National American Miss Iowa Junior Pre-Teen 2009

I competed in NAM Top Model

2009-11-29T18:29:00.000-08:00

I LOVE having my picture taken. I participated in the Top Model Competition at Nationals. I was number 26.

Thanksgiving

2009-11-29T18:21:00.000-08:00

We got to have Thanksgiving Dinner at the NAM Nationals. My Grandma Marlys and Grandpa Roger came from Iowa and my Grandma Kathy came too. Travis escorted me across the stage when they announced my name. The theme was black and white - it was awesome!! The pumpkin pie was GRRRREEEAT!

We visited Disneyland and we are READY for the holidays!

2009-11-29T17:59:00.000-08:00

My friends at NAM

2009-11-27T09:03:00.000-08:00

http://sydneyannricks.com/blog.html

Check out my friend Sydney's blog too! She is Miss Northern California and won 3rd runner up in actress. She is SO much fun!

HAPPY THANKSGIVING!

2009-11-27T08:55:00.000-08:00

I was SO blessed to spend Thanksgiving with my new NAM family and my Grandma Marlys and Grandpa Roger, my grandma Kathy and my mom and Travis. I will post pictures soon. We have been busy and having fun at nationals. I was ONE NUMBER away from being one of the 5 girls to get the final chance to win a new Ford Mustang. The final pageant is tonight and I am SOOOOOO excited. Pictures will be posted soon!

Another Great Day at NAM Nationals

2009-11-24T23:10:00.000-08:00

This was another GREAT day at NAM Nationals. I am glad I am already in my pajamas and ready to get some sleep so I am ready for tomorrow and ANOTHER great day at NAM Nationals. I am excited to see who wins but I wish this fun would never end.

I WON THE SPIRIT STICK

2009-11-24T23:07:00.001-08:00

I was SOOOOOOO excited to win the spirit stick at rehearsal today. YEAHHHHH!!! It was a "wear pajamas" rehearsal

Santa Monica Pier

2009-11-24T23:00:00.000-08:00

L.A. Farmer's Market

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Fun! Fun! Fun!

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Hey! Mr. Producer! I'm talking to YOU sir!

Hollywood

2009-11-24T22:49:00.000-08:00

Here I am with my Iowa Covergirl Chelsey. I found John Travolta's name and Meryl Streep - I thought we should change the spelling to get ready for the NEXT Merrill in Hollywood :-)

Hollywood Walk of Fame

2009-11-24T22:42:00.000-08:00

Michael Jackson, Bruce Lee and Barbara Eden (I Love Genie!)...and Shirley Temple was a millionaire and 7 years old when she stepped in front of the Chinese Theater in Hollywood. WOW!!

NAM Hollywood Tour

2009-11-24T22:37:00.000-08:00

Nickelodeon Studios was shooting something and I could see the lights!! WOW!! We loaded the bus at 7:45 AM and I was glad to see my girls.

What a Day

2009-11-23T22:45:00.000-08:00

We had a great day and then took the bus back to the hotel. I was in charge of the key today because my mom seems to misplace them :-) Sorry to tell your secrets in the blog mom - but it's no secret that you lose the hotel key pretty often. Thank you NAM, Disney and my friends for a wonderful day. LOOK for the video posts in this blog, on my Facebook and on UTube under MYNAMISS. I am in Episode 3 of the Breanne and Tiffany Show and in the Actress Workshop Video.

Rides at Disney

2009-11-23T22:41:00.000-08:00

Fun with Sydney

2009-11-23T22:38:00.000-08:00

We were special guests at Disneyland

2009-11-23T22:33:00.000-08:00

The Disney Band played just for us and Mickey as well as his friends gave us a special show. We got our group picture taken in front of Cinderella's castle. I have WAITED since I first saw the NAM website to run out of the castle and get my picture taken. We got to do that tooo!!! It was worth the wait. It was AWESOME!

Having fun with Raina

2009-11-23T22:30:00.000-08:00

Fun at Disneyland

2009-11-23T22:27:00.000-08:00

I made a wish in Snow White's Well....

2009-11-23T22:23:00.000-08:00

I made a wish in Snow White's well.... I AM a girl with Dreams!

I met Miss Nebraska, Miranda, and realized Omaha is not far from my home in New Hampton, IA.

NAM Day at Disney!!

