We're all here!

Hey everyone!

Wow...this week has just started and I'm loving it so much. This is such an amazing experience so far! Currently, Karlie (Miss Perham!) and I are relaxing on our respective beds, getting ready for another big day tomorrow!

Today, we made fun appearances to some of the Miss Minnesota Education Program's sponsors...my favorite was Max's--we got toffee! (Hands-off this week, right?!). It was perfectly creamy and crunchy...just like my mom's (except not as good, Mom! :D I love you!)

We also did a lot of filming for the opening number; I can't wait for all of you to see it. We've got some special plans...pretty top-secret, confidential, but really exciting! We wore our dresses and heels most of the day, and surprisingly, I'm feeling pretty good! My feet aren't whining as I had expected when I heard we'd be spending all day in heels--this must mean I'm making progress when it comes to "beauty" endurance. And who doesn't want that?

What more can I say except that this week has been outstanding so far: all of us girls click so well. I'm enjoying getting to know everyone, we're all going through such a unique experience together...and that will bond us forever. It's not cheesy, it's true. I know we're all going to make lasting friendships, we've already started doing just that--I wish we had more time together already and it's only Monday. It looks like I have some road trips to take, maybe? Haha, well, my pillow is beckoning me, so I best obey! Goodnight to all, and to all a good night!

Blessings,
Sarah A.
Miss WCSC

Let the FUN Begin!

WOW! I never thought I would finishing packing...or find enough suitcases for all of my stuff! I can be very indecisive when it comes to picking out jewelry and outfits. So, my solution was to bring all of my jewelry and most of my outfits...that way there is plenty of room for "possibilities!" My family decided to stay at the cabin in Brainerd for the remainder of the day and there was no way I could fit all of my suitcases in my car, so I was really happy when my pageant director showed up in her SUV! We fit everything in there...with room to spare!

I am really glad that I didn't have to bring all of this stuff on an airplane...I would have had to pay extra for checking several bags and for going over the 50 lb. weight restriction. My biggest one weighed 75 lbs...indeed I weighed it because I was curious how much it weighed, since I could barely lift it! I would have to find a sponsor just to pay for checking my luggage! Angie told me that when she went to Miss America, she was allowed to check her suitcases for free...she must have used her suave skills for that perk!

It feels so good to have everything organized in the hotel room. My roommate, Dani, just showed up and she is so excited for the week. We are going to have so much fun this week! Tonight we are off to go bowling...I am not the best bowler...I am usually lucky to break 60 with my score!

I feel like everything came together so well in the last few weeks. I am really looking forward to having the time of my life this week and making memories with my 16 new sisters!

Lots of love,

Kelsey Malecha

Send off and QOL

Sarah Anderson (Miss Waseca County Sleigh and Cutter) and I had our send off party on Saturday at a church in Waseca. Though our audience was a tad sparse, it was still very fun!

All of you know my platform, Autism Awareness: Solving the Puzzle, was inspired by my awesome younger brother Trevor. Well, my inspiration graced us with his presence at our party!

Funny story: Every table had note cards and pencils that people could write interview questions on for Sarah and I to answer. Well, after spending a long time helping my brother Trevor understand that HE was supposed to write questions on the cards for ME to answer, and that NO, he didn't have to answer them, I did, he finally complied and wrote some very very funny questions. (I also told him to sign them so I would know they were his--even though his hand writing is easily distinguishable--so each card had "Trevor Davis" signed at the bottom). The cards read as follows:

1. What do you think of the Miss MN contest? -Trevor Davis
2. Who was the 1st president of the United States? -Trevor Davis
3. Name all of Trevor's favorite actors and actresses, as many as you can. -Trevor Davis
4. Do you know the Muffin Man? If so, explain in detail. -Trevor Davis

HE IS SOOOO FUNNY!!! I get a kick out of him sometimes! Sarah ended up drawing number three so I helped her out on the ones I knew (Jim Carrey, Amanda Bynes, Alac Baldwin), but ran out. Then Trevor perked up and said, "Don't worry! There is no right or wrong answer. Just do your best!" So...Sarah then says "Julia Roberts"

...and Trevor says, "Who's Julia Roberts?" So, we tried to explain, but he got stuck that on the fact that "No, I don't know who Julia Roberts is. That's not the right answer." hahahaha It was GREAT! He served as our filler entertainment while Sarah and I changed into different outfits.

As for being a Quality of Life Award finalist, all I have to say is YAY!!! Improving the quality of life of individuals with Autism is what my platform is ALL ABOUT! I am SO honored to have been nominated! Good luck to Quinn, Brooke, Sarah and Kelsey for also being nominated See you all in a week!

