Miss Brainerd Lakes/Miss Baxter pageant!

After 3 days of Miss Minnesota, then 6 days of camp, and now Miss Brainerd and Baxter, I am one exhausted girl! Sleep? Who needs it, it's overrated!

Although I was glad to be home, I wasn't home for long because it was soon time for the Miss Brainerd Lakes and Miss Baxter pageants!

This weekend was the kick-off to the Miss Minnesota class of 2012! There were 2 local pageants; Miss Brainerd/Baxter and Miss Marshall County.

Of course being from the Brainerd area, I was most looking forward to the Brainerd pageants! I knew a lot of the girls competing so it was fun seeing them prepare in the months leading up to the pageant. I helped alot of them with mock interviews, and they all did amazing! I knew that it was going to be a tough pageant to judge. I would not have liked to have been a judge!

It was also great getting to see all of the Miss MN girls that I didn't get a chance to talk to while at camp. They seem to all be doing great!

This year, the Miss Brainerd/Baxter pageant at 14 contestants; a huge number of girls! For Miss Minnesota's Outstanding Teen they only had 10, which is a STATE pageant not a LOCAL pageant.  I think we might have a pageant bug in our water?

The contestants performed beautifully, and I would like to say a huge congrats to Rebecca Yeh, the new Miss Brainerd Lakes and Haley Van Steenwyk, the very first Miss Baxter! Both of them are totally deserving, and I can't wait to see what each of them will bring to the table.

3rd runner up- Brittany Dahlman
2nd runner up- Emma Hilgart (go girl!!)
1st runner up- Katie Strand
Xoxo,
Bailey

Camp Building Bridges

For those that don't know, I just arrived home from Camp Building Bridges in Oklahoma! This camp is for teenagers who have a loved one who suffers from Alzheimer's. I went to this camp with another girl from Minnesota whose Dad also has Alzheimer's disease.

After landing at the Tulsa Airport in Oklahoma, Nikky and I found our bags and connected with Ronda from the Oklahoma-Arkansas Alzheimer's Association Chapter. I knew immediately that I was going to like her! She was bubbly and fun to be around.

After connecting with her, we waiting for 2 other campers plane to land. The first one that showed up was Holley from Georgia, who became one of my greatest friends that week. She is also 16 and has a father who has Alzheimer's. The next person was a guy from Texas named Tristan whose grandma has the disease. It's great to know that I'm not the only teenager having to care for a father and loved one who has Alzheimer's.

There was a long drive to the actual camp, we were 10 miles from the border of Arkansas in the foothills of the Ozarks. The actual camp name was New Life Ranch, which is a Christian camp. Right when we arrived, we met all of the other campers who came with the Alzheimer's Association. I walked into the room and felt an immediate connection to a roomful of strangers. It was simply amazing.

We then got to go to our cabins and meet our councelors for the week, Abbie and Lauren. They greeted us with open arms, ready to help us build our relationships with Christ. Although I was exhausted on Sunday from getting only 4 hours of sleep because of Miss MN on Saturday night, I was ready for this journey I was about to take. I made sure to thank God for getting me to Oklahoma safely.

After signing up for some activities, sleep finally came around 11:30 that night. I fell asleep within minutes and stayed asleep all night until 6:30 Monday morning when it was time for our horse-riding class we signed up for. I always enjoy riding horses because it's not something I get to do everyday. I rode a horse named Riley all week who was very tall!

That's how our weekdays would start; waking up at 6:30 to ride horses, then cleaning our cabin, and breakfast. After breakfast, we have our activity classes that we signed up for. Nikky and I signed up for photography and arts & crafts. Both of those classes allowed me to express my artistic side :)

Although the campers that are with the Alzheimer's Association are mingled in with the regular campers, we still manage to make time to talk with one another and really get to know each other. The 15 or 16 of us that are the Alzheimer's campers would meet from 4-6pm to talk about what we are going through, do some crafts, and play some games. It was great being able to relate to other teenagers and ask them questions I've had for a long time.

The friends that I made there are so different. They know exactly what I'm going through. They're not left to try and guess what it feels like to have to watch your loved one slowly die from an incurable disease... They already know. We also compared the crazy things that our loved ones do when they have Alzheimer's.

I can't even describe how much I am taking away from this journey. As I prepare for my final day full day (Friday the 24th), I've realized just how much I am walking away with. I have some incredible new friends who I know I will stay in contact with. I have new skills as to how to cope with things at home. I also feel like I have a new life in Christ, and a better understanding of His love for me. I don't know how one week changed my whole outlook on life, but it did.

