confidence. Not only am I able to talk to a room full of strangers, but I also believe that my dreams are not as far out of reach as I originally thought they were! So, I plan to remain a part of the system by helping with the pageant each year in whatever capacity I am needed. Additionally, I have been asked to coach contestants who have committed to competing in the Mrs. Ohio pageant. I am looking forward to sharing my experience, but also building the confidence of the women I am helping, as well as building the program. It is true that when one door closes another opens!
     So my friends, instead of farewell, I will simply say, "See ya soon!"

Hugs,

Teri
Mrs. Ohio America 2013

 

 

    

As the Mrs. Ohio Pageant approached, many people asked me what motivated me to want to participate. It's a great question: what makes a woman with an already full plate want to carve out MORE of her time to prepare for this? And why now, after an 11 year hiatus from competing?

The answer is that it's time for me to pass some things on. Over the course of the past decade, God has grown, stretched and changed me in some wonderful ways, and now it's time for me to step up on a platform and share what He has done for me with the world. 

I have dealt with emotional baggage and insecurities from past experiences, and have learned how to have the guts to "open the luggage" and dump out the things God doesn't want in my life. It's often times a painful and long process, but I am so much healthier and happier for it- and I believe God wants that freedom for EVERY WOMAN. We've all been through things that we thought diminished our worth. God wants to liberate us from that belief. I shared this with our pageant director a few weeks ago, and I'll share this with you- I believe God has designed women to be like a diamond. Even a rough, uncut diamond is a precious thing. But when we allow God to cut off the rough edges, hone us, polish us...when we aren't afraid to embrace ALL the facets of who God has uniquely made us to be- how spectacular is that diamond?! How much more can a gemstone with expertly cut facets reflect the "Light" to those around them? It's a spectacular reflection that draws others in. Maybe this sound cheesy to you, but I think you get my point. God wants to develop the facets of your personality and character so when His Light shines through you it is impossible for people to miss. It's a beautiful thing. 

The other reason I wanted to do this and do it now is for my daughter. At five years old, she is starting to pay attention to the notion of beauty and develop ideas about it. I want her to have a well rounded view of what is beautiful. It's easy to tip our scales too far one direction or the other: to have a very superficial, "I must always appear perfect" view of beauty, or to be so afraid of our beauty obsessed culture that we try to tell our daughters that only what is on the inside matters. I feel that both of these thoughts are flawed. 

The Bible calls our bodies a "temple" and there are countless verses about beautiful women and how they dressed, did their hair, etc. But the Bible is very clear that physical beauty is worthless without a beautiful heart behind it, and the highest praise goes to women who are described as beautiful AND sensible, hard-working, wise and kind. I think one of my critical roles is helping my daughter not have a narrow idea of what outer beauty should be. I want my daughter to grow up appreciating what is beautiful in the different faces, colors and shapes around her. I realize: This has to start with me.

My daughter knows that being sweaty from a good workout is just as awesome as getting sparkles on her cheeks. She knows that praying for someone who is hurting or saying a kind word is better than perfume or lip gloss. I fail as a mother all the time, but I'm doing my best to show her that she has been created with a vast array of facets to her personality and character, and exploring them will be one of the great rewards of her lifetime. I don't want her to choose what she wants to be when she grows up - I want her to keep adding to her ever growing list of things she wants to be and try. THAT is what we were made for!

I want her to know that this and this -

are just as awesome as this and this…

and THIS is one of the best things, from Day One to a decade later…

and being a Mommy is one of the best jobs in the world…

I want my daughter to know that volunteering, challenging yourself, and having a great support system around you are all exciting parts of growing up and being a woman.

 

      

  

I don't know about you, but I'm looking forward to being one of those spunky old ladies in the nursing home that has a million stories to tell about her escapades over the years - and now one of those stories will be about the time I stepped up and encouraged all the other "future spunky old ladies" to jump out of their comfort zones with me and find out what crazy, amazing things they are capable of too.

2014 State Finalist

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We will be posting updates and sneak peaks during all the pageant on our Facebook Page.  Please connect and Like us at our Facebook Page:

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You too can keep up with all the state finalists as they compete for the title of Mrs. Ohio 2014.

2014 Mrs. Ohio Pageant Tickets

The 2014 Mrs. Ohio pageant is this Saturday at the Gahanna Lincoln High School Theater at 7:00 PM.  Tickets are available at the door for $30.00 a ticket.  Ticket booth will open at 6:00 PM.  

