Appearances

Happy Birthday Kelsey!


Big Brothers, Big Sisters bowling event


A beautiful group of bowlers!


Visiting students in Jonesboro


Visiting Jonesboro students k-3


Visiting DW Merritt School- next to the nice sign the students made me!

Appearances

Television Interview for Time Warner


Visiting students from Memorial Middle School who are part of the school's REACH leadership program


Visiting my fur coat sponsor at the Maine Sportsmen Show in Augusta

Appearances

Hosting the Brunswick Fashion Show with Senior Nick Saba


visiting the Holy Cross Middle School in South Portland


I was the keynote speaker at the Oxford Hills Middle School's Wellness Day. Project AWARE traveled to Gorham and Oxford Hills to premiere the new movie 'Falling' and to conduct youth empowerment workshops to middle school students!

Update

Not too long ago, I visited Westbrook high school to speak to a few classes. Since my platform, America's Promise, is geared toward younger students, my main focus was to raise awareness about prescription drug abuse. Since my involvement in Project AWARE, I've learned that it is a growing trend among teens. The class was great and the students were responsive.

I was also a keynote speaker at the 21st Century Grant Conference in South Portland. There, I spoke about the after school program, Crossroads. I have been a 'Crossroads Kid' since the 8th grade and it affected me greatly. I performed in shows, volunteered at their camps and eventually became a mentor. Crossroads gave me the Five Promises growing up, and in turn, led me to where I am today.

On Saturday, I modeled and performed as Miss Maine in a fashion show put on by the Freeport Merchant's Association. I was happy to meet and get to know some of the 2007 Miss Maine contestants. (They are all so wonderful!) Despite the weather, the event pulled through!


modeling Anne Klein

with Mrs. Maine US, Kristin Center

With two of last year's Miss Maine contestants, Jona and Jessica. I've missed them!

Children's Miracle Network

CHILDREN’S MIRACLE NETWORK SELECTED AS NATIONAL PLATFORM FOR MISS AMERICA ORGANIZATION

First Time in History the Miss America Organization Creates On-Going Philanthropic Alliance



Salt Lake City, Utah – January 23, 2007 – Children’s Miracle Network today announced that they have been selected as the official national platform for the Miss America Organization. This partnership represents the first time in the 86-year history of the Miss America Organization that they have adopted such a program. Children’s Miracle Network has had an 18-year history working with the Miss America Organization, with this newest initiative signifying a permanent and on-going relationship between the two.

The new partnership will provide opportunities for the Miss America Organization to not only raise funds and awareness for the 17 million children treated each year at the 170 Children’s Miracle Network hospitals, but also for the Miss America Scholarship Program, the world's largest provider of scholarship assistance for young women, providing more than $45 million in cash and tuition scholarship assistance to them each year.

“We are thrilled to have formed this national partnership to continue to help the many children that are supported in every city in America by Children’s Miracle Network hospitals. Together, we’ll work towards raising funds for our scholarship program to enable young and talented women across the country gain new opportunities,” said Art McMaster, president & CEO Miss America Organization. “We look forward to a long and rewarding relationship with Children’s Miracle Network.”

Each year the new Miss America, in addition to bringing awareness to her personal platform, will be an official goodwill ambassador for Children’s Miracle Network as she raises funds and awareness for both Children’s Miracle Network and the Miss America Organization. This partnership also extends to the woman competing at the local, state and national levels of the pageant, asking each contestant who participates to be responsible for raising funds on behalf of Children’s Miracle Network and the Miss America Organization.

“We are honored to be selected as the official national platform of the Miss America Organization,” said Jim Hall, CEO and president of Children’s Miracle Network. “The Miss America Organization and Children’s Miracle Network have had an amazing 18-year history and we’re looking forward to building on that and increasing funds for both organizations.”

Post Miss America

After such a great week, I finally crashed. I have been sick for a few weeks, but now I am back on track. I think the stress, excitement and travel of the competition caught up to me! Upon my arrival home, I was able to visit Thornton Middle School and Saco Middle School. What a wonderful group of kids! I also emceed the Westbrook High School fashion show, which was fun. It made me miss putting together school events and being a part of them!

FYI...The International Fight League kicks off their 2007 season in Atlanta this weekend! There are lots of new and exciting things happening with the league. I'm now a fan!

the 2007 Miss America Pageant

The Miss America pageant was a blast! It was my first time in Vegas, too, so it was all very exciting. The first few days we were out there, the contestants had appearances. We modeled in a fashion show, attended dinner receptions and a private screening of Dreamgirls, and also had a night out at Planet Hollywood. During the day, we rehearsed for the show.

At the end of the week, we had preliminary competitions in all categories. I was the very first interview then I competed in swimsuit, eveningwear, talent and onstage question. It was nice to finally be standing on stage after six months of anticipation!

Although I didn't place, competing at Miss America was one of the most memorable experiences of my life thus far!

Congratulations to Lauren Nelson, Miss America 2007! The title was well deserved!

Click HERE for pictures!

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...