Well, it has been a busy year preparing for this week! I'm exceedingly excited to see everyone again, and as always, wish everyone the best of luck!

Here are a few more words from the previously published letter:

"From my own personal experience, it is not just the people of Iraq benefiting from this, but most soldiers are developing a much greater appreciation for life back in the States.

A phrase I use quite often is that I can’t wait to get back to the good life
again. This deployment truly opened my eyes to all the blessings I have back
home, particularly the people. I now realize I took for granted all I had. Two things in particular made
me conscious of the good life: the quality of life the Iraqi citizens currently live, and the lack of
freedom that comes with living here. Back home I could take a 15-minute shower and not
think twice; and here the people are happy to have water suitable for drinking. I
used to be able to hop in the car and drive to the next town and not even think
much of it, here I have to throw on 50+ pounds of body armor and hope I don’t
get hit with a roadside bomb."

I received some statistics recently regarding how blessed we are here in the United States; if there
were one hundred people in the world, one would attend college.  One more would have a computer.
Six of those one hundred people would control 50% of the world's wealth ... and all six of those would
be from the United States.  Whenever I'm feeling upset about something, I remind myself of this and
am thankful for all the blessings we have here.

Again, good luck to all, and I am looking forward to seeing you all to tomorrow!

~Amanda

Miss Midwest

Hello again, this is Amanda! It has been exciting getting ready for the Miss Minnesota pageant! I have been working on many activities and preparations, and am excited to share some of those with you! I had the opportunity recently to attend a family readiness group meeting, and I have to say, these families are some of the bravest out there - they sacrifice so much for us, and I am truly grateful for all they do. Also as part of my platform work, I have been compiling a book of letters from soldiers and their families, which I am undeniably excited about! Once published, this will be an invaluable resource for all of us, and it is my hope that we will have a deeper appreciation of the service our troops and their families offer us. I wanted to share this picture of my friend in Iraq, as well as share an excerpt from a letter he sent for the book. He writes as follows:


Dear Fellow Americans, I wanted to write this letter because I think it’s important for the people of the United States to hear a deployed soldier’s perspective of the war. Amidst the horror of bloodshed and violence depicted throughout the media, success and good are getting accomplished daily, not just for citizens of Iraq, but for the soldiers as well.

What’s sad is that the only depiction of this war has been negative. Before the United States sent troops to Iraq, Saddam’s Regime wreaked havoc throughout thecountry. I’ve heard locals tell stories of family members and/or friends getting killed for taking an opposing view of the regime. People weren’t just killed though. Torture was also another common epidemic Iraqis dealt with. Tongues, hands and ears were cut off—just to name a few methods of torment—when people talked badly of Saddam or the government. Women, children and those with handicaps had even less freedoms than the other populace.

I can say with confidence that a silver lining has started to emerge since our boots first touched ground in March of 2003. Women are now able to start showing their faces in public and dress more westernized. Men and women can vote, hold jobs, and even advance in careers that were once dead-end. Children are going to school, ensuring a more educated and successful future for Iraq. Just in the past few months since my unit started its public relations missions, a schoolhas been built, an irrigation system for farms has started construction, medical supplies have been handed out, and a generator project has been put into theworks to bring electricity to local citizens.

To think that the Iraqis don’t appreciate our presence would be a misconception. I was blessed with the opportunity to become friends with an Iraqi interpreter. I had expressed to him how hard it is to continue to stay positive about the war when constantly bombarded with negative footage and stories. He told me on nights I go to bed and doubt the work I did that day, I need to remember that what I did was help bring hope of a brighter future, a future once downtrodden by Saddam. Another great example of the support shown by the Iraqis is one that comes from a small town that my unit visits. The Sheik of that town told my company’s leadership that he would be willing to sacrifice his town’s safety by stepping up its police force to stop insurgents who pass through. He said his people would be willing to give their lives to help our cause and protect U.S. soldiers.

My appreciation for the good life is not the only part of myself that’s grown throughout the 20 months of this deployment. I have come to find a deeper, more profound relationship with Christ and the Church. What brings me comfort is that God didn’t leave me when I entered the combat zone. God has been there with me every step of the way and has never left my side. I’ve come to realize that God puts us through hardships so that we have to rely on Him, so that we have to put total faith in His words."


I will share more of this letter later in the week; I just feel that the insight it provides is so valuable. I would also really like to encourage you to take time sometime this week to write a letter to someone you know serving in Iraq, visit someone in a local Veterans' Hospital, or bring cookies or a meal to the family of a soldier. It may seem like a simple thing, but the support it signifies can mean so much more.

