My Photo Shoot in Las Vegas

While on my trip to Las Vegas to Miss USA, I had the great opportunity to do a photo shoot with photographer, Ben Urcuyo. I had gorgeous hair and makeup done and was amazed at how great it came out. My shoot was a grueling 5 hours long, but let me tell you, I had a blast! Ben had an incredible energy and a desire to catch the perfect shot. I know he could have completed my shoot hours earlier, but was so impressed that he took the time to capture exactly what he was looking for. I loved the atmosphere of this photo shoot because it was high fashion and original. I was able to do some fun posing, and felt like a real model! I am excited to work with Ben again in the future! If you would like to see more of Ben's work check out Benizo.com!

So....I want to share some of my favorites! : )

My trip to Vegas!

Hey Everyone!

Now that I have had a few days to re-group after my travels, I am excited to share with you all that I was able to do while in Vegas! The week was full of fun surprises, and I am excited to have returned home with some new friendships.

First off, I want to congratulate Nydelis on her amazing accomplishment of walking on the Miss USA stage. Although she did not continue on into finals I could not be more proud of her. She worked so hard throughout her reign and I can honestly say she rocked the stage. She looked incredible up there! I would also like to send my love to Lacey Wilson, Miss MA USA, and Ashley Bickford, Miss CT USA for their accomplishment as well. I could not be more proud of all of our Clemente girls!

I spent my week in Las Vegas at Planet Hollywood with my parents and was busy from start to finish! The Miss USA Organization planned some great appearances for the teens to do while they were there, and we all had a a great time. We were welcomed to Las Vegas and had a gathering thrown for us where fans could come meet us and where all of us teens could meet one another. It was a blast! We also were VIP guests at an event at the Hard Rock Cafe called "Fashion Rocks." I walked the red carpet with Angie, Miss Utah Teen, and we posed for the camera like there was no tomorrow! We had such a good time together. Some of my favorite things that I attended on the trip were watching the Presentation Show where every girl competed, then of course Finals night where the top 15 was named and then the girls competed again. This was an incredible experience and I think it is going to help me on my adventure toward Miss Teen USA. Attending a national pageant is like nothing else I have ever experienced, and I am so blessed to have had such a fabulous learning opportunity that will be prepare me for my own competition this summer.

All in all, this was a trip of a lifetime and I am so happy to walk away with so many incredible memories. If anyone wants to hear more, please feel free to ask because I would love to share! : )

Vegas here I come!

I am so excited to be leaving for Las Vegas, Nevada tomorrow where I will be supporting Nydelis and the rest of the beautiful ladies (especially Lacey and Ashley!) who will be vying for the title of Miss USA. I leave tomorrow afternoon and can't wait! I am so excited to see Nydelis since I haven't seen her in a few weeks, and am looking forward to seeing all of the teens I met at the Standout retreat, and see the other girls I haven't met yet! This is going to be a trip of a lifetime and I am so proud of my girl Nydelis. I know she is going to make us all proud! : )

I will do my best to post some updates!

<3 Shelby

A few weeks ago Nydelis and I made a trip to Boston to attend Ashely Bickford's, Miss CT USA 2010, send-off. She had a great evening planned with a fashion show featuring Bless by Bless clothing with an awesome "rocker chick" theme. I had a great time getting crazy hair and makeup done, and was excited to see many of my sister queens who were attending the show. I had an awesome time, and wish Ashley luck on her journey to Miss USA!

And away she goes!

On April 23rd I made a trip to Castleton, Vermont to wish Nydelis good look before she went to Las Vegas to compete for Miss USA. I got there early to help her set up, and was so excited for the night to begin. I knew that every day we were getting closer and closer to Miss USA, and that meant Nydelis was one day closer to the experience of a lifetime. I am so proud of everything she has done this year, and could never have imagined we would become to close. We set out on a journey together last November, and we have been non-stop since! I am blessed to have such a great sister-queen and can't wait to cheer her on when she rocks the Miss USA stage.

Love and luck, Nydelis!

Princess Party benefitting Relay for Life

Nydelis and I recently attended a Princess Party event that benefitted Relay for Life. This was an especially fun appearance to do because it was our job to make every little girl who attended feel like a princess. When we arrived, we weren't sure what to expect. Quickly the room filled with little girls dressed in everything from Sunday's best, to Disney Princess costumes. They were all so cute! The afternoon was full of makeovers, mask-making, and of course dancing! The girls had so many questions to ask of "a real princess," and it was fun to see how the smallest things can make little kids happy. I had a blast with the girls. It made me feel great that even I, a high school student from a small Vermont town, could bring a smile to the faces of so many little girls. This was an exciting appearance, that I hope to attend next year!