Monday, April 20, 2009

I have a New Job!

I am now working as a waitress at Brothers North in Hampton on Friday and Saturday Nights! The lounge has great food and a welcoming atmosphere so come on over to 845 Lafayette Rd. In Hampton to wine and dine!

Lee USA Speedway Governor's Cup

Lexa and I with a new fan!

Kayla, Christie, Amanda, Lexa (NH Teen), and I



Yesterday we had our first appearance at Lee USA Speedway for the annual Governor's Cup Race. New Hampshire/Massachusettes National Teenager program has an ongoing appearance contract with Lee USA Speedway, and I will be serving as a trophy presenter throughout my year of service as Miss NH ANTSO Miss 2009. I was selected to present the trophy to Jimmy Renfrew, the winner of the 20 lap Hobby Stock Feature Race.
While not presenting trophies to the winners, titleholders and members of the NH/MA ANTSO Board operated an information/autograph signing table at the main entrance to the speedway. We met many cute children and race enthusiasts who were thrilled to meet us and learn a little more about the program. Lexa Donnely and I also had the pleasure of meeting a young up-and coming winner from UNH (his dad thought this was pretty exciting as well!)

I had never been to a racetrack of any kind, let alone a speedway, so this was definitely a new and exciting experience! It is very loud and fast paced...races go by in a matter of minutes provided there are no accidents or occurences to halt the proceedings of the race. I also had no idea that racecars had to warm up. Just like running, biking, and me attempting to do Accounting homework, racecars need a signifant of time to warm up and prepare for an upcoming race...they are still pretty fast however, and I don't think I would even be able to handle the speeds reached in these warm up laps!

Thank you Lee Speedway for providing me with this opportunity. I had a great time and am looking forward to my upcoming solo appearances!

Monday, April 6, 2009

A Day of National Preparation

Sunday March 4, 2009 was our National Consultation day! All titleholders were scheduled to meet early in the morning (7:30..oh so early) to discuss preparations for nationals and the appearances we are scheduled to make throughout the year.

My Massachusetts sister Queen, Jen Maloney-Miss MA ANTSO National Miss 2009 and I decided a 5 am commute might be a bit hard on us, and we decided to head to Merrimack on Saturday for a night of pageant-girl-bonding and relaxation :) We had a blast! I am so happy to have her in this with me. Whether we are getting lost trying to find a Texas Roadhouse (yep), trying to determine if we have a broken toilet (suspect so), or dashing back and forth between room 220 and 222 after we blew a fuse blow drying our hair at 6 am (better believe it!) we manage to have a great time with lasting memories. And....drum roll please....we are rooming together at nationals...so we are guaranteed to have a blast no matter the outcome!!!!

National Preparation Day was a lot of fun. Once again I had a great time bonding with the younger girls (who I swear look the same age as me) and had the opportunity to hear more exciting stories about last year's national competition. Last year's MA ANSTO Miss is now a member of the NH-MA board and shared her national experience with us along with several tips to ensure that every experience becomes a fond memory.

We had a fabulous seasonal photoshoot (courtesy of Pat Corlin) and in between shoots, I had the chance to chat with more experienced contestants about advertisement sales and fundraising initiatives. They were very helpful, and I drove home this weekend armed with a collection of great ideas to add to my fundraising plans and am eager to test them out! (hint hint).

That's all for now, but be sure to look for me at the Dover Arena Home Show on the 25th and 26th--I'll be there signing autographs, fundraising for nationals, and handing out information on next year's pageant.

Love always,
Erika Lehman
2009 Miss New Hampshire ANTSO National Miss

Saturday, April 4, 2009

Fundraising is underway!

Today I held my very first mini-fundraiser as Miss NH ANTSO Miss 2009!

There was a dog show at the Dover Arena this weekend and I decided to make an appearance, greet some canine lovers, and show off a less familiar side to "front-desk-girl" a the Dover Arena :) Although the facility was not very crowded, I raised almost $50 and had the opportunity to chat with some wonderful people, mainly figure skaters and their parents who were at the arena rehearsing for Great Bay Figure Skating Club's spring ice show. It was great to see how excited they were to perform tomorrow....it made me miss my days skating in the Winter Wishes ice show :) I hope all the skaters have a fabulous time tomorrow and I wish them the best of luck!

Thank you to everyone who donated today! I'll keep you posted on my upcoming adventures as Miss NH ANTSO National Miss!

Cheers,

Erika Lehman
2009 Miss NH ANTSO National Miss