2009-11-23T22:18:00.001-08:00

We got up BRIGHT and EARLY....okay, maybe not so bright at first, but as soon as I saw my friends I was REAAAADY for DISNEY!! We met by the fountain at our hotel and took a bus tooooooo Disneyland! They have the Christmas decorations up and I am SO thrilled to be here in California

Acting Workshop

2009-11-23T22:14:00.000-08:00

The photo below is me with Raina just before our Actress optional competition. THEEEEN we got to take an acting workshop with a Los Angeles film casting director. It was really fun! We did skits and I was a studio executive in one. I had SUCH a GRRRRREAAAT day!

Check out the Crazy Hair

2009-11-23T22:10:00.000-08:00

My "Crazy" girls!!

Fun Times!

2009-11-23T22:06:00.000-08:00

My Pal Sydney and I at rehearsals. I taught the girls and my grandma a new game in the dressing room while we were between events. We had a BLAST! Did I mention it is "Crazy Hair Day" for our rehearsal? Check out the hair! Crazy!

NAM Nationals Day 2

2009-11-23T21:58:00.000-08:00

We have "Crazy Hair Day" rehearsal tonight so I practiced on my Grandma Kathy! :-) My friend Sara Dao, Miss Oklahoma is a WONDERFUL singer! Here we are at the talent competition.

I also got to see my friend, the reigning National American Miss Kaydianna Davis. What a FUN time!! I think today was one of the busiest and MOST AWESOME, INCREDIBLE days of my life. I got to do everything I love to do ALL IN ONE DAY!!!! Whew! I sang, I danced, I competed in Casual Wear Modeling, a Top Model Photo Shoot, Spokesmodel, and Actress.

50's Party

2009-11-23T21:55:00.000-08:00

SELF TAKEN PORTRAIT of my mom and me :-) - - we participated in the Lip Synch Contest and we sang and danced to "Shop Around". It was fun! Several girls had the 50's waitress costume so we snapped a few photos.

NAM Nationals Day 1 -

2009-11-23T21:47:00.000-08:00

I am SOOOOO excited to see the friends I've made and to make new ones. We had check in and orientation. I saw my besty Kaitlyn Rigdon, the reigning National All-American Miss.

I met Olivia Jensen when I was visiting royalty at her pageant so I was VERY happy to see her. I also hung out with Miss Southern Cali, Sydney Ricks and her family. I have adopted her little sister Emery too.

Last Minute Preperations

2009-11-23T21:42:00.000-08:00

We packed up my costumes, wardrobe and "Stuff" and headed to Anneheim, CA where I get to represent Iowa in the National American Miss Junior Pre Teen Pageant. I have been counting the days! I am singing "Broadway Baby" - hence the tux with tails and I am dancing to "La La Land". I LOOOOOOVE both outfits. I drew them on paper in my room and then we searched and FOUND them in the MALL!!! I couldn't believe it! It was like they were just there waiting for me. Now I can't wait to see all of the friends I've met this year while visiting other states.

NAM Actress workshop ROCKED!!!

2009-11-23T19:47:00.000-08:00

I am on MYNAMiss TV!! The Breanne & Tiffany Show!

2009-11-23T19:45:00.000-08:00

The Dalton Gang Hide Out - Meade, KS

2009-11-16T20:31:00.000-08:00

We stopped at the Dalton Gang's Hideout and Museum. They traveled down a tunnel to hide from "the law" in the years they were robbing banks and trains. We learned a lot and I LOVED looking at the museum pieces and hearing the story. Emmet Dalton eventually moved to Los Angeles and worked in silent movies. I think that is pretty neat because I am on my way to Los Angeles too.

Manhattan, KS

2009-11-16T20:26:00.000-08:00

We visited friends on the way to Los Angeles, CA. They live in Manhattan, KS - Go K-State!! I got to visit the football field AND they have a Newfoundland dog like my dog Angel.

Photo Shoot

2009-11-16T20:22:00.000-08:00

I LOVE photo shoots! It is fun getting my picture taken. Okay, I also love monkeys. I have monkey pajama pants and I would wear them every day if my mom would let me.

My Choreographer & Friend Kendall

2009-11-16T20:19:00.000-08:00

I went to see my friend Kendall in the play "Noises Off". She choreographed my dance for nationals and has been in several productions as an actress and as a GREAT dancer. She was even in Disney's High School Musical on Stage at the Sondheim Center for the Performing Arts. Thanks Kendall!!!

