Hi SoWal members,
My name is Sassy Bogart and Im the 2007 Miss Walton County. I had the great fortune of meeting Kurt Lishka and his friends ,in July, when I was volunteering for the Beaches of South Walton by handing out information about the beach safety flag system. He suggested that I join the sowal.com board and introduce myself to its members. I became a member, but was so busy during the summer that I didnt have time to introduce myself until now.
As Miss Walton County 2007, I have the distinct honor of becoming acquainted with the wonderful people of Paxton, DeFuniak Springs, Freeport, and of course, the beautiful beaches of South Walton. Some of the community activities that I have participated in during my reign include helping host a Mothers Day Tea at Stanley Retirement Home in DeFuniak Springs, speaking at the Memorial Day Ceremony at the Walton County Courthouse, working at the childrens booth at the 4th of July festivities, cleaning up the beach, and hosting Camp Sassy-- a 3 day camp for young girls. In addition to these community events, I have met the City Council members of Freeport, Paxton, and DeFuniak Springs, the Walton District School Board members, our County Commissioners and our sheriff Ralph Johnson. Currently, I am creating a third grade reading program that features readers theatre and vocabulary games. I have represented my county at the Brundidge, Alabama Patriotic Celebration; the 4th of July parades in Seaside and DeFuniak Springs and will ride in the Homecoming parades at Walton and Freeport High in the near future.
One of my privileges as Miss Walton County is that I will represent my home at the Miss National Peanut Festival Pageant in Dothan, Alabama on October 18th-20th. To prepare for this phenomenal pageant, I have visited a peanut farm, prepared an extensive personal portfolio, developed skills in verbal communication, practiced on stage poise, and selected a wardrobe appropriate for this prestigious pageant. To even be remotely competitive in this 64-year-old pageant that is nicknamed Miss America of the Tri-States, I will be devoting several hours everyday for the next 6 weeks to making final preparations.
I will also be spending time raising the needed funds to help me compete in this pageant. In May, I needed to raise $5100. With the help of friends and family, I have sponsored 2 car washes, a bake sale, a Boston Butt sale, a Simply Good Barbecue Dinner sale and a t-shirt sale featuring my Simply Sassy silhouette. I have another bake sale scheduled for September 29th at Walmart, but my expected profits will not be enough to raise the needed funds. By my calculations, I will be about $1200 short. That is where you, the members of the SoWal Message board come in. Mr. Lischka shared that you are some of the most caring and generous people in the world and that some of you would help me achieve my dream of being competitive in the Miss National Peanut Festival Pageant, if I shared my situation.
I will turn 18 on September 20th. My birth name is Rhapsody Danika Dawnae Bogart: however, my only brother nicknamed me Sassy when I was a baby and that moniker described me perfectly. I have four sisters and a niece and nephew. My father works in the construction section of the Florida Department of Corrections and my mother is a substitute teacher, completing an EPI degree to be a fulltime educator. My dad just retired from the Florida Army National Guard and spent 2003-2004 in Iraq with his troops.
I am a senior at Walton High School in DeFuniak Springs. I am proud to be the secretary for the Anchor Club, treasurer for the National Honor Society, a member in the Pep Club, Mu Alpha Theta, Drama Club, and WHS Student Council. I am also a varsity cheerleader. I have been honored by Whos Who Among American High School Students, National Honor Roll , United States Achievement Academy Leadership and Scholarship Rosters and numerous other school awards. I am also a sophomore at Okaloosa Walton College. I am in Phi Theta Kappa, the International Honor Society for Community Colleges. Recently, I made The Presidents List at OWC. I will graduate from OWC in May 2008 with an AA degree focusing on Criminal Justice and from Walton High in June 2008, both with highest honors. My future plans are to transfer to Florida State University next school year to pursue a joint bachelors/masters degree in Criminal Justice, then complete two years training as a sheriffs deputy. My ultimate goal is to be an FBI agent.
As you can tell, I am not your typical high school student. I am not your typical beauty queen either. One of my proudest accomplishments is that I recently took a handgun safety class presented by the Walton sheriffs department. I had never fired a gun before in my life, but I scored the highest on the range and on the written exam. It just proved that being an FBI agent is Gods will for my life and He is preparing me to be a success.
I wear my sash and crown with pride and absolute Christian morals because many young people, especially young girls, consider me a local role model. I am committed to maintaining virtuous morals and energetic self-motivation throughout my reign because these young people need to know that personal integrity is beautiful.
I apologize for sharing so much personal information with you, but I want you to know a little about me before you make a decision on whether or not you should assist me financially with achieving my dream. If you have any questions for me, please e-mail my mother or me at misswaltoncounty2007@yahoo.com or you can leave a message on my mothers cell phone---850 687-9747 . If you can help- even a few dollars, I would really appreciate it.
