S-S-S-Shut up. SEVEN DAYS?!

Wait… What?

This time next week I will be spending my first night in my hotel room at Miss Texas with my roomie Miss White Settlement 2014, Brittney Tew?

I guess I shouldn’t have eaten that cookie ice cream cake this evening… I guess I am going to have a late night get together with my good friend Gym this evening. (Sorry, Sammy. The chocolate chips were like “Hey, girl…”)

BUT IT WILL BE SO WORTH IT!

I can’t believe it is only a week away that I check in for my very first year at MISS TEXAS since 2009 when I was 17! Can you believe it? My first year back and I’m actually one of the older contestants? 

I am so excited I can hardly even stand it. I’ve been looking forward to this week since I was 17. I always wanted to be MISS Texas. Miss America is my goal now, and I am just ecstatic that I’m about to embark on this lap of the journey.

I do not typically ask to be a part of your nightly prayers, but if you could keep me in mind I would greatly appreciate it. I know I will be praying for calming and relaxed nerves, strength, and continued motivation during the week.

Thank you to everyone who has helped me get this far. Not everyone gets to fulfill a dream, and without my friends and family who have always cheered me on I would not be able to step on stage and say, “Miss North Texas, Logan McCormick.”

The pageant will be on the web. The link should be posted shortly at www.misstexas.org.

If you cannot make it to Richardson to watch, PLEASE scream loud from your homes while watching online!

Thank you again for all of the support, prayers, and positive vibes.

LEGGGGGO!!!

My Story. My Motivation. My Plan.

& We Read All Night to the Longest Blog EVER!...

Hey, friends! Welcome back to my blog! Today’s post is all about my platform and school program!

How often do you look in the mirror and really approve of the image staring back?  Millions of people look at their reflection and don't like their eye color or their hairstyle; they don't feel good about their skin tone or their teeth.  For thousands of individuals, the reason they aren't comfortable with their image is much more severe. These individuals have a facial deformity commonly known as a cleft lip and cleft palate.  This affects ones smile and oftentimes their speech.

Starting around age seven I began what (still) seems like continuous and never-ending train insecurities. When I would look in the mirror I would never see what people told me they saw. Instead of a tall and thin girl, I saw a “fat” and “chunky” reflection. Instead of “beautiful” and “incredible” I saw “ugly” and “boring”. I saw so many negatives that even a positive comment made by someone never made its way to my heart. I felt in my heart that I was this awful, ugly, disgusting person and not someone that anyone could be friends with or fond of.

Throughout high school, I struggled with my weight on and off as well as my self-worth. Fighting the demons in my head telling me I wasn’t good enough was a horrible struggle until I realized something. That something is now my most prized virtue and my platform.

When I was six-years-old, my brother was born. I remember the excitement in the room. When Daxton, my younger brother, finally arrived, I remember vividly the tense and worried looks on the faces of my relatives.  Then it was my turn to finally see my brother, and I will never forget it. It was my turn to hold him. My younger sister and I walked into the hospital room to see him both so excited and mesmerized by the fact we had a brother and a new sibling. I recall stopping dead in my tracks and asking my mom “What’s wrong with his face?”

I saw a hole where one should not be.  Although I didn't know it at the time, approximately one out of every 700-800 individuals born across the world are affected by this particular deformity every year. He had a bilateral cleft lip to be exact. (Both sides of his lips failed to form together or at all.) He is currently 16-years-old and literally the coolest dude I have ever met. He has undergone multiple surgeries to correct his lip, and not once has he EVER complained about being different. THAT is what my constant motivation and reminder is.

My brother was born with a broken smile. LITERALLY. And, here I am throwing pity-parties because nothing ever seemed to spark my perfectly normal smile. I wasn’t using my smile THAT I WAS BORN WITH to keep positive. I wasn’t using my smile to help other people smile and be positive.

Now… I am. I’ve come to learn it is ALL ABOUT PERSPECTIVE.

