Good evening everyone, and welcome to this week’s edition of “Monday Minutes with Miss Minnesota!” This past week has been filled with many fun appearances and I have met so many wonderful people throughout the state! Read below to see what I have been up to!


7/25 (Tuesday)
I met with Miss Minnesota Board President, Gina Cavanagh, and her son, Patrick, at the Delta gate bright and early to cheer on Emily in Orlando! I must say, since becoming Miss Minnesota, my luggage on board has increased a little more than usual, but the gate crew was pretty awesome in helping me aboard! Thanks to Dream Duffel and Luggage Pros for the beautifully customized luggage fit for a queen! Once I arrived at the Rosen Convention Center, I met my roommate, Kristin Fish, Miss Kansas! She is such a delight to all who meet her and it was a joy to spend time with her throughout the week! I was able to catch a few rays with Gina before attending the first night of preliminaries.  During the opening number, Emily carried in the Minnesota flag, waving the royal blue and gold seal proudly on high, and then entertained us with a fun little fact about our lovely state: “In my state, Spam comes in a can, not just your inbox!” She danced so gracefully and expressively to “It’s Quiet Uptown” by Kelly Clarkson for her talent selection. Afterwards, we saw her for the first time since her check-in at Miss America’s Outstanding Teen (MAOTeen) and if you know anything about the two of us, it is hard to keep us apart! I’m so glad I was able to see her for a few minutes and meet some of her new friends!


7/26 (Wednesday)
I started off my morning with two of my favorite things: breakfast that includes bacon, and my Miss Minnesota head judge, Steve Phan! Sometimes, people come into your life for several reasons; to be a mere acquantaince for a short amount of time, to teach you a hard-earned lesson, or to uplift and support you 100% for life.  Steve certainly falls into the latter.  The love and positivity he has demonstrated to me has not only been heartwarming in good times, but has been my fuel and motivation during the more overwhelming times. In fact, not only does Steve text me with positive quotes and stories, but he checks in on me and keeps me focused and mindful during the preparations leading to Miss America, which is fun but daunting at times. In fact, we are even pen pals! I could not ask for a better friend and cheerleader from halfway across the country. I’m your biggest #1Phan, my friend! :)

I then went to the MAOTeen Trade Show, where I was able to meet with vendors from all across the nation specializing in various costumes, gowns, and wardrobe pieces for whatever your needs nay be. One of those people I was able to meet was Marie with MHR Designs, who has created gorgeous custom earrings for both my Miss Minnesota and now Miss America evening gowns! She is immensely talented and I am grateful for her partnership with LeChic Pageant and Prom Boutique, the official wardrobe sponsor of Miss Minnesota and Miss Minnesota’s Outstanding Teen.

For preliminary night #2, Emily competed in Evening Gown and On-Stage Question. She looked so radiant in her zircon teal gown provided by Le Chic Prom and Pageant Boutique and believe me when I say that all eyes were on her! She then took her on-stage question, which were all written by the contestants, and spoke articulately and at great length about teens with after school jobs and how time management has been helpful to her as she balances both work and play. She speaks with such poise! Again, visiting with her after the pageant was such a treat! I was also fortunate enough to meet our beautiful Miss America, Savvy Shields. Talk about someone who embodies “Minnesota Nice, even though she is from Arkansas! I am so excited to get to know her even more in Atlantic City.


7/27 (Thursday)
Before the third night of preliminaries, the Miss America contestants were treated to a wonderful sit-down dinner hosted by Regalia and Florida State Executive Director, Mary Sullivan. We formally met both Josh Randle, CEO and President of the Miss America Foundation, and Sam Haskell IV, the Chairman Executive of the Board, along with Marc Angelli, Vice President of Field Operations, and Lynn Weidmann, Chair of the Board. Not only was a great evening of fellowship (and so many selfies), but we were also so graciously given $200 gift cards each to New York and Company! Sometimes, gratitude comes when you least expect it, and I am so thankful, as this will be used to finalize my wardrobe for Miss America next month! Thank you, New York and Company, for your kind generosity!
Emily competed in the final night of preliminary competition in Lifestyle and Fitness! Being that Emily is a trained dancer, she understands what it takes to be disciplined both on and off stage when it comes to staying fit and healthy.  She rocked her fitness routine and had so much fun being in her element! 

I then met a very special friend at visitation on Thursday! Abby, Emily’s 5 year old cousin, and I became instant “best buddies,” and for the rest of my time in Orlando and beyond, we have been inseparable. Abby is bound and determined to become Miss Minnesota someday, and I know she has the sparkle and sass to truly shine on stage! We spent some time eating pizza, hanging out near the pool, and of course, trying on the crown and sash! Abby even got to meet Miss America! This friendship is probably going to last for life….we are already looking into planning play dates back home in Minnesota! :)


7/28 (Friday)
I went with Gina, Pat, and Dan to the mall where I was able to use my awesome New York and Company card to pick up a few fun pieces for Miss America! Their clothing is trendy and fashion-forward; perfect for a young woman of today. Again, many thanks to New York and Company!