I'm excited to see everyone again next week! Good luck to all as we prepare for this exciting week!

Miss Brainerd Lakes

Hello again! As my year of reign comes to an end and I make my last couple of appearances as Miss Brainerd Lakes, I am even more excited about the Miss Minnesota pageant!

A few weeks ago, I worked with the Brainerd branch of the League of Women Voters to register 18 year olds to vote, at our local high school. We were able to register approximately 25 fresh voters for the upcoming elections. We also handed out registration cards for those who will be turning 18 in the next couple of months. It was a great opportunity to talk one on one with high school students about the rights and responsibilities of being active citizens in our country. In addition, it was great exposure for the Miss Brainerd Lakes program!


The next week, I was an honorary guest at the League of Women Voters annual statewide conference at Breezy Point Resort. I was invited by Judy Duffy, the state director of the League of Women Voters Minnesota, who I had previously met at the press conference for Kids Vote in February. While talking to her and her husband, I discovered that they had volunteered with the Miss Minnesota pageant while it was held in Austin, Minnesota and actually housed contestants. What a small world!

Over Memorial Day weekend, I was blessed with an incredible opportunity to participate in the annual Freedom Celebration honoring our veterans. Over 200 veterans of all ages were given gifts from several local businesses as a way of thanking them for their service. It was a very moving ceremony that honored the veterans from all five branches of our country's armed forces.

With final preparations in place, I'm excited about all the scheduled events during pageant week and the chance to develop a closer friendship with all the other contestants. I wish the best of luck to everyone!!

Until then,
Mackenzie Ross, Miss Brainerd Lakes

It's Almost Time!!

Hi again everyone!

It's me - Miss Twin Cities 2007, Cindy Neseth. I wanted to write one last time before we leave next week for check-in day. It's really down to the wire now - last minute shopping and preparations are going on for all of us I'm sure! The past 3 1/2 months since I was crowned have been a whirlwind of preparations, with everyday having some sort of pageant activity included. Sometimes I wonder how all of us local titleholders do it, but we do, and we love it!! We love our busy schedules, rhinestone-studded clothing and of course, our fabulous crowns! I am so excited to be with all of the contestants for a whole week, because it's one whole week of your life where you are surrounded by people who truly understand you. Because let's be honest, most of the world doesn't understand what a "pageant girl" life is really like! But all of us, while completely different and wonderful in our own way, understand the life of a pageant contestant and that's really neat. And it's one whole week which is 100% focused on pageant activities and glitz and being fabulous, and who wouldn't love that? To all of the contestants - I wish you all luck and I am so excited to get to know each of you better!! See you in a little over a week!

Take care everyone!

Cindy Neseth
Miss Twin Cities 2007

Greetings From Miss Marshall County--Meghan Kuznia

Hello everyone...finally! (My dad finally gave in to the pressures of re-establishing our Internet connection! Yey!)

It's hard to believe that the big moment we have been waiting for is only two weeks away! I've had almost a full year to prepare for Miss Minnesota since I was given the title of Miss Marshall County, but it seems as if I were crowned only yesterday! I'm excited for pageant week's fun schedule and to catch up with each of the other 14 talented ladies I had the opportunity to meet at the contestant forum.
It has been quite an honor representing my county as this past year's local titleholder. Parades, special appearances, and promotions of my platform have kept my schedule as busy as ever. I also just completed my first year at University of Minnesota, Duluth, where I am on my way to attaining a master's degree in Communication Sciences and Disorders. My career ambition is to become a speech-language pathologist specialized in a hospital setting.

My platform, "Give the Gift of a Lifetime--Make the Decision to Become an Organ & Tissue Donor," is a true passion of mine. With the realization that there are nearly 97,000 people on the national waiting list for a transplant, there is great need for more organ/tissue donors. By spreading donation awareness through education and by eliminating common misconceptions, my goal is to at least open the doors for others to the option of becoming a registered organ donor. One individual can help save or improve the lives of up to 5o people. Giving life to others is the greatest gift one can give.

My talent piece for the competition is a tap dance. This is the one reason I'm sure my parents will be thankful when the pageant is over. They won't have to put up with my "click-clicks" sounding through the entire house as I practice in the basement!

I wish all the other contestants the best of luck as the finishing touches of pageant preparation are put into place. It's going to be a great week! Who's excited for the Twins game?! Take care!

