My family
has given more encouragement than I honestly know what to do with. Crowning
night I arrived to my back stage mirror approaching signed cards with
encouraging words, taped all over my mirror. Weeks after and into Miss Arizona,
I received cards daily from family members near and far wishing me luck and
joy. As I spent my week competing I was given a card a day of which my family
had signed with personal notes, small gifts, and flower arrangements.
Preliminary nights, I had the best support group any one could ask for. My
family all wore t-shirts with my picture on them with words “Team Tozer”. To
all of my family, thank you for being Team Tozer all year long!
My dearest
Mother and Father: to put this simply, I do not have enough time in all
eternity, not enough words in my vocabulary, and most certainly not enough
paper to express my gratitude for all you have given me. You both are my
foundation and biggest supporters. You’ve seen me fall, you’ve seen me shine,
and mostly you’ve seen me grow. I am grateful for all you have given and taught
me, and I look forward to all I still have to learn. My one goal as your
daughter is to always make you proud. I love you with all my heart Mama and
Daddy.
Kursten, my
very best friend and closest thing I have to a sister. As we both grow into
adulthood there are special things I want to encourage you with: I want to
inspire you to be the incredible woman you are meant to be, I want to lead with
example showing you that anything is possible, I want you to believe in
yourself knowing when you do that outstanding things will happen. You give me
such pride in myself, but more than that- I am proud of you. You have taught me
your best quality, to be brave. I love you so much.
Josh, never
have I known a man to be as such a great friend to me, and also a beautiful partner
in a relationship. You always remind me to be my best. Through every idea,
every appearance, every suggestion, you have always supported me. Having you at
Miss Arizona with my family meant the world to me. You really have become a
solid part of my foundation. You continued to remind me that you believed in me
and that I was beautiful in heart and physically. Having you be a part of this
journey is such a treasure. Thank you for always being positive and helping me
be my best.
Three very
special women in my family deserve all the credit I could possibly give: Cherre
Hooper, Lindee Woody, and Erin Woody. They were always there for questions
coming from me, or my parents. They taught me how to do pageant hair and make
up. They taught me how to walk on stage, how to speak on the radio, Miss
America secret rules, my platform and paperwork, and made sure I was dolled up
for my pictures. My dream to become Miss La Paz County started with their
daughter, Lexi, as she was crowned in 2009. You have all helped mold me into my
dream of being a Miss America titleholder.
Spending a
week with Marion Shontz at Miss Arizona was one of my most cherished parts of
my experience. I have the best memories from our late night conversations.
Every night Marion would tell me something I will never forget: to let me light
shine in all that I do. Thank you for being the best traveling companion.
Mary
Hamilton, you have helped me exceed my dreams of my organization of Grin &
Bear It. As we have now started the lengthily process of creating Grin &
Bear It into an official 501c3 non-profit organization, you have also become a
dear friend and wonderful supporter. You inspire me on so many levels!
Thank you,
Kelly Edwards, for being the best seamstress a pageant girl could ever ask for.
From helping me select my wardrobe, to rescuing me from wardrobe disasters a
week before Miss Arizona. You’ve always been so flexible to help me in my time
of need. You helped me look fabulous competing for Miss La Paz County, you
helped me feel confident in my presentations and appearances, and you helped me
shine at Miss Arizona. Thank you for always helping me look and feel
unstoppable.
When I
decided to compete for the title of Miss La Paz County, I continuously ask
myself “Why do I want this?” Always to follow was my answer, “I want to
represent my home and the people I love.” I have carried that same passion
through my year. I love this community and have done my best to represent my
home. I would like to thank our community as a whole for my outstanding year.
I am
forever thankful for the Miss La Paz County Scholarship Pageant committee for
providing such a beautiful opportunity for young women though out La Paz County
to enter as contestants in this pageant. I would not be where I am today with
out that same opportunity.
I am proud
to say that I am a part of the Miss Arizona sisterhood. I could not be more
fortunate to know such a perfect group of inspiring women. The love we all
share for each other is so much appreciated. Thank you for welcoming me and
supporting me all year.
All five of
the Miss La Paz County 2013 contestants have become friends of mine. To the
young lady I crown tonight- Congratulations! Every woman will walk away as a
winner: 1 with a crown and 4 with the growth of heart. You will all do amazing
things in your lives. I am proud of all of you!
It has been
an honor to serve as Miss La Paz County 2012. My organization, Grin & Bear
It, will blossom into a beautiful creation in years to come. As the Miss
America Organization is the leading scholarship provider for young women in the
world, I am a full time student pursuing my scholastic ambition of achieving my
Doctorate’s degree in Forensic Psychology. To Keerstyn Edwards, Miss La Paz
County Outstanding Teen, and Aubry Herrell, Miss Parker Outstanding Teen, I
know you will both do amazing at the state level. I will be there to cheer for you
both and the newly crowned teen. Good luck my friends! To all the wonderful
people I have not thanked individually, know you are appreciated and cherished
in my heart. I will forever adore my memories and experiences as Miss La Paz
County 2012.
All my love,
Alyson Tozer
Miss La Paz County 2012
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