Alaina's in the paper... again!

Wednesday, September 7, 2011

Community Project


As a contestant in the National American Miss pageant, Alaina participates in community project to help others! For the National pageant, we've involved our church & other community businesses to help provide for needy families! It is a great opportunity to teach children the value of being kind & generous! Our goal is to not only provide food & clothing, but also hope by showing them the love of God that is within us all!


The children's ministry at our church will be assisting Alaina with this project by making personalized gifts to go along with the items & any cash donations we receive. Alaina is very excited to be able to do something so amazing; it's great to see children not only want to help but understand that what they are doing is making a difference in the life of another child!

If you'd like to know more & to find out how you can help, please contact Alaina by clicking the community involvement logo below; she'll be happy to send you a copy of the list of the needed items! If you'd like to make a cash donations, please email me for the information or click the logo below! We plan to deliver all items (food, clothing, etc., as well as any cash donations) to the local shelter the first weekend in October! Thank you, in advance, for your support!


Friday, July 15, 2011

Local resident crowned Miss LA Princess



Walker and four other girls will present the state and compete in national competition at Disneyland in Anaheim, Cal. in the Princess Division in November.

She competed in several categories from spirit of America to portfolio to casual modeling and program.

The Walkers were very appreciative of the state pageant officials. Alaina’s trip to the national competition can be followed at http://namla-alaina.blogspot.com/.

Copyright 2011 Plaquemine Post South. Some rights reserved

Friday, July 8, 2011

Cookie Dough fundraiser for Alaina



I started a pretty cool fundraiser for Alaina today! Please support her by purchasing your cookie dough today! It doesn't matter where you live: down the street from us, the next city over or across the country! For only $16, your cookie dough will be delivered to your door - chocolate chunk, white chocolate macadamia nut, triple chocolate, snickerdoodle, sugar & oatmeal raisin! If you'd prefer Alaina's pretty little face deliver your cookie dough & you live in the neighborhood or close by, let us know; we can deliver as well! If anyone is interested in supporting my little princess, please click this link to email me & I'll be happy to take your order! Thanks in advance & God bless!

Thursday, July 7, 2011

Alaina is Miss Louisiana Princess 1st place Queen!!!!

UPDATED WITH RESULTS FROM NAMISS SITE & MORE PHOTOS/VIDEOS!

YAY, Alaina!!

Okies, the precious princesses have made it back to the stage & are getting their state finalist awards! I'm trying to video on my son's phone & take pics but it's hard when I'm shaking & excited! I managed to get a few photos/videos but I can't seem to get them from the phone just yet (update: video below & clear pics below are all I could seem to get lol) "/ I'll work on that soon because the pics below are SO NOT good lol... hands too shaky to get good shots... THANK GOD for the official photos!









After Alaina gets the awards, she comes to find me sitting in the "VIP mommy section". Other awards are given: most photogenic, art contest, most ticket sales, etc. Alaina sits as her name isn't called & she turns to me & says "Mommy, when is she gonna call me? I want another trophy!" I tell her how important it is to keep clapping & cheering for the other girls & her turn will come! We sit longer & more names are called & she says "Mommy, I'm cheering & clapping but she still didn't call me!" Of course I'm super sad for her because she worked hard, but I keep smiling & encouraged her to do the same.

Pageant Weekend

UPDATED WITH ADDITIONAL PHOTOS & VIDEO!

OMG this was soooo much fun! Alaina met some new friends & had a blast! I don't think she realized that all the practice & work was gonna lead to a wonderful time until she got there!

Trying to figure out which way to run for fun lol!


Registration was smooth & simple! We turned in her stuffed animals & books - automatic 10% toward her overall score! Community Involvement - check!! Next stop, turning in ALL that paperwork & a couple of cool awards: Portfolio & casual wear modeling ribbon just for entering the contests! What a way to build confidence in little girls! I LOVE NAM!!!