You may send any donations to
Sassy BogartMiss Walton County
C/o Walton High Drama Club- David Pert
555 Walton Road
De Funiak Springs, Florida 32433
I have an account for Miss Walton County / Sassy Bogart
at the Walton County Teachers Federal Credit Union. You may deposit directly into it. Their contact information is:
Walton County Teacher's Federal Credit Union
1586 Highway 90 West (physical)
P.O. Box 634 (mailing)
DeFuniak Springs, Florida 32435
Phone:
850-892-2024
850-892-4730
Fax:
850-892-4813
Tellerline:
850-892-4472
850-892-4654
Thank you for taking the time to read this message and I hope you will pray for me these next 6 weeks as Miss NPF draws near.
Sincerely,
Sassy Bogart
I am also going to attempt posting a picture in the near future, so you can get to know me a little better.
Replies
119
FunnChef - AlisonCooks.com
Sassy!!! It's about time you got your cutie patooty on SoWal! Really enjoyed meeting you this summer!Come on guys, welcome this sweet girl out! She is a real together lady and a sweetheart! Kurt, Tootsie & I met her this summer at Grayton with her mom....great ladies!
Edited
hmmmm......can't remember
She writes a lot better than some "Miss"es talk, anyway...
Beach Fanatic
SoWal Expert
Wow. You sound like you ARE busy. Out of curiosity, why does it cost $5,100 to enter the pageant? That seems extremely expensive to enter a contest.
I hear that the Peanut Festival is a great time. I always intend to go, but never make it.
I hear that the Peanut Festival is a great time. I always intend to go, but never make it.
Beach Fanatic
WelcoMe SaSsy!!!!!!!
Beach Fanatic
FunnChef - AlisonCooks.com
Wow. You sound like you ARE busy. Out of curiosity, why does it cost $5,100 to enter the pageant? That seems extremely expensive to enter a contest.donate some $$ and you will have a reason to go!!!!
I hear that the Peanut Festival is a great time. I always intend to go, but never make it.
Go and watch our Sassy win!!!
Beach Fanatic
Welcome to SOWAL Miss Sassy Walton County
Good Luck Girl! Love to see some pictures!!!!
Good Luck Girl!
Love to see some pictures!!!!
Beach Fanatic
Wow. You sound like you ARE busy. Out of curiosity, why does it cost $5,100 to enter the pageant? That seems extremely expensive to enter a contest.
I hear that the Peanut Festival is a great time. I always intend to go, but never make it.
I am sure Sassy can you give the exacts, but pageant competitions are expensive. Usually there is an entry fee, then travel expenses, any time you go during a peak time, hotel rates go up, food, etc.
Clothing for the event can be very expensive as they need multiple outfits, pageant gowns can easily be over $1500.
So it is very easy to come to $5000 very quickly.
Edited
Beach Fanatic
I believe this will be her on the right. At least that is what the banner appears to be. Sassy if that is not you, let me know.
Edited
hmmmm......can't remember
I believe this will be her on the right.
Awww...what a cute gull! She has a sweet face--hard to imagine her toting a gun!
Sassy, your letter is wonderful. You sound like a really smart girl, and I hope this all works out for you. It's amazing to read what you've accomplished; most people don't do what you've done by the time they've reached twice your age.
(Wait a minute. I'm twice your age.
)More power to you, dear! Keep us posted, will you?
Edited
SoWal Expert
I am sure Sassy can you give the exacts, but pageant competitions are expensive. Usually there is an entry fee, then travel expenses, any time you go during a peak time, hotel rates go up, food, etc.I hear you on the expense, but I never understood the great cost. Dothan is only a little over one hour drive from Defuniak, and even so, the hotels there are cheap. Gas isn't too costly for the short drive. Food in Dothan is cheap. I'm sure the dresses are expensive. Where does the money for the entry fee go? Do they give it all to the winner? Would a girl in the pageant wear more than one gown in Dothan contest?
Clothing for the event can be very expensive as they need multiple outfits, pageant gowns can easily be over $1500.
So it is very easy to come to $5000 very quickly.
Beach Fanatic
I hear you on the expense, but I never understood the great cost. Dothan is only a little over one hour drive from Defuniak, and even so, the hotels there are cheap. Gas isn't too costly for the short drive. Food in Dothan is cheap. I'm sure the dresses are expensive. Where does the money for the entry fee go? Do they give it all to the winner? Would a girl in the pageant wear more than one gown in Dothan contest?
In most all pageants you will need casual wear, possibly a swimsuit, and a dress for the interview, public appearances during the weekend and then the actual pageant gown.
I have known pageant gowns to cost over $3000. From the official website photos I would also think she has already had to attend some
preliminary events, which involved wardrobe and travel.
We stay in Dothan on our way to Orlando every year and I paid $125 at the Hampton Inn.
I don't know Sassy and she can fill everyone in, on where the money goes but I do know about pageants and once you compete on this level it gets very expensive.
I know most all pageants offer scholarships to the winners, so usually money goes to that.
hmmmm......can't remember
I hear you on the expense, but I never understood the great cost. Dothan is only a little over one hour drive from Defuniak, and even so, the hotels there are cheap. Gas isn't too costly for the short drive. Food in Dothan is cheap. I'm sure the dresses are expensive. Where does the money for the entry fee go? Do they give it all to the winner? Would a girl in the pageant wear more than one gown in Dothan contest?
