How do I even begin to blog about my exciting weekend at the NAM Minnesota state pageant? I was able to help out as the new Minnesota Miss alongside the 2011 MN royalty which included the incredibly energetic Princess queen Chloe, the sweet Jr. Pre Teen Haley, the beautiful Jr. Teen Abby, the talented Teen Alyssa, and of course the fabulous Miss Jackie. I've known Abby, Alyssa, and Jackie for years and they were so much fun to hang out with backstage and in between events. In addition, we had the best of the NAM staff on hand to help out and visiting royalty from different states as well! I was even able to meet Charity, Miss Iowa who will be at Nationals with me.
 Ali & Julie: former NAM competitors and current NAM staff  Miss Minnesota Teen, Alyssa who I crowned in 2011 |  Isabelle, Miss Illinois Jr. Teen and I  Backstage love from Miss Jackie |  Visiting royalty  A typical day in the life of a pageant queen: hanging out with queens and staff before running off to help out |
My little surprise of the weekend |
Throughout the weekend, I was everywhere. I was able to help register all the contestants during registration where my station was to sign girls up for bouquets and boutonnieres. Apparently I did so well (thanks to having a job in sales) that the staff had to go out and get more flowers to fill all the orders! I also helped with formal wear rehearsals for the Princess, Jr. Pre Teen, and Pre Teen divisions. One priceless moment of the weekend happened when the princesses had about 10 minutes before rehearsal started. Each one wanted me to watch them to ballet, cartwheels, or spins. Then about four girls were huddled together and I asked them what they were up to. "We want to play duck, duck, grey duck" one told me. I asked them if they wanted to invite the other girls as well and before I knew it, all 25 little Princesses were in a circle playing the game. I would have loved to join, but 5 year olds hitting my head while I wore a crown...not the best idea.
 Jr. Teen opening production number  Talking Teen USA results with Christy, 1st runner up to Jr. Teen title |  Grabbing a quick picture with a Jr. Teen contestant  Introduced during Orientation |
And before I knew it, the Princess pageant arrived. I think I was almost as excited as the new queen's family when I watched my princess sister queen get crowned! In a light pink and totally blinged out dress, Kylie captured the hearts of the judges.
 Kylie right after being crowned |  Princess Opening Production Number |
Next was Jr. Pre Teen. I knew a few little girls competing from years before. I was very excited to find out who my new sister queen was going to be and it turns out Ava, my little Princess from 2010, won over the judges and was crowned the Jr. Pre Teen queen for the year. We're sister queens again!
 Sister queens, forever & always  WOW! With some of the books and bears donated by contestants |  Our new Minnesota Jr. Pre Teen queen is Ava |
Pre Teen was the final pageant of that night. Ballgowns galore graced the NAM stage and finally Michelle who had been competing in NAM for 8 years took home the crown. Another blonde, and we started to notice a pattern.
 Taking home the winnings |  FINALLY Michelle was crowned Miss Minnesota |
Now the Miss age division works a little differently than the rest of NAM. For full information on how I won the Miss Minnesota title, check out this blog that explains it in depth. For those who already know, I was crowned by Jackie after the Teen formal wear competition. It was hard to say goodbye to Jackie as this will be her last time as a NAM queen. I don't even want to think about next year when I'm in that same position.
 Second time Jackie has crowned me. Once in 2010 as teen and now in 2012 as Miss  The Minnesota Miss succession line |  Finally crowned!  Moms and daughters |
The Jr. Teen pageant was the next night and wow was there some competition. The entire top 5 was stunning and I feel for the judges who had to pick just one girl. That girl this weekend was Holly, a 3 year NAM competitor who rocked the stage in a stunning purple gown. Again, blonde!
 Holly's first wave as Miss Minnesota |  Top 5 with judges |
And finally, the Teen pageant came. This was one of my favorite divisions because I knew a lot of the girls because I've competed with so many of them in previous years. So many of the girls shined in Formal wear and spoke flawlessly in Personal Introduction. In the end, it was Kayla who claimed her third NAM title as Miss Minnesota Teen. As Kayla rounded out our sister queens, we looked around and noticed the trend had continued: it's going to be a very blonde year.
 This is what happiness looks like |  Top 5 teen |
And all of that was packed into just four days! Of course these weekend never pass without some great memorable moments.
 Joy was just running back to her seat after saying farewell to Alyssa and Ryan catches her and signs "It had to be you" to her!  Already sisterly love = ] Ava and Kylie |  "I look good!" Can't tell you how many little Princesses loved my fluffy gown |
2012 Minnesota Royalty
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