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

What a Weekend

Hello!

This last weekend has been crazy busy, but crazy fun! Last Thursday through Saturday, Kennedy High School's production of Jekyll and Hyde was premiered and I had the honor of being a part of such a great show. I had an absolute blast performing with my friends and being onstage. This is a show I won't forget!

Lucy (played by Mary Mathis) and I

All the Red Rat Girls!

On Saturday, I headed over to Davenport to attend Miss Iowa Orientation! Crazy to think that the Miss Iowa pageant is just around the corner. I had a great time with the Muscatine queens and met some of new faces as well. I can't wait to get to know the Outstanding teen contestants more at Miss Iowa week! 

Serica, Leah, and I 

Your Miss Iowa Class of 2014

On Monday, I then headed over to Des Moines to compete in my National History Day competition. My partner Sweta and I delivered a performance based off of William Shirer, a journalist reporting during the Nazi Reign. We were honored to received the Literature in History Award and place as an alternate for nationals!

Sweta and I standing behind the capitol

Receiving our award with the Lieutenant Governor Reynolds 

Until next time,

Your Miss Muscatine Outstanding Teen
Nina Yu

Photo Shoot with Shirk Photography

Hello Everyone!

Last Wednesday I had an amazing time in Muscatine to get prepped for Miss Iowa. Crazy to think in 2 months I'll be on the Adler stage competing for Miss Iowa's Outstanding Teen! First I stopped by Anew Salon and Spa to get my hair done by Heather. She taught me some great hair tricks to do on the week of Miss Iowa and my hair looked great for the photo shoot!

Heather and I

 After getting my hair done, I headed over to Shirk's Photography get my head shots done. Ben was an amazing photography and I had a blast taking pictures! Ashley and Kindra were there helping with my hair and makeup, I felt like a million bucks! 

Once we finished the photo shoot, I headed over to Davenport to meet up with Ray Porter and get started training for Miss Iowa. Ray taught me the many exercises I will have to do at home to make sure I look amazing on the Miss Iowa stage. I had a great time, a little tired afterwards, but no pain no gain! 

Until next time,

Your Miss Muscatine Outstanding Teen,
Nina Yu

Miss Liberty Pageant

Hello everyone!

Spring Break flew by in seconds! Proud to say I didn't sit on my couch all day and watch movies (though it was very tempting), but instead got to attend several events and prep for Miss Iowa! Last Thursday, I was able to attend to Professional Women's Network luncheon with Diversity Focus and learn about the millions of opportunities for women in the work force and the increasing amount of new women entrepreneurs in todays society. Chuck Peters, the President and Chief Executive Officer of The Gazette Company, and his wife talked about Iowa's Creative Corridor and it's future and current progress. I had a great time and learned a lot about our city and the role women play in it.

On Saturday, my directors Ashley and Elaine were able to stop by to pick out some outfits for my photoshoot with Shrik Photography and lay out possible outfits for Miss Iowa. I had a great time "modeling" for them and got even more excited for Miss Iowa this June! The next day I attended the Miss Liberty Pageant in Dewitt and had a wonderful time watching the pageant. I got to see some familiar faces and meet some new ones as well. 

My lovely director, Elaine

All of our local titleholders at the pageant

Until next time,

Your Miss Muscatine Outstanding Teen,
Nina Yu

Happy Spring!

Hello everyone,

What a busy, yet successful few weeks! Since my last blog post, I competed in my last show choir competition of the season and Protege ended it with a bang. We made a clean sweep and won Grand Champions, best vocals, and best male soloist, way to go Protege!

At night, I left the show choir competition and headed to the Cedar Rapids Public Library to watch the Miss Cedar Valley Pageant. I had a great time meeting new local titleholders and watching the pageant, the girls competing were all great. Congratulations to our new Miss Cedar Valley, Amanda Manning!

The week flew by and I prepared for a National History Day competition for Friday. National History Day is a nation wide competition that engages students to create history through various forms. My partner, Sweta, and I have been doing a performance for 5 years now! In the last 2 years, we were even blessed to win the state performance winner and head to Washington D.C. to compete in nationals. This year, Sweta and I performed a 10 minute skit about the rights and responsibilities of a journalist during the Nazi Reign and received the senior performance district winner and will be heading to state April 28th!

Now that it's Spring Break, I'll be kicking back my feet and finding a new book to read. I am excited to meet up with Ashley and Elaine this weekend to figure out my outfits for Miss Iowa week and my photoshoot with Shirk Photography! 

Your Miss Muscatine Outstanding Teen,

Nina Yu

National Pancake Day at IHOP

Last Tuesday, I was able to volunteer at my local IHOP and fundraise for the Children's Miracle Network at the University of Iowa. I had such a great time and raised over $200! I was able to see some of my friends who stopped by to donate and meet new people to talk about the Miss America Organization and my Miss Muscatine Outstanding Teen title. Oh, I also got free pancakes. Score!

 

Your Miss Muscatine Outstanding Teen,

Nina Yu

It's Show Choir Season

Hello everyone!

This February has been crazy busy, but I have loved every second of it! Since it is show choir season, I have been competing in numerous show choir competitions every weekend representing the Kennedy High School prep show choir "Protégé". We have been very successful this year and have taken home 3 grand champions and even placed in finals, competing against varsity groups! I've had an absolute blast hanging out with my show choir family and performing onstage.

Backstage, getting ready to perform!

Nothing better than performing onstage with your friends

I have also been very busy working with Diversity Focus and promoting my blog (link:http://www.diversityfocus.org/category/fellows-blogs/asian-american-blog/) Every week I will be uploading a blog post based on a topic we are given. This post have really helped me grow as a writer as well as become more knowledgeable on my platform "Diversity Advocacy". I was very blessed to see one of my article's appear on the Cedar Rapids Gazette!

As this busy season dies down, I hope to focus more on preparation for Miss Iowa Week and participating in more events as Miss Muscatine. Next Tuesday, I will be volunteering at IHOP to celebrate National Pancake Day and the Children's Miracle Network, stay tuned!

Nina Yu
Miss Muscatine Outstanding Teen