Mrs. Missouri at Divas Dancing For Divas a Breast Cancer Awareness

This was not your typical Breast Cancer Awareness Fundraiser. Much like a 5k, women registered and were given a paper to wear in honor of who they were dancing for. We learned a dance routine and performed it all together. I had a blast and am so proud of Carla Mock for coming up with such a successful event! If you like to some of Carla's classes visit http://www.fimbwellness.com.

Mrs. Missouri at Spirit Girls Night Out for North Kansas City Hospital

Ladies kicked off their shoes and let their hair down at North Kansas City Hospital’s second Spirit Girls’ Night Out event. During this free event in the Power & Light District, the first 200 women receive hors d’oeuvres, wine, an exclusive gift bag and prizes, plus the opportunity to register for a $1000 VISA gift card. The event continues in the KC Live! Block where women became empowered to take action for their own health with free screenings, interactive discussions on the latest healthcare topics and an opportunity to talk one-on-one with physicians. The evening ended with a live performance from the local band, Identity Crisis.

Mrs. Missouri article by Kay Hoflander in the Examiner

Take positive risks at any age, says Mrs. Missouri America
By Kay Hoflander
Special to The Examiner
Posted Oct 14, 2009 @ 11:02 PM
Lafayette County, MO —

“I’ve found that luck is quite predictable. If you want more luck, take more chances. Be more active. Show up more often.” – Brian Tracy, author and motivational speaker


Heather Chatlos, Kansas City’s own 2009 Mrs. Missouri America, has jumped out of airplanes. No problem.
However, she says the idea of walking on stage and down a ramp wearing spike heels and a swimsuit was far more risky.
No kidding. Most women at any age over 19 consider shopping for and trying on swimsuits to be an utterly frightening experience, let alone wearing one in a competition. Yikes!
Ladies, you know our swimsuit theme song: “She was afraid to come out of the locker; she was afraid that someone would see .... she wore an itsy-bitsy, teeny-weeny yellow polka-dot bikini…”
Twenty-seven-year-old Heather wasn’t afraid. Instead she took on the challenge, knowing well the old adage that “the fruit is on the limb.” One just has to crawl out there to reap the rewards.
As a result of overcoming her self-doubts and after two and a half years of trying, Heather won the crown.
She will reign until March, when – guess what – her mentor, Bobbi, will try her hand and enter the competition. Bobbi is a 50-something, Heather’s former church youth group leader and old enough to be Heather’s mom.
Good for Bobbi. I am impressed and will be watching from the safety of my living room, cheering her on.
Heather explains why she and women like Bobbi take such a risk, “If you ever have that inkling and wonder if I can do something, go ahead and try. I’ll bet you can. You are never too old to try something new. When I walked off that stage after the swimsuit competition, I thought to myself, well, at least I didn’t fall. I did it and had fun, too.”



That is the premise of Heather’s platform, “Empowering women to take positive risks in their lives.” Most contestants choose a platform to help their favorite charity, Heather says, but instead, she focused on the idea of going after one’s dreams.
It doesn’t have to be a beauty pageant, she explains, “Judges in a beauty pageant are just five people and their opinion is theirs. What really matters in anything you do is what you think of yourself.”
Whether you win the crown, land the new job, get the promotion or tackle living life by yourself for the first time, Heather says it is the journey that counts.
“The journey is bigger than the event itself.”
She recalls watching the Mrs. America Pageant on national television a few years ago and especially enjoying the segment in which each contestant competed in the state costume competition. She turned to her husband and said, “That looks like fun, an adventure. I think I’ll try it.”
I can identify with women like Heather and Bobbi.
Nearly five years ago I decided to write a newspaper column again after a couple of decades of raising kids with no time to write. I admit it; I was frightened at first, “What if no one reads what I write, what if they don’t like it and what if no one publishes it?”
Like Heather, it still sounded fun to me, so I literally took a deep breath and tried my hand at writing again. And as Heather points out, it is the adventure and the journey itself that counts. If one has fun, it works. Simple as that.
To be perfectly clear, however, I won’t be wearing a swimsuit on stage any time soon, but I’ll cheer for you if you do.
Instead, maybe I will just get over my apprehension of writing a new book and get started. Perhaps, I will crawl out on that “taking a positive risk” limb with Heather and Bobbi. Wanna join us?

Mrs. Missouri at Blue Jean Bling for Turning Point

We attended a wonderful charity dinner called Blue Jean Bling with good friends on October 10th. (It's a queen's dream!) There were fashion pieces on display and an auction portion. We were evening treated by the evenings sponsors with Krispy Kreme donuts and delicious coffee.
This event supports Turning Point through a charity gala event benefiting the many services and programs provided to adults, children and families impacted by the diagnosis of cancer or other serious or chronic illnesses. Turning Point’s mission is to empower and transform the mind, body, and spirit of individuals, families, and friends living with serious or chronic physical illness. We provide innovative education services and tools that inspire people to take charge of their illness and live life to its fullest.

The diagnosis of a serious or chronic physical illness is a life-altering experience. Now there is a place where the community can find support and educational information; a place where they can embrace hope and embark on the path to healing. Welcome to Turning Point, the only center in the Kansas City metro area offering comprehensive programming to address the psychological, social, emotional, and physical needs that accompany a serious or chronic physical illness. For more information please visit www.turningpointkc.org

Mrs. Missouri at Pumpkins in the Park

This was a wonderful FREE event for children in this Kansas City neighborhood. The chilly temperature didn't stop the kids from painting pumpkins and eating cotton candy. I handed out princess crowns to all of the little princesses to get them ready for Halloween.
Location: St. Luke's United Methodist Church
www.stlukeskc.org

Mrs. Missouri Runs Gladstone Scarecrow 5k

On October 4, 2009, my husband, Dave and I ran the Gladstone Scarecrow 5K Run/Walk. This was the 15th Annual Gladstone Scarecrow 5K Run/Walk, sponsored by Gladstone Parks and Recreation, Gladstone Hy-Vee and Gladstone Rotary Club. All of the proceeds from this event were donated to the Northland Christmas Store. We believe strongly in trying our best to live a healthy and active lifestyle. Send me an email if you'd like to join us for our next run!
MrsMissouri2009@gmail.com

Heather Speaks on Platform Development at Pageant Workshop-10/3/09

On Ocotber 3rd, I was able to meet some lovely young women and speak with them about becoming a model or entering a pageant. I was accompanied by some industry professionals to help explain all of the different parts of pageantry. I specifically spoke on the importance of platform development. I once heard that volunteering was our debt for having the blessings that we have in our lives. I fully believe that and feel that volunteering and being active in your community is an important characteristic at any age. I had a great time meeting these ladies!
~Heather