That is what my school program is about; looking at situations that cause negativity in a new perspective. You can look in the mirror and be sad that your jeans are a little too tight or you can think “I’m blessed to have the life where I even have jeans.” or “I can join that spin class I’ve always wanted to try!” You can be sad that your teeth may not be straight BUT YOU HAVE TEETH! You can remember this:

There are kids literally hidden in closets in third world countries because their parents are ashamed of their smiles because they were born with cleft lips or palates. These kids do not even have the most simple thing such as a smile. We do.

My brother was fortunate in that he was born to parents who had the resources needed to take care of the surgeries he required.  Unfortunately for thousands of individuals, this opportunity is not an option.  The concern I have for these individuals lead me to an organization called Operation Smile.  Founded in 1982, this program supports missions to over 27 countries and has helped more than 130,000 people by providing corrective procedures at little or no cost.  However, I know we cannot stop here.  Together we can make a difference from statewide to worldwide!

As a title holder it’s my job to share my story and inspire others to support and volunteer for those who may fear to show their face. Everyone deserves a confident smile.  We all smile when we are happy, and if I can make the difference in one life, allowing one person to appreciate his or her own smile, then I have been successful. 

I hope to one day hold a marathon for runners to raise money for Operation Smile. The kids in third world countries who do not have the finances or the resources to have a normal smile deserve it. Operation Smile provides these surgeries with donations given by people like you and me. For $240 dollars and 45 minutes, a child’s smile can be made unbroken. They deserve to smile the normal smile that you and I already have. 

My brother has never let his scar from where his deformity once was EVER bring him down. He is able to look in the mirror and feel confident about the image staring back.  My goal is to do what I can to ensure this same response from others when it's their turn to look at their reflection with pride and confidence. Everyone deserves a confident smile. 

Don’t sweat the small stuff. Weight, a break up, a test grade; if your first way of thinking makes you feel worse CHANGE IT. Change your perspective. Change the way you think about it. Do a complete 180 and change your train of thought. We all smile when we are happy, and if I can make the difference in one life, allowing one person to appreciate his or her own smile, then I have been successful. If I can help them change their perspective into a positive way of thinking, then my job has been done.

Remember those kids who can’t smile when you can’t seem to find your own. Remember that if you can’t change the situation you’re in, change the way you think about it.

Let me hear from you when you make those changes! Follow me on Twitter at @whatsyour180 and use the hashtag #thisismy180. I want to hear from you. I want to know your story!

Thank you for reading! I hope to hear from you soon!

Your Miss North Texas 2014,

Logan McCormick

What do a kangaroo and a zucchini have in common?...

Neither one of them can ride a bike! BAZINGAAA!


(Not funny? Oh... Well, I thought it was. It's the fact I tried, right?

Well, it looks like you've made it back to my page. Good! You're in for a treat. A funny treat! This is more geared toward my lady friends. 

BYE BOYS! YOU CAN'T SIT WITH US!


So, I did it. I’ve been asked a ton about how I get my foundation to look so good, and the answer is… I have no idea. 

I mix. 
I match.
I use my fingers.
And, I probably break every rule in the art of make-up.

....So, here is my everyday look.

Cheesy beyond belief.
But, entertaining none the less.

Next week I’ll have a new one to play with? Any suggestions?

I had a blast making this. I did not think Mr. Hardin’s class (my 8th grade TigerVision class) would have to come any use to me almost 8.5 years later. 

{Pause for the cause… WAIT! Am I really that old? Oh, my. No, take me back! PLEASE!}

Get ready to giggle, roll your eyes, and be some-what entertained.

PROCEED… Enjoy. 

Leave funny comments. It’s a cheesy, funny, and goofy little snippet I did for fun! 

Enjoy!

God bless,

Logan McCormick
Miss North Texas 2014

What did the mommy tomato say to the baby tomato?...

CATCH UP! (Get it?!)

Hi, everyone!

WOW! What a beautifully busy past month and a half it has been! I pinky swear to NEVER let this happen again where I don’t provide updates!

I FOUND MY PERFECT DREAM GOWN for Miss Texas! It was the very first one I tried on. I HATED it on the hanger and almost cried when I zipped it up! It fits like a glove, has the unique factor I look for in everything, and it made me feel like Miss America (which, ultimately, is the goal and key to this competition process!)

