MRS. MN AMERICA PARTY - EDEN PRAIRIE, MN

My client (and super close friend) Wendi Russo - Mrs. MN America 2008 (and Shop NBC host) hosted a wonderful party for the 2009 contestants at her home in Eden Prairie, MN. Wendi has such great style and even better, she has an Italian husband who is an amazing cook! She hosted such a great event and I was SO TOUCHED when she presented me with the most amazing "coach" frame in front of all the contestants. I had no idea that this was coming and I was just so touched. We worked soooooo hard the year she won her state title and it was so fulfilling seeing that I truly had made a difference. Wendi is the real deal and I treasure our friendship. It was great to meet some of the new contestants as well as catch up with former Mrs. Minnesotas.







Sarah Moses (owner of The Pageant Shop) and I are SO PROUD of our client/friend Wendi Russo - Mrs. MN America 2008!











Sarah and I enjoying the party with some of our clients (L to R): Tamara Jett, Sarah, me, and Feryl York










Sarah poses by Wendi's winning evening gown, which came from Sarah's store The Pageant Shop. Wendi won the title as well as "Best in Gown" in this dress!
















All of the contestants at the party (MN and IA contestants combined)











All of the Minnesota contestants at the party













Former Mrs. Minnesotas (L to R): Faith Schway (1985), Bessie Giannakakis (2007), Wendi Russo (2008), me (2006), and Robin Duffney (1995)












Catching up with Feryl York, one of my Iowa clients. This girl is a JOY to work with! LOVE HER!










Wendi during the surprise presentation of the "coach" frame which she gave to me...it was a gift I will always treasure!!!
















Wendi is so much more than just a client...she truly has become such a dear friend! She has been the BEST Mrs. Minnesota ever--I have seriously never seen such a great promoter of the pageant EVER! Way to go Wendi! You earned it!













Sarah Moses (owner of The Pageant Shop) and I with all of our clients. Thank you ladies! It is a pleasure working with each of you!










Catching up with pageant sponsor Jason Young of YoungQuest Fitness. If you are looking to get your body in the best shape possible for competition, make SURE to give Jason a call!

VIKINGS CHEERLEADER TRYOUTS- BLOOMINGTON, MN

After judging the MVC Pageant, I was a judge for the actual tryouts themselves (held at the Mall of America). There were so many terrific girls so it was really hard to narrow it down. These girls are amazing dancers--people have NO idea the amount of dance training that these ladies have gone through! My good friend and client Tami Krause (Mrs. MN Int'l 2009) is the head coach of the MVC and it was fun seeing her in her element. She does a GREAT job and is a great coach, friend, and client!

Congrats to the 2009 members of the squad!






Sarah Moses (owner of The Pageant Shop) and I judging the 2009 MVC Cheerleading Tryouts.












All of the finalists...this was cut into almost half! A tough job!












Sarah and I again in front of the stage...

JUDGING THE MN VIKINGS CHEERLEADER PAGEANT - MINNEAPOLIS, MN

Tonight was a super fun night judging the Minnesota Vikings Cheerleader pageant. Although I've judged the actual tryouts themselves for the past few years, this is the first time there has ever been an actual pageant (which was held in addition to the tryouts). It was held at the Orpheum Theater and was a lot of fun. My good friends Wendi Russo (Mrs. MN America 2008) and Sarah Moses (owner of The Pageant Shop) were fellow judges so that was neat. After the pageant, we headed up to Seven Sushi & Ultralounge for the results announcement. A super fun night with super fun friends!






With fellow judges (and close friends) Wendi Russo (Mrs. MN America 2008) and Sarah Moses (owner of The Pageant Shop)













My client Wendi Russo (Mrs. MN America 2008) and I judging the MN Vikings Cheerleader pageant.













With fellow pageant judges















Sarah, Wendi, and I catch up with Kim Dorn (assistant coach for the MVC and former Mrs. MN America 2005).












Tami Krause (head coach of the Vikings Cheerleaders) emceed the event. Tami is a client of mine and just so happens to be the reigning Mrs. MN International 2009! Great job Tami!














The Top 12 cheerleaders!













So proud of my two Mrs. Minnesotas! Tami (far L) is Mrs. MN International 2009 and Wendi is Mrs. Minnesota America 2008. Amazing women who were incredible to coach!













Catching up with my pageant buddy Kristina (a veteran MVC) at the results party. Love this girl!

MINNESOTA INTERNATIONAL PAGEANT - ST. CLOUD, MN

The Minnesota International pageants were once again held in St. Cloud, MN and I am happy to say that it was a great success! I coached two out of the three new queens, Tami Krause (Mrs. MN Int'l 2009) and Jessica Scheu (Miss Teen MN Int'l 2009). Here's how my other clients did:

MRS
Winner: Tami Krause (Volunteer Service Award
2nd RU: Tamara Jett (Photogenic Award)

MISS
1st RU: Mary Swenson (Director's Award, Supermodel with Style, Miss Congeniality)
2nd RU: Rachel Richards
3rd RU: Andrea Bennett

TEEN
Winner: Jessica Scheu (Best Interview, Best Evening Gown, Best Aerobicwear, Photogenic)
4th RU: Rachael Hitchcock
Top 10 Semifinalist: Gianna Capuzzi








Pink is the "sparkle" color (which happens to be MY favorite color), and here I am with two of my Sparkle girls (L to R): Mary Swenson and Jessica Scheu















Boy have I shared a lot of laughs with these two ladies! L to R: me, Tamara Jett (Mrs. Ham Lake), and Natalie Hagemo (former Mrs. Excelsior and one of the coolest ladies I know!)















