All "waves" were NOT created equal....

      Honestly, it is SO WEIRD being in a parade.  I always loved being the one that candy was thrown at...not the one doing the throwing...LAME.  However, after my 1st parade, I was hooked.


WARNING: I like to fist pump at parades....


My very first parade was on July 3rd.    Because I LOVE America so much, I was obviously pumped.  The Middletown parade was a smaller parade, but it was fabulous nonetherless.  It was my first time waving for an extended period of time........Okay.....on the subject of waving.......

Wave:  Something is the ocean.  To disturb the status quo.  What a tree does in the breeze.

After looking up the definition of a wave, nothing was said about pageant girls, parades, or people having to do it the same way.  On that note, I DO NOT and will never wave like a normal human being.  Not only is it BORING, but why wave from the wrist and up?  Why not put all your energy into it so your whole arm moves and not like you are trying to scoop up the air with just your hand...seriously...it doesnt hurt to fist pump either....case and point?   ------->   http://u0000kdo4ccyol5y.photoshelter.com/gallery-image/G0000Lso057BpYPE/I0000.yX4Ygs99Gs/54

AND THAT'S HOW IT'S DONE, LADIES AND GENTLEMEN!

July 4th - close to the BEST day ever.

Before I begin, I need to define one more word: Donald.

DONALD:  The best man ever.  The parade driver of the last 16 Miss Delaware's.  Someone who had better hair than Trump.

3 parades.  One day.  For most, that meant a lot of candy.  For us pageant folk, that just means a lot of waving (*see above).  My day started bright and early with the Symrna parade.  I got to be right in the front because it was off to another parade right after that!  The parade was fantastic.  I love that even though I am sitting on the back of a car (a STUNNING car at that), I still get to meet so many people!!  My favorite thing ever is when little girls point at you and scream, "It's Miss Delaware! It's a princess??"  Has anyone ever died of cuteness?  Well, at one point this year, I might!
        After this parade, I had a police escort to get me back to my car and on the road to the Bethany parade!  I have always been jealous of police because they can ride through red lights if their flashing lights are on....just picture this.....a police motorcycle with flashing lights followed by a beautiful '67 red convertible, top down, going 50 mph with a Miss Delaware holding on for dear life still sitting on the back.  Yes. This is real life.  It happened.  I arrived to the Bethany parade with moments to spare.  This parade was CRAZY!!!!! It is a real experience when you are placed in front of at least 2000 people as the new Miss Delaware.  Everyone is just screaming your name, waving at you, running up to the car to take pictures with you....UNREAL!!!  I definitely left that parade on a high!
           After a wonderful dinner with my favorite business manager, Susan, and her wonderful husband, Gene, it was off to Dover for yet another parade!! YAY!  Another wonderful parade with people screaming my name (will NEVER get used to that feeling) and even got to see my mom and two of my sisters who went to watch!!

When I got home that night, it was just another one of those moments that I realized how blessed I am.  A remarkable day :))

My car!

Donald!!!!!

Police escort. The good life.

After the day of three parades!  With my little sister, Annie :)



STAY CHILL,

             Maria

"This is the day the LORD has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it."

                                                                                        Psalm 118:24

Walk, don't run, to the nearest ice cream booth!

4th order of business - Miles for Children Walk and PHOTOSHOOT!!!! holla!


After a couple days of catching up on some much needed sleep, it was off to the waterfront in Wilmington for the Miles for Children 5K!! On a side note, was I really a part of the actual 5K if the only walking I did was between the face painting booth and the ice cream booth?....hmmmm....
      This event was awesome on so many levels!  I got to talk to so many people, the most memorable being the woman I talked to about safe driving and why I was so passionate about it.  I could tell that my story really affected her and she said that she would no longer text while driving because of what happened to my friend.  Truly incredible.
       
     - why is it that at all of my appearances, I become best friends with everyone under the age of 10?  Whatever the reason, I LOVE IT!!

MOLLY!!!! the cutest thing I have ever seen! :)

Basically everyone knows that I love photoshoots.  Do I love them more than a number 1 meal at McDonalds (Big Mac with no pickle, large fry and large drink)?   .....That is seriously debatable....I love fashion magazines, fierce shoots and anything to do with Vogue magazine.  For anyone that has not seen some of the photoshoots I have done, here is a preview!.....

So...you can imagine my excited when I was set up with the amazing Paul Pruitt to take my headshots for Miss America!!  It went awesome and the photos turned out amazing!!  Needless to say, the shoot went from basic smiling headshots to full-blown fierce shots with wind in my face....just leave it to me.  The usual... Once I get the OKAY to put them up here, I will! 

