Let Us Represent You!

To kick off my senior year just right I decided to run for student council! Now my high school isn’t very large so we don’t have anything fancy, but the student council does do a lot for not only our school, but our community as a whole. From homecoming to community service events, the student council does it all.

Before the election week there was a meeting with the candidates to discuss some of the events that would be taking place throughout the year for the council. Immediately I was excited by all of the ideas and plans they hoped to put into action though the council. I was literally jumping with joy!

When I decided to run I also thought it might be fun to run with a friend and campaign together since there can be three representatives. This, of course, had never been done before, but, my best friend, Morgan and I decided to change up this election a little bit.

The first step we took was to look at the students past records of voting and what swayed their votes. Surprisingly, one of the major factors in their choice of candidate was the funniness and creativity of the posters! So, Morgan and I, with the help of our friends, came up with the craziest and funniest posters we could think of. If we were going to do this we were going to do it right!

I have never before seen quite the reaction that we received! We had more compliments from teachers and students than we can count and gained more followers than we ever expected! The majority of our poster were done with photo shop and filled with references to nerdy movies and books. I must say they are hilarious!

Morgan and I are very close and neither of us will be too upset if we lose. Instead, we will be happy for the other if they win and happy that we had the opportunity to run for office. We know that who ever is chosen by the student body will do wonders for our school and community and represent us well.

The announcement of the new student council will be next Tuesday morning, so until then, wish us luck!

Much love,

Haley

25 Things About Me!

1. I competed in my first pageant when I was three years old.

2. My favorite kind of movies are the sappy chick flicks that will make you cry! I recently watched one called Upside Down and it was an emotional rollercoaster. I loved it!

3. If I’m not wearing high heels then I’m barefoot!

4. I love to decorate for Christmas! This time of year brings me so much holiday cheer that I literally drape the inside of our house with colorful lights, silver garland, and huge wreaths. And don’t even get me started on the outside of our house!

5. I’m a tree hugger. I’m in love with nature itself so every time I see a clear-cut forest I almost start to cry!

6. I love to get things in the mail. No matter what it is, I get excited every time!

7. I try to live by the verse James 1:19 that says to “be quick to listen and slow to speak”. I have found that this is helpful in every area of life!

8. I am constantly doodling. Enough said.

9. Although I am seventeen, I have yet to get my driver’s license.

10. My best friend is my rat terrier who I named DeeOGee. Did you catch that? If you didn’t that’s okay. My dad didn’t get it until two years later!

11. When I was a little girl I played every sport known to man at some point or another. Basketball, baseball, soccer, you name it! Eventually I realized that pageantry was the perfect sport for me.

12. I love to take pictures. I’m always ready to strike a pose!

13. I am terrified of the dark. So much that I actually have to sleep with a lamp on in my room.

14. I am a huge animal lover. If it were my choice, I would take home every stray animal on the side of the road.

15. I love to play badminton with my friends. We can play a single game for hours!

16. When I was little I went to the extreme when I built sandcastles in my sandbox. My castles were huge and equipped with child-size tunnels that I would crawl through.

17. I have a purity ring that I wear everyday. It’s my promise to myself, my Lord and my future husband to stay pure till marriage.

18. The perfect way to spend a lazy day is to curl up in a blanket on the couch and watch a marathon of lifetime movies. The only way it could get any better is if it were raining and I had a cup of hot chocolate.

19. One of my favorite verses is Psalm 45:11. “The king is enthralled by your beauty; honor him, for he is your lord.”

20. When I was a little girl my mother would make me pancakes in the shape of teddy bears with chocolate chip eyes. I still believe this made them taste better!

21. One of my favorite things to do with my friends is make unique short films. We all dress up in costumes, play several characters, and direct it as a team. The best part is watching the final product and laughing till we cry!

22. I love to try new things and I’m up for anything!

23. I met my best friend in first grade when she dropped her pencil in class and while reaching down to pick it up noticed I had cool shoes. It was the beginning of a beautiful friendship.

24. My favorite snack is hot chocolate and popcorn, separate and together.

25. I am the first Arkansas titleholder to win the International Pageant.

Haley Pontius

My Crowning Moment

I stood on stage grinning ear to ear, squeezing the hands of the girls next to me. I could hear the voices of the hosts and the excited cheers of the crowd and I could see the bright lights and the smiling faces, but my mind was somewhere else.

