I've dreaded it, and dreaded it...and then dreaded this a little bit more... ....but the day is finally here. It's time for me to give up my title as Miss Scenic City 2017. Reflecting on my year of service, I feel satisfied when I look back at the completion of my duties and the reign of my title. A question I've been asked repeatedly is, "Do I feel that I was successful during my year of service?" I'd have to say the answer to that question is Yes. We all define success differently, but I always find myself coming back to a poem by one of my favorite authors when I reflect on and set personal goals and achievements. This year is definitely no exception to its applicability, and every line seamed to reverberate with me all too well this year, and guide me throughout the triumphs and challenges that came my way. What is Success? "To laugh often and much; To win the respect of intelligent people and the affection of children; To earn the appreciation of honest critics and endure the betrayal of false friends; To appreciate beauty; To find the best in others; To leave the world a bit better, whether by a healthy child, a garden patch or a redeemed social condition; To know even one life has breathed easier because you have lived; This is to have succeeded!" - Ralph Waldo Emerson I feel in my heart, and hope that you feel the same way, that I have been successful this year. And of course, I plan to continue living these next years of my life striving for this same success. So for one last time, I'm your Miss Scenic City 2017, Christine Electra Williamson. Thank you for letting me serve you this year. 💜
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Tonight, I met Emily at the 3rd Annual MDA Muscle gala sponsored by CITGO — and I had no idea what a little ray of sunshine I’d be spending my evening with. Tonight, I heard stories of hope and watched a tight knit community of people come together to support a cause that’s so vital to research and cure. I can’t thank everyone at MDA Nashville enough for having me — your organization and everyone at tonight’s event truly touched my heart, thank you so much for letting me be a part of such a special night! I’m pumped for sweet Emily to be my new best friend, twin (as Em told me), and fellow princess. (Shoutout to Emily for letting me take the sash home because she thinks I deserve it) — much love to everyone involved in such a special fundraiser!! Thanks for reading about my rhinestoned road trips and this rollercoaster of a ride being Miss Scenic City.
All my love, Christine Electra
But what about the scholarship Money?Well then I certainly can't stop pursuing my higher education now! I'd be incredibly foolish to not use the incredible scholarship package award from Miss Tennessee. All the conversations with family and personal reflection have lead me to... *drumroll* Pursue my Master's of Business Administration at the University of Tennessee, Chattanooga! If you know me, you know how much I love the Scenic City (shameless promotion of one of my favorite pageant titles) and have always wanted to live here, and now I finally have the chance! So no matter what life throws my way next or whatever happens in these crazy twists and turns I encounter on a daily basis, I've chosen to live in a city I love, near the people I care about, and I made it all my own choice to turn this new page and start this next adventure.
I'm so excited to be here -- and I'm sorry to everyone I haven't told sooner! it's been a crazy whirlwind since my decision to move here and I haven't slowed down since! Give me a ring when you're in town next time and let's grab coffee-- I'd love to show you around my new home and introduce you to the incredible people that have welcomed me with open arms since the (actual) day I moved here. All my love, Christine Electra ...What is success, really?
I love this beautiful poem by Ralph Waldo Emerson that encompasses the facets of a successful life. What is Success? "To laugh often and much; To win the respect of intelligent people and the affection of children; To earn the appreciation of honest critics and endure the betrayal of false friends; To appreciate beauty; To find the best in others; To leave the world a bit better, whether by a healthy child, a garden patch or a redeemed social condition; To know even one life has breathed easier because you have lived; This is to have succeeded."
If you know my family, you know how proud we were of my great-grandfather, who we called Grandaddy. My great grandfather was 100 years old when he passed away about a year and a half ago. Grandaddy fought in World War 2 and came home from war in a body cast. Growing up we were always at medal ceremonies in his honor and to celebrate his bravery and service to our nation.
