Recent Happenings
Science Storytime at the New Effington Community Center
I read Goodnight Astronaut during a STEM storytime at the New Effington Community Center in South Dakota. I even met some future astronauts there, too!
Wilmington Riverfront in Delaware
I visited the Wilmington, Delaware’s Riverfront.
I visited Dearborn Heights, Michigan
We had a library storytime scheduled, but after the main library lost power (due to storms), I ended up donating the books and doing a meet and greet at the town’s other library and city hall.
Science Storytime at the Palms-Rancho Park Library in LA
Ms. Woman United States and I stopped by the Palms-Rancho Park branch of the Los Angeles Public Library to read some space-themed books to their kiddos!
Book Donations for Idaho Library
I dropped off some STEM book donations at the Bear Lake County Library in the beautiful state of Idaho!
A trip to Savannah, Georgia
I went to Savannah, Georgia for the American Society of Plant Biologists Conference.
I visited Harper’s Ferry, West Virginia
I visited Harper’s Ferry, West Virginia with photographer Andy Jones.
A Short Trip to Chicago
I visited friends in downtown Chicago, Illinois.
A Meet and Greet at Peebles Farm and Corn Maze in Arkansas
I attended a butterfly release and meet and greet at the Peebles Farm and Corn Maze in Arkansas.
STEM Storytime at Muscle Shoals Public Library
I read Ada Twist, Scientist during a STEM storytime at the Muscle Shoals Public Library in Alabama.
STEM Workshops at Bon Lin Middle School in Tennessee
I visited Bon Lin Middle School (where I graduated from in 2013!) to talk with students about careers in STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math) and host engineering workshops for three of Bon Lin’s STEM classes.
Visiting some Kentucky Wildflowers
I stopped by some wildflower fields in northern Kentucky with Hometown Photography!
American Computer & Robotics Museum and the Montana Science Center
I visited the American Computer & Robotics Museum in Bozeman, Montana, and also stopped by the Montana Science Center for a ‘Shark Lady’ storytime!
Science Storytime at the Cokeville Public Library in Wyoming
A Dinosaur Lady storytime at the Cokeville Public Library in Wyoming.
Science Storytime in Newburgh, Indiana
I visited Newburgh Elementary School in southern Indiana, where I graduated from in 2011! I read STEM books to the K-2 students and toured the school.
Celebrating the Autumn Equinox in Virginia
Celebrating the Autumn Equinox with photographer Andy Jones in Northern Virginia.
Science Storytime at the Explorium Children’s Museum
I read Ada Twist, Scientist during a science storytime at the Explorium Children’s Museum in Denton, Texas.
Science Storytime in North Dakota
I hosted a “Charlotte the Scientist” storytime at the Hankinson Library in North Dakota.
STEM NOLA and Johnson & Johnson STEM Festival
I attended the STEM NOLA and Johnson & Johnson Health Fair and STEM Festival in New Orleans, Louisiana.
NASA Crew-7 Launch and Kennedy Space Center Tour
A sister queens night with Miss United States titleholders and Cindy Christi of Get Media Ready at Redondo Beach.
Los Angeles Trip with my Miss United States Sister Queens
A sister queens night with Miss United States titleholders and Cindy Christi of Get Media Ready at Redondo Beach.
Science Storytime at the Clark Planetarium in Salt Lake City
I read “On a Beam of Light”, a story about Albert Einstein, at the Clark Planetarium in Salt Lake City, Utah!
A Free Event at the Children’s Museum of Cleveland
A free event at the Children’s Museum of Cleveland for families living in the Central, AsiaTown, MidTown, Hough, Fairfax, St. Clair Superior, & Glenville neighborhoods surrounding the Museum.
Science Storytime (and a flight) with Airway Science for Kids
I stopped by Airway Science for Kids, a nonprofit that promotes STEAM education and aviation access for underserved youth. I read ‘Rosie Revere, Engineer’ to kids at their Open Science Saturday and took a flight with their staff!
Paleontology Storytime at the Cleveland Museum of Natural History
A paleontology story-time at the Cleveland Museum of Natural History! I read “Dinosaur Lady: The Daring Discoveries of Mary Anning, the First Paleontologist” to kids at the museum and got a special tour of exhibits and new construction!
