DARE Graduations!

I was fortunate enough to attend the DARE graduations at McMillan, Liberty, Viewmont, and Parkside this past month. they were all AWESOME!

I LOVE the everything about DARE! I love what it teaches kids, I love how it gets to their level, I love how it teaches them what's in drugs, I love how it teaches them ways to say know, I love how it teaches them the effects of drug on your body and your life, and most of all we all love officer huber, don't we?!

It goes right along with my platform of crime prevention and awareness. DARE is crime prevention. Most of the crime problems in Murray stem directly from drugs. Whether people are high and just acting dumb, or stealing so they can get money to get their drugs, it's just BAD BAD news.

What I taught the kids in my speech at the DARE graduations is that "DRUGS ARE LAME!" haha I made them yell it too! I showed them pictures of myself over the years and how much I've changed. I showed them my artwork over the years and how things I once thought were cool aren't really my favorite things anymore. Then I told them that many things do change, especially your friends. But one thing that never changes is the fact that DRUGS ARE LAME! and no matter what people tell you they're NEVER cool! I hope they always remember that, they promised me they would! And I hope with everything that I have that they keep that promise.

Sargent Fandaco gave a very powerful speech at the graduations. He told the kid that there were 3 types of kids in their classes. One group of kids would never do drugs no matter what he did or how much money he spent. Others will experiment drugs no matter what he does. This really gave the kids a shock, it's statistically proven that some of those kids WILL do drugs. It was such an eerie feeling to me to look at that clean class of 5th grades and know that some would throw their life away. And I think that really stuck with them. But then Sargent Fandaco talked about how the third group were those that were the maybes. He may be able to change their mind when he tells them the truth about drugs. He said if he can save one kid from ruining their life, it was all worth it. I think that made the kids realize how much their lives are worth. Fandaco really gave an oustanding speech and he gave it very forcefully and I hope the kids always remember it.

At one of the graduations, liberty I think, one of the men from the district came (please forgive me for totally spacing his name right now!) and he told the kids a story:
There was a carpenter who built homes his whole life. He learned from his building mistakes and eventually became a master of carpentry. Right before he retired, his boss asked him to make one more house. He was tired and cut some corners and didn't do his very best on the job. When he was done, his boss handed him some keys and told him the house was his retirement present. he had earned it.
Can you imagine how dumb that carpenter felt?
Whether you're religious or not, you have to know that you're here for a reason. If you don't do your very best, what are you doing? there is no reason to be here if you're not taking care of yourself and then taking care of others.
I loved this story and it will always help me when I think I can be lazy, because I can't. Every single thing that I do shapes and builds me up. If I cut corners and am lazy in building my character, I'm not going to be worth anything. But I know my worth and that's why I do my best in all that I do, and I hope you all do too!

Another speech that was a wee bit awkward for myself was Superintendent Tranter's. At Viewmont, he brought me up in front of everyone and asked me if I was liking being Miss Murray, what my favorite part was, what I'm doing in school, and what I'm planning on doing with the rest of my life. I was glad I had answers for all of them (LOVE it, being with the kids, graduating from the U of U in business entrepreneurship and minor in leadership, own a salon for young girls and their moms) He then used me as an example. There is NOTHING in my life standing in my way. I can do what I want because I am drug free. If I would've gotten into that stuff earlier in life, there's NO WAY I'd be where I am today! I was glad he did that, because I think that's something I needed to realize and be grateful for too! He finished up his speech with the fact that they all needed to strive to be like me! I felt so funny and yet so awesome. I'm not gonna tell anyone to be like me- I'm definitely not perfect, but I can tell you to try your hardest, set goals, and don't let anything get in the way! If your mind can dream it, your hands can achieve it!

I'm so grateful for the DARE program and I'm excited to speak in the last 5 elementary school in may!

Oh, and for those of you kids who I promised pictures, just let me know which ones you want and I can email them to you. Please e-mail me at MissMurray2010@gmail.com!

Salvation Army Bell Ringin

So I got to ring the bell for the Salvation Army two weekends in a row at Sam's Club. It was FREEZING, but it was FUN!

I loved seeing so many familiar faces! I saw a bunch of my neighbors, mayor pett, my hero Sherri Van Bibber, and even my field director for Miss Utah- Charlotte Graham!

The best was just hangin out with the other bell ringers! the first week I hung out with Larry- the actual Salvation Army bell ringer, what a stud. The second I hung out with Lindsay from the adoption exchange. She is flippin cute!


It was really a great way to get into the Christmas spirit because so many people were so giving, and the people who didn't give pretty much all told me they're broke cuz they've given to other charities, which is ok by me :D

I'm definitely a people watcher, and just watching what people brought out was pretty funny. I could tell who had big families, who was there shopping for a girlfriend, and who was their ward activities directors!

