I couldn't think of a relevant, all-encompassing title for this incredibly long blog, so I thought of a cool one instead. Hope you like it.
Life has been busy as usual, both with my Miss Minnesota schedule and my "real life." For those of you who don't know already, it's official: After completing all of my pre-med requirements and surviving them with an awesome GPA, I have decided that medicine is not my calling at this time. Someone connected to the field gave me great advice: if you can see yourself doing anything else, do it. Since winning Miss Minnesota in June, what I was truly passionate about - public speaking, performing, communicating - became clear to me. So I decided to switch gears. I don't exactly know what that means yet (theater, television hosting, news casting, radio, etc.), but I am excited to find out. The world is my oyster!
Life has been busy as usual, both with my Miss Minnesota schedule and my "real life." For those of you who don't know already, it's official: After completing all of my pre-med requirements and surviving them with an awesome GPA, I have decided that medicine is not my calling at this time. Someone connected to the field gave me great advice: if you can see yourself doing anything else, do it. Since winning Miss Minnesota in June, what I was truly passionate about - public speaking, performing, communicating - became clear to me. So I decided to switch gears. I don't exactly know what that means yet (theater, television hosting, news casting, radio, etc.), but I am excited to find out. The world is my oyster!
My Only Contribution to Athletics
On February 18, I performed the national anthem at the St. Olaf Women's Hockey Game against Gustavus Adolphus. It was extra fun because I have a number of friends on the hockey team (which is probably the reason I ended up getting the gig!). Aaaand....drumroll please: St. Olaf won! I must be good luck! Congrats ladies!
It's too bad that luck didn't carry through to the Timberwolves vs. Lakers basketball game last Friday. :(
Speaking of the Timberwolves...
I cannot believe I got to perform the Star Spangled Banner at the Timberwolves vs. Lakers game. What an amazing experience! The game was SOLD OUT (there are about 19.5 thousand seats at the Target Center) and the score was incredibly close. It came down to the last 18 seconds or so, and unfortunately, the Timberwolves didn't come out on top this time. (I know my sister Michelle, a Los Angeles resident and huge Lakers fan, is smirking right now. We'll getchya next time!) Also, my heart goes out to Ricky Rubio for his ACL injury. Prayers for his recovery!
A huge thank you to Aaron Dodge from the Timberwolves for inviting me to perform and for giving me 6 tickets to the game. My boyfriend Alex was starstruck standing on the court so close to Kobe Bryant. The experience was special for everyone involved.
I cannot believe I got to perform the Star Spangled Banner at the Timberwolves vs. Lakers game. What an amazing experience! The game was SOLD OUT (there are about 19.5 thousand seats at the Target Center) and the score was incredibly close. It came down to the last 18 seconds or so, and unfortunately, the Timberwolves didn't come out on top this time. (I know my sister Michelle, a Los Angeles resident and huge Lakers fan, is smirking right now. We'll getchya next time!) Also, my heart goes out to Ricky Rubio for his ACL injury. Prayers for his recovery!
A huge thank you to Aaron Dodge from the Timberwolves for inviting me to perform and for giving me 6 tickets to the game. My boyfriend Alex was starstruck standing on the court so close to Kobe Bryant. The experience was special for everyone involved.
Celebrating I Love to Read Month!
On February 23, I visited Galtier Elementary School to read to Ms. Daniels' 3rd grade class. They were a lively bunch, and they had a number of interesting questions, including, "What kind of car do you drive? Did you take a limo here?" They were SHOCKED when I told them I drive a Chevy.
After I read to them, they sang several of their favorite class songs for me. I also got hugs from just about every one of them. It was the sweetest! There was a big fuss because everyone wanted autographs, so I told them if they hustled back to their seats, pulled out a piece of paper, and waited quietly, I would autograph something for each of them. It was a very exciting day for Ms. Daniels' class!
Be sure to read with your child today and every day. First, children learn to read, then they read to learn. Learning to read and loving to read are incredibly important! Thank you, Galtier Elementary School, for instilling a love of reading in your students!
Minnesota House of Representatives
Following my trip to Galtier Elementary School, I headed to the State Capitol to meet with Representative Dean Urdahl (who went to high school with my mom!). I banged the gavel to start the session and led the Pledge of Allegiance with Speaker of the House, Kurt Zellers. Representative Dean Urdahl also officially introduced me to the House. Thank you, Representative Urdahl for giving me such a special honor!
P.S. My outfit was provided by the Miss America Organization's new sponsor, Express!
P.P.S. Special shout out to the FFA representatives I met on the same day!
P.S. My outfit was provided by the Miss America Organization's new sponsor, Express!
P.P.S. Special shout out to the FFA representatives I met on the same day!
Artistry Glamourama
On February 25, I attended the Artistry by Amway Glamourama event in Blaine, MN. A big thank you to the Miss Minnesota Organization's Artistry sponsor, Mark Rustad, for inviting my mom and me! We had a ton of fun on our girls' night out! I was invited on stage several times to share my experience with Artistry products and I had nothing but good things to say! I had to take the time to brag about the Artistry Light Up Lip Gloss, my absolute favorite product! Not only is the lip gloss itself great, but it lights up so you can apply your gloss in the dark AND you can use it as a flashlight like my mom did during the presentation! Multi-purpose lip gloss! I am in love!
