I have just gotten back from Las Vegas where I attended the 2010 Miss America Pageant. I had the time of my life and was able to meet Mario Lopez, Miss America 2009 Katie Stam, and America's Outstanding Teen 2008 Taylor Fitch. I was able to get a picture with all of them!! Mario was actually eating dinner at the table right beside me!!!

It was a very memorable trip for me, and I enjoyed spending time with all the Tennessee people who came to support our Miss Tennessee Stefanie Wittler. I have to say she is one of the most beautiful individuals I have ever met, both inside and out. She was amazing and represented the state of Tennessee well!!!!!!! Being a Quality of Life Finalist and 2nd Runner up to Miss America is such a huge accomplishment. I AM SO SO PROUD OF HER!!! I was also so thankful to support former Miss Memphis Brooke Poklemba. She was remarkable in every phase of competition and represented the state of Maryland well. I truly admire both of them for their hard work in preparation for the Miss America Pageant.

While in Vegas, we did lots of shopping and ate at the most wonderful restaurant called "The Top of the World" at the Stratosphere Las Vegas Hotel. I was able to spend time with Tennessee's Outstanding Teen Victoria Calton and Tennessee's Teen Princess Savannah Ivey. They are both so sweet and beautiful! I feel so blessed to have had this opportunity, and now I am working hard to prepare for the state pageant on March 13th. Please pray for me as I go for my dream of being Tennessee's Outstanding Teen. I know whatever happens is God's Plan.

Love,
Madison Snipes
Miss Teen Memphis 2010

Wow, it has been really busy lately, and I am having the time of my life!!! I have to thank Shay for making all of these appearances possible. She is the absolute best director anyone could ever ask for!

At the beginning of this month, Ashlee, Amber, and I rode in the Liberty Bowl Parade. We were placed in the second car right behind Mayor A. C. Wharton. He and I first met a year and a half ago at the opening for the Transformation Center for Women Ceremony in Cordova along with Miss America 2008, Kirsten Haglund. I can�t believe that he remembered who I was. He is a very, very nice man, and I felt so privileged to have the opportunity to ride right behind him.

The next weekend we attended the Miss Collierville Pageant, and my dear friend, Brady Boyd, won the Teen division. I am so excited to be going with her to state. It is going to be a blast! The next day we were blessed to attend Bloomfield Gospel Church for a Martin Luther King celebration of honoring people within our community who have truly made a difference and given of their time. I was especially moved by the testimony of the pianist, �Sissy Davis�. God is truly working miracles in so many lives and she is one of them!! I will never forget this day as long as I live, and it taught me that Memphis has truly come a long way in breaking down barriers in this great city.

This past weekend Amber and I attended the groundbreaking ceremony for the University of Memphis Football weight room. We actually met Tiger football coach Larry Porter and Mr. R. C. Johnson, Director of Athletics.

On Monday of this week, I was given the opportunity to help at the National Civil Rights Museum in honoring Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. This education in history I will take with me forever. I had visited there once before with my school, but it was great to be able to talk and share with others the importance and the difference that his life made. I was actually interviewed by Channel 5 news and had two radio spots on 103.5 soul classics with Jackson Browne and on radio WLOK. The museum had around 10,000 visitors that day to celebrate his life. Memphis is such a great city with so much history. I am proud and honored to be representing my hometown and birthplace.

Also this month, we had our pictures for the state pageant taken by John and Becky at J & B Photography. They were so kind and were so much fun to work with. I love their work and cannot wait to see our pictures. We were fortunate to have Lisa Proctor do our makeup. She is tremendously talented!!!!!!!!!!!! I hope one day I get to work with her again. I feel I made a friend for life. She is so beautiful and so sweet. I appreciate all of their efforts in making us look our best. It has been a fun filled month for sure!!!