That evening was the Children’s Miracle Network Dance-A-Thon with the Miss and Teen State Titleholders, the Teens in Training and Princess Camp attendees, and CMN families from the Orlando area.  This was such a sweet night of miracle making, as we listened to stories, spent time with incredible kids, and danced the night away! Within three hours, we were able to raise over $37,000 #ForTheKids and for local hospitals! Thank you to all who donated on behalf of Emily and myself for Team Minnesota! We are so appreciative of your support! 


7/29 (Saturday)

Saturday was a big day, as we started off our morning at Miss America Orientation. We were welcomed by the board and some kids from CMN who gifted us with beautiful bracelets from Alex&Ani! These adorable pieces of jewelry promote magic, healing, and innocence with proceeds benefitting CMN. We are so thankful for these special bracelets powered by positivity! Thanks Alex&Ani!

All 51 contestants and their state representatives from their respective boards had a meeting that encompassed all we needed to know about upcoming schedules, wardrobe, security detail, and the production information for the live broadcast on ABC, to finally hearing from Miss America herself, Savvy, on what her year has had in store for her. She had a great remark about how to mentally prepare about the upcoming competition, where she said, “If this is not your time, there is nothing that you did wrong and nothing to make that time happen. But if it is your time, then there is nothing you can do to stop it.” I have dreamed of stepping foot on the Miss America stage since I was young and influenced by several great Miss Minnesotas before me, and I cannot wait to represent not only my home state, but more importantly, the families and kids that are the true heroes and reason for service. No matter the outcome, it is an honor to be your Miss Minnesota and compete for this opportunity to serve our nation.

After orientation, we were treated to lunch and amazing swag bags courtesy of EcoTools, an official sponsor of the Miss America Organization. EcoTools and MAO have partnered together to promote #MyTrueBeauty and we are excited to play a role in that partnership! Did you know that EcoTools not only creates eco-friendly makeup tools, but they also promote women’s organizations involving healthy, wellness, and education! Thanks EcoTools for the gifts! 
Next up was the event we were all waiting for…the finals night of Miss America’s Outstanding Teen 2018 competition! All of the young ladies who spent three days in competition did a phenomenal job and they represented their states beautifully. Emily not only did a great job on all three nights of competition, but she was chosen to compete in the Top 12 as People’s Choice! Lots of happy tears and cheering were coming from the Team Emily crew! Though she ultimately did not take the crown home, we are still so very proud of her and we were so glad we could celebrate with her at the after-party! What can I say…I’m a proud big sis. :)


7/30 (Sunday)
Sunday was a travel day, as I flew home from Orlando back to the Twin Cities for more Miss America prep! 


7/31 (Monday)
In my “off” days (days with no public crown/sash appearances), I spend my time preparing for Miss America in multitudes of ways, from meeting for mock interviews, fitness trainers, practicing piano, catching up on current events, wardrobe and style consultation, paperwork, meeting with sponsors, and even simple things, like doing laundry and packing for my next road trip! It is never a dull moment in the life of Miss Minnesota!


As always, remember to follow me on social media for daily updates on:
Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, Tumblr, and Snapchat --> @missamericamn :)

Thanks for tuning in to this week's "Monday Minutes with Miss Minnesota!" 

Until next week, keep shining!

Brianna

Good evening everyone, and welcome to this week’s edition of “Monday Minutes with Miss Minnesota!” This past week has been filled with many fun appearances and I have met so many wonderful people throughout the state! Read below to see what I have been up to!

7/18 (Tuesday)
As Miss Minnesota, I put on an extensive amount of mileage each day as I explore our great state! Read all about my latest travels down below!


7/19 (Wednesday)
I was up bright and early in Roseau, MN, at the Roseau County Fair, which is on the Canadian border! From visiting with folks from my “neck of the woods,” the meet and greet autograph signings, radio interviews with Wild 102 FM, performing with Lois and Lois, enjoying local fare at Oof-Da Tacos, and the many smiles, it was a fun afternoon! Thank you to Kelsey Filpula-Diedrikson for coordinating such a fun day!


