Hello again everyone!

It has been two weeks of my reign as Miss Colorado 2010 and it has already been a fantastic whirlwind.  I have had several appearances that have been so amazing and I am very excited to see what the rest of this year has in store for me.  So far, I have had interviews with news stations, radio stations, newspapers, and websites.  I am definitely getting great practice before I start gearing up with mock interviews for Miss America!

The most recent appearance I did was in Vail for the July 4th America Days Parade where there are 30,000 spectators each year.  I was so honored to be asked to be the Grand Marshall of the parade, as the previous Grand Marshall was President Ford!  Prior to the parade, I had an interview with TV8 News and was featured on Good Morning Vail.  I also had the opportunity to meet and take pictures with several of the fire departments from Vail and surrounding areas.  It is always great to meet people who are role models in the community!  As the parade started, I sat on the back of a BMW convertible and made my way in and out of the parade trail.  They were not kidding when they said there would be 30,000 people watching from start to end!  The streets were packed with rows and rows of people lining up so far I could barely see them sometimes!  One particular moment that was extremely special for me was when they introduced me as the Grand Marshall.  I came around the corner and looked down the strip of a straight-away street and there were thousands of people lined up.  Over the loud speaker, they announced, “Now coming into view is our Grand Marshall of the parade, Miss Colorado 2010, Melaina Shipwash!  She will be competing in Las Vegas in January for the crown of Miss America 2011.  Good Luck, Melaina and we know you will make us all so proud!”  Then, they started playing “America the Beautiful” and everyone was clapping and yelling for me.  It was such an emotional moment (I know, surprise!) for me but that was the moment that it really sunk in and hit me.  I am Miss Colorado 2010 and I have a chance to be Miss America 2011!  Not only that, but I have so many people behind me that have never personally met me.  It meant so much to me to have the entire crowd of thousands of people stop everything they were doing to clap and cheer for me as I was driven down the street.  It made me feel like I had an impact on so many people in just that one moment.  That is what being Miss Colorado is about…making a difference and impacting people in my community in a positive way.  I had so much fun and I am very thankful to have had this experience!

In addition to the parade, I also had the opportunity to attend Ed McCaffrey’s Dare to Play football game to benefit the Global Down Syndrome Foundation which touched my heart in many ways.  These Special Olympians worked very hard and trained for two full days in football and cheerleading prior to this big event!  They all did such a great job playing football and cheering on the sidelines.   I enjoyed meeting each and every one of you and I want you to know that you are truly inspiring and wonderful athletes!  Because of you all, I may go out and try a little football myself! 

Thank you to everyone who has helped put together these incredible events and thank you also to my supporters!  You are all such amazing people and I am blessed to have the opportunity to work with you.

Best wishes,
Melaina Shipwash
Miss Colorado 2010