Alasyn Zimmerman Interview
Miss Kansas's Outstanding Teen 2008
Why did you decide to compete in the Miss Sunflower’s Outstanding Teen pageant?
I decided to compete in this local pageant because it was my third trip to the state pageant and I had been an at large contestant for the first two years, so I thought competing for a local title would give me more confidence when I competed at the state level again.
What was going through your head when you were announced as the new Miss Kansas’s Outstanding Teen?
When they called my name as Miss Kansas Outstanding Teen, I was shocked beyond belief. However, at the same time I was extremely excited and I could not stop my jaw from dropping to the floor.
When did you start dancing?
I started dancing at age three when I begged my mom to let me start dance lessons. We were driving down the road one day and my mom saw a dance studio, I was then enrolled in classes and have just loved every minute of dancing.
Tell us about your platform, “The Importance of Getting Involved in Extra-Curricular Activities".
My platform focuses on reaching out to students to make them aware of becoming involved in extracurricular activities to make them well rounded students. The main issue I like to address with them is how easy it is for them to become involved with these activities and the benefits they provide. I have a school outreach program I started during my reign where I give an interactive assembly that involves sports, fine arts, and character counts. In this assembly I set up various activities for them to participate in and give them words of encouragement. Finally, the reward for them is that they get a gift at each station and information on how to get involved in those activities in their area.
Tell us about the evening gown you picked for the Miss Kansas’s Outstanding Teen pageant.
I’ve always been a self-proclaimed procrastinator, and for the longest time I could not find a gown I could see myself wearing at the pageant. However, I had a back up dress just in case I couldn’t find “the dress”. The night before the pageant I had a friend come down and show me this dress and I loved it so I tried it on and said, “Okay, looks like this is it!” Ironically enough, I ended up receiving the eveningwear award that night. Now for the gown description, it was a gold strapless dress with a slight full skirt and there were flowers made out of sequins covering the dress.
What would be your most memorable moment at the Miss America’s Outstanding Teen pageant?
I would definitely have to say meeting all of the other 51 contestants. Each and every one of them is amazing and I had a blast the entire time because of them.
What would be your most memorable moment as Miss Kansas’ Outstanding Teen?
Well, one of my favorite appearances was getting to present an award at the Kansas City Royals diamond of dreams event. This organization grants dreams to children who have sicknesses and the child I got to present to, suffered from Cerebral Palsy. Her dream was to compete in a pageant and travel to New York; I will always remember the smile on the young girls face and how happy she was just made my day.
Lastly, what have you been up to since your reign as Miss Kansas’s Outstanding Teen pageant?
Since giving up my title, I have been enjoying a nice laid back summer for a change. I spent the beginning of summer taking a course for school, and working at a dress store, Foggy Bottom. With my job at Foggy Bottom I was given the opportunity to speak at the Dress for Success luncheon, which was an amazing opportunity. Currently, I am in rehearsals for High School Musical 2- On stage. I will be starting junior year in a few days and I am very excited for that adventure I will be taking.
I decided to compete in this local pageant because it was my third trip to the state pageant and I had been an at large contestant for the first two years, so I thought competing for a local title would give me more confidence when I competed at the state level again.
What was going through your head when you were announced as the new Miss Kansas’s Outstanding Teen?
When they called my name as Miss Kansas Outstanding Teen, I was shocked beyond belief. However, at the same time I was extremely excited and I could not stop my jaw from dropping to the floor.
When did you start dancing?
I started dancing at age three when I begged my mom to let me start dance lessons. We were driving down the road one day and my mom saw a dance studio, I was then enrolled in classes and have just loved every minute of dancing.
Tell us about your platform, “The Importance of Getting Involved in Extra-Curricular Activities".
My platform focuses on reaching out to students to make them aware of becoming involved in extracurricular activities to make them well rounded students. The main issue I like to address with them is how easy it is for them to become involved with these activities and the benefits they provide. I have a school outreach program I started during my reign where I give an interactive assembly that involves sports, fine arts, and character counts. In this assembly I set up various activities for them to participate in and give them words of encouragement. Finally, the reward for them is that they get a gift at each station and information on how to get involved in those activities in their area.
Tell us about the evening gown you picked for the Miss Kansas’s Outstanding Teen pageant.
I’ve always been a self-proclaimed procrastinator, and for the longest time I could not find a gown I could see myself wearing at the pageant. However, I had a back up dress just in case I couldn’t find “the dress”. The night before the pageant I had a friend come down and show me this dress and I loved it so I tried it on and said, “Okay, looks like this is it!” Ironically enough, I ended up receiving the eveningwear award that night. Now for the gown description, it was a gold strapless dress with a slight full skirt and there were flowers made out of sequins covering the dress.
What would be your most memorable moment at the Miss America’s Outstanding Teen pageant?
I would definitely have to say meeting all of the other 51 contestants. Each and every one of them is amazing and I had a blast the entire time because of them.
What would be your most memorable moment as Miss Kansas’ Outstanding Teen?
Well, one of my favorite appearances was getting to present an award at the Kansas City Royals diamond of dreams event. This organization grants dreams to children who have sicknesses and the child I got to present to, suffered from Cerebral Palsy. Her dream was to compete in a pageant and travel to New York; I will always remember the smile on the young girls face and how happy she was just made my day.
Lastly, what have you been up to since your reign as Miss Kansas’s Outstanding Teen pageant?
Since giving up my title, I have been enjoying a nice laid back summer for a change. I spent the beginning of summer taking a course for school, and working at a dress store, Foggy Bottom. With my job at Foggy Bottom I was given the opportunity to speak at the Dress for Success luncheon, which was an amazing opportunity. Currently, I am in rehearsals for High School Musical 2- On stage. I will be starting junior year in a few days and I am very excited for that adventure I will be taking.