Catching up! 05/14/2012
Hi Everyone! I apologize for the wide gap in blog posts! I am coming up on the last few weeks of my college career. That, along with my crazy Miss Minnesota life, has me running a bit behind! Take a look at what I have been up to! April was Autism Awareness Month! As I mentioned in a previous blog, I facilitated a discussion at Governor Dayton's mansion to discuss key issues related to the Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) community. Senators, state representatives, members of the Department of Health, and of course, Governor Dayton and members of his staff, were present at this meeting on March 29. The forum happened to be held on the same day the Centers for Disease Control released its new statistics. I cannot possibly express to you how astonishing it was to wake up that very morning with a "Breaking News" text message telling me that the prevalence of ASD was now 1 in 88. The timing was appropriate to say the least, and it certainly emphasized the growing need for services and opportunities for employment for people with ASD. Thank you, Governor Dayton, for giving me the opportunity to share my personal experience and my concerns with our political leaders. I also had the wonderful opportunity to speak at the State Capitol on April 2, 2012, National Autism Awareness Day. Other speakers included both political leaders and families touched by ASD. The number of people who attended the rally spoke volumes about the impact of ASD on our state. 
I also spent the month of April promoting ASD Awareness through social media and by interviewing with numerous radio stations, including Minnesota Public Radio, KMSU, KTOE, KDUZ, and KTWIN. Karen Wright from KMSU radio is also an advocate for ASD because of her son, Grant, pictured below. 
I had the pleasure of promoting both The HopeFULL Company and Autism Radio this month. The HopeFULL Company makes food pop kits and recipes for people who struggle with eating problems. During the month of April, The HopeFULL Company donated 20% of the proceeds of their sales to Autism Radio. Click the Autism Radio link to hear my March interview with Paul Cimins on Hope Saves the Day.    I gave a "Wellness Event" presentation about the issues surrounding the growing prevalence of ASD at St. Olaf College on April 25. Over 75 students were in attendance. 
I also hosted a "Who Wants to be a Millionaire" fund raiser for Awesome Club, the social skills program for students with ASD that I founded in 2008. Thank you to Stephanie Smith and the rest of the St. Olaf Autism Awareness Committee for organizing this event! I had fun being a gameshow host! 
I gave opening remarks about the importance of supportive, dedicated special education teachers at the Autism Society of Minnesota State Conference on April 27, and I supported Trevor at his first book signing, which also took place at the conference on April 28. The Adventures of Charley McChooChoo by Trevor Davis
Trevor hosted his first book signing at the Autism Society of Minnesota State Conference on April 28. Check out the YouTube promo video for more information about the first book of his series The Adventures of Charley McChooChoo, entitled "Danny and the Whistling Engine" (written by Trevor Davis, illustrated by Lochlin Anderson, and edited by yours truly!). To learn more about Trevor, his book series, and how you can purchase "Danny and the Whistling Engine," visit his website: www.CharleyMcChooChoo.weebly.com. I am so proud of Trevor for pursuing his dream of becoming a best-selling children's book author! He has accomplished the "author" part of the deal; the "best-selling" part is now up to you! Awesome Club May 10 was my last day of Awesome Club. I cried. For those of you who don't know, I founded Awesome Club, a social skills program for children with Autism Spectrum Disorder in 2008. It started with 4 volunteers working with 4 middle school students. We now serve over 30 children at two different schools. Never in a million years did I dream that this program would flourish as much as it did. The kids are absolutely amazing. Watching them build friendships and grow and develop through this program has been so rewarding. Thank you to all of my incredible volunteers, especially Noelle Waldschmidt and Nick Hoverstad who took over leadership for me this year, for the work they have done to make Awesome Club a wonderful experience for all involved. Also, thank you to Lisa Weis and Candace Hard of the Northfield Public School District, for being wonderful teachers who truly care about their students. Families like mine appreciate teachers like you! 
Senior high schoolers and college students!
Children's Miracle Network HospitalsOn April 19, I performed and spoke at the Walmart/Sam's Club Appreciation Day for Gillette Children's Specialty Healthcare. Thank you, Walmart and Sam's Club, for all you have done to improve the lives of children facing medical challenges! 
The next evening, a Dance Marathon for the Children's Miracle Network Hospitals and Gillette Children's Specialty Healthcare was held at St. Olaf College. Thank you to the St. Olaf Volunteer Network for organizing the event! I attended a Bowl-a-thon, hosted by Marriott Hotels, to support the Children's Miracle Network Hospitals on May 6. Thank you Marriott for your generous support of Gillette Children's Hospital! 
I already blogged about my experience at the Bridesmaids Ball fund raiser in Duluth, but I recently received some fun pictures I thought I would share! Other Appearances
My dear friend and mentor, Donnell Rank, was recently diagnosed with breast cancer. I attended the Bling Ball fund raiser to support her in her battle with with this disease on May 7. Donnell is one of the strongest women I know. She is smart, talented, and the most beautiful bald women I have every seen! Donnell started out as my voice coach when I was 16 years old, and since then, we have developed a beautiful relationship. She is like family to me. Please pray for Donnell's recovery. 
Thank you to my girls, Caitlyn and Samantha, for coming to support my dear friend Donnell.