Darlin', you wouldn't believe where that money went if they told you. You would start by telling them to bump up the AC, get the CVS lip gloss (shout out ot Audie) instead of the cosmetic counter stuff, check for the same dress on eBay, eat at McDonald's instead of having everything catered, don't give all the pageant people gift bags full of expensive junk, etc.
Not that you would be wrong; it's just that some things (like pageants and government work) doesn't run that way. It's based on an intricate formula: Multiply what a normal person would pay for these things by pi, or something like that.
SoWal Expert
I could justify spending $3000 on a gown if I had a chance to win $25,000 as the winner. I guess I just don't understand why people enter such expensive contests, when that money could be applied toward college. I don't mean to criticize, just asking some questions. I knew a girl in my high school, who did the pageant circuit for a while, and I just didn't understand it, and still don't.
If I do make it up to the Peanut Festival, I'll be sure to eat some boiled peanuts out there in the dusty fairgrounds.
If I do make it up to the Peanut Festival, I'll be sure to eat some boiled peanuts out there in the dusty fairgrounds.
Beach Fanatic
I could justify spending $3000 on a gown if I had a chance to win $25,000 as the winner. I guess I just don't understand why people enter such expensive contests, when that money could be applied toward college. I don't mean to criticize, just asking some questions. I knew a girl in my high school, who did the pageant circuit for a while, and I just didn't understand it, and still don't.
If I do make it up to the Peanut Festival, I'll be sure to eat some boiled peanuts out there in the dusty fairgrounds.
Actually it is a great experience to get to know people, network, etc. Much like particpation in a sorority or fraternity but if I had to guess, you don't get that either. ;-) No critism there either Joe just not your thing.
Let me put it this way, is there anything you truly enjoy that there is only enjoyment and no monetary gain from doing it.
Edited
hmmmm......can't remember
In addition to the scholarship money, winning a reputable pageant can be a good thing. A girl who went to my high school was Miss Georgia (as in the lower tier of Miss America) and that leads to opportunities to do some public speaking (which can bring some of that money back eventually) and it can be good experience in finding good jobs down the road.
A 20-something year old young woman who has survived the pressure of pageants can usually handle whatever a job in corporate America dishes out, and she can do it with a smile.
A 20-something year old young woman who has survived the pressure of pageants can usually handle whatever a job in corporate America dishes out, and she can do it with a smile.
SoWal Expert
Actually it is a great experience to get to know people, network, etc. Much like particpation in a sorority or fraternity but if I had to guess, you don't get that either. ;-) No critism there either Joe.I absolutely understand networking, though I don't believe one has to join an organization to network.
Let me put it this way, is there anything you truly enjoy that there is only enjoyment and no monetary gain from doing it.
And yes, I do enjoy things that cost money, but I don't have to wear a $3000 suit to enjoy them.
I was just curious to hear why the pageants entry fees are so great. I'm sure the pageants can be beneficial to many of the contestants, and looking at Miss Walton County's list of Been-There-Done-Thats, I'd say she is doing very well.
Edited
SoWal Insider
Sassy. Good luck to you.Edited
Admin
Hi Sassy! Best of luck to you.
SJ - answers are $50.
I have contributed and I hope some of you will. Sassy struck me right away as more than your average pageant participant. When she told me she wanted to be an FBI agent that sold me because I figured she might save my life one day. ;-)
As you can see her partial list of accomplishments is impressive. I agree with her about role models. She is a special person and can be a great role model for her peers and younger kids.
SJ - answers are $50.
I have contributed and I hope some of you will. Sassy struck me right away as more than your average pageant participant. When she told me she wanted to be an FBI agent that sold me because I figured she might save my life one day. ;-)
As you can see her partial list of accomplishments is impressive. I agree with her about role models. She is a special person and can be a great role model for her peers and younger kids.
Beach Fanatic
That's Sassy!
Thanks TnJed! I needed that Saaassssy start this mornin'!
:funn: Good luck Miss Walton County. You sound like a very busy young lady.
Thanks for helping keep the beaches clean, and setting an example for other young people to do the same. 
FunnChef - AlisonCooks.com
Sassy is a most articulate young lady. She is a very down-to-earth, a wonderful role model to all young children...heck she totally impressed me!
She has impressive goals and one of those happen to be this pagent.
And yes, NoHall, experiencs like this allow her the where with all to deal in any situation.
If I am in SoWal during this time, I would love to see her compete!
She has impressive goals and one of those happen to be this pagent.
And yes, NoHall, experiencs like this allow her the where with all to deal in any situation.
If I am in SoWal during this time, I would love to see her compete!
Beach Fanatic
Welcome Sassy...good luck in Dothan!!!
Oh, SJ...the boiled peanuts are to die for.
Oh, SJ...the boiled peanuts are to die for.
Beach Fanatic
Yeah, sassysue920
Very cute photo.
the cute dresses and the pose of the boys too esp the one in front.
sassysue920 Very cute photo.
the cute dresses and the pose of the boys too esp the one in front. Edited
SoWal Expert
Oh, SJ...the boiled peanuts are to die for.
duh, I grew up on a peanut farm.
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