Trip To The Blood Connection

The date was Monday, October 6, 2008 and I was still feeding off the excitement of being crowned Miss Greater Pee Dee 2009. Having had a crown before I knew one of the first things I needed to do was to put together a support team that would help me market my platform. If there is one thing our state directors preach to us (especially Mrs. Gail Sanders) it’s to find a group of people to assist you through your journey to Miss South Carolina.

I had already been given the opportunity on Sunday night to share my experience of the pageant weekend and platform with the Youth at Mountain View Baptist Church (the church my dad pastors and I attend). This was good practice for me, because I realized that I really needed to explore become familiar with blood donation more than ever before.

On Monday my father and I went to The Blood Connection in Seneca, SC. The trip was two-fold. First, I wanted to start my support group at the location I felt I could do the most good. Second, I felt that I could not encourage people to give blood if I wasn’t willing to donate myself. So, one of the actions I took as the new Miss Greater Pee Dee was donating blood. I had given blood many times before without any problems. This time was no different – so I thought.
Following me introducing myself to the staff, my general evaluation and health screening and my donation, we left the center and went to Clemson, SC. I wanted to go and see one of the greatest friends ever, Miss Ladonn, and tell her the good news. While at her shop I began to feel light headed and when I went to sit down, you guessed it, out I went – like a fifty year old light bulb!!!! It took them a while to get me awake. When I came to, I had no idea what had happened. I felt strange. I felt weak. I felt confused. I felt pain in my nose. When I passed out, I fell face forward, taking out a display of shoes and a falling in a 5 foot plastic display and scrapping my noise and head. I looked horrible. Perfect timing wouldn’t you say? But my parents and family all assured me that wounds heal – and they have.

Now you may be thinking, "bet she will never give blood again". Well you are wrong. Where it true that some people have minor complications from giving blood, the risk and the benifits are worth it all! My problem was three fold: (1) Not eating correctly before I gave. (2) low iron and (3) I ws diagnosed with a thyroid problem. Actually, I credit my blood donation with helping me prevent a bigger problem!!!!

So until next time, when promise my news will be good news, May God bless you all!

Introduction

Hello Everyone,
My name is Gayla Paige Brown, the reigning Miss Greater Pee Dee 2009. It is an honor to represent such a great part of my home state of South Carolina. If you are not familiar with The Pee Dee Region I encourage you to check us out at www.peedeetourism.com. As Miss Greater Pee Dee I will competing in the Miss South Carolina Pageant in July 2009. This blog will help me share my journey to the state pageaqnt with you my family, friends and followers.

Let me take this opportunity to invite you to check out my web site at www.missgreaterpeedee.com. Here you will find information on my platform, my appearances, my Palmetto Prince and Princess and other interesting facts.

For my first blog, I want to share my Miss Greater Pee Dee Weekend.

October 3, 2008 began like any other weekend, with one exception, my family and I traveled to Florence, SC for the pageant. We arrived at The Ramada Inn at Young's Plantation about 4:00 p.m. It was there that I meet two amazing ladies, Frances Kendell and Teresa Brown (My LED's and the best suppoirt team ever!). They made my family and I feel so welcomed and at ease.

Once we settled in, I met up with a fellow contestant, Ashley Phipps, and we road to The Center Theater in Hatsville for practice. Little did I know that I was sharing a ride with my future sister queen. On the way to practice I realized that I had left my batons back at the hotel. Yes - I am blonde!!! With one quick call on the cell phone it was Dad and Josh to the rescue. Back at the practice I met my competetion for the first time. It didn't take long to realize that I had my work cut out for me. After meeting the contestants it was apparent that anyone of the girls could walk away with the crown.

October 4, 2008 started with interview. Being contestant #1, I was first to meet the judges. Interview went well, even when one judge asked me what number was my carbon footprint. Well, I had no idea what he wanted so I answered, "I wear a size 61/2 if that helps you any". After a minuet (more like two) of laughter, the interview was over.

At the pageant that night my on stage question went very well. I felt relaxed and calm yet confident. Swim suit was ok - though I do have some work do in toning up and losing a few pounds. Talent was NOT the best of the night. Though I did drop my baton I did not let that prevent me from giving it my all. Finally my favorite part of any competition - Evening Gown. Waiting for the judge’s decision is always nerve racking. I just prayed that I had done enough! Our emcee for the evening was Christie Greene Lee (Miss South Carolina 1990). One by one she read the list of runner's-up. Then came the announcement for Miss Greater Pee 2009. When my name was called I was overcome with joy! What an honor!!!!!

I have always heard it said that all good things come to and end. Well, that partly true. After the crowning, my first walk and the photos, my dad walked over and gave me a great big hug. He looked me straight in the eyes and delivered the second bit of shocking news for the night. My car had been broken into during the pageant. Just my luck!!!!! By the time I had changed clothes and went to the parking lot to see my car, the police had already caught the guys. Let me take this opportunity to thank all the law enforcement that came by that night. You are great!

Well, that's how my pageant weekend went. In my next blog I will share my experience when I gave blood for the first time as Miss Greater Pee Dee. You don't want to miss this. All I can say for now is - My luck continued!!!!

Until then - May God Bless You All