Prior to Miss America Laura Kaeppeler’s visit to Amway World Headquarters, we asked the fans of theAmway US Facebook page, “If you could ask Miss America anything, what would it be?”
These are the most popular questions from that post, answered by Miss America herself.
If you had nothing and were offered only one thing, what would you ask for?
-Otto H. Westhassel
Wisdom. If you have wisdom, you have knowledge and with knowledge you can figure out how to get anything you need.
If you could revive someone from the past, who would it be and why?
-Giordy Gullone
My grandfather. He was an instrumental part of my childhood and he died at age 65 of cancer. I was still a child when he was passed and I’d really like to spend more time with him.
I definitely want to take care of my eyes because I have a crazy travel schedule and I don’t always get the sleep I need. Artistry Creme LuXury Eye is perfect! I love how it renews the look of my eyes, and I don’t go anywhere without it!
Winning Miss Americatitle takes a lot of courage and you are very pretty.My question for you is: Would you have the courage to walk in public without make-up?
-Cindy Vy
I’m just like any other woman, I enjoy wearing makeup because it enhances my features, but my makeup doesn’t define me. I walk around in public without makeup all the time and I’m not at all afraid of people seeing me without makeup.
There are also several requests for dates…
One of the best things about being Miss America is meeting a ton of new people; however, since my travel schedule is so busy, I honestly don’t have much time to date!
Q) How would you describe a day in the life of a Miss America tour manager?
A) Well, my day actually starts the night before. I review the next day’s itinerary, make sure all our arrangements are confirmed, and I brief Miss America on the next day’s event(s). The first thing I do when I wake up is remind myself what day it is and what city I am in… LOL! I make sure I’m ready to go a half hour in advance, just in case Miss America needs assistance with anything. On the way to the event, I review details of the event again with Miss America. Once we arrive at the event, I begin to take photos, and make notes to use that help for future planning purposes and also can be used for our travel blogs. Following the event, we head back to the hotel, have dinner and then it’s back to my hotel room where I write reports, file photos, take care of expense reports and then review the next day’s event. Travel days are a whole other animal.
Q) What’s the most exciting part about being a tour manager? What’s the hardest?
A) The most exciting part is going to places and meeting people I would never had the opportunity to meet otherwise. The hardest aspect for me is being away from home for 6 months out of the year, 30 days at a time.
Q) Where are your top three favorite cities that you have visited and why?
A) That’s a tough one, but if I had to pick three.
* Washington DC. I love all the history and all government buildings which I’ve been lucky enough to enjoy behind the scenes tours. I visited the White House, The Capitol, met President Obama (twice), sat in both Nancy Pelosi and John Boehner’s office and had some interesting conversations with them!
* Stuttgart, Germany. Katie Stam, Miss America 2009, and I spent a week there as a special guest of the military. Not only did Miss America visit several military bases, but she was given tours of the country side and a couple of quaint little towns along with a tour of a castle. The views and the scenery were all spectacular, it was a trip of a lifetime that neither of us will ever forget.
* Indianapolis, Indiana. I went there a few times with Katie Stam. I liked that it is a big city with a small town feel. I especially loved being there during the Indy 500! Katie was part of the 500 festivities and was to sing prior to start of the race and to be part of the celebrity lap where eight celebrities are each driven around the track on the back of a convertible. As Katie’s lap was about to commence, they threw me in the front seat of her convertible to serve as her security. Although the cheers were for Katie, it was quite a thrill to be driven on the Brickyard’s track immediately before the start of the Indy 500, in front of a couple hundred-thousand fans no less! It was so exciting you couldn’t help but feel the electricity! I wanted to yell, jump up and down and wave to the fans but I managed to restrain myself.
Q) Being on the road you must have your fair share of eating out. Where have been some of your most delicious meals?
A) Emeril’s in New Orleans is one of my favorites and I’d have to say the menu at the Jackson County Fair, Brownstown, Indiana. I can still taste the sweet corn, green beans and big-boy tomatoes!
Q) Hotel of preference?
A) You can never go wrong at the Westins and Marriotts.
Q) Who is the most interesting person you have met along your journey?
A) I’ve had the honor of meeting hundreds of interesting people including President Obama and HRH Prince Edward, but honestly I’d have to say Donnie Osmond was a thrill for me. When I first took the job I joked that I only took the job so I could meet my childhood heartthrob (Osmond). As luck would have it during my first year, Kirsten Haglund, Miss America 2008, was invited to attend the Donnie and Marie show in Las Vegas and I was also invited. After the show we were whisked backstage. The room filled up quickly with various fans, and as Kirsten went to speak to some folks she knew, I sat quietly by myself observing a group of fans in the room. Suddenly, the group left and revealed Donnie sitting in the chair directly across from me. I then realized we were the only two in the room! I was reduced to a 12 yr old girl and I muttered, “Great show.” Lucky for me, I was holding the crown box. He actually got excited and asked to see the crown! From there, we sat and had a very nice long conversation about our lives. He was a great guy and a very down to earth person.