Tina Rosenthal, Miss Austin 2006

Hello everyone!

I’m Tina Rosenthal, Miss Austin 2006. I am so excited to have the opportunity to represent my hometown on the Miss Minnesota stage this year! The past few weeks have been full of pageant preparations and the hectic schedule that always accompanies the end of an academic year. Just one more paper to write and I will wrap up this semester’s work!

My platform, Adopt One Until There are None, is an effort that strives to raise awareness of and increase Foster Care adoption in our state. There are 10,000 children living in Minnesota’s Foster Care system and only one percent will ever find permanent families. I am so fortunate to be part of that one percent, and have spent years working to encourage others to consider making Foster Care adoption a part of their family.



Increasing Foster Care adoption is an effort that begins on many levels, and I have had the opportunity to spend some time the Austin’s classrooms educating students about my platform. I truly believe that if children are familiar with adoption, they are more likely to become adults who will consider adoption when they are adults with families of their own. As I have had a wonderful time reading stories about adoption and answering children’s questions! I highly recommend Jamie Lee Curtis’s book Tell Me Again about the Night I Was Born, it is a wonderful story about the gift of adoption.

Pageant week is fast approaching and I am so thrilled to have the opportunity to share the stage with the beautiful and talented women who also hold local titles in our state. It is sure to be a fantastic week and an exhilarating competition!

The Forgotten Generation: Connecting Youth and the Elderly

Miss Minnesota is a little over 4 weeks away! I can't believe it! I'm sure everyone is working on their final preparations just as I am:) My talent for the pageant will be a fun jazz piece on trombone and I cannot wait to perform it for everyone! My wardrobe is complete as well, just making the last few alterations.

My platform, The Forgotten Generation: Connecting Youth and the Elderly, is something I am very passionate about. My initial interest in this area came from when I was in high school. I worked at a nursing home and saw the impact that one single person can have on an elderly person who does not have many family or friends to visit. I currently am attending the University of Minnesota Twin Cities and have been motivated to move my volunteering from Waseca along to St. Paul as well. From seeing all of the smiling faces from the elderly that are being cared for to seeing how excited the children are to hear a story or make an art project for someone has been tremendous!

I have personally benefited from my participation in more ways than I could have ever imagined. It has empowered me to volunteer in my community in St. Paul, it has shown me that I can have great support from my community for something I am so passionate about, and most importantly it has shown me that a little time and a caring heart can change someone's life. With my platform I have been able to benefit by seeing people's opinions on the issue change as well as seeing how grateful the elderly are to have someone to visit. Everyone, including myself, the volunteers, and the elderly benefit in the end.

Get Up & Move!

Hi again everyone! I wanted to dedicate this post to talking more about my platform, "Get Up & Move." As I said in my previous post I have done work with both the American Heart Association and a local program here in the Twin Cities, called "Power Hour." Power Hour has now grown to more than 4 elementary schools with 3 different levels of education - ensuring that all age groups (K-5) can participate. When I visit a session, I talk with them about their favorite physical activities, eating healthy and why it's important to always stay active.

I am always amazed at the attention and focus elementary age students give you when you come and speak to them - and this group above from Evergreen Park Elementary School in Brooklyn Center, MN was especially good, because it was the day before they started Spring Break and they still sat and listened intently and actively participated in the discussion! Kudos to them! I always try to make my presentations more of a discussion with the kids, and one reason I like to do that is because I think what they have to say is so interesting! I once asked the group, "What types of physical activities do you love to do?" And one answer was, "I have two doggies at home." Isn't that great?! I've learned that each and every appearance we do as local title holders is an adventure all in it's own. You never know what might happen, who you might meet and who's life you could touch, or who might touch your life. And that's just a really awesome thing!

