Congratulations to the new Miss Minnesota, Miss Minnesota 2012 Siri Freeh! I know that Siri will carry this title with class and grace this year. She will be a wonderful representative for all of us!

Congratulations to...

1st runner up: Rebecca Yeh
2nd runner up: Samantha Phillippi
3rd runner up: Elizabeth Scipioni
4th runner up: Bethany Beniek

to...

Miracle Maker Award Recipient: Katie Peterson
Spirit Award Winner: Ali Vail
Quality of Life Award Recipient: Elizabeth Scipioni
Miss America Community Service Award Recipient: Elizabeth Scipioni
Miss America Academic Award Recipient: Siri Freeh

...and to all the young women who competed for Miss Minnesota this week! I could not be more proud of each and every one of you for what you have done with your titles, for how you shined on stage, and for your hearts! You have each touched me in your own unique way, and I am so thankful for our new friendship!

We had so much fun spending time at the Radison, Water Park of America, Crowne Plaza, Gillette Children's Hospital, Sky Deck Sports Grille and Lanes, Nickelodeon Universe, Glitz at Mall of America, the State Capitol, Como Park Zoo & Conservatory, Open Arms, IHOP, Original Pancake House, Buca di Beppo, the Eden Prairie High School Performing Arts Center, and inside our fabulous limo donated by Glidden Limousine. Thank you to all of our sponsors for hosting us! And thank you to Sarah Morreim for capturing our memories on film!

Thank you, Minnesota, for a wonderful year! It was a privilege and an honor to represent my state during the past year. However, I must say: I am so excited to be a former! What a cool club to be a part of! 

Thank you to everyone who has blessed me this year! Your support has meant the world to me!

Always and forever your Miss Minnesota 2011,

Natalie Davis

Today's topic: What to bring to pageant week!

I obviously can't list absolutely everything you should bring to Miss Minnesota pageant week. My packing lists were usually several pages long, including everything from competition wardrobe to the smallest items like q-tips or bobbi pins. Spend time making a list before you start packing. Though it will probably result in overpacking, think about every possible scenario. It's better to be prepared than to not have what you need. I have always said that pageants are like Boy Scouts. "Be prepared!" Don't feel bad about bringing multiple suitcases! Use your judgement about what to wear at each pageant week promotional event: dressy casual for day appearances, perhaps a cocktail dress for fancy evening events, and comfy clothes for rehearsal. Here are some helpful items that you might not immediately think of bringing.

The number one, most easily forgotten item, for SOME crazy reason: pajamas! Don't get so wrapped up in your glamorous Miss Minnesota day wear that you forget about your sleep wear! Trust me! You will need your sleep!

There is nothing I hate more than hotel shampoo and conditioner. Call me a diva, but I will bring my own and if you want to be sure your hair won't feel like straw by the end of the week, you should bring your own too!

Make up remover-lots of it! I remember being so tired after one of the preliminary nights that I sat in bed while taking off my stage makeup. I think I went through 4 makeup removing wipes. YUCK! Let your skin breath as soon as possible once the day's events are over!

The days are long: pack a travel-sized deodorant, tooth brush, and tooth paste in your purse or tote bag. There is nothing worse than feeling icky all day long!

A sweater or cardigan that goes with everything! You never know when you will be stuck in an overly-air-conditioned building for one of the pageant week appearances.

A pair of flat sandals that fit in your purse. Only wear heels when you have to. Your feet will thank you later.

Nail polish remover and nail polish. Your beautiful manicure won't last the whole week. At least mine never seemed to! I actually prefer to purchase the press-on nails from Target. I don't wear them all week long because they a) won't last and b) drive me crazy, but I put them on right before preliminary competition begins and they look great!

Over and over again this happens to me. I have eye lashes, but I have no lash glue. There's no way to improvise without it. Such a bummer when that happens.

Extra spray tan. I ran out last year!

Don't forget your shaver! I have done that more than once!

A bathrobe to wear at the theater. It is cold! A small blankie works too!

A sleeping mask and ear plugs. You never know: your roommate might like to stay up later than you do, or (worse) they may snore. Be prepared.

A sewing kit with needles, thread, and safety pins. Every single year, something goes wrong with someone's gown. Knowing you have a sewing kit will put your mind at ease in case a zipper malfunctions! Who will it be this year?

A travel hair brush or comb! I never leave home without one!

Your crown box, claw clips and extra bobbi pins! Trust me: all day, it will be crown on, crown off, crown on, crown off. Protect your crown from getting dented in the depths of your tote bag by bringing a crown box, and be ready to lose lots of clips and bobbi pins that week! It's also helpful to have a small mirror to make sure your crown isn't crooked after you struggle to put it on in the moving van...
or limo...
;)

Though I am sure this isn't an exhaustive list of everything you might need during pageant week, I hope it was helpful!