I emceed the Eco. Logic Fashion Show at St. Catherine's University on Saturday, May 12. This fashion show showcased some incredible talent from up-and-coming designers! Thank you to my friend Yevette Willaert, a talented designer herself, for arranging for me to come! Miss Minnesota Scholarship ProgramThe Tracie Joy McBride Organization held its annual scholarship fund raiser on April 14 at Redeeming Love Church in Maplewood, MN. The McBride family founded this organization in memory of their loved one, Tracie, who lost her life at 19 years of age. The mission of the Tracie Joy McBride Organization is to keep Tracie's memory alive through the support of an organization they feel best exemplifies who Tracie was, the Miss Minnesota Scholarship Program. The Tracie Joy McBride Organization has provided thousands of dollars in scholarship money to young women involved in the Miss Minnesota program. This organization specifically provided the scholarship money I received from being a Preliminary Talent Award Winner and Quality of Life Award Finalist last year, as well as being named Miss Minnesota 2011. Thank you to the McBride family for supporting the Miss Minnesota Scholarship fund. 
While the Miss Minnesota Scholarship Program maintains its tradition of providing scholarships and personal growth and development for the young women involved, it is also moving forward with great momentum under the leadership of the new Board of Directors. Be sure to like our new Facebook fan page! Follow me on Twitter (MissMN2011) to get the play-by-play of pageant week in June! Tickets to the Miss Minnesota pageant June 14-16 can be purchased on our official website. You can even choose your seat and print your ticket at home! Order today to come see for yourself who will be Miss Minnesota 2012! 
Other Happenings at St. Olaf College I have been busy doing homework, learning new vocal pieces, taking quizzes, writing scientific manuscripts and preparing for final exams. In less than two weeks, I will graduate magna cum laude from St. Olaf College with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Chemistry. At the end-of-year Senior Chemistry Major Banquet, I received the Academic Achievement Award for having one of the top GPAs in the senior class of chemistry majors. I always get the nerdy awards!  Next year, I plan to switch gears and attend St. Cloud State University to do some academic work in the area of Mass Communications. My goal is to have a successful a career in broadcast journalism and performance. I am looking for any and every opportunity to sing, emcee, or intern with a television or radio station. Please contact me if you have any leads!  At St. Olaf, I am also a member of Blue Key Honor Society, which consists of only 1% of the student body. This year, we successfully planned two three-day blood drives for the American Red Cross. We also organized a panel on Living a Life of Worth and Service. I served as the moderator of this panel, which included professors, alumni, and the Vice President of Student Life, Greg Kneser. Blue Key also had its end-of-the-year banquet to award the seniors their blue cords to wear at graduation and to have one last hurrah before we face the real world and dedicate ourselves to living a life of service to others. "A ZU YIIHPETON...Serving I Live." 
Add Comment Meet the contestants! 05/14/2012
 Click here!  Contestant #1 Contestant #2 Contestant # 3 Contestant #4 Contestant #5 Contestant #6 Contestant #7 Contestant #8 Contestant #9 Contestant #10  Contestant #11 Contestant #12 Contestant #13 Contestant #14 Contestant #15 Contestant #16 Contestant #17 Contestant #18 Contestant #19 Contestant #20 Contestant #21 Contestant #22  Miss Minnesota 101, Part 2 04/22/2012
There are a number of skills one needs to both win the title and fulfill the job of Miss Minnesota: brains, work ethic, professionalism, talent, good health and physical fitness... There is no skill more important, however, than that of effective communication. I have a pretty big mouth, so I think I've done okay in that department thus far. ;) Today's topic: How to build the communication skills necessary to be ready for the job of Miss Minnesota. Miss Minnesota must be able to connect and communicate with anyone, anywhere, anytime, and in any situation. She needs to effectively use her written and verbal communication skills to maintain her blog, to interview with television and radio stations, or to film promotions for pageant sponsors. She must be able to stand in front of a crowd and motivate people to support the Miss Minnesota Scholarship Program, the Children's Miracle Network Hospitals, and her platform issue of choice. She must articulately answer questions about all three of these areas; after all, she is the expert. If she doesn't know the answer, which sometimes happens, she must be able to handle it gracefully. Miss Minnesota must also have the interpersonal skills to connect with anyone and everyone, from a small child with a disability, to the CEO of a service organization or potential corporate sponsor, to the Governor of Minnesota. Every day during my year as Miss Minnesota, I had to utilize my communication skills, whether I was giving a formal presentation at a civic organization or community event, interviewing on TV or radio, or walking confidently into a room filled with people I didn't know. A lot is expected of Miss Minnesota. I understand that this may be a bit overwhelming, but don't worry! If you act now, today, as soon as you are done reading this, there is still a chance that you will be ready by June.  