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