Dear Tracy,

I want to thank you so much for including me as part of the pageant and allowing me the opportunity to represent the Dallas Metroplex. That was honestly one of the biggest honors of my life. It was also the one of the best times I have had in the United States. I had the opportunity to meet you and your sisters, who are all sweet sincere and beautiful women, along with the fabulous contestants. I know that I will never forget the moments I spent there.

I want to let you know that when I received the letter stating that I would compete in the pageant as Mrs. Dallas Metroplex, I was a little shocked at first because I was not even born in this country and you still picked me, you had faith in me and my nationality did not matter. All it took was a simple picture and you gave me the chance of a lifetime. I had tears in my eyes when I opened the letter because to me, this was not just about competing in a pageant, it was also about being in a group, a group of American women, I group would belong to. When I was a little girl, at about seven or eight years old, I heard the word “ Dallas” for the first time. It was the first American place I had heard about and I liked the way the word sounded It was short but sounded important. As I grew up and became a teenager, I remember one day I was watching television and I was watching a signer, his name was Kenny Rogers. He caught my attention with his music because it was something completely different than than the salsa I was used to listen to. That is when someone told me he was from Texas and that that was Country Music. My eyes widened and I thought that that was the most beautiful music in the whole world. Texas seemed like a very interesting place to me. So when I received the letter stating the big news, my childhood memories rushed back and I thought maybe things happened for a reason. It also reminded me of the times when played pretend queen. I used to put up a chair on top of a table and sit in it and wave and smile. My only audience was my little brother (but that is only because I sat him down and made him watch and clap for me J ). When you finally sent me my sacs, you were like my fairy godmother and you sent me my wishes and childhood dreams within the letters “Mrs. Dallas Metroplex”.

When I was on that stage, I wasn’t the little girl who wore her mom’s high heels and twirled around in front of the mirror anymore. I felt like something real, I was representing a married woman. Not just any woman, but married women of Texas, of Dallas, Texas. She is the woman who has experience, knowledge and wisdom. At that moment, I felt like a true queen and that the other contestants were right there with me. We were queens for just being who we were. I felt that I had already won. And I felt a big feeling of accomplishment rise inside of me. You made it all possible for me, and all I could think of was thank you and God bless you.

When I first arrived at the pageant, I was anxious because I didn’t know what to expect. I am sure most of us felt the same way, but I had a different reason. I feared the big possibility that someone would have a hard time understanding me because of my strong accent; I thought that I might not be able to connect in some way. But the truth is, all of them tried to find a way to understand me, and if they did not know exactly what I was saying, they all got together and tried to figure it out, they were always patient with me. When our instructors taught us the choreography, everyone one was always attentive and willing to help me understand all the instructions clearly. They even took time off to explain the words that I was not familiar with. That was very very touching for me. All those women were so sweet. Since the first moment of being with the girls, I realized that they would not put up a separation between them and me because of our difference in language and nationality. I realized that the American woman is always willing to help, is a sharing type of person, and is accepting and encouraging to everyone. NO matter what part of the world one comes from, they taught me that women are always women. Women are beautiful inside and out. I am not sure if I will ever see them again, but I will never forget the moments we talked and laughed. I will never forget their kind voices and their light colored eyes that sparkled all the time. Those women are so beautiful, and every one of them is a queen.

Tracy, I want to let you know that you have a great team of assistants!  All of them were so helpful and considerate. Especially Frankie and Tamara! Frankie was a ball of energy! He always kept professional but at the same time he always made us laugh! He always kept our spirits up when times got rough and we became tense. He was like a breeze of fresh air that made us relax. Tamara was as sweet as candy! Besides her gorgeous face, she spreads so much calmness and tranquility and I wanted to be around her all the time! She was such a big support to me!  Tracy, thank you again for all you gave me, for you gave me more then a spot in the pageant. If you ever need any help with your next pageant, I would be happy to be a part of that. Thank you so much for your time and I hope to keep in touch with you.

