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