There are so many awesome charities and awesome opportunities going on around Christmas time, and I say as long as your helpin out with a few, you're changin the world! thanks for helpin out Murray city!

Miss Murray Hopes to Pay it Forward- Murray Journal

Click here to read the article online!




There’s a new Miss Murray in town and she’s on a mission to stop crime through awareness and kindness. Murray High School graduate Stacey Marie Hansen won the title for 2010 and feels passionately about her platform, crime prevention.

Hansen’s grandfather, Norman Nielsen, was on the city council in his day, and Hansen said she shares his zeal to help make the city a better place.

“Murray is such a community based city,” she said.

Hansen hopes to set up Neighborhood Watches in every district in the city. She plans to go door to door to rally neighbors to create a safer city through community involvement.

Since winning the title, Hansen had been busy attending school functions during Red Ribbon Week, and a Refugee Exhibition at the high school.

She is the youngest of four siblings, grew up in Murray and attended Murray High and McMillian Elementary, where she recently spoke to all the classrooms telling them how important it is to choose good friends.

“I loved it because so many of them couldn’t actually read my sash, but they knew who I was as soon as I walked in--that’s what growing up in Murray does to you,” Hansen said. “You know everyone.”

Pageant director Leesa Lloyd said no one deserved to win more than Hansen. “We’re all so happy for her.”

Hansen won $2,400 for the Miss Murray title, which will help with her tuition at the University of Utah where she is majoring in business/entrepreneurship.

She believes crime and hatred can be fought with the “pay it forward” idealism. She plans to start a paper chain of random acts of kindness. Then her idea is to join all of these chains from the schools and city hall together for the Arts Festival in early May. She also plays to pass out kindness cards, where when you do a kind act for someone you give them the card.

“Kindness has a ripple effect,” Hansen said. “I know it seems like an impossible task to get rid of it all [crime], but if we can change one person’s life for the better then this has all been worth it.”

Murray Journal October

Stacey-Marie Hansen Crowned Miss Murray!
Erin McShay





http://murrayjournal.com/pages/full_story/push?article-Stacey+Hansen+crowned+new+Miss+Murray-%20&id=3901123

On Sept. 12, 12 talented young women competed in the city’s annual Miss Murray pageant, though only one lucky individual got to take home the crown. Murray High School graduate Stacey Marie Hansen won the title for 2010. Hansen competed in the pageant the previous two years.

“It’s been her third year in the program and she really deserved to win,” said Leesa Lloyd, pageant director. “We are all so happy for her.”

The contest was open to young women living in Murray between the ages of 17 to 24 years old. The contestants were judged 30 percent on their talent, 35 percent on their interview skills, 15 percent on evening wear, 15 percent on swim suit wear, and 5 percent for their on stage question. After totallingall of their scores, the judges rank their top five in order.

Lloyd, a dance teacher at Murray High School, has directed the pageant for the past 14 years. She said the judges looked for service-oriented young women who hope to pursue an education after high school.

Murray City gave the pageant $4,100 for scholarship winners. Hansen won $2,400 for Miss Murray. The first runner, Kaitlin Pollei, was awarded $800; second runner up Shannon Ma won $600, third runner up Marion Stobell won $400, and fourth runner up Mallory Rogers won $200.

The pageant included a Little Miss Murray contest with girls between the ages of 7-9. The winner, Mykenzy Ford, drew a picture of why Murray is the greatest city in America.

Also on the night of the event, the pageant director announced a surprise Woman of Achievement award winner in Murray. This year’s award went to Rhea Kiisel, a previous Murray pageant director. Kiisel was responsible for starting up the pageant in the 1970’s. Kiisel went on to direct the state’s Miss Utah pageant.

Miss Murray’s duties are to ride in all the parades, get involved with the Murray Chamber, and implement a platform she feels passionate about.

The former Miss Murray, Cari Southwick, worked for organ and tissue donor awareness. Southwick highly recommends other young women get involved with pageants.

“It’s definitely changed my life,” Southwick said. “I’ve learned so much; it’s made me the woman I am today.”

Southwick now plans to continue working towards her social work degree at the Salt Lake Community College and to marry her fiancée in February.

Murray Journal August

Contestants Gearing up for Miss Murray Pageant
Erin McShay
August 2009





All summer long, 13 young women have been hard at work rehearsing for the Miss Murray Pageant, which will take place on Sept. 12 in the Murray High School auditorium. The ladies have been practicing their acts for the talent competition, the main number and brushing up on current events as they will be interviewed by judges and asked an on stage question on current affairs.

“It’s been really fun,” said contestant Amanda Airment. “I really wanted to do this because Murray is such a great community, and I want to be a part of it as much as possible.”

The contest is open to women between the ages of 17 to 24 and the only condition is that participants must reside in Murray.

