Signing Off...

What a year it has been. Since I was crowned Miss Muscatine Outstanding Teen last year, I was able to accomplish so much in this short period of time and now it's coming to an end. I had a wonderful time emceeing a bridal show, performing piano at different events, volunteering at Muscatine and Cedar Rapids, meeting new people and making long lasting friendships, competing at Miss Iowa's Outstanding Teen, and so so much more. But this great year really couldn't have been done without some great people supporting me through this. 

I would like thank my amazing directors Elaine, Ashley, and Kindra. Thank you Elaine for rooming with me during Miss Iowa week, we have truly bonded and I thank you a million times for bringing that foot massager. You have been a great teen director. Thank you Ashley for always keeping me updated and making sure I get things done. Thank you for the crazy shopping trip where we literally shopped for 7 hours one day. Thank you Kindra for always making me look perfect and doing an amazing job on my hair and makeup. You guys are truly awesome to work with! I will miss you all. Thank you Michelle and Jessica for prepping me for Miss Iowa week, its because of you guys I felt I was confident in everything I did. I am so blessed to have gotten to know you two, thank you for everything. Halie and Anna, I am so glad we met during Miss Iowa Week, you guys truly made that experience so much fun for me. I am so glad I’m friends with you two, let’s get that sleep over planned soon! Leah and Serica, my amazing sister queens. I am so glad to have gotten to know both of you this year. You guys are wonderful women and I look up to you in so many ways. Thank you to all the Muscatine Scholarship sponsors, without you guys, I would not be standing here today! Thank you especially, Le Chic for providing me gorgeous dresses, Shrik Photography for my headshots, and much much more! But most importantly, thank you mom and dad for always supporting me in everything I do. Thank you for constantly driving me from Cedar Rapids to Muscatine, thank you making sure I always look perfect, and thank you for always loving me even though I can be a bit of a hassle sometimes. I love you both.

Even though tomorrow I will be giving up my crown of Miss Muscatine Outstanding Teen, I am so excited for what's ahead of me. As they say, a door closes for another one to open. I will continue working with my platform Diversity Advocacy: Embracing the Unique in Everyone and start my new project called the Youth Leadership Program, a program that brings the topic of diversity and inclusion to high schools. I also hope to embark another journey in the Miss America Organization and learn and grow as a woman. But for now....

Signing off for the last time,

Your Miss Muscatine Outstanding 2014-15,

Nina Yu