What I found provided me the most growth and development in all of these areas of communication was public speaking to adult audiences at local civic organizations (think Rotary, Lions, Sertoma, Kiwanis, etc.). Before I had even won my local title last year (i.e. I didn't need a crown to do this!), I contacted Rotary Clubs and asked if I could come share my personal story related to Autism Spectrum Disorder. I prepared a 15-20 minute presentation, which I delivered from memory, without notecards, without a powerpoint, without a script. That presentation was then followed by a short, 3-5 minute question/answer session, during which members of the club could ask me questions related to the Miss Minnesota Organization, the Children's Miracle Network Hospitals, and of course, the main topic of the presentation, my personal platform. Here is a rough outline of what your speech might look like: 1. Introduce yourself *2. Give an overview of the Miss America Organization -Scholarship -Service *3. Note the Miss America Organization's national partnership with the Children's Miracle Network Hospitals -What it is -Gillette Children's Hospital is Minnesota's CMN Hospital and all proceeds you raise directly help children in Minnesota -How you are raising money (if you are selling something, bring it to your presentation and sell it after you are done speaking) 4. Introduce the main topic of your presentation: your personal platform -3-5 problems associated with your platform issue -Negative impacts of those problems (Why should your audience care?) -Solutions (Keep in mind: don't just educate them, motivate them. How can THEY help alleviate the problems associated with your platform issue?) 5. Closing: "Thank you so much for listening to my message today. I am now ready to field any questions you have about the Miss America Organization, the Children's Miracle Network Hospitals, or Autism Spectrum Disorder (insert your platform issue)." *For key points about the Miss America Organization or the Children's Miracle Network Hospitals, either visit their official websites or check out the Miss America Organization and Children's Miracle Network pages I have built on this website.  Throughout this presentation, be sure to also provide anecdotes illustrating your experiences. You might paint a picture about how much you have grown through your involvement with the Miss America Organization. You might tell them about an inspiring encounter with a patient from Gillette Children's Hospital. I shared stories about my brother Trevor to illustrate my experience with Autism Spectrum Disorder. It is important to keep in mind that your audience will only remember 7% of what you say. What they will remember are the stories you tell and how those stories made them feel. My experience speaking at Rotary Clubs helped me in a number of ways: 1. Meeting and connecting with new people: I was thrown into a room filled with people I didn't know. I had to be able to confidently introduce myself to the club members as they arrived at the Rotary meeting. This was also an opportunity to small talk a bit, learn more about them and what they do for a living, and perhaps collect a business card or two for the purpose of pursing my own career goals or obtaining sponsors for the Miss Minnesota program. 2. Public speaking: Not to state the obvious, but my public speaking skills improved dramatically. I was able to connect with my audience, deliver an important message, and leave people feeling both educated and motivated. 3. Interviewing: Having key points about the Miss America Organization, the Children's Miracle Network Hospitals, and my personal platform already memorized in speech form made it easier for me to be articulate in an interview setting, particularly when speaking with the media when you have a very short amount of time to get your message across. These key points were also useful during events when I would literally be thrown on stage to speak because an event coordinator needed some filler. In addition, the question/answer session following my presentation gave me a good grasp of what a pageant judge might want to ask me during my pageant interview. Not to discredit mock interviews, which are helpful preparation for a pageant, but in my opinion, this experience is even better than a mock interview because it is real-life. I encourage you, no, DEMAND that you contact your local civic organizations TODAY! These organization are ALWAYS looking, practically begging, for speakers! Here is an example of how you might get started: 1. Visit the Rotary 5950 website. Click "5950 Clubs" and search for Rotary Clubs in towns near where you live. 2. Send a brief email to the listed contact. You might mention that you are competing for Miss Minnesota in June, and you are looking for ways to improve your communication skills and also share an important message about your platform (be sure to share you personal connection to your platform). If you know what day of the week the Rotary meets, suggest a few times that you know you have available to speed up the process of scheduling your presentation. Be sure to email clubs today because some clubs like to schedule their speakers a few months out.  "Natalie, what happens if all the civic organizations I contact are already booked through June?" Excellent question! Deliver your presentation to your committee members, you coaches, your family members, and yes, your stuffed animals (Don Baker even condones this!). The more you practice, the better! The honest truth is this: you will not win the title of Miss Minnesota without effective communication skills in place. And if by some dumb luck you do win Miss Minnesota without those skills, you will not be an effective Miss Minnesota. If you have any questions about what I have discussed in this blog, please do not hesitate to email me by clicking the Contact link above or post a comment below so everyone can benefit from your question! All my love (including the tough love!), Natalie Miss Minnesota 101, Part 1 04/11/2012
 All right, Ladies! You have turned all of your paperwork in...you have sat through the contestant orientation...now what? Over the next 8 weeks, I will periodically be posting some tips and guidance for you as you prepare to compete at the 2012 Miss Minnesota pageant. Today's topic: identifying your support system. To get ready for the pageant, you need help. You know a fair amount about the goals you have set for yourself and how you would like to go about attaining those goals, but let's face it: You don't know everything. I sure didn't. You need guidance.  Find a talent coach: If you are a dancer, you need a dance teacher and an A+ choreographer. If you are a singer, you need someone to cut you a dramatic backtrack and a voice teacher to help you improve your technique. The reason I have grown so much vocally over the years is because I had coaching. There is always room to improve. You just need to be open to it.  