Glitz Fashion Show
It's prom season! Head on over to Glitz Gowns at the Mall of America to get the best prom dresses in town! Thank you Glitz for supporting the Miss Minnesota Organization!
Side Note: I love Girl Scout cookies!
After modeling in the fashion show for Glitz Gowns, I headed to Southdale Mall to run some errands. Lo and behold, I found Girl Scouts selling cookies! Yum! I bought a box of Thin Mints and couldn't help but reveal my true identity to these cutie pies, knowing that I had some autograph cards in my purse! They were so excited!
IHOP National Pancake Day for Children's Miracle Network
February 28 was National Pancake Day! IHOP offers free pancakes to everyone who makes a donation to the Children's Miracle Network Hospitals. Over $3 million was raised to support the Children's Miracle Network Hospitals and other local charities.
I woke up at 4am to get ready and be at Bloomington IHOP by 6:30am. I appeared on the Channel 4 and Channel 9 morning news shows. I also spent some time with Frank, the manager and fabulous supporter of the Miss Minnesota Organization, as well as Gillette patient Elijah and his twin brother Aaron. They are 8 years old and HILARIOUS! What a great way to start my morning! By 6:00 that night, I had also traveled to Eden Prairie, Maple Grove, and Apple Valley IHOP locations. A little girl named Paige got so excited because we had the same last name! I told her she had my permission to say we were cousins. I also met Terri, whose mom is a former Miss Minnesota: Jean Sheils! Jean took over as Miss Minnesota 1948 when Bebe Shopp won Miss America that year! Small world! I was also proposed to by a 5-year-old boy named Clinton. I still have the ring his dad helped him make out of a napkin ring tucked into my cell phone cover. What a fun day!
I woke up at 4am to get ready and be at Bloomington IHOP by 6:30am. I appeared on the Channel 4 and Channel 9 morning news shows. I also spent some time with Frank, the manager and fabulous supporter of the Miss Minnesota Organization, as well as Gillette patient Elijah and his twin brother Aaron. They are 8 years old and HILARIOUS! What a great way to start my morning! By 6:00 that night, I had also traveled to Eden Prairie, Maple Grove, and Apple Valley IHOP locations. A little girl named Paige got so excited because we had the same last name! I told her she had my permission to say we were cousins. I also met Terri, whose mom is a former Miss Minnesota: Jean Sheils! Jean took over as Miss Minnesota 1948 when Bebe Shopp won Miss America that year! Small world! I was also proposed to by a 5-year-old boy named Clinton. I still have the ring his dad helped him make out of a napkin ring tucked into my cell phone cover. What a fun day!
Home & Garden Show Celebrity Kitchen
On March 1, I appeared on the Home & Garden Show Celebrity Kitchen Stage at the Minneapolis Convention Center. I made my special Miss Minnesota Chocolate-Peanut Butter-Banana Protein Shakes. This is my favorite sweet (but healthy!) snack to have before or after work outs. Great for energy and muscle-building! A big thank you to Lynette for being my kitchen assistant that day.
Click here to see recipes from other celebrities who appeared at the show!
Click here to see recipes from other celebrities who appeared at the show!
Miss West Metro/Miss City of Lakes
Congratulations to the new Miss West Metro, Bethany Beniek (left), and the new Miss City of Lakes, Brittany Tischmak (right). Also a big thank you to the former titleholders, Samantha Phillippi and Allison Lordbock, for their dedication during their years of service.
I had a BLAST emceeing with Allison Lordbock, my fellow blondie. I hope we get the chance to share the stage again! Best of luck to her as she starts a new, exciting chapter in her life.
I had a BLAST emceeing with Allison Lordbock, my fellow blondie. I hope we get the chance to share the stage again! Best of luck to her as she starts a new, exciting chapter in her life.
Miss Minnesota 2012
The Miss Minnesota class of 2012 is now complete! 22 young women will compete for the title of Miss Minnesota in June! Tickets will be available at www.missminnesota.org very soon! If you are interested in donating to our scholarship fund to help young women pursue their educational and career goals, please visit our website!
Steps of Hope
Steps of Hope, one of my favorite events to attend each year, was an amazing experience as usual. I was so happy that my family was able to come to the event for the very first time. They loved it so much that they plan to make Steps of Hope a family tradition.
One of our great Miss Minnesota sponsors, Randy from Water Billboards, donated custom water bottles to be distributed at the event. Randy also has a connection to Autism Spectrum Disorder through his nephew. THANK YOU so much for your donation! Randy and his family ALSO hope to make their attendance at Steps of Hope a yearly tradition. What does that say about Steps of Hope? It is an incredible community event that TRULY brings people of similar experience together!
A big thank you to the Steps of Hope committee chair, Janette Johnson. She was a great leader in making this event a success!
And, I have to give a shout out to my number one biggest fan, Blake! I was so glad he was able to come to the event to spend some time getting to know my brother Trevor. :)
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