Children's Dental Health Month Proclamation Signing

As of today, February in Iowa is Children’s Dental Health Month! This afternoon, I joined the leaders of the Iowa Dental Association in witnessing Governor Terry Branstad sign the Children’s Dental Health Month Proclamation. With my platform of children’s dental health, entitled “Making Smiles Happen”, it is very exciting to see our state legislature helping raise awareness towards this very important issue. Please see the pictures below.


With Governor Branstad before the Proclamation signing. It was such an honor to meet our new Governor!


With the other representatives of the Iowa Dental Association. The IDA represents 90% of the dentists in the state of Iowa. To my left is my dad, Dr. David Davidson, the President-Elect of the IDA and to my right is Bill Strohman, the President of the IDA.


I was also able to meet our Lieutenant Governor, Kim Reynolds. If Miss Iowa were an election, I'm confident I would have her vote!


Dean David Johnsen of the University of Iowa College of Dentistry joined me for a photograph. The University of Iowa has the only dental school in Iowa, but it is considered to be one of the top programs in the world.


On the Senate floor. Must say, it felt good to be here. Maybe I have a future in politics.


Spoke with Senator Merlin Bartz, a Republican who represents north-central Iowa. He has been a friend to the dental community.


Mike Heller, one of the lobbyists for the Iowa Dental Association, gave us a tour of the capitol and introduced us to some of the bigwigs of Iowa politics.


Visited the law library. I couldn't help but think of Beauty and the Beast!


I was able to have my photograph taken with every single Representative! Wink, wink...


The Davidson delegation! I'm pictured here with my brother, Dr. Michael Davidson, and dad, Dr. David Davidson.


I've been to 40 states, but Iowa has the most beautiful capitol building I've ever seen.


My ultimate goal is to be a lawyer, so my dad, brother, and I decided to round out our great day with a trip to the new Supreme Court building. In tribute to this festive occasion, we decided to sing our favorite Supremes songs. I choose "Baby Love". :)

In addition, on Thursday I began work at the University of Iowa College of Dentistry where I will be creating and managing the Facebook page for the Building Transformation of Tomorrow project. This $61,000,000 renovation and expansion will help the dental school remain one of the top schools in the world. Please "like" this page on Facebook by searching for "Dentistry Campaign". Until next time!

Elizabeth

TV Bingo

Today I volunteered at the Children’s Hospital in Iowa City as the guest presenter for their weekly TV Bingo. Patients could tune the televisions in their rooms to the hospital channel and play bingo without leaving their rooms. The Child Life Staff is amazing at making hospital stays as much fun as possible for children. Every day, there are special activities in the playroom, like crafts and games, and every evening there are parties and events, like pizza parties. TV Bingo is great in that even if a child doesn’t feel well enough to join the other patients in the playroom, or they are too immobile to travel, they can still have fun and be involved. On air, in addition to bingo, we also asked trivia questions about Miss America and the Superbowl. Patients could call in with answers and were put on speakerphone so everyone could hear their answers. All the patients seemed to really enjoy it and I had a great time being involved. I’ll be back next week for a special Valentine’s Day special and I can’t wait. What a great time!


Stacy, a Child Life intern from Ball State, was my co-host for TV Bingo. We had such a great time doing the show!

Take care!

Adding a Few Photos!

I realized that I never posted any photographs from Miss Pearl City. Enjoy!


During opening number. It's a little blurry, but you get the idea.


Answering my on-stage question.


Performing my talent selection on the harp.


Letting off some steam after the show with my best friend, Peige.


With my new Miss Pearl City's Outstanding Teen, Jessica. Can't wait to spent the year with her!


Miss Pearl City 2011 and Miss Pearl City 2010. Congratulations Jennifer on a wonderful year of service and best of luck with all of the exciting things that are happening for you this year.

Miss Johnson County

Hi all! It looks like I’m not doing too well with my goal of posting every week…but I’m ready to fix that and it starts today. Last weekend was a great weekend full of shopping with my executive directors Kindra and Ashley. We found some great clothes for competition, for Miss Iowa week, and just to have around for whenever I need to look cute. Shopping, admittedly, is one of my favorite hobbies, but it is amazing how tiring eight straight hours of shopping can be! After that day of shopping, I collapsed into bed at 9:00 and didn’t wake up again until 8:00 the next morning. A week later, now, I am completely recovered and have busy being Miss Pearl City.

Last Monday, I visited the University of Iowa Children’s Hospital for the first time. Due to a scheduling miscommunication, I was only able to stay for a short while, but I am now scheduled to volunteer every Monday through the end of the semester. Over the last two years, I have met so many brave children and parents and it is always such a joy to see the smiles on the children’s faces when I leave their room. I love to make smiles happen. There is no better feeling than knowing that you have brought a moment of happiness to the lives of a sick child.

On Saturday, I was able to attend Miss Johnson County in Tiffin, IA. Congratulations to Cass Claeys, the new Miss Johnson County 2011! Cass competed with me at Miss Pearl City and was such a joy to spend time with her. I can’t wait to get to know her better in June for Miss Iowa. It was also fun at Miss Johnson County to see several other Miss contestants, including some that I had yet to meet. The contestants in the Miss Iowa Scholarship Program truly are remarkable women and I am honored to be a part of this organization.


With my Princess, Stella. Isn't she a doll?


With Miss Eastern Iowa and Miss Clinton County.


With Miss Muscatine, Miss Eastern Iowa, and our wonderful Miss Iowa.

Next Friday, I have a very exciting opportunity, but I’m going to wait and tell you about it after it happens, so keep posted!

Best,
Elizabeth