November 5- November 8

Hello Friends!

As you may already know, one of my dearest and closest friends, Julia, was married last weekend. It was one of the greatest honors of my life when she asked me to be a part of her wedding. Being a bridesmaid and standing at the altar with such a terrific couple was an experience I won't soon forget. If you do not know Julia, she is one of the most beautiful people I know-inside and out. I know that I can always count on her, and she will always be by my side. Julia was my roommate during Miss Delaware 2008 Pageant week! Ever since then we have stayed close and she has been one of my greatest supporters.

Friday, the 5th, began the two days devoted to Julia and her wedding :) We had a girls day with manicures and pedicures before lunch and wedding-related errands. We then dolled ourselves up and were off to the rehearsal! After rehearsing at the church, we all had a delicious meal at Kid Sheleen's where I was constantly laughing since I was sitting at the table with Chris, Mr. DE 2008 and Brittany Dempsey, Miss Delaware 2007! Post-rehearsal we just relaxed and kept the laughter going with Chris and Julia and a few others at her house.

Saturday morning Julia seemed so calm from the moment she woke up! It was her BIG day but she was as cool as a cucumber, even as we ate our breakfast of champions (cereal)! The morning was filled with hair and makeup by Sal of Michael Christopher's and we just spent time together getting ready. Everything went so smooth, and before we knew it, the time had come! Julia was the most beautiful bride I have ever seen. The best part of it all was that Julia was truly just excited to spend the rest of her life with Mike.

We took pictures before the wedding, outside at the Brandywine Zoo and they were gorgeous photos from what I have seen! Julia is a photographer so the pictures were the biggest priority for her :) When the wedding began, Chris (Mr. DE 2008) and I were the first to walk down the aisle. During the processional is when it all set in to me and of course, I began to cry. I promise I maintained composure. All sorts of emotions were going through my head, and I was thankful to have my friend, Chris, by my side. The wedding was perfect and couldn't have been better! The bride, the groom, the wedding and reception- it was all tremendous. We had such a great time and ... Julia and Mike were married!!! What a weekend :)

Immediately following the reception, I drove from Wilmington to Rehoboth Beach. This is not my favorite drive to make, but I am not a morning person, so it needed to be done! After a bit of rest, I was up at 6am to speak at the North East Regional Volunteer Forum which was held in Delaware this year! It was an honor to speak in front of professionals who are living examples of what it means to give of yourself unto others. I shared with them my experiences in 4-H and how they have shaped me into the woman I am today, and how 4-H has prepared me for the job of Miss America.

My mother was attending the conference, and so after we checked out, my family and I dined at my favorite beach stop- Nicola's! Nic-a-boli's are the most delicious meal on the board walk, and bring back lots of memories from my childhood.

From Rehoboth, I drove to Milford (my hometown) to rehearse for the Diamond Dance Company's annual production of The Nutcracker! I will be dancing several parts this year, including the Dream Fairy! It is hard to believe that eleven years ago, I was the first "Clara" in DDC's very first production. Be sure to come watch this holiday tradition at Milford High School December 4th or 5th!

After rehearsing and making a few phone calls, I was off to bed! This was such a busy weekend, and I had begun feeling sick so I knew I needed my rest. Just as I suspected, I woke up Monday feeling just awful and thankfully my doctor was able to fit me in and my schedule was rearranged. The "World's Best Mom" Award goes to Rhonda Martell for driving to Dover to pick me up, take me to the doctor and then the pharmacy since I could barely lift my head. I love you, Mom!

Boy, what a busy weekend! I can't believe it is already November! The Miss America Pageant is just around the corner. Keep checking back to see what happens between now and then!

Be sure to mark your calendars for my Send-Off Celebration which will be December 12th at Dover Downs Hotel & Casino from 2-5pm. Tickets are $25 reserved or $30 at the door, and $15 for children age 12 and under. This is your chance to see all of my Miss America wardrobe and see how hard I have been working to prepare for January! Please contact Faye at nuartist09@hotmail.com if you are interested in ordering/reserving your tickets!

God Bless!

-Kayla

14 comments:

  1. Kayla, I am a Delaware resident in Bowers Beach (not too far from you!). I find your story to be so beautiful and touching. I hope that you revolutionize beauty pagents and how they are viewed. I know as a little girl I used to watch the pagents. I hope that little girls around the world will get to see you on the stage. You will so easily inspire others with this disease at a point in a child's life where self identity is crucial, possibly changing the life path of hundreds of people.

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  2. Hey girl! I also have competed bald... For me, it was by choice - I still had hair at the time. For my last pageant, I wore a weave, gave my speech on a recent University of Illinois study on hair loss, and supported Wigs for Kids in my platform.
    I've had troubles with losing my hair in patches my whole life and over the past year have had some pretty bad loss. My man says I'm like a "shedding cat".
    I have to admit; after I started getting tattoos and wearing mohawks and skating Roller Derby, I stopped caring about Miss America. But now when I tell other people that I'm dealing with Alopecia, I don't usually have to explain.
    It's funny... You know that saying "never trust a skinny cook"? Well, I've been working in salons for 10 years. I usually wear odd styles to cover the density, but I'm trying something more conservative right now.
    This year I'll be watching the pageant with great interest. I can't wait to see this "special wig" I've been hearing about for your talent!

