Happy birthday to my wonderful web designer!  Not only is he a talented web designer, Jacob Schulke is a supportive brother to me and a loving father to my nieces and nephews.

Check out his work on his website  http://www.j12media.com/.

The Miss Minnesota pageant is over and we have a fabulous new Miss Minnesota, Kathryn Knuttila! The week went by so fast yet when I got home it felt like I had been gone for a year. We stayed so busy with events, rehearsals, and eating.

I was honored to be in the Top 10, which allowed me to sing on the Miss Minnesota stage again on Saturday night. Congratulations to my dear friend Allison Lordbach for being 4^th runner up; my roommate for the week, Lauren Johnson for being 3^rd runner up; the beautiful Samantha Phillippe for being 2^nd runner up; and my pageant sister (we were crowned together at sweeps) Siri Freeh for being the 1^st runner up.

I found out the week before Miss Minnesota that I was a top five finalist for the Tracie Joy McBride Quality of Life Award. During pageant week the finalists had a personal interview with a panel of judges where they asked us questions off of our essays. I’ve posted my Quality of Life Essay so you can all read it. Kathryn was the recipient of the Quality of Life award, and let me tell you, she deserves it. I officially met Kathryn at the “Royal Experience,” my first appearance as Miss City of Lakes. She is such a gracious and kind young woman and she will be a great Miss Minnesota.

Quality of Life finalists with Miss Minnesota. Tiffany Gunderson, Bethany Beniek, Brooke Kilgarriff, Allison Lordbock, Liz Abbas, Kathryn Knuttila.

For both Siri and I our sweeps titles are done, meaning we could compete in an upcoming local. I was asked many times on Saturday evening if I will continue on the route to Miss Minnesota. I cannot speak for Siri, but for me I will be shifting my focus to my career and family. My AmeriCorps term of service with Admission Possible will be ending mid August. My passion for higher education will persist and I plan to continue volunteering as a mentor for students in some form or another. I’m looking for a full-time position starting in the fall. If you hear of a job opening you think I’d be a good fit for, let me know.

The Miss America Organization has been an excellent program for me to develop my skills, to learn more about myself and the world. I’ve been in a swimsuit and high-heals on stage in front of hundreds of people—now there is nothing I cannot do! The Miss America Organization is much more that the swimsuit competition, the evening gowns, the interview, or even the talents. I believe it is about being a well-rounded, engaged citizen, using your skills to better yourself and others. I will continue to support the Miss America Organization and the amazing young women and volunteers who dedicate their time to this inspiring organization.

When I won the title of Miss City of Lakes, one of my friends gave me a card congratulating me. I’ll never forget what it said inside. It said, “I’m so proud of you. Not just for winning but for pursuing your dream.” I had been thinking about doing a Miss Minnesota prelim since I was 10 years old. But the reality is I was afraid; afraid to be rejected and afraid to succeed. One of my favorite quotes (which is a bit overused and often misquoted) is by Marianne Williamson. It is the “our deepest fear” quote and I think it sums up my internal thoughts.

“Our deepest fear is not that we are inadequate. Our deepest fear is that we are powerful beyond measure. It is our light, not our darkness that most frightens us. We ask ourselves, Who am I to be brilliant, gorgeous, talented, fabulous? Actually, who are you not to be? You are a child of God. Your playing small does not serve the world. There is nothing enlightened about shrinking so that other people won’t feel insecure around you. We are all meant to shine, as children do. We were born to make manifest the glory of God that is within us. It’s not just in some of us; it’s in everyone. And as we let our own light shine, we unconsciously give other people permission to do the same. As we are liberated from our own fear, our presence automatically liberates others.”

For me, this quote embodies what the Miss America Organization allows young women to do. It allows us to shine our light, to show we are “brilliant, gorgeous, talented, fabulous” and to demonstrate the glory of God that is within us all. Thank you all for your support during this exciting experience.

With Love,

Liz

Today we went to the Minnesota Zoo and it was so great! I have not been there since I was in 4th grade. Some of the animals were so funny, some were so beautiful, and some were a bit strange. I loved all the colors of the animals and seeing the smiling faces of children at zoo. Also, we were fed well today! We ate at Chianti Grill for lunch and Bucca di Beppo for dinner. Mm mm good! It has been such a busy week that it is crazy to think that preliminary night is just around the corner. Today we moved into the theater to prepare for the show—and I’ll tell ya, it will be a show.

As we were practicing the opening number I got a little misty-eyed thinking about how I’ve day dreamed being on that stage. I am so grateful that I will be able to share my talent on Thursday evening. For all of you who are attending, I’ll give a little background on the song I will be singing; it is called “Up to the Mountain.” The song is composed by Patty Griffin, one of my favorite artists, and is inspired by Martin Luther King Jr.’s “I’ve been to the mountain top” speech he gave the evening before he was assassinated.

My junior year of college I spent my Spring Break on Bethel’s Sankofa trip. Sankofa means “look back to move forward” and it was a tour of civil rights landmarks throughout the South. One of our first stops was in Memphis, Tennessee to where MLK was assassinated. We were there the 4oth anniversary of his death which made the experience all the more powerful. While we were there we watched a clip of his “mountain top” speech and it gave me chills. He did not prepare the speech, has was just speaking passionately and prophetically. Below is a good clip of the last minute of the speech.

I’ve Been to the Mountaintop

The lyrics of the song “Up to the Mountain” really touch on the importance of persisting when we are tired and when we are afraid—because we are asked to. I truly believe that we are all called, we all have a purpose on this earth and we are to use our gifts to bless others. This is a value my parents have instilled in me and have modeled for me so beautifully with their lives. You may know, I am a finalist for the Quality of Life award. I give all the credit to my parents because they model lives of community service and lives of persisting through tiredness. I’m so blessed to be where I am right now and I cannot say thank you enough to all they people who have helped me on my journey including the rest of my incredible family! Thank you, thank you, thank you!