I wasn’t thinking about winning, but about my week spent with the other contestants. I had made new friends, my sister queen had truly become my sister, and I had grown so much in those few short days. I 

had had the time of my life and I didn’t want it to end, but here we were and it was almost over.

The International Pageant system has always been one that I deeply loved. I admired the national queens for their grace, dignity, and kind hearts. They exemplified the qualities of a true queen in every area of their lives. It was an honor just to be given the chance to compete for the title and we were proud to be the class of 2013. We gave it our all and we left everything on the stage. It was an exhilarating week full of memories that we will never forget, bonds that formed and friendships that grew. The young women I met throughout that week reflected integrity, confidence, leadership, and character. These virtues shown through not only on the stage, but off it as well. The girls that I came to know were kindhearted and genuine and I will miss them terribly.

What I will miss the most is the time spent with these girls. Dancing backstage with Miss Teen Georgia, making silly faces with Miss Teen Illinois, and our bridge (or was it more like a tunnel?) that we all 

ran through backstage laughing before finals. These are the memories that I will always remember, laugh about, and treasure. 

To think it was over and they were about to announce who the new Miss Teen International was seemed crazy to me. All of the preparation that went into this competition and it was over! It didn’t seem real!

We stood in a line with our heads held high and our shaking hands clasped tightly in one another’s. Our hearts were pounding and the butterflies in our stomachs were fluttering. It’s a hard thing to describe, but it was a terrible yet wonderful feeling.

Then he said my name and I almost fell on the floor. I couldn’t believe it. In fact, I still can’t believe it! It’s hard to wrap my head around and I still wake up in the mornings and think “Did this really happen?”

Throughout that night, the question everyone continuously asked me was “How do you feel?” and every time my answer was “I have no words.”

Because in that moment the way I felt was indescribable.

Always,

Haley Pontius

Miss Teen International 

25 Things You Didn't Know About Mrs. International 2013

25 Things You Didn't Know About Me

1) My family is my life. There is nothing more important than my husband and our children.

2) Growing up in several states and a dozen cities means a piece of me and my history is everywhere.

3) I have a "museum," in my closet including the suit I wore when accepting my first job as a reporter and the suits I wore when meeting 4 of our U.S. Presidents. Even my funky neon ski pants from 9th grade are in that closet.  It baffles my husband, but it's a piece of my traveling history.

4) I love warm laundry just out of the dryer on a chilly fall day, but I still prefer summer.

5) I will do anything for my kids; including riding an upside down roller coaster which is taking place next week.

6) I always (almost always) find the positive in anything; just ask my friends. It must drive them crazy
.
7) Pets are family in this household. My 15-year old cat passed away this year. 5-year old Ali still cries over him (as do I) so I'm not sure how to break it to my husband we need a new family member…like a dog? At least we have my Hanoverian, "Legacy," or "Legs,” who is a 16.3hh, 1200lb puppy. Seriously.

8) I cry easily. Whether it’s from joy, heart break or out of sympathy; I wear a lot of waterproof mascara.

9) I will never understand HOW an adult could hurt or neglect a child or an animal. There is no excuse.

10) I pray every night and thank Him for all I am blessed with learning every day. I also say a prayer for my loved ones and others including Quindera; a 2nd grader I met while in college through the "You Are Special," program. Please Lord, make sure she is okay and feels loved. Please.

11) Every story I’ve covered, however brutal, has forever changed me. My humor may be darker, but my heart is bigger because of everyone I’ve met. And yes, I remember just about everyone as I have a freakish memory.

12) True friends are a very rare find. They will catch your fall and are even happier than you when you succeed. Here is to good friends and great success!

13) I'm a night owl, yet I love waking early to snuggle with my kids before the days gets underway. They love it too, for now.

14) I speak with my mom (who's my BFF) at least twice a day, believe my dad's hung the moon and think my not-so-little brother (6'4) is the funniest person on the planet.

15) I truly love my in-laws...every one of them. How great is that?

