(((The Brides of Oklahoma Magazine)))

"WHITE DOG HILL" ~ The most incredible restaurant in Western, Oklahoma. I am telling you, folks, it is a HIDDEN TREASURE. On set, I felt like I was in another country. It was very warm and rustic. So Ladies, tell your men to take you to dinner here. And Gentlemen, take your women out for a romantic evening!!

I had a three page spread in the January issue of the Brides of Oklahoma  Magazine.  This was definitely my favorite look of the three.  I adore this classic, old hollywood vibe and I loved the fact that I got to be a bride with "attitude." ;) ...The other two sets were also great. --For one, I was in the midst of a classic diner located within the Route 66 Museum and later, on an old dirt road with a classic red convertible. :)

I am the new model for the prestigious Indulge Salon and Spa Ads

"THE BRIDES OF OKLAHOMA Magazine is the ultimate resource for the Oklahoma bride. Featuring over 100 pages of REAL Oklahoma weddings, the inaugural issue of the magazine was unveiled in January 2008. From the intimate, quaint backyard wedding to the elaborate, grand affair at the finest venue, The Brides of Oklahoma provides a priceless glimpse into the weddings of other Oklahoma brides and links couples planning their Oklahoma weddings to the most prominent professionals in the industry. Literally, from front to back the magazine is filled with pictures of the products and services of vendors across the state. Need inspiration for your big day? Want a comprehensive guide to Oklahoma’s best wedding professionals? Look no further than The Brides of Oklahoma magazine. Check it out for yourself — get your copy of the magazine online now."

 

I had the honor of shooting with The Brides of Oklahoma Magazine on two occasions this year, as well as the Brides of North Texas Magazine.  The Brides of Oklahoma staff are some of the most wonderful people you will ever meet.  These women are truly beautiful inside and out and Oklahoma is incredibly lucky to have a Bridal Magazine with this kind of prestige. Thank you, ladies, for all of your hard work! The Brides of Oklahoma Magazine turned out amazing! Job WELL DONE. It was a  privilege to be chosen as a part of your latest issue.

Funny story... last year's Miss Oklahoma was featured in The Brides of Oklahoma Magazine, and the ladies joked with me that it was "lucky."  But low and behold, several months later, when I competed for Miss Oklahoma USA, I WON!!!! (Maybe it really IS lucky... ;)) 

~BEHIND THE SCENES~ ;)

~Getting my dress all fixed and prepped for the shot.~

~The talented, Aaron Snow...Check out his blog. He is fantastic!~

~It was not only extremely windy, but it was also FREEZING COLD! Sometimes in modeling, you just gotta fake it ;) ... (I was rubbing my arms for warmth in this picture and was very jealous of my groom in his long sleeves and pants... ha)~

~The sun was going down, so we needed some reflectors to bring out some extra light~

~Here, you can see the many clips I have on the back of my dress to keep it on! ...Not only that, but if you look closely, you are able to see a plastic sac underneath me as well. -We were shooting on an Oklahoma "Red Dirt Road," and needed to protect the dress as much as possible~

~There are often many moments of laughter during a shoot, especially when you work with joyful people.~

~Jeremy was a GREAT sport.  I really had fun working with him...~

Hope you enjoyed the pictures!

Blessings to everyone!

~Morgan Woolard~

Clear Channel Radio Bridal Fashion Show

 Saturday, January 16, 2010, 10:00am- 6:00pm

Location: Northpark Mall
OKLAHOMA CITY

The Fashion Show featured stores SJ BRIDAL and TUXEDO JUNCTION from Oklahoma City, Oklahoma.  DJ Pro,"Buff," from 101.9 The Twister and Clear Channel Radio presented the show, and it was hosted by the lovely Mrs. Oklahoma, Heather Rouba.   The fashion show was open to everyone.  Free parking, as well as free admission was included. 

Over 60 exhibitors from all over the state of Oklahoma were present to help the brides of Oklahoma plan the perfect wedding in 2010.  Booths included anything from photography, to honeymoon spots, to wedding cakes, to catering, to wedding venues only to name a few!  Other festivities included KJ103's "cake dive" for prizes, including an amazing honeymoon getaway!

It is Oklahoma’s Largest Bridal Show of the year.