So, let’s back up! January 8, 2014 was my last date of giving a post. SO MUCH FUN STUFF has happened since then!

Rewind annnnnnnnnnd PLAY:

January 13, 2014 was the beginning of the 24 Day Advocare Cleanse Challenge, AND what a GREAT experience that was! I lost a total of about 5.5 inches on various body parts! How exciting! I HIGHLY recommend this cleanse! If you are in the DFW and are interested, contact Matthew/Kaylyn Sisk. They are sponsors on the Miss Fort Worth/Miss North Texas board, and I am so incredibly thankful for them. I do NOT know what I’d do without my spark.

January 19, 2014 was a PERFECT day: HEADSHOTS AND CROWNSHOTS! Oh my lanta, Zac Grimaldo and Micaela Soto are brilliant. Between his amazing talent in capturing beauty and Mic’s talent at enhancing it with her incredible make-up and hair skills… I firmly believe I will never have a headshot as gorgeous as the one I have for this year’s competition. THANK YOU ZAC AND MICAELA!

January 23, 2014 I had the privilege of attending the Toast to Life Sponsor Party for the Resource Center of Dallas. I was able to see my pageant sister and sell raffle tickets to raise money for the LBGT community. It was an amazing time and I hope to volunteer to help in any way again! 

From left to right: Miss Fairview, Jessica Barrera; Miss Texas, Ivana Hall; Miss Allen, Carissa Peterson; and Miss North Texas, Logan McCormick.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

February 1, 2014 was a fun-filled day! I got to travel to my personal favorite city in Texas: AUSTIN! The special olympics has always been one of my most favorite events to volunteer at. Those children and adults are so happy to be doing all the events. My favorite person I met was named Teagan and he sang me a beautiful Garth Brooks song: “If Tomorrow Never Comes.” I was ecstatic! I cannot wait until the next event this summer!

The Miss Texas/Miss Texas OT Titelholders doing the "victory" sign at the Special Olympics in Austin, TX.

From left to right: Miss Duncanville's OT, Mackenzie Rutledge; Miss North Texas, Logan McCormick; Miss Ellis County's OT, Macy Martin; and Miss Fort Worth's OT, Kendall Nelms getting to race at the Special Olympics in Austin, TX.

Miss North Texas, Logan McCormick modeling on the runway at the Special Olympics in Austin, TX.

The beautiful Miss Texas/Miss Texas' OT Titleholders outside of the Special Olympics in Austin, TX.

 ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

 February 13, 2014 I got to spend my Thursday at the Dallas VA visiting with veterans and passing out hand-written Valentine’s Day cards to wish them a happy day and making sure they knew they were appreciated and loved. I’m a huge supporter of our US military, so it is always an honor to visit with veterans.

Miss North Texas, Logan McCormick giving a Valentine's Card to a veteran at the Dallas VA. "I hope you are feeling so much better, Julio!" -Logan

Miss Denton County's OT, Michaela Larry; Miss Texas, Ivana Hall; and Miss North Texas, Logan McCormick during their visit at the Dallas VA Hospital in Dallas, TX.

Logan stopped to take a photo with her favorite veteran during her visit. "He gave me three Hershey's kisses and told me life was too short not have a kiss in the morning, a kiss in the evening, and sneaking one in between. He was adorable!" -Logan

Logan with the parents of a soldier who just returned home from deployment. "Welcome home, soldier. Thank you for your service. I am eternally grateful for your protection of and loyalty to our country." -Logan

I have a special treat coming up within the next couple of days for you ladies. I hope you will come back and see!

With all the love in my heart,

Logan McCormick

Miss North Texas 2014

My New Year Resolution...

Happy New Year, my friends! I hope you all had a wonderful, safe, and happy holiday season!

What is your New Year resolution?

I’ve never been keen on doing a resolution, but I figured change is always a good thing, and what better way to roll in a NEW year than with a NEW mindset? 

