THANK YOU TO...

Preparing for the Miss Minnesota pageant is a tremendous amount of work. I could not have done it without the support of my family, friends and directors. Hillary Clinton once said, “It takes a village to raise a child”. Well, it takes an army to prepare a Beauty Queen. I am so glad I had all of the people below who were on my team.

Twin Cities Committee – I am so honored to have represented your program for the past seven months. Thank you for being there every step of the way.

Vicki Kueppers – Words cannot express how much you mean to me. Thank you for helping me prepare for this pageant. Your support and guidance were greatly appreciated.

Faith and Carl – Faith you are like Oprah we all know you by your first name only. Everyone knows you have to have Faith. Thank you for helping me every step of the way. I am so blessed to have met you. Thank you for all the shoes, dresses, and jewelry you let me borrow for Miss Minnesota week! Also for giving me the opportunity to sing for the past 6 years at your Mrs. Minnesota Pageant. This proved to be a great place to try out new songs and prepare for American Idol.

Dr. Glenn Harman – for all your support and providing scholarships to the Miss Twin Cities program.

Bessie – You made me feel like Miss America, I loved my evening gown and talent gown!

Chrissy – I know my talent dress was a beast to work with, I promise not to buy a size 6 and ask you to make it a 0 again. Thank you for all of your hard work, but before you go on vacation I need a few things altered.

Jason Young – I am really looking forward to working with you again on the road to Miss America. I am ready for some intense workouts!

Fitness Together in Boston – You guys are the best! Thank you for getting me swimsuit ready for this competition!

Nathan Shrake –The talent track you made just rocked! Now are you ready for the challenge to squeeze a song into 90 seconds?

Noelle Noonan - my voice coach at the U of M who helped me with my talent song for Miss Twin Cities and Miss Minnesota Pageant.

Leeanne Barr - from Cos Bar who helped me with my makeup for the Miss Minnesota pageant.

Zina - from The Hair District for helping me with my hair for the pageant.

Cloud Nine Salon in Eagan - for all your support in making sure my nails and toes were in Miss Minnesota shape. A special Thanks to Kris Yager!

Dan Davis - for sponsoring a photo shoot for me for my ad pages and the Miss America fourpoints magazine photo.

Jamie - for doing my makeup at the numerous appearances and photo shoots.

Paula Preston - for my amazing headshots and hanging out with my group at the golf event. I can’t wait to see all the “funny face” pictures.

Brenda Torre - for teaching me how to put on makeup when I was 13 and being an amazing supportive friend.

Glitz - Thank you to all the girls who helped me try on millions of dresses!

Denise and Greg Wallace - for letting me perform at the Miss Minnesota USA pageant. I truly believe that every opportunity to perform help me become the performer I am today.

Cheri Kennedy - Thank you for all your encouragement to enter this Miss America system and support during the Twin Cities Pageant.

Stacie McBride – Your support for this program is so inspiring. Thank you for sponsoring not only the Quality of Life Award but also the Talent Award. I look forward to working with you!

RaeAnne - Thank you for your constant support and keeping me sane during this whole experience!

Cheri Smith and Miss Eagan Ambassadors – Cheri thank you so much for helping my mom and me by stepping into the role of director of the Eagan Ambassador program. Thank you to all the ambassadors for being there for my crowning. I am looking forward to this year’s pageant and emceeing again.

Eastview High School – I am so lucky to have such a supportive High School. Thank you for letting me rehearse my talent (over and over and over again) on the stage. It really helped me prepare for the Miss Minnesota Pageant.

Now to the people that have helped me over the years to prepare for this opportunity. You have had a part in shaping my life and making it possible for me to be the women I am today.

Judy Sagen - My choir teacher at Eastview High School for believing in a little freshman and giving her the chance to perform on your stage.

Donna Grey - Your pageant was the first time I performed a solo in front of an audience. “Wouldn’t it be loverly” if I became Miss America?

Sarah Moses - Thank you for all the opportunities to sing the national anthem at the state fair horse show. My mom and I have always enjoyed coming and looking for gowns at your home shop. Over the years you have provided me with many beautiful dress choices.

Ken and Lani Maples - American Coed Pageant Directors for crowning me Miss Minnesota Preteen and giving me my first pageant experience as a queen.

Raleigh Seelig and the Eagan Lions Club - for giving the support to create the Miss Eagan Ambassador Program which I was able to perform at as well as emcee (which helped my Improv skills!)

Also a huge thank you to all my professors at The Boston Conservatory. I appreciate all of you understanding when I had to travel home to Minnesota for an appearance!

To everyone who has supported me throughout this process – THANK YOU. Whether you helped alter my clothing, purchased a raffle ticket, worked out with me at the gym or cheered me on at the final pageant, I am so grateful to be surrounded by so many supportive people. VEGAS HERE WE COME!

Finally, to the Miss Minnesota State Board – Thank you for all of your hard work to put together such a successful pageant. I look forward to working with all of you this year, and let’s bring the Miss America crown back to Minnesota!