After registration, we paid for her red carpet pics, which came out really well, then it was off to pick up her production number outfit & unpack! We ran out to grab a bite to eat then back to the hotel for the workshop! It was very helpful. Alaina seemed to think she knew everything that was discussed since she went to pageant prep in April lol BUT it was a great refresher!

The pajama party was soooo much fun! It took a lot to get my little one up on stage to dance BUT when she got up there she enjoyed herself! I even got up with her to do a couple of dances including "the twist" lol... mamas over 30 should NOT try to keep up with 4-7 year olds lol!

 Posing in the hall by the elevators before we went down to the PJ party!

Wednesday, June 29, 2011

Getting ready for the pageant!

Alaina has been working super hard getting ready for the pageant! She's prepared her resume, art contest photo, learned how to answer interview questions, practiced her model walk (lol - too cute) & gotten her introduction down to a science, all with a smile!

We just finished up taking photos (90 of them, sheesh)... she's a great little model although she was upset, hot & tired after awhile; we took them at the park near the Locks & the Civic Center Park. It was fun!





While this pic turned out cute as pie, she was really pouting lol... I just happened to snap the shot!


This is turning out to be a wonderful opportunity for her & it's helping her get out of that "shy shell". I'm hoping she meets some great friends pageant weekend!

Tuesday, April 12, 2011

Pretty feet, circle turn, smiles... OH MY!




Sunday's prep session was a blast! We arrived just about 12:30, paid Alaina's fees, got her packet & took a seat! The whole family went this time lol... I think the boys were bored a little - at least until the other pretty girls started appearing!

Alaina was a little frustrated when it came to doing "pretty feet" because she couldn't decide which foot should go at "12 o'clock" but once she finally decided, she did well! Doing the circle turn wasn't so bad, but she likes to put her head down so we gotta work on that. Now, when it came to the introduction, she was ready lol! She wasn't loud but she decided what she wanted to say quickly! After doing it for Chelsey & Kimberly (our current NAM Louisiana Jr. Pre-Teen), she came back to her seat to write it down so she wouldn't forget!

All in all, I think it went well. We were too busy to take pics inside, but we did manage to get one happy pic outside the hotel in front of the water fall (one even has a slight moment of pretty feet lol)!

Sunday, April 3, 2011

Alaina - Petite Miss Iberville Cajun Queen!


My little princess participated in today's 2011 Iberville Cajun Queen Pageant! She was in the Petite Miss Division & placed 2nd! She received a beautiful trophy & ribbon! We are so excited for her & are so happy that she got the opportunity to participate! This was great experience for her in preparation for the NAM pageant!

GO ALAINA!!!! God blessed you with all He felt you deserve then blessed us with you!

Thursday, March 31, 2011

Alaina's NAM Press Release


The princess's press release from our local newspaper, Plaquemine Post South (today's edition)! YAY! She was soooo shocked to see it lol! It came out really nice! Click it to see it so you can actually read it lol!

Saturday, March 26, 2011

Just Wondering...

Ever since we got Alaina's letter earlier this month, we've been wondering who might have submitted her name to NAM. Her letter, from the state director, simply says "You daughter has been referred to me as a possible candidate who may enjoy modeling, acting or learning stage techniques that will help empower and enable her to accomplish her future goals." Well, Alaina loves loves dressing up & looking "fabulous" lol! She's been in one school play this year & will be in a second in May. We thought over it again & again & could only come up with two people from her school & one other person that we know.

Earlier, I was looking at the NAM Rocks blog & I ran across a post entitled "National American Miss - How did you get my/or my daughter's name and address?" As I read through it, I found the following information:

1. On the bottom of that letter that you received, their may be some logos for various organizations. These logos are National American Miss's sponsors, who support what we do, and refer girls to us each year. These organizations are National Honor Society, American Cheerleader, Dance Spirit, John Robert Powers Modeling School, and Ford Motor Company




2. Another way is that girls who have participated in our program in the past have a chance to recommend outstanding young ladies to us, as they feel that this might be something you are interested in, are interested in gaining like skills and confidence, or have what it takes to be the next National American Miss. THIS is actually how I got that "life-changing" invitation letter in the mail years ago. A girl who went to the same dance school as me referred me to the pageant ( I didn't even know it until years later), and that's how I got started!

