Bittersweet Farewell

I am so privileged to be a “Kansas City girl”. Not in the sense that I am “from” Kansas City, but to be a part of the Miss Kansas City Pageant family. The advice and support from this outstanding group of people have helped mold me into the woman I am today, and I am so grateful for the opportunity to come to know them and grow with them this year. I have enjoyed promoting my platform
“The Value of Art in Education” at Mountain View Elementary (my Miss Missouri Little Sisters' School) where I celebrated “Music in Our Schools Month” with the students.


I also worked alongside “Art Feeds” to bring therapeutic art projects to students with special needs. From photo shoots downtown where we stopped traffic in our evening gowns to selling newspapers with Hall of Fame athletes like Bobby Bell, it has been an unforgettable year.  

Kari, Mattie, and Morgan- I have so much enjoyed being your sister queen.To the Kansas City Board- Thanks so much for your input on interview and for helping Angie to not have to carry the load alone. Tim: Thank you for your orneriness and encouragement. I will always remember when you first approached me after the pageant in Maryville last year and told me I’d better come to Kansas City. If it wasn’t for people like you who saw something in me, I may not have continued to compete, and thus, would not be with you all today. Angie: Thank you for your sincerity and telling me that “a genuine heart deserves a genuine chance”. I appreciate that more than you know. John, my sweetheart and chauffer: Thank you for traveling hundreds of miles to support me and make sure I had food and a wrinkle-free dress. Mom and Dad: Thank you also for traveling miles and miles to carry my dresses in and yell “yay, spud” from the audience. I appreciate that more than I can describe. Most importantly, thank you for raising me to be a humble servant of God. Your actions have spoken louder than words through the years, and I could not have asked for a more blessed life. I love you.



To the new titleholders, Caroline & Alexis - congratulations & remember that this organization is not about being what someone else wants you to be. It’s about being the best version of yourself and using your God-given abilities to bless others’ lives. Good luck in 2011. Thank you and God bless. –Lauren Alumbaugh Miss Greater Kansas City 2010

Miss Missouri 2010 Wrap-up

Miss Missouri 2010 did not disappoint in being just as memorable as last year. I had a WONDERFUL roommate, Jeni Dixon, whom I shared many hilarious moments with. Hope I can have her as my roommate again if I return to Miss MO in 2011! Love her!!

Competition was tight with So Many talented, poised, and intelligent young women competing for the honor and amazing adventure of being crowned MISS MISSOURI 2010.

I was honored to receive the Miss America Scholar Award for the 2nd year in a row! Woohoo! Jeni was awarded Non-finalist with the Most Points Overall. My lifelong friend, Sydney, made the TOP FIVE for the first time! She finished as 3rd runner-up and ROCKED IT!! :) And the BIG winner is....Erika Hebron! We were all SO happy for her. She danced so beautifully and is such a sweet and genuine person.

Well I hope this is not the end of the road for me. I had a GREAT experience and can't wait to come back to Mexico!

Miss Missouri week part 1...

It is finally here: Miss Missouri week. And tomorrow is Day 1 of  prelims. We have worked really hard on the production for the last 3 days and it is going to be a GREAT show! I am having so much fun getting to know all of the other girls. I have an awesome roommate, Jeni Dixon Miss Branson. She is so sweet and we get along splendidly. :)

Interview is tomorrow morning and I am really excited to let the judges get to know me. I want to express how passionate I am about the arts and its value and genuine I am in my love for this program and its ideals. But - my overall goal is to go in confidently and 100% myself. If I do those 2 things, I will have done what I came here to do. Well, it is late and I must get a good night's sleep. So, nighty night. I promise to have some pictures later.

God bless,
Lauren Alumbaugh

Photo Shoots --- "Say Cheese!"

A few weeks ago, the Kansas City girls had the opportunity to be led around various Kansas City locations for an afternoon photo shoot. We had a blast walking through busy intersections and a crowded park in our evening gowns. We became a tourist attraction outside the Cheesecake Factory where many visitors asked for pictures with us, many of which were taken with cell phones.

John wanted to practice his photography skills, so a few days ago, we spent a couple hours taking pictures at various Joplin locations. It was a lot of fun! Below are a couple of his shots. And they turned out pretty impressive for an amateur. :) (more photos to come.)

CMN Golf Tournament...almost!

I was invited to help Children's Miracle Network with their annual Golf Tournament in Miami, Oklahoma. We had just taken our place at the 9th hole when lightning struck and pouring rain followed. There was a rain delay followed by the tournament being rescheduled for the following week but then cancelled because of more rain to come. Regardless of the dreary weather, we had a great time meeting other volunteers. I say "we" because, once again, John came to help me. What a trooper. :) I now have a list of more CMN events in the Joplin area and am so excited to be a part of this wonderful organization.

"A Dream is a Wish Your Heart Makes..."

"Dreams do come true" seemed to be the resounding theme of the evening at the Lighthouse Children's Theatre Gala Concert in El Dorado Springs. I was asked to be a hostess for the event as well as the closing entertainment for the evening singing the Cinderella theme, "A dream is a wish your heart makes". I got to sing it with my dad which was really special to me. He has had a huge impact on the direction of my life and the musical dreams that I chase.

Ned Reynolds of KY3 in Springfield was the Emcee for the evening, and Jay Kenneth Johnson from Days of Our Lives was the guest of honor (and a handsome one at that). The event helped to raise funds for the new children's theatre in El Dorado Springs. Dinner was outstanding and our two guests were nothing short of inspirational. It was a great act of support for the arts in our community and the importance of feeding the fire in children who are aspiring actors, musicians, and artists. Each of us helped to make children's dreams come true, in our hometown, through this awesome event.
What a wonderful event to be held in El Dorado Springs!

22 Years Old!!!

Today is my birthday! 22 years and counting... hope it's a good number for me too. :)