Arapahoe County Fair in Colorado
Quilts of Valor is an organization created to “cover service members and veterans touched by war with comforting and healing Quilts.” I got to sew a quilt block and helped present two veterans with Quilts of Valor at a ceremony. After, I attended a Mutton Bustin’ event!
Visiting the Alaska Museum of Science and Nature and Alaska Botanical Garden
I held Science Storytimes at the Alaska Museum of Science and Nature and at the Alaska Botanical Garden.
Visiting the Children’s Hospital in Anchorage
I met some wonderful kids at the Children’s Hospital at Providence in Anchorage, Alaska! We read Rosie Revere, Engineer together and each kid picked out a STEM book from Art Technically to take home.
Barbie Butterfly Photoshoot
Check out this gorgeous pink butterfly gown by Aleta! Photos by Christy Portrait Reflections in Richmond, Virginia.
COLE Foundation Fundraiser
The COLE Foundation (children’s organization of lending equipment) provides adaptive equipment (such as wheelchairs, walkers, and activity chairs) to children in need. I participated in the COLE Foundation’s first annual Wheels for Freedom motorcycle ride and fundraiser in Prescott, Wisconsin.
My Twin Sister Graduated from EOD School
My twin sister just graduated from Explosives and Ordinance (EOD) school where she trained to diffuse and dispose of bombs!
Vegas Trip
I visited the Venetian and Imaginarium in Las Vegas, Nevada.
Walking for Breast Cancer Awareness with the Perfectly Pink Project
I participated in a virtual fashion show with the Perfectly Pink Project to raise awareness for breast cancer.
Myrtle Beach International Culture Festival
Miss South Carolina US and I hosted a STEM table at the Myrtle Beach International Culture Festival! We signed autograph cards and handed out STEM prizes to kids attending the festival.
Turtle Talk with the Sunset Beach Turtle Watch
t the Sunset Beach Turtle Watch Sunday Turtle Talk, Miss South Carolina United States and I talked with community members, signed autograph cards, and handed out turtle goodies to kids! I also read “I’II Follow The Moon” which donates proceeds to sea turtle conservation nonprofits.
Storytime at Love County Library in Southern Oklahoma
I visited the Love County Library in Southern Oklahoma! We read “Luna Muna”, a story about a little girl that goes to space.
Visiting the Kindred Spirit Mailbox in Sunset Beach
I had the incredible opportunity to hike Sunset Beach with the passionate team from the Sunset Beach Turtle Watch.
Visiting Omaha, Nebraska
I visited Omaha, Nebraska during my midwest library tour.
Storytime at the Hamburg Public Library in Iowa
Big thanks to the Hamburg Public Library in Iowa for hosting a STEM Storytime with me! I read “How to Code a Sandcastle” and gave out science goodies including mini kinetic sand buckets!
Storytime at the Lordsburg-Hildago Library in New Mexico
I had the honor of visiting the Lordsburg-Hildago library in New Mexico to host a STEM storytime! I read “An Astronaut with a Song for the Stars” about Ellen Ochoa, the first Latina astronaut and former director of Johnson Space Center.
Pretty in Pink with Portrait Reflections
Some pics from my photoshoot with Christy at Portrait Reflections in Richmond, Virginia.
Book Donations for Rock Port Elementary in Missouri
I dropped off some STEM book donations and personalized autograph cards for summer school students at Rock Port Elementary in Rock Port, Missouri.
STEM Storytime at the Morrill Public Library in Hiawatha, Kansas
I had an incredible time at the Morrill Public Library in Hiawatha, Kansas, sharing the magic of books with the bright minds of tomorrow!
Hiking Devil’s Bridge in Sedona
Such a magical landscape in Sedona, Arizona on the Devils Bridge trail!
Visiting Grounds for Sculpture in New Jersey
I visited, Grounds for Sculpture, as large scale sculpture garden in New Jersey.
May Photoshoots
May photos from Hannah Clair Townsley photography in Memphis and from Overton Park.
Honorary Induction into the West Sand Lake Fire Department
I was made an honorary member by my friends at the West Sand Lake Fire Department! So thankful for all that they do to keep our community safe!