I then traveled to Warren, MN, for the Marshall County Parade! This event brings in many great floats from all across the region and I was so happy to be a part of this year’s lineup! This parade was pretty special to me for several reasons. First, Marshall County is the home of the Miss North Star crown, so getting to represent both my local and state titles that day in the county where it all started was incredibly special for those who were on the sidelines. Second, my sisters were able to join me that night as the Minnesota Northern Lights Princesses and my brother, Brayden, drove me in a beautiful car from Dahlstrom Motors! Third, I was totally surprised en route to see a familiar face in the crowd…Miss Minnesota 2003 (and one of my favorite people ever), Megan Torgerson Vitko! She once held a northern title herself and is from the same area as I, so when she stopped the parade and we got a hug and a selfie in, the entire crowd erupted in cheers and tears! She never ceases to amaze me, as she is one of my biggest role models since I was young. What an awesome way to end the day!


7/20 (Thursday)
I traveled two hours south to Perham, MN, where I spoke to the Perham Rotary and enjoyed a great afternoon with like-minded, service-oriented people.  Thank you to Gina Cavanagh for inviting me to speak! I then had my teeth whitening appointment with Dr. Tammy Sturdevant at Perham Family Dentistry, and after my consultation with her, my smile will be as bright as the stars! Thank you to Dr. Tammy and assistant Mary-Kate for their generous sponsorship! 


7/21 (Friday)
I spent the day in Thief River Falls, MN, doing an extensive amount of prep work with my incredible seamstress, Jan Anderson. There are very few people I trust with my Miss America gowns….in fact, every outfit that will be on the Miss America stage has been altered by Jan exclusively! She is one of my dearest friends and confidants, and I am so lucky to have both her and her husband, Bob, in my life. 


7/22 (Saturday)
I traveled to Fergus Falls, MN, to emcee the Multiple Sclerosis Bike Tram Team Talent Show! It was a beautiful summer evening and the amount of talent that these teams demonstrated, from singing to rapping and poetry, was great to see! Thank you to Ryan and Ben Jagim, aka Team “Blood, Sweat, and Gears” for coordinating an awesome evening of advocacy and fun! 


7/23 (Sunday)
As some of you may know, I have a Bachelor of Music degree in Composition from Concordia College (2016) and am currently working on my Masters in Composition at Bowling Green State University, with plans to finish my degree in the spring of 2019. Not only am I performing my duties full-time as Miss Minnesota, but in addition, I am a freelance composer and music instructor as well.  On Sunday, one of my pieces, Eli Eli (written for 8 voices acapella), was premiered by The Summer Singers, a professional ensemble based out of Minneapolis, MN. Hearing them perform one of my works in a beautiful space was incredibly moving. As a composer, I find that self-expression is one of the most valuable things one can share with someone and the performance was beautiful.  Thank you to TSS for their artistry and support of not only my writing but as Miss Minnesota as well! 


7/24 (Monday)
As I continued packing preparations for Orlando, I had to sneak in another photo shoot with our amazing photographer, Paula Preston! Thank you to her for the laughter and friendship, along with another thank you to Penny Wells and James Peterson for making sure my hair and makeup are on point, as always. So much love for those three!


As always, remember to follow me on social media for daily updates on:
Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, Tumblr, and Snapchat --> @missamericamn :)

Thanks for tuning in to this week's "Monday Minutes with Miss Minnesota!" 

Until next week, keep shining!

Brianna 

Good evening everyone, and welcome to this week’s edition of “Monday Minutes with Miss Minnesota!” This past week has been filled with many fun appearances and I have met so many wonderful people throughout the state! Read below to see what I have been up to!


Tuesday (7/11):
Tuesday, I traveled to Thief River Falls, my home town. I first visited with RehabAuthority, a leading physical therapy facility in northwest Minnesota. They are so graciously making a charitable donation to the Arthritis Foundation on behalf of Brenna's Brigade at this year's upcoming Riverfest 5/10K run! Thank you so much to Drs. Kim Rosendahl and Stephanie Weyrauch for your support! Brenna and I so greatly appreciate it!

I then performed and spoke at the Miss Thief River Falls and Miss Riverfest pageant! This pageant holds a special place in my heart, as my grandmother was at one time, the executive director of the pageant.  I have vivid memories of going to this pageant many times and being able to help out back stage and my interest in the Miss America Organization was fostered from a young age.  I then later went on to become Miss Thief River Falls and received 1st Runner Up at Miss Minnesota 2016. Being that this title was my first “Miss” title, it was a great learning experience and I truly enjoyed every moment. Thank you to the Miss Thief River Falls/Miss Riverfest committee for welcoming me back! I also spent time with my successor, Ashley Myers (Miss Thief River Falls) and Morgan Berg (Miss Riverfest) and the lovely ladies vying for these titles.  Ashley and Morgan have done a wonderful job representing the Thief River Falls area and did a great job at Miss Minnesota this year! I am proud to call them sister queens and friends. Seeing family and friends back home is always a treat! A big shoutout to my Miss Minnesota sisters, Miss North Star committee, and all of my family and friends who I got to see at this pageant, along with all those who made this pageant possible; the committee of dedicated women, Darcy Reese and Gary Sorvig, Scott Bornholdt, Jodi and Jackie Kuznia, and others. It was also so much fun to see my  other Miss TRF/Riverfest sisters as well (Brittany Johnson - Miss TRF 2014, and Tayler Myers - Miss Riverfest 2016). Congratulations to Katrina Bugge, Miss Thief River Falls 2018, and Hannah Brickson, Miss Riverfest 2018! 