Get some health and fitness guidance: You may consider finding a personal trainer to help you prepare for the fitness competition. The benefits of a trainer are knowledge and experience. They know what you need to eat and what you need to do at the gym to get your body in tip top shape, without hurting yourself! A good trainer will encourage you to eat the right foods. You do not need to, nor should you, starve yourself. Miss Minnesota has to have the stamina to survive her hectic schedule. If you don't eat, you will not have the energy you need to be an effective representative of this organization. Jason Young at YoungQuest Fitness helped me get ready for my local, state and national pageants.  Build your communication skills!: You can take a personal initiative on this one by scheduling as many presentations as possible to deliver to adult audiences (I'll talk about this more in a subsequent Miss Minnesota 101 blog). Your local pageant director or a "pageant coach" might schedule mock interviews for you in preparation for Miss Minnesota. I know for a fact that Cheri Kennedy and Stacie McBride-Cox hold excellent mock interviews with a diverse array of judges. You might also decide to work one-on-one with Don Baker, who spoke at the Miss Minnesota workshop. These "coaches" will help you keep up to date on current events, they will challenge you to articulate your thoughts clearly and concisely, and they will give you honest, constructive feedback about what you need to do to improve. One piece of advice: be open to trying knew things, but don't lose yourself in the process. Perhaps the most important part of your support system is your inner circle. Only you know who is in your inner circle. These are people you can go to for a hug, the people you vent to, the people you confide in. These are people you trust to keep your secrets and who will be there for you when you need a friend. It's time to reflect on what you hope to gain during this process and who you want to help you maximize your experience with the Miss Minnesota program. Establish your support system, set your goals, and get on your way! New Beginnings 04/11/2012
Contestant Workshop On March 31, the 22 young women vying for the title of Miss Minnesota 2012 met in one place for the very first time at our contestant workshop! I look forward to workshop every year. I get kind of nerdy about it actually; in fact, I only slept 3 hours the night before because I was so pumped up. You can feel the energy, hope, drive and determination circulating throughout the room. It is an exciting time for these young ladies as they strive to reach their personal best! Stay tuned for a special contestant showcase to learn more about each of these incredible young women. For now, check out some fun photos of our local titleholders below.  I would like to take the time to thank my mentor and good friend, Don Baker, for coming to Minnesota to give a special presentation about what it means to have the competitive edge. Competing for Miss Minnesota is not about the pageant itself or the "honor" of being crowned; It is about your attitude. It is about viewing the pageant as a vehicle to reach the big picture goal: the JOB of Miss Minnesota, the VOICE to be a change agent for a social issue you care deeply about, the OPPORTUNITY to network and develop as a business woman in order to pursue your career goals. I know our contestants were inspired by Don's message! Don has made such an impact on the way I view pageants and life in general. His lessons will follow me for the rest of my life. I encourage all the young women competing for Miss Minnesota this year to remember that only one woman will win the crown. But there is so much more to be gained than the title of Miss Minnesota through this experience. Enjoy every moment and strive to be your personal best. Don't ever lose sight of the big picture. A New Chapter The Miss Minnesota Organization is facing an exciting new chapter this year as it transitions to new leadership. I would like to start by recognizing the 6 years of passionate service delivered by the outgoing board of directors. This includes David Shepardson and Jennifer Hagman, co-Executive Directors; Ann Swanson, President; Barb Gehlen, Business Manager; Jackie Vranicar, Miss Minnesota's Outstanding Teen Executive Director; and Julie Carlson, Secretary. I would also like to recognize several highly active volunteers, Rod Simonson, Nicole Swanson Sutterfield, and Paula Davidovich. They brought the Miss Minnesota Organization out of debt and into financial fortitude; they gained new sponsor relationships; and they helped many young women like myself grow and develop through their involvement in the Miss Minnesota Organization. I am so thankful for all the time, phone calls, emails, hugs, shopping trips, mock interviews, good luck cards, and hard work that was given selflessly by them to help me have a successful, fulfilling year as Miss Minnesota so far. God bless you as you begin a new chapter in your lives! Thank you for your service!  Dorothy Benham The Miss America Organization recently announced its new Co-Executive Directors, Bruce Vassar and Miss America 1977 Dorothy Benham. Under the leadership of Dorothy and Bruce, the new Miss Minnesota Organization will continue its rich history of providing scholarship awards to state and local contestants. Dorothy, Bruce and their Board of Directors will continue to empower young women throughout Minnesota to strive for scholastic excellence and become role models and positive forces for social awareness. Dorothy and Bruce are joined by President, Kathy Shellum; Vice President, Doug Killian; Secretary & Treasurer, Karla Boettcher; Business Manager, Lisa McKinnis; and Teen Directors, Mackenzie Erickson and Renee Ross. I could not be more excited about our new leadership and the fresh energy they will bring to the program. I know they have many ideas in store, with the purpose of pushing the Miss Minnesota Organization to the next level. I hope you will all welcome them to the Miss Minnesota family and work with them to achieve the goal of helping more young women grow and develop through their involvement with our program. If you are interested in becoming a volunteer or donating to our scholarship fund, please visit www.missminnesota.org or email bruce@theweddingguys.com. Miss Minnesota's Outstanding Teen I HAVE to start this blog with the