Sincerely,

Cindy Neseth
Miss Twin Cities 2007 :)

Jennifer Hudspeth Miss Mankato 2007

Wow, Miss Minnesota is approaching fast! As with everyone, I too have been busy making final preparations and promoting my platform. I have two brothers who have been diagnosed with Autism, therefore my platform is Understanding Autism: Turning Disabilities into Possibilities. I am devoted to educating people about Autism while teaching the importance of tolerance and acceptance of those with disabilities.
Last weekend I was invited to the Kids Carnival sponsored by Minnesota State University, Mankato. I was really excited because I was able to bring my youngest brother Shain. We had a blast! With speech in hand and a song for entertainment, it was great to meet so many children who were eager to learn. Everyone was very supportive as I would explain what an honor it is to be a part of the Miss America Program, even though some children kept referring to me as "the Princess." It was really cute! There were many activities planned including planting pea pods, making masks, and meeting many Mankato police officers, fire fighters, and EMTs. I had trouble keeping Shain out of the ambulance, he was infatuated! I hope you like the pictures. I am also excited because next Tuesday I will be speaking and performing at the Mankato Senior Expo. My goal is to greet and shake the hand of everyone who comes through the door, which is a big task because thousands are expected to attend. I can't wait because I love meeting new people! Thanks Shelly for setting up all of these wonderful opportunities!















To all of the Contestants, I had so much fun meeting each of you at workshop! Miss Minnesota week here we come!
~Jennifer~

Kids Vote Minnesota

Hello again, Miss Brainerd Lakes here.

One of the things I have been devoting a lot of time to this year is the Kids Vote program. This is a nation wide program that encourages students under the age of 18 to participate in the election process. I was able to do a number of Public Service Announcements that were shown on our local cable channel and in school's throughout the Brainerd Lakes Area. These PSA's challenged teachers, parents and kids to get involved in this past falls election.

In February of this year, I was able to participate in a press conference with Secretary of State Mark Ritchie at the State Office Building. The purpose of this press conference was to introduce a bill to state legislators asking for additional funding for Kids Vote Minnesota, with the focus of adding more schools for the 2008 election.

Until next time,
Mackenzie Ross, Miss Brainerd Lakes

Hello Everyone! I am Amanda Murphy, Miss Midwest. I was raised in Glencoe, MN and currently attend the University of Minnesota in Morris, MN, where I am majoring in Management with a Financial emphasis, and minoring in Economics. I plan to attend graduate school for Marketing and Finance. More personally, my favorite color is blue, and I enjoy playing trumpet and following the stock market. I also love art, and am a freelance apparel designer. My family and friends are an important component in my life, and I am so grateful for their support.

My platform is "America's Troops: In Need of Our Support Today." This platform was inspired by a friend who is currently serving in Iraq, who told me that he does not want this war to be a waste of his time and a waste of the ultimate sacrifice others have made. What we as Americans need to realize is that the troops are in desperate need of our support; and I firmly believe that every person - whether or not the support the war or President Bush - can, and should, support our troops. As part of this platform, I have been traveling to local schools, talking to children and encouraging them to say thank you and make greeting cards to send to the troops. I have also been collecting supplies to send to military men and women who are from the areas I have visited. This has been a very rewarding platform, and seeing children's enthusiasm is simply uplifting and inspiring in itself.

I must echo everyone else in saying the Miss Minnesota weekend was definitely enjoyable! It was wonderful to meet everyone and I am looking forward to our week in June! I am sure we will all be busy until then - I know I will be! - but it sounds like a great week! Best of luck to everyone as we prepare for June!
~Amanda

Lacey Gebeke - Miss Frazee - Hey Everyone!

Hello Everyone. I am Lacey Gebeke Miss Frazee 2006. My platform is "Overcoming Obstacles: When Life Runs You Over." I was in a bad car accident at the age of 7 and my platform focuses on helping children who have endured a physical accident. I go into the hospital and play games, color, watch tv, and help children overcome whatever happened to them. It's a very scary place in the hospital, especially for children. Trying to walk again and overcoming your new scars can be a tough thing to do by yourself.

I'm currently at NDSU in Fargo, North Dakota. I have a week and 2 finals left! Next year I'll be attending UND for Registered Nursing. I currently work at Menards, :) I think it's funny that I work there but it's a fun job. I am looking forward to summer because I live on a lake and when the sun is out so am I. I'm also excited for the week we all get to spend together :) , it's going to be so much fun!

I really enjoyed meeting all of contestants and finding out what we are going to be doing all week long! We have a pretty busy exciting week and I'm glad we all get to share this great experience together! I can not wait to see you all again!

p.s. I didn't put my pictures in until the end, so that is why it looks funny. I'm a little computer challenged.

Greetings from Miss Perham!

This is Danielle Refsland, the current title holder of Miss Perham. What an honor it has been to be an ambassador for my favorite town. Perham is in west-central Minnesota near Detroit Lakes. We are literally in the heart of lakes. Perham is a great vacation spot if you are looking for some good fishing! In addition, Perham has a great main street filled with many fun shops. Come visit!