Leaving on Saturday is going to be hard. I wish I could take all of the people I've met home with me, but I'm ready to see my parents and get back into the swing of life.

My plane is sceduled to fly into Minneapolis at 1:40pm and from there, I rush back to Brainerd to get ready for the Miss Brainerd Lakes/Miss Baxter pageant. I don't think I could have possibly packed more into 2 weeks :)

Good luck to all of the contestants!
Bailey

Miss Minnesota 2011

One of my favorite weeks of the year is Miss Minnesota week. Knowing many of the local titleholders personally, makes the pageant that much more fun to watch.

 Mom and I left early Thursday morning to have breakfast with Marcy and Nikky Smith, friends of ours who are going through the same thing we are having a husband and dad suffer from Alzheimer's. Nikky and I just so happen to be the same age, and are leaving for Camp Building Bridges on Sunday the 19th in Oklahoma! I'm really excited! It will be fun to have a little break from this crazy and hectic thing I like to call my life :)

After having breakfast with them, we were off the Eden Prairie to get ready to watch the Miss Minnesota pageant! One of my Mom's friends lives about 5 minutes from Eden Prairie High School, the place where the pageant is being held, so we always like to stay with her.

Thursday night was one of two prelim nights. I like watching the prelims because you get to see all of the contestants perform, not just the top 10. I was greatly looking forward to seeing all of "pageant people" that I don't get to see on a regular basis. Prior to Thursday nights pageant,  Mom and I met with good friends of ours, Suzie and Allyson Kearns. The four of us always have such a good time together and tend to get in quite a few laughs. Allyson was Miss Minnesota 2002, so it's fun hearing her perspective of things. I look up to her, and respect her in so many ways.

After arriving at the auditorium, taking my fair share of pictures, and catching up with people I hadn't seen in a long time, it was time for the pageant to finally start. I was extatic! I could hardly stay in my chair! I was excited for all of the girls I had come to know over the past 2 1/2 years of competing. I know what it's like to be waiting patiently backstage for the music to start. I think thats why I get so excited for these girls even though I'm not competing.

My sister queen, Bethany, rocked the stage in her swimsuit and evening gown that night! She looked gorgeous and her performance was flawless. I was one proud little sister queen!

When Thursday's pageant was over, I headed over to Champlin with one of my best friends I have made through pageants, Paige Meyer, her mom Alice, and her friend Tim. I had a great time catching up with her and sitting around the campfire talking girl and pageant talk. I enjoy my time with her immensly, and I know that I'm going to miss her so much when she leaves for college!

Friday morning started with a lovely walk outside with Paige. It was a gorgeous day that we just had to take advantage of! After our walk, we got ourselves ready to do a little shopping at the Mall of America. Paige is going to be competing for a local Miss pageant coming up soon, so she needed a swimsuit. She found the perfect suit, and I'm excited to watch her compete in it :)

Before I knew it, it was time to head back to Eden Prairie to get ready for the pageant.

After more pictures and catching up, prelim night 2 started. Bethany did onstage question and talent and ROCKED both! I was a proud little sister queen again :) When the night was over, I knew that it was all in God's hands in helping the judges choose top 10. I prayed that Bethany and several other of my good friends would make it in. I knew how hard they had all worked for this and I wished that they could all be crowned Miss Minnesota on Saturday!

After Fridays pageant, my Mom and I wen't out to a late dinner with another "Outstanding Teen", Corrina and her mom Chris! Corrina has become my little sister these past few months and I'm excited for her to compete for Miss North Metro Outstanding Teen in October. I love spending time with them and they never fail to make me laugh.

Saturday morning came before I knew it, and I realized that a new Miss Minnesota would be crowned tonight. I was sad to think of no longer having Kathryn Knuttila as our Miss Minnesota. Kathryn is such a strong and passionate person who continues to inspire myself and many others. I know she will continue to do great things. Keep being amazing, Kathryn! :)

On Saturday,  Mom and I did some more shopping but this time in Excelsior :) My hometown of Brainerd doesn't have a lot of good shopping areas, so you have to hit the good shopping whenever you are in the cities ;) After spending some money, we headed back tn Eden Prairie to pack up our things and get ready. Since I had to get up early Sunday morning for camp, I wanted to have everything packed so all I needed to do was get up and go.

Even more picture taking (I like to take pictures if you can't already tell!) and talking, finals night had started. I was so nervous. Almost as nervous as I was for my own pageant!

