Mrs. Delaware United States 2012...My Journey Begins

On this mother’s day, I wake up with one of the most humbling honors…I have been chosen to represent this great state as Mrs. Delaware United States.  On Saturday, May 12th in front of family, friends, church family and a host of coaches and supporters, I captured the crown despite the tough competition from the eight glamorous, intelligent and committed contestants.

This past year has been a blessing to be involved with such a wonderful pageant system.  As a local title holder I have had the pleasure of reaching out to the community, participating in everything from the Connections Community Support  Program’s Annual Christmas Tree Project, in which community volunteers purchased trees, lights and bulbs and hosted a tree-trimming party for the resides of group homes throughout New Castle County to working with the Salvation Army and Easter Seals to countless visits to elementary schools throughout the state to promote literacy and one-on-one reading.

I am so humbled to begin this journey as Mrs. Delaware United States 2012 and it is my intention to work to promote my platform of step family support, to continue to have a presence in the school system to support education, to work closely with the sponsors and to promote and recruit future contestants for this pageant system.  

I also want to thank all of this year’s sponsors for their support and priceless gifts:  Trilogy Salon and Spa, Richard Krauss Photography, Noso Boutique, Elana’s Flowers and Gifts, A-Pro Carpet Cleaning, Moore Seal, Electric Beach Tanning Co., MOT All-Stars Cheerleading, Secure Transport LLC, Sweet Day Buffett, Pageant U, COI Design Solutions, Fanie International, Lorionna Miller Jewelry, Heather Hemingway, La Casa Hermosa, Major Moments Studio, JVDODD Photography, Astounding Body Wraps, Video Images Online, Sampler Village, MYLIPCANDY.COM, Crowning Achievement and Queen Bee Couture.  Your sponsorship shows a true commitment to women, marriage and the appreciation for beauty and intellect which this pageant system is so committed to.

I would be remiss if I didn’t thank some very special people in my life for being in my corner for the last year.  To my husband, you are a giant in many ways…your love, encouragement, support and strength helps to make me who I am and gives me the drive I need each day to succeed.  To Geoff and Shana Williams, our connection from pageantry to Christ has been amazing.  Geoff, you are the brother that’s always there to help his big sister no matter what and Shana you are the little sister with the wisdom, grace and humor that can be matched by none other.  Shana, when I say I look up to you both literally and figuratively (laugh here) the latter is what I want to focus on.   You are truly an inspiration and have been by my side since this journey began.  Transparency, sincerity, the stuff that only you and I can and will forever giggle about and your ability to be candid yet endearing is why God placed you in my life.  The future holds great things for both of us and I am the beauty queen that I am because of your guidance.  To Sheri Jenkins, your knowledge, professionalism and genuine spirit are amazing!  I don’t know what I would have done without your expertise.  Thank you for your continued support.  To my sister, father, mothers, niece, nephew and grandma, thank you guys for always making the journey to be front and center cheering me on.  Brenda, a special thanks to you for always making sure everything runs smoothly at home during pageant day and for keeping me focused on the goal.  To my neighbor and fill-in mom, Iesha Brown, our connection is amazing!  Thank you for always caring for my family as if it were your own and for introducing me to a wonderful stylist. To Bianca, Syb and Ymani…words cannot express how much I appreciate you all coming to support me.  My crowning moment was made that more exciting knowing that girlfriends who have been in my life nearly 20 plus years are willing to do so much to support a friend.  To Ava, JP, Claire and Gerome, from day one you all of supported me in pageantry, but your true support comes from your own commitments to marriage and family.  Thank you for being an inspiration to me and for helping my light to shine as a mother and wife. 

To Heather Moffet, Jennifer Stump, Christine Rich, Melissa Kirk, Kimberly Williams, Shannon Lewis, Shannon Hamlin and Jackie Young, yesterday was fabulous!  There is something that I can take from each of you that will help to make this year a success.  Each of you is beautiful and I am looking forward to crowing one of you next year!

To Charles and Siouxzan Moore…your dedication, love for each other and pageantry shine through in everything you do.  I admire how the two of you work together in your own special way and the effort you give to making sure each of the women and husbands in your pageant have a memorable experience.  It is the hope of Micah and I to work along-side team Moore to make this an exciting and inspirational year.  Thank you for this wonderful opportunity.

This pageant system has given me the opportunity to have a broader reach in terms of helping to change lives.  That has been one of the most beautiful things about being a beauty queen!  I have been blessed to gain compassion and confidence through every experience in life.  I have found that my connection to my community has been a way to create strength and unity and my life is made richer because I have connected with others through service.

Looking forward to a wonderful year!

Your Mrs Delaware United States 2012

Dr. Francine Edwards