ol' crowning moment picture from when I was crowned Miss Minnesota's Outstanding Teen in 2006. I was sixteen years old, and I was gawky and smiley as can be. I was the second Miss Minnesota's Outstanding Teen, and the first titleholder to win a pageant (vs. be chosen at large via an application process). Therefore, in conclusion, I have NEVER missed the Miss Minnesota's Outstanding pageant. It is quite possibly my favorite event of the year. I leave feeling excited and completely rejuvenated every single year. Maybe it's the youthful exuberance of the teen contestants. Maybe it's that cheesy little lifestyle and fitness routine they have to do. Maybe it's the INCREDIBLE things TEENAGERS are doing in their schools and communities. I love everything about the Miss Minnesota's Outstanding Teen program, so I was so happy to be asked back for a second time to emcee. I was joined by my lovely co-host, Miss Minnesota 2007 Jennifer Hudspeth, and we had a ball! .  Congratulations to the newest member of the Outstanding Teen sisterhood (of which I am a part)! She is both my Outstanding Teen sister and my "little sister." Miss Minnesota's Outstanding Teen 2012 is...drumroll please...Bailey Wachholtz! Bailey played piano for her talent. Her community service platform is entitled, "Remember me? Alzheimer's Through the Eyes of a Child." After her father was diagnosed with early Alzheimer's in 2009, Bailey developed a passion and a purpose for this cause. To learn more about her personal story and what she is doing in her community to address the issues surrounding Alzheimer's disease, visit Bailey's personal website. Bailey is the epitome of beauty, brains, talent, and courage. I am so excited to see what she does during her year of service as Miss Minnesota's Outstanding Teen 2012!  Another big congratulations to the former Miss Minnesota's Outstanding Teen 2011 (also my little sister forever and always!), Alexis Houule, on completing her year of service!  As always, it was wonderful to see some of my Outstanding Teen sisters! Gamehaven Merit Badge Fair On March 17, I traveled to Rochester, Minnesota for the nation's largest merit badge fair. Approximately 800 boy scouts from across the region gathered to earn various merit badges throughout the day. I was honored to deliver the keynote address and perform the national anthem. In 2010, my younger brother Trevor received his Eagle Scout award, an honor that less than 4% of boy scouts receive. To achieve the rank of Eagle Scout, one must exhibit hard work, dedication and a commitment to community service. I was pleased to be able to share Trevor's story: the challenges he faced as someone diagnosed with an Autism Spectrum Disorder and the incredible strides he made through his involvement with the Boy Scouts of America. Just like Miss America is more than a beauty pageant, Boy Scouts is about much more than building campfires and learning to tie knots. Both programs strive to help young men and women become leaders in their communities. They encourage discipline, hard work, skill development, and service to others. What those 800 boys at the Gamehaven Merit Badge Fair have gained through their involvement in Boy Scouts, my brother---as an individual with Asperger's Syndrome---has gained tenfold. Trevor's involvement with Boy Scouts changed his life. He learned social skills, made friends, set and accomplished goals; he learned life skills that will help him become successful in his chosen career. Boy Scouts taught Trevor the importance of diligence and hard work. Despite his challenges, Trevor graduated in the top 50% of his high school class with a 3.7 GPA. He is now a student at St. Cloud State University. He was on the speech team in high school, he plays piano, and he is now working to reach his dream of becoming a best selling children's book author. The first book from his series, The Adventures of Charley McChooChoo, will be available for sale very soon. But amongst all of Trevor's accomplishments, he is most proud of his Eagle Scout title. I love the Boy Scouts of America because its purpose is to help EVERYONE, regardless of race, religion or disability, become contributing members of society. I encourage everyone who is not currently involved in Boy Scouts to get involved, and everyone who is currently a Boy Scout to strive for that Eagle Scout ranking. With that title comes respect, privilege, and a voice with which to be a change agent in your community. That title will follow you for the rest of your life. You will rise to the top of every pile of college applications; You will impress potential employers; You will stand out as a leader in your community. I was talking with Trevor one day about his experience becoming an Eagle Scout, and he said to me, "I think more Boy Scouts need to get their Eagle Scout. 4% is just too low of a number." Trevor never ceases to amaze me; he makes me so proud. Trevor hopes to be a role model for other kids in Boy Scouts. I hope they are as inspired by him as I am. Autism Radio I had the pleasure of interviewing with Paul Cimins on Autism Radio. Paul has a son with Autism Spectrum Disorder, and he is a passionate advocate who believes strongly that "hope saves the day." Thank you Paul for sharing my story with your listeners and for your incredible advocacy for families like mine who have a personal connection to autism. To donate to Autism Radio, please visit www.autismradio.org. The HopeFULL Company and Autism Radio   This month, The HopeFULL Company will be donating a portion of its proceeds to Autism Radio! HopeFULL products are designed to make eating enjoyable for everyone, specifically children and adults having trouble eating due to health obstacles, medical treatment or sensory issues. Whether you make the HopeFULL recipes yourself and deliver them, or have your HopeFULL Gift Pack shipped to your loved one as a gift, it will be a simple act of kindness that will make a world of difference to the person you care about. The BellyFULL Kit makes it easy to introduce whole foods to young children in an adventurous, playful way - through frozen food pops! BellyFULLs make eating whole foods fun for kids, and preparing them together can create memories which will last a lifetime. If you or someone you know is experiencing the following, HopeFULL recipes may be perfect