The Miss Murray Pageant is part of the Miss America organization, which pageant director Leesa Lloyd has been involved with for over 35 years. Lloyd, a dance and sociology teacher at the Murray High School, got involved with the pageant scene because her mother Sandra Lloyd was the pageant director for the Miss Riverton contest for over 17 years. Leesa Lloyd choreographed the pageant in Riverton and then moved over to Murray’s in 1995.

“It’s really great to see the girls grow and develop,” said Lloyd. “More often than not the girls come out of the pageant saying what a great experience it was.”

The girls will be judged 30 percent on their talent, 35 percent on their interview skills, 15 percent on evening wear, 15 percent on swim suit wear, and 5 percent for their on stage question. After totalling all their numbers, the judges rank their top five in order.

Most young women are encouraged to enter because of the scholarships awarded to the winners. Miss Murray receives $2,600, first runner up receives $800, second place $600, third place $400, fourth place $200 and Miss Congeniality receives $100. The pageant received $4,100 from Murray City.

“We really have a great relationship with the city,” Lloyd said. “Mayor Dan Snarr has been tremendous and the council has been very supportive.”

The pageant will include a Little Miss Murray contest where girls ages 7-9 compete by drawing a picture of why Murray is the greatest city in America. A woman’s achievement award will also be presented to a woman who has contributed to the Murray community.

Miss Utah Workshop!

Whit Sandwich!
Whitnee Wright (Miss Intermountain) Me, Whitney Merrifield (Miss Utah!)
You ladies are absolutely stunning AND amazing!

My first Miss Utah workshop was Saturday! It was simply amazing! I am so blessed to be able to work with the most amazing girls and women in the state of Utah! The directors, committee members, and queens were all so amazing and I'm so excited for Miss Utah!

I couldn't sleep the night before! It was better than Christmas! I was just so excited to meet everyone!!!


Jessica Hudgins AKA Miss Legacy AKA Most amazing best friend ever!


Marissa, Miss Utah's Outstanding Teen! She is not only a cutie, but so driven and passionate! I love her!


I have the best director in the world! You go Miss Lloyd!

Keys to Success!

I gave a presentation at the Boys and Girls Club on succeeding in school and scholarships and such and figured I'd share it with all of you! Here you are!

Miss Murray’s Guide to
Succeeding in School

• Be There! Set Goals!
o Being there physically will help you loads, but I mean being there both physically and mentally. Figure out why you are there, set goals, and reach those goals. “Whether you fail or whether you succeed, the amount of effort is the same.”
• Take a Balanced Schedule- at School and at Home
o School, work, friends, family, and extracurricular activities are hard to balance! Don’t let one rule out everything else. (Think Aristotle’s Doctrine of the Mean and Body Building)
• Get a High GPA
o Many scholarships and admittances will be based solely on your GPA and ACT. Don’t mess up your ACT; however, if it’s low and you raise it higher, scholarships committees would eat that up.
• Find the School and Scholarship that fits YOU
o Don’t go to the school someone else wants you to go to. You’ll end up transferring. When looking for scholarships, fastweb and those sites are helpful, but the best scholarships you guys can received are directly from Murray High in the counseling center. There is a scholarship and a school out there for everyone.
• Create a Portfolio
o If you make an in-depth portfolio-with pictures, explanations, the whole works- life will be so much easier for you when you start applying for scholarships. You could split it up into Academic, Service, Leadership, Extra-Curricular activities, or whatever works best for you. Just know how amazing you are and be ready to tell anyone else. Applying for scholarships isn’t bragging, it’s getting what you deserve ;)
• Take Every Opportunity You Hear of
o If you’re at a dance audition in the Salt Lake Valley, chances are you’ll see me there! Don’t just let things happen to you, make them happen!
• Be Loud!
o The squeaky wheel doesn’t only get the grease, it gets the scholarship too! Find those people who can help you and make sure they do. Even if you think you’re being annoying, they will appreciate your persistence.
• Be Involved!
o There are many situations where instead of looking at GPA and ACT, scholarship committees will be looking at your extracurricular activities. There are so many clubs and teams in your school that it should be easy for you to get involved. Bring your friends along too.
• Serve Others!
o Service is an easy way to make your resume stand out, but the best part about it is what it does to you. Remember “Service is like peeing your pants, everyone can see it, but only you can feel the warmth.” careless

Don Blair Inducted to Murray Mayor's Hall of Fame

This was a fun event! I never knew how amazing Don Blair was! I'm so proud he was in Murray! I also have to give shout out to everyone who helped, including one of my very best friends in the whole world, Celeste! I love all of you who helped out and who help make Murray a better city and this world a better place to live in!

City Council Presentation

I finally got to present my platform to the city council! It was awesome being surrounded by people I love who support me in what I do! Murray City is SO supportive of the Miss Murray program! Thank you so much!
I even got a little teary eyed when I got up there... It's what I've always wanted! It was just amazing!

