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My first day of Open Calls! #sisterqueens #springcolors
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Sistas!!!!! #lovemyteen
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Our staff have the coolest jackets! #rhinestones
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My little princess and I by our "brag table" #trophies
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Just another day in the life #MissMN #alldressedup
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Sisters forever #2012
 
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"We need another volunteer" was music to my ears. After a crazy whirlwind of 3 weeks as VP Recruitment for my sorority, I finally had a weekend where I had little planned so I was able to volunteer for MusicLink at the Mall of America. MusicLink raises money for kids that wouldn't be able to afford music lessons. They had various talented kids come, donate, and perform to raise money. I was working the registration table and let me tell you, I saw some amazing talent! Piano, guitar, vocal...it was an enjoyable volunteer opportunity. I even got to watch Michelle (pre-teen) sing for the first time! I had always known she was passionate about music (see her first music video here!) but it was great to finally hear her! Shout out to Michelle's mom who took all the pictures because as much as I love my great new camera, I forgot to charge the batteries. Rookie mistake.

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Tag teaming checking people in
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SO COOL to support my pre-teen and watch her perform
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Registration time!
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Once I get my coffee, it's smiles for everyone
Fingers crossed Michelle's performance will be uploaded shortly!
 
As part of my competition for the Miss Minnesota title, I was required to write an essay from a list of three prompts. One that hit home right away was, "How do you define True Beauty?" I'm sharing this now because I feel we can always use a reminder of how each and every one of us is different and unique, and that's okay. The words below and true, every last one. I remember I began tearing up just a bit as I finished the essay because of how much I've learned through my journey with NAM and how other girls are just beginning theirs. My wish is that by examples of NAM queens, girls around the United States will be given hope that being yourself, flaws and all, is okay.

What is True Beauty?

When I see the phrase True Beauty, I feel pride and accomplishment, but most importantly knowing I was a part of something bigger than myself. Lead by Amanda Moreno (2011 All-American Miss), the Teen Queens of 2010 started the True Beauty movement and I’m proud to say I was in the first wave of queens to take pictures in white t-shirts, banners, and no makeup.

In today’s world, it’s rare and "unnatural" to find pictures of anyone famous without makeup. By reigning pageant queens taking a stand by posting pictures without makeup, we can not only break the pageant stereotype but encourage other girls to view themselves as beautiful as well, even without makeup. It’s a sad truth that teenage girls can no longer feel beautiful without makeup covering their natural features and are constantly comparing themselves to airbrushed models.

I love the message the True Beauty Movement sends because beauty isn’t just about stunning dresses, sparkly shoes, or a perfect smoky eye. Those aspects of being a girl are fun, but they do not capture the true beauty underneath each girl. It’s the passion, that sparkle in a girl’s eye when she talks about what is most important to her that really makes her shine. It’s the timid sixth grader who breaks out of her shell and finds she can be a leader that makes a girl gain confidence. It’s the long days of volunteering in the hot summer sun but still leaving with a smile that shows the girl is strong. 

And it’s that enthusiasm a girl brings in conversation, that confidence she shows speaking on stage, and strength and determination in whatever she chooses to do that truly makes her beautiful.

How do I know? I’ve seen the transformation in multiple girls throughout my years in pageants and most personally, I’ve seen it in myself. I was that shy six grader who turned into a leader, I was that volunteer on a summer afternoon, and I am that girl with a sparkle in her eye when she talks about things most meaningful to her.

Because of pageants, I’m secure and confident in myself, with or without makeup, and wish to show others they can be too. True Beauty is letting personality shine through to let the world see how beautiful each and every girl is.

 
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It's been a crazy last month getting back from Nationals and conquering finals which is not an easy task. But even exhausted from school, I was able to get in the Christmas spirit by volunteering my time with the One for Joe organization which collects toys for boys and girls battling cancer. It was quite an early morning in Andover, MN which was made possible by a grande mocha. Accompanying me was my fabulous boyfriend who volunteered to make the early, hour-long drive.
I was able to meet Joe, the founder of the event, and thanks to the contributions of the local community and Sam's club, the One for Joe organization was able to make a true impact by collecting over 1,000 toys. They even did a segment on Channel 9 news about the fundraising!