Definitely check out Paul Pruitt's work at http://www.paulpruittphotography.com/.  His work is AMAZING and you will not be dissapointed!!!  Can't wait to share my pictures with you all!

Stay Chill,

           Maria

(Psalms 138:3) 3 In the day that I called, you answered me. You encouraged me with strength in my soul.

I LIKE TO PICTURE MY JESUS IN A TUXEDO T-SHIRT...

3rd order of business - 2 checks off my bucket list

Yes, I have a bucket list.  Who doesn't?  Is a bucket list still technically a bucket list if you are too lazy to write it down and it is all just bottled up in your head?  Is there such things as a mental bucket list? Oh, life's unanswered questions...
       Two things that have been on my bucket list are 1. to be on the cover of a magazine that people need to pay to get (none of these "take me, I'm free" magazines) and 2. to drive nascars.  Has anyone ever seen Talledaga Nights?  Who WOULDN'T have 'driving a nascar' on their bucket list after seeing that!
1.         Back when I was Miss Rehoboth Beach, I was asked to appear on the September beach guide cover of Delaware Today!! HUZZAH!!!  I packed myself up....EARLY....to go to Rehoboth Beach for my shoot...so early, in fact, that in my delirious state, I rubbed lotion (or what I thought was lotion) all over my face only discover it was acne medicine....true story.  Kill me now.  I met at Dolph's beach house with my fabulous hair stylist Sal from Michael Christophers!  After he dolled me all up, it was off to the boardwalk for me to pose my butt off!  I live for these kind of moment!  I could have photoshoots all day long and be perfectly happy about it.  After the cover shoot, which comes out next month, it was off the Robin Hood's for a bite to eat...not that I ate 6 waffles or anything...  It was there that I saw the Cape Gazette, the paper in which I saw the first article about myself as the new Miss Delaware!  So cool!!  Needless to say, I picked up as many papers as I could fit into my arms...SUCCESS!!  After the shoot, it was a quick change in the car (I am becoming a pro at this...) and off to Dover Downs for an Oakley's Sunglasses appearance!  This event was basically being a hostess to over 20 business men from all over the mid-west as well as "styling" these guys for their own pair of Oakleys.  Sweet.  This is when the "bucket list talk" began....

Cheezin' at the Oakley's event!! :)

2.  Dover Downs is home to what is called the "Monster Mile."  I was talking with the director of the business group from Monsanto about my bucket list.  I told him that I cried when Dale Earnhart died and it has always been on my bucket list to drive a nascar before I die.  "As a matter of fact, we are driving them tomorrow on the Monster Mile if you want to do it!"
        - You know that moment when someone offers you something really nice to you but you decline out of sheer politeness? Yeah, NO. That was not happening in this case.
I told him I would be there.  A quick couple phone calls to my directors later, I was in and my dad was my escort...lucky duck.The next morning, I was up very early.  I had to be on the track by 8.  My dad and I not only got to ride shotgun over 40 times around the track, but we got to drive 10 of our own laps!! I got up to the max speed of 120!!....what do you expect...I am just good like that...  It was an experience like NO OTHER!!!  I got to take so many pictures and meet all the guys who work behind the scenes to make it happen!  INCREDIBLE!!!

Stay chill,

         Maria

Psalm 118:24 - "This is the day the LORD has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it."

The single MOST EMBARRASSING moment of my life...literally.

2nd order of business - a day with three different appearances! YES!

My day started out with a breast cancer walk for the DBCC (Delaware Breat Cancer Coalition).  Little did I know that this appearance would lead to one of the most humiliating moments of my life....
       This walk to increase awareness about breast cancer was truly incredible.  To see people so passionate about an issue such as this gives me goosebumps. I got to meet so many people, including survivors and their children!  To hear each and every one of them share their story with me was remarkable and heartwarming.  These women are so strong!!  This walk of about 100 was relatively smaller than other walks that I have been to, but the determination with which they talked about overcoming breast cancer was beautiful.
      Here comes the terrible part...I was approached right before the walk started and was asked if I could sing the National Anthem.  HOLD ON.  I can't even HUM, let alone sing two words in tune.  When my own mother tells me I can't sing a note, you just know that you have to let the Mariah Carey's of the world take over for all things National Anthem related.  I politely declined, saying that if you would not like the brand spanking new Miss Delaware to be booed right out of the venue, you would not put me up there.  Sure, I like to chant "USA! USA!" wherever I go and wear red, white and blue 5 days out of the week, but this was just not happening.  The lady who asked just laughed and told me it was no problem at all. PHEW!!! Dodged that bullet, right?......WRONG!  5 minutes later, I heard over the loudspeaker, "MARIA CAHILL, CAN YOU PLEASE COME UP TO THE STAGE TO SING THE NATIONAL ANTHEM!!!" Uhhh......what?!??!  Yes, folks, I did the unthinkable.  I had to sing (or attempt to, at least...) the National Anthem with another lady.  I apologized to everyone before starting, proceeded to turn 17 shades of red and "sang" the Anthem while lip-synching the high notes.  Welcome to the wonderful world of being a Miss Delaware...at least I remembered the words....