Come watch who will be crowned Mrs. Ohio 2014

 

Mrs. Ohio 2013 - Teri Grothaus 

     Wow, I can't believe that there are only seven weeks until I crown the new Mrs. Ohio America! My year of reign has gone by so fast, and crowning my successor will certainly be bittersweet.
     My dream of becoming Mrs. Ohio America came true last year on June 29th. It was truly God's perfect timing in my life and I have received so many blessings and experienced amazing opportunities with my title.
     One of my goals when I competed for Mrs. Ohio, was that if I had the opportunity to go to Mrs. America, I wanted to place in the top 15. I was fortunate enough to fulfill that goal, and my experience in Tucson, AZ is one that I will treasure forever. Not just because of my placement, but because I made friendships that will last a lifetime, and had so much fun while I was there. I really cannot say enough about my experience at nationals, but I will say that whoever gets to go will be one lucky lady!
     One of the great things about being Mrs. Ohio America (and believe me, there are many great things!), is that your title and your year of reign is what you make of it. My passion is childhood cancer awareness, and I had the opportunity to make appearances and help to raise funds for this important cause. A couple of highlights included attending the Nellie's Catwalk for Kids Fashion Show, filming a public service announcement during Childhood Cancer Awareness Month, and making an appearance at the St. Baldrick's Shave-a-thon, where thousands of dollars were raised for childhood cancer research. I am also really excited to be volunteering at the upcoming St. Jude's Discover the Dream Gala at the Columbus Zoo!
     Being a pediatric nurse and a mom to five kiddos, children have a special place in my heart. I was so humbled to be a part of the Toys for Tots toy drive at Christmas time in Toledo and be interviewed by 13 ABC. The generosity of the community was amazing, and I was smiling all day, despite the freezing temperatures! I also was a part of the Princess for a Day event put on by Kids Count Too, a foster and adoption agency. Little girls have the opportunity to have their hair and make-up done, have "princess" lessons, receive a dress and have a photo shoot, and then attend a tea party luncheon followed by dancing with music from a DJ. I cannot even begin to tell you how fun it was to dance out there with those little girls, and I truly felt like a celebrity that day!
     Some of the other appearances I made were attending the Teen and Miss Ohio USA pageant, judging several pageants, and meeting Miss Ohio America, Heather Wells, as well as Miss America Nina Davuluri and hearing her speak about cultural diversity. In January, I traveled to Seattle, WA, where I met up with several of my Mrs. America classmates. We rented a house and had a great weekend hanging out, site seeing, and attending the Mrs. WA America pageant. We had so much fun together, and I really miss my "sisters".  I also became a Vault Denim representative for Ohio with the Mrs. America organization and can't wait to see where this journey takes me.
         Ladies, I want to tell you that being Mrs. Ohio America really IS something special, so make the most out of your city and county titles, as well as your journey to the crown. I know I will be making the most out of the remainder of my time, continuing to make appearances and thanking God each day for the opportunities and blessings He has given me through this title. I am so excited to meet those of you who have stepped out in faith and decided to pursue your dream of becoming Mrs. Ohio America. If I can answer any questions for you, calm any fears, or help you in any way, please don't hesitate to ask. Lastly, remember that each of you have already won in some way. Your personal growth on this journey is a victory in itself. Enjoy this time of preparation, and Live the Moment!

Hugs!

Teri
Mrs. Ohio America 2013
    
    

Happy Valentine's Day!! :) This poem was shared with me by Mrs. Rhode Island, Leha Guilmette. The author is unknown. This poem really spoke to my heart and I wanted to share it with all of you. I hope it speaks to you too. This journey is all yours and it is what you make of it! xxoo

Teri

It's not the title nor the crown that counts.
It's not the weight that's lost that really amounts.
It's not the makeup design, or the gown that you wear,
Or the shape of your build or the length of your hair.
You see, the growth of a Queen is all done inside.
It's nothing support hose or makeup can hide.
The real preparation is done in the mind, 
It's leaving your fears and faults behind. 
It's lifting your soul to a place that's far seen,
It's molding a woman to the height of a Queen.
It's hard work, and it's not easily done,
But when it's over, you'll know who has won.
When the pageant is through and the lights are turned down, 
You'll know you're a winner and you'll have your crown. 
You see, all crowns are different, it's really an art.
Yours can be rhinestones or the growth of the heart.