~ON THE RUNWAY~

~Morgan Woolard~

~VANBROS & Associates Presents...~

~Miss Kansas USA and Miss Oklahoma USA 2010~

~Bethany Gerber~

Over and out, ;)

Morgan E. Woolard

MISS OKLAHOMA USA 2010

"LYDIA'S CHARM," by Wanda E. Brunstetter

This fall I was asked to model for a book cover, by author, Wanda E. Brunstetter. Wanda's first novel was released by Barbour Publishing’s book club, Heartsong Presents, in Dec. 1997. She now has written nearly fifty books, with over 4 million in print. Many of the novels she has written are Amish-themed, including the character I portray for her latest book, "Lydia's Charm." Lydia's Charm has not been sent to print yet, but will be featured in Barnes and Noble's across the nation.

Modeling for a book cover was an exciting fete for me to achieve.  I have been on the cover of many magazines, and I have been on the cover of a few calendars, but never, until recently, have I been on the cover of a book!

Magazine covers will last a month or so, calendar covers will last a year or so, but a book cover will be on the shelves for a lifetime!  It was fascinating for me to depict a written character, like Lydia.

Portraying an Amish woman was actually a lot of fun for me because it was something I had never done before.  I have modeled for several high fashion shoots where my face has been painted, or I've been placed in funky clothing, with crazy makeup, or even underwater.  On the contrast, I have also done a ton of commercial modeling where I have been in swimsuits, prom dresses, and wedding gowns.  One thing, however, I had never checked off my list, was sporting a long, puffy-sleeved Amish dress and white bonnet to match! ...haha

In order to "get into character," I visited Wanda's Website to learn more about the Amish Community.

Here's a link if you would like to learn more about the Amish way of life as well!

  http://www.wandabrunstetter.com/AmishFacts.html

(Naturally, portraying an Amish woman, I was not aloud to wear ANY makeup whatsoever, but powder. And for the record, they photoshopped my eyes blue, but they are most definitely green. ;) ...haha)

~~Here is what I learned...~~

After reading through the website, I came to have a profound respect for the Amish Community. I feel a lot can be said about their simplistic lifestyle and I genuinely appreciate their example of putting their emphasis on people, instead of on things. For the Amish, simple living involves spending time with their family and friends and they deeply cherish their family closeness. One of the things that impressed me the most about the Amish was their strong family values and strong family ties. The Amish are also very creative and incredibly frugal.

My family, like every other family in America is familiar with what it's like to have as well as what it's like to not have, especially with the slumped economy we face today. We can ALL follow the example of the Amish by similarly enriching our lives with a sense of unity that goes far beyond materialistic possessions.

With that said, try to take this time of economic hardship to see the positive in our circumstances, rather than the negative.  When we are unable to eat out as often, or go to movies as often, etc, we are enabled to be more creative, like the Amish Community and think of new ways to entertain ourselves and spend time with loved ones.

Within Amish homes, all of their meals are home-cooked. If we instill home-cooking in our lifestyle, we will not only be saving money and living healthier, but we will have satisfaction in eating a delicious meal that’s been made from scratch.

Instead of going out to dinner once a week, gather with your family around the kitchen for good conversation, good company, and pitch in to make dinner. Substitute going to a concert or a movie, for watching a movie at home that you already own or for playing a board game. (Or as cold as it is in Oklahoma, for sitting by the fire and chatting up a storm!)

What I'm trying to say is that there's something to be said about traveling to simpler times, like the Amish, and appreciating what's truly valuable in life....relationships. Not things, or events or possessions, but fostering relationships and spending time with your dearest friends and family.

Family and friends do not have a price tag on them. The love we share and the memories we build are truly invaluable, especially in these hard economic times when we are reminded of what is truly important in life.

-From the heart,
Morgan Woolard
Miss Oklahoma USA 2010

Here are some other suggestions that I appreciated from Wanda's Website.

(http://www.wandabrunstetter.com/SimpleLife.html)

In Summary:

1. Try giving/making a homemade gift.  (There’s something satisfying about making a gift with your hands. Plus, it means more to your loved one when you put a lot of time and energy into it!)

2. Turn off the TV every once in a while and enjoy the peace in quiet, a good conversation, or the great outdoors!

3. Walk more places, take a stroll through your neighborhood, or ride your bike. (The fresh air and exercise are good for you, too.)

4. Spend more time with your family and friends. (Set aside a certain time every week to spend quality time with your family, play games, etc.)