Natalie, Miss South Central

www.nataliedavis.weebly.com

What's Next?!

I can't believe we leave in two days! I'm so excited my stomach achs. I have been very busy these past few months preparing whether it being attending mock interviews, appearances with Big Brothers Big Sisters or simply working at TGIFridays :-) Thanks to the busy schedule time has gone by exeedingly fast! I'm looking forward to staying in an hotel for an entire week, I love staying in hotels! They are always clean and they have a pool and hot tub. Now I don't know how much time we'll have to spend in the hot tub but it would sure be nice.

I hit my first bump in the road yesterday morning when I went to my ear doctor appointment. I have always had problems with my ears and needed a check up. Well to make a long story short the doctor ended up bruising my ear drum and created a blood clot and I could not hear at all out of my left ear :-( I had a mock interview last night and felt terrible asking them to repeat so many questions because I couldn't hear. I went to the doctor again because my hearing has not come back yet and they said it should resolve and heal itself within the next week, just in time for competition! My only question is....what's next?! I know nothing goes according to plan so next week I will go with the flow and hope for the best :-) Much love and I'll see you all next week!

It will be here before we know it!

It wil be here before we know it!

I am so excited to have an opportunity to compete for Miss Minnesota 2009! It has been a dream and goal of mine to become Miss Minnesota and then Miss America. (Hey, everyone can dream big!) In order to be as best prepared for the job, I knew it was important to set up my schedule as Miss Minnesota should have her schedule. I have been making 2 to 3 appearance each week, mock interviewing and interviewing "Inspiring Americans' to put their stories up on www.whohasinspiredyou.com. I created a rack card for my platform, a brochure, business cards, a new t-shirt design, a PR packet to send out as Miss Minnesota, and most of all two new partnerships that will really help build the Miss Minnesota Program. I never knew I would learn how to become quite the business women in this process! I look back at how this Organization has truly changed my life and how I have grown in not only my faith and trust in God, but in my speaking skills, performance skills, and my confidence. I know that it is all in God's hands and his will be done, but I also know that I can go into this competition as best prepared as I possibly can be.

I am really looking forward to the week of Miss Minnesota and all of the fun activities that are planned for us. I am so glad that the contestants have all met each other and even more relieved that we all get along! Where else would I be able to spend a week with ladies that have the same passion and drive as I do for our individual platform? We all have a lot in common and can also share butt glue stories! ;) P.S. Does anyone mind sharing theirs with me? I have yet to get a bottle and am not really sure where I can even get it!

The pageant will be here before we know it! Please keep us all in your prayers for the week and come with your cheering voices ready! Nothing's better than hearing and having support and applause from friends and family in the audience!

Kathryn Knuttila - Miss West Metro 2009

The Journey

It was just yesterday (actually it was exactly a year ago) when i was the little 18 year old girl with the dream of one day becoming Miss Brainerd Lakes, Miss Minnesota and perhaps one day Miss America. I had never worn makeup before, never worn high heels for longer than an hour, and to be honest i had never even been to the Miss Brainerd Lakes Pageant. Looking back on those moments i cannot believe the woman i have become and gown into through these past 340 days. I now have had the opportunity to have gone to all but a few of the local pageants in Minnesota, i can multitask and apply makeup while i am also blow drying my hair, and i can walk in heels every day of the week! These may seem like very large accomplishments for a small town hockey player, but to me they are only minor details of the year that has too quickly passed. Other than learning these key elements of being a woman, i also had many opportunities to become involved and have a voice in the community. Not only the voice of a young woman, but a voice that people wanted to hear and had the power to make a difference. As Miss Brainerd Lakes I was involved in many events such as the 4Th of July parades and festivities, all of the homecoming events, including the 2008 Brainerd Lakes Walk For Diabetes. I was also active at the Crow Wing County Fair, volunteering for a Builders Association whose goal was to raise money and awareness about diabetes. In my spare time not in the booth, i was judging competitions in the animal barns, helping with the talent contest, and just hanging out with the kids who had come to enjoy a day at the fair. With my platform being diabetes I also had the opportunity to speak to local businesses, such as the YMCA, that have after school programs and children involved in those programs who have diabetes, educating them about diabetes and what they can do to help those children have better control over their diabetes. Later in the year i spent some of my time volunteering at the Diabetes Expo greeting and welcoming people of all ages to a community dedicated to diabetes. I think some of the most inspiring things i have done this year though, have not been my appearances or the times that i have enjoyed volunteering but instead in the opportunities that i have had to support and encourage both a newly diagnosed boy in California and the family of an infant girl who was diagnosed with diabetes. It is amazing what a simple letter to a young boy who wonders if he too will be able to play baseball like i played hockey, or what a phone call can do for a father with ailing nerves about his young daughter. Those are the experiences that have changed my life forever. Now, with preparing for Miss Minnesota, i can only imagine where the road will lead me next! I am so excited to meet with all of the girls again and begin a week of fun and preparation for the Big Night. Until then i will continue to tan, work out, practice my talent, continue to teach my hockey legs how to walk in high heels and just enjoy the short time i have left as Miss Brainerd Lakes 2008.