for you. (FYI - both HopeFULL and BellyFULL recipes can be eaten frozen on a stick, fresh from the blender as a smoothie or warmed as a soup); Autism Spectrum Disorder Parent of a picky eater Prescribed a liquid diet Muscular Dystrophy Huntington’s Disease Parkinson’s Disease Postpolio Syndrome Lupus Cancer and cancer treatments Cerebral Palsy Heart problems Rheumatoid Arthritis Oral surgery Stroke Tonsillectomy or Adenoidectomy Spinal Injury Gastric Bypass Surgery Disorders of the mouth, throat or tongue Lap Band PEG Tube Strep Throat Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS) Canker Soars Aging Pregnancy Need an idea for a healthy snack Looking for a sport recovery snack Want a family-friendly summer activity Click here to see how The HopeFULL Company has helped one Minnesota child with Neuroblastoma. St. Paul Music AcademyI recently visited classrooms and spoke at a school assembly at St. Paul Music Academy. St. Paul Music Academy works diligently to make sure each of its students is able to experience music. This school depends on funding from the MusicLink Foundation, which I volunteered with a few months ago, to pay for instruments and music lessons for its students. To support the MusicLink Foundation and help hundreds of children experience the joy of music, please visit www.musiclinkfoundation.org. Lunch at the Governor's Mansion  I had the incredible experience of facilitating a luncheon at the Governor's residence to engage politicians in a dialogue about on the major issues facing Minnesota's Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) community. I met with Governor Dayton and his Deputy Chief of Staff for Legislative Affairs, Michele Kelm Helgen, earlier in November to educate them about the impact of ASD on our state, and he agreed to open his home for a lunch meeting with members of his staff, state representatives and senators, so that I could further deliver my message. It was an incredible coincidence that, on the very same day, the Centers for Disease Control released its new statistics regarding the prevalence of ASD: 1 in 88 children! Below is a list of attendees and the agenda that Sherrie Kenny, the CEO of the Autism Society of Minnesota, and I drafted for the meeting: Attendees:
Autism Awareness Day at the State Capitol Several days later, I had the opportunity to deliver an address in the Capitol rotunda on National Autism Awareness Day, April 2. KTCO Bridesmaids Ball for Gillette Children's Specialty Healthcare On Friday night, I trekked to Duluth for the KTCO Bridesmaids Ball, a fundraiser event for Gillette Children's Specialty Healthcare. I was joined by Miss Bayfront, Megan Bakken, to judge the bridesmaid dress contest. Fun awards like "She made you wear THAT?," "Blast from the Past," "Most Likely to Get a Groomsman," "Oo La La," and "Judge's Choice" were given to the best-dressed ladies. Everyone had fun dancing the night away to support this fantastic charity!  Autism Advocacy Coalition of Minnesota FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Wednesday, March 28, 2012 Governor Mark Dayton to Speak At the Autism Rally at the Capitol April 2 ST. PAUL, MINN. – Minnesotans will commemorate World Autism Day Monday, April 2 at an Autism Awareness Rally and Resource Fair held at the State Capitol in St. Paul. The event takes place from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. and is sponsored by the Autism Advocacy Coalition of Minnesota. The speeches will commence at noon in the Capitol rotunda. This year’s theme is “Stand Up, Speak Out.” Parents, advocates, legislators and service providers will share information on the increasing challenges presented by autism, a neurodevelopmental disability that in the U.S. affects 1 child in 88. Children and adults with autism may face difficulties with learning, socializing and physical activities, and may have comorbid medical conditions such as seizures, digestive problems and allergies. Gov. Mark Dayton will speak 12 noon at the Rally. Other speakers to follow include Sen. David Senjem(invited), Rep. Kim Norton, Rep. Jim Abeler, Drew Larson, and Tim and Laura Kasemodel, and Natalie Davis, Miss Minnesota 2011. At the Autism Resource Fair from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., parents and advocates can talk with autism organizations about therapy, education, housing, insurance, employment, anti-bullying strategies, legal issues, and a variety of services. The ACCMN Autism Rally and Resource Fair are free; everyone is welcome to attend. For more information, contact the Autism Advocacy Coalition of Minnesota at www.autismminnesota.org. ### The Autism Advocacy Coalition of Minnesota is a grassroots collaboration of concerned parents and organizations dedicated to expanding autism awareness, promoting activities and events statewide, and advocating for positive legislative change in the state of Minnesota. A family of authors 03/19/2012
I seem to come from a family of authors! My younger brother Trevor, who is the inspiration for my autism service platform, is pursuing his dream of becoming a best-selling children's book author. My mom, Dr. Corinne Dille Davis, is the author of two medically-related publications, which are meant to comfort patients and their families. My uncle, former Senator Steve Dille, also recently wrote a biography about my great-grandfather Alfred Anderson and his immigration from Sweden to America. Danny and the Whistling Engine by Trevor Davis  The first book of Trevor's new series, The Adventures of Charley McChooChoo, will be released very soon! The book is called Danny and the Whistling Engine, and it is about a train named Willy Whistler, who has a disability. For more information about the book, visit www.CharleyMcChooChoo.weebly.com Follow MissMN2011 on Twitter to receive updates about the progress of publication and how you can purchase your own copy! Validate Your Pain! by Dr. Allan F. Chino and Dr. Corinne D. Davis 
