Big Sky State Games: Running in the Heat.

It was billed as "Come run with Miss Montana" and one of the competitive events to kick off the annual Big Sky State Games on Friday, July 20.
I raced in the Big Sky Games 5K in 100 degree weather alongside many other athletes. It was actually a lot of fun! People in the neighborhoods along the race route had put their sprinklers pointed toward the road and were out cheering on the many runners. It was great to see them getting involved and providing some much needed cool water for the runners!
I finished with a time of 21.49, putting me at second for my 19-24 age group. I was very surprised with my finish and proud that my many training runs had paid off.
After the race I quickly put on my crown and helped hand out awards. I confess that I did not look my best after having run in the heat, but it was fun getting to participate in an event and in the ceremonies.
It was amazing to see all of the participation in the Big Sky State Games. Montana has some truly amazing athletes! It was also great to see people leading healthy lifestyles and being concerned about personal fitness.
I had a wonderful time at the games, despite the heat!

Grand Street Theatre Camp & Shodair Hospital

July 18: Theatre Camp and Shodair Hospital --- both in Helena, our state capital.
I am beginning to see how much variety my job will have this year! I went from speaking in front of adult insurance agents to 200 youth theatre camp participants!
At the Grandstreet Theater’s camp in Helena, I gave a quick speech to all of the participants and then taught a workshop to the third graders. All of the kids had such enthusiasm! It was great to see kids pursuing their dreams as they work to become better actors and actresses.
Josie Adams helped me during my workshop. Josie was one of the contestants at Miss Montana who had made Top Ten. We have become friends because of meeting at the competition, so it was great to get to hang out with her again. They are just about to begin their production of the musical “Grease”, in which Josie has the lead role of Sandy. I am so proud of her and hope to see her amazing performance sometime.
After I was done at the Grandstreet I stopped at Shodair Medical Center to visit with Ellen Livers. She was kind enough to give me a tour of the facility and tell me a little bit more about Children’s Miracle Network. I am so excited to become more involved with CMN and to help raise funds for Shodair.

Independent Insurance Agents of MT Convention

My first big speaking engagement was on July 15th where I was asked to be a guest speaker at the Montana Independent Insurance Agents Convention held at the Yogo Inn.
I was asked to speak for half an hour during their awards luncheon. It was very intimidating thinking of speaking for that long in front of these professionals. My nerves were immediately calmed when I was greeted with such kindness and enthusiasm. My speech went very well thanks to them making me feel right at home!
I feel much better now that I have a long speech under my belt. Speaking in front of them made it finally seem a little bit more real that this is how my year is going to go!

Mr. Relay for Life...July 14

On July 14th I was the co-emcee for the Mr. Relay for Life competition held at the Lewistown fairgrounds. There were six contestants who competed in evening gown, swimsuit, and talent. They were also judged by how much funds they raised for Relay for Life. There were some very unique ensembles and some hardly recognizable male contestants! It was very entertaining for everyone gathered for the event! Not only was it a good show, but they also raised over three thousand dollars! It was great seeing so many people pitch in and take part in such an amazing cause. Being at Relay for Life was especially important to me because my Grandpa Loyal lost his battle with cancer a year and a half ago. I think Relay for Life is such an amazing organization and I was honored with the chance to participate in an event that helps fight cancer.

Montana 4-H State Congress...MSU-Bozeman

On Wednesday morning Avice and I drove to Bozeman. Avice was a judge for the dress revue at 4H congress, so while she was judging I was given the chance to visit with some of the county competitors. I was so impressed with their sewing skills! The girls had created such amazing outfits, I was not jealous of Avice for having to judge these girls!
On Wednesday evening I was given the chance to speak with the 600 4H participants and volunteer leaders about my platform of integrity. They were having their talent show so I was also able to perform my talent. It was also projected on several large screens. At Miss America, the talents are projected the same way.
Thursday morning I helped the dress revue girls with their modeling. The girls did not need much help because they already possessed an abundant amount of poise and grace. It was great having the chance to get to know these girls better. They are truly talented young ladies who I hope to see someday competing for Miss Montana!
That afternoon I rode back home to Lewistown with my dad. He knows the roads of Montana very well. He treated me to some back roads for getting back to Lewistown. It was fun to get to see different parts of Montana. I am constantly amazed at how beautiful this state is!

Meeting the lovely Miss Montana 1947

After visiting with Laurie at Guccione Salon, Big Sky Airlines, and Big Sky State Games in Billings, I met Miss Montana 1947, Carol Chaffen Anderson at her lovely residence.

She is such an amazing lady and was kind enough to show me some of her pictures and memorabilia and tell of her adventures in preparing and traveling to Miss America. She is the first contestant to win a Miss America national talent scholarship which she used to complete her studies at the University of Montana.

It’s amazing to see the history of the Miss America Organization. It’s also amazing to think that maybe someday I will be in her position showing my memorabilia to a future Miss Montana.