Wednesday (7/12):
Wednesday morning was an early one for my Mom and I, as we traveled seven hours south to Minnesota Lake for their “FestAg” celebrations! This appearance is so meaningful to me, as last year, I had the opportunity to appear as “Miss Minnesota’s 1st Runner Up” on behalf of Madeline, as she was at MAO Orientation that time. I had a great time last year, and this year now as Miss Minnesota, was even more fun, not only because I got to come back for more “FestAg” fun, but it was also Miss America Lottery Day! 


For those of you who are unfamiliar with what that means, Lottery Day is when all of the Miss State titleholders come together in an online selection and choose their contestant group and number for Miss America! It is a very fun and exciting event, as you get to see who you will be competing with in the preliminaries! Being that I was nearly seven hours away from home at this time and in rural Minnesota, I was a little worried that I would not be able to join in online, but thanks to the Miss FestAg committee and Katie and Lori Hueper, I was able to spend the afternoon in Lori’s home, where she kept us cool and collected. Thank you Lori for your hospitality! 


I am Contestant #1 in the Sigma group, which means:
Interview - Wednesday Morning
Lifestyle & Fitness/Evening Gown - Wednesday Preliminary
Talent - Thursday Preliminary
On-Stage Question - Friday Preliminary


Announcement of Top 15 Finalists and LIVE Broadcast on ABC - Sunday, September 10th at 9/8 CT! Now that the official order is out, I encourage you to use the hashtag, #MissMNForTheWIN on your social media! 


Back to “FestAg”… I then went to the Queen’s Tea with my teen queen, Emily, where the Miss FestAg royalty honored by other area princesses, which is always a fun get-together. Thank you to Peace United Lutheran Church for hosting us! Afterwards was the Twilight Parade, where I was so graciously driven by Tim Anderson.  The smiles and waves along the way were so sweet; I even had a few kisses blown my way from a few princesses! We finally then went to the coronation of the Miss FestAg royalty, where I was given the opportunity to speak at length about my Miss Minnesota experience thus far.  Thank you George for always keeping me on my toes and for doing a fabulous job emceeing the coronation! Congratulations to the new 2017 FestAg royalty! Enjoy your year!


Thursday (7/13):
Thursday, I had a Skype session with Polly Meyer from Image on Camera, where we continued fine-tuning my interview and speaking skills. It was a great chance to try our training in a different setting and I’m glad we could test it out! Thanks as always to Polly for her support and her never-ending encouragement week after week.


I then hopped in the car and traveled yet again to the city of Sauk Centre, where I was a judge and performer at the Miss Sauk Centre pageant!, kicking off their annual Sinclair Lewis Days! Thank you so much to Kelly and the staff at the historic Palmer House for the great accommodations for my Mom and I! This was my first time judging a pageant and wow was it fun! I loved getting to know both judges, Mrs. North Dakota International 2010 Shelly Gompf and Mrs. Lacrosse and competitor at Mrs. Wisconsin America Jodi Flach! They are phemonenally accomplished women and I look up to them fondly. Another thank you to the Miss Sauk Centre committee for the warm welcome into the community and throughout the day! I thouroughly enjoyed my time! It was fun to meet each of the candidates in their personal interviews and to see them shine on stage during the talent and evening gown competitions. I am proud of each and every one of them! Congratulations to the new 2017 Sauk Centre royalty! Have a great year!



Friday (7/14):
My Mom and I hit the road once more back to northern Minnesota for the Pennington County Fair in Thief River Falls, as I was invited to sing the national anthem at the 2017 Bull Ride! This event is a highly anticipated one in my hometown, with several thousand in attendance.  Not only did I perform, but I also did an interview with Clint Adkins, PBR announcer, as well as judge the “Mutton-Busting” competition (which, by the way, those kids were brave to ride those feisty sheep)! Afterwards, I was able to visit with local business fair booths in the Ralph Engelstad Hockey Arena and thank them for their support of the Miss Minnesota Organization through local and state-wide sponsorships. Thank you to Julie Olson and the Pennington County Fair board for the invitation and great hospitality! As always, it is a joy to come home and see family and friends at the fairgrounds, where many memories were made as a young child.