My platform that I have promoted throughout this year is titled "Kick Start- Helping Kids to Finish Strong." The program encourages children to make changes in their eating behaviors and activeness to ultimately live a heathful life! Through the title of Miss Perham, I have worked with the health center in Perham. I taught a Kid's Cardio Class throughout the winter to promote physical fitness. In addition, I offered a class on a day of no school to elementary students. These were eventful opportunities that drove my desire to educate parents and children to live healthy even more. As Miss Perham, I am given the honor to write in the local newspaper. This has given me the chance to inform the readers of the newspaper of simple ways to eat healthy and stay fit.

I am extremely excited to compete at Miss Minnesota in June! I have learned so much about myself throughout this year. More importantly, I have realized that I really can make a difference in my community, with or without a crown. This is a lesson anyone can implement into their lives. In order to make a change, set a goal, make a plan, and strive to achieve it!

Signing off,

Danielle Refsland

Miss Perham 2006

Miss Anoka County says "Hi" to you!

I had a dream last night that I tried to post on here, and ended up posting like 30 pictures instead of typing a post. Hopefully, my lack of technological knowledge will not lead me to such a fate, but only time will tell. Now, to the formal introduction....

Hello to one and all, my name is Colleen Meyer and I have been blessed with the title of Miss Anoka County 2007. It still feels incredibly surreal to be able to say that. As a native of Anoka County (I was raised in Andover), I am so excited to have this opportunity to represent the community that has helped to shape me into the woman I am today. I am currently a junior at the University of St. Thomas, with a biology major and psychology minor. My most recent accomplishment has been the completion of the five and a half hour Medical College Admissions Test (MCAT), which will hopefully aid me in my goal of gaining entrance to a medical school somewhere in the Midwest.

My platform, "Focus on the Family" promotes the importance of family involvement in successful child development. The need for family is something that has been deeply rooted in me since birth, and was reaffirmed by knowledge I gained in a psychology of marriage and family class I took for my psychology minor. I emphasize the positive benefits of a healthy home-life, as well as the need to recognize a broader idea of "family" within our country--a family that not only includes relatives but trusted friends and neighbors. I have developed a program, called "Who's in your family?" for children ages 5-11 which promotes this message and also excites children about having their family involved in their daily life.

As one can guess, the people in my family are incredibly important to me. They have been essential in the completion of all tasks and accomplishments throughout my life. From the day I was born they have supported me in everything I do, from attending various choral performances while I was in grade school to surprising me with their very own rendition of "We are Family" at my senior dance recital, as seen in the picture (they actually weren't half bad).

I will have to agree with the rest of the girls that contestant forum was a blast. It was fun to either meet everyone for the first time, or see them again, and I know we have lots of good times ahead of us, and that we will be prepared for anything, especially after our "Project Runway" experience. I am looking forward to getting to know everyone and to continue on in my journey as Miss Anoka County 2007.

Until next time, peace and God bless, and prayers to those suffering from the tragic events at Virginia Tech.

Liz Wandersee - Miss Waseca County Sleigh and Cutter

Hello everyone!

My name is Liz Wandersee and I am the current Miss Waseca County Sleigh and Cutter. I was born in Arizona but raised in Waseca since I was 2! I am currently attending the University of Minnesota Twin Cities majoring in Family Social Science.



My platform is The Forgotten Generation: Connecting Youth and the Elderly. It focuses on getting youth more involved through volunteering with the elderly. Whether it be elementary students, high schoolers, or college students, everyone can do their part!



Some of the things I have worked on in my community involve:

Relay for Life, Meals on Wheels, The Waseca Marching Classic, Hospice Memorial Tree Service, Dream Catcher Bingo, of course the Sleigh and Cutter Festival, and working with students to hand out St. Patrick's Day cards to the elderly of the community.

All of the contestants had a workshop this past weekend where we were able to meet each other and have some quality bonding time making a Project Runway dress for the fashion show that night out of some unconventional materials! It was a great time and now I cannot wait for June to come to see everyone again!!

Miss Coon Rapids~Cori Shellum

Hello Family and Friends! I am very excited to be apart of this amazing group of women! My name is Cori Shellum, and I am honored to hold the title as Miss Coon Rapids.

I was born and raised in Cottage Grove, MN with my parents: Kathy and Don, and my three older sisters: Heather (Brian) Sandkuhler, Heidi (Bruce) Bredlow, and Colleen Shellum. I have five nephews: Tyler, Trey, Trygg, Jeff, and Andrew and a beautiful princess niece Princess Claire.

