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.
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