16) I won the South Carolina Lt. Governor's Award when I was 10-yrs old for an essay I wrote about my thoughts on our future. My mom has it saved with everything else.  It’s a trip and not bad if I don’t say so myself.

17) Speaking of: I was raised by a stay-at-home mom who is one of the most well-read people I know, preaching "Girl Power!"

18) I grew up listening to “The Drifters,”  love all things Stevie Wonder and play Jimmy Buffet during our tough winters here in Chicago.

19) Family, friends, faith, laughter and love are the key to my happiness. Anything else? Nope.

20) One of my all-time favorite movies is a documentary called, “Buck.” It makes me want to move to Montana and wear nothing but jeans and boots too.  Just give the movie a try; it’ resonates. I am supposed to meet him this October!

21) I am technologically challenged. If you've seen my twitter or Instagram, you understand and I apologize;) And by now you know I am also horrible with punctuation as I spent too many years writing for the ear and not the eye. That’s my excuse and I’m sticking to it!

22) I want to travel to India and often listen to Indian music from artists like A.R. Rahman thanks to Pandora, but cannot make it past the first 20-minutes of “Slum Dog Millionaire.” The oil in the eye part was the final straw.

23) I am a goal driven person. Sometimes I wonder WHY did I sign up for this!? WHY!? But I must always follow through unless it is against medical advice.

24) Speaking of: I fractured my back (ok, some vertebrae) a little over a year ago when "Legs," displayed his frustration and threw me (he was apparently hurt.)  Given I had a horse fall on me in 6th grade, which left me unable to walk for a couple weeks, it is a huge show of support by my husband  who understands horses are a part of me. He really has no choice in the matter

25a) Doing rolls and stalls with the Red Barons has been the ultimate adrenaline rush and all for my job! I survived and all the station wanted to know was if the photog’s camera was ok! Ha!

25b) I wish I could create and then bottle a magic potion that would protect children, keeping them sweet and innocent forever!

Be the change!

Amy Gregorio 
Your Mrs. International 2013

Jesse Ladoue - Miss International 2013

The  New York girl through and through.  I was born and raised in Elmira, NY (a small town upstate), attended college and worked professionally just north of New York City, and I currently reside in Western New York.  Thanks to each of these experiences I was able to grow into the person I am today and define my core values: spirit, authenticity, and celebration.   When I can approach each day and event with a vibrant spirit and have the confidence to be myself in all aspect – that’s when I’m living life to the fullest.  My parents, Carolyn Ladoue and Donal O’Shaughnessy and my siblings Donny, 28 and McKinley, 3 have always fostered an environment that encouraged me to follow my heart and be happy with who I am regardless of the opinions of others.

My biggest and littlest fans, Donny and McKinley!

I am a graduate of Iona College with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Mass Communication – Television and Video production.  I am halfway through earning my MBA in marketing (oy, someday we’ll get there!).  My higher education experience was full of extracurricular activities: Captain of the Cheerleading team, Student Government Vice President for Administration, and a sister of Phi Sigma Sigma Sorority (officially known as Fraternity – LITP).  My career goal is to be a social community manager for a non-profit or a corporate social responsibility manager to connect the business world to volunteer involvement, stressing a focus on giving back.

Through my education, internships, and pageant experience I have found a passion in custom branded content and the importance of personal branding.   In 2012 I launched JL Presentations, a consulting company focused on helping individuals “unwrap their presence” in the form of marketing strategies, personal platform campaigns, and image consulting.

My favorite quote is “Go confidently in the direction of your dreams.  Live the life you have imagined” as said by Henry David Thoreau.  That will continue to be the motto of my year as Miss International 2013: to leave no stone unturned, no opportunity to incite positive change left unfulfilled, and no day without simply being grateful and enjoying the ride.

Best,

Jesse
Miss International 2013

My First Blog

Hi everyone!

My name is Haley Rose Pontius and I am Miss Teen International 2013. I am honestly still in disbelief that I am able to say this! I’m proud to have been chosen to represent not only the International system, but all of the extraordinary contestants at the pageant this year. I will strive to make you all proud in everything I do.

To break the ice, here is just a little bit about myself.