So funny story. I was also supposed to attend the Lights in the Park event later that night. I was a little late getting there and there was no way for me to get where I was supposed to be! The only way in was sitting in a line of cars that stretched the entire street and the line wasn't moving. My boyfriend and I drove around 3 times to see if there was any other way to get to where I needed to be and eventually after 40 minutes of circling, we gave up and turned around. Sometimes, it's just not meant to be. Even Miss Minnesota is human.

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I got to meet Ellie the donkey...I mean reindeer
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Nothing says Christmas like Caroling!
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Spreading Christmas cheer while taking pictures
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Handing out autograph cards
 
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The Odyssey is a Greek Life newspaper at the University of Minnesota and they published an interview I had with them about my upcoming trip to Nationals. I knew I was going to have my interview in the paper, but I didn't know I was going to make the front page! The publication goes out to all Greek houses on campus which means it reaches over 1,000 students.

To read the article, go to the link below and read pages 4-5.
http://theodysseyonline.com/content/issues/Minnesota/11.15.12/

 
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Winning photo
Preparing for a National competition is a lot of work and in my case, a lot of time driving from college to home in the suburbs. It's planning, organizing, rehearsing, working out, eating healthy, and LOTS of talking to yourself in the car (Personal Introduction, Spokesmodel, Interviewing myself etc.). On top of that I'm also preparing to miss 4 days of school which is a LOT in college. This week I have two tests and lots of reading to try to stay up with or even get ahead. In all, it's a lot to do and at times can feel like my To-Do list is never going to get done. However, with such amazing people in my life, I've been given that something extra to keep me going.
Below are just a few reasons I'm having a fabulous week.

  • I talk about Nationals at least 10 times a day. All of my sorority sisters are just as excited as I am about Nationals. I love talking about the week to come and everything I'll be doing.When you're part of a family that supports each other and genuinely cares about one another, you have the love and encouragement of over 100 women.
  • I just won a photo contest! On a whim I entered a contest at my college for submissions of photos abroad (specifically maroon and gold, our school colors). When I was in France I ended up taking this great picture and when I saw the contest, I knew just the one to enter.
  • This Friday is a very special time for our entire chapter because it's when our new members officially become Alpha Chi Omega sisters! It's a lot to get ready for, but I know I will leave the night even more in love with each and every woman in my chapter (if that's possible) because of the special bond we have. 
All this paired with the fact I'm now 100% packed and ready for Nationals, I know I can make it through until Saturday when I get to leave this crazy Minnesota cold behind and head to the land of dreams!


 
SHOUT OUT to all the NAM Minnesota contestants this year. Because of your donation of a book or stuffed animal, I am able to give over 340 books to Women's Advocates, a local women's shelter in St. Paul that my sorority and I closely work with.
I love the title of Miss Minnesota for the fun and glamorous events (like NATIONALS in just a week!) but also for the positive impact I can make on my community and the entire state. I know the children at Women's Advocates will love this addition to their library.
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It's always great to curl up with a good book
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All packed up and ready to go to Women's Advocates
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So many great books were donated
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Can't wait to give these to the kids at Women's Advocates

"You can never get a cup of tea large enough or a book long enough to suit me.”
                    ― C.S. Lewis

 
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Eden Prairie News
Okay this is cool. My community is supporting me in my journey to Nationals! The article to the left is from Eden Prairie News and was published November 1st. It talks about my upcoming trip to California to compete at Nationals and lists a few things I've involved with on campus.
To see the online version, click here: http://www.edenprairienews.com

In addition, I just finished an interview with a reporter from The Odyssey, a publication on the University of Minnesota campus specifically for the Greek community. It will be published November 15th, just two days before I leave for Nationals. Can't wait to read it!