Saturday (7/15):
I traveled six hours back south to Minnetonka, where my teen queen, Emily, and I spent the afternoon at the Minnesota Autism Center Picnic Fundraiser. Seeing these kids having an awesome afternoon of family, food, and fun was heartwarming and so inspiring.  This event allowed for them, along with their families, to have a great afternoon in a safe and loving environment with the 1:1 staff and student ratio.  From inflatable races, dance parties, treats, and water fights, each and every one of these kids shined brightly! Thank you to the Minnesota Autism Center for allowing Emily and I to share in this special afternoon with these incredible families.  We hope to come back soon! Special thank you to John Nelson from Photographycs, one of our photography sponsors, and Deb Thompson from the Miss Minnesota board, for chaperoning and capturing many great memories!


Sunday (7/16):
Back on the road I went! This time, it was only a four hour round trip, as I went south to Mankato for Emily’s send-off! Emily will be representing Minnesota at the Miss America’s Outstanding Teen pageant in two weeks in Orlando, FL! I am so proud of her and her dedication to this program and the ideals of the MAOT program.  She has been a great representative so far and no matter how she does, she will always be my “little sis!” She was able to model all of there wardrobe and perform a mock interview for us as well, and we closed the afternoon program with a release of red heart balloons into the sky! We love you Emily!  Thank you to local Miss Mankato director, Shelly Bartlett (Emily’s former local director) for hosting the event, to IndiGO Organics for the great food, and to the staff at the Cambria Gallery at the River Hills Mall for hosting us in their beautiful showroom! 


On my way back to the Twin Cities, I was able to stop in Jordan, MN at “Minnesota’s Largest Candy Store!” This Minnesota must-see hosts candies and delectable delights from all around the world, including my favorite candies, Canadian Smarties (similar to M&M’s in the United States). I also stocked up on locally made fudge and taffies as well! I highly recommend a visit to this sweet shop!


Monday (7/17):
Monday was filled with Miss Minnesota prep, from fitting in an intense workout, wardrobe shopping, and talent rehearsals. Preparations for Miss America take place every day, in between all of the busyness of appearances. Even though my schedule is hectic and crazy, I simply love my job and it is an honor to represent Minnesota not just around the state, but in Atlantic City.  


As always, remember to follow me on social media for daily updates on:
Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, Tumblr, and Snapchat --> @missamericamn :)


Thanks for tuning in to this week's "Monday Minutes with Miss Minnesota!" 


Until next week, keep shining!


Brianna

Good evening everyone, and welcome to this week’s edition of
“Monday Minutes with Miss Minnesota!”

This past week has been filled with many fun appearances and I have met so many wonderful people throughout the state! Read below to see what I have been up to!

Tuesday (7/4):
I spent the Fourth of July up in northwest Minnesota and attended several community parades and gatherings! I started off my morning bright and early at the Greenbush Fourth of July parade, where I was escorted on a beautiful 2003 Saleen Mustang driven by Dan and Ann Hible and accompanied by their granddaughter, Princess Maddie! This parade is so much fun for the community and there are always many floats, all made with pride and joy. From the parade, I then went to the Greenbush Fire Hall and spent time with other community members, as well as visited with local law enforcement, firemen, and other public officials and thanked them for all they do for Greenbush and the surrounding area. 
My next stop was at the Greenbush LifeCare Center, where I played piano selections and sang patriotic hymns with the elderly residents, many of whom are veterans. Visiting and sharing in both song and conversation was incredibly touching and was one of the highlights of my day. Of course, my musical brother, Brayden, and I had to perform a few duets together as well! Thank you to both Ann and Dan Hible for escorting me, to Greenbush Mayor, Brenda Sather, and to Greenbush LifeCare Center for having me! Also, a special thank you to Princess Maddie for accompanying me in Greenbush as well as to her awesome mom, Julie David, for being my photographer for the event and taking some amazing candids! 
I then hopped in the car and drove an hour northeast to the town of Warroad, MN, which is located on the shores of Lake of the Woods, which borders both the United States and Canada! What a treat it was to bring the Miss Minnesota crown to this community! Our first stop was to visit Mayor Bob Marvin, the owner of “The Shed”, which is a classic and muscle car collection with nearly 100 cars and a unique northern Minnesota gem! It all started in 1981 when Bob bought a ’65 Riviera and was immediately hooked on the style and innovations of vehicles from the 50’s and 60’s. He has visitors from all around the world coming to visit his collection, and there is no charge to visit, but rather an invitation to donate to organizations such as the American Cancer Society, the Warroad Veterans’ Memorial, and others. Every car has a special story and Bob shared a number of them, including one about the white 1960 Corvette that he owns with the VIN number being 000001, meaning that it is the first car off of the manufacturing line of its own! Bob so graciously lent us a 1957 Chrysler convertible worth $1.1 million for the parade and I must say, it was such a powerful and beautiful vintage ride! Thank you to Bob for your kind generosity! And of course, thank you to one of my local directors, KayDell Super and her husband Tom, for chaperoning and driving throughout the parade! We had such a blast and afterwards, we even got to go for a joyride down the highway together! Both KayDell and Tom are so special to me and it was a treat to spend the holiday with them. Tom and I have a special saying, which is “What is better than having fun?” More fun!” To say we had fun at this event was an understatement. :) 

