Miss Nebraska Preteen, Emma Keifer bring vision to lives!

Emma Keifer, Miss Nebraska Preteen is one busy tween, but like any true ROCKIN' NAM GIRL, she finds time to give back and work closely with charities that mean the most to her! Emma shared with, us, here at National American Miss all about her awesome experience of helping give the gift of vision to many through OneSight. I thought this cause was super cool and had no idea that something like this existed, but after hearing about Emma's involvement - I was motived and inspired and wanted to share this story with you all here on the NAMISS ROCKS BLOG and hope it gets you going to make a difference, too, and give the gift of Sight to those who can't see just how beautiful life truly is!

Emma shares, "Since 2008, I have participated in the OneSight Foundation. OneSight is a family of charitable programs dedicated to improving vision through outreach, research and education. OneSight has helped millons see their world more cleary and donated millons to support research and education. For the last three years, I have teamed up with many different retirement homes collecting eyeglasses, that would become refurbished and sent to developing countries for those in need. My favorite part about being involved in OneSight is participating in Sight Night. Sight Night takes place on Halloween. Instead of asking for candy, I collect used eyeglasses and take them to Sears Optical for refurbishing. This past year, as Miss Nebraska Preteen, I have collected nearly 500 pairs of glasses!"

NAM girl sighting: Kendra Berger, Miss Minnesota Jr. Teen face of SeventTeen Prom Casting Call

Kendra Berger, Miss Minnesota Jr. Teen, started modeling right here on the NAM stage a few years ago. What started out as just a curious interest has turned into quite a career for her. Kendra who has graced catwalks across her homestate and appeared in major fashion publications recently was spotted as the face of a major casting call for SevenTeen Prom.

CLICK HERE TO SEE THE FULL ARTICLE WITH KENDRA's APPEARANCE!

Miss America Homecoming

Theresa Scanlan, Miss America (from my homestate of NE) had her big Homecoming Gala last night in Omaha, NE!! I was soo bummed I couldn't make this HUGE landmark event...but many NAM girls and some of my closest friends did attend the event and shared the evening with me...and now Im sharing with you all here on the NAMiss Rocks Blog!

The night was fantastic! Former Miss Nebraska's were in attendance to support this accomplishment amongst their "sisterhood." Miss Oklahoma, Miss Hawaii, and other state Miss America titleholders traveled to the Cornhusker state in support of their friend, Theresa Scanlan, as well as entertained the crowd with the amazing talents. Former Miss America's hosted the event, Miss America Board Members, Pageant Socialites, and of course....lots of NAM girls enjoyed an evening of entertainment, food, and friendship....all in the support of our hometown girl!!!!

Check out the pics below

NAM Emcee & Choreographer, Ashley Spingola(and former Miss America titleholder) catches up with Theresa Scanlan, Miss America. Ashley was Theresa's choreographer when Theresa competed at NAM!

Miss Nebraska Jr. Preteen, Sara Stehlik, catches up with Ashley

Sara gets words of wisdom from Miss America

Theresa Scanlan, Miss America performs her award winning piano piece - the reviews were that is was phenomenal to hear live!

NAM staff member, Ashley and Cheryl Spingola spent the evening gabbing with Erika Dunlap, former Miss America

Just a few Miss America title holders past and present snag a quick pic...many of them NAM girls

Ashley enjoys the evening with MAO local directors, whom are also Official Certified NAM judges. We love our friends over at the MAO organization and love supporting each other!

National American Miss Open Calls....

It's a question we get asked often, here in our offices, when the phone rings:

" I got a letter in the mail for an open call, what is it - can you tell me more?"

Well, I have the answers!

If you received an invitation to an Open Call, CONGRATS - its your (or your daughter's) exclusive invitation to our open call (not everyone gets one - dont believe me - ask around), which is an opportunity for you to find out about our program and be one step closer to becoming the next National American Miss. Now...usually the next question on your mind is how did you get mine or my daughter's name? Read a few blogs earlier, as I also answer that. =)

Here is what you need to know:

Each Open Call session is about 45 minutes long (Actual Open Call session photographed above,) is FREE to attend, and is TOTALLY informational. Our TRUE purpose of these open calls is to break down the stereotypes of pageants...you know like from what you see on T.V....and why we are different. After all, we want you to know that National American Miss is a program that centers on the integrity and dependability that your busy family expects! (P.S. - we are ACCREDITED MEMBERS and have an A+ rating with the BBB - check us out HERE ON THE BBB SITE)

BUT - that's not all that takes place at the open call. You see, THIS is also one of the ways that we select who gets to become a state finalist in the National American Miss state pageant. Not every girl gets accepted to be in the pageant, meaning we don't just let everyone compete. Each young lady who attends an Open Call will fill out an Official Application and go on a fun and brief interview with members of our selection committee. ( If your daughter is 5 - im sure the word "interview" raises question. Don't worry - the selection committee only asks easy and age appropriate questions, like what do you want be when you grow up. At that young of an age - we just want to make sure that she's a nice girl, SHE wants to do this, and she is someone who would be a great role model for other little girls her age!)

