Thank you!

After six months, it's hard to believe I am finally competing for Miss America. It's amazing to think about all that has happened in such a short amount of time and I feel like I've grown up so much.

I thought this would be a good time to thank all of the wonderful people who have helped coach me into being the best that I can going into this pageant. I've had the 'dream' prep team and phenomenal supporters along the way.

so THANK YOU to:

Dawn Summers- nails
Robert Towle- hair and clothing stylist
Dale-Carnegie- public speaking class
Camille Curtis- voice lessons
Carol St. Hillaire- my trainer
Janet Ross- interview and talent coach
Deb Landry- platform and business manager
Ray Richardson- current events
Mom- my pocketbook (kidding!) love, support, encouragement...everything!

and also...

The Miss Maine Organization and Board members

On Sunday I had a sendoff celebration to show off my wardrobe for Vegas. (Thank you John, Danny and Lucille for hosting it, and Robert for planning it!) Unfortunately, I don't have time to post the pictures before I leave, but I will when I return home.



I'm so excited to go out there and do my thing! No matter what happens, I've had experiences of a lifetime already and it's an honor alone to be representing my state at the 2007 Miss America Pageant!

So tune in..
Pageant School: Becoming Miss America, Jan. 26th @ 9
2007 Miss America Pageant, Jan. 29th @ 8
BOTH on Country Music Television

also, check out my new website thanks to VideoCreations:

http://www.karissaleestaples.com

:)

Miss America Update

Our 2007 Miss America Pageant host...

Mario Lopez

The 2007 MISS AMERICA PAGEANT will air live at 8 p.m. Eastern; 7 p.m. Central; and will be tape delayed to air at 8 p.m. Pacific; and 9 p.m. Mountain on Country Music Television

IFL World Team Championship

This past Thursday and Friday I was invited by Joel Ehrlich to sing the national anthem at the International Fight League World Team Championship at the Mohegan Sun in Conn.! I had so much fun getting a behind-the-scenes look as to how a big event is put together. I attended the weigh-in, the sold out show, the pre-party and the after party with top producers, agents and athletes from around the world. What a surreal experience! The event aired on Dec. 31st on FSN. To learn more about the IFL, go to http://www.ifl.tv/




signing autographs at the weigh-in with the talented Jodi K and the athletes

with Carlos :)

With Phyllis, Jodi & Joel!

With rap recording producer, Jazze Pha

backstage with Jodi and her dancers

Singing in front of 8,000 people!

Watching the match with Joel!

Fighters in action!

December Appearances

Here are pictures of some of my December Appearances:


At Fox Morning News with Ray Richardson

Wells Christmas Parade

I was a guest performer at the VIH Christmas Concert- with one of the singers, Willy

Visiting the Barbara Bush Children's Hospital...with my buddy Shane and his sister

Miss America contestant profiles are up! You can check them out at:

http://missamerica.cmt.com

More Photos

Friends Like These

When I went on the Miss America Cruise at the end of October, the girls got off at Nassau to take pictures at Diamonds International. At that very store, I just so happened to bump into a producer! Immediately, we clicked and by the next week I was in NYC meeting him and singing for him as we were getting to know each other more. Joel has already become an influential figure in my life- a generous man who is willing to help guide my career.

On Monday I went to NYC with my mom to see the reading of his up and coming show, "Friends Like These," like the musical version of Sex & the City. The show was performed by 4 great Broadway actresses and the music was phenomenal! I'm so glad I was an invited guest to see something that is about to take off. Right now, Joel is also producing the upcoming Broadway show, 'Music Boy'...he and his wife, Phyllis, are just two wonderful and talented people and I'm so fortunate to have met them!


at Rockafeller Center

at my favorite sushi restaurant in Times Square!

after the reading with Phyllis and Joel!

Photos

Here are a couple photos from a shoot I did with Seaglassphoto. She is AMAZING and so much fun to work with!!! more to come...

November Appearances

Here are pictures of just a few things that have been going on this month!


Singing the national anthem at the Pirates game

Singing at the BMS piano dedication

I graduated from the Dale Carnegie course. Thank you David & Shirlie!

Visiting one of my sponsors, the Saco-Biddeford Savings Institution

School Appearances & 1st Annual Miss America Cruise

A couple weeks ago, I went into some of the Biddeford schools to speak. First, I accompanied a good friend of mine, Norm in speaking about Red Ribbon week to the middle school students. The following week I went back to speak to all 600 middle schoolers about my platform. Carl Lakari, the Project AWARE coordinator was so kind to join me to tell his story. What a wonderful group of students!


with the BHS journalism class

at the middle school


The first annual Miss America cruise was a blast! 13 contestants attended the event. 4 young veterans also joined us and we had a chance to get to know them and what they've experienced, which was very rewarding. After a week of relaxing, sunning, dancing, shopping, meeting new people and attending a few appearances, all of the contestants performed their talent on the main stage as a salute to the veterans!


View Show Create Your Own
CLICK FOR PICTURES-> http://www66.rockyou.com/show_my_gallery.php?instanceid=43671910

2007 Miss America Pageant Judges

The Miss America Organization Announces National Panel of Judges for the 2007 Miss America Pageant

Atlantic City, NJ, October 16, 2006 - The Miss America Organization has announced the illustrious panel of six National Judges who will decide which one of this year's 52 contestants will become Miss America 2007. The judges - all distinguished members in their fields, from entertainment to business to the arts - will evaluate the contestants from the preliminaries through the final night of competition, will be premiering live from the Aladdin, soon to be Planet Hollywood, Resort & Casino in Las Vegas, on Monday, January 29 at 8 p.m. ET/PT, exclusively on CMT.

Debbie Allen
Nigel Barker
Delta Burke
Michael Feinstein
Chris Matthews
Susan Powell

Scooping for a Cause

On Monday, I volunteered to be a 'celebrity scooper' at Coldstone Creamery in Portland to raise money for the North Atlantic Figure Skating Club! I've been a scooper before so it was a blast :-)


With Maine comedian, Bob Marley, Bridgette, and MMO Vice President, John Hatcher- we made a great team!




"Have a cold and creamy day!"

It's a wrap!

Project AWARE and its PLAYERS have finished the big project: a short video that raises awareness of the growing trend of prescription drug abuse among teens. 'Falling' is about a young straight 'A' student who gets hooked on painkillers after an injury on the soccer field. It shows her downward slide and how the addiction ends up affecting her and the world around her.

Youth 2 Youth Summit

On Friday, I spoke at the Youth 2 Youth Summit in Waterville. This event brought together high school students from different schools and organizations to work on their area of volunteerism such as the GSA, school climate, school nutrition, and Civil Rights. These students do amazing things for their schools and their voices have and will continue to be a catalyst for change.

Might I just add that Waterville is one of the 100 Best Communities in the country under the America’s Promise Alliance!

The New Miss America

I just wanted to express my excitement of the new changes the Miss America Organization is going through. They have been doing a great job trying to attract a younger and larger audience and hyping up the pageant with specials of the girls on the Inside Edition, ABC, E! News, MTV and of course, CMT. It's the first time ever that all 52 girls are recognized. I hope you all follow along and join in on the fun! :-)