Sincerely,
Miryam Black

Hi Tracy,
I am so excited about Tracy Elliott. I have a good feeling, I hope and pray she wins in ALL !!! Dave and I would love to fly out and see her compete.
I had a great time and looking forward to next year. I wish I could let every new contestant know that I have competed in several other systems but your pageant is the only one I would return to. The whole package is worth it, not to mention the friends ,staff, and director! Your pageant has a magnetic influence. I want the ladies to know the friendships I have made forever as a result of you. It takes so much time as a director and it also takes a dedicated person to do this. I am still making self improvement goals. Dave and I are a team. we really enjoy doing this. David has also set goals for himself as a result of the pageant. This is a God Deal.  Mrs. Texas America came along for me when I was at my lowest point in life My Father died suddenly from a rare cancer we did not know he had. He had no warning and neither did we. He lived 4 days after entering the hospital. He entered the hospital for a simple gall-bladder surgery and died from Mestholimia. I lost my mother to ovarian cancer 10 years before. David found out about your pageant and sponsored me and the rest is history. My life has changed I am more outgoing, setting goals for myself and improving in areas I would have never done before. I was always working and never taking time for me or any one else. I want the contestants to know it is not about the crown at all, it is getting up and getting out for yourself .I call it the kingdom of self the more you stay there the more you miss out on life. and what you have to offer to others, and they to you. I truly believe what Dave, Tracy and I prayed about, whomever wins God chose. I know Tracy will make an impact on others. I have great feeling about 2007!  I want to influence the others to return and be a part of the Mrs Texas America Family. 
Always remember God is with you! ''LET THERE BE PEACE WITHIN MY WALLS AND PROSPERITY WITHIN MY PALACES' {' Psalms 1:22 7}

Love You Dearly .......Becky King

Hi, Tracy!
Just wanted to say thank you for a great weekend. Jim and I had lots of fun, especially Saturday evening (smile). Tell your sisters, they're awesome. It was a pleasure meeting your family. Thanks again! Tell Tracy Hi, and kick butt at nationals.
Vonya

Hi Tracy,
I can't believe that it is over!!!! I just wanted to say thank you for letting me be apart this year. I am so excited for Tracy, and would like to go to the Mrs. America pageant to support her. I can only go on final night, so when you get the info , please let me know.

It was really tough compeition this year! What a great group of ladies. When you have time, please let me know what I need to work on. Please tell Frankie thanks for everything!!!!

It was awesome, again, thank you. I don't know what I could do to help Tracy get ready, but if there is anything, please let me know........

Thanks again,
Kayla Driver
 

Hi Tracy,
I just wanted to thank you for such a wonderful time at Mrs. Texas. My hubby and I really enjoyed the pageant weekend and so did my family and friends. I will see you next year. (smile) Let me know when I can sign up.

I must say the winner (Tracy Elliott) was very deserving of the title! She is truly the most beautiful Mrs. Texas inside and out. I wish her well at Mrs. America!

Thanks Again,
Angie July :)

Hi Tracy!
I just wanted to tell you that I had such a great first experience at the pageant! I made my goal, which was the top 12!! Yea! Thank you so much for all you've done. I would love to send thank you's to the staff and to the judges if that's possible. The staff was so fun to work with and just made the whole experience great and laid back.

I am so happy for Tracy!! I couldn't have chosen a more lovely, humble and gracious queen. I wish that I could've been at the party to congratulate her and support her, she's a doll.

Thanks again, Tracy, I understand now why it's called family and why girls keep competing.
I think I'll see in 2007!

Lots of hugs! Ashlei Coleman

Hi Tracy
I hope you have recovered from Pageant weekend. We had a really good time. It was so nice to finally have my last guest leave (we had 10 people up for the week). Back to normal I go.

Wanted to know if you release scores, etc. from the pageant.

I look forward to getting my pictures and DVD.

Hope all is well

Denise Brown