Clark Marten

After the Miss Washington competition I spent several days in Billings working on paperwork with my director Avice.
I had my official photos taken by Clark Marten of Columbus, Montana. He is an extremely gifted photographer who I am very lucky to have do my portraits. He is also very kind and made the photo shoot very fun!
His wife even made chocolate chip cookies for us! They were delicious!

Miss Washington...July 6-7

I was honored with the chance to be a guest at the Miss Washington competition. Lois Elaine was one of my judges and invited me out to see the Miss Washington competition. She was planning to be my hostess for the event but her husband ended up getting sick. Fortunately she was able to make it for the final night and I was honored to get to watch the show with her that night.
The competition was held in Tacoma, Washington. I flew to Portland and received a ride from the Clark County board of directors. They were such nice ladies and I enjoyed my chance to get to know them. During the competition I roomed with Kate, Miss South Dakota. She is such a great girl and we became fast friends. Our chaperones were Bev and Bob. They were two amazing volunteers with the Miss Washington program and treated us like their own daughters. I was thrilled with the chance to get to know them.

We enjoyed a lovely luncheon on the waterfront with Nick, the head judge at Miss Montana.

Miss Idaho and Miss Oregon were also guests there. All of the girls were so kind and I am looking forward to seeing them again at Miss America. We were all given the chance to perform our talents at the competition. It was amazing to dance on the beautiful stage at the Pentage Theater.

On Saturday night Elyse Unemoto was crowned Miss Washington 2007. After her crowning there was a reception and dance. It was a fun time to hang out with the other state title holders and Miss Washington contestants.

Sunday morning I headed back to Portland to catch my Big Sky flight to the beautiful state of Montana! I had a wonderful time at Miss Washington and felt so blessed at getting to meet all of the amazing people I did.

Independence Day...July 4th

My first parade as Miss Montana was in Lewistown on July 4th. My grandfather was asked to drive the car I rode in. I think he was pretty pleased with that! My grandma even went and bought him a new cowboy hat just for the occasion. My cousins also joined in the fun and followed my car handing out candy to the parade watchers. It was a very warm day and I got pretty hot in my sequined evening gown, but it was so much fun getting to see the people who showed up for the parade!
That evening we went out to the family’s ranch for a barbeque and fireworks. After we had dinner my mom, my cousins, and I went for a walk. We ended up taking a long walk around much of the ranch. We saw several deer and even some young fawns. We watched as the sun began to slip below the mountains and cast golden glows over the rolling hills full of wheat and straw bales. When we got back it was time for fireworks! It was a wonderful Independence Day that I felt so blessed to be able to share with my family.

Miss Wyoming Pageant...June 27-30

I flew on Big Sky Airlines, the official airline sponsor of my year of servant leadership, to Sheridan Wyoming for my first appearance as Miss Montana. I was able to spend the week as a guest at the Miss Wyoming competition. I was greeted at the airport by my host mom Shirley who drove me to her beautiful home outside of Sheridan. I could immediately tell that I was going to love my stay with her. The area was beautiful, Shirley was so sweet and like a second mother, and she had coffee ready and waiting! It was going to be a wonderful week!
The Wyoming contestants were all amazing. There were four girls competing, and each of them was an extremely talented and accomplished young lady. I had such a wonderful week getting to know each of them. I was able to perform my talent during their competition, and was also included in their “showgirls” production number. Their theme for the competition was “Viva Las Vegas” so in the production number we all wore big feathered head dresses and sparkling costumes! It was a lot of fun and I had a blast with it!
The competition culminated with Jenileigh Sawatzke crowning Jennifer McCafferty as her successor and Miss Wyoming 2007. I was so excited for Jennifer. She is a very talented vocalist and an exceptionally kind person who will proudly represent Wyoming.

Montana Highway Patrol: Project Hope

A quick trip to Helena to view the newest edition to the Montana Highway Patrol took place the following day.

I am excited to be the spokewoman for the Montana Highway Patrol Project Hope. It will be a busy year helping these wonderful people.

Hometown Support!

When I returned home to Lewistown on Sunday, June 17th, I was feeling ready for bed! However, my family had some other ideas. When we drove into town we drove straight out to my grandparents and aunt and uncle’s ranch. They had a barbeque planned to congratulate me! It was so fun to see my whole extended family there ready to congratulate me. My twin cousins, Justin and Jordan, and their older sister Melisa, had a bouquet of roses and a cake waiting for me!
Monday morning I thought that I would be able to catch up on some much needed sleep. However, Lewistown had other plans for me! My parents woke me and told me to get ready for interviews! Right away on Monday I had interviews with the radio station, a television station, the Lewistown News Argus, and an interview over the phone with the Glendive paper. It was all so exciting!
In a small town like Lewistown news travels fast. I was already being congratulated by people all over Lewistown. It felt so good to know how much my hometown was supporting me. The Yogo Inn of Lewistown and the Chamber of Commerce even sponsored a reception in my honor. It was such a kind thing to do and a fun time to get to see people from all over Lewistown. I am so proud to represent Lewistown!

