MN INTERNATIONAL PRE-PAGEANT PARTY - BLOOMINGTON, MN

Each year, State Director Allison Stavrakis (one of my dearest friends) throws a party for the 2008 contestants competing in the Mrs/Miss/Teen Minnesota International pageant. It is always fun to meet the new contestants as well as catch up with former queens and pageant staff. Allison and her 2007 queens did a terrific job with everything and Sammi Ugarte (mom of Giselle Ugarte, Miss Teen MN Int’l 2007) set up a FABULOUS silent auction with all the monies raised going to the Queen’s Fund (this helps pay for their ad pages at nationals). I bought a bunch of stuff for a steal (gift cards, a portable DVD player, etc) and all the money went to a great cause.





Catching up with Danni Epps (Miss MN Int’l 2007) and Angela Haseman (Mrs. MN Int’l 2006)







Celebrating our hard work with my 2008 Minnesota International clients. CLOCKWISE L to R: Tamara Jett, Molly Nicholson, Starla Reisner, me, Denise Wellik-Peterson, Leisha Gust, Natalie Hagemo, and Delanie Neal







With one of my favorite people Donnell Rank, Mrs. MN Int’l 2007. GO NELLY!









With my terrific teen client Delanie Neal, Miss Fairfax International 2008. Love her!

“GO RED FOR WOMEN” LUNCHEON - MINNEAPOLIS, MN

Today I attended the “Go Red for Women” luncheon in downtown Minneapolis as a former Mrs. Minnesota International and to also show my support for this cause. The Minnesota International pageants (headed by my dear friend and state director Allison Stavrakis) have “adopted” the Go Red for Women campaign as their official charity. I was surprised to learn that heart disease and stroke is the #1 killer of women in this country---it turns out that this is not just a “man’s disease” after all. Miss Minnesota International 2007 Danielle Epps gave an inspiring speech about her experience with this issue and it was great to see Mary & Mel Richardson (Mrs. International Executive Directors) in attendance all the way from Virginia.



Supporting the "Go Red for Women" campaign with some of my clients (L to R): Natalie Hagemo (Mrs. Excelsior Int'l 2008), Leisha Gust (Mrs. Burnsville Int'l 2008), me, and Tamara Jett (Mrs. Ham Lake Int'l 2008)






Past Mrs, Miss, and Teen MN Int'l queens and current pageant contestants in attendance at the "Go Red for Women" luncheon at The Depot in downtown Minneapolis.








Catching up with Mrs. International Executive Directors Mel & Mary Richardson.





L to R: Sarah Wall (Miss International 2005), Nancy Paradeise (Mrs. MN Int'l 2004), Donnell Rank (Mrs. MN Int'l 2007), Danni Epps (Miss MN Int'l 2007), Kelly Jahner-Byrne (Mrs. MN Int'l 2001), me (Mrs. MN Int'l 2003), and Megan Ehlert (Miss MN Teen Int'l 2006)






One of my dearest friends in the world, Donnell Rank (Mrs. MN Int'l 2007).




Hanging out at the MN Int'l booth with State Director Allison Stavrakis, Sarah Wall (Miss International 2005), me, and Donnell Rank (Mrs. MN Int'l 2007)

MIDWEST PAGEANT EXPO - BLOOMINGTON, MN

The very first Midwest Pageant Expo was held at the Thunderbird Hotel in Bloomington, MN and was organized by one of my dear friends Sue Jackson. Sue is not only a former Mrs. Wisconsin America and Mrs. Wisconsin United States, she is also a full-time teacher and State Director of the Mrs. WI United States pageant. I don't know how she fits it all in, but she is one of THE most organized people I know! I was honored to be asked to be a guest speaker--I spoke on the importance of a stellar resume on Friday evening, and on Saturday I gave a presentation on general pageant preparation. It was a great opportunity to meet with out-of-town clients and also have some free time to catch up with pageant friends.




L to R: Sarah Moses (owner of The Pageant Shop), Brie Anderson, Marcia Anderson, me, and Expo organizer Sue Jackson setting up our booths.





Catching up with Megan Ehlert in our nearly matching tunic tops.







With good friend and fellow member of the Mrs. America "Class of 2006" Julie Rinehart (Mrs. IL America 2006) and my client Anji Meidel, who went on to place as 2nd RU in the 2008 Mrs. IL America pageant.