Miss MN week only 9 days away!!

Well this year certainly has flown by! It's crazy to think it's already been a year since Angie began her (AMAZING!) reign and all of the Miss MN 2008 girls competed wonderfully last June. And now it's our turn! I'm so thrilled to be participating in an outstanding scholarship pageant and competing with such hardworking, ambitious, and bright young women. I know each girl will bring forth strong and fresh aspects into the competition and one especially deserving lady will be crowned the next Miss Minnesota--how exciting is that???

I just want to share a few things about myself. To start, and to be entirely honest, I NEVER EVER thought I would compete in a pageant, and it wasn't until two weeks before the Miss Perham/Miss HOTL pageant that I gave my consent to compete. Mind you, the only reason I said yes was because they needed a fourth girl, and what do you know...I won! I know this all sounds terrible of me, but the reason I'm saying this is because I am so unbelievably happy I did compete and win; and I couldn't be more grateful to my directors, Gina and Candice, and my best friend, Haley Skow, for convincing me to run. I have learned and been able to accomplish so many things as Miss Perham, and I wouldn't take it back for the world.

I could not have chosen a better platform than YES WE CAN: FEED THE HUNGRY. I co-chaired an extremely successful Feed My Starving Children event with the ministerium this March and made Perham "heaven-on-earth" that weekend as every church, service club, business, and school came together to change the world. I am so proud and honored to have been a part of that success and my community. WOOT WOOT! I also have to thank Miss Frazee Rylee Daggett and the rest of the surrounding queens for bringing in a team for that event!! AND, I'm excited to add, the fifth graders in Perham were collecting pennies all year for charities and decided to donate $200 toward FMSC! GO CLASS OF 2016!

Anyway, that's just a little bit about me and my platform. This Wednesday was the start of the Turtle Races in Perham and am really looking forward to those this summer; Miss HOTL Mackenzie Ross will be coming to participate in her first race sometime this summer, which will be a lot of fun! I'm so excited to be wrapping up my year as Miss Perham with the Miss MN pageant and spending a week with the girls.
God Bless and thank you for supporting the Miss America Scholarship System!

Remember This....

Have you ever sat and thought about the things your parents use to say to you when you were a youngster? While preparing for the pageant I've found myself daydreaming about the things my parents have said to me, and they always started off with, "Remember."

Remember to tie your shoes so you don't slip!
Remember to brush your teeth!
Remember your bus is number 7!
Remember to chew before you swallow!
Remember to hand in your lunch money!
Remember to call before you change your plans!
Remember to slow down (driving)!
Remember to apply for college!
Remember that no matter what we still love you.

A little cheesy, but it's true, parents and family are always looking out for us. The one 'remember' that means the most to me is when my father would say to me almost everyday, "I love you and remember I wouldn't trade you for a million cagillion bucks!"
Obviously, a parent would never 'sell' their child, but for my young mind and heart that comment made me confident that my father cared dearly and would do anything for me.

No matter if you are going through a breakup, going to your first day of school, yelling at your parents, graduating from high school, fighting your sister for the bathroom, going on your first date, remember this, family is there.

Thank you to my family for encouraging me to follow my dreams of becoming Miss America. I cannot believe at the accomplishments I have made on my journey and could not and would not have done it without you!

Prepare, pray, press on!

It's June! A month often dedicated to the excitement of weddings and the end of the school year, you and I know that it's also the month for Miss Minnesota!

Every time we get an update from the Miss Minnesota board, I think about what a unique experience the Miss Minnesota week is--for a short time we will all be together, able to encourage one another and see the amazing work that has been done throughout our time as local titleholders.