Q) Have you worked with previous Miss Americas?
A) I’ve been the Tour Manager for three Miss Americas – Kirsten Haglund, Katie Stam and Miss America 2010 Caressa Cameron. All three have a special place in my heart.
Q) What is your favorite memory of being on the road with Miss America?
A) Well, that’s hard to say. There were so many special moments that I was able to share with these three Miss Americas during their year of service. One that makes me laugh though… I actually hate to fly but have gotten use to it. On this particular trip we had to go on this big old prop plane. I was sooo nervous. There was only four people on the flight, and as we were air born I was holding bare knuckles down on the seat. Katie taps me on the shoulder, and as I turn and look at her like a deer in headlights, she starts singing really in a really corny voice, “bed knobs and broom sticks…” Needless to say, we both burst out laughing!!
“Hey, ______! What are you up to this weekend? Anything fun?”
“Oh, you know. Just going on a shopping spree with Miss America. In NYC. No big deal.”
No joke – This could be you, my friends!
Get ready… our new sweepstakes is going to knock your socks off!
The Grand Prize is a trip for two to New York City for two nights and three days! We provide you your flights, your hotel room for the two nights, two $100 gift cards to DSW and a private after hours shopping spree with Miss America at the Union Square DSW. You also get two $500 Visa gift cards to use on your shopping extravaganza, two $250 gift cards for all your delicious New York City meals, two Artistry gift bags and ground transportation.
There are weekly prizes as well! Enter to win a $50 DSW gift card or a bag of Artistry products!
The sweepstakes started July 26th and runs until September 1st! Check out ourFacebook site for details on if you are eligible and all of the ways you can enter.
Don’t miss out on this… It could be your chance of a lifetime!
I am so excited to be able to share with Artistry’s followers, this interview I did with my mother, Lavern Cameron, who has been such an inspiration to me. On this Mother’s Day, don’t forget to tell your mom, aunt, sister, anyone who is a mother how much you appreciate them! Raising a child in today’s world is a challenging job, and mothers everywhere deserve our love, respect and sincere gratitude!
Check out the interview with my mom; I’m so proud to be her daughter:
1. What is the most difficult part about being a mother? Being a mom is more challenging than difficult. I say that because every day brings something new. The most challenging thing is giving each child a little part of you every day so as to give them something they can hold onto forever. 2.What is the most rewarding part of being a mother? Being able to sleep all night… just kidding! Being able to assist and guide your children in helping them to realize their individual God given potential. Allowing them to develop to the best of their ability so that they can grow into the person God intended for each of them to be. 3.If you knew what you know now as a new mom, would you do anything differently? I don't think it was intended for us to know then what we know now as moms, but for us to take that wisdom we learn and deposit it into the future generation by passing it on to our children so they can use it to help raise theirs.
4.If your kids could only take one lesson from you, what would you like that lesson to be? To pick and choose your battles wisely and to not sweat small things. Remember that you are a gift to the world and that the difficulties in life are gifts designed to cause you to reach your fullest potential. 5.What have you learned from your kids? To forgive quickly, exhale and dirt won't kill me! 6.When you have no time left in the day, what is your go-to quick meal? Telephone and delivery 7.What makes you feel relaxed? Knowing that I have done and been who I am supposed to be everyday of my life. 8.What is the one thing you can put on that makes you feel beautiful? A kick-butt pair of shoes! 9.If you could offer moms out there any piece of advice what advice would that be? Allow your children to be who they are. Never compare your children to their siblings or anyone else. Stop burdening them with your expectations for them, rather help them to develop into themselves. Finally, when their decisions aren't always the best and when ramifications are hard, use those times as teaching moments rather than an opportunity to pounce on them. They are already feeling the effects of their decision. During those times they need guidance and the voice of wisdom. Learn the art of listening to their silence. 10. What have you learned being a mom? That there is no greater responsibility than to be entrusted with another life. Being a mom is the most important position a woman can have and every woman who has been blessed to be a mom should know how important their contribution to this world is. After all, we are responsible for raising presidents, professional leaders etc… but more importantly future mothers and fathers. 11.What inspires you? Faith in God, music, friends and the melodious sound of laughter.