My New Year resolution isn’t “I’m giving up French Fries and Pepsi” or “I’m going to drop 3 jean sizes” because let’s face it, french fries and pepsi keep from actually wearing a smaller size in jeans. Sorry I’m not Sorry!

No, but really. This is year is about looking at myself in a new light and being an advocate for health. My resolution is to be healthy and promote health in my peers and colleagues. Not just health in the fitness community, but healthy minds and mindsets.

My resolution is to love my body and embrace my mind; to respect my own views and appreciate everything about me. Part II of this resolution is to encourage those to do the same. Healthy living isn’t only about eating well and exercising. There are multiple parts to healthy living. Although I am a HUGE advocate for eating right (hey, i realize I love french fries and Pepsi BUT in moderation!) and being physically fit, you have to have the right mindset. If you are constantly criticizing yourself instead of embracing it, you are not living a fully healthy life.

I’m tired of the media defining what is beautiful. There is no definition of it that is correct or even close to it. Beauty is so different, and there are so many varieties of beauty; or genres if you will. 

Women I have always though were beautiful are Kat Von D, Miranda Lambert, Zoe Saldana, Melissa McCarthy, Hayley Williams, and Khloe Kardashian. Yet, the media has always found a way to pin point something negative out about each of them?

WHY?

Because they don’t fit the societal mold of “beautiful.” —? WHAT?

My resolution this year to erase all the media’s ideals and insert my own. The positive ideals. The healthy beliefs. 

I encourage each of you to join me and embark on this journey with me. When you look in the mirror, I challenge you to look at your eyes first and mentally tell yourself something silly - - - “Hey, gorgeous! How you doin’? Your butt looks A-a-amazing in those jeans!” I guarantee that little giggle you just gave yourself with delete anything negative that was going to come out next. There is nothing ugly about anyone; only a pessimistic mind. 

Beyonce currently has a song out now called “Pretty Hurts.”… It doesn’t have to because YOU don’t have to let it.

Be your own kind of beautiful. Start today. Right now.

Now back to Part I of this resolution. The actual physical health aspect. I challenge each of you to start looking at what goes into your body as the good fuel and the bad fuel. I have come to terms with the bad fuel. The bad fuel which I consider processed, fried, fast, and cheap food and pop (or as people here in the south say “coke”) is what really made me look at myself negatively. It made me feel bad and my skin doesn’t agree with it. It doesn’t give you the energy the fresh or organic food has. 

Now, I’m not telling you “Hey Fat Jack! Drop that kolachi and pick up a corn stalk!” I’m telling you to eat your favorite junk in moderation. As I mentioned previously in this post, I love french fries and pepsi, and I may or may not be severely obsessed with frozen yogurt with yogurt chips on the top with white chocolate and caramel syrup and heath bar crumbles… I may or may not be I said. Don’t look at me like that.

I’m saying good fuel regulated positive feelings and mentality as well as physical health.

I’m starting my 24 day detox and clean eating change on Monday, January 13, 2014. I will be documenting those 24 days and sharing how I feel before, during, and after. 

I’m ready to feel even more like a million bucks so I can be the best advocate for feeling good and feeling BEAUTIFUL in my own standard of beautiful. 

Are you ready to look at yourself as your standard of beautiful?

Hey, you. Yes, YOU. I’m talking to you. Lean a little closer.

Just a little closer.

Keep coming… Just a tad closer.

Almost close enough.

you are beautiful. 

Being healthy is so much more than fitness. It's how you use your mind to look at yourself. Love your body and take care of it. Be healthy and be beautiful as you are.

Signing out,

Logan Dawn McCormick

Miss North Texas 2014

All I Want for Christmas is...

I try not to ask for too much over the holidays, but this year I want to ask my friends and family for something special. 

This year while you are celebrating the birth of our Lord Jesus with your loved ones, please say a prayer for those who are celebrating the holiday without one of theirs. I have multiple people who have lost someone this past year, and this will be their first Christmas without a family member or a friend. My heart aches for all of the families, and they deserve our prayers and to know they have our support.