With my clients after prelims...what a gorgeous group! I am so proud of each of them!!!












My mom took this photo of Jessica and I...I was so proud of how far she had come! LOVE this photo!












Phillips, WI gals ROCK! With my amazing mom Bonnie and friend/client Susan Jackson. We are all from the tiny town of Phillips, WI (population 1,200!)














GO TEAM SPARKLE!!!











With my Mrs clients at the luncheon (L to R): Teri Kratz, Tamara Jett, me, and Tami Krause











With my Miss clients at the luncheon (L to R): Mary Swenson, Rachel Richards, me, and Andrea Bennett












With my ALL of my Sparkle clients at the pageant luncheon...don't they all look terrific?












What would I do without my best friend in the whole world, my mom Bonnie? She has been an INCREDIBLE asset in helping my girls prepare, especially in interview! Love you Mom!













Past and present MN Int'l queens (L to R): Nancy Paradeise (Mrs '04), Becky Ringen (Miss '06), Danni Epps (Miss '07), Tina Rosenthal (Miss '08), Megan Herickhoff (Teen '08), Leisha Gust (Mrs '08), Donnell Rank (Mrs 07), me (Mrs '03)









Sarah Moses (owner of The Pageant Shop) and I wish our client Mary Swenson good luck just before pageant finals!











A few last minute words of advice for our client Jessica Scheu on finals night...











It was great to see Lindsey Kurhajetz who was my 1st RU the year I won Mrs. MN America. I would love to see her compete again some day--she's a cool chick!















HOORAY for my two new winners, Tami Krause - Mrs. MN International 2009 and Jessica Scheu - Miss Teen MN International 2009! I AM SO THRILLED FOR YOU BOTH!












Sarah Moses (owner of The Pageant Shop) and I are so proud of our winning clients! L to R: Sarah, Wendi Russo (Mrs. MN America 2008), Jessica Scheu (Miss Teen MN Int'l 2009), Tami Krause (Mrs. MN Int'l 2009), Leisha Gust (Mrs. MN 2008), and me











This is Jessica and I re-enacting our same pose from the night prior...must have been good luck!








My mom and I celebrate Jessica's win! My mom was INSTRUMENTAL in helping Jessica fine tune her interview...I will never forget the day Jessica said to my mom "I'm not afraid of you any more" after she had a great mock interview. Thank you mom for all of your help, we couldn't have done it without you!









Goofing around while holding Jessica's many plaques - Best in Interview, Best in Evening Gown, Best in Aerobicwear, and Photogenic Award! WOW!









I am blessed to work with some truly incredible teens! L to R: Gianna Capuzzi, Jessica Scheu, and Rachel Hitchcock. WAY TO GO GIRLS!!!











Welcome to the Mrs. MN International sisterhood Tami! L to R: Kelly Jahner-Byrne (2001), Leisha Gust (2008), Tami Krause (2009), me (2003), Ellie Ortmann (1994), Allison Stavrakis (1998), Nancy Paradeise (2004), Sue Hoffman (1995--also won Mrs. International)










Two out of three new queens isn't bad! :)

MN INTERNATIONAL PRE-PAGEANT PARTY - BLOOMINGTON, MN

This year's pre-pageant party was held at the Country Inn & Suites in Bloomington, MN and it was great to meet a number of this year's contestants and catch up with former queens. The MN International family is a terrific group of people and this is a party I always enjoy.



So proud of ALL of my clients! L to R: Tami Krause (Mrs), Gianna Capuzzi (Teen), Tamara Jett (Mrs), Leisha Gust (Mrs. MN Int'l 2008), me, Andrea Bennett (Miss), Jessica Scheu (Teen), Mary Swenson (Miss), and Rachel Richards (Miss)












All of the MN formers in attendance gather for a photo (L to R): State Director Allison Stavrakis (Mrs. '88), Trixie Overcashier (Mrs. '98), me (Mrs. '03), Angela Haseman (Mrs. MN '06), Megan Ehlert (Teen '06), Becky Ringen (Miss '06), Donnell Rank (Mrs. '07), Leisha Gust (Mrs. '08), Tina Rosenthal (Miss '08), Megan Herickhoff (Teen '08)







Former Mrs. Minnesota International queens (L to R): State Director Allison Stavrakis (1988), Trixie Overcashier (1998), me (2003), Leisha Gust (2008), Angela Haseman (2006), Megan Ehlert (2006), Becky Ringen (2006), Donnell Rank (2007)










Me with my awesome mom and best friend in the world, Bonnie Henderson. I would not be the woman I am today without her. Love you Mom!









I am so honored to have coached both of the reigning 2008 Mrs. queens in Minnesota! They were both so fun to work with and so very deserving of their "wins." Wendi Russo (Mrs. MN America 2008) is on the left, and Leisha Gust (Mrs. MN International 2008) is on the right.










With my two of my Miss clients, Andrea Bennett (L) and Rachel Richards (R). These two women are just amazing people inside and out!










With my two teen clients Gianna Capuzzi (L) and Jessica Scheu (R). They are SO fun to work with--it seems like yesterday that I was in their shoes!











After the party, a few of us headed to Solera for some dinner. Yes, pageant girls DO eat (and we ate lots!)