Girl Scouts - I bridged from a Brownie to a Junior

2009-11-16T20:16:00.000-08:00

I bridged over from Brownies to Junior Girl Scout

My "Say No to Drugs" Speech for Red Ribbon Week

2009-11-16T19:42:00.000-08:00

I got to give a speech for the entire 4th grade at my school. It was about Red Ribbon Week and saying "No" to drugs. It was an honor to speak and my friends were a great audience.

Community Involvement - 4th grade Main Street Clean-Up

2009-11-16T19:35:00.000-08:00

This year, my home town tore the old Main Street out and replaced it with a new one. Our sidewalks are new and we have beautiful new street lights. The entire 4th grade from my school was asked to sweep and clean the debris from the street before it's grand opening November 9th. We were all glad to help. I was glad to see all of my friends! It was fun and Main Street looks great. I am always glad to help my community.

Skating Party with my Friends

2009-11-16T19:30:00.000-08:00

My friends joined me at the Skating rink and we had a

P-A-R-T-Y!!!

My Birthday Party!!

2009-11-16T19:23:00.000-08:00

October 27th is my birthday and I turned 10. My BFF's Savannah, Bailey, Kara, and Kallie and I cruised the town in a LIMO!!! We got our hair and nails done, went to dinner and made funny videos so we can always remember our wild and crazy "Party in the USA".

New Friends made in Southern Cali

2009-09-21T11:41:00.000-07:00

Tierra Gonzalez-Hammonds: 2009 National American Miss Pre-Teen

NAM Southern California Pageant

2009-09-21T11:32:00.000-07:00

We stayed at the Hyatt and we could see the Disneyland fireworks every night.

My Grandma Kathy lives in the valley and my cousin Anita lives right down the road from the hotel so we all got to hang out. They watched some of the NAM California pageant and look forward to seeing me compete at Nationals in November.

2009-09-21T11:28:00.000-07:00

2009-09-21T10:55:00.000-07:00

Dallas TX - Miss You Can Do it National Pageant 2009

2009-09-21T10:46:00.000-07:00

One of the Largest Chandeliers in the world was in our hotel so Delaney and her family and I climbed up the steps to get our picture taken with it. How beautiful!

I made some new friends. They drove ALL THE WAY FROM ARKANSAS to Dallas, TX to meet Abbey and watch the Miss You can do it pageant. Taylor had never competed in a pageant before. Her best friend from home and I told her she could do it and she DID!! She borrowed my evening gown - it fit perfectly and SHE WON THE EVENING GOWN COMPETITION!!! She won a trophy and a crown. It was SO FUN!!

Here I am in the airport on the way to Dallas, TX. We flew out of Minneapolis, MN and I brought my American Girl Doll so I could take her to the store in Dallas.

National Miss You Can Do it Pageant

2009-09-21T10:36:00.000-07:00

I got to help with the pageant and made new friends from all around the country. We all have pageants in common so it was GREAT!

Abbey Curran is my good friend. She was Miss Iowa USA 2008 and she is the founder of the Miss You Can Do It Pageant.

Mark Wiley (From Biggest Loser) was a judge. He works for an organization in Florida and he was funny and very nice.

The National Miss You Can Do It Pageant - Dallas, TX

2009-09-21T10:12:00.000-07:00

Dr. Shirley Barrett was Miss America 1970 - She is very nice and is on the Board of the Miss You Can Do it Pageant

Delaney is from Iowa and she was the national winner of Little Miss You can Do it in 2008. I was so excited to hang out with her and the 2009 Winner. We had lots of fun hanging out, chatting and swimming in the pool.

Abbey Curran was Miss Iowa USA 2008 and is the founder of the Miss You Can Do It Pageant.

My mom was the em-cee of the national Miss You Can Do It Pageant in Dallas, TX (She was Miss Iowa USA 1997)

Miss Arkansas Teen USA was there too

I got to help the pageant board and I had a great time! I made several great friends and I got to talk with the girls about interview and how fun pageants are. I reminded each girl to do her best and HAVE FUN!! It was a great experience.

Fun in the Pool!

2009-09-21T10:11:00.000-07:00

Pageant Sisters

2009-09-21T10:06:00.000-07:00

Eating Worms with "My Girls"

2009-09-21T10:03:00.000-07:00

The Pheasant Run Resort

2009-09-21T09:59:00.000-07:00

My mom and I drove to St. Charles, IL and stayed at the Pheasant Run Resort over Labor Day weekend to attend the Miss Illinois NAM Pageant. I loved it and we had fun....except for the story of the car sickness on the way to the pageant :-) We laugh about it now.....

