Miss Minnesota Week - Tuesday

Tuesday is going down in history as one of the most fun days of my entire life!

We started the day off eating breakfast at IHOP and then had a day of reahearsal at the hotel. We all changed into our matching Miss Minnesota T-shirts and headed to the Mall of America where we ate at the Sky Deck.  It was my favorite meal thus far during Miss Minnesota week.  There was caesar salad, alfredo pasta, potstickers and egg rolls! Perfect! After eating we had some "free time" where we could play unlimited video games or go cosmic bowling.  I went straight for the video games. I played dance dance revolution, basketball, ride simulators, racing games and Megan Bakken and I spent quite some time playing a shooting game together.  Wow I had so much fun, I could have stayed at Sky Deck all night!

After playing arcade games we received all access passes to Nickelodeon Land where we split up into three groups and got to do whatever we wanted.  My group had the mission of going on as many rides as we possibly could, and we succeeded!  I actually had to skip out on the last ride because I honestly thought I was going to get sick, my stomach cannot handle rides the way it used to when I was younger.  Wow I feel like I'm getting old ;-)

Group 2 was the best!

I have not got much sleep this week at all and I'm starting to feel it today. I must force myself to get some sleep tonight because can you beleive that our Miss Minnesota interviews are TOMORROW! Whoa!

Always,

Bethany Beniek

Miss Minnesota Week - Monday

Today was a whirlwind of emotion as we started the day off at Gillette Children's Hospital where I not only got a tour of the hospital, but had the opportunity to decorate cookies with some patients.  There has never been a time where I went to Gillette's and don't leave inspired. The patients have a beautiful spirit that shines through even though they may be in a wheel chair, or have a cast on or just drove 5 hours to get to an appointment.  The patients consistently make their own empowering statements about using life's obstacles to touch other lives, they certainly have a special place in my heart.

I connected with a young girl named Anna who admired our crowns so much.  I let her wear my crown and she thought it was the darn coolest thing that has ever happened to her.  She really didn't want to give the crown back to me at all....considering I have extra at home it was really hard for me to not give it to her ;-)

Anna and I

After eating lunch at the hospital we went back to the hotel for an evening full of rehearsal.  This production is hard for me to keep up with, it's going to be incredible! Well it will be if I can learn all these dance moves.  You are going to love it!

My roommate Paige and I matched!

Oh did I forget to tell you we were escorted everywhere today via limosine! It was a blast, we trully felt like royalty.

God Bless,

Bethany Beniek

Miss Minnesota Week - Sunday

I cannot believe I'm sitting in my hotel room for Miss Minnesota week! As contestants we plan, organize, schedule, and plan some more about this week and it doesn't feel real that it's finally here. 

My day started at the Redeeming Love Church where I had my Quality of Life interview.  I feel good about the interview. It was very laid back and conversational. It was a great way to kick start the week.

After my interview we headed over to the Crowne Plaza hotel to check in.  We didn't have much time to unpack as we had to get ready for the "Prelude to the Crown" event where I got to eat and mingle with many former Miss Minnesotas.  It was very cool seeing so many formers in one room together.

Thanks Mom and Dad for being so helpful and dropping me off!

Siri Freeh and I

Paige and I

With Miss Minnesota 2001 and Miss Minnesota 2005

I'm having some technical difficulty with the internet in my room, Paige and I are all the way at the end of the hotel so we have to sit in the hallway to get internet.  It's rather funny sitting out here with Paige as we try and update our blogs, facebooks ect...

Paige sitting in the hallway with me, I can't help but laugh out loud!

I am already having so much fun with the contestants. Everyone seems to have a great sense of humor!

Stay tuned, I will try and update you all week long.

Much Love,
Bethany Beniek

Send-Off Party

I have been keeping myself very busy over the past two weeks and this next week will not be any different. I visited  Hudson High School on Wednesday, May 30th where I spoke to the students about the Miss America Organization and my personal platform, "Empowered to Serve." I also had the opportunity to perform my talent piece for the students a couple of times to get some extra practice before I perform it on the Miss Minnesota stage!