With fellow presenter & good friend Tami Krause (head coach of the MVC)












With clients Jessi Mishler (far L) and Debra Jakowicz during some free time at the Expo.










Giving a presentation on "The 100 Little Things That Make a Big Difference" during the Expo.









L to R: My mom (pageant judge & former director/competitor), me, Sarah Moses, and Sue Jackson during the Expo.





Enjoying the evening's festivities are (L to R): Sarah Moses of The Pageant Shop, my client Wendi Russo (Mrs. Eden Prairie America 2008), me, and Nancy Kroese (Beauties of America 50's)





Susan Jackson and I snap a quick photo during the cocktail party.

JACOB WETTERLING RESOURCE CENTER SPEAKING EVENT - WOODBURY, MN

One of the things I am most proud of in my life is that I am the most senior-ranking member of the Jacob Wetterling Resource Center Speaker's Bureau and also serving on the Board of Directors. I've been promoting my platform "Keeping Our Children Safe" which promotes child safety education and abduction prevention. Today I gave three presentations at Valley Crossing Community schools for grades K-6. Speaking at schools is my favorite thing to do because I really get to interact with the kids and dispel many of the myths that are out there. I encourage you to visit the Jacob Wetterling Resource Center website for more information.






Speaking at Valley Crossing Community School in Woodbury, MN





With Jamie, who coordinated the event! Thanks for a great turnout!

MISS AMERICA 2008 - LAS VEGAS, NV

A number of Minnesota pageant gals headed out to Las Vegas for the 2008 Miss America pageant to show our support for Jennifer Hudspeth Miss Minnesota 2008. We arrived on Thursday night and were able to attend the last evening of prelims. I am always so impressed by the level of talent and brains at this pageant! It was great to run into Andrea Preuss (Mrs. America 2005) and her SUPER fun hair and makeup stylist Sean, who I always get the hugest kick out of.






Donnell Rank (Mrs. MN Int'l 2007), Cheri Kennedy, and I on our way into the final night of prelims.






Andrea Preuss's good friend and stylist Sean, who is so fun!





L to R: Andrea Preuss (Mrs. America 2005/Mrs. United States 2003), me, Janice McQueen Ward (Mrs. United States 1999), and Janice's friend. I love running into fun pageant people!




Sarah Moses (owner of The Pageant Shop) and her sister Bridget decided to skip prelims and grab dinner at Koi while the rest of us attended prelims. During their dinner (and of course being the cute and charming ladies that they are), they got invited to the Rambo premiere held at Prive. I got a text from Sarah about it right as prelims were ending and so we were able to get in as well. It was SO FUN! Apparently we had just missed Sylvester Stallone by a few minutes, but it was a blast nonetheless.




L to R: Cheri Kennedy, Sarah Moses, Donnell Rank (Mrs. MN Int'l 2007), Bridget Jaeger (Sarah's super fun sister), and "moi" at the Rambo premiere party at Prive.




Friday morning, we got ready and headed down to the annual Miss America trade show, which is always a great excuse to buy some bling and crown-related items (anyone who knows me knows how much I love crown stuff!). It was great to run into some pageant buddies and old friends. After checking out the trade show, we shopped and shopped and shopped some more before getting ready for the evening's festivities.



At one of my favorite booths "Crown Chic Boutique" with my buddy Marney Duckworth (Mrs. Colorado/Mrs. America 2006). She is a blast and one of the things I particularly like about her is that she can quote "Dumb and Dumber" as well as I can!





Running into (L to R): Deanna Bebeau (Ms. United America 2007) and Kathy Lauer (Mrs. United America 2007). Kathy and I competed together at Mrs. International in 2003 and have remained friends ever since.






We happened to meet celebrity photographer Mark Liddell (one of the judges on "Miss America Reality Check") and chatted with him for a bit. Nice guy with a cool accent.






Famed pageant swimsuit designer Jamye Shaw and I at the tradeshow. Jamye designed the swimsuit I wore when I won Mrs. Minnesota America 2006.








Catching up with Janice McQueen Ward (Mrs. IN Int'l 2008/Mrs. United States 1999). Janice is one classy lady and is definitely someone I admire!