5. Have strong family values and strong family ties.

*Special Olympics Winter Games, Banquet, and Dance*

"Let me win. But if I cannot win, let me be brave in the attempt."
         -Special Olympics Oath

If you are a fan of inspiration, a fan of courage, a fan of competition, and a fan of fun, then you would be a HUGE FAN of the wonderful program going on at the Special Olympics of Oklahoma. 
 
(http://www.specialolympicsoklahoma.org/)

Did you know that there are more than 9,500 fantastic special Olympics athletes right here, in Oklahoma?  Kandis Holt, Miss Oklahoma Teen USA 2010 and myself, were invited as special guests to the 2010 Winter Games Banquet.  At the banquet, we had the privilege of meeting many of these wonderful people!  The Special Olympic WINTER GAMES were held January 8-9 in Norman, Edmond, Moore, and Oklahoma City, Oklahoma.

Special Olympics was founded by Eunice Kennedy Shriver. The first International Special Olympics Games were held in 1968 at Soldier Field in Chicago. Today, there are programs in all 50 states and over 3.1 million participants in 227 Programs from 175 countries. ~ Wow!!!  Special Olympics, Inc. is a non-profit international organization located in the heart of Washington, DC.

The state of Oklahoma's first Special Olympics event was an athletics competition at the University of Tulsa in 1969. In 1972, Special Olympics Oklahoma was incorporated as a non-profit organization. It is governed by a state-wide Board of Directors in hopes of benefiting citizens with intellectual disabilities.

(http://www.specialolympicsoklahoma.org/PolarPlunge.html)

(Above is a picture of the queens with the "Polar Plunge" bear.  A Polar Plunge is a fundraising challenge made to an individual or group challenging them to dive into a cold body of water in order to raise money for Special Olympics.)

During the past few weeks, my family has been going through a lot of personal hardships.  The Special Olympics Banquet was exactly what I needed to lift my spirits and relieve some stress!  The athletes are truly an inspiration. Their care-free, fun loving, and joyful attitudes warmed my heart instantly.  I was deeply moved, enlightened and encouraged to have that same mentality in my own life. Thank you Special Olympics, and thank you athletes, for your gentle, affectionate souls!

THE MISSION of Special Olympics is to provide year-round sports training and athletic competition in a variety of Olympic-type sports for children and adults with intellectual disabilities, giving them continuing opportunities to develop physical fitness, demonstrate courage, experience joy and participate in a sharing of gifts, skills and friendship with their families, other Special Olympics athletes and the community.

THE GOAL of Special Olympics is for all persons with intellectual disabilities to have the opportunity to become useful and productive citizens who are accepted and respected by their families, friends and in their communities.

Above are pictures of Kandis and I signing autographs for the athletes.  We have not taken our "official head shots" yet, so we had to make due with what we had.  I printed off a little over one hundred pictures from Walgreens to hand out, but unfortunately, I ran out in minutes!! :(

Doing the Chicken Dance! ~ "Dunna nunna nunna nuh, Dunna nunna nunna nuh, dunt dunt dunt dunt... clap, clap, clap!" ;)

On the train!! ;)

Dancing away!!! (He was showin' me how it's done) ;)

This is a sentimental picture for me.  My sweet, Nick. :) ...I vividly remember Nick from four years ago, when I was Miss Oklahoma Teen USA.  He is the most precious, gentle, warm-hearted young man.  Thank you, Nick, for all of the endearing kisses on the cheek. It was a blessing to reunite. :)

After being crowned  Miss Oklahoma Teen USA a few years ago, I was blessed to receive an invitation to the 2006 Winter Games Banquet.  Being reinvited as Miss Oklahoma USA 2010, and participating in the event once again, was a sincere pleasure.  It was a really neat experience to be back at the Moore Community Center.  There, I hold wonderful memories as a teen, and this weekend, I was blessed to add even more to my memory bank! It was especially neat to even see many of the same faces. :)

I know I can speak for Kandis as well in saying that we had a fantastic time together at the Special Olympics.  It was our first appearance together of the year! :) We were elated to accept the invitation to the Winter Games Opening Ceremonies and Dance. Thank you Special Olympics Oklahoma!!!