The best part was having my grandpa there... If you read about it in the Newspaper, he's actually a huge reason of why I wanted to be Miss Murray so badly. He told me I can change the world and I believed him. I still believe him, I'm doing it right now! He's so proud of me. And that means more to me than about anything! My cousins all played sports and were really really good at what they did. He always bragged about them so much! I just want to be someone he can brag about! And now I know he is! It makes me so happy! I LOVE to make my "grumps" proud!

Boys and Girls Club Princess Party

This was the 1st of 3 visits to the Boys and Girls Club this week! It was so much fun!
We had a "Princess Party!"

I did the girls' hair...



and they did my nails!



We also had a "walk off" and I told them about being Miss Murray!
It was super short, but still super sweet!

The little boy was my favorite! He thinks I'm Cinderella!
It was so much fun walking into the Boys and Girls Club and being an instant celebrity! They just all ran up to me and gave me love and hugs and I surely enjoyed life! I love kids! I really don't think they understand how much potential they have!

Jr Miss

Jr Miss 2008

Jr Miss 2009

Jr Miss 2010


This week I got to help with another Jr Miss Program and it was so much fun! It was fun because it was the Jr Miss program I won, and I helped with it last year too so it was 3 generations of Jr Misses that I've personally been able to work with! Tacie, a finalist with me was there, the two girls we sent to state, and now the new girls. awesome awesome awesome.
I usually don't get super close to the girls, but I felt especially connected to a few of them this time and it made it so much better! I know I made some long-time friends this week. I love to work with the Jr Miss Program because I get to work with the most amazing girls in the state!

"Will Work for Food"

So, I'm kind of hesitant to even post this on this blog because it's quite personal, but here you go! This is the real me.

Today on my way to help with a Junior Miss program, I passed a man standing out on 12300 S holding a sign that read "will work for food"

That's when I lost it.

I just started bawling. I was a total emotional wreck.

I'm sure you're wondering why?... I see panhandlers every day of my life, especially when I visit the downtown area. But this man was different. He wasn't just asking for me to hand him money. He would work for anyone just to get food. I have a problem just giving anyone out on the street money, but I love to give them food... and the fact he was willing to work for it. I just was so torn because this man really needed help, and was willing to work for what he got. He wasn't asking for a hand out. He wanted to earn his keep. I have so much respect for him, and at the same time I'm so incredibly sad for him...

That's when I took a look at my day's activities. I went shopping to a bunch of different stores, spent way too much money, and was a silly little brat. I don't NEED those clothes, that man NEEDS food. He needs a job, he needs to support his family if he has one... And I just spent a large portion of my day shopping.

It's incredible when we have these reality checks.


I also found this picture today on the internet. It was a staged picture, but we need to realize that this unemployment rate is getting out of hand. We can't magically create thousands of jobs, but we can help those around us. This is hitting us all hard, especially now during the Christmas season. I have several family members who have been out of work for months, and they're very well educated, smart, personable people. It just hurts my heart. Literally.

Don't worry, I got him some food. He was very grateful. That made me happy, but at the same time I was still so depressed because I know there's so many people like him. I can't feed them all. Not by myself. I kept stressing about this the entire night. I was even really emotional when I was helping with Jr Miss, eventually I whipped back into shape and was ready to work without spilling tears all over everything, but this was just a huge eye opener for me.

This is why I'm Miss Murray. I know I can't make the world 100% perfect, but I can change it for the better.

Please help me.

Veteran's Day Parade

Yesterday was Veteran's Day
Did you even notice?
Some banks got work off, but for most of us it was just a regular day. I hate that. These men and women have given their time and lives so that we don't have to and we just go on with life like nothing on their special day.
Ok, so that sounds a bit pessimistic, but i just have so much respect for them. They're incredible! selfless! brave! amazing!
I had the opportunity to be in the veteran's day parade which was so much fun! I rode with the mayor on his super sweet motorcycle! After that, we had a ceremony where some politicians and veterans spoke.
Jason Chaffetz said that people only join the armed forces because of how they feel veterans have been treated. I hope they all know how much respect we all have for them and how grateful we are so that more people can continue to protect us. I'm so proud that both of my grandpa's served in the army. They are such great men and I know they learned a lot through their service. I'm so glad that veterans' get so many perks (discounts at stores and restaurants) they totally deserve it. I'm so proud every time I see someone in uniform.

These are my 1st and 2nd attendants- Kaitlin Pollei and Shannon Ma. They are the most beautiful, wonderful girls in the world and I'm SO happy I get to spend so much time with them!




Bob Bennet!
We may not all agree with the war, but we can and must support our troops.
Thank you to all of you who keep us save! We owe you big time! We love you!