 
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NAM NATIONALS is in 13 DAYS!!!!!!!!!!!
I've been working so hard recently getting everything ready and packed, and this includes getting in shape. I'm trying to make really healthy food choices, make working out a natural part of my day, and forcing myself to get some sleep. With three tests before I leave, the last one is sometimes the hardest.
But I'd like to focus on working out because that's something I've struggled with before in getting ready for pageants. I don't work out to necessary lose weight. I do it to get in shape and feel better. Yes, it's always an extra bonus when the dress fits a little bit better or the suit hangs in a different way but working out is meant to keep your entire body healthy, body and soul. When the stress of school and my schedule get a little too much, I've recently found an escape by hopping on the treadmill and blasting some music. However, in previous years this has been a struggle as my endurance was low and I was quickly out of breath.
This year is different and for awhile, I didn't understand why I wasn't dying. Then it hit me: I bike everywhere on campus. The University of Minnesota has such a large campus and for these last couple months, my path has literally been a triangle across campus most days. There was just no way I could walk or take the bus across campus because I didn't have the time. Instead, I've been biking everywhere. To class, work, and back home. Because I bike everyday, most days totaling between 30 and 40 minutes, my stamina has increased. And that means when I get to running on the treadmill or doing a stair step climber, I can do it!
So here's to being healthy, working out, and a prayer for no snow so I can continue to bike on campus until Nationals. Which, by the way, is only 13 days out. 13! That's less than two weeks. Wow, 13 days and I'm in California. 13 days until I see palm trees. 13 days to get everything packed, forms filled out, garments altered. 13 days! (Can you guess what's on my mind?)

 
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After a late night in the U of M Homecoming parade, I survived the early wake-up call to go to the Autism Speaks walk at the Mall of America (with a little help from a friend called Starbucks). I met up with Michelle, our Pre-Teen queen, and her mom to walk for a very great cause. I got to catch up and hear all about how busy Michelle has been which has included modeling in a charity runway show and shooting her very first music video. How cool! We signed some shirts, did a lap around the bottom floor of MOA (which I now have pretty much memorized), and got to run under a giant parachute which was pretty much like reliving the BEST days of gym class in kindergarten. I'm always a little kid at heart.

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Signing T-shirts for some girls
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Giant parachute time!
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Michelle & I
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Love being active in the community

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Kylie, Ava, and I
Then a quick change into some 2008 NAM Nationals hot pink gear and I was off to represent NAM at the Making Strides Against Breast Cancer walk which I have been fortunate enough to attend multiple times. I met up with my two littlest queens, Kylie (Princess) and Ava (Jr. Pre Teen), and their families and friends to walk over 3 miles...which is a long way for little legs! We were also joined by the 2007 Miss Minnesota Teen, Samantha. Together we braved the weather which kept switching from misting to sprinkling just slightly which wouldn't have been a problem if you weren't wearing a crown that could tarnish! Hence why the crowns were taken off half way through and gloves and hats put on. Oh Minnesota weather.
I had such a blast at this event not just because I got to wear hot pink and show support for such an amazing cause, but I got to hang out with kids. Living in the city, I don't get to spend much time with kids and I had forgotten how insightful they are. Parker (Ava's little brother) and I talked about the airplanes flying overhead and how cool it was that we could hear them before we could see them because of all the fog in the sky. We explored an all too tempting weeping willow tree and agreed it should be in a Taylor Swift music video. I gave piggy back rides, talked about best friends in kindergarten, and got to pet the biggest dog Parker has ever seen, a Bernese Mountain Dog. Hanging out with two Kindergarteners and a third grader made me realize how precious life is at any stage in life and that there is no "too young" to start giving back. I'm so proud of my two youngest sister queens that show age is just a number. Even though I may be 19, spending the day with Kylie, Parker, and Ava reminded me it's okay to stop and explore, enjoy the little things of life, and support each other on what seems like a road that will never end. Because let's face it, all we really need to know we learned in Kindergarten.

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My Princess, Kylie!
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Our team of walkers
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Parker and Ava, my dream team = ]
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We made strides!
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FINISHED! And I did the whole walk in sparkly tennis shoes
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Hanging out and talking about dance class
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Queens!
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We had to stop by this weeping willow which we all agreed was pretty awesome
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Almost to the finish line as Parker chows down on some M&Ms
"When kids volunteer it tells others that they don't have to be perfect or famous or even grown up to make a difference."
- Kalynn Dobos, age 7