Please say a prayer for peace, strength, and happiness for each of them, and then be sure to thank God for another opportunity to say Merry Christmas and I love you to your loved ones.

I wish each of you a Merry Christmas. May your holiday be filled with joy. Whether we have a close relationship, are relatives, just plain acquaintances, etc.; know you are loved.

Merry Christmas, friend.

Logan McCormick
Miss North Texas 2014

Duck… Duck… Truths.

Happy Friday, friends!

I promised myself I would not put my opinion out in the open, but I was informed I was not a Christian since my view was different from the person who told me this.

Miss Texas 2001, Stacy James Mayo shared this bit on her page today and I agree:
"People who have beliefs and state them on whatever side you are on, have to be tolerant of the other side's rights and believes, because if you don't then you are defeating the whole purpose of what free speech actually is. You actually just then become sort of a hypocrite really. I read that GQ article and surprised Phil even agreed to do it. The writer cusses all through it and takes the Lord's name in vain..and I personally am offended to that. But here were are again with the free speech thing...guess he has a right to do that. I'm not going to buy the magazine, and that's my right. In the end, I am a huge fan of DD and love that they represent the LOVE of Jesus Christ, that family comes first and that they do stick together...which is what they are doing now. I hate that once again it's a "Christian" versus the 'Gay community"....To categorize both of those in that one description is silly. Not all Christians are the same and not all "gay" people are the same. It's stereotypes that always hurt us."

I was born and raised in a home where verses were memorized, crosses were hung, we said our prayers, we learned to love everyone, and if my momma heard "JC!" in vain, I was in big trouble.

It's sad that because my view is different than that of other fellow Christians I'm accused of wanting to rewrite His word to adapt to the modern life or I'm a hell-goer because of my beliefs. 

Wrong.

I believe the Word is truth and His teaching will always be.

I choose to honor my God in what I've been taught, and while doing it with a loving, accepting heart for my brothers and sisters who sin in all different forms, but who are we to block this sin and not the rest of them?

Why do we not shun the NFL? Why do we not shun Hollywood? Adultery? Backstabbing? Anger? Pre-marital sex? Immodest women? Jealousy? Cursing? Arguing? Gambling? Drinking to excess? Using drugs? Tattoos? Cutting your hair? 

What's unfortunate is the people of today ignore all the other sins that believers and nonbelievers do daily as the norm, but homosexuality gets brought up and those who stand for equality get called unChristian-like and tolerable. It's not tolerance, it's acceptance which is also Bible written.

Being tolerant that someone else has a different stance than you is crucial. You don't have to agree with that person, but you have to accept that minds are unique and not all will stand on the same side on every issue. You can stand firm in your faith and beliefs, but you have to understand that someone out there does think differently.

 And, who is Phil Robertson anyway to cause all this ruckus and riot? Are people sincerely surprised that an older, southern man doesn't believe in marriage equality? What earth were you put on? If he were have to responded with "Anyone who smokes a doobie is going straight to Hell!" people would have responded with this much outrage? No. No they would not have. But, then again, that probably wasn't the best analogy because those people are sitting on a cloud eating the munch box from Jack in the Box.

Back to topic: You cannot judge someone for their poison of choice (whether it even be a choice or not!). It's not your job. You were not placed on this earth to do that. God will do that for all of us, and on that day He will do His job of that with stern perfection. 

I respect all those who stand up for God and His Word. I respect all those who accept everyone in their hearts.

But, I refuse to be told I am not a Christian for believing two people in love regardless of gender should be allowed to marry. It all goes back to sin of choice whether it have been a choice or not. It's not tolerance. It's accepting thy neighbor and loving them the same.

Closed minds need to come with closed mouths. Open minds should learn to shut them around closed minds. Accept the differing interpretations and beliefs, and stay firm in what you were taught and have faith in. 

There is a difference in preaching and forcing.

Preach the truth, but do not force someone to believe in your stance. There will always be someone who disagrees regardless of truths. Be an advocate not a judge.

I'm using my first amendment, but we all need to learn to use it wisely.

Happy Holidays,
Logan McCormick

Miss North Texas 2014