With a breast cancer survivor! :)

          After this lovely ordeal (NOT), I finished the mile walk and tried to get everyone to forget about the massacre I had done to their ear drums.  After this wonderful event with the DBCC, it was a quick change in my car then off to a car show!  I got to walk around for hours just shaking hands, taking pictures and meeting SO many different kinds of people!  You know you make an impression when an 8 year old has the courage to walk up to you and say, "I know I am much younger than you, but I was wondering if I could have your number."  Adorable!!  What an awesome event!

Just another day at a car show!

       My day was still not over yet! It was another quick change, then off to Newark to meet with my executive director, the LOVELY Debi, to go to the Miss New Jersey Pageant!!  The pageant was wonderful! I got to see my roommate from Miss Delaware, Chelsea Lee Ray which I was thrilled about!  After a good amount of "vouging" with her (aka. the Maria Cahill version of a photo shoot...check the photos below...), the pageant began! It is much more enjoyable and less stressful watching the pageant than actually being in it.  The stunning Katharyn won!  She did an absolutely fabulous job and I know that we will have a great time at Miss America in January.  The day was long, but it was so worth it!  I am SO BLESSED!!!

LOVE DEBI AND CHELS!! :) (probably the only serious picture of the night...)

Stay chill,

        Maria

"For you make me glad by your deeds, O LORD; I sing for joy at the works of your hands."

                                                               Psalm 92:4

Oh hey, Colonel Sanders!

Can I still believe that I am blogging as Miss Delaware?!?!?!............NO.
Since winning Miss Delaware, I have already done so many incredible appearances.  No worries, people.  I am here to fill you in!

1st order of business - CHICKEN FESTIVAL!!

Chicken.  I hear that word and I automatically get hungry.  When I heard I was asked to appear at the Chicken Festival, I only knew two things....I was Miss Delaware...and I like chicken...grilled chicken, fried chicken, Chicken salad, chicken nuggets, barbeque chicken, parmesan chicken, chicken ramen.....seriously, everyone, if you don't want to go run out to Chick-fil-a.....then you should probably just stop reading.  I was escorted by my WONDERFUL business manager, Susan Collins, who took great care of me, even getting me chicken out of the 10 foot frying pan to eat and finding me a hat shaped like a chicken to wear around...typical.  I had the honor of being one of the people "cutting the ribbon" to start the entire festival! In all honesty, it was more of a "pretend to cut the ribbon but just drop it instead" ceremony.  Seriously?!?!  If you are going to go around making giant scissors, the least you could do is make them actually functional! Lame.  But cool, nonetheless.  I left the festival one happy camper!


Stay chill,

         Maria

Senator Carper and I just hanging out...not a big deal or anything...

Myself and Doug, the chick.



THANK YOU!!

Before I go any further, there are some people I absolutely have to thank!!

GOD. "With Him, all things are possible."

Mom and Dad - unreal what you have done for me these past 20 years.  Hopefully, this year, I can make you both even more proud!

Katie, Liz, Joe, Christine, Jack and Annie - the best, most loving, brothers and sisters that one could ever ask for...even though the first word out of your mouths after I won was "VEGAS!!!!" :) I love you guys!

My wonderful aunts, uncles, and other relatives - thank you for all the support you have shown, not just now, but through my whole lifetime.  It means the world to me!!

To my Aquinas Academy family - thank you for teaching me how to stand up for what I believe in, regardless of what anyone says.  Along with my family, you have taught me to stay true to myself and not compromise it for anyone!

Beka, Ali, Kristen, Sam and Catherine - The BEST friends that I could have ever asked for.  Your unconditional love and support no matter what is mindblowing to me. I love you guys so much :) 

My SVC family - you know who you are.  Thank you for sticking by me with or without my crown.  I know you will be in my life forever.  I love you.  Cats lax - I will rep you guys all day long.  Don't even care.

Christina Ryan and the Ryan-Kilcoyne school of Irish Dance - thank you for being my second family.  I love all my girls that I teach and you all make me so proud.

Alyssa, Chelsea, Melissa, and the rest of my Miss Delaware pageant sisters - I can't wait to work at so many events with you guys this year.  You want to eat clompers soon? I'm hungry.

