April!

April was a busy month! I anticipated it and prepared for it and it lived up to my expectations. Here is the recap:

April 10^th, The REAL deal ACT: Students involved in Admission Possible spent hours preparing for the ACT using the KAPLAN strategies and taking 3 practice tests. On Saturday, April 10^th the students woke up early for the real thing. I was stationed at Harding High School in St. Paul, helping students check-in and giving them a few last minutes words of encouragement. I also was on the emergency team. We got a call that a student’s ride fell though, so me and my teammate (we were dressed up as Bo and Luke from Dukes of Hazzard) got in my car and rushed to pick up the student. We got him there and I’m sure he did excellent on the ACT, as did the rest of the students.

April 11^th, My birthday: It was a great day. I had lunch with family (including my nieces), worked on Miss Minnesota paperwork and then went out to dinner with friends at Wasabi in Minneapolis. I love sushi! My friends know the sushi chef there so he made a special roll just for me. It was delicious!

April 18^th, Children’s Miracle Network fundraiser at Bare Escentuals: I spent the whole day at Mall of America with my crown and sash on. I talked with people as they passed by the store about the Miss Minnesota and America Organizations, the partnership with CMN and about my personal platform. I had some really cool conversations with individuals about CMN and specifically about Gillette’s Specialty Healthcare. It is amazing how it has touched so many lives. I talked with one family for quite a while about how Gillette’s had impacted their life in such a positive way. It was really cool and I was honored they would share their stories with me. In the store I did make-up for CMN donations. I love doing make-up and I love to teach, so it was really fun to show some of my beauty tips and tricks. I had the pleasure of doing the make-up of a former Miss Minnesota contestant. She competed with Gretchen Carlson, who went on to be Miss America. It was really cool to talk about the pageant and talk about being a vocalist. I told the managers at Bare Escentuals, if I got a $25 donation I would sing. I did, so we put in the background music and I sang “hallelujah.” It was a very memorable day and a great experience. I’m looking forward to more CMN fundraisers coming up in May and June!

April 24^th, Miss Minnesota Workshop & College Fair at General Mills: If I were to say “the week of April 19^th-24^th was incredible busy” it would be a complete understatement. It was invigorating insanity. All week I was planning for the upcoming college fair and campus visits PLUS finishing up my Miss Minnesota paperwork.

I woke up early on the raining Saturday morning and got ready for the Miss Minnesota workshop. I had all my paperwork prepared and I headed out for the hotel. It was great to see all the candidates and their respective committees. We introduced ourselves, picked our contestant order and roommates. My roommate is Miss Brainerd Lakes, Lauren and I’m contestant number one! On the first night of prelims I’ll be performing my talent and answering the onstage question, second night evening gown and swimsuit. Sadly, I found out my talent song overlapped with another contestant meaning I need to pick a new song. Everything happens for a reason and I’m optimistic I’ll find a new song that will be great! I had to leave early from the workshop to head over to General Mills for the college fair. Like Superman I changed from my Miss City of Lakes outfit into my Admission Possible gear!

I was the lead coordinator for a college Fair at General Mills for Admission Possible—Greater Twin Cities and Greater Milwaukee students. The students were welcomed by Admission Possible leaders and a representative from General Mills. They all had words of congratulations to the students for all they have accomplished and all they will accomplish. I also welcomed the students and explained the structure of the day and got them excited to hear from the colleges. Students attended sessions learning more about great private liberal arts schools and what are the advantages and challenges are for going to school outside of their home state. The fair was held in the conference center at General Mills. It the perfect space and it is so great of them to host us. The fair concluded with a raffle, we gave out some college gear and target gift cards. The students were really excited and got into it. Overall the day went really well and it was a great transition for students to think about where they will apply to.

If you’re looking to apply to college, check out my resources page for some great links to college search engines and college planning checklists.

April 25^th- 26^th, College Campus Visits: On Sunday I had two groups of students leaving for college campus visits to schools in Wisconsin and Michigan. Whenever I have campus visits going on I get really motherly and protective over students. I’ve been working with these students for seven months now and I’m so proud of all they have accomplished. These students are accepted at the schools they are visiting and deciding where they will be attending in the fall. I met the students going to Michigan at the MSP airport and made sure they got onto their flight and had everything they needed. Some of the students this was their very first flight. The students going to Wisconsin took a big coach bus. They all stayed overnight, sat in on classes and met with professors. I’m so excited for the students because everything they have been working towards is about here: they are going to college!

I have a feeling May is going to go just as fast as April. I enjoy staying busy and accomplishing goals and helping others accomplish their goals. The Miss Minnesota pageant week is just around the corner! If you would like to order tickets for the pageant you may do so here.