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missamericade · 7 years

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Amanda's Farewell

~~ Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, and live with love toward one another. Ephesians 4:2 ~~

This is a story that began 9 years ago, when a slightly awkward 15 year old was crowned Miss Delaware’s Outstanding Teen 2008. I was given the year to serve my state and a year of memories that I wouldn’t trade for the world. I was a sports nut, was more into wearing sneakers than heels, and never thought I would ever perform on the Miss America stage, let alone being lucky enough to serve my state more than once.

On June 11th, 2016, however, my life changed again. This year has been magical, to say the very least. In the past 371 days, I have driven over 18,000 miles, visited 10 states, met a countless amount of people, and made memories that will last me a lifetime. I am so thankful to have been given this opportunity to serve my state, yet again. I have been amazed at the overflowing amount of love and support offered to me over this past year.

Miss Delaware is a job, first and foremost. As much as I gave my heart since winning the crown and sash, I truly received back every ounce of love and effort I poured out. Much of that return was from the kids’ smiles, thank you’s from school administrators and event coordinators, and wonderful experiences I will carry with me the rest of my life, but feeling the incredible support from individuals who made my reign a success was equally rewarding. I cannot say thank you enough.

I am especially grateful to the Miss Delaware board, and our countless volunteers.

To our local directors — I know you don’t oftentimes get the thank you that you deserve, but you are truly the backbone of this organization. If I was ever one of your girls, whether by competition or by friendship, you helped get me here. I am a product of your hard work and determination. Thank you for all that you do to help this organization grow! A special thank you to Melissa, Jacci, Paul and Tim — thank you for welcoming me into your families this past year, your friendship is truly unmatched.

To the production staff, thank you for turning this stage into a runway for the contestants. You make each girl feel so special, and you have made this week so fun for everyone. Brittany, Nick, and everyone backstage — seriously, you are truly amazing!

To the Miss Delaware Board of Directors, thank you for entrusting me with this year to be your figurehead. Thank you for all that you do to better this organization, and to give girls similar opportunities that I have had. You treat us like your own family, and we are eternally grateful for that type of relationship.

Sue, thank you for answering my calls and texts at the most obscure hours, for keeping me busy, for listening to my crazy stories. I am so happy to have had both my years, as Teen and Miss, with you by my side.

Laura, thank you for welcoming me into your home, for being my second mom, but most importantly being an executive director that I can truly call a friend. You forced me to think outside the box for interviews, to step out of my comfort zone, and to be the best Miss Delaware I could be. I am so happy that this year was able to bring us full circle. Love you (Brooke and Sarah!) so much!

To my Miss Delaware Forever Sisters, thank you for being my inspiration. I have looked up to each of you for many different reasons over the years. Thank you for your phone calls, texts, emails, Facebook messages, everything! Thank you welcoming me with with open arms, and making my year so special. I am so proud to be number 75. It meant the world to me to represent 75 years of beautiful, talented young women in Atlantic City.

To Lisa Munzert Bonaquisti, Miss Delaware 1990. Thank you for pushing me into competing in my first pageant. If it weren’t for you, I actually wouldn’t be here today. Thank you for also letting me talk you out of pageant-land retirement. Love you!

To Galen Giaccone, Miss Delaware 2008. Thank you for being the Miss Delaware that I strived to be. You were an amazing big sister, and the reason I wanted to compete as a Miss.

Thank you to my Forever Miss Delaware’s Outstanding Teen Sisters for your constant support over the years. I am so immensely grateful to be a part of two absolutely wonderful sisterhoods, and I am so humbled to be surrounded by such talented, philanthropic, amazing young women.

To my own little sister, Ashley Swanson, Miss Delaware’s Outstanding Teen 2016. Thank you for letting me share my year with such a smart, witty, talented, hilarious person like yourself. I can’t wait to see where life takes you! Love you sis!

Nicole, Miss Delaware’s Outstanding Teen 2017. I am so unbelievably proud of you. Through hard work and dedication, your persistence paid off! I can’t wait to see you compete on the Miss America’s Outstanding Teen stage!