I wish my family and I had the chance to Bring my Grandaddy to this incredible event to honor him and to introduce him to his fellow veterans, but we never had that chance. It's an incredible honor to be able to serve these men in his memory- I sure hope he's looking down and that he's proud, but watching the couples dance last night reminded me of one thing. No matter what, granddaddy is dancing the night away on heaven's dance floor with his wife, MiMi Anne, and that's all that matters in the end.
I'm so excited to share this new interview with World Class Beauty Queens Magazine with y'all! Derek Tokarzewski was so kind to reach out to me and interview me for his publication- I can't wait to share the magazine with y'all when it is in print! To read my interview click here, or click the button below the picture of the article. So, as some of you may know, I just finished competing in the Miss Tennessee 2017 Scholarship Pageant that is held in Jackson, Tennessee. We always joke about "going back to Jackson" and I certainly didn't think that I'd be coming back to Jackson just two days after the competition was over. But I looked at my calendar Sunday evening and realized that the Jackson Walk Kick off luncheon was Tuesday - so I hopped in my car Tuesday morning and "came back to Jackson" for my favorite cause in the world, ending Alzheimer's. I always love attending my hometown walk. This will be my fourth year walking alongside my hometown community. Join me at Lafayette's music room on July 19 for our Kick off Luncheon! I'll be speaking at the event and you'll hear from our incredible advocates and walk chairs at the event. We'll be "Walking In Memphis" (pun intended) On November 4th at 9 am at Tiger lane on the University of Memphis Campus! Can't wait to see you there! Jackson, Tennessee is a second home to me in so many ways. It's always such an honor when I have the chance to attend and speak at the Jackson Walk2EndAlz and see so many friends and family in the area gather to support one another in the community. Walk with me- in spirit, I'll be at the Chattanooga walk and try as I may I haven't figured out how to be in two places at once yet -the morning of September 16 on the Union University Campus! The Nashville Walk2EndAlz is a premier walk and is ranked in the top 20 walks in the country! Last year we had Glenn Campbell's wife join us and speak about her experience as a caregiver and encourage those in attendance to not lose hope. Walk with me on October 14 in the heart of downtown Nashville at the Music City Walk of Fame park! I couldn't be a Miss Scenic City without walking in the Scenic City! Join me as we walk in one of the most beautiful cities in our state. Walk with me on September 16 in the Scenic City as we End Alz together! We'll be walking at the Tennessee riverpark- can't wait to see you there! I'm SO Pumped to walk in Rocky Top on my 22nd Birthday!! I can't think of a better way to celebrate than to be with people who are as passionate about this cause as I am. Join me at the Knoxville Zoo on October 28! If you want to visit my personal walk page, click the button below! I don't have the words to say thank you. This journey has been four years in the making and has only just begun. How do I say thank you to the mothers that have hugged my neck and whispered in my ear and told me that they would have followed me to Miss America because of the impact I've had on their daughters? How do I say thank you to the little girls who have come up to me to tell me that I've inspired them to follow their dreams? How do I say thank you to my incredible team of people who have spent countless hours preparing me for every second of competition and service? How do I say thank you to my family and their undying love and support even when I don't deserve it? From the bottom of my heart I can't tell each and every one of you how grateful I am- For each and every hug, for every encouraging word, every post, every hand squeeze, I am forever grateful. Thank you. Rodney and Keith- where do I start? My wonderful, incredible, amazing pageant dads. I love you both so much! Rodney, we walked into this week with the attitude and mantra of being calm, confident, and kind. But I knew no matter what, that I wanted to leave this week with the attitude of being gracious, humble, and grateful. Thank you for giving me a fearless, loving out look on life. It took me 3 tries to be a Rodney's girl but I guess that's the magic number, because this was the best year yet. Keith, thank you for your paperwork guidance and your raw sense of humor, you never cease to put a smile on my face. I love your dry wit and how you make everyone around you laugh. I've loved getting to know you this year. You have both become a part of my family and that will never change. There aren't enough words in the dictionary to describe how