Finally, we decided to drive 6 miles north to the Canadian border, because as far as we understand, the Miss Minnesota crown has never been at the US Port of Entry in Warroad. At first, I must admit, I was a little nervous to travel right up to the border. I didn’t have my passport on hand and I didn’t even know if it would be possible to take a photo due to homeland security restrictions. However, after talking to the officer at the port of entry station, I was able to not only take a photo, but he allowed me to actually enter Canada and take an international photo! The Canadian border patrol loved the crown and were so welcoming of my short, but sweet visit. Thank you to the US and Canadian border patrol for being so accommodating! I will never forget this once in a lifetime experience! 


The Fourth of July is so special, as I was able to celebrate with all ten of my siblings and a few of our extended family! Being that we are all growing up and pursuing our own paths, it can be hard for us to all get together, but we all cherish the moments when we can see each other.  That weekend, we played games, had outdoor dinners, and enjoyed every laugh, smile, and moment as a family. We are so close-knit, and I am glad I could spend time with the people I love the most.


Wednesday (7/5):
Wednesday was a heavy travel day, as I went all the way down to Lakeville for the Miss Lakeville pageant, which is the kickoff to the Lakeville Pan-O-Prog Festival! It was a great event, as I was able to perform and meet many area royalty! Thank you so much to one of my favorite “pageant moms,” Wendy Latuff, mother of Miss Minnesota 2015 Rachel Latuff Betterley, for chaperoning me! I loved spending the evening with you! Another special congratulations to the new titleholders, Miss Lakeville 2017 Lauren Davis, and Miss Lakeville Princesses Cianna Swanson and Kate Cox! 


Thursday (7/6):
I went to the Primrose School in Savage, where I spent the morning with the PreK students and the Explorers Club, where I was their special guest for “Dress Up Day.” If you know anything about me, I absolutely love children, so this was such a sweet and meaningful appearance. We talked about what it means to be kind to each other and we made special crowns with many colors and gems. Seeing each child flourish in their creativity and sharing genuine compliments to each other made my heart simply smile! One adorable girl even shared her crown with me and I don’t think I have ever received so many hugs in my life. Thank you to the Primrose School for having me, I can’t wait to come back! 

I am so thankful as Miss Minnesota to have a business manager who supports and loves me for who I am! Charlotte is an incredible manager and even more amazing friend, and as Miss Minnesota 1967, she continually inspires me with her dedication to the Miss Minnesota Organization for the last 50 years! She came with me to this particular appearance and the kids even loved having her there as well! Afterwards, we decided to have a special treat at one of our favorite places….Sonic! Charlotte is as sweet as the Cherry Limeades we had and we shared so many giggles and smiles.  Love you Charlotte! 

I then travelled to Minneapolis where I had my interview training with Polly Meyer of Image on Camera.  Polly is such a joy to work with and pushes me to be my best, authentic, and genuine self. I love our sessions together and I am so thankful for her sponsorship and friendship.  If you are looking to improve your public speaking and interview skills, Polly is the one to work with! 

I finally ended up at Kathy’s house to sign final papers for Miss America! As my pen signed the last flourish, it started to finally sink in….I am going to Miss America! What a dream come true and such an honor. It makes me teary-eyed to even think about it. Thank you Kathy for guiding me through this process so far and throughout the rest of the year, love you to the moon and back! 


Friday (7/7):
Again, Friday was another heavy travel day, as I went to Detroit Lakes for the first local pageant of the 2018 season! I was welcomed so warmly by the Miss Northwest committee and was provided a wonderful dinner courtesy of the Country Kitchen. Thank you to Cindy Moore for your years of dedication to this program and for the special treats during Miss Minnesota week as well! You are a blessing to those who meet you! 
Thank you so much to Hailey Jutz, my Miss Minnesota roomie, for your amazing Year of Service. Your heart of gold and passion for your platform inspires me and I am so glad this organization brought us together as teens several years ago! Also, a big thank you to Miss Northwest’s Outstanding Teen, Karleen Wilde, for your dedication to the Lakes Area as well! I can’t wait to see where your journey takes you as well! 
Every single young lady who competed did a phenomenal job and a special congratulations to Alyssa Crum, Miss Northwest 2018 and Devyn Ullyot, Miss Northwest’s Outstanding Teen 2018! 


