Alzheimer's Rally Day at the MN State Capital.

On Thursday, I was very excited to head down the Minnesota State Capital. I had been anticipating this day for weeks, I could not believe it was already here! The Rally Day on Preparing Minnesota for Alzheimer's! At an event like this, people from all over the state come to support the Alzheimer's cause and get the chance to speak to your Senator and Representative. This was the first on ever in Minnesota, and only the second nation-wide! The other was in Sacramento, California.

The day started out great! My Mom and I rode the bus from St. Cloud to the Capital. It wasn't too far to  drive for us. I'm starting to think I should just move into my car :) Once we got the the St. Cloud Alzheimer's Association Office, we were handed t-shirts and pins. Already I felt the passion that these people had, was the same passion that drives me to do what I do. I could, literally, feel it in the room. It was amazing!

We then boarded the bus. I was so excited! We got a "mini" training session on what key points we should talk about to our Senators and Representatives and how to go about doing that. It was great training for when I spoke to Representative John Ward and Senator Paul Gazelka. I also was asked to speak a little about my education program and what it all entails. Needless to say, the bus ride down was short and pain-free!

When we arrived at the Capital, I was in awe. I've only been to the Capital once and that was a few years ago... I could feel the tourist inside of me :) I walked up the thousands of steps, snapped a quick picture of course, then headed for the doors. I opened the door to find LOTS of people and everyone was in PURPLE! The actual event was held right in the Rotunda. I could not believe how many people had shown up. All I could do was smile! I would say there were at least 300 people there, a great turnout for the first annual event.

Prior to the start of the program, I got to walked around a bit and chat. I met with man who I didn't know had Alzheimer's until he told me... That just proves that you can't tell is someone has the disease just by looking and sometimes even talking to them. Also, I met my twin :) Well, not my real twin obviously (haha!). Her name was Bailey, she is Miss Teen Dayton International, and her platform is centered around Alzheimer's. Even though she is blonde and is shorter than I am, we could still be twins!!

The program was so inspiring to listen to. Many people talked, including a man who is currently suffering with Alzheimer's disease. It was amazing watching him speak. His passion is so prevalent. He knows he has Alzheimer's and that's exactly why he was at the Capital. No one should have to suffer from Alzheimer's! It is the 6th leading cause of death in America and has no prevention and no cure. By the end of his speech, I was a bit teary-eyed. He is so strong for getting up on that stage and talking the way he did!

After the program, we were then free to roam around the Capital and find our Senators and Representatives office. My Senator, Paul Gazelka, is from Brainerd, so I've seen his face many times in my hometown. I shared with him my story of my battle with Alzheimer's, and how it has changed me as a person in so many good ways. I made sure to say that we need to educate MN's youth about Alzheimer's and related dementia's. It is imperative that they are not forgotten in the fight to end Alzheimer's. I also met with Representative John Ward. He and I have formed a bond over the past year and a half because both of his parents suffer from dementia and he is ready for a cure just as much as I am. He already knows my story and what I am doing. John is so supportive of everything I do. Whether it be the Walk to End Alzheimer's, pageants, or events like these, he never fails to show is graditude and support. Thank you, John!

After talking to our congressmen, my mom and I headed back to the bus. It was a totally worthwhile and rewarding day! I felt so accomplished. God is great for making the day such a success. I pray that by 2020, Minnesota will be fully prepared for the devestating effects of Alzheimer's. We will no longer whisper the steps that need to be made to end Alzheimer's disease, we will shout them!

"PREPARE MINNESOTA FOR ALZHEIMER'S!"

"PREPARE MINNESOTA FOR ALZHEIMER'S!"

"PREPARE MINNESOTA FOR ALZHEIMER'S!"

With love,

Bailey

P.S. On a quick note, I just want to say a huge good luck to our Miss Minnesota, Kathryn Knutila. The past few days she has been competing in preliminary competions for the Miss America pageant. TONIGHT is were they narrow down the 53 contestants and by tonight we will have a new Miss America! Please, please, PLEASE pray for Kathryn. She is doing an incredible job. Keep up the great work Kathryn! We love you, you look fabulous, and are doing great!

 Representative John Ward!

Senator Paul Galzelka!

Gillette and Kathryn's Gown Showing.