I’m the 17 year old daughter of Beverly and Doug Pontius and the little sister of William Pontius. I’ve grown up in the same town, in the same school, in the same house, with the same friends my entire life. I have found that the same children that I played with on the playground are now about to enter their senior year along side me. With only 500 students in my 7-12 grade high school it’s not hard to see how this is possible!

When I was 11 years old my father was diagnosed with a heart disease called Atrial Fibrillation. It was a rude awakening to the way my family was living and eye opener to the world around us. Over the years, my family has improved immensely in our eating habits, physical activity, and overall health. By working with the American Heart Association I hope to inspire, motivate, and encourage others to make a change in their lifestyle for the better.

I got my first taste of pageantry when I was three years old and my mother entered me in the county fair pageant. Immediately we were hooked! Since then, pageantry has always been something close to my heart and a huge part of my life. Had I never competed in pageants, I know I wouldn’t be who I am today. It has shown me how to be the person that I want to be and made me confident in who I am. The first time I ever competed in the International system was in April of 2012 in the Miss Teen Arkansas International Pageant. From the very beginning I fell in love with the people, the morals, and the ideas. Little did I know roughly 16 months later I would be Miss Teen International!

I am so thrilled to see what my year as Miss Teen International has in store for me and I hope you will all join with me on this journey of a lifetime by following my blogs, Twitter, and Instagram!

Haley Rose Pontius

Jesse Ladoue - 25 Things You Didn't Know About Me

JESSE LADOUE, MISS INTERNATIONAL 2013

25 Things You Don’t Know About Me

1.  My current hometown is Buffalo, NY – and I LOVE the food here!

2.  My most memorable experience to date was presenting awards at the NY   Special Olympics Track & Field events.

3.  I have two siblings: Donny, 28 and McKinley, 3.

4.  My favorite colors are yellow and turquoise, both together and separately.

5.  The movie Mr. Holland’s Opus makes me cry every time.

6.  I feel at home when I’m performing.  Emceeing is one of my favorite things to do.

7.  Someday, I’d like to design a line of greeting cards.

8.  I traveled to Kenya in 2009 for a volunteer mission trip and I plan to go back this year.

9.  I never miss an opportunity to go to a sporting event.

10.  My dad and I ran the Buffalo Half Marathon together in May.

11.  I am proud to help young women find their “personal brand” and presentation skills through my consulting business, JL Presentations.

12.  My favorite foods are sushi and cheese.

13.  I’ve been to 6 foreign countries (so far!): Canada, Mexico, Great Britain, Ireland, France, and Kenya.

14.  My last Halloween costume was the leg lamp from “A Christmas Story.”

15.  I am a thrill seeker and love roller coasters.

16.  Living in the New York metropolitan area for six years taught me to always be true to myself.

17.  My favorite celebrity is Ellen Degeneres – I want to dance with her!

18.  Chocolate or vanilla? Always, Vanilla.

19.  I absolutely love corny jokes.

20.  The best lazy days are spent watching infomercials.

21.  I have a pet Holland Lop rabbit named Toby.

22.  I love spending hours on Photoshop.

23.  I want to visit every continent – yes, even Antarctica.

24.  Motown is the most commonly played music on my playlists.

25.  Words to live by: “Walk like you’re somebody.”

~ Jesse

Meet Your New Mrs. International 2013 - Amy Gregorio!

It has still not sunk in I am the new Mrs. International. This wonderful picture from Paula Preston helps!

Well, hello there!

Allow me to introduce myself.  I am Amy Gregorio and beyond honored to be Mrs. International 2013. Considering the extraordinary women who are a part of our 2013 Mrs. International class, it is a great privilege to represent them and the Mrs. International pageant system this year.

How did I get here? It is by way of several states, some unexpected but earned opportunities, and because of a very large village of family and friends.

I was born in Michigan and from there my family moved to Texas, New York, South Carolina, Washington, and back to Michigan just after high school. That’s where I went to Western Michigan University and graduated with a B.A. in Communication Studies and a minor in Political Science.

I was not the classic four-year grad. It took me 6-years to finish because I worked for 5-years as a spokesperson with a major car company. Travelling the country over 100-days a year was perhaps the best preparation for taking on the world of broadcasting.