BUT, what you may not know is that there's a dirty little secret inside the healthcare system that, through ignorance, arrogance, and greed, perpetrates tremendous injustice upon human beings suffering from chronic pain. AND, like the dirty little secret, some doctors and insurance companies work hard to sweep patients with chronic pain under the rug. Validate Your Pain! exposes those secrets and arms you with the information you need to maneuver through the healthcare minefield----so you can get the help you deserve. Allan F. Chino, Ph.D., ABPP is board certified in Clinical Health Psychology and Past President of theAmerican Academy of Clinical Health Psychology. He set up two and directed three CARF-accredited pain rehabilitation programs in northern California and Oregon. Currently in private practice near Portland, Oregon, Dr. Chino was elected to the Board of Directors of the Oregon Psychological Association. He also serves on the Oregon Pain Management Commission which is charged with identifying and providing the legislature with recommendations for removing barriers to the provision of effective pain management in the state. He has conducted biobehavioral research in the area of fibromyalgia. In addition to being a father (of two), Dr. Chino is a musician, a video producer, and former moderator of the board of deacons at his church. Corinne Dille Davis, M.D. is board certified in Pain Medicine, Pain Management, Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, and Electrodiagnostic Medicine. With Dr. Chino, she developed and directed a CARF-accredited hospital-based pain rehabilitation program in northern California. Having had her fill of practicing medicine in a corporate hospital setting, she then transitioned to a private pain practice in Las Vegas, Nevada. After returning to her home state of Minnesota in 2000 to raise her family, she began working as a staff physician for the VA Medical Center. Dr. Davis is a devoted wife, mother, and active member of her church. Validate Your Pain! is available for purchase on the Author House website. The Journey Home by Corinne Davis, M.D. and William Ward  The Journey Home is a pamphlet co-authored by Corinne Davis, M.D. and William Ward. It serves as a resource guide for family members facing the loss of a loved one. It provides both spiritual and practical advice to help them through the process. Corinne Davis, M.D., is board certified in four specialties, including pain medicine and pain management. She is co-author of Validate Your Pain!: Exposing the Chronic Pain Cover-up, (ISBN 1-4184-5252-1) available at www.authorhouse.com/bookstore (888) 519-5121. William Ward is a long term care administrator with over twenty five years of experience. He is also a student of the occult aspects of death and dying, and has co-authored two other books, The Death Encounter and Illuminating the Darkness published by National Community Resource Center. The Journey Home is available for purchase on the Journey Home Publishing website. Self-Made in America by Bonnie Dille and Stephen Dille  Alfred Anderson, a 14-year-old Swedish emigrant, traveled alone to Minnesota in l896. All his worldly possessions were contained in a birch bark knapsack. Sheer determination, hard work, strength of character, intellectual curiosity, self education, careful financial management, application of sound business practices, and high ethical standards resulted in a lifetime of success. He lived the “American Dream.” Throughout his life Alfred set a high standard in the manner he conducted himself among his family, in the community, and through his business operations. The publication of this book commemorates the centennial year of Anderson Chemical Company. Founded in 1911 by Alfred Anderson, Anderson Chemical Co. is the oldest family owned business in Litchfield, MN. Alfred married Lura Arletta Hanson on April 29, 1914. They raised a family of five children. Today, Alfred and Lura Anderson have 109 direct descendants. Publisher: North Star Press of St. Cloud, Inc. P.O. Box 451 St. Cloud, MN 56302 © 2011 To purchase a copy contact: steve.dille45@gmail.com Ph 320-398-6545 Paperback: $15.00 + shipping Keepin' it real, Miss Minnesota style! 03/15/2012
I couldn't think of a relevant, all-encompassing title for this incredibly long blog, so I thought of a cool one instead. Hope you like it. Life has been busy as usual, both with my Miss Minnesota schedule and my "real life." For those of you who don't know already, it's official: After completing all of my pre-med requirements and surviving them with an awesome GPA, I have decided that medicine is not my calling at this time. Someone connected to the field gave me great advice: if you can see yourself doing anything else, do it. Since winning Miss Minnesota in June, what I was truly passionate about - public speaking, performing, communicating - became clear to me. So I decided to switch gears. I don't exactly know what that means yet (theater, television hosting, news casting, radio, etc.), but I am excited to find out. The world is my oyster! My Only Contribution to Athletics On February 18, I performed the national anthem at the St. Olaf Women's Hockey Game against Gustavus Adolphus. It was extra fun because I have a number of friends on the hockey team (which is probably the reason I ended up getting the gig!). Aaaand....drumroll please: St. Olaf won! I must be good luck! Congrats ladies! It's too bad that luck didn't carry through to the Timberwolves vs. Lakers basketball game last Friday. :(  Speaking of the Timberwolves... I cannot believe I got to perform the Star Spangled Banner at the Timberwolves vs. Lakers game. What an amazing experience! The game was SOLD OUT (there are about 19.5 thousand seats at the Target Center) and the score was incredibly close. It came down to the last 18 seconds or so, and unfortunately, the Timberwolves didn't come out on top this time. (I know my sister Michelle, a Los Angeles resident and huge Lakers fan, is smirking right now. We'll getchya next time!) Also, my heart goes out to Ricky Rubio for his ACL injury. Prayers for his recovery! A huge thank you to Aaron Dodge from the Timberwolves for inviting me to perform and for giving me 6 tickets to the game. My boyfriend Alex was starstruck standing on the court so close to Kobe Bryant. The experience was special for everyone involved. Celebrating I Love to Read Month!
On February 23, I visited Galtier Elementary School to read to Ms. Daniels' 3rd grade class. They were a lively bunch, and they had a number of interesting questions, including, "What kind of car do you drive? Did you take a limo here?" They were SHOCKED when I told them I drive a Chevy. 
