New England States Miss America Conference Day 2

With Sam Haskell the author of "Promises I Made My Mother". He was a speaker at the Conference and has a truly amazing story. A story that started with a dream. To have the Cheer man come to his house.........the story made me cry! It reminded me about my dream to sing with Shania Twain using a sign, and his dream to meet the Cheer Man with his sign. His story also proves the point that good things happen to good people and things can happen when you least expect them. His house was chosen randomly. To really understand I think you will have to read the book! All in all he is an amazing man, with an amazing story, who gives back to the community, and who truly makes a difference. Also, a wonderful speaker who paints an image which makes him unforgettable. It was such an honor to meet him.

With Carry and David of Regalia after purchasing the sexiest interview get up of all time and the classiest gown I've ever put on. They spent a lot of time with me and are two men who have great advice and won't force you into a gown that isn't you. I liked that about them. They also were fun to talk to in general. We were lucky to have them at the NE States Conference they are really in the business because they love it and are happy with what they do!
With Designer Trisha Tidd from Togatae Designs check her out on facebook: Togatae Designs
With my make up artist Kriss! I was her face model at her class at the conference! It was so much fun and such an honor to be her model. Here is some info from her Facebook Site:

Featured on Inside Edition, Access Hollywood..featured in the Los Angeles Times, Allure, The NY Times...Makeup Artist Kriss Soterion is known for her artistry for Presidential Candidates, celebrity News and Media personalities..she is the queen of makeup metamorphasis...

Yoga School

I had my first yoga class the other day and learned so much. There are 10 students ranging from 22-66 years old. The class is so diverse which makes it so much fun! Every woman has a different background and is there for a different reason but we all share one thing in common. Through yoga we want to form a community, learn about balance, create energy, and use the mind, body, and spirit to change our lives and the lives of others. Some want to learn yoga so they can teach (aka me) and others want to learn yoga so they can have a daily practice on their own with an understanding of what they are doing. Hannelore, my Yoga Teacher made us a delicious lunch, something I have never had before it was called Kitcheree: rice with mung-dal beans and veggies...very good! We were in class from 9am-5:45pm it was a long day but I could have stayed there all week. We all grew stronger as a group and I can't wait for our next class....until then I'll be practicing my Mountain, warrior, and half moon.

New England States Miss America Conference

Rick Brinkley, Miss America's National Judges Coordinator
With Bill Haggerty one of the best producers in the Miss America Program! Bill has an amazing sense of humor and worked in the education system for many years. The teacher side of him comes out all the time and we all love him very much. He worked very hard with the NE committee to put the event on. Thanks for helping put the show together Bill, it truly was a meaningful weekend for many young women and adults. We will win Miss America some day for you, I promise!

With Bebe Shopp, Miss America 1948. She is the very first Miss America I ever met! I graduated high school with her grandson and he was able to set up a time for us to meet my Freshman year of college, 4 years ago! I met her at Panera Bread in Portsmouth for lunch and tea. She is full of life experience, knowledge, and is still stunning. 4 years ago she gave me a picture of her with 5 tips on the back (sorry I can't give her secrets away) I have carried this picture in my jewlery box to every local and state competition I have been in for 4 years. I told her that this weekend at the conference and she said.....oh dear you shouldn't bring it with you to your next one. I am taking her advice! I will read it before I leave my house for Miss Rockingham County and keep it home. Thank you for all your support Bebe.

With Brenda Keith (Miss NH ED) and Lissa Silk (Miss Strafford County). Brenda is like a second mother to all of the Miss NH Contestants. She devotes her time and energy to the program and to all of us so we can one day be as successful as she is. Did you know she was a race car driver???? She said that was her sport when she was younger and she loved it. Now when she goes on vacation she gets the fast cars because she loves being behind the wheel-it's part of her vacation. She is also full of life experience and I am eager to learn more about her. She was at the conference this weekend and was around to make sure everyone from NH was having a good time. She got to sit with Bebe, Sam, a former Miss Indiana, the owner of Vera Bradley, the director of Miss MA, and other distinguished guests. It was a great opportunity for everyone to network!

I MET MISS AMERICA!!!

The big moment! Katie Stam, Miss America 2009 is the second Miss America I have crossed paths with. She is 23 and has one more semester of school left and is my role model. When she spoke at the conference I didn't want her to stop. I wanted her to keep speaking. She was refreshing, enlightening, polished, elegant, and the face of the Miss America Organization that says I am worthy, I am brave, I am strong, and I can do this. She told great stories and brought tears to my eyes. I was sitting so close to her while she spoke she is a true inspiration and gave me the extra boost that I can do anything. Thank you Katie for taking a picture with me and for making a difference in my life. You are a wonderful Miss America.

