Eastern Dirt Magazine

On October 16, 2008 I traveled up to Gastonia NC for an exciting afternoon on a dirt bike track with the editor and photographer of Eastern Dirt Magazine, Benjamin Segal. He invited me, Beauties of America's Teen 2008, to shoot a Tech Tips article for the November online edition of Eastern Dirt Magazine! I got to wear my bright green rubber boots, a tied up EDM work shirt with my name on it of course, shorts, and my long blonde ponytail. I got all dressed up and went out to the actual racing track near Gastonia NC and shot a How To Wash Your Bike series! It was so cool, and YES I washed the entire dirty muddy race bike! I actually had a great time, and Benjamin is one of the best photographers in the business! He has been photographing models for many years and is very professional! What another fantastic opportunity for a BOA Queen!
Laurie Kimsey, America's Teen 2008

Howl-O-Scream BOOOOO!!

Want to get Halloween started early this year? Then you should have joined America's Teen (Me, Laurie Kimsey) at the McLean Park Howl-O-Scream community party this evening. It was truly a scream...lol...excuse the pun!
There were hayrides, trick or treating with local vendors set up in the park, games for the kids, marshmallow roasting, free food, and so many creatures wondering around in the park for a clean family fun filled afternoon/evening! I was Beauties of America's Teen Witch! And yes, I did have to get in on the fun with the trick-or-treating and I brought home with me one of the little miniature pumpkins from the Mini-Pumpkin-Patch! It was so much fun, and a safe enjoyable environment for all ages! I'll be looking forward to next year! Well, I've got to get some sleep for my next appearance which will be tomorrow at the Queen for A Day SC Chapter 3 year anniversary event tomorrow in Greer, SC! Until then, remember to stay safe this Halloween week and don't ever accept candy or items from strangers without your parents permission and inspection! Laurie Kimsey, Beauties of America's Teen 2008

Everybody's Day 100th Celebration

"There's no place like home" is quoted from the famous Wizard of Oz, but in my opinion after the opportunity to return to my birthplace this past weekend for Everybody's Day, the quote is proven once again! On September 27, 2008 I had the opportunity to represent Beauties of America at the 100th anniversary of Everybody's Day in Thomasville NC. The day began with arriving in downtown Thomasville, the site of the famous BIG CHAIR to smell the aroma of food, hear the laughter of fun, and see people from my past that made the day unforgettable and so amazing! Thomasville is a small furniture factory town that is known worldwide for its high end furniture line. To me, it's just home. At the festival I had the privilege to see my old best friend Jamie Mashburn from elementary school and get a hug from my old boyfriend Jake Huneycutt! I met a lady I had heard so much about named Rotha Hanner! Rotha is the director of the NC Model Pageant. I met her current queens and listened intently as she told me about my Mom, Sabrina Todd, Miss NC Model 1990! Later that day I met the Little Miss Thomasville Queens. This was incredible as I had been crowned Little Miss Thomasville in 2000, and later crowned Majestic Miss Thomasville in 2002! I was the first girl to win Majestic as a 10 year old, the first year you are eligible to compete as Majestic!

Miss Hanner has invited me to attend her state pageant 2009, and I really look forward to it!

Overall it was another amazing opportunity through the Beauties of America crown!

Laurie Kimsey, America's Teen 2008

Alston Brook Nursing Facility

On Friday September 26, 2008 I traveled to Lexington NC to visit the residents of Alston Brook Nursing Facility. I met so many wonderful residents and they were so happy to have some visitors. Mrs. Barber was so adorable as she sang to me during my visit. Other residents gave me giant hugs and walked around with me during my visit. They smiled as I wondered through the facility. I handed out cards with my photo on them so I could get a few new Grandparents to adopt me! I really enjoyed my visit, and I realized how much it means to others for us to take a few hours out of our day and volunteer. It only takes time, and the happy fuzzy feeling it leaves inside afterwards is priceless! Thank you to Trilogy Collections for the BOA rhinestone tee with my title on it! I love it, and really loved wearing it to my appearance!

