Me at my very best! :]

When I was at my very best and probably the most confident about myself was when I was crowned the Great Jones County Fair Queen in 2008.  I was the youngest in my county to run for queen that year so I was honestly planning on using that year as a year to prepare for the coming year.  I didn't think I would be crowned because I was only 16.  But, after the announcement at the fair that year I knew only great things would come from it.
Since I am very fortunate to have a fantastic fair in my county, I was able to attend all of the 4-H and FFA livestock shows as well as the shows at the grandstands and at all of the free stages.  Our county fair is the 3rd largest in the state so we are very spoiled when it comes to shows, entertainment and food.  I was able to go backstage and meet Josh Turner, JoDee Messina, Dierks Bentley, Boston, Miranda Lambert, and all of the smaller acts that were the openers.  I was in a daze each and every night because everything was so surreal and I knew from the very beginning that I was being given a wonderful opportunity that I may never get for the rest of my life.  So, I knew that I needed to soak every bit of it in!  Since I was very involved with 4-H myself with all of my projects and showing cattle, I was literally on the go each and every day from sunrise to sunset.
After our county fair came to an end, I was on my way to Des Moines for the Iowa State Fair Queen Competition.  I did not know what to expect at all and one can only imagine how scared I was to arrive and see the other 102 contestants I would be competing with.  Right when I arrived though every single girl was so friendly and open to talk to anyone that my nerves almost completely went away.  The days that we were there before the actually coronation for the State Fair Queen were very packed and fun-filled days full of interviews, workshops and fun at the fair.  I met so many wonderful girls that I still talk to today and I learned more about myself in those few days that I could even imagine.  Then came the Saturday that everyone was anticipating; coronation day.  We were all introduced onto the stage and the top 4 girls were announced.  3rd Runner-up was announced first to Miss Clay County.  2nd Runner-up was read next.  The announcer, keeping all of us girls on our toes read very slowly and said, "Great Jones County, Kelley Jamison! "  I could not believe it.  I was 3rd place over all to the total of 103 girls.  I was not expecting to win anything or even place but I soon realized that for me being myself and from speaking from my heart, I was awarded and noticed for that.
I learned so much about myself that week that I will never forget it.  I have spoken about this experience with so many girls and have trained the Queens from my county for the last few years now and I don't plan on stopping anytime soon.  I want to be able to help and guide them so that they are able to really get what I got out of the competition that I believe was the most important; learning about who you truly are as a person and not being afraid of showing people who you really are.  I was so very thankful for being given this opportunity and I miss being queen so much.
Going into college, I was happy to know that I knew who I was and that I had gone through experiences already that had helped me determine my true self.  I have so much more confidence in me that I honestly don't think I would have if I would have not been the Great Jones  County Fair Queen.