Visit to Johnathan Kayne’s Studio with the United States Queens
Project Runway star Johnathan Kayne designs the Miss United States opening number dresses every year, and I was so excited to go to his Nashville studio to pick up a few gowns and design a custom opening number dress for the competition in October!
Pat Tillman Honor Run in NYC
I visited NYC for the Pat Tillman Honor Run! The 4.2 mile race and after-party/raffle raised $20,000 for the Pat Tillman Foundation which honors Pat Tillman’s legacy by awarding scholarships to outstanding military service members and veterans.
Happy April 25th from Miss United States!
I’m celebrating April 25th, the most iconic date in pageantry, by recreating looks from the Miss Congeniality movie!
Easter at the Memphis Zoo
I volunteered at a Bunny Brunch at the Memphis Zoo to celebrate Easter.
I Recorded Overhead Messages for the Memphis Airport
Keep your ears open the next time you’re in Memphis International Airport; you might hear a familiar voice!
Miss United States Tiffany Photoshoot
Miss United States Tiffany photoshoot in Memphis with Heather Strickland Photography
March Photoshoots
March photos from Heather Strickland photography in Memphis, Andy Jones in DC, and NYC!
Boston St. Patrick’s Day Parade
Happy St. Patrick’s Day from the Boston St. Patrick’s Day Parade!
Albany St. Patrick’s Day Parade
Happy St. Patrick’s Day from the West Sand Lake Fire Department and the Albany St. Patrick’s Day Parade!
Judging Mock Interviews with The Riley Rules
Caught up with Mary Marsha Riley and helped judge mock interviews!
Sister Queen Saturday
Celebrating my sister queens Katie, Kyndal, and Latoya today!
American University NYC Alumni Reception
Last night, I had the pleasure of introducing the panelists for an American University alumni reception in NYC!
New Miss United States Autograph Cards!
Check out these new Miss United States autograph cards from the Code Creatives.
NYC Trip with Ms. New York
Ms. New York and I spent the weekend together in the city and saw Disney’s Aladdin on Broadway!
Valentine’s Day Cards for Meals on Wheels 2023
“Love Letters” is an Art Technically workshop that teaches students introductory coding through creating Valentine’s Day cards that are then printed and donated to senior meal delivery services. This year was the seven-year anniversary of the Love Letters project!
Valentine’s Day Party at the Bennington Senior Center
I had so much fun visiting seniors and giving out Valentine’s Day cards at the Meals on Wheels program in Bennington, Vermont yesterday for their Valentine’s Day lunch! Homebound seniors in the program also got a Valentine’s Day card delivered with their meal.
Happy Valentine’s Day!
Happy Valentine’s Day from Miss United States!
Delivering Valentine’s Day Gifts to the Maine Children’s Hospital
I visited patients at the Maine children’s hospital and brought science kits, craft kits, STEM/STEAM books (including Baby Loves Science board books), and scientist and artist Barbie dolls as gifts.
International Day of Women and Girls in Science
Happy International Day of Women and Girls in Science!
Valentine’s Day with the New England Children’s Home
I worked with the New England Children’s Home to deliver science kits and books to their residents and led a Valentine’s Day craft workshop with the lower grades.
Teaching Workshops for Black Families Technology Awareness Day
I taught two STEM workshops for elementary and middle school students at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute’s Black Families Technology Awareness Day with Art Technically!
I was named to the Memphis 20 under 30
I’m so grateful to have been named one of Memphis’ 20 under 30! You can read the full cover story on memphisflyer.com.
STEM Workshops at Rivercrest Elementary
Are you volunteering for MLK Day? I taught STEM workshops at a Title 1 elementary school in Memphis, Tennessee.
Visiting LEGOLAND Florida [sponsored]
I had so much fun at LEGOLAND Florida! There were lots of STEM activities, fun rides, and tons of LEGOs for building!
Happy Holidays from Miss United States
Some festive holiday photoshoots from Miss United States.






































































![Visiting LEGOLAND Florida [sponsored]](https://i0.wp.com/lilykdonaldson.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/Miss-US-LEGOLAND-florida.jpeg?resize=400%2C250&ssl=1)
