This just in from the Miss America PR Department:

As an advocate for children, Miss America 2007 Lauren Nelson puts a new spin on her work this year by teaming up and hitting the road with the Southwest Dairy Farmers to help promote healthy nutrition. The Southwest Dairy Farmers is an alliance of dairy farmers from Texas, New Mexico, Arkansas, Oklahoma, and Missouri.

Lauren is thrilled to be a part of this unique tie-in and to be the spokesperson for Southwest Dairy Farmers. She is currently being featured on a series of outdoor billboards, like the one seen above, in the Southwest Dairy Farmers' region that all promote drinking milk and healthy nutrition. "I love being a part of this campaign and this promotion," said Lauren. "It's a great nutritional message for children and adults: milk is a healthy way for all of us to stay fit."

Lauren is excited about adding 'teaching kids about nutrition' to her goals as Miss America this year. One of the ways she will be achieving that goal is appearances with the Mobile Dairy Classroom. The Southwest Dairy Farmers' twelve Mobile Dairy Classrooms annually appear before approximately 550,000 children in school settings and another 225,000 kids at fairs, festivals, and livestock shows.

Lauren's first personal Mobile Dairy Classroom appearance will be in September in her home state of Oklahoma. She will also be appearing at the Southwest Dairy Farmers' exhibit at the Texas State Fair in October.

Hi everyone!!

First off, I'd like to apologize for my first blog entry being so late. I am not very "computer savvy," and I have not had much time to try! I would also like to begin by thanking everyone that has helped me get to where I am. My family, the Miss Maine board, all of this year's contestants, and everyone I have met along the way; I have learned so much from each and every one of you and I know this is just the beginning of an incredible journey.

I must be honest, no amount of preparation can have you truly prepared for the whirlwind that comes with the crown...... Now I am going to share with you just a couple of things that have been going on during the first month of my being crowned as the new Miss Maine.

The very same week, I had my official headshots taken with Stewart Smith and I had a blast doing them. I really felt like a movie star!

I also took the Dale Carnegie public speaking course and completed the immersion seminar in 3 days. By the end of the training, I already noticed a difference in my comfort level speaking in front of an audience.

I also started my appearances!

I have done thank you tours with Audrey, performed at a dance recital, rode in the Windjammer Parade, spoke at STAR camp, was a guest at the Miss Connecticut pageant, and helped emcee the Beach Baby Contest at Thomas Point Beach.

I have also already started preparations for Miss America!

I have chosen some new music, met with a choreographer in NYC, and have been practicing my interview skills.

Most importantly, I have been able to do some work with Habitat for Humanity (my platform) in Maine. I was lucky enough to meet with some of the affiliates in Portland and even donated a day of work to a Habitat House in Yarmouth, ME with first lady of Maine, Karen Baldacci.

I also got to throw out the first pitch at the Maine Day Red Sox game, it was a blast! What is even more exciting is that there is so much more ahead of me!

Next week I am leaving for Pennsylvania where I will experience "Miss America Bootcamp!" with Valerie. After that I have more appearances coming up followed by a trip to Orlando in August for the Miss America's Outstanding Teen Pageant where I will be cheering on our Outstanding Teen, Erin Buck. I have also coordinated a trip to Georgia in August where I will be getting a tour and visiting the National Headquarters of Habitat for Humanity as well as the Carter Center.

I will keep you posted on everything to come, and I still can't believe this is just the beginning......

The Summer Newsletter is now out, and you can get it here.

We also encourage you to discuss this newsletter with your pageant friends on our new forum, where you will also find a quick summary of what is included in this issue.

If you wish to receive the newsletter, please send your email address or mailing address Audrey Findlen at afindlen@maine.rr.com

Also, with this post I would like to welcome our new Miss Maine 2007, Tara Allain, to the Miss Maine Blog! As soon as we get her situated (this is a first for us) she will be keeping you all up to date on her travels and experiences as Miss Maine, right here!

We should have this set up shortly.