"Let me win. But if I cannot win, let me be brave in the attempt."
        -Special Olympics Oath

All my very best,
Morgan E. Woolard
MISS OKLAHOMA USA 2010

~RAISED OVER HALF A MILLION DOLLARS FOR THE BREAST CANCER RESEARCH FOUNDATION!!!!! :) ~

(Above: The Big 12 COVER)

When I was sixteen years old, I became a spokesperson for the American Cancer Society as Miss Oklahoma Teen USA. Alongside the American Cancer Society, I also partook in an organization called Daffodil Days.(http://www.cancer.org/docroot/home/index.asp)

The daffodil is the first flower of spring, a symbol of hope, renewal, and for the American Cancer Society, the promise that one day the world will be free of cancer.(http://daffodil.acsevents.org/site/PageServer?pagename=DD_FY10_Findanevent)

To raise awareness and funds to help the American Cancer Society’s fight against cancer, I sold daffodils and other items to my friends and family. In the end, I raised over 5,000 dollars for the cure.

Along with being a spokesperson for the American Cancer Society, and selling daffodils through Daffodil Days, I also led a team of girls to participate in a Susan G. Komen, "Race for the Cure."

(Sign up for a race near you! http://ww5.komen.org/findarace.aspx?itc=lefthpban:96)

With all that said, after being so heavily involved in cancer related organizations, I immediately jumped on board when I was asked to participate in the 2009-2010 Campus Girls USA Calendar, where 100% of the calendar sales would go toward the Breast Cancer Research Foundation.

The Breast Cancer Research Foundation is an independent, not-for-profit organization whose mission is to achieve prevention and a cure for breast cancer in our lifetime by providing critical funding for innovative clinical and translational research at leading medical centers worldwide, and increasing public awareness about good breast health.

It was estimated by the American Cancer Society that in 2009 about 192,370 new cases of invasive breast cancer were to be diagnosed among women in the United States. At this time, there are about 2.5 million breast cancer survivors in the United States.

In 2009, ACS estimated that about 40,170 women would die from breast cancer in the United States. Breast cancer is the second leading cause of cancer death in women, exceeded only by lung cancer.

(http://www.bcrfcure.org/)

On December 31, 2009, we finished up the required calendar sales for the 2010 Campus Girls USA Calendars. I feel so blessed to have been able to contribute to such a worthy cause.

Not too long ago, my Mom's mother, (my nana) was a victim of breast cancer so it felt incredibly special being able to partake in something that would mean so much to her and benefit an organization like the Breast Cancer Research Foundation.  Love you Nana!

Together, we were able to raise a phenomenal amount of money for BCRF! Each young woman featured within the calendar, was required to sale AT LEAST 100 calendars. There were 84 girls per calendar, and one calendar per conference. (6 conferences = Big 12, Big 10, ACC, Pac 10, Big East, SEC) The calendars were sold for $14.99.

With 504 young ladies selling at least 100 calendars, that would add up to 50,400 calendars sold. Selling 50,400 calendars for 14.99 would add up to $755, 496!!!!!!! We were able to raise well over half a million dollars to go toward breast cancer research!!!! That my friends, I think is an extraordinary fete. And for the record, many girls sold above and beyond their required 100 calendars, so we raised even more money for the cause!!!!! I will inform everyone on the exact amount of money raised once the entire sales period wraps up. :)

The calendars are 16 month, and still have an entire year left within them. (The calendar ends in December 2010) Therefore, if any of you are feeling generous and would like to donate to BCRF by purchasing a calendar, they are still available online or through me.

Remember, 100 percent of the profit will continue to go toward the cause. Below is the link.

(http://www.CampusGirlsUSA.com/preorder.php?ref=1679020)

Not only was it a joy to be merely featured in the calendar, but I take great pride in snagging the Big 12 COVER out of the hundreds of girls involved, and thousands of girls to have applied. I also am privileged to be featured on the website home page and within the Campus Girls USA 2010 video. Lastly, it was an honor to not only represent the Big 12, but to represent the state of Oklahoma, as well as to represent Oklahoma State University. (http://campusgirlsusa.com/video.php)

The encouragement and gratitude shown toward me from the numerous breast cancer survivors and the ability for me to send calendars to our American troops overseas made the experience even more rewarding.

RAISING OVER HALF A MILLION DOLLARS FOR BREAST CANCER RESEARCH DURING A SPAN OF LESS THAN 4 MONTHS IS TRULY INCREDIBLE TO ME. THANK YOU TO ALL WHO CONTRIBUTED!!!!

And finally, thank you Campus Girls USA for choosing me to be a part of the journey. –A shout out to Casey Nolan, VP of Operations, and Trevor Debth, Founder & CEO. – You guys Rock! IFG FOR LIFE!

Thank you to everyone who has been following my blog!

There is much more to come!

Have a fantastic week.

Morgan Elizabeth