3. Lastly, we work with community leaders ( teachers, coaches, school counselors, etc) who know of National American Miss and refer girls to us. Often, neighbors even call us and tell us that their little neighbor girl is "sooo sweet and they want to recommend her to us!"

Bottom line, someone in your community thinks you are special and unique! You should be sooo proud of yourself, just for receiving this awesome invitation - not everyone gets one. Don't believe me - ask around at school!!

That basically answered my question! While I still don't know who thought enough of my little angel to submit her name, I really do appreciate it! This is a huge opportunity for her that, with God's grace & favor, will prove to be wonderful. The experience & confidence she will gain is a tremendous blessing. We're truly humbled!

Friday, March 25, 2011

Alaina's NAM Press Release


Miss Alaina Lakera Walker, age 7, has been chosen as a State Finalist in the National American Miss Louisiana Pageant to be held Thursday-Saturday, June 30-July 2, 2011 at the beautiful Lafayette Hilton Towers in Lafayette, LA. The National American Miss pageants are held for girls ages 4-18, and have five different age divisions. Alaina will be participating in the Princess age division, along with other outstanding young ladies from across the great state of Louisiana.

Miss Alaina Walker’s activities include reading, drawing/painting, riding her bike in the park and playing video games. She also enjoys modeling, participating in her church’s children’s group, spelling, science and maintaining a 4.0 GPA at the Math, Science & Arts Academy in Plaquemine, LA.

Wednesday, March 23, 2011

Sponsorship info - PLEASE HELP SUPPORT Alaina & JDRF!

Please support Alaina's dreams & children with Juvenile Diabetes by clicking here!
You can also click the "DONATE" button in the right column!

I've been trying to gather as much information as I can to share about NAM, the pageant & what your generous donations are supporting, so here you go (click on the photos to see larger versions):


Monday, March 21, 2011

Packet arrived!


Alaina's NAM packet arrived today! Inside is a cool certificate & ribbon congratulating her as a state finalist, pageant prep training information (training is in two weeks), sponsorship pamphlets & press release.

I've already contacted our local paper about the press release. Hopefully I can get that done for this coming week. Now I've gotta work on sponsors. Currently, we have a donations set up through PayPal! Anyone can sponsor her. The sponsorship fee is $440 but any donations beyond that will go toward helping the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation, as well as her preparation for the pageant (I'll post that link shortly).


We appreciate everyone's support, small or large! Thanks in advance for helping to make this dream come true!

Wednesday, March 16, 2011

YAY! She made it!

Please visit www.namiss.com for more information!
Today was the final day for calls to participate in the NAM Louisiana state competition! Calls were scheduled to be received between 3pm & 7pm. At 6:56pm, Alaina got her call! They said they were impressed with her interview & they thought she'd be excellent! We're all sooooo excited for her! Can't wait! She'll be participating in the NAM LA Princess division because as of January 1, she was 6 years old - her birthday is January 27. I should get her packet in the mail in a few days! Time to get started! Woohoo :)

*excited Mommy*

Sunday, March 13, 2011

Casting Call Day

Alaina & current NAM Louisiana Junior Teen, Mirandy Li

Alaina, her brother - Jalon, former NAM Chelsey McGinnis - works for Disney Channel on the show "Shake It Up"

Alaina's casting call went well... We checked in about 12:30pm, got her application & number then we took a seat in the banquet room. We watched a video with all the kids who've entered the pageant; it was very interesting & informative! We got great insight into what to expect!

Tuesday, March 1, 2011

Alaina's NAM Louisiana casting call


Alaina has been chosen to participate in the National American Miss Louisiana Casting Call on Sunday, March 13, 2011 at 12:30pm at the Crowne Plaza Hotel in Baton Rouge, LA! We're so excited & so is she! She's a little nervous also, so we're praying that she overcomes that & allows her huge bubbly personality to shine!