Miss Iowa Week Finish

Hello Everyone!

I can't believe Miss Iowa Week has ended, it feels like just yesterday I was just packing up. The final days of Miss Iowa Week were an absolute blast! On the first night of prelims, I was very honored to win the preliminary talent award with my piano. On the second night, I performed my evening wear/onstage question and fitness. The final night of Miss Iowa, I was very honored to receive the academic excellence award and get 2nd runner up to Miss Iowa Outstanding Teen! I would like to take this moment and thank everyone who has helped get me to where I am today. My Muscatine directors, Elaine, Ashley, and Kindra, you guys have been so wonderful in helping me prepared for this crazy eventful week. Elaine, you are such an amazing teen director and a great supporter for me this week, thanks for being such a great room mate, we must stay in touch! Legacy Group Pageant Consulting, Michelle and Jess, thank you for helping me with interview, I have grown so much from your help and advice, it has truly been a pleasure working with you guys. Halie (Miss Kossuth-Winnebago OT) and Anna (Miss Scott County OT and NEW Miss Iowa OT), you guys made my week so fun from the laughs before the curtain opened, to the craziness in the dressing rooms, and the fun times in every community service project, I am so glad to have met you both! I am seriously going to have major withdrawals. Another huge congratulations to our new Miss Iowa Outstanding Teen, Anna Masengarb! Congratulations girl, you deserve it! I am so very proud of you!

Halie, Anna, and I on night one of prelims

Your first night prelim winners, Aly, me, Molly, and Kennedy

My lovely directors!

Sarah and I

My girls and I on night two of prelims

My lovely teen director Elaine and Halie on the final day of Miss Iowa Week

Thank you again to everyone who made this week possible, I had such a wonderful experience!

Your Miss Muscatine Outstanding Teen,

Nina Yu

Miss Iowa Week Day 4

Hi everyone!

Today was the first phase of the Miss Iowa OT competition, interview! I started out my day by going to the Adler theatre and rehearsed for tech talent. I'm so excited to be performing for an audience tomorrow! After that I got ready for interview. My interview went smoothly and I did the best I could. Right after interview we headed to the Fairytale Fashion Show where I was able to meet the junior and little Miss Iowa contestants! Can't wait for them to rock the stage on Saturday! To finish off the night, we drove back to the Adler theatre for one final dress rehearsal before the show tomorrow. Very, very, excited for prelims tomorrow. Let's rock it girls!

Interview

Fairytale Fashion Show

Your Miss Muscatine Outstanding Teen,

Nina Yu

Miss Iowa Week Day 3

Hello,

Miss Iowa Week Day 3 is officially done! I had a great time going to the B100 radio station and introducing myself and the other teen contestants on live radio. We were able to talk about the Miss Iowa Organization and the preparation that goes into the pageant weekend. I was proud to represent Miss Muscatine Outstanding Teen!

At the B100 radio station

All the Teen contestants

After that we headed to the Children's Museum and helped out (mostly played) with all the children there. It was so fun seeing the exhibits and all the different activities you can do there. It seemed like the 2 hours we were there went by in 5 minutes, time flies when you're having fun!

At the Children's Museum

Getting some "ice cream" at one of the exhibits 

After the Children's Museum, we had a free afternoon (WHAT?) and I went on a quick shopping trip with my director and Halie and her mom. Tonight, we had dinner at Golden Chorral and I had som one on one time with the teen and miss contestants. Then we headed back to the hotel and finished off our busy day with a rehearsal! 

Very excited for Interview tomorrow! I will keep you all posted.

Your Miss Muscatine Outstanding Teen,

Nina Yu

Miss Iowa Week Day 2

Hello,

Wow, what a busy busy day! My first day of Miss Iowa Week is over and I can't believe I still have a whole week left. Today felt like an entire week of activities already. I woke up bright and early to package meals for the Kids Against Hunger Organization. We managed to package hundreds of meals for children in Africa and make sure they can life a healthy long life. After we finished packing, we headed to Panchero's to have lunch! A special thank you to Panchero's for being a Miss Iowa Organization sponsor and providing us with free meals! We then headed to Ridgecrest Village to visit the residents at the nursing home. I was so happy to meet all the elders and listen to their stories. I was also honored to play my talent piano piece for the residents as well. After Ridgecrest, we had a rehearsal to learn our opening number dance. Then the Outstanding Teen and Miss contestants went to the Davenport Bandits game and watched the game and made a small appearance! Finally, we went back home and had another rehearsal.

Today was defiantly a whirlwind of activities, but I had fun at each and every one of the service projects! Can't wait for what's coming up. Stay tuned!

Packing food for Kids Against Hunger

All the Teen contestants at Pancheros

Halie, me, and Emma-kate meeting Milo at Ridgecrest

At the Bandits game!

Selfie with the girls!

Your Miss Muscatine Outstanding Teen,

Nina Yu

Miss Iowa Week Day 1

Hello everyone!

I am very excited to say that Miss Iowa Week has officially begun! Today was an absolute whirlwind of activity, but I enjoyed every part of it. I checked into the Clarion Hotel at around 1 and started to get ready for the Show Us Your Shoes kick off event! I had a wonderful time meeting the contestants again and seeing all the sponsors of the Miss Iowa organization.

Leah, Serica, and I

With the Miss Iowa and the Miss Iowa Outstanding Teen 

After the Show Us Your Shoes Event, I quickly went to a dinner and meeting for the Miss Iowa Outstanding Teen contestants to get more information about our week. After that, I headed down to rehearsals to learn our new opening number dances and walk formations for our evening gown and fitness! 

Today started out great and I cannot wait for whats to come this week! I'll be sure to keep you all updated!

Your Miss Muscatine Outstanding Teen,

Nina Yu

It's Almost Here!

Hello Everyone,

Can you believe it's almost Miss Iowa Week? These past few months have flown by and yet I can't be more prepared for the competition next week. This past month has been crazy with mock interviews, shopping trips, and piano playing. Earlier this month I was able to go to the Eastern Iowa Honor Flight Orientation and meet all the veterans heading to Washington D.C. to see the WWII and Vietnam memorials. It was an absolute honor to meet these veterans and thank them for all their years of service.

This month was also filled with fun shopping trips with Ashley and Leah, weekly consultations with Legacy Group Pageant Consulting, and playing piano over, and over, and over again. Needless to say,  I'm ready!

Before I head off to Davenport and begin competing for Miss Iowa Outstanding Teen, I would like to thank everyone who has supported and helped me through this new experience. After winning Miss Muscatine Outstanding Teen, I had no clue my life was going to be turned around like this and I am so blessed. I would first like to thank my directors Elaine, Ashley, and Kindra for being the best so wonderful in every aspect of prepping me. You guys have taught me so much and gave me so much support and encouragement, all I can say is thank you thank you thank you! I would also like to thank Legacy Group Pageant Consulting, especially Michelle and Jessica. I always got so nervous before interview and now, thanks to you, I know I'm prepped and polished. I have learned so much from you guys and I don't think I would be even close to ready if I didn't have those weekly conference calls. Another big shoutout to all the Miss Muscatine sponsors, without you all, I wouldn't be where I am today, and for that I am truly grateful. Le Chic Pageant Boutique, Workout with Ray, Shrik Photography, and just some specific sponsors who have really helped me throughout this journey. A huge thank you to my parents and friends who have supported me every step of the way. I can't thank you enough.

Just typing this blog has got me excited about Miss Iowa week. This moment has finally come and I will cherish every moment! I will make sure I keep you all updated with everything I am doing during Miss Iowa Week so make sure to check back!

Your Miss Muscatine Outstanding Teen,

Nina Yu