Saturday (7/8):
I traveled to Morris for the Miss Morris Area and Miss Midwest pageants! Thank you to the GrandStay of Morris for hosting my family and I! It was a fun-filled day of all things pageant-related and thank you to Dawn Kosbab and committee, for the warm welcome! The day started with a Queen’s brunch, where the current titleholders, Emma Zosel (Miss Morris Area), Kia Kolbinger (Miss Midwest), and Devin Fuhrman (Miss Morris Area’s Outstanding Teen), were honored.  These ladies have done such an incredible job in this community and I am so proud of them! Interestingly enough, Emma also battles Juvenile Arthritis, and she has been such an inspiration and role model to my little sister, Brenna.  As a big sister, that alone means more to me than anything else; that Emma would go out of her way to mentor and inspire my little sister and encourage her to continue fighting together. Just typing this makes me emotional! Kia has been such a dear friend as well, as she never fails to make me smile! Her perserverance throughout her year is amazing and I look up to her. And of course, Devin has been an awesome representative for the last two years in the Morris area! Thank you ladies, for your year of service! 
I also got the opportunity to have dinner with the judges and committee, which was a lot of fun.  Thank you to Mi Mexico in Morris for the delicious dinner! From meeting the ladies at the brunch, to spending time with them during their interview, and getting to know their passions and stories, they all did a great job at this pageant!  Congratulations to Kathryn Kueppers, Miss Midwest 2018, and Cali Berlinger, Miss Morris Area 2018! 


Sunday (7/9):
Sunday was rather quiet, as it was a day to travel back home and take care of business. I was able to compose music, which is my passion, and spend time with my little siblings.  Home is a special place for me and I relish in every moment, as these next few weeks are about involve even more travel! 


Monday (7/10):
Today, I spent my afternoon in Crookston with the RYLA campers, sponsored by Rotary International.  This is a great leadership camp designed for juniors and seniors in high school as they work on team-building exercises, leadership skills, and of course, make new friends from all across the states of Minnesota, North Dakota, and even as far north as Thunder Bay in Ontario! All 130 campers and I went to the downtown business district of Crookston and handed out over 300 roses to people of all walks of life, from business owners to customers, the elderly, children, and homeless, and brightened their days with a flower, a smile, and a compliment.  Seeing the joy that radiated from these people’s faces was so worth the effort! From there, we then went to the North Country food bank, where we sprung into action and we packed over 1200 food packages for 2000 area elderly in need of assistance.  This service is so appreciated and I am glad we could be a part of this endeavor.  Thank you to Ben Jagim, Beth Altoff, and the RYLA facilitators for having me today! 

I then had a nearly two hour workout session with Chanc Keefe at North Fit in Thief River Falls.  We trained Cross-Fit style and I must say, he totally worked me out! I love being active, so any time I get the chance to work out, I always take up the opportunity to try new things! Tomorrow morning, I go back in for a 6:30AM session while I am still in the area! Looking forward to more kettle ball swings and wall ball squats Chanc! Thanks for the motivation and for pushing me tonight! ;) 


It has been a busy week, but I truly love my job more than anything in the world! 


Remember to follow me on social media for daily updates on:
Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, Tumblr, and Snapchat --> @missamericamn :)
​

Thanks for tuning in to this week's "Monday Minutes with Miss Minnesota!" 
Until next week, keep shining!


Brianna

 Good afternoon everyone and welcome to this week's edition of...
 "Monday Minutes with Miss Minnesota!" 

It has been another fun week of appearances, training, and travel and I'm excited to update you all!  

This week, with the exception of one more pageant happening this weekend, every Miss State titleholder has been crowned and the Miss America Class of 2018 is nearly complete! Thanks to the power of social media, many of us have been able to connect and get to know each other prior to our contestant orientation at the end of this month.  These women are amazing in their own unique ways and based off of the positive comments, hilarious gifs and memes, and uplifting support, I cannot wait to meet them all in person! What a joy it is to be among all of them! 

In the meanwhile, I have stayed incredibly busy with meetings, appearances, training, and of course, visiting with so many amazing people!

Monday (6/26)
As I mentioned last week, Monday was my "day off" from the public eye and a day to finish all of my Miss America paperwork with my awesome state executive director, Kathy! We accomplished so much that day and crossing all of that off my to-do list was a relief! Thank you to Kathy and her husband Don for keeping me on task that day! :)

Tuesday (6/27)
Tuesday was a fun day, as I did my first round of mock interviews in preparation for Miss America! Interviews can be nerve-wracking at first, but I have come to realize that it is not so much about the judges looking for the "right" answer. Rather it is about you sharing more about yourself and your views on the world around you with a group of people who genuinely want to know you better.  How awesome is that?! However, that doesn't mean you shouldn't prepare. You want to practice those interviews so you feel confidently comfortable!

