Music Adventures: Flashback Friday and Now

Music Adventures Abroad!

A little "Flashback Friday" moment to start this blog. In November I had an amazing adventure in Vienna and one of my favorite things that I did was go to the Opera. Music is all around us, but in Europe it is especially prevalent and revered in the culture. When you walk into the Vienna Opera House it takes your breath away with the sparkling chandeliers and sky high seats. The show I saw was Hansel Und Gretel and it was absolutely delightful.

A long established tradition in the opera house is that they sell "standing room only" tickets where you literally stand during the entire show next to a metal bar. To save your spot once you get there you need to have a scarf to tie around the bar as well. It was delightful to learn about all of these traditions! My favorite thing though about attending the opera was seeing the huge range of ages, and the sheer magnitude of appreciation for the arts of everyone in attendance. Music was so loved and cherished in that environment and I wish that I could take everyone I know to the opera so they could experience that kind of passion and camaraderie.

As a Music Educator, the value of the arts in schools and creating that drive and passion in students is something I strive for every day. I am so proud of the students that I work with here in the great state of Iowa. Only a few short weeks until I have the opportunity to compete for Miss Iowa and the chance to make a difference on a larger level with my "Music Shapes Minds" platform! 

Thank you everyone for all of your continued support! I couldn't do it without you!

Sincerely,
Miss Metro 2016 Meredith Olson

Sing-A-Long with Miss Metro!

Sing-A-Long with Miss Metro!

This week has been crazy, wonderful, and full of amazing things! 

I started off the week with my first day of student teaching as well as by leading a Sing-A-Long at Oaknoll Retirement home and it was a blast. The residents were so welcoming and when I arrived, the sweetest lady offered to show me where the recreation room was for where my event would take place. Little did I know, I was connected to this lady! But I will save that for a little later. 

Right now I am student Teaching in Marion, Iowa and I every day I grow more and more excited about my future teaching. Bringing music into the minds of our students and community brings me so much joy. My platform, Music Speaks, focuses on this joy and the fact that music is a necessary part of our education system and in bringing the community closer together. 

On Saturday I took the Praxis II exam in order to be eligible for my teaching license and I PASSED! Needless to say, it was a fantastic Saturday!

Could you imagine growing up without music in your life? I could not!

Alright, back to the lovely lady who helped me find the recreation room. We started chatting on our walk, she introduced herself as Helen and I told her about my student teaching. Well, my second student teaching placement will be at City High here in Iowa City, and I found out that Helen was the piano accompanist there over 30 years ago! One of the teachers I will be studying under at City High was one of her students and she remembers him vividly. I asked if we could take a "selfie" to show this teacher and she thought that was a great idea! I am definitely looking forward to updating Helen on my student teaching journey.

Oaknoll had a beautiful baby grand piano for me to play for the Sing-A-Long.

This is a group picture of all of the fantastic residents who came out to sing with me. The handsome man on my arm wanted to be my boyfriend and I didn't have the heart to tell him that position was already taken. He was the loudest singer of the entire group. I hope all of my future students are as enthusiastic as he was! 

This program went so well that Oaknoll has invited me back to do weekly Sing-a-longs all throughout the residences. I cannot wait to continue spreading happiness through my music platform on my journey to Miss Iowa and as Miss Metro 2016!

                                               Sincerely, Miss Metro Meredith Olson

Make a Difference Everyday!

Today for Martin Luther King Jr. Day I volunteered at a local Hyvee collecting cans and other goods for a our homeless shelter and Crisis Center here in Johnson County. It was so joyous to see how big people's hearts were. One man handed myself and fellow volunteers a 100 dollar bill and without a word walked away. I could feel my jaw dropping but I managed to say thank you. I was in shock! People had been donating all morning but this man, who seemed like he might have needed a little help himself, handed me a crisp $100, smiled and walked away. It is so amazing how wonderful people can be when helping others.

