Tivika's Blog
August 30, 2009
Virginia Takes the Crown!
It was a long flight to Kansas City from Virginia, but it was worth every moment of it. Competing for the title of Mrs. Essence has been an experience of a lifetime, an experience that my husband and I will never forget. This weekend I had the opportunity to meet so many beautiful, talented, and successful women. I am honored to have met each contestant.
When I decided to compete in this pageant, I knew that it would be one of the best pageant experiences of my life. Boy was I right! The Drakeford Productions staff really knows how to treat each delegate like a queen. I knew right away when the staff started doing the “Stanky Leg” at orientation that this was going to be a fulfilled weekend.
All of the months that my husband and I spent preparing to compete in this pageant were well worth it. Aside from winning the national title, having my husband win the Essence Husband of the Year Award was the icing on an already delectable cake! I am truly appreciative to the many people who helped me in my quest to win the national title. It goes without saying that “TEAMWORK MAKES THE DREAM WORK.”
Over the next year, I will be sharing my experiences as Mrs. Essence with you through this blog. It is my goal to raise awareness on my platform, “Take a Look in the Mirror: Building a Positive Self-Esteem.” As a national titleholder, I intend to make a positive impact both in my community and beyond.
am excited about the forthcoming year!
Queenly,
Vika Taswell-Richardson
Mrs. Essence 2009
“Her Story in the Making”
September 7, 2009
Cake, Candles, Balloons, and More…
I would like to wish Alana Simmons, Miss Essence 2009, a HAPPY BIRTHDAY! I would also like to wish Sue Drakeford, Executive Director of the Miss Essence & Mrs. Essence Pageants a HAPPY BIRTHDAY! These ladies will be playing a HUGE role in my life over the next year. I am happy to know that I now have two new sisters, Alana and Sue, that I can lean on whenever I need them. This week Alana and I have been working with our “Big Sister” Sue in order to arrange appearances and media contact for the year of our reign. Alana and I are going to be doing so many great things this year. Stay tuned!
September 30, 2009
Toys, Toys, Toys!
As the holiday season begins, let us remember the children across the nation who will be in need of a little holiday cheer. This year, Miss Essence, Alana Simmons and I are encouraging YOU to donate toys and/or funds to the United States Marine Corps Toys for Tots charity. We believe that as queens, it is important for each one to reach one. Join us this holiday as we lend a hand to the USMC Toys for Tots charity. Please visit http://www.toysfortots.org to find out how YOU can get involved.
Queenly,
Vika Taswell-Richardson
MRS ESSENCE 2009
October 5, 2009
Mirror, Mirror, on the wall…
As many of you know, my platform is “Take a Look in the Mirror: Building a Positive Self-Esteem.” This week I am encouraging everyone to visit DOVE Corporations website (http://www.campaignforrealbeauty.com)to find out how YOU can take an active role in helping young ladies in your community to build positive and healthy self-esteems. Earlier this year, I adopted the Girls of Excellence program at South Morrison Elementary School in Newport News, VA. This school year, I will be working with a fabulous group of fifth grade girls and facilitating several self-esteem workshops. I am excited about meeting the new young ladies!
Queenly,
Vika Taswell-Richardson
MRS ESSENCE 2009
November 29, 2009
Does anyone need a fireman?
For the past year, my mother and sister have been bugging me to watch some movie that in their words “Should make a profound impact on my life as a married woman.” After all these months of begging me to watch this movie, my mother finally gave me my own copy. When she gave it to me she made me promise her that I would watch it not just once or twice but often. She made me promise her that I would watch the movie alone at first and then watch it with my husband, Eric. Well, I vowed to do these things and I commenced to receive this heartfelt gift which sat patiently awaiting its first viewing for another two weeks. I said I wouldn’t make much of it, so I sat down one Sunday evening and watched the movie, alone of course just as I had promised my mother.
Halfway through this movie I thought, “Man! Why did I wait so long to watch this movie? This movie is really good!” About five minutes later, Eric arrives home and I immediately tell him that there is this movie that we should really sit down and watch together. He agreed, and before I knew it, we were in the living room watching this heart wrenching movie. By the time the movie had ended I was in tears. Eric was speechless. We knew that this movie was going to change the way that we looked at each other, the way that we looked at our marriage, the way that we looked at the vows that we took on our wedding day.