The New Miss Illinois JPT

2009-09-21T09:51:00.000-07:00

I am SOOOOO excited for Nationals. I look forward to hanging out with Kaylyn Slevin- Miss Illinois JPT 2009 and the other friends I have met already this year. I can't wait to meet all of the contestants - and I am excited to go to Disneyland!

Behind the scenes

2009-09-21T09:49:00.000-07:00

Rehearsals are fun!!

2009-09-21T09:46:00.001-07:00

I love hanging with my friends and I especially like dancing in the opening number of the pageants. :-) okay, I also REALLY like to walk across the stage and wave as visiting royalty.

Fun in Illinois

2009-09-21T09:37:00.001-07:00

My Iowa sisters and me having fun at the end of the year party.

I was born in Baltimore, MD so I was thrilled to hang out with Miss Maryland JPT and Miss Virginia

I helped sign the contestants in and was thrilled to see my good buddy National All-American Miss Kaitlyn Rigdon. We helped the choreographers too!

Meeting NAM friends from across the country

2009-09-21T09:31:00.000-07:00

School Shopping and having fun with Friends

2009-08-05T14:47:00.000-07:00

We stopped in Rochester, MN to do a little school shopping - there was a great SALE! :-) My friends Salena and Grace joined me and we were mannequins in the store window. We had a GREAT time!

2009-08-05T14:42:00.000-07:00

My Girl Scout troop slept with the sharks at the aquarium in the Mall of America in Minneapolis, MN.

Our guide, Stephanie, (LEFT) gave us a behind the scenes tour. I want to be an exotic vet when I get older so I especially liked the lab and the people who help the injured fish and reptiles.

Mall of America in Minneapolis, MN with the Girl Scouts

2009-08-05T14:38:00.000-07:00

Lego-Land, The Rain Forrest Cafe and we SLEPT with the Sharks in the Aquarium!

Mall of America in Minneapolis, MN

2009-08-05T14:32:00.000-07:00

More fun with new Friends in St. Louis

2009-08-05T14:28:00.000-07:00

2009 NAMiss Missouri Jr. Pre Teen Pageant

2009-08-05T14:22:00.000-07:00

Look-a-like Competition

2009-08-05T14:12:00.000-07:00

National All American Miss Junior Pre-Teen- Kaitlyn Rigdon and her dad, Craig, hosted the Family Look a Like competition.

My new friend Sarah Dao -Miss Oklahoma Junior Pre-Teen- and I dressed alike in NAM wear. We judged the competition with Look-a-likes Miss MO Junior Pre-teen 2008- Hannah Reikhof and National American Miss Junior Pre-Teen- KayDianna Davis. We danced and had a GREAT time!

NAMiss Missouri Pageant in St. Louis

2009-08-05T13:56:00.000-07:00

I made lots of new Friends while attending the NA Miss Missouri Pageant. We helped to sign the contestants in. I am with National American Miss Junior Pre-Teen 2008, KayDianna Davis and NA Miss Missouri Princess 2008, Liliana Reyes (BELOW)

(LEFT) My new pals - KayDianna Davis, Hannah Reikhoof - Miss Missouri Junior Pre-Teen 2008, and National All American Miss 2009, Kaitlyn Rigdon

Fayette County Fair & Bill Riley Talent Show

2009-08-05T13:52:00.000-07:00

My friend Savannah and I had fun at the Fayette County Fair. I danced in the famous Bill Riley Talent Show and got 3rd place!

Radio Interview!

2009-07-24T17:58:00.000-07:00

GoodRadio.TV • KMCD • CLassic 96 FM • FairfieldIowaRadio.com

I was interviewed about Disney High School Musical On Stage. It was fun and I learned how to work with the microphone so I can sound my best on live radio. It was broadcast all around the world. Awesome!! Thank you Lorrie Anne Matthews for all of your hard work :-)

Some of my friends in the cast

2009-07-24T17:23:00.000-07:00

I am posing with some of my friends from the cast of Disney High School Musical On Stage. (L to R) Kayla Heckart/ Indian Hills College, IA, Juliet Valle/Avila, Kansas City, MO,

Me :-) Merrill Diddy

Christopher Sean Johnson/ U of South Dakota, Kendall Heim/ Iowa Central College,

Nura Awda/ Sweden,

Christopher Onken/ Clemson University

Signing Autographs

2009-07-24T17:21:00.001-07:00

There is a poster of the cast -and I am on it :-) We get to sign autographs after each performance. It is very fun! My friend Kayla drove three hours to see us perform. It was especially cool to sign her poster and to introduce her to Ryan and Sharpay, Troy and Gabriella and the "gang".

