 |
| Serving as a Salvation Army bell ringer last month in Boise fulfilled one of Genevieve Nutting's bucket-list items. She has several goals, including vying for the title of Miss America Jan. 14 in Las Vegas. |
Boise's Genevieve Nutting is taking off for Las Vegas today. She's hoping for a job promotion.
To prepare for this advancement, the 22-year-old Boise State University communications major spent this past Sunday, wearing a long gown, walking up and down the steps inside Idaho's State Capitol Building.
She figures the practice will be helpful since she has been known to trip and and fall on stairways while wearing a long dress.
"At first she was reluctant to practice there because of an incident she had at the Capitol," her mother Mari Beth Nutting recalls. "It took place the evening of the Governor's Inaugural Ball at the Capitol last year. Genevieve was wearing a beautiful black evening gown with a train that evening. She and her handsome date were descending the stairs of the Capitol to where Governor Otter and the First Lady were greeting people.
"Kind of like a Cinderella story," Mari Beth adds. "She is elegant, graceful and then . . . she slips and starts sliding down the stairs, grabbing the leg of the man ahead of here to stop herself. Everyone is horrified, but, in true Genevieve fashion, she stands up, brushes herself off, says something funny (can't remember what she said but I remember that it was quite funny) and continues on with the evening.
Genevieve also figures practice is important because what happens during her visit to Las Vegas will not stay there.
Millions of people will be watching.
Therefore, staying upright is important whether she's walking in an evening gown across a big stage or sitting at a piano playing George Gershwin's "Rhapsody in Blue."
On Jan. 14, Genevieve Nutting aka Miss Idaho 2011 will be competing in a long-established beauty pageant at Planet Hollywood in Las Vegas. The pageant will air on ABC beginning at 9 p.m. PST.
If she's successful at her job promotion, she'll wear the crown of Miss America and travel the country and the world during the next year.
"I am ready for the job," Genevieve says.
Her resume and comments from those who know her offer ample evidence that she's an exemplary candidate to reign as the 85th Miss America, the first ever from Idaho. Margaret Gorman from Washington, D.C. was crowned as the first Miss America in 1921.
*****
I learned about Genevieve recently in a conversation with my daughter-in-law Debbie Love, Girl Scout representative for North Idaho and Eastern Washington.
Before transferring to Spokane, Debbie worked with the Silver Sage Council of Girl Scouts of the USA in the Boise area.
During that time, she met Genevieve and worked closely with her as she completed requirements and earned the Gold Award, the highest, most coveted award in Girl Scouting.
The two have continued their friendship ever since. I can also tell you also that there's been a lot of texting going on between Debbie and Genevieve over the last few days as the latter has been preparing for her competition in Las Vegas.
Debbie was nice enough to arrange for me to interview our reigning Miss Idaho.
I must say that I consider this opportunity a great honor and truly appreciate the time she took from her busy, busy schedule to answer some questions.
"She's the real deal," Debbie says, "genuine, quiet but funny, talented and independent."
Also, thanks to Debbie's help, I've also connected with Genevieve's mother Mari Beth, an active Girl Scout volunteer in the Boise area.
Since her daughter won the Miss Idaho crown, Mary Beth has acted as her personal assistant of sorts and her No. 1 cheerleader.
"I know that I am her mom," Mari Beth told me in a recent email, "but I will tell you that Genevieve is an exceptional person.
"She is very compassionate, kind and caring. . . One of her favorite quotes is by Maya Angelou: I've learned that people will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel.
"And having people walk away from her feeling good is what Genevieve strives for in her life," Mari Beth adds.
*****
Now for some responses straight from Genevieve, daughter of Todd and Mari Beth Nutting, older sister of Reba and proud owner of Sunni, her canine stress reliever.
Full Name: Genevieve Marie Nutting
Where all you've resided throughout your life? I was born in Spokane, Wash., and lived there till I was 3. We then moved to Morton Grove, Ill., and lived there till I was 6 years old. I attended kindergarten in Morton Grove. When I was 6, we moved to Boise and have lived here since then, so I consider Boise, Idaho, to be home.
(Education and areas of focus: I am a senior at Boise State University and am studying Communications with an emphasis in Journalism. Boise State doesn't have a Journalism specific major. In the Spring 2011 semester I was a sportswriter for the Boise State Arbiter.
Interests, activities, favorite genres of literature/music/food/movies, etc. Being from Idaho, I love the outdoors! Camping, snowboarding, running, bicycling, spending time in the outdoors.
This past year though one of my new activities is hot yoga. I feel that doing hot yoga has made me more limber and has toned me in preparation for the physical fitness part of competition.
The big bonus is that it has helped to calm me and keep me centered while preparing for Miss America, which is a very stressful undertaking.
Another activity that has eased the stress is playing with my Golden Retriever, Sunni. He is the love of my life!! I can’t help but smile when I am with him, he is such a happy dog!
I also love sushi. When I have time to get together with my friends, we typically go out for sushi.