Miss Delaware Board - you have already treated me like I was your own daughter.  Thank you so much for the support you have shown and will continue to show throughout my year.  It is because of you that all of this is possible.

Marisa - THE BEST DIRECTOR I could have asked for.  So proud to have called you my director this year.  Thank you for teaching me the ways of a Miss Delaware and telling me from day 1 when we met at the food court that I could be Miss Delaware. :)

Harry Roosevelt and the Delaware Safety Council - Thank you for taking me under your wing and giving little Miss Rehoboth Beach a chance to make a difference in her community.  I look forward to continuing my work with you to save lives throughout my state and nation.

Regal family - thanks for putting up with my crazy schedule!

My "little sisters" - you will be a part of me my entire life.  Can we have a date to Domino's Pizza soon?

To all those who have supported me with well wishes and prayers - it is these small gestures that makes me so proud to be representing Delaware. I hope to make every single one of you proud.

Anyone else I forgot? Um....just yell at me via text, phone call or blast me over good old facebook and twitter.  I am getting ready to go to an appearance so I will definitely add more...because the minute I leave, I will remember 10 more people.


Stay chill,
         Maria

my wonderful brothers and sisters

I CAN'T BELIEVE IT!

HI EVERYONE!!! My first blog post as Miss Delaware 2011 :)  These past couple weeks have been absolutely incredible.  The love and support that I have recieved has been overwhelming in the best way possible!!
  
Let me just start off by talking about the actual day I won!  As most people can tell by my COMPLETE LACK of waterproof mascara, I obviously was not expecting to win.  You prepare so much, but you never expect to ever hear your name called as Miss Delaware, let alone on your first try.  Being in the top 2 with my beautiful roommate and friend for Miss Delaware week, Chelsea Lee Ray, was the most incredible feeling....even though it looked like I was going to faint and never wake up.  Hearing my name called was surreal.  For those who don't understand my completely ridiculous reaction...here we go...
       A year ago, I was a sophomore at Saint Vincent College (let's go Cats Lax!!).  I made some of the best friends who remain that way to this day.  I was so happy where I was and looked forward to a great TV internship for my junior year.  Nearing the end of my year, the bomb was dropped that I was not able to go back.  Needless to say, I was completely devastated.  I put my parents through hell and back because of it.  "Everything happens for a reason," was all my mom would say to me.  Yeah...okay...  Months later, I was contacted about the Miss Rehoboth Beach pageant.  I had Irish Danced for 13 years and competed nationally and internationally so I had my talent portion down.  When it came to platform, I chose the Special Olympics.  I had volunteered with them for over 5 years and felt that it would fit in perfectly.  Honestly, was I entering this pageant just for the experience? Maybe.  However, things became a lot more real the day that I won.  The first phone call I got that night was from my older sister.  She told me that her college roommate had been texting while driving, collided into a truck, and was in a coma.  She died a week later.  Less than a month later, I was at an Irish Dance show.  Durng the intermission, my mom called.  She said my sister was coming home from college for Christmas break and had been in a terrible car accident.  Luckily, because she was wearing a seatbelt, she survived.  These two events in my life completely rocked me and my family.  I knew from that point on that "things happen for a reason."  I was given the incredible gift of being Miss Rehoboth to jumpstart what is now "Project 16-26: Drive Safe, Drive Smart," a program that goes into schools and across the state to speak about the importance of safe driving.  Those events, along with numerous others, led me to standing in the top 2 in the Miss Delaware 2011 pageant with the thought "ALL THINGS HAPPEN FOR A REASON" running through my mind.  Hence the reaction that my friends still make fun of me for....oh well.  
Well, now that I know that my mom was actually speaking the truth, I know that it is God's will that I am where I am.  This year is not only completely dedicated to Him, but to the families that have lost loved ones or have had those closest to them injured because of a car accident.  I can only hope that through my work as Miss Delaware 2011, that lives will be saved because of my story to tell!


Stay chill,
          Maria

ps. ALWAYS wear waterproof mascara...you never know what will happen!

Enjoy some of the pictures from the 70th Anniversary Miss Delaware 2011 pageant :))

Opening number!

Preliminary swimsuit winner! (my secret? Eat more big macs. Then run it off.)

Talent (Lord of the Dance! and the Lord only knows what face I am making...)

Preliminary Evening Gown Winner (Thank you Debbie and The Red Carpet)

Top 5!! (aka. the only picture that I don't look I am about to pass out)

Top 5 question (that I practially bombed...fail.)

Announced the winner!! (Chelsea, you were an incredible friend and roommate!!)

The reaction you just read about...Good Golly...

"The LORD is my strength and my song, and he has become my salvation; this is my God, and I will praise him, my father’s God, and I will exalt him."
Exodus 15:2