JUNE 23-25, 2006
MRS. GEORGIA AMERICA PAGEANT 2006 (ATLANTA, GA)

My state directors Faith & Carl Schway generously flew their three titleholders (Mrs. IA Katie Scott, Mrs. WI Shannon Martin, and myself) down to Atlanta for the weekend to attend the Mrs. GA America pageant. We arrived on Friday afternoon and attended a fabulous cocktail reception at Roy's Restaurant in Buckhead (one of my favorites--make sure to try the miso-marinated butterfish!), where the contestants met one another for the first time. Old friendships were renewed, as I got to catch up with my good friend Kim Vaughn (Mrs. GA 1995). The contestants had their interviews on Saturday, followed by the Preliminary Pageant that evening. After the pageant, we grabbed a late dinner at the Olive Garden, followed by a 1 a.m. raid on the local Synder's drugstore for "pageant necessities" (i.e. false eyelashes, shampoo, hairspray, candy bars, you get the idea!). Sunday meant SHOPPING with Shannon (Mrs. WI) and good friend and pageant volunteer Joanie Clausen, and shop we did! The pageant opened that evening with a high energy number performed by many of the former Mrs. Georgias, and Amanda Vogel (Mrs. GA 2005) looked radiant as she passed on her title to a lovely redhead, Robin Mason of Savannah. Robin and I will be roommates at Mrs. America, so I was glad to get to finally "meet" her! After the pageant, a Coronation Dinner was held at the trendy Aqua Blue restaurant, where we all celebrated a successful pageant and Robin's big win. What a fun weekend! Thanks Faith & Carl for truly treating us like royalty (yes, the pun WAS intended, ha ha!)

PHOTOS:
1) With my awesome State Directors Faith & Carl Schway at Roy's Restaurant.
2) Good friend Kim Vaughn (Mrs. GA America 1995) and I catch up at the cocktail reception.
3) L to R: Katie Scott (Mrs. IA), Shannon Martin (Mrs. WI), and I at the Preliminary Pageant.
4) L to R: Amanda Vogel (Mrs. GA America 2005), Lisa Wilson (Miss GA USA 2006), and I hanging out backstage.
5) L to R: Katie Scott (Mrs. IA 2006), Shannon Martin (Mrs. WI 2006), Tawnja Zahradka (Mrs. MN 1994), Lynn DeJarnette (Mrs. AR 1994 & Mrs. AR State Director), Denise Yates (2nd RU at Mrs. KY 2006), and myself just prior to the Pageant Finals.
6) Robin Mason is the new Mrs. Georgia-America 2006! Congrats Robin, we are going to have a blast at Mrs. A!
7) The "foursome" of queens is complete! L to R: WI, IA, GA, & MN

JUNE 14, 2006
PHOTO SHOOT WITH PHOTOGRAPHER SCOTT HEDBLOM

For my official headshots and crown & banner photos, photographer Scott Hedblom and makeup artist Brenda Torre transformed our living room into a photo studio! My hubby Matt was out of town on a fishing trip, so my good friend Sarah Moses (owner of The Pageant Shop) helped babysit our 21-month-old, who managed to get into mischief and take all of her clothes off and run around the house naked while we finished the shoot. Scott got a really funny photo of my little one and I that I will treasure forever! The photos turned out great--thanks Scott and Brenda for doing such a great job!

PHOTOS:
1) Getting a makeup touch-up from makeup artist extraordinaire Brenda Torre.
2) I guess I needed more blush!
3) Team Minnesota! L to R: Brenda (holding Ava), Me, Photographer Scott Hedblom celebrating a job well done.
4) Me holding my squirming daughter Ava (20 months), who had been running around the house like a little naked bandit!

