Farewell

Wow, where has this year gone. It is only fitting that I write this on the last day of 2009. This has been such an amazing year and certainly unforgettable. I have been very fortunate to have had this opportunity and am grateful for all the doors that have been opened by taking a "leap" of faith into a new adventure! To my family for your unending support I am forever grateful~~you allowed me the chance to capture a dream and I am thankful for your love and support. To all of my friends and especially to all of the new friends I have met through this year your words of encouragement and support are something I will always treasure. My motto this year in speaking to groups for the American Heart Association has been, "Leap, Live, Love, Laugh & Leave a Legacy". This all started with a Leap, I certainly Lived every minute of this great adventure, I am grateful for all the Love that has come my way, I without a doubt truly know how to Laugh (especially at myself~~especially when high heels are involved) and I pray that I have left a Legacy to be proud of!

Val Whitehead Mrs. Iowa International 2009~~~officially signing off:)

And........A New Mrs. Iowa International is CROWNED!

Congratulations to the beautiful FERYL YORK! Feryl has been crowned Mrs. Iowa International 2010 and is pictured here with her husband Ryan. It is with sincere admiration that I congratulate you on all that you have already done and will continue to do to support Iowa in 2010......a true queen! Make sure and follow Feryl's year www.mrsiowainternational2010.blogspot.com

Miss Iowa USA Pageant

Ashley Hanson and I after the pageant. Ashley you are an amazing woman and a dear friend! It has been a wonderful year and I can't wait for the rest of our "adventures" to begin!

Truly a priviledge to be part of such an amazing group of women! Left to Right: me, Loni McNertney Mrs. Iowa America 2009, Michelle Berndt Mrs. Iowa United States 2009, Feryl York Mrs. Iowa International 2010 and Laura Diers Johnson Mrs. Iowa America 2008.

Go Red Luncheon December 4, 2009

What an amazing event! I had the priviledge to be the keynote speaker at this years 6th annual Go Red Luncheon in Sioux City. Over 700 women and men were in attendance! A great fundraiser for such an important organization. To make the day even better my mom had the opportunity to come with me........thanks for being my biggest "cheerleader"!

Go Red Luncheon Sioux City Iowa

After the luncheon I had the opportunity to do an interview with KTIV news promoting the importance of heart health awareness for women and men. GO RED! Kristie VerMulm, KTIV News Anchor, was the Master of Ceremonies for the event. We had fun doing a heart health "quiz" with the audience, using all the proceeds to benefit the American Heart Association.

Go Red for Women Luncheon, Sioux City Iowa

I am pictured here with Cindy Paasch and her son. Cindy shared her survivor story at the luncheon. She had a stroke at the age of 35! Despite this she continues to fight each day to get stronger. She is working on her college degree, has an amazing, positive outlook on life and should be an inspiration to us all!

Miss Nebraska USA Pageant - Sunday Oct. 25th

This was our idea for a last minute road trip. Loni McNertney, Mrs. Iowa America 2009 and I took off for Norfolk, Nebraska to watch the pageant. Despite a few technical difficulties...we arrived home at 2am in one piece, although very tired the next day. Great pageant with some very lovely ladies and also meant many fellow "Mrs.'s" and some great connections. Next time we will remember the basics...like ID:)