The Grand Total of the GABS Summer 2009

Kelsey and I have had a lot of bake sales this summer.  We made a lot of chocolate chip cookies, cup cakes, banana bread, and so much more!  We want to thank everyone who made our bake sales possible because we had a team of over 20 bakers who baked a difference for the entire summer.  It was a community effort to come together and raise money for SOS AND the NH Food Bank in a huge time of need.  We partnered with 4 local businesses Sweet Dreams Bakery, Saint Anthony's Bakery, Shaws, and Sams Club.  With out the support of local businesses we wouldn't have been as successful as we were.  It was helpful for the bakeries to donate treats for us to sell and it was helpful for the corporations to donate gift cards so we could buy baking items!  It really was a team effort and we all raised over $600 together to help feed people in our state and across America.  We went 50/50 and donated half to SOS and half to the NH Food Bank.  It was a successful summer and we all had fun.  

Thank You - Great American Bake Sale‏

From:	Bomberg, Jessica (jbomberg@strength.org)
Sent:	Tue 9/01/09 8:30 PM
To:	a_ross15@hotmail.com

Dear Alicia,

Thank you so much for participating in Great American Bake Sale. Congratulations to you and your team, Kelsey McDonald and Alicia Rossman's Bake Sale, for raising $320 and contributing to more than $1.2 million raised this year so far! We appreciate your team’s efforts in helping end childhood hunger. More than 12 million American children are at risk of hunger, but your efforts will help ensure that they get the nutritious food they need to learn, grow and thrive.

Thank you again for your support and we hope you’ll join us for another great bake sale next year.

Sincerely,
Jessica

Jessica Bomberg
Great American Bake Sale Coordinator
Share Our Strength
1730 M St, NW Suite 700
Washington, DC 20036
202-478-6506
www.GreatAmericanBakeSale.org

Only 1 more week until I am no longer Miss Lakes Region

There is only one more week left of Alicia Rossman Miss Lakes Region 2009. I had such a great year with Wayne and Debbie my directors! I really felt great this year at Miss New Hampshire and was thrilled to be in the top 5. I couldn't have done it with out their help. I have competed for 4 years now and have won probably over $40,000 now....I have to get the exact tally. The program has helped me tremendously in terms of scholarship and also it has helped me be a better person in society. I have learned how to represent myself with class and will never forget all of the lessons I have learned from the program. I will also never forget all of the volunteers who have touched my life in some way or another. There are hundreds of volunteers for the Miss NH program and I really am thankful for all of their support.

It has been a long and hard 4 years...competing isn't easy. It takes dedication, respect, and drive. I only have one more year left to make it happen. I have decided to give it one more shot! I would really be thankful for the opportunity to volunteer for an entire year to not only work on my platform but really reach out to the entire New Hampshire community at events across the state. It would be an honor and I am going to try my best to make it happen. The first step started on September 1st! My work outs.....begin again. I have a great trainer and know I will be in top shape by November 28th, my first competition. I have a list of goals and count downs for the 28th, but I can't give away all my secrets! Well I guess one more- I want to work on my platform once a week!

Ok....and I can't wait for the New England States Conference. It will be a great opportunity to network with professionals from all over America who have a common interest! I can't wait for the hair seminar! I need a new doo. There are going to be so many special guests like Mary Morin, Kriss Soterion, Dana Rosengard, MISS AMERICA, Rick Brinkley..........people I can't wait to see! It's going to be an exciting weekend.

No School

This was the first time I haven't been in school since I was about 3 or 4. It feels GREAT....the only problem is, is my job with the whole grains council is almost over. I am a project manager and am assigned projects. My projects for the summer are almost over. I have applied to just about every hospital in New Hampshire and am crossing my fingers. I am also looking into pharmaceutical sales. Thanks to the Miss New Hampshire Program I have a few contacts in the pharmaceutical sales field so I was lucky enough to talk with someone to get some advice. I am working on getting my Personal Trainers Certificate through ACSM and Yoga School starts September 27th! I am very excited for Yoga to start and also a bit anxious about a lot of things. Life is just starting for me.......and it's a little scary. I no longer have health insurance for the first time in my life and I'm nervous about everything! I know I will find a job because I am a hard worker and I know it will take some time but it would be nice just to have something certain and concrete for now. My friends and I all got together last night and we still feel like college kids. There were about 10+ of us and about 5 of them are taking one more semester of classes because they didn't want to graduate and the other half really has no idea what they want to do. Life is a big decision. We are all happy we have degrees but it's the next step that is most important.

Do I get a masters? If I get a masters what will my focus be? Do I know what I want to do for the rest of my life? Do I have enough money to get an apartment? Do I have enough money to pay my car payments? My school loan payments kick in in January will I have the money to pay for that? If my job doesn't have benefits why would I want to pay $400/month for health insurance? Is it worth it? Can I pay for gas? Can I pay for food (not ramen noodles....I mean like vegetables, fruits, whole grains- you know- the good stuff?) Should I join the peace corps? What about Teach for America? Are there any jobs that will pay for me to go back to school? What about oil changes every 3 months? What about going to the bar with friends or out to dinner? Bottom line........life is way to expensive how does anyone afford it? Luckily I can live at home for a while until I figure things out.