Yesterday was my Send-off Party at the Pioneer Place in St. Cloud.  I had some close family and friends come where I showed them some of my wardrobe that I will be wearing for Miss Minnesota.  It's always nice to get on a stage and practice all the areas of competition to get out any last nerves before the big day.

I have another school appearance this week along with a bunch of mock interviews, talent prep and one last fundraiser for the Children's Miracle Network this Friday, June 8th at the Cone Castle in St. Joseph, MN.  Please come and help me raise funds for a very worthy organization. If you cannot come and still want to donate please visit http://www.missamericaforkids.org/Donate/bethanybeniek2012 

Always,

Bethany Beniek

Cake Off

On Saturday, May 19th I was invited up north to participate in the Miss Brainerd Lakes "Cake Off" where all of the contestants for Miss Brainerd Lakes and many of the Miss Minnesota contestants got together at the Westgate Mall in Brainerd to frost and decorate cakes.

Everyone had a partner to decorate one cake. My partner was my sister queen, Brittany Tischmak, Miss City of Lakes 2012.  Neither of us really knew how intense this cake decorating was, contestants went ALL OUT! Look at the photos below and you will see how creative the cakes were.

Many of the Miss Minnesota contestants went as well and it was a blast getting to know some of them better. It made me more excited for Miss Minnesota week!  Only 20 days until we check in for Miss Minnesota week! WOW! I feel butterflies already.

Thank you to the Miss Brainerd Lakes pageant for coordinating this event and involving so many contestants, I certainly had fun!

Always,

Bethany Beniek

St. John's Baptist Catholic School

Today I had the opportunity to give a presentation to all of the students at St. John's Baptist Catholic School located in Excelsior.  I spoke to them about how we can achieve our goals if we work hard at it.  Nothing is simply given to us, if we want to be successful we need to live a life where we make good decisions, be respectful and take responsibility for our actions.  I also was able to speak about my platform "Empowered to Serve" where I spoke about my experience with community service and how much I have learned about myself; my strengths, my limitations, but most importantly what I have to offer other people.  Each and every one of us has a special talent or gift that we have been given, and I really wanted the students to explore their unique talents so they could find their niche in the world of service.

The students their were very well behaved and had some very insightful questions about the Miss America Organization, volunteering and there were of course some questions about "being a princess."  My great Aunt, Ruth Borash, is the music teacher there and I am so blessed that I was asked to come speak.  All of the students made me feel like a real celebrity! The eighth grade boys asked me to sign their arms! After getting it okayed with their teachers I signed their arms with a permanent marker. Thank you to the students and staff at St. John's Baptist Catholic School, I had a great time!

May - Miss Minnesota is Almost Here!

Time certainly knows how to sneek away from us. I can't believe we are only 30 days away from when the new Miss Minnesota will be crowned!  I have been keeping myself busy, let's start with the first weekend of May. 

On May 5th my older sister Melanie got married. So much planning went into that day and it couldn't have gone any better.  It was a very emotional day for me and my family.  Melanie looked absolutely stunning and after seeing the type of love that my sister and her new husband, Peter, share I know their love will last a lifetime.

Melanie and I

My loving Family



The second weekend in May was fishing opener.  Believe it or not I am a fisherwoman. Yes, I bait my own hook and yes, I clean my own fish (I am a biology major I have done some pretty crazy things in the laboratory).  Unfortunately I did not catch any walleye this year, but it was nice to relax in the great Minnesota weather.

I didn't catch the big ones

In between all of this I have been traveling to the cities about 3 or 4 times a week working on my talent piece, having mock interviews, and getting last minute wardrobe pieces.  I did indeed purchase a new talent gown (which is one of my favorite gowns I have bought to date) and a new swim suit.  I'm excited to show you all everything at the pageant.  The suspense is rather thrilling don't you think?!

I also received the Miss Minnesota introduction outfit this week. They are extremely cute! They keep getting better and better each year. 

Also for the month of May, KB's Photography has been generous enough to donate all of the session proceeds to the Children's Miracle Network, you must simply mention this advertisement.  If you would like to get any photos done for your family, children, parents, pageants or just for fun please consider getting them done at a very reasonable price for a great cause!

I will be updating you again very soon because I am giving a presentation tomorrow about the wealth of giving back to the students of St. John's school in Excelsior, MN and then attending the Brainerd cake off this Saturday morning with some other Miss Minnesota contestants. Stay tuned!