Laurie Kimsey ::: America's Teen 2008

Dream Dolls SC Preliminary Pageant

September 20, 2008

Congratulations to all the adorable and beautiful contestants of the Dream Dolls pageant today in Conway, SC. I had a great time emceeing the event today! The contestants competed in various age divisions in evening wear and swimsuit ages 0 months - 19 years.
All contestants received nice prizes and winners received amazing crowns! Hats off to the directors for a well run organized day! Best wishes to you and your new court!
The SC state Dream Dolls pageant will be held in Myrtle Beach SC in March, 2009!
Thanks again for the opportunity! Laurie Kimsey, America's Teen 2008

Queen For A Day Donations: Cancer Care Kits

As part of my year as America's Teen, I have the priviledge to work with Angela from Queen for A Day SC. I will be working with them this year in order to crown pediatric cancer patients as queens and heroes for the day. This is such a worthy cause and I look so forward to meeting the children and making a difference.
In order to prepare cancer care kits for this organization, we collected tax deductible donations. Each kit cost $10.00. I raised $50.00 last week to contribute toward our goal of 100 kits.
If you would like more information on how to donate to Queen For A Day, please drop me a note and I'll be more than happy to forward more information!
Laurie Kimsey
America's Teen
lauriemkimsey@yahoo.com

America's Teen Cheers Red Sox to Victory

September 13, 2008 I flew to Boston MA to check out my friends at Boston College and take BOA to a Boston Red Sox game! My friend Ryan Quigley from North Myrtle Beach SC is the starting punter for the Boston Eagles! He is having a great year so far as a true freshman in the NCAA. Now on to the game! The Red Sox took a quick lead in the 1st inning by scoring two, but the Canadian Toronto Blue Jays quickly came back scoring 5 in the 2nd. But with the cheering on of the crown and sash crowd the Sox slowly came back scoring in the 6th, 7th, and 8th innings with a final of 8 to 5! The BOA crown shown bright on the Sox Saturday night!! -Laurie Kimsey, America's Teen 2008...........more photos to come as available!

The Sun News...myrtlebeachonline.com

http://www.myrtlebeachonline.com/news/local/story/572339.html

Please use this link to read my first interview with the Sun News, Myrtle Beach SC.
Mr Steve Palisin interviewed both Suzanne Anderson, America's 40's and myself for this article!

Remembering 9/11 (the sun news online 9/11/08)

Beauty queen Laurie Kimsey of North Myrtle Beach holds an American flag on Thursday, September 11, 2008 during a memorial service on Main Street in North Myrtle Beach as part of the city's proclamation to honor the heroes and victims of September 11, 2001.
Randall Hill/rhill@thesunnews.com

9/11 Memorial, NMB, SC

Tonight, 9/11/08 I participated in the 9/11 Candlelight Memorial Vigil. It was such a beautiful Patriotic service. As America's Teen I had the opportunity to be a flag holder and wear one of the 2,974 glow lights distributed in honor of those who lost their lives in the Twin Towers 9/11/01. From bag pipes and color guards to Senator Elliott and Mayor Hatley's patriotic speeches, the night was not complete until the grand finale on the beach. As blue and red glow lights lined up in hundreds in two groups on the beach, two firemen in uniform walked a memorial wreath in honor of 9/11 into the ocean. As they walked into the rolling waves under the moonlight and glow of red and blue lights, there was such an emotional tug at my heart for those that have lost their lives in 9/11 and war since in order to protect our country including me. A police watercraft then pulled the wreath out to sea with onlookers watching intently. I was so proud to be standing there with America's Teen crown and sash across me thinking, God bless the USA and thank you for the opportunity to live and be an American.

Viva Las Vegas!

As a model I have been blessed with some amazing opportunities this year! On September 4 I had an awesome chance to go to Las Vegas NV to model in "The Market Las Vegas" which is a prom and bridal market with non-stop fashion shows and vendors at the overwhelming Venetian Hotel. Of course I could not make the trip without my crown and sash to promote the Beauties of America pageant system! By day I walked the runway literally for hours, then when work was over I could change into my crown and sash and show other teens that Vegas is so much good clean fun for all ages! We saw the white tigers at the Mirage, the sunken treasure ships at Treasure Island, the lions at MGM, the gondola rides at the Venetian, the water shows at the Bellagio, and we rode the Vegas Monorail until we became "monorail" sick...lol! The shopping was unbelievably amazing! Every major hotel contained miles of high end designer stores like Gucci, Juicy Couture, Prada, Tiffany & Co, and even Harry Winston! I had the best "window shopping" trip of my life! It was a great time and I was so proud to be a clean teen just enjoying the city that never sleeps! Unfortunately....the memory card with ALL of my pics is currently at the photo/computer shop being analyzed for data! When I returned home my memory disk in my camera became corrupted and it is currently NOT readable!! Yes, I cried! Just kidding, but I wanted to for sure. As soon as the corrupted files are discovered, I will post pics! In the meantime, my memories from America's Teen takes on Vegas will last a lifetime! Until next time it's Laurie Kimsey, America's Teen!