For this practice interview, I was greeted by former Miss Minnesota Vicki Plaster Kueppers at Cafe Amore in downtown St. Paul and the panel of judges did a great job asking tough questions about my platform, family, values, and the world around me regarding politics and current events.  Afterwards, Vicki hosted a wonderful evening at her home. Thank you to the mock judges and Kueppers family for taking time out of your busy day to help me! 

Wednesday (6/28)
Speaking of interviews, I spent the morning with one of our incredible sponsors, Polly Meyer, from Image on Camera, to work on my speaking and presentation skills. Even though I have had years of speech training in high school, I learned so much from Polly about how to exude confidence, strength, and warmth in everything I say and do, and that was in one session alone! We had so much fun and the time simply flew by! I am eager to continue working with Polly this summer and refine my skills even more! Thank you Polly for your generous sponsorship and friendship! 

Afterwards, I met up with Carissa Rasmussen and Melissa Paakh of Clean&Lean to discuss fitness and nutrition goals.  I have known these ladies for a little over a year and they are the definition of motivating! As former competitors, they understand what it takes to maintain a healthy lifestyle both inside and out. The positivity they both possess simply radiates from them and I know that when it comes to my health, I am in very good hands! Thank you both Carissa and Melissa for your incredible sponsorship and much needed encouraging energy! 

Thursday (6/29)
On Thursday, I had a productive conference call with the Arthritis Foundation about both platform appearances and additional service work as a National Ambassador during my year as Miss Minnesota. It was a great brainstorming session and I can't wait to continue the work we have already done together! Thank you to Lindsey and Claire for the awesome collaboration! 

I then had a great workout with Melissa in preparation for Lifestyle and Fitness at Miss America! Man, did she get my heart rate going and my muscles working! If you need a great workout along with a great pep talk, Melissa is the one to see! She motivated me so much that after my first workout, I geared up to do it all over again! I'm so excited to continue working with her during the summer. :)

Friday (6/30)
I traveled up north for an executive meeting with DigiKey Electronics with both my parents and Miss Minnesota Organization president, Gina Cavanagh. Located in Thief River Falls, DigiKey Electronics is one of the fastest growing distributors of electronic components in the world since 1972. It was an incredibly successful meeting, as DigiKey Electronics is now our newest Miss Minnesota sponsor! In addition to the work I do advocating for the Arthritis Foundation through Brenna's Brigade along with the Children's Miracle Network, I will also be advocating for #GirlsWhoCode, inspiring women to become leaders in STEM-related fields! What an awesome opportunity to use my story as a female who codes music software to further the mission of a hometown business who has been supportive of my endeavors through the Miss America Organization! Thank you to Mark Schmikte and Kevin Brown for your time during our meeting; I am looking forward to our partnership! 

I also visited with the Logan Kalinowski Farmers Insurance Agency and the Kalinowski family as well! Logan and his family helped to build our house nearly ten years ago, so it was fun to revisit him and spend time with Kennedi and Tallon as well.  I am convinced that Miss Kennedi is going to be a future Miss Minnesota someday (and Tallon, her brother, agreed). Thank you for the beautiful flowers and big hugs! 

Finally, I closed the day with a visit from Julie and Maddie David at the Wired Bean in downtown Thief River Falls. Both the David family and Julie's parents, Dan and Ann Hible, have been so supportive of me during my pageant journey, with Julie helping with mock interviews and Dan and Ann chaperoning me during parades and appearances! Not to mention, Maddie gives the best hugs and snuggles! It was great to catch up with them as well as well as have a frozen hot chocolate! Thank you for the wonderful visit!

Saturday (7/1), Sunday (7/2), and Monday (7/3)
This weekend was fairly quiet, spending time with family and friends both in Thief River Falls and Moorhead. My entire family is here for the 4th of July and I spent time with my significant other's family as well, so it was very special to see everyone and have some rest and relaxation, along with that humble grounding that comes from being with loved ones. I am savoring every little moment, as this upcoming month is incredibly busy with appearances and training galore; in fact, there is something on my calendar every single day from now until Miss America! So it was great to enjoy this time while I could. I am so looking forward to celebrating tomorrow's festivities in both Greenbush and Warroad, Minnesota, along with honoring those who have served our great nation. Thank you to those who have, are, and will continue fighting for our freedoms and rights. 

Remember to follow me on social media for daily updates on:
Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, Tumblr, and Snapchat --> @missamericamn :)

Thanks for tuning in to this week's "Monday Minutes with Miss Minnesota!" 

Until next week, keep shining!

​Brianna