To our sponsors, without you, we would be nothing. Dedicated to Women, The Duncan Center, Del-One, B-Fit, Cross Fit Dover, Salon Rispoli, Labella Vita, Noche Azul Spa, Cecile Boutique, Carman Ford, Blue Palm Tanning, Bel Boutique, Nicole J Boutique, Heritage Jewelers, Regalia Magnificent Apparel, The Bridal Suite of Johnstown, Gregory Ellenburg, Mallory and Claire, Define, Laurie Kanyok, Aimee String and Misty Yencer, TADA studio, and everyone else who donates their money, time and energy into making this organization everything that it is a HUGE thank you. My experience at Miss America, and as Miss Delaware would not have been the same without your generosity.

To my main man Ed Marcelle, Thank you for driving me around the state in style, and for the abundant amount of Dunkin.

Thank you to our Men and Women of the Delaware State Police, first responders, and military. I have been so humbled by your stories this past year. It’s an honor to know you and call you my friends.

To everyone who helped get De-Bus to Miss America — Lynne, George, Beth Ann, Mary Lee, Howard, Dineen, and the rest of the interview crew, no amount of thank you’s will ever be enough. You all rock.

To my DG sisters, thank you for being my anchor, and the biggest fan base a girl could ask for, with or without the airhorns. Thank you for traveling across states, and even to Atlantic City to support me and my dreams. LITB always!

To my Miss America sisters (and Landon of course!), I love you all so much. I couldn’t imagine spending my time on a beach, in a hurricane with anyone different. Thank you for all the laughs, the group chats, the memes, inside jokes, the random Disney musical moments and memories. I cant wait to see everyone soon!

To my family — Mom, Dad, Chad, Maretta, Poppie, Clint, Wendy, the Kuhl kids, Joe, Janey, and now little Harvey; You all have been to way too many pageants/pageant functions. I will never be able to repay you. Thank you for loving me, crown or no crown, and for teaching me the meaning of selflessness, true happiness, and unconditional support. Thank you for giving me this opportunity to grow into my own, thank you for never wavering, and supporting me every step of the way. Thank you for letting me be in the spotlight this year. Thank you for driving me to appearances, jumping in last minute as a chaperone or a parade driver, or even as a DJ. Thank you for watching every interview, every TV appearance, listening to every radio spot, no matter what time it was. Seriously, I could not have done anything this year with out you and your support.

Mom and Dad, I don’t deserve to have parents like you. Thank you for always letting my dreams take me wherever, but reminding me to stay humble. I love you.

Chad, Thank you for being the best Mr Delaware a girl could ask for. Thank you for always keeping a smile on your face when fans come up to you, instead of me, at appearances even when you pass your three-person-maximum. Thank you for sharing me, and our free time, with our state this year. I love you so much & can’t wait to see the world, albeit through baseball, with you.

This year has been exciting. I became Miss Delaware, saw Chad’s MLB dream come true, I competed at Miss America, I spoke at a National Allergy Conference, I won the Governor’s Day egg toss AND Scrapple shuffle board contests, I graduated with an amazing class of physical education teachers, I got engaged, and I became an aunt. It’s crazy how much life can change in a year. I am so happy to have shared this year with my favorite people, representing my favorite state.

I cannot say thank you enough to the people of Delaware. I have been amazed at the overflowing amount of love and support offered to me over this past year. I am a product of the community that raised me, and I thank my community for helping me grow into the young woman I am, and the Miss Delaware I have been. I am eternally grateful for this opportunity.

To the 14 young women competing tonight, remember that only one of you will walk away with the title. The other 13 of you that will walk away, as I once did, as Miss Almost Delaware, I want you all to know after all of this — its not about the crown, its not about the winner, its not about the judges, the rhinestones, the fleeting fame, the trip to Atlantic City, its about hope. You will take this experience with you for the rest of your life, and I hope to see you back on the Miss Delaware Stage next year.

To Miss Delaware 2017, you are enough. Remember that. No matter what I am already so proud to pass the title to such a deserving young woman. Remember you only have a year to make a difference, do everything that you can to serve our great state with grace, and cherish every moment. It goes by so quickly.

Before I hang up the crown for good, I wanted to say one more thank you, to everyone who has support me on the crazy spectacular journey that began nine years ago. To those who are present, and those watching over from above, I hope I made you proud. This year was for you.

It was a true honor to serve this past year as Miss Delaware.

Thank you, for everything.

Lots of love, and a great deal of thanks, Amanda Debus Miss Delaware 2016

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