The Crowning Moment...June 16

On Saturday night June 16th, my hopes and dreams became a reality. It was the final night of the Miss Montana competition. They had announced Top Ten and we went on to compete in talent, lifestyle and fitness, and evening gown. I performed my talent the best that I had ever done. My dad had given me a pep talk telling me to “remember how hard you’ve worked for this, leave it all on stage with no regrets.” I took his advice and left my best out on the stage.
After we competed in those categories the top five were announced. We were then left on stage to draw a judge’s name who then asked us a question. It was a very intimidating experience! After we all answered questions we were ushered off stage to anxiously await the outcome.

Finally the time had come. The five of us stood at the front of the stage holding hands. Then there was a final song! The song was beautiful and standing there waiting built up the anticipation in the whole auditorium. Finally it was time to announce the placing.
Slowly our group got smaller until I found myself holding hands with Kari Rude. We both looked at each other and it was easy to tell the nerves and anxiety that each of us held! Finally the time had come and the announcement that Kari was the first runner up came. I hugged Kari and then it hit me that I was the new Miss Montana.
All of the hard work, disappointments, and perseverance of the past three years culminated on that moment in time. This was not my first try for Miss Montana, but my third. I felt so overjoyed and stood in disbelief! Christie Hageman crowned me and had to whisper to me to stop shaking! It was so exciting to be crowned by my friend who only one year ago I had stood on that same stage with as her runner-up. It was then time to take my first walk as Miss Montana. I remember turning to the crowd and being shocked by how many people there were in the auditorium, on their feet! I walked to the judges and thanked them, and then walked to stage right towards the most important people in the world to me. There was my whole family standing on their feet looking as excited as I was. They had been my constant support in my past tries for Miss Montana and also my support as I gave everything I had for this year. I blew them a kiss and knew that this moment was one that we would all treasure for the rest of our lives.
I received a flurry of hugs and congratulations from my fellow constants. Visiting with them made me realize how lucky I was to have competed along side these amazing women. Anyone of them would have made an amazing Miss Montana, and I felt even more honored knowing that.

Many pictures were taken following the crowning. I don’t remember much about them or the reception afterwards, I was still in shock! That night it was very late when I returned to my host home. I thought for sure that I would be able to sleep because I was exhausted. But once I lay on my bed my mind started running. I was actually Miss Montana! The responsibility and honor of the position started setting in and I was unable to sleep. So I greeted my first day as Miss Montana a little sleepily, but still very excited and eager to begin the new adventure ahead of me!

Meet Miss Montana 2007 - Kristen Mantooth!

~June 16 - Glendive, Montana~

Kristen Mantooth of Lewistown was crowned Miss Montana 2007.

Kristen, 21, is majoring in English Education and Art. She is the official spokewoman for the Montana Highway Patrol Project Hope. Her platform is R.E.A.C.H. She is writing and illustrating a children's book to raise money for the Children's Miracle Network. A BLM fire fighter and long distance runner, Kristen performed a lyrical dance entitled "Beauty From Pain"

Named in the Court of Honor were:

First Runner-Up: Kari Rude (Cut Bank) - Vocal

Second Runner-Up: Jennifer Hepner (Great Falls) - Raqs Sharki Dance

Third Runner-Up: Katrina Valkenburg (Billings) - Piano

Fourth Runner-Up: Nicole Dowson (Great Falls) - Vocal

Top Ten Semi-Finalists

Kali Green (Billings) - Tap Dance

Josie Adams (Helena) - Vocal

Allison Linhart (Hobson) - Piano

Rachel Markovich (Butte) - Ballet

Lesli Furniss (Frenchtown) - Bull Whip Artistry

Awards

Miss Congeniality: Bridget Clawson (Plentywood)

State Scholar: Gillette Vaira (Lambert)

State Community Service: Jennifer Hepner (Great Falls)

Miss Promotion: Fallon Elhard (Bozeman)

Miss Spirt & Leadership: Bridget Clawson (Plentywood)

Over-all Interview: Lesli Furniss (Frenchtown)

Non-finalist Interview: Gillette Vaira (Lambert)

Four-Points Award: Caitlin Jenne (Dillon)

International Air & Hospitality Academy Scholarship: Heather Wilson (Shepherd)

Miss Photogenic: Caitlin Jenne (Dillon)

Preliminary Awards

Preliminary Talent: Kristen Mantooth & Jennifer Hepner

Non-finalists Talent: Fallon Elhard & Gillette Vaira

Preliminary Fitness: Nicole Dowson & Kali Green

Non-finalist fitness: Janelle Clark & Caitlin Jenne

Prelimary Evening Gown: Kali Green & Jennifer Hepner

Non-finalist Evening Gown: Emily Marie & Caitlin Jenne

Hats off to the twenty-one state finalists for Miss Montana 2007!