I see this time as a huge opportunity to learn from one another--I am excited to cultivate a community of women who are on the same page, ready to take on whatever comes with motivation and determination! I think this sort of "let's do it!" mindset is what the Miss America Organization has most instilled in me, and is one of the biggest reasons why I love this community. I especially love that this organization does not ask women to compromise anything, but instead encourages them to pursue their dreams and goals with all of their might.
As a result of such pursuits, I have grown much through holding the title of Miss Waseca County Sleigh and Cutter (a mouthful to say this title, try it!...then add a name behind it! Haha!). Despite its seemingly awkward "Sleigh and Cutter" attachment, I love what the title of Miss WCSC represents and the potential that it's given through the Miss America Organization.

The other day, I found out that pageantry is considered a sport by many. The preparation process for a pageant is one unlike any other sport, if that is the case! Wardrobe shopping, tanning, you know the checklist. I do not view the pageant as a sport, as a competition, because the competition only lasts one night, perhaps two. The essence of what we do can be found in the message of our platforms--often times this is far from the glitz and glam of the stage--it's in the business meetings, the churches, and the classrooms where titleholders really shine.

I think the most helpful thing to do in preparation for a pageant, or anything else for that matter, is to find a quiet moment in the process. Slowing down and soaking in Truth is far more helpful than hustling through my to-do list. All the preparations in the world will not help unless I understand my purpose in competing. And so, along with the aforementioned wardrobe shopping, tanning, dancing, I'm dwelling on the most important aspect of my life: faith in God, and trying not to change too much about my daily process. I'm giving Miss MN week, the competition, the outcome, and my ultimate trust to my Lord, and can't wait to see how it unfolds!

Keep on pressing forward ladies, we've got an exciting road ahead!

Sarah A.

Sour Patch Kids and REALLY comfy beds!

Hi to All!

I am getting so excited for the "Great Miss Minnesota Scholarship Giveaway!" I am so blessed to be competing in the pageant for a second time! I have been working diligently for a few years on my platform, "Financial Smarts: Give Yourself Credit." As Gretchen Carlson said during the Miss America LIVE pageant on TLC, "platforms are what gives the Miss America Pageant meaning." I could not agree with her more...after reading all of the contestants platform statements and what they are doing with their lives, I can say, without a doubt, that I have never met a group of young women who are more active, driven and goal-oriented than the Miss Minnesota 2009 contestants...I am so glad to be a part of this group. We will have so much fun during Miss Minnesota week and I cannot wait :-)

As I was reading the Q&A on the Contestant Showcase website, I noticed that my roommate, Miss Winona (Danielle), mentioned that her favorite candy is Sour Patch Kids!! I could not believe this! After all, one of my best friends, Liz Neaton, who was Miss Brainerd Lakes last year is OBSESSED with sour patch kids (for those of you who know Liz, you know I am not joking!) Liz had a 3-gallon bag of Sour Patch Kids in the dressing room last year...it was a good time, we were on a sugar-high during the pageant! So, I am really excited that my roommate shares the love of Sour Patch Kids, because I will feel right at home. I was at Target yesterday and bought Danielle some Sour Patch Kids, just in case she forgets to bring them!

I am really looking forward to the REALLY comfy beds at the hotel! Although, I raraly sleep over 8 hours and I would rather not sleep at all because I have too many things to get done, I can still appreciate a great bed! So for those of you fearing the beds, let not your heart be troubled, you will be living the life during Miss Minnesota week! There are plenty of pillows too ;-)

In summary, I am blessed to be a part of this year's competition! I am truly looking forward to spending a week with some of the most ambitious young women in the State of Minnesota. The Miss Minnesota Scholarship Organization has molded me into the woman that I am today and for that, I am forever indebted to this organization. And when I say indebted, I do not mean that in financially illiterate way, I mean that from my heart!

With much love and luck,
Kelsey Malecha

Tanning :)

I cannot believe Miss Minnesota is less then 3 weeks away! One thing I have been doing to prepare is tanning. As many of you know a basic tan is necessary when competing in a pageant.

I just don't tan, I think I am the palest person in the state of Minnesota. I have tried every tanning trick in the book. If I tan outside or in a tanning bed I always burn, my Irish skin cannot handle it. I tried spray tanning because everyone told me that this would be better for me. I call this the "spray tanning incident". I did research behind where to go, and what to do before you go. I exfoliated, and moisturized, and thought I had done everything right! About 3 hours after my spray tan I was watching a movie with my family. I noticed that my hands started to tan... so I exclaimed to my mother, "Look Mom! My hands are tan!" And she looked at me for a moment and responded, "Yes they are, but that's the only part of you that's tanning..." That is exactly what happened, I had orange hands for a week. It's a little tough to hid your hands.

Of course I have tried all the bottle products as well. Jergens just made me smell quite funky but still no tan. Currently I am using Arbonne, and I am hoping for the best. Just keep this in mind when you see me on stage if I do have a golden glow you know that I had to work hard for it!