The opening number this night was way different and fun! They had some of the girls dancing in the audience and doing cartwheels onstage in their opening number dress, which I may add is skill! :)

Then came the big moment... TOP 10!!
     Lauren Johnson- Twin Cities
     Megan Elhert- Coon Rapids
     Shanda Arbach- Morris
     Natalie Davis- Mankato
     Bethany Beniek- North Metro (YAY!!)
     Aja Majkrzak- Capital City
     Liz Scipioni- South Central
     Allison Lordbock- City of Lakes
     Samantha Phillipi- West Metro
     Meghan Kuznia- Theif River Falls

They all performed again in all areas of competition before it was time to annouce the winners.

     Quality of Life award- Allison Lordbock
     Interview- Megan Elhert

TOP 5!
     4th runner up- Aja Majkrzak
     3rd runner up- Megan Elhert
     2nd runner up- Samantha Phillipi
     1st runner up- Lauren Johnson
     Miss Minnesota 2011- Natalie Davis!

Lauren Johnson is a past Miss Brainerd and I have gotten to know her very well. When it came down to those final two girls, I had no idea who it would be. Lauren had worked so hard for this, but it wasn't in God's plan this year.

Congrats to Natalie Davis, the new Miss Minnesota! I hope you enjoy your year, and I can't wait to see what things you will accomplish :)

Much love,
Bailey

 Alyssa and Paige!

 Lexi!

 My Mom  :)

 Jackie competed for Miss Brainerd Lakes/Baxter :)

 Lauren and I were both 1st runners-up in the Teen and Miss divisions :)

The "Outstanding Teens" in attendance. Myself, Corrina, and Emily!

Busy weekend!

I hope everyone is enjoying their summer! I'm finally starting to enjoy it after a long two months of being sick. I found myself in the ER last week. After lots of tests, I was told I had anaplasmosis, which is a tick born illness similar to Lyme disease. It was a miserable experience, but the antibiotics are making me feel much better. I am on the mend!

Yesterday, I was invited to hand out awards at the 4th Annual Cherry Car Show in Pequot Lakes. One of my old daycare providers, Betty Stumvoll, organized this event. When she asked me to be visiting royalty, I was honored! I didn't realize how big this event really was until I got there. There was about 104 registered cars in total and even more people. It was fun walking around looking at all of the vintage cars and there was even one from 1911! It amazes me that a car that old is still running and in the great shape that it was. I just so happened to meet a man, Kent, who offered to drive me in the 4th of July parades in his vintage baby blue convertable! I'm so excited to show that off :) It was also great to meet the Pequot Lakes royalty that was just crowned in April! We couldn't have asked for better weather, and it was all-in-all a perfect day!

This car matched what I was wearing...

and it had "Heart Throb" on the back. Was this car made for me?!

1911 Ford Model T! The oldest car there!

Handing out awards!

Betty!

The man in the middle had the 1st place car :)

This little girl reminded me why I love competing. She wanted a picture with me, but was too shy :) I love little girls like this! Hard work does pay off!!

Then today, I had two send-off's to attend. Since the Miss Minnesota contestants check in on Saturday, lots of the titleholers are having their send-off's this week. Today was pretty crazy! At 2pm, Miss Twin Cities, Lauren Johnson, had her send-off today in Brainerd. I was asked to perform my MMOT talent piece, and it was great to perform that piece again! After a quick few pictures, my Mom and I raced to St. Cloud to attend my sister queen, Bethany's, send-off. I was so impressed with the poise and talent that these 2 ladies have. I'm proud to call them my friends, and I'm excited to see how they will do at Miss Minnesota. There is not a doubt in my mind that doesn't say these girls are not ready for the Miss Minnesota title. I have a feeling the judges are going to have an extremely tough job choosing the titleholder this year!

Aja, myself, Lauren, and Jordyn!

Lauren and I at her send-off :)

Bethany and I at her send-off!

I came to the sad realization today that I have 4 months left of being Miss North Metro Outstanding Teen. This year has been truly incredible and I couldn't have asked for anything more. God has blessed me in some pretty amazing ways! I don't want this to sound like a farewell, because it's not! I have the next 4 months of my life to enjoy being Miss North Metro Outstanding Teen and I have no doubt that they will be the best 4 months I have ever had.

With that I want to say thanks to everyone who has been supporting me for the past 8 months,

Bailey

P.S. If you know anyone ages 13-17 who might be interested in competing for Miss North Metro Outstanding Teen hop over to http://www.missnorthmetro.com/, or visit my website http://www.beonthemove.weebly.com/! Thanks much! :)