Miss America!

I've just returned home from Las Vegas where I competed in the 2009 Miss America Pageant. The entire experience felt like a surreal vacation with 51 of my best pals. Not only did we get to compete for the title of Miss America 2009, but we had a ton of fun experiencing Las Vegas!

On Wednesday, January 14th, I boarded a plane at Logan Airport with my Executive Director, Buffy. We decided to leave a day earlier than I as expected to arrive, so that we had time to get settled in and rest before the welcoming ceremony. Eight or so long hours later, we arrived at Planet Hollywood. After checking in to our rooms, we met up with Miss New Jersey and her traveling companion, Miss Oklahoma and her traveling companion, Miss North Dakota, Miss Oregon, and Miss South Carolina, and went to “Paris” for dinner. After we ate, we all went back to our hotel rooms and fell asleep... traveling is tiring and we had a busy day ahead!

The next day, I woke up very early (thanks to the time change) and unpacked my things while I waited for my roommate, Miss Georgia. I was very excited when she arrived! We didn't have much time to gab because our arrival ceremony was scheduled for later that afternoon. I was thrilled to see the other contestants as I lined up to be introduced! Following the ceremony, an informative meeting was held where we learned what the next couple of weeks held in store for us and where we also got to watch the last two episodes of the reality show!
Over the next few days, we rehearsed... and rehearsed... and rehearsed...and made some fabulous public appearances! We had the chance to race go-karts, see the “Phantom of the Opera”, flip pancakes for Ihop, and meet Joaquin Phoenix (who looked nothing like we were expecting)! The days were long, but I enjoyed every minute of it. We learned an opening number choreographed by Barry Lather. It was VERY different than anything Miss America has ever done. Our days began at 6am and lasted until roughly midnight. In between rehearsals and appearances, we all tried so squeeze in last minute competition prep. During rehearsal, it is hysterical to see a group of ladies reading the newspaper like the are studying for a final exam on one side of the room, then a group on the opposite side working out like they're training for a marathon! I think that all of us have learned that in order to compete for Miss America, you definitely need to have a balanced life, healthy lifestyle, and knowledge of self.

Before I knew it it was Saturday, January 24th 2009 and the beginning of the Miss America 2009 Pageant! Even though I did not make the Top15, I know in my heart that I did my absolute best that I could in every aspect of competition. I feel wonderfully about how the competition went and know that the Miss America Organization chose an outstanding representative in our MISS AMERICA 2009, KATIE STAM! Congratulations, Katie... You are an amazing young lady and I am proud to have you as our Miss America!

I feel incredibly blessed to have even walked on to the Miss America stage. Everything is put into perspective when you think of the big picture... THOUSANDS of young women compete throughout the United States to represent their state at Miss America. I was one of the lucky 52 who had the opportunity to do so this year. That is something that I will never forget. I cherish every moment that I have had with 51 of my new sisters. The women that I have bonded with as the Miss America Class of '09 are the most dedicated, ambitious, intelligent, and selfless young women in the nation.

I need to thank so many people who have helped to make my Miss America Experience what it was. First, I'd like to thank my beautiful family, friends and all of the Massachusetts Supporters who traveled to Las Vegas and experienced first hand the amazement of the Miss America Pageant with me! To everyone at home who could not make it out to Vegas, I carried a piece of each of you in my heart with me on stage! Thank you to the Miss Massachusetts Board of Directors for all of their guidance!
Special Thanks to Maria, Michelle, Raquel, and the staff of The Crowning Touch in New Bedford, MA for providing my Miss America wardrobe, to my Personal Trainer - Katie Boyd who always made sure that I was confident and prepared for anything, to Jack and Doug of Studio2000 and to everyone else who dedicated their time and talents! God Bless each and every one of you!!

Love, Alicia

Cheers to 2009!

I would like to begin this post by saying : HAPPY 2009! It is crazy how quickly time goes by... I can remember when it was the year 2000, like it was yesterday... Here I am, in the year 2009, preparing to compete for Miss America. Nuts! Isn't it? Who would have thought?!

Over the past few weeks, people have been asking me “Alicia, are you READY for Miss America?!” I tell them that I will never feel like I am completely prepared for this opportunity. How can you be? Competing at Miss America is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. It feels as though there is always something else that you can do to better yourself in preparation for the experience. Personally, I think that is where the beauty of this opportunity lies. It is necessary to always push and set new standards of excellence for yourself so that when the time rolls around, you are the best YOU that you can possibly be. On that note, I have finalized and picked up my wardrobe. Participated in numerous mock interviews and current event cram sessions, Tried my best to follow a “high protein” diet and lift weights (HAHA!).

In preparation for the talent competition, I have been spending a lot of time in the dance studio. We had to rework my original dance because of the new 90 second time restraint, but I the final product is a piece that is moving and that I feel very passionate about.

Thank you to Valerie Amaral, Miss Massachusetts 2007, for providing the vocals, PD Studio for recording the track, and my brother, Eddie Zitka, for choreographing the dance. ]

When I perform my talent I know that I won't be dancing alone... Those who have contributed to my dancing career and who have helped shape me into the performer that I am will be dancing with me. Thank you all!

On Saturday night I had the special opportunity to perform my Miss America talent for the first time on stage, in front of an audience. I, along with “Miss Teen Western MA”, Amanda Morton, was invited to be a guest performer at the “Artistic Dance Conservatory Annual Charity Gala”!

There I ran into some old friends that I used to dance with and made some new ones! It was so much fun to be able to perform, watch the dancers, and speak with the audience about the Miss America Organization. I really think that this appearance was valuable preparation for the Miss America Pageant. I leave in less than two weeks and I am beginning to feel that it is crunch time!

All that is left for me to do is... PACK. Oh my. I have been dreading this... I can honestly say that I have over 14 ongoing lists of things that I cannot forget to bring to Miss America. Of course, I am bound to forget something, but I am trying my best not to. I found out that my roommate in Las Vegas will be “Miss Georgia”... Hi Chasity! I look forward to getting to know her better. Besides finishing up my Miss America Prep, I have had the opportunity to visit relatives and spend some time with my friends, which is nice.

Last Sunday, my local committee, “Miss Western Massachusetts/Greater Holyoke”, held a self-off party in my honor! It was a nice way for me to catch up with individuals who I have encountered on my “Road to Miss America”. The party was held at the Holyoke Carousel, which was a blast! I had never been, but it ended up being the perfect place for a party. During the event, I was able to mingle with family and friends, eat delicious food (Thank you Pajers, in Agawam, MA.!), and ride the carousel. Those couple of hours definitely shot my spirits to the sky and made me super excited to head to Vegas!

Thank you to the Miss Massachusetts Board of Directors, The Miss Massachusetts Board of Directors, my Parents, Friends, the Massachusetts Local Titleholders, and all of the Sponsors for their endless support!

Love, Alicia