"Me" with "Zeke" - Evan Martin

2009-07-24T17:18:00.000-07:00

Evan Martin lives in New York City and is playing the role of Zeke. He makes me laugh and I am glad I met him and the other people involved with this production.

I worked with Choreographer Adam Cates

2009-07-24T17:14:00.000-07:00

Adam Cates came in from New York City to choreograph Disney High School Musical On Stage. The dances are WONDERFUL!! I am a lunch lady in the Status Quo scene and I LOVE the dance to the FINALE

Disney High School Musical on stage

2009-07-24T17:08:00.001-07:00

I am a part of the ensemble cast of Way off Broadway's Production of "Disney High School Musical On Stage" at the Stephen Sondheim Center for the Performing Arts

We perform July 17, 18, 19 & 23, 25, 26

Rehearsing with my new friends from The Art of Dance

2009-07-24T17:05:00.000-07:00

I attended a dance camp for two weeks in Fairfield, IA at The Art of Dance. We learned routines for two songs from Disney's High School Musical.

Dancing with "The Art of Dance" Group in Fairfield, IA

2009-07-24T17:01:00.000-07:00

We rehearsed yesterday on stage and will dance Saturday July 25 before the matinee performance of High School Musical at the Sondheim Center for the Arts in Fairfield, Iowa. I have made lots of new friends and like Miss Tiffany and Miss Hillary.

With Miss Iowa USA 2008

2009-06-21T23:23:00.000-07:00

I went to "Children of Eden" in Fairfield, Iowa with Abbey Curran, Miss Iowa USA-2008. We both loved the play! We also went out to lunch and swimming. What a busy weekend - but fun!!

"Splatter" film set

2009-06-21T23:20:00.000-07:00

I got to be an extra in the film "Splatter", directed by Lonnie Schuyler. I played a school student in several scenes. The photo on the left above, is me with Erin, she played the receptionist.

Sondheim Theater Summer Stock Group

2009-06-21T23:16:00.000-07:00

These people are from colleges and universities all over the country. They are part of a summer stock program at the Sondheim Theater in Fairfield, Iowa that includes a play called "Music Most Foul" and a movie too. I get to play the part of "Young Jill" in the project. I'm having a GREAT time!

2009-06-21T23:12:00.000-07:00

I saw the play with a group of actors - Chris, Ali and Stephen are all actors, dancers and singers and they gave me tips about being on stage. I hope I can be in High School Musical someday - I'd like to play Gabriella!

2009-06-21T23:07:00.000-07:00

I went to High School Musical at the Cedar Rapids Theater space near Lindale Mall. I'm sad to know their original space was damaged by the flood last year, but the show was excellent and I really enjoyed it. I got my picture taken with "Troy" and Gabriella" - You can see me here with the actor who played Troy - My mom pushed the wrong button on the Gabriella picture so it is a movie, so I can't post it here :-) MOM!!!

New Hampton - Chickasaw County Heartland Days - June 13 & 14, 2009

2009-06-15T10:06:00.001-07:00

I danced with New Hampton Park and Recreation's Mini-Pom before the Miss Heartland Pageant and rode in the parade on Friday night. It was so much fun to wave to all of my friends in my hometown! Thanks to my friend Rachael's mom for the convertible and to Smith Trucking, (Lauren and Morgan Smith are in the car with me); Starworks Inc, and the Hansen family for their support (Tina is in the front seat with my mom).

Dairy Days in Fredericksburg, IA - June 10, 2009

2009-06-15T09:48:00.000-07:00

I danced in the Bill Riley Talent show and then joined my Expressions Dance group in the parade that evening. They had rides and I enjoyed the Dairy Days festivities with my friends.

Welcome to My Blog!

2009-06-15T09:43:00.000-07:00

I am Merrill Diddy. I am 9 years old and will be a 4th grader this fall. I entered my first pageant in Grinnell, Iowa on June 7, 2009. I am SO proud to have won the title of National American Miss Iowa Junior Pre-Teen 2009. I look forward to a great year of volunteering and representing my state at the national pageant in Hollywood in November. I made some great new friends and had a WONDERFUL time at the pageant.