My internet is finally working!

Here I am at Miss Minnesota and it is day 3 already. Today was by far my favorite so far because we went to the capitol and we went to Gillette’s Children’s Specialty Healthcare. We got a tour of both locations, learning about the history and what goes on there. I loved it because I love to learn!

At Gillette’s we decorated cookies with kids and it was such a great experience. The children and their families were so wonderful. I was also so impressed by the employees of Gillette’s and how they really make it all about the kids.

Thank you so much to all who came out to GolfMaster’s Driving Range for the Children’s Miracle Network fundraiser to benefit Gillette Children’s Specialty Healthcare. In spite of the rain on Saturday we were able to raise funds and carried the event over into the windy Sunday afternoon following the Buffalo Triathlon, and raised more!

The businesses in Buffalo were very generous in their donations for the silent auction.  Because of the weather conditions we were unable to set out all of the silent auction items for bids. We kept the bidding open thru Saturday June 12^th when I had to turn in my total at Miss MN registration.

I am proud to say that the proceeds for this event totaled $933!

Today at Gillette’s it really touched my heart to see in action the current Miss Minnesota, Brooke and see the relationship she has built with Gillette’s. It really hit me the importance of the partnership between the Miss America Organization and the Children’s Miracle Network. It is such a mutually benefiting partnership that not only benefits title holders like me but  it really impacts the lives of children and their families.

Thank you so much to all who donated and contributed to the success of the event!

Join me on Saturday, June 5th 1 p.m to 5 p.m. at Buffalo GolfMaster’s Driving Range for a Children’s Miracle Network fundraiser benefiting Gillette’s Children Specialty Healthcare. Hit golf balls for donations and participate in golf games and golf lesson! There will also be a silent auction and refreshments.

I will be singing at 2 p.m. and 4 p.m. and talking about my personal platform “High Expectations: Empowering America through Higher Education.”

Children’s Miracle Network Fundraiser Flyer

GolfMaster’s Driving Range is located at: 2561 Division St E, Buffalo MN 55313

The next day I’ll be competing in the Buffalo Triathlon. If you are interested, you have less than a month to register. The deadline is May 31^st. Come out to Buffalo for the CMN fundraiser and stay for the triathlon!

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.

It has been a busy two weeks! Last week I visited four different high schools working with both juniors and seniors. Juniors are in the midst of preparing for the ACT and seniors are assessing financial aid packages they have received from the schools they are accepted to—Both are at extremely important points on their road to college. This week schools are on spring break so it has been a week of college campus visits!

I wanted to make sure I invite you all to an upcoming fundraiser for my friend’s niece Mollie. Mollie was born with a heart defect called Pulmonary Atresia she has had 3 surgeries so far in her life and has more to come. Come enjoy some pancakes and support this worthy cause that helps children like Mollie.

What: Pancake breakfast to support Children’s Hospital Cardiac Patients

When: April 24th, 2010; 8:00 a.m. to 10:00 a.m.

Where: Applebee’s (9386 Deegan Avenue, Monticello, MN)

Cost:   Each breakfast costs $5, and $4 goes to the cause as well as all tips

Sadly I will be unable to attend the fundraiser, as April 24th is a big day for me. Not only is it the Miss Minnesota Contestant Workshop it is the day of the college fair I am the lead event planner for! High school juniors involved in the Admission Possible program will be attending this fair that is hosted at General Mills corporate headquarters. Luckily I’ll be a part of Mollie’s team for the Heart Beat 5000 5K on June 26th!

Yesterday I attended an event for Lawrence University with some of my favorite students. I love all the students I work with but these students in particular have such a spark for life. They have overcome so many hardships and barriers, all with a smile. They truly are an inspiration.

At the event, Lawrence alums talked with the students. I explained I was a college graduate and I have helped the students throughout the admissions process. One of the girls explained that when she heard about Lawrence she “fell in love!”  Lawrence became her dream school. You see, Lawrence is a highly selective school and one of the schools on Loren Pope’s list of Colleges That Change Lives. (If you are looking for a great college, check out this list!) I told the alumni I’ve never seen a student so anxious waiting to hear for an admissions decision! But she was accepted and if all the financial pieces fall in the right place she will be attending this fall.

In retrospect, I was thinking about all of the aspirations we all have in our life that we do not pursue because of barriers, because we do not think we are good enough, or simply because we do not know how to do it. These students have worked so diligently—keeping their grades up and taking classes that will prepare them for college, studying for and taking the ACT, researching and applying to colleges, filling out the FAFSA, and writing countless essays for scholarships.

Their hours of work will culminate not only on the first day they step onto the college campus, but the day the graduate from college, the day they start their first job, and someday long down the road when they retire from a fruitful career. I know these students will go on to do great things and I’m glad to have known them along the way!

I’ll end with a cool quote my co-AmeriCorps member put up in the office today. Andrew Carneigie said “If you want to be happy, set yourself a goal that commands your thoughts, liberates your energy, and inspires your hopes.”

As the demographics of Minnesota change, it is essential that we have an educated workforce. As more college graduates retire from the workforce and less high school students graduate, it is estimated by 2015 Minnesota will have an annual shortage of 12,900 college-educated workers. If you like to research like me, you can check out this report from the Minnesota Private College Research Foundation. This statistic is from page 4.

This news clip also highlights this topic and Admission Possible, the non-profit that I am serving with as an AmeriCorps member.

KSTP TV – Minneapolis and St. Paul – Population shift could fuel competition among colleges.

(Look closely at 1:37, there I am in the magenta shirt with a pony tail, taking a lunch break)