On Sunday, I had the opportunity to tour Gillette Children's Hospital in St. Paul with Bethany. Gillette Children's Hospital is our local Children's Miracle Network Hospital (CMN), which is the national platform of the Miss America Organization. Children’s Miracle Network is a non-profit organization that raises funds for more than 170 children’s hospitals, including Gillette right here in Minnesota. At Gillette, children of all ages and backgrounds can receive treatment for every imaginable disease. The partnership between CMN and the Miss America Organization is so great, because Miss America titleholders are asked to raise money for CMN. Thousands of dollars are donated each year by titleholders in the Miss America System. It is so inspiring to hear about the children who are treated at Gillette. They have a love and drive for life, even after everything they have been through they still manage to keep their heads up.

The tour was absolutely amazing. It was incredible to see how advanced they are in their medical practices. They just opened their new addition in December and Bethany and I got to see it... It was gorgeous (and it still has that "new" smell to it)!

I then attended a gown showing party for Miss Minnesota, Kathryn Knuttila. Kathryn leaves for Miss America tomorrow and the arrival ceremony is on Thursday! Kathryn has been such an inpiration as Miss Minnesota. She is one of the most beautiful, talented, and poised women I know! Kathryn is amazing on the piano. If you have ever heard her play, you would know. I could sit and say how talented she is one thousand times, but until you hear her, you will never understand. Kathryn has a gift for composing her own music. God has blessed her in so many ways! I wish her all the best as she competes for Miss America and enjoys every moment up on that stage. She deserves this. I wish I could go to Las Vegas and watch her compete, but my TV will have to do :) Tune into ABC on January 15th to see who is crowned the next Miss America. GO KATHRYN! :)

Bailey

"Your platform is your reality"

As I was cleaning my room today, I stumbled across my journal. But this journal is a special journal... Well kind of :) During the week of a pageant that I am going to compete in, I journal in it. It helps me organize my thoughts, and it relaxes me after  the day.

It started at one of my send-off parties. My Mom had given me it to me for exactly what I use it for, a journal. But I had a great idea to have my family and friends write a little something in it to give me that little boost of confidence right before I am about to go out onto the stage and compete.

A few days later, I brought it to school so some of my friends could write in it. The first friend I asked looked at me in a weird way, but took it and said she would give it to me tomorrow. Alright, fine by me. But to my surprise, I recieved the journal back the next day and she had written 2 whole pages! It was tempting to read, but I promised myself I would save it for "pageant day". I then passed the book on to another one of my good friends, and she wrote even more! Now I was really anxious to see what they had written that had taken up so many pages. By now, instead of me asking girls if they wanted to write in it, girls were coming up to ME and asking if they could write in it. Of course I said yes! I didn't see that journal for at least 2 weeks, it was bouncing between so many girls, until finally one of my good friends handed it to me. She was the last one to write in it, and she is the friend I've known the longest. She said to me that I needed to read them a day before the pageant instead of the day of because they were going to take me a looooonnnnnng time (she said it just like that too)!

After reading all of the entries once (and some 2 times!), I knew that I had the best friends in the entire world. Their words brought me to tears, and yes I am an emotional person, but WOW. I cannnot even begin to describe how inspirational those entries were.

Carly said: "... And yes of course, things are not always going to go as planned, but be patient because when one door closes another one opens. Just go out there and find that door!" These words have stayed in my head ever since I read them. They are SO true! You can't just sit back and wish for a door to open, wishing is not enough; you have to get up and push through the pain, push through the hurt and the sadness, and find that open door. You can't let ONE bad thing along the journey slow you down. There is a reason God did what he did, you just have to believe in His plan and timing.

"Anyone can buy a fancy dress or entertain a crowd for 2 minutes, but you are doing this pageant because you have a message to spread... You have a purpose!" These words were those of Abbie, the friend that I have know the longest and who was the last one to write in my journal. She also was the girl who said "Your platform is your reality", the title of this blog. "Pause for just a second up on that stage and catch the eyes of the person you are doing all of this for...  your Dad." Abbie truly does have a way with words.

I could sit here and complain about how I have to watch my Dad suffer everyday with an uncontrolable disease or have to watch my Mom become a single parent because my Dad is not able to do much, but I choose not to. I'm happy with life right now. Life is either an adventure or nothing. You decide which!

So as a bring this blog to an end, I'm reminded of how many great and supportive people I have in my life!

I think I might just have to continue this whole having-friends-write-in-my-journal thing :)
Bailey

"Get up on that stage and show us that a real girl feels pain, happiness, fear, disappointment, and excitement. Show us that you can have your world turned completely turned upside down but you still have the strength and courage to act and do something about it!" -Abbie

A Crazy 2 Days!