Watching this film together sparked some really important and meaningful conversations between us. So, I wanted to share this movie with all of you. The name of the movie is “Fireproof” and it stars Kirk Cameron. I won’t give up the plot synopsis; I’ll leave that up to you all to research. I highly recommend this movie to anyone who is married, thinking about getting married, or still believing God to bring the right mate into his or her life. Let’s just say that this movie was a blessing to watch and I wanted to share it with all of you.
P.S. My mom also bought me “The Love Dare” audio book for Christmas. This is a companion to the “Fireproof” movie. Check it out!
http://www.fireproofmymarriage.com/
December 6, 2009
A Holiday DP Style
Since the summer, I have been looking forward to taking my winter trip to Kansas City. Sue promised Alana and me that we would have a great time and we would be extremely productive. Boy was she right! As soon as Alana and I got off of the plane, Sue kept us moving. First stop, Sue’s house to unpack and prepare for the DP Christmas Party. While we were there, Alana and I watched the Essence Pageant DVD. It was fun to reminisce about the pageant weekend. Later, we got all dolled up for the Christmas party and dinner. Sue really knows how to keep a party going. There was so much food and the decorations were lovely. I had so much fun I don’t even remember going to bed.
The next morning we were up early to do a radio interview with “Generation Rap.” This was my first time being in the studio for a radio show. I wanted to laugh when I got there because the first thing that ran through my mind when I entered the studio that morning was the “Martin” show and how he would say “Wuz up! Wuz up! Wuz up?” For a moment, I put all that to the side and quickly slid into MRS ESSENCE mode and greeted all of the “G-Rap” hosts. It felt good to know that I had friends and family back in VA tuning in online. After we left the radio station, Sue took us on a little tour of Kansas City followed by breakfast at a chic spot in the city. We were all tired after the long day before and the early rise, so we took a nap to get recharged for the six-hour photo shoot ahead.
After our nap, we packed up the car and headed over to Stacey’s photo studio. This building is AMAZING!!! I love his studio. Stacey is an amazing photographer who I love working with. Alana and I took some great pictures. (Stay tuned for the 2010 marketing materials!) I had so much fun at the photo shoot. Most of all, I enjoyed spending quality time with Sue and Alana. After our photo shoot, Sue took us to my new favorite restaurants of all time. I love soul food, but the soul food we ate at this place is not like anything I have ever tasted in my life. I can’t wait to go back there the next time I am in KCMO. We had an early flight the next morning so we had to get back to the house to get some sleep. I really didn’t want to go home yet, but we needed to get back to VA. Sue is such a gracious hostess. She really knows how to make her queens feel like QUEENS!!! I love it!
Girls, Girls, Girls, Girls, Girls I do adore!
December 18, 2009
Last month I started another year with the Girls of Excellence program at South Morrison Elementary School in Newport News, VA. At this month’s meeting, I had the opportunity to bring along three of my varsity cheerleaders to help me get started. This was a special event. My cheerleaders and I taught the girls some teambuilding activities and we also taught them some of our coveted varsity cheers.
Just when the fun began, the pizza arrived and we had the chance to sit down with the girls, eat and talk girl talk for a while. Afterward, we packed up the buses and headed over to Newport News Park where we completed the “Human Race” walk through the annual parade of lights. It was such a fun evening. I am glad that we had the opportunity to get to know the new girls in the GOE program. I am looking forward to going back in January to conduct a skin care seminar with the girls.
Happy New Year Wish
My Happy New Year wish for you
Is for your best year yet,
A year where life is peaceful,
And what you want, you get.
A year in which you cherish
The past year’s memories,
And live your life each new day,
Full of bright expectancies.
I wish for you a holiday
With happiness galore;
And when it’s done, I wish you
Happy New Year, and many more.
By Joanna Fuchs
I just wanted to share this great poem with all of you. Happy New Year!—Vika