God Bless,
Madison Snipes
Miss Teen Memphis 2010

Wow, these last couple of weeks have been filled with lots of exciting events. First off, I was able to participate in the St. Jude Marathon, where we cheered and entertained over ten thousand runners who gave of their time to raise money for St. Jude. The marathon was projected to raise between 2.5 and 2.8 million dollars for St. Jude. What an inspiration all of these people were to me!! That same day we headed downtown to the Memphis Holiday Parade. This was my very first parade to be in, and it was so much fun to see the faces of the precious children as we waved and enjoyed the moment. That same weekend, we participated in Winter Wonderland with Santa sponsored by the Teens With Dreams Program and the Miss Memphis Organization. It was so heartwarming to receive so many hugs from the sweetest children. Their eyes just gazed at my crown.

The next weekend we rode in the Germantown Parade despite the rain. I have to thank our sweet daddies for providing us shelter under umbrellas. What a daddy will do for his little girl is amazing!!!!! The highlight of that week was reading Christmas stories to the 4th graders at Bailey Elementary School. They all wanted to know about my title and what I would be doing this year. It was a great opportunity to share my message about the importance and benefits of volunteering. I saw many potential Miss Teen Memphis' in that room.

I will have to say my most memorable moment so far has been our visit to the Ronald McDonald House to see my beautiful new friend, Amanda Swartout. We were able to crown her "Little Miss Memphis" and to give her a guardian angel necklace to watch over her. I am so blessed to have had the opportunity to meet such a brave young lady. There is not a day that goes by that I do not think of her. This visit had a tremendous impact on my life and made me realize just how much we need to treasure each day and count our blessings. Please keep Amanda in your prayers as she goes further with her treatments at St. Jude.

Our trip to Union City was also a highlight of my Christmas Holidays!! I was able to spend time with Tucker Perry, Miss Tennessee USA, and hopefully the next Miss USA. She is so beautiful, but most importantly so kind. It is always so much fun to visit with Paige, Jared, and Nicki. What a wonderful group of individuals to work with in preparation for the state pageant! They make everyone feel so special, and I love them all so much!!!!!!! I hope everyone had a wonderful Christmas, and I wish all of you a Happy New Year!!

God Bless,
Madison Snipes
Miss Teen Memphis 2010

Hello Memphis!

I feel so blessed and honored to be your 2010 Miss Teen Memphis! I have learned that "With God all things are possible!"

I had the time of my life at the pageant and made so many friends that will last a lifetime. Every one of the girls there were incredibly talented and so sweet and genuine. I am looking forward to what this year holds. I am so thankful to the judges for allowing me this opportunity to represent the city of Memphis. There are so many people I do need to thank who helped me on this journey of becoming Miss Teen Memphis.

First and foremost, I would like to thank my "SISSY" , Katie Moynihan. She truly is the one who encouraged me to start competing last year. She is my role model and mentor. She choreographed my tap solo which I performed at the pageant. She is so talented and has inspired me to be the best I can be. Most of all, she is a woman of great character and is always there for me. Katie, I LOVE YOU SO MUCH!!

To the Memphis Jaycees, Shay, Jeni, and the whole Miss Memphis staff, thank you for making the pageant a huge success and so much fun. All of your hard work is so greatly appreciated. I am so looking forward to getting to know each of you even better. What a great team to work with!!

Next, I would like to thank my dear friend, Patty Littrell. The many hours you spent getting me ready for interview will never be forgotten. I so appreciate all of your encouragement and teaching me to truly believe in myself. You have become my second mom, and I love you with all my heart.

I would also like to thank my trainer, Mr. Ric Taylor. Thanks for getting me ready for the fitness portion of the pageant.

Also, a big thanks to Mrs. Lisa Dunlap for designing and making the most beautiful costume I have ever owned!!

Also, to the people of E Studio, I give a huge thanks for all of your love and support and to my many friends who came out to support me, you will never know how much that meant to me!! I love all of you so much.

I can promise you I will try my best to be a great role model for the teens of Memphis and to promote my personal platform: VOLUNTEERISM - TAKE A STAND, LEND A HAND. I am looking forward to a wonderful year!

Madison Snipes
2010 Miss Teen Memphis