One man came up to us and told us about another less-known shelter that had nearly nothing. This man, "Bradley" told me about an abandoned apartment building that was being used for overflow for both men and women. He described cramped quarters with one small bathroom and just one microwave for cooking any sort of food. He said that they often receive clothing donations but that they barely receive food. Bradley spoke with such passion to help his fellow friends at this center I just had to do something. So, I stocked up on microwave foods, baked a big batch of cupcakes and headed over to the office building he had described. You should have seen the look on his face when I walked through the door. "You came! You really came!" he shouted as he rushed towards me, tears just peaking out of his eyes and then I was engulfed in an enormous bear hug. 

People donated over 3 car loads full of goods! WOW!

It is moments like this that truly make living wonderful. To make a difference in someone else's day is all I can ever hope for. Often times we overlook the less funded, the less well known, and maybe even the "homeless stereotypes." They need our help too. Everyone deserves a chance for a warm meal and a bed tonight. Please go out and find the people that need your help. Especially in this cold weather times are especially hard and the smallest gesture of kindness can make a HUGE difference.

I know I cannot wait to go see Bradley again so I can bring more cupcakes and hope to get to know him better and brighten his day. His gratitude and ability to help others in need even in his immense state of poverty shows that every action is important!

"Be the change you wish to see in the world"

Yours Truly,

Miss Metro 2016 Meredith Olson

Here we go with Miss Metro!

Hello and welcome to the official blog of Miss Metro 2016 Meredith Olson! 

Let me introduce myself.

The Miss Greater Des Moines/ Miss Metro Pageant was the first pageant that I have ever competed in. As a "newbie" I must say that all of the pageant stereotypes are false! I have made so many wonderful friends in the process and I am still making new ones through the amazing Miss America Organization everywhere I go. Miss Iowa will be here before I know it. I hope to keep you all updated on my journey through the MAO and all of the fantastic learning experiences along the way!

 I am a proud Hawkeye at the University of Iowa studying to be a K-12 Music Educator. In May I will walk across the stage in cap and gown so happy and proud of all of the hard work I have done in my undergraduate program.

 My platform, Music Speaks, stresses the importance of keeping music in schools. Growing up my life has always been full of song and I think every student should have the opportunity to have music in their educational setting. Music gives students the chance to move around, to be loud and to express themselves while the rest of their academic day might be more rigid. Students are told to sit still, be quiet, listen, and "do what they are told" 90% of their day, so the fine arts give the students a chance to wiggle, be loud and to just be kids!

 This is my beautiful sister queen, Miss Greater Des Moines Molly. It is a joy to have a veteran pageant girl to be at my side through swimsuit choices, interview prep, volunteering and everything in between.

  

I am a world traveler. For Thanksgiving this year I traveled all over Austria with my mom and I have so many amazing memories to be thankful for. My traveling has exposed me to cultures, music and customs from all around the world. I have visited 8 different countries and I hope to expand the list soon! I had the opportunity to see the Opera while in Vienna and to walk on the very same grounds that the Sound of Music was filmed.

        I am an avid supporter and participator of the arts here at the University of Iowa. This summer I played the role of Vittoria in Gilbert and Sullivan's The Gondoliers. Performing is something I absolutely love to do and I have done so in a multitude of ways. To start I have sung and played keyboard for a band called No Coast locally in Iowa City, I have sung for the concert series at the Iowa Public Library "A Little Lunch Music" as well as many performances with the University of Iowa's choirs. One of my favorite singing performances was when I was able to sing for a group of high schoolers and talk about my passion for music and to show them that a career in music is possible and an excellent choice.

I have one sibling, my quick witted, fun and quirky younger sister Marissa. If you ever get the chance to meet her, she is TALLER than me. I am wearing heels in this picture. She would want you to know that.

Well there you have it! A little glimpse into the life of Miss Metro 2016! I will be sure to update again soon. You can also keep track of my journey to Miss Iowa on my facebook page: Miss Metro 2016 Meredith Olson. Thank you to all of my supportive friends and family. I would not be here without all of you.

Lots of love, Miss Metro Meredith Olson