After I read to them, they sang several of their favorite class songs for me. I also got hugs from just about every one of them. It was the sweetest! There was a big fuss because everyone wanted autographs, so I told them if they hustled back to their seats, pulled out a piece of paper, and waited quietly, I would autograph something for each of them. It was a very exciting day for Ms. Daniels' class! 
Be sure to read with your child today and every day. First, children learn to read, then they read to learn. Learning to read and loving to read are incredibly important! Thank you, Galtier Elementary School, for instilling a love of reading in your students!                Minnesota House of Representatives
Following my trip to Galtier Elementary School, I headed to the State Capitol to meet with Representative Dean Urdahl (who went to high school with my mom!). I banged the gavel to start the session and led the Pledge of Allegiance with Speaker of the House, Kurt Zellers. Representative Dean Urdahl also officially introduced me to the House. Thank you, Representative Urdahl for giving me such a special honor! P.S. My outfit was provided by the Miss America Organization's new sponsor, Express! P.P.S. Special shout out to the FFA representatives I met on the same day! 
Artistry Glamourama On February 25, I attended the Artistry by Amway Glamourama event in Blaine, MN. A big thank you to the Miss Minnesota Organization's Artistry sponsor, Mark Rustad, for inviting my mom and me! We had a ton of fun on our girls' night out! I was invited on stage several times to share my experience with Artistry products and I had nothing but good things to say! I had to take the time to brag about the Artistry Light Up Lip Gloss, my absolute favorite product! Not only is the lip gloss itself great, but it lights up so you can apply your gloss in the dark AND you can use it as a flashlight like my mom did during the presentation! Multi-purpose lip gloss! I am in love! 
Glitz Fashion Show It's prom season! Head on over to Glitz Gowns at the Mall of America to get the best prom dresses in town! Thank you Glitz for supporting the Miss Minnesota Organization! Side Note: I love Girl Scout cookies!After modeling in the fashion show for Glitz Gowns, I headed to Southdale Mall to run some errands. Lo and behold, I found Girl Scouts selling cookies! Yum! I bought a box of Thin Mints and couldn't help but reveal my true identity to these cutie pies, knowing that I had some autograph cards in my purse! They were so excited! 
IHOP National Pancake Day for Children's Miracle Network February 28 was National Pancake Day! IHOP offers free pancakes to everyone who makes a donation to the Children's Miracle Network Hospitals. Over $3 million was raised to support the Children's Miracle Network Hospitals and other local charities. I woke up at 4am to get ready and be at Bloomington IHOP by 6:30am. I appeared on the Channel 4 and Channel 9 morning news shows. I also spent some time with Frank, the manager and fabulous supporter of the Miss Minnesota Organization, as well as Gillette patient Elijah and his twin brother Aaron. They are 8 years old and HILARIOUS! What a great way to start my morning! By 6:00 that night, I had also traveled to Eden Prairie, Maple Grove, and Apple Valley IHOP locations. A little girl named Paige got so excited because we had the same last name! I told her she had my permission to say we were cousins. I also met Terri, whose mom is a former Miss Minnesota: Jean Sheils! Jean took over as Miss Minnesota 1948 when Bebe Shopp won Miss America that year! Small world! I was also proposed to by a 5-year-old boy named Clinton. I still have the ring his dad helped him make out of a napkin ring tucked into my cell phone cover. What a fun day! Home & Garden Show Celebrity Kitchen On March 1, I appeared on the Home & Garden Show Celebrity Kitchen Stage at the Minneapolis Convention Center. I made my special Miss Minnesota Chocolate-Peanut Butter-Banana Protein Shakes. This is my favorite sweet (but healthy!) snack to have before or after work outs. Great for energy and muscle-building! A big thank you to Lynette for being my kitchen assistant that day. Click here to see recipes from other celebrities who appeared at the show! Miss West Metro/Miss City of Lakes Congratulations to the new Miss West Metro, Bethany Beniek (left), and the new Miss City of Lakes, Brittany Tischmak (right). Also a big thank you to the former titleholders, Samantha Phillippi and Allison Lordbock, for their dedication during their years of service. I had a BLAST emceeing with Allison Lordbock, my fellow blondie. I hope we get the chance to share the stage again! Best of luck to her as she starts a new, exciting chapter in her life. Miss Minnesota 2012
The Miss Minnesota class of 2012 is now complete! 22 young women will compete for the title of Miss Minnesota in June! Tickets will be available at www.missminnesota.org very soon! If you are interested in donating to our scholarship fund to help young women pursue their educational and career goals, please visit our website! 
Steps of HopeSteps of Hope, one of my favorite events to attend each year, was an amazing experience as usual. I was so happy that my family was able to come to the event for the very first time. They loved it so much that they plan to make Steps of Hope a family tradition. 
One of our great Miss Minnesota sponsors, Randy from Water Billboards, donated custom water bottles to be distributed at the event. Randy also has a connection to Autism Spectrum Disorder through his nephew. THANK YOU so much for your donation! Randy and his family ALSO hope to make their attendance at Steps of Hope a yearly tradition. What does that say about Steps of Hope? It is an incredible community event that TRULY brings people of similar experience together! 
A big thank you to the Steps of Hope committee chair, Janette Johnson. She was a great leader in making this event a success! 
And, I have to give a shout out to my number one biggest fan, Blake! I was so glad he was able to come to the event to spend some time getting to know my brother Trevor. :) 
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