JUNE 10, 2006
PAGEANT DAY ARRIVES!
Rehearsals began at 11:30 and we perfected our opening number and walking patterns. We were released late afternoon and had plenty of time to get ready. As I waited with the other ladies for the pageant to begin, I saw some of my closest girlfriends and my family arrive, which was a great boost! The opening number was performed with the live band Bella Diva, and they were awesome! We then competed in State Costume (I was Minnesota's state flower the ladyslipper), followed by Evening Gown and Swimsuit. The Top Ten were then named, and I was called out fifth. Whew! We recompeted in Evening Gown, and followed by the announcement of the Top Five. I was called last for that one, and yes I was pretty nervous! The Top Five then answered the same on-stage question, and while the scores were being tabulated, the reigning queens gave their farewell speeches. Some special awards were announced: Community Service-Sarah Tichich, Mrs. Congeniality-Debi Walter, Evening Gown-myself, Swimsuit-Lindsey Kurhajetz, Photogenic-myself. I was both humbled and thrilled to win these awards! Mrs. Iowa (Katie Scott) and her 1st RU (Laura Diers) were announced, followed by Mrs. WI (Shannon Martin) and her 1st RU (Tracy Steitz). Next up were the Minnesota ladies...4th RU-Sarah Tichich, 3rd RU-Katina Schroeder, 2nd RU-Debi Walter, which meant the last two ladies standing were Lindsey and myself. We both wished each other the best and clutched hands as we waited for the results. Faith Schway (state director and MC) announced Lindsey's name as the 1st runner-up and I realized I was the new Mrs. Minnesota! Shock and joy were the first emotions I recall feeling, then I looked up and saw my husband coming up onto the stage. What an incredible honor! We took many photos on stage and then packed up and headed to the Coronation Party at the Embassy Suites, which was incredible. A fabulous food buffet awaited everyone but I hardly got to eat because I was talking with so many well-wishers. When I finally laid my head on my pillow, I was exhausted but elated! WOW!

PHOTOS:
1) The ladies in blue wait backstage for our opening number (L to R: Chris Arnold, me, Tracy Steitz-a Mrs. WI contestant)
2) Wrapping up swimsuit competition
3) Answering my on-stage question
4) The Top Five await the judges' decision
5) Realization sinks in--we won!
6) With the new Mrs. Iowa (Katie Scott) and Mrs. Wisconsin (Shannon Martin)
7) MN Top Five (L to R): 4th RU-Sarah Tichich, 1st RU-Lindsey Kurhajetz, Me, 2nd RU-Debi Walter, 3rd RU Katina Schroeder
8) Mrs. Minnesota-America 2006...a dream come true!
9) Just before going to bed..."I can't believe I won!"

JUNE 9, 2006
PRELIMINARY PAGEANT COMPETITION BEGINS

I checked into the hotel on Thursday night with my good friend & "helper" Susan Jackson (we each were allowed one backstage "helper"). Interviews began at 1:30, and I was contestant #2. Interview was a panel style interview for 5 minutes. After interviews, I had my evening gown & swimsuit photos taken, and then had a few hours to relax while everyone finished their interviews. We changed back into our swimsuits for preliminary swimsuit competition, which I felt pretty good about. This year was the first year that two-pieces were allowed, which is what I opted for. Sue and I went out for a nice dinner at Palomino (my hubby was home with our little one). We went to sleep early...a big day was ahead!

PHOTOS:
1) My good friend & "backstage helper" Sue Jackson (Mrs. WI America 1996) just before my interview.
2) Lori Miller (Mrs. Rochester) waiting to have our "official" gown portraits taken.

JUNE 2, 2006
BLOCKING REHEARSAL
Tonight was our final get-together for pageant weekend. We ran through the entire production and learned our opening number (we'll be doing a choreographed walk to "Hot Stuff" by Donna Summer while wearing pastel cocktail dresses). We enjoyed a potluck dinner and received our program books at the end of rehearsal. Savannah Leyde (Mrs. South St. Paul) made each of us adorable crown-themed gift bags...what a sweetheart!

PHOTOS:
1) L to R: Chris Arnold (Mrs. Grand Rapids), Sarah Tichich (Mrs. Wright County), me, & Lori Miller (Mrs. Rochester) goof around in between rehearsals.
2) Group Shot