After a full day of shopping, we had dinner reservations at N9NE restaurant at The Palms Hotel & Casino. We met some of our most fun pageant friends, Robin Fleming (owner of La Casa Hermosa) and Melissa Hagan (Mrs. FL Int'l 2005). It was SOOOO much fun to catch up with these two and LOTS of laughs were had! As we were waiting for our table, the VIP hostess approached us and said that the hotel was going to take care of us for the rest of the night. It was fabulous because they really treated us like royalty (which of course we ARE, ha ha).




In the lobby at Planet Hollywood by their crystal floor-to-ceiling chandeliers on our way out to dinner.









L to R: Me, Robin Fleming (owner of La Casa Hermosa), and Melissa Hagan enjoying dinner and laughs at N9NE restaurant.










Donnell and I having a blast!








Saturday we mostly spent shopping as we had to get ready quite early due to the fact that we had to be in our seats by 4:30 (the Miss America telecast started at 5:00 west coast time). People watching the throngs of people entering the theater was great and it was a veritable "who's who" in pageant land.


Minnesota represents! L to R: Alexa Bruer (MN teen contestant), Brie Anderson (1st RU Miss MN USA 2008), Sarah Moses (owner of The Pageant Shop), Cheri Kennedy, Donnell Rank (Mrs. MN Int'l 2007), me, Tina Rosenthal (Miss MN Int'l 2008), and Megan Ehlert (Miss South Central MN-MAO 2007) before the pageant.





Former Mrs. Minnesota Internationals unite in Vegas! (L to R): Kelly Jahner-Byrne (2001), Nancy Paradeise (2004), me (2003), and Donnell Rank (2007)








L to R: Me, Sarah Moses, and her fun sister Bridger Jaeger after the pageant.










The Minnesota Contingency heads out to dinner after the pageant! WOW there are a lot of us!










L to R: Heading to dinner in our limo (L to R): me, Nancy Paradeise, & Kelly Jahner-Byrne







We went to an off-the-beaten-path Italian restaurant (can't remember the name) that was REALLY fun and there was this Frank Sinatra-type singer guy who strolled around the restaurant singing away. He LOVED Donnell, and I of course am cracking up!





Donnell's expression says it all! She got so annoyed with this guy because he would not sing to anyone else but her. It was really funny (not sure that Donnell thought so, but I sure did).







Sarah, Donnell, and I enjoying dinner.






When we found this crown sign, we OF COURSE had to have our photo taken in front of it!

MPLS WOMEN'S EXPO 2008 - MINNEAPOLIS, MN

Sarah Moses (owner of The Pageant Shop) and I attended the Minneapolis Women's Expo held at the convention center. A yearly event, it was much smaller this year because they got rid of the free food which apparently was a big draw. It was fun to check out some of the booths and we of course stopped by the Mrs. Minnesota International and Mrs. Minnesota America booths to say hi to our pageant buddies.





L to R: Sarah Moses (owner of The Pageant Shop), photographer and friend Paula Preston, and me










L to R: Sarah Moses, Miss Minnesota International 2007 Danni Epps, and me

GO RED FOR WOMEN/MN INT’L CALENDAR SHOOT - MINNEAPOLIS, MN

Today a number of current and former Minnesota International queens got together for the “Go Red for Women” calendar shoot held at Paula Preston’s studio in Minneapolis. In addition to our calendar page, some of us (including myself) shot promotional videos where we spoke about the importance of knowing one’s numbers and how heart disease is the #1 killer of women. It was great to catch up with some of the “formers” and a great time was had while promoting a great cause.

The “Class of 2003” meets up at the photo shoot for the Go Red for Women Calendar (our “month” featured current and former titleholders from the MN Int’l pageant system). L to R: Nancy Paradeise (Mrs. MN Int’l 2004), Donnell Rank (Mrs. MN Int’l 2007), and me (Mrs. MN Int’l 2003). The three of us met in 2003 when we all competed together!





L to R: Victoria Terry (Mrs. MN Int’l 1990), Sue Hoffman (Mrs. MN Int’l/Mrs. Int’l 1995), and me (Mrs. MN Int’l 2003). Go Red!








Minnesota International titleholders past and present show their support for the Go Red for Women campaign.








Mrs. MN International's unite for a good cause. L to R: Donnell Rank (2007), Angela Haseman (2006), me (2003), and Nancy Paradeise (2004)







The “behind the scenes” team of photographer extraordinaire Paula Preston (far L) and makeup artist Sandy McCracken-Rootes (far R). These two are awesome!