National American Miss queen's take time during the Open Call to sign autographs for potential state - finalist.

And - thats not all - you and your family will even leave the session with all the information you need in hand that covers everything discussed at the Open Call and answers all your questions. If your daughter is selected to become a state finalist for the National American Miss state pageant, then your family will be notified within a week and you'll move on from there with training sessions, workshops, and lots of great information!

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Sooo excited to check you in at the Open Call is our reigning royalty and their families....after all we are are family event!

If you STILL have questions about the Open Call or NAM, in general - do your research by hitting the web and you can even contact our pageant office for the facts!

Looking forward to seeing you at your open call.....the search is on for the next National American Miss...are you her???

Miss Illinois Jr. Teen, Sam Triani aims to feed starving children across the world

Miss Illinois Jr. Teen, Samantha Triani, takes her role as royalty seriously. Sam inspires us with her active involvement within her community through the numerous organizations she volunteers with, but she's most passionate about those that are starving. Check out what Sam has to say and get ready to be inspired about Sam's experience with Feed My Starving Children.

" American's are intrigued by royalty. However, I have never felt more like royalty than when volunteering with Feed My Starving Children. I was introduced to FMSC in eighth grade when my class took a fieldtrip to their establishment. FMSC is a non-profit organization that bags food for starving children, delivering meals to nearly 70 countries. The Christian organization’s approach is simple: children and adults hand-pack meals formulated specifically for starving children. Each 2 hour session saves precious lives. 18,000 children die everyday of malnutrition. One child dies every 4 seconds. The meals cost only .19 cents to produce and have proven to be the difference between life and death for these children. These simple facts propel my passion to fight for this worthy and life-saving cause.

I have become an activist for these children. On several separate occasions, I have given speeches encouraging others to become involved. More importantly, I’ve dedicated 27 hours to save hundreds of lives. What many people do not understand is how these hours continue to enhance my life. After seeing images of children rummaging through trash searching for their next meal, my life has a new found appreciation.

Feed My Starving Children will always be an intricate part of my life today and always...regardless of it Im royalty or not."

If our National American Miss Illinois Jr. Teen, Samantha Triani, has inspired you and YOU want to get involved in FEED MY STARVING CHILDREN, click the logo below to find out more:

Taking over MyTekLifeTV as host......

Former National American Miss Arizona Preteen, Kassondra (Kassey) Frazier has recently landed a new title...

As the host of MyTekLifeTV (featured weekdays at myteklife.com), Kassey will bring viewers the latest news in automotive technology, aviation, gadgets, film...as well as national events of interest and feature interviews with prominent industry experts! Also, along with the new gig, Kassey will be hosting radio shows and featured in MyTekLife magazine...and shes not even old enough to drive, yet!

The Editor-In-Chief, Ed Martinez, of myteklife.com had this to say when finding a perfect host for the new show, " Our choice was clear. Kassey's background in acting, her radiant personality, and her knowledge of technology make her the ideal host."

And for Kassey, she is thrilled to be apart of the myteklife family, and her mom, Liz, had this to share with me, "I just wanted to say thanks for your program. I will always give NAM and your team the credit for developing her her (Kassey) with all of her leadership skills!"

Thanks so much Frazier family for keeping us at NAM in the loop about all the exciting things happening in your lives! We're thrilled to have been a part of the journey!

NAM girls Rock The Runway showing off Tony Bowls, Alfred Angelo, & Sherri Hill prom 2011 line!

Natalie M Prom & Pageantry Boutique in Olathe Kansas is a big advocate of 2 things: Pageantry and Education. A few years ago, she became a member of what Seventeen Magazine called "the biggest prom fashion show in the midwest." The 2 day event features 6 fashion shows, 3,500 spectators, and 500 models all donning the hottest looks for Prom 2011 from top designers like Alfred Angelo, Tony Bowls, & Sherri Hill. All proceeds from the event went to the Kansas Area Schools and the Natalie M foundation.

Well, this year - National American Miss was there in full swing! As sponsors of the event, we provided models and even set up a National American Miss booth - where we gave girls the full National American Miss experience, passing out free gifts, our queens signed autographs, and even took time to pose with young girls...placing the NAM crown on their head and letting them feel like a princess!!

Check out some of these AWESOME pics from the event. National American Miss was so honored to have been asked by Natalie M to sponsor this awesome event - benifeting the school system. And we were so excited to, once again, give our NAM girls a chance to work as professional models and hit the runway in a professional show...AND many of them not only got a sneak-peek, but got to model Sherri Hill's new little girl line! HOW EXCITING!