Always,

Bethany Beniek

Workshop, Teen Pageant, Crowns- Oh My!

I have a lot to fill you in on! Just like the rest of you I have a crazy schedule and finally found some time at 1:30am to update my blog and how Miss Minnesota preparations are going.

Let's start with the Miss Minnesota workshop that took place on March 31st.  My Mom attended workshop with me this year and it was the usual excitement of seeing all of the contestants, picking roommates and choosing contestant order.  I get to be roomies with a dear friend, Paige Meyer, Miss Perham.  I cannot wait to spend Miss Minnesota week as her roommate and I really hope she likes ripple chips, french onion dip and Doctor Pepper because I will be bringing plenty of it for Miss MN week ;-)

Paige and I

I am also pleased to announce that I will be contestant number 22 this year, yes I will be very last...again.  There really is no rhyme or reason why I picked the very last spot, I think it's because I like taking my time getting ready in the morning before interview.  I know in my heart that the contestant order does not determine the outcome of who wins Miss Minnesota.  I remember in the past I was so concerned with where I was placed, but this year I honestly wished that I would be called last so that I didn't have to pick.  I happened to be called third so I had to choose.

There is no set schedule for Miss Minnesota week quite yet because of the new board of directors being announced shortly before workshop.  I know the new board of directors are working very hard and will be updating us on any/all events happening during Miss Minnesota week.  As soon as I get a schedule I will let you know what we are doing. We are all very excited to see what appearances we will be doing this year.  We can assume that we will be visiting Gillette Children's Specialty Healthcare along with visiting the Capitol again, but no one really knows for sure. The suspense is rather exciting!

This year Don Baker gave a seminar at our workshop which was very cool to listen to. Wow does he know what he's talking about!  He is so upfront and honest it's almost comical.  I even had the opporunity to meet with him in a private session which I found very helpful.  

After Don Baker's presentation we had some "girl talk" with Miss Minnesota, Natalie Davis, and the rest of the contestants. Just us girls. No parents, no directors, just us :-) I can tell you now, I am so excited for Miss Minnesota week because of the 21 other young women I will be competing with.  I laughed so much in one day and can't imagine what a whole week will do to me. 

After workshop I had a couple of hours to spare where I got some dinner and prepared for the Miss Minnesota's Outstanding Teen Pageant.  These teen contestants were incredible! I was so entertained by their talents, astounded by their beauty and amazed by their intelligence and poise.  I really have no idea how they are doing what they are doing at such a young age!  A huge congratulations to my former "little sister queen" (back when we were Miss North Metro and Miss North Metro Outstanding Teen) Bailey Wachholz! I am so proud of her and all that she has accomplished.  She is going to make a fabulous Miss Minnesota's Outstanding Teen.

Bailey and I

Former Miss Minnesota's Outstanding Teen, Alexis Houule and I

On April 3rd, I volunteered at Gillette Children's Specialty Healthcare by doing an activity with the patients.  I decided to make king and queen crowns with the kids. I thought it would be rather fitting :-) Everytime I visit that place I always leave feeling empowered.  This is the basis of what my platform is all about, I want to enlighten society about the extraordinary wealth recieved when we are willing to serve others.  I cannot sum up an experience at Gillette in one or two sentences.  I want to share every story with you that I experienced that evening not only for my own keepsake, but to explain to you how fantastic these children are and maybe you can be inspired to find your special niche in the world of service. 

Let's begin with Alex, he was the very first patient to come jolting around the corner to make his crown. He was a determined young man who knew exactly what he wanted to do. He wanted to have green everything! He picked out a green crown and tons of green letters, his Dad and I convinced him to use blue letters so that we could see his name on the green crown.  Of course Alex's father did not want to be left out so he made a crown for himself and Alex suggested we make one for his little sister too.

The next cutie to come around he corner was little Jacob and his Father. He had the biggest smile on his face.  When I met him he kept covering up some stickers on his wheel chair and I asked him why he kept covering them up.  He told me that the patient who previously had that wheel chair put Dora stickers on it and he wanted to have Spiderman stickers! Thanks to my Mom and her photoshop capabilities we sent him a picture that I think he will really like :-)

Princess Hannah made me sign her custom made quilt because she said I was a "real princess".....touched my heart! She ended up making a crown for her brother as well. Almost every patient that came to make crowns were always thinking of their siblings and made their family crowns as well.