My favorite movie of all time is “Breakfast at Tiffany's.” Audrey Hepburn is a role model of mine---not only because of her sense of style and her acting but also because of the work she did as a humanitarian.
Overall career goal at this point in your life: I had originally thought that I wanted to work as a writer for a women's fitness magazine, but this year I have been considering other careers.
I have enjoyed the public speaking that I have been able to do as Miss Idaho, and I was also able to see Katie Couric and Robin Roberts speak at the Girl Scout National Conference in Texas this past November.
My experiences speaking and then hearing these two women speak at the conferences and the differences they have made as broadcast journalists have inspired me to consider being a broadcast journalist also.
Who and what have most influenced you in life and why/how? My family and friends have been the most influential in my life. My parents have encouraged me to be adventurous and to truly live life to its fullest.
They have also kept me grounded and remind me to always be true to myself.
I have always been surrounded by great role models and mentors (like Debbie [Love] :)) who have also shown me that I can do anything I can set my mind to do. They have inspired me to follow my dreams.
I have always been surrounded by great role models and mentors (like Debbie [Love] :)) who have also shown me that I can do anything I can set my mind to do. They have inspired me to follow my dreams.
Why did you run for Miss Idaho? I first competed as a teen in the Miss Idaho Outstanding Teen pageant. I had never done a pageant before but was approached by the Miss Idaho director after she had heard me play piano at a recital.
The teen program had had a contestant drop out at the last minute, and they needed someone to take her place. My mom always encouraged me to try new things so I thought I would give it a try. To my surprise, I won and competed in the Miss America Outstanding Teen Pageant in Orlando, Florida.
I continued to compete as an adult in the Miss Idaho Pageant because I was inspired by my fellow contestants. They are all women who are intelligent, driven and involved in their communities.
Being with them inspires me to be my very best at all times and in all situations.
Do you have to put your other activities aside while reigning as Miss Idaho, or can you do both? Miss Idaho leads a very busy year so I am not able to attend school for the entire year. I was, however, able to work at my part-time job at White House Black Market.
They have been so great at working around my busy schedule. My colleagues there have been very supportive while I have been preparing to compete at Miss America.
What are your duties for the year? The first six months I have been busy preparing for Miss America as well as traveling around the state and working with various organizations.
For example, I have traveled to Pocatello to give a "Free to be Me" self-esteem workshop to a Girl Scout troop that is a part of the "Girl Scout Beyond Bars" program at the Pocatello Women's Correctional Facility.
In Idaho Falls, I spent time with Special Olympics athletes that I had met at the state Summer Special Olympics. I spoke at the state Soroptimist club meeting and then helped them at the Garden City Boys and Girls Club Christmas party.
I was a bell ringer for the Salvation Army at Christmas, attended the coin toss at the Famous Idaho Potato Bowl and performed at the Festival of Trees. I typically have 2-3 appearances on an average each week. My duties as Miss Idaho are varied, and I have enjoyed every moment as Miss Idaho.
So far, what has been most satisfying about being chosen to represent our state? The People! I love interacting with the wide variety of people I have met as Miss Idaho. They have all had a huge impact on me and have brought me so much joy.
Just when the stresses of preparing for Miss America are wearing me down, I'm rejuvenated by the people that I meet that week at an appearance.
Just when the stresses of preparing for Miss America are wearing me down, I'm rejuvenated by the people that I meet that week at an appearance.
What's most important to you in this whole wide world and why? Without a doubt, my family and friends. This past year has been a reminder to me as to how much I love them and how important they are to me.
Give me a general summary of what's on your mind and your calendar these days and what's ahead for you with the Miss America pageant? I would love to have a job promotion and be promoted to the role of Miss America.
What an amazing year it would be to travel the country as Miss America, promoting my platform "Building the 3 C's Through Girl Scouts - Courage, Character, and Confidence" and to meet even more people! I am ready for the job!
I do know that there are other incredible state titleholders who want the same dream and who have worked equally hard. So if I don't win Miss America, I will be thrilled to come back and continue my year, traveling around our beautiful state, as Miss Idaho 2011.
Anything you care to add? This year the Miss America Organization is having a "People's Choice" contestant in the Top 15.[See video below]
This contestant will be decided by the highest number of votes in an online contestant.
People have till Jan. 12 to vote.
I would like to ask people to consider voting for me and to spread the word to vote Idaho in the Top 15 at Miss America. Idaho hasn't been in the Top 15 in 40 years.
I would like to ask people to consider voting for me and to spread the word to vote Idaho in the Top 15 at Miss America. Idaho hasn't been in the Top 15 in 40 years.
Go to www.missamerica.org. From there they will be directed on how to vote for their favorite contestant.
Special Note: You can learn more about Genevieve and her day-to-day activities by following her blog and her Facebook page at the following links:
Good Luck, Genevieve!
Can't wait to have the next Miss America come and sign the Lodgepole Log here at the Lovestead!
No comments:
Post a Comment