DR. FRANCINE EDWARDS, MRS DELAWARE UNITED STATES 2012: Before I was a Mrs...

This weekend was a busy one for me with the Miss Delaware Scholarship Organization. Before I was a Mrs. contestant, I was a Miss contestant and was very involved with the Miss Delaware Scholarship Organization. I have great memories competing as a Miss, and established wonderful friendships, which I still have today. I am grateful to this organization for helping me to increase my confidence and grow as an individual, and it feels great to give back as a volunteer for the Miss Brandywine Scholarship Organization, which is a preliminary to the state pageant.

Saturday was the Miss Delaware Outstanding Teen pageant and Marisa (the director for the Miss Brandywine Scholarship Organization) and I were excited to cheer for our titleholder! We have been working with our Miss Brandywine’s Outstanding Teen, Sammi Ponsell, who is a wonderful young lady. She is only 13 years old and is not only beautiful, but well spoken, poised and talented. Watching Sammi compete was wonderful and she has grown so much since she was crowned at our state pageant. She was the recipient of the People’s Choice award and had a huge fan club at the pageant, including her supportive parents. I am so proud of Sammi and looking forward to seeing her compete again in the future. All of the girls did fantastic and looked amazing on stage! Congratulations to the winner, Morgan Burris. She did a phenomenal job and is going to be one to watch at nationals!

Sammi in evening gown

Congratulations Morgan!

Sunday was the Miss Delaware Fashion Gala Fundraiser at the Chase Center on the Riverfront in Wilmington, Delaware. I participated as one of the models, along with Maria Cahill, Miss Delaware 2011, former Miss Delawares, and some other fabulous models. The Gala featured a cocktail reception, musical entertainment, a silent auction, and of course, a fashion show with outfits from some of Delaware’s most upscale boutiques. All of the proceeds benefited the Miss Delaware Scholarship Organization. I modeled outfits from Chico’s and Fantasia Boutique. I had a great time and had an opportunity to catch up with some ladies I competed with as a Miss, who I hadn’t seen in some time!