 Princess Hannah with her parents and I

The next princess I want to talk about is little Brooke. She had the cutest laugh! She was so proud of her new cast that she got that day.  The very first thing she did when I met her was lift up her left hand to show me her wrapped up hand.

Princess Brooke

The next little princess, Savannah had to get some sleep testing done. I'm sure after making her crown we got her a little too excited to sleep. Savannah's shirt said " I Love my zzzzzzz" .....don't we all :-)

Princess Savannah

Now the next king I want you to meet is king Noah. This was such a great story! Noah came with his mom and dad to make his crown, he pulled us aside separately and asked us to make his Dad a crown that said "Happy Birthday" because it happened to be his Father's birthday that day!  I secretly made a crown for his Dad and when his Dad wasn't looking we would show Noah the crown and give us a thumbs up. Noah was a pleasure to meet and I know his Father appreciated his gift :-)

King Noah with his entourage

I am so amazed at how these patients consistently make their own empowering statements about using life's obstacles for good at such a young age. Even as a child they are thinking about their siblings and how they would want crowns as well and didn't want them to feel left out. This is just another great example of how we can all be empowered, regardless of age, to put our life values to the test and use our specific life opportunities to make a difference for someone else.

I have been working non-stop lately and try to squeeze in time with my "little sister" Ashley through the Big Brothers Big Sisters Organization. I love meeting with her because she reminds me of what I may have been like when I was younger. She stays very active, I think I may surprise her and bring her subway to school next week for lunch :-)

A few weeks ago a local newspaper did an article about me.  If you want to check it out click on the following link. http://www.thenewsleaders.com/st-joseph-native-crowned-miss-west-metro

My sister's wedding is rapidly approaching on May 5th and I have been busy planning things with her.  I will try and update you as soon as I get more information about Miss Minnesota week. Until then, enjoy the weather!

Always,

Bethany Beniek

http://bethany.beniek.biz/home



Metrodome

On Wednesday March 14th, I had the opportunity to sing the National Anthem at the Metrodome! It was for a men's Gopher baseball game.  The Metrodome is by far the largest venue I have ever sang at.  I have had the opportunity to sing in many different places, but never one this big.  There was such an echo in the building while I was singing that I actually heard myself about 2 seconds after I had sang so it was a little confusing, but I got through it.

Now I can say that I sang at the Metrodome, do you think the Vikings will let me sing for them now?! Cross your fingers :-)

After singing at the Metrodome I worked on my talent peice for Miss Minnesota and had the opportunity to record it with A.K. Productions.  Honestly ladies if you need help with your talent piece, or need a new track for your song, Andy Karg does some amazing work! Contact him at andy.karg@gmail.com

Miss Minnesota workshop is rapidly approaching and any spare minute I have at home I am on my computer.  I also receieved an e-mail from the state board with our new opening number dresses, honestly they get better every year! I can't wait to parade around in our opening number dresses this year! SO CUTE!

Always,
Bethany Beniek

And so it begins...

On March 3rd I had the opportunity to compete within the "Sweeps" pageant where I was honored to be awarded the title of Miss West Metro 2012.  Miss Minnesota week is rapidly approaching and I love documenting all my appearances within a blog for not only everyone to read and get to know me better, but also for myself so that I can remember everything 50 years from now.  It's kind of like an online diary :-)

A huge congratulations to my new sister queen, Brittany Tischmack, the newly crowned Miss City of Lakes 2012 and to every young woman who has been given a local title this year.  I look forward to getting to know all the contestants during Miss Minnesota week.

And so the blogging begins, please stay tuned as I will be adding photos and insights on anything and everything Miss Minnesota! The workshop for Miss Minnesota is already on March 31st! I am working diligently on trying to get all my paperwork tweeked and done on time. 

I will be singing the National Anthem at the Metrodome for a Gopher baseball game on Wednesday March 14th at 3:00pm.  I would love to see you there if you can make it!

Always,
Bethany Beniek