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  3. You look terrific bald. It gives you a signature look, and many men find bald women very attractive. I understand why you might want to wear a wig on stage now but someday you should just go out there as you and strut your stuff. Embrace and enjoy your situation. It's a gift in its own way.

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  4. HI My name is Megan. I have AA and I am wondering what kinds of wigs you wear? Where did you purchase them? Im searching for the best out there and I am struggling to find 'the one' that suits me.
    My email is MgaLLkixx@msn.com. Thanks Kayla. ur an inspiration.

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  5. Good luck tonight Kayla! Heard about you on CuteHoneys.com, they ran an article with a funny line about you.

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  6. you RE BEAUTIFUL AND were great on the miss America pagent. where do you get your wigs? iamsgb@msn.com.....thank you!

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  7. Hi Kayla, my mum sent me a link to you - you are fab and a real inspiration! I too have alopecia - currently I'm going into Alopecia Universalis (losing all my hair). It started as AA when I was 8, then universalis, then totalis and now back to universalis as I'm about to turn 33. I think I look hot bald, but am a bit sad to be losing my eyebrows and eyelashes again. I too am wondering where you get your wigs - they look amazing! Do you wear human hair or synthetic? I understand if you're very busy, but if you have a mo, it would be great to know - my email is mlbaldgirl@gmail.com.
    Thanks, Miranda

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  8. hey:) I have Alopecia Universalis, and i've had it for 5 years. I was just wondering, does the wig fall off easily?
    im a guy by the way, and I wonder cause i play soccer alot and wonder if it will fall of when i play! im a sportsguy:) im thinking about getting one, im really tired of worrying about if people are watching my head!

    I want it for the same reason like you, I saw an interview where you said that you wanted it so people wouldn't have to worry about you, and you didn't have to explain it to them untill you felt comfortable with it!

    also, do you get judged for using a wig?
    I really hope you could answer me on simen-1307@hotmail.com!:D

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  9. hello, my name is stephanie and i was just wondering where you got your wig. I'm, too, a sufferer of alopecia and am currently looking for a wig. Thank you! :)

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  10. Hello Kayla,I just red about your story.I have alopecia areata from 1999.Its very difficult to accept myself like that.
    I love your wigs.There are amazing.I would love to know where you are buy them?
    Its been two years,I am not wearing wigs but I think it will be necessary for me to start to wear them when I am looking for the job.I was already discriminate for it..and I dont want to be in the same situation anymore.
    Thank you a lot
    katarina.rolincova@gmail.com

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  11. Hi, Kayla. My name is Madeleine Wolfe, and I am a teen girl in Missouri. I have had Alopecia since May of 2000. I was wondering, where do you get your wigs? Is it Locks of Love? I'd love a response asap as I am currently mostly bald, just not skin. What I'm saying is, I have a little bit of short, less-than-a-cm-tall bit of hair but that doesn't really count, compared to my friends and family.Anyhow, If you could tell me where you get your wigs that would mean a ton -A TON!!!!- to me!!!! thanks so so so so so much Kayla and by the way i watched the Miss America Pageant and cried when you were voted in.

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  12. Hi Kayla, my name is Laura. I am writing on behalf of my 6 year old daughter. She developed alopecia areata shortly after he 2nd year vaccinations. It then developed into totalis where she lost all her hair on her head, eyebrows, eyelashes, and her nails. She later got her hair back last year and lost it again within 6 months. She just started a new school and the kids keep teasing her because she is bald. She is a beautiful, sweet, and intelligent little girl. I am worried that she will lose her spirit because of these mean kids. I seen on tv where you went to a school and educated them on alopecia and took of your wig. I was wondering if it was possible to come to Ohio to do the same for my daughter? I am grateful that she is healthy, but I am concerned about her emotionally. Thank you and may God bless you! My email is lagent21@yahoo.com.

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  13. Kayla,
    My 4 yr old grand daughter has alopecia areata. She wants an American Girl Doll that looks like her. We've contacted the manufacturer but were told it's impossible for them to ship or sell a doll without hair. I am desperately trying to make a Christmas wish come true, have you any influence or ideas that may help? Thanks

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  14. Ms. Martell,

    Your name pops up everywhere I go, weather I am looking for someone with alopecia or not. My 2 year old was diagnosed with alopecia areata and I made light of it on my facebook page. My childhood friend, Gary Nevitt, who is also the photographer for our wedding, told me all about you and showed me the pictures he took of you and your husband at your wedding. They were absolutely beautiful.

    I have been reading a wonderful book called Blond Today Bald Tomorrow by Stacy Weed and decided to do some research on The New Look Instutite. As soon as I opened the page, there you were...again! This is now the 2nd time your name and face came to light in my search of information, so I am taking this as a sign.

    I have no idea how to get ahold of you, but I would love to speak to you via email to talk to you about alopecia. I have become that parent who looks at children's heads when I go to a playground or a restaurant. I hear from so many doctors how common this auto immune disease is, yet I have not seen anyone with it.

    Please feel free to reach out to me at SharonCestari@gmail.com. I would love to hear as much information about this as possible. I am desperate to hear from someone going through what my daughter is about to go through.

    Thank you so much and I look forward to hearing from you.

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