indebted I am to you both for your kindness and support. You have taken me in like I'm your own and given me so much love and selfless time and effort to prepare me. I can't wait to come see you soon! I love you both so much. David Camp- thank you, thank you, thank you. For the weekly interview prep, my constant questions and midnight texts asking you about 1567 articles, for the hours you put in preparing me for the interview for the job of a lifetime. How do I say thank you for all you've done? Thank you for taking the time out of your busy schedule to voluntarily prepare me to communicate my heart and my passions to my judges' panel. I have loved this year of getting to know you and spending time with you - you are an amazing and selfless human being- I'm a better person because of your impact on my life. I love you. Ashley Grindstaff, I don't have words to tell you how grateful I am that God gave me you as a big sister. You've been my rock when I needed someone to be steadfast, my shoulder to cry on when I needed it, and you have had my back from the day I met you. I'll never forget the first time I Called you as a sophomore in college looking for scholarship money and the right local to compete at. You were so gracious to this nervous, blonde girl that had no idea what journey she was walking into. Your family and your community have welcomed me as their own and it's an honor to call you a friend. I love you so much. (I've got my bags packed for that Florida vacation btw!!) Mom, I love you. I am so lucky to have a mother who supports me POSITIVELY and ENCOURAGES me every step of the way. Never have you ever pressured me negatively- you've always lifted me up and encouraged me. It cracks me up to hear that people say you're a "crazy pageant mom" because you're the farthest thing from it. You've taught me grace and poise and how to be a lady. You've taught me how to be graceful under pressure, and I will never know how to thank you for that. You've taught me resiliency, you've taught me to never stay down when you're knocked down, and most of all you've taught me to love. You have always taught me to go in a spirit of God's love and grace and to show that to every person I come in contact with. You've taught me that it's not what you say or how you say it but it's how you make people feel, because that's what they'll never forget. Thank you for loving me unconditionally, for the long car rides from one end of the state to the other, for your witty comments, for your constant reminders that I AM worthy, and for loving me when I'm not so easy to love. You're incredible, mom. I love you. Dad, thank you for giving me the work ethic of a champion. You've taught me that hard work beats talent every day of the week and I can't thank you enough for that. You've led by example and given me the tools to KNOW how to work hard and that the best things in life don't come easy. Thank you for giving me all the tools I could ever possibly need to achieve my goals, and for giving me the worth ethic to do the same. Thank you for being there through the ups and downs and in betweens, I love you. Christal, you're the best sister I could ask for. You're so supportive of whatever dream I chase and I can't thank you enough. Thank you for letting me make fun of your birth mark that turns purple when you get pumped because it's pretty fantastic. You are so bright and beautiful and I'm so incredibly excited to see what you do next. I love you to the moon and back little one. Rocky and Tony- you LITERALLY came all the way across the country to watch me compete. TWICE. (one more time for the people in the back) TWICE!! I love you both so, so much and I can't thank you enough for your encouragement and love. From Amigo the golden doodle pictures, to memes, to witty come backs, you both always know how to make everyone around you smile. I can't thank you enough for the thoughtful gifts (that are currently being framed as we speak) and for your constant encouragement throughout the year. (and Tony for your fabulous pageant photos!!) I love you both lots. I can't wait to come see you in Palm Springs soon! Steve Roten - I have never, ever, ever been so comfortable in my own skin before. Thank you for teaching me food is not a reward and exercise is not a punishment. Thank you for teaching me to love cardio and to relish the weight room. (even when people make me jump 3 feet in the air from their screams during their lift.) Thank you for pushing me to my limits and encouraging me to be my best. I almost cried when I tried on a size zero dress and it zipped up seamlessly. I've never experienced that before while taking care of myself, in addition to eating and exercising the RIGHT way. I felt so confident putting on my swimsuit this year and knowing that I gave my body 110%. Thank you for every lift session, putting me on tuna instead of