Coon Rapids means so much to me, because this community has helped me become the woman I am today. I attended Anoka Ramsey Community College where I was a member of the women's basketball team (we took 4th in the nation). I also student taught at Hamilton Elementary School while I was a student at Winona State. I graduated Cum Laude from Winona State University with a double major in Early Childhood Education and Elementary Education K-6.

I currently teach preschool full time at Peace of Mind Academy in Woodbury, MN. I am also pursuing my Master's Degree in Education K-12. I will graduate in May 2008!!!

Being an educator, I feel literacy is vital to the success of our younger generation. This is why I have chosen to promote Beads on One String, a book by Minnesota author Dennis Warner. This book emphasizes the importance of recognizing the things we have in common with each other and accepting our differences as ways we are unique. I enjoy traveling around Minnesota with Dennis Warner to promote this message.

The Contestant Forum was such a memorable time! I am looking forward to our week together at Miss Minnesota, because I know the memories we create together will be long-lasting!

Kasandra Meehl Miss Northwest

Hello everyone,

I am Kasandra Meehl Miss Northwest 2006. I was raised in Perham, MN with my parents Tim and Denise, two sisters Kayla and Kelli, and my nephew Bryce and niece Bree. I currently attend MSU Moorhead for Secondary Education with an emphasis in Mathematics.

My platform: Character Education - Trustworthiness, Respect, Responsibility, Fairness, Caring, Citizenship, focuses on the Implementation of Character Development in the K-12 setting. Using TRRFCC (Terrific), an acronym for the 6 pillars of Character Education, students and teachers learn how to use, demonstrate, and maintain life skills for success.

I have developed components of the Character Education program in Detroit Lakes, MN and over the last 8 years I have worked on developing many mentorship programs in Perham, MN and surrounding communites. Through my passion for educational enhancment programs I have reached over 4000 students and many thousands of parents and community members.

This past weekend at Miss MN contestant forum was a very informative weekend. I learned key details about the Miss Mn week, pageant, and a little about each of the contestants. We all had a blast working on our project runway cocktail dresses; I can definitely say that I look forward to meeting up again with my group, The Fabulous Five.

Hi everyone! I am very excited about the idea of all of the contestants writing a bit about themselves so that the wonderful State of Minnesota can get to know all of us just a little bit better. On that note, here is a little about me:

Title: Miss Twin Cities 2007

Platform: "Get Up & Move" -I talk to kids about why it's important to live a healthy lifestyle. I have partnered with the American Heart Association as well as a local program here in the Twin Cities called "Power Hour." I love my platform and it's very important to me!

Hometown: Coon Rapids, Minnesota

Educational background: University of Minnesota, Carlson School of Management - 2006 Graduate with a degree in Marketing

I was crowned last out of all of the locals - February 24, 2007, so it was quite the rush to get everything ready for our workshop, which was held this past weekend (April 14-15). At workshop I got to meet all of the fabulous contestants and the entire Miss Minnesota board. We even had the opportunity to design our own dress, Project Runway style, which was a complete blast! But overall, I am very much looking forward to learning more about each contestant and, of course, I can't wait for Miss Minnesota week. Until next time!!

Cindy Neseth
Miss Twin Cities 2007

Miss Brainerd Lakes

Hello everyone! I am Mackenzie Ross, Miss Brainerd Lakes 2006. My platform is titled Invest, Involve, Vote which focuses on investing in our nation by being involved in our government at the local, state and national level and of course voting.

I'm currently attending school at Central Lakes College in Brainerd. With hopes of obtaining my AA degree this spring. This past fall I completed an internship in Washington D.C at the White House. I worked in the Office of Presidential Correspondence, specifically the Gift Office. It was an extremely exciting time to be in 'the District' during an election year.

I really enjoyed the Contestant Forum weekend. It was exciting to meet everyone and very informative. I particular enjoyed the Fashion Gala because my group won!!!!! :) I'm looking forward to pageant week and getting to know all the contestants better!

In Their Own Words

Many people have expressed interest in being able to keep in touch with news from local titleholders in Minnesota. This blog will do just that! Each of the 15 contestants will be posting with photos, appearances, and thoughts as State Week approaches. I hope you'll check back here regularly to see what these extraordinary young women are doing in their communities.

Ladies, take it away!

-Nicole Swanson-
Miss MN 2006