MN INT'L PAGEANTS SEND-OFF PARTY - NORTH OAKS, MN

Sarah Moses (owner of The Pageant Shop by Michael's and one of my very best friends) and I hosted a Send-Off Party for the Minnesota International titleholders at my house. Luckily the weather cooperated and it was a picture perfect day so some of the kids in attendance were able to enjoy the pool. I'm lucky I even made it to the party because I nearly locked myself out of my car when I went to pick up the balloons. That nearly sent me into panic mode because I had less than an hour to get home, get showered, and be ready for everyone to arrive. But by the grace of God, one door managed to be open (I still don't understand how that happened--luck was on my side).

It was great to see so many Minnesota pageant people getting together to send these three ladies off to Nationals in style. Friends and family of Donnell Rank (Mrs. MN Int'l 2007), Danielle Epps (Miss MN Int'l 2007), and Giselle Ugarte (Miss Teen MN Int'l 2007) gathered to enjoy some great conversation and food while of course giving our good luck wishes to the queens. Donnell modeled her gown from The Pageant Shop for us (the other two girls had their gowns at the alterations shop) and of course looked FABULOUS (FYI, "fabulous" is one of our favorite words in the pageant circle!). Toward the end of the festivities, the ladies opened up the many trinkets and gifts given to them, which was fun to watch (lots of crowned-themed items!). It was a great party and a great way to send these ladies off! GO MINNESOTA!








Kim Dorn (Mrs. MN America 2005) and her adorable baby girl Kayla stop by the party to say hello!











L to R: Sarah Moses (co-host & owner of The Pageant Shop by Michael's), Bessie Giannakakis (Mrs. MN America 2007), Donnell Rank (Mrs. MN Int'l 2007), and me












Party goers enjoying a beautiful summer afternoon.
















Donnell models her national competition gown from The Pageant Shop with proud owner Sarah Moses looking on.









Current and former Mrs. MN International queens at the party (L to R): Donnell Rank (2007), Angela Haseman (2005), Nancy Paradeise (2004), and me (2003). FYI, Angela is pregnant and due in mid-November...congrats!












Giselle, Danni, and Donnell opening their many gifts during the party.










Donnell and I pose with photographer extraordinaire Paula Preston (far L) and Terri Handrahan (far R), who is a long time pageant volunteer and the Mrs. MN Charity Coordinator.

MISS MINNESOTA (MAO) 2007 - EDEN PRAIRIE, MN

This year's Miss Minnesota (MAO) pageant was held at the Eden Prairie High School and had a field of 15 contestants competing from all across the state of Minnesota. My mom and I attended and it was fun to see many familiar pageant faces in the audience. I will always have a soft spot in my heart for the Miss America program as I competed in college and placed as 3rd runner-up to Miss Wisconsin 1994 (here are some photos for laughs--check out my huge hair WOW!). I love the talent aspect of this system (when I competed, I sang and played guitar which I still love to do to this day). I wish there were a major pageant for married women with a talent competition--I'd be there with bells on!

Anyway, the winner was the absolutely DARLING Jennifer Hudspeth, who I've had the pleasure of getting to know through the International pageant system. She and her mom Mary Kim Hudspeth (who is a great lady and a riot!) both competed in their respective divisions in the 2005 Mrs/Miss/Teen Minnesota International pageants (Jen as a Miss and Mary Kim as a Mrs), and both placed as 1st runner-up! Jennifer is one of the sweetest young ladies and I was THRILLED to see her win. She has worked incredibly hard in life and in pageantry and this was a well deserved win. Her grace and style with shine through this year and I hope to cheer her on at Miss America in person. See you there!

Catching up w/ Giselle Ugarte (Miss Teen MN Int'l '07) and Danni Epps (Miss MN Int'l '07)












Saying hi to fellow "former" Mrs. MN America Melissa Hall (she was Mrs. MN America 2004 and is on the cover of the current Oxygen Magazine!)











Old friends reunite! Wishing Mary Kim (Jen Hudspeth's mom) GOOD LUCK at intermission. I can't imagine how tough it must be to be a mom in the audience watching your daughter compete...maybe I'll find out someday when Ava is older!











Moms and daughters (L to R): My mom Bonnie Henderson, Laurie Ehlert, me, and Megan Ehlert (Miss Teen MN Int'l 2006 and a hopeful Miss MN contestant for 2008).











The ladies in blue (L to R): Friend & pageant photographer Paula Preston, Brie Anderson (2nd RU to Miss MN USA 2007 and 1st RU to Miss MN Int'l 2007), and me.


OK, here are the old photos I promised...check out my huge hair!

MEETING THE INT'L RICE QUEEN - ATLANTIS, BAHAMAS

My husband Matt and I, along with his parents Paul & Kathryn Ernst, attended the Rice Miller's Association Meeting held at the Atlantis in the Bahamas. We left the day after I passed on my title of Mrs. Minnesota-America, so needless to say I was quite exhausted and in need of a vacation. One neat thing was meeting the 70th International Rice Queen at one of the tradeshow events, the lovely Marissa Leigh Champagne. Festival pageants are BIG in the south, and to get an idea of how many of them there are, check out the Louisiana Fairs and Festivals website. I want a crown that big!

GREETINGS FROM HOLLY...

Now that I have passed down my title to this year's Mrs. Minnesota-America 2007 (the lovely Bessie Giannakakis), I am moving on to the next chapter in my life. I am starting my own pageant coaching and consulting business, which has been in the works for a few years now but was difficult to do due to the fact that I was also competing. This is something I have wanted to do for a long time and now that time has finally arrived. I am in the process of creating a website (which will be www.hollyernst.com ) and my coaching materials, so keep checking back for updates on that. In the meantime, if you are interested in my coaching services, please contact me via email: mrsminnesota2006@mac.com

I will now be keeping a blog of various pageant events and activities here, and will be constantly updating it with photos, links, etc. I love pageantry and am very much looking forward to this next adventure helping OTHERS achieve THEIR dreams. Here's hope you enjoy the ride along with me!


Sincerely,
Holly Ernst