tilapia, and for giving me an attitude of never giving up, even when it gets hard. I've loved getting to know you and your family these last 2 years and getting to know your love of bettering people's health. You truly have the magic touch - because you've made me love the stair master and hate fried food haha! Thank you for everything these last two years, I'm forever grateful. Paige Dennis - for four years you have dressed me To the 9s (I'd even argue a 10 😉) and have made a scared, shy, nervous girl feel like a queen. You truly made me have my Miss America moment when you made me cry my mascara off in that beautiful pink Sherri Hill gown that I swore up and down I'd never put on. I've loved every minute in your store; thank you for putting up with me even when I run around in a Sherri hill couture gown flapping the chiffon like wings and looking like a loon and you still told me I looked lovely- thank you thank you thank you. Thank you for your patience, encouragement, hilarious snapchats, and support. I love ya Paigey. Jonah, Grace, Kendall, Georganna, Teresa, Rob, Carter, Aubrey - how blessed am I to have such an incredible friend group? God blessed me with some incredible friends and I don't know how to say thank you. You all have shown up and shown out over the last four years - from Miss Collierville our senior year in High school to Miss Tennessee 2017 after graduation, you have been there. George, Rob, Teresa, Carter, and Aub- thank you for being there through it all. I can't wait till January when we all get to stand together and George and Rob's Wedding! Jonah, your kind supportive spirit have gotten me through this last year. Whether we're on the floor of my room laughing until we can't breathe or working on swimsuit walk in my parent's entryway, we always have so much fun and you make everyone around you smile. I love you. Grace, you have been there since 8th grade and I can't begin to tell you how blessed I am to call you my second sister. (Sometimes you and Christal remind me a little too much of each other 😏) You're always there with encouraging words - and sometimes wine when it's needed - and a hug. I'm so excited to watch you change the lives of children at St. Jude with your sparkling demeanor and radiant smile. I know they love you and I do too! Kendall, I don't know why it took us so long to finally become friends but I'm so glad we did- I can't believe we lived ten minutes from each other growing up and didn't meet until college, but WOW am I so glad that the Lord brought you into my life! You are immeasurably valuable as a precious person and friend. You are so selfless and move mountains for others when anyone asks for your help. I have loved getting to share Oxford with you and I can't wait to come visit you (and cheer for you) in Knoxville soon. I love you so much sister friend. To everyone who has taken the time to tell me how I've impacted your life or of someone around you- thank you. It's because of you I've been changed for the better. I've had tears in my eyes reading these texts and cards and letters all of you have sent- from Pastor RJ in Iowa who took the time to encourage me from his home state and pray with his congregation that I might shine my light and impact the lives of others affected by Alzheimer's disease to my sweet Iris princess who sent me daily gifts of encouragement. From the woman who grabbed me in the Ronald Reagan Airport to tell me her story about how her friend smiled for the first time in weeks after seeing me at the Alzheimer's forum to the woman who let me hold her child as she receives her chemotherapy treatment in the NICU. Sitting here reflecting on this last year truly reminds me how grateful I am for all of the love and support from people that barely knew my name but came up and hugged my neck after events to tell me that my story changed them for the better. All I ever wanted in this organization is to inspire others, to bring hope to families with Alzheimer's and tell them that they're not alone. Thank you to everyone who has poured into me these last four years, mentored me, encouraged me, supported me, or sent positivity my way. I promise it hasn't gone unnoticed. So thank you THANK YOU thank you for every second of this journey 💜 So, what's next? I have no idea. But I know it will not affect my Advocacy work for Alzheimer's. That will never change. I'll fight for a cure until Alzheimer's is nothing more than a distant memory. The next step isn't even known to me yet. But I am resting in the fact that there's a plan that's so much bigger and brighter and more beautiful than my own that I don't even know yet. And that's the beauty of this journey. It's only just begun.
I went through my old photos to find some memories from undergrad, click through below to see some of my favorites!
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