Why I compete...

I write a monthly column for an assisted-living home. My column is centered around a different diabetes topic. But for this month they asked me to write about how I got started competing for the Miss America Organization. I thought it would be fitting to post it on this blog to introduce myself to all of you.
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I’m writing this column just three weeks before I compete for Miss Minnesota. To me, competing for this title has never been about strutting around in 4-inch heels and a bathing suit, but instead using the power of the crown to promote my personal platform of diabetes awareness. I know that win or lose, finding a cure for diabetes is my life’s mission.

Some people ask me why I compete. In September 1998 I sat with my mom and watched Miss America be crowned in Atlantic City. That year was a first for the pageant. The first ever Miss America was crowned with a chronic illness, her name was Nicole Johnson and she was a type-1 diabetic. At the time I had a little brother with diabetes and it was so inspiring for me to watch her achieve her ultimate dream, knowing that my little brother Will could do the same. Six months later I was diagnosed with type-1 diabetes. My world was shattered. I remembered back to when I saw Nicole be crowned and knew that even though my world as I knew it was over, that if Nicole could do anything she set her mind to, so could I.

Fast forward three years. I was selected as National Youth Advocate for the American Diabetes Association. I would spend my year speaking to over 70,000 people about diabetes. That was the year that I met Nicole. It was odd meeting someone who I had admired so much for so many years. She was so kind to me and took me under her wing.

In 2004 they were holding a Miss America preliminary pageant in my hometown of Brainerd. I was lobbying out in Washington, D.C. with Nicole and I told her about it. She said, “Quinn, you have to compete. I will send you my jewelry and dresses to choose from. I know you will win.” I laughed and told her that I had never performed a piano piece before an audience. She said that what mattered was that I had a voice and a passion in my heart to find a cure for diabetes and the rest would just fall into place. I stepped on-stage so nervous feeling like a complete fish out of water. I wore her Miss America Homecoming gown (see picture). I ended up winning that night.

I went on to spend 365 days being Miss Brainerd. When I walked into a classroom little girls would look right up to the crown and hang on to every word that came out of my mouth. That’s when I realized what the Miss America pageant was all about. It was not about the glitter and the glamour, it was about beauty is what beauty does. I met the granddaughter of a former Miss Brainerd. Cara was 5-years old at the time and a type-1 diabetic. Her Mom asked me if I would go out to lunch with them. As we were sitting at lunch I took my Miss Brainerd crown out to show Cara. She looked at me and said, “Wow! When I grow up I want to be just like you.” Her Mom took a picture of us, with Cara wearing the crown, and beaming ear to ear. As we were leaving her Mom told me that she keeps an album of diabetics that have lived their lives without limits to show Cara, and that she would put our photo in there. And at that moment I knew I had done what Nicole had done for me years before, show someone else that everything is possible, despite having diabetes. I went on to compete for Miss Minnesota 2005, and though I didn’t win, no one could take away the memories and the impact that I was able to make that year.

Now with just three weeks before I compete for my second chance at Miss Minnesota, I'm anxiously awaiting. Becoming Miss Minnesota is a dream of mine because it would get me that much closer to finding a cure for diabetes for people like my little brother Will, Cara, Nicole, myself, and the other 24 million Americans who live with this disease.

I know the fight to find a cure is formidable, some might say it’s impossible. But I will never stop working towards this goal. Diabetes may shorten my life, but it does not have the power to diminish it.

Wahoo!

Hey everyone! I am looking forward to pageant week and getting to know all of the contestants better. Everyone has been incredibly supportive and excited. In about 4 weeks we will have a new Miss Minnesota!!! Wahoo! I know any of these beautiful ladies will do an incredible job. See you all very soon and remember to always dream BIG!

Yay for Miss MinnesOHtah!

I'm definitely excited, and many people in our Minnesota community are as well! Everyone I have spoken to at the mall, at the hair salon, at my church, at my old high school, EVERYWHERE, has been incredibly supportive and excited about our work as Miss Minnesota representatives! Let's face it! There's nothing better than the Miss America Organization! Good luck everyone! I can't wait to get to know all of you better! It'll be a fun week!

Hi everybody! I'm so excited for the pageant and I'm sure you all are too!! It's only a couple weeks away!!

Welcome!

Miss Minnesota 2009 will be crowned on June 20th! This blog is a place for you to meet the 17 contestants… get to know who they are, what makes them tick, and what they’re doing to prepare for pageant week!

Please email any technical questions or comments to missmnweb@gmail.com.

Enjoy!