Wow. I cannot believe that tomorrow is already Christmas Eve... Where did time go? I feel like it was just last week that I was crowned, and now there is 3 and 1/2 months until Miss Minnesota's Outstanding Teen 2011!

The past two days for me have been pretty insane.

Yesterday, Bethany and I were scheduled to ring the bell for the Salvation Army at the Westgate Mall in Brainerd. The mall was suprisingly very busy and we were even inside and out of the cold! It was great catching up with Bethany because I hadn't seen her since we had our headshots taken together a few weeks ago. When I think about the friendships I have formed through pageants, I am truly blessed. I have friends from all over Minnesota, and although we may only see each once every few months, it's like we are best friends and we just saw each other yesterday. Distance means nothing. If it is a true friendship it can withstand anything!

After ringing the bell for a few hours, Bethany and I did some rehearsing for our Christmas Performance set for the next day at the Mall of America. I played piano and she sang along to some Christmas carols! We had a great time and I think it put us both at more of an ease for the following day :)

After I said my goodbyes to Bethany, I raced over to the Westgate Mall again for a little get-together and horse-drawn carriage rides. There were a lot of kids there so it was fun seeing all of their faces and asking me the typical question: "Are you a princess?". One little girl walked by me and said "Hi, Princess!", like she had known me her whole life. Kids can be so cute!

All in all it was a great day. I say this alot, but Brainerd is such a great town!

The next day, I was up early and so excited to get down to the metro. Bethany and I had our much anticipated Christmas performance at the Best Buy Rotunda in the Mall of America. The Best Buy Rotunda is the largest rotunda in the Mall. The Mall has 4 floors and this is the only rotunda where you can look up and see all 4 of the floors. So you could be standing on the 4th floor, and look over the edge and see us, we would look like ants, but you could still see us. It was amazing to be standing on the stage and look up towards the ceiling and see all of the people looking over the edge at us. And of course, to top it all off, our performance went smoothly!

And for the cherry on top to these wonderful past 2 days, I am relaxing at home with my family :) I love Christmas! I wish we could have it more than once a year.

I hope everyone has a great holiday and eats lots of cookies!
Bailey

P.S. Here is an article that was in my local newspaper... Check it out! http://brainerddispatch.com/lifestyle/2010-12-21/bhs-student-promote-alzheimer’s-information-help-area-children

Sertoma Winter Wonderland.

Every year, the Brainerd Sertoma Club does a "Winter Wonderland" were they take the ENTIRE trail at the our local Arboretum and decorate it with lights (For those who don't know... Sertoma is a group of business people that do alot with in their community). But these lights aren't just any lights... They make them into huge Christmas-y characters and things like Rudolph, Christmas trees, and Santa! It is really cool (and hard to explain.... forgive me!).

I arrived at the Arb around 5pm on Saturday night ready to battle the cold :) I was talking with a few of the other volunteers and they told me that it costs about $4,000 in just electricity bills to run this type of thing... Talk about expensive! But totally worth it!! Along with talking to the men about electicity and lights, I got to chat with Santa. Yeah pretty cool :) I even got a picture with him and Mrs. Claus!

After talking with Santa, I decided I had better go outside and help them sell tickets. It was suprisingly not too cold outside. I had about 10 layers on (literally!), and I stayed fairly warm until about half way through. I had an amazing time though! I didn't know selling tickets could be that much fun. A man, Brian, from the Sertoma Club was also selling tickets with me, and let me tell you... He was incredibly funny! Whenever a car pulled up with kids in it he would tell them that we had a "Queenie" working tonight and asked them if they would like to meet me. He then proceded to tell them that since I was Miss NORTH Metro Outstanding Teen I represented everything north of the Metro area. Which if you think about it, it makes sense. But Brain kept going and said that I represent the North Pole because that is also north of the Metro and that I have met Santa and a couple of his elves. Of course then the kids were all over me! Haha! Brain asked one little boy if he thought I was pretty and he replied with a simple "Yes", then Brian asked him if he wanted to marry me and the boy said "No"... Wow! Rejection! It's okay though, life goes on :)

So all in all, it was a fun night. I was told that that was the most cars they had EVER seen there in one night. Then of course Brian had to pipe in and say it was all because of "Queenie"... Okay Brain, whatever you say! I left before the final count but I know it was astounding.

I feel so honored to have been apart of that night. I came home to frostbite on my fingers and really bad shivers, but I would do it again in a heartbeat... without even thinking! It was so rewarding.

I just love Christmas!
Bailey

 Mrs. Claus and Santa!

 Brain is on the left :)

Selling tickets!