36-hours spent covering the Timothy McVeigh execution for CBS

Professionally, I spent 12-years working as “AJ Sterling.”  An Emmy nominated TV journalist, I was voted, ”Best Reporter,” by the Associated Press. That particular award will always be a favorite of mine as it was based on a culmination of my work rather than just a minute and a half long story. Over the years, my reports have appeared on CBS, CNN, and Fox while working in the tri-cities of Tennessee, Nashville, Indianapolis and Chicago. I feel like I have seen it all and covered it in abbreviated form, meeting four US Presidents and a multitude of other leaders while reporting on many historical events.

Covering Super Bowls, riots and flying with the Red Barons has been thrilling, but not as exciting as life with my husband, John. He and I are the perfect mix of opposites.  He is an attorney with a firm in Chicago as he was when my sister-in-law, Summer, set us up while I was still in Indy. After a year of long-distance dating, we were engaged and I was soon moving to Chicago and planning a wedding. That was ten years ago. We are about to celebrate 9-years of marriage already!

Our fabulous foursome this past November at our nephew’s wedding in Boca Grande.

We are the extremely proud, over protective parents to 7-year old Johnny and 5-year old Ali. We love them to the moon and back and I still can’t come to grips with the fact they are growing up so quickly.  It’s not fair! Make it stop!

I wish every child had the life Johnny and Ali have.  To be loved and to feel special…to know they are safe and can go somewhere at night when they hear thunder or wake with a nightmare. Sadly, that is NOT the case.  In fact, some children never hear the words, “I love you,” or are told they are valuable.  The nightmares come from what they have seen or endured.

That is why I am a CASA, or Court Appointed Special Advocate, in Lake County.  It is not just passion of mine, it is who I AM. After spending years covering the fallout of abuse and neglect, I took a step back from broadcasting and researched ways to use my skills on behalf of abused and neglected children. I am part of CASA’s Speaker’s Bureau and serve as a National CASA Ambassador. It has allowed me to partner with Prevent Child Abuse America and Child Help. Anything we can do to prevent the abuse and neglect is good for, “our,” children and for CASA. I will tell you more about CASA in the upcoming blog posts.  I could go on and on and on about my love of CASA and all those working to help these sweet babies who need someone to protect them and their rights to a life free from fear. So, that is just a little about me;) As you will find this year, I plan to tell the stories of those CASA helps, the class of 2013 and those I meet along the way.  It is such an exciting time that I am learning how to go to sleep while many plans are floating around in my mind.

XOXO,

Amy Gregorio 
Your Mrs. International 2013

10 Things You Didn't Know About Miss Teen International 2012

I absolutely love that you all can follow my journey as Miss Teen International 2012 through my blogs! Even though you all have been closely following my life for the past seven months, there are still a few “fun facts” you probably don’t know about. With that in mind, I decided to write “Ten Things You Didn’t Know About Miss Teen International 2012”.

#1- I have FIVE brothers and sisters! Grayson is 12. He is all boy! He loves to hunt, fish, and play basketball and baseball. Payne is also 12. He was adopted from Russia when he was a baby. He is famous for his AMAZING Lego creations. Wesleigh Jane is 11. She is our softball star! She has recently become involved in pageantry and loves it! Emily is 9. She is definitely the athlete of the family. She enjoys running in 5k races, playing tennis and soccer, and competitive gymnastics. Addie Kate is the baby of the family. She is almost 5 months old. She currently loves to babble and eat sweet potatoes!

#2- I have played the piano since I was 6. My Nana taught me the basics, and I began lessons after my mom realized how well I memorized songs.

#3- I am a cupcake addict! Whenever I am visiting a new city, I go straight to the nearest cupcake bakeries.

#4- I have had the same best friend since I was 3. Next year, Hayden and I will continue our friendship as roommates at Troy University…watch out world!

#5- I am TERRIBLE at sports. I played softball in sixth grade and did not swing the bat even once.

#6- Disney World is one of my favorite places on Earth. We take a family vacation to Walt Disney World in Orlando, Florida almost every summer.

#7- I ranked number 3 in my senior class with a 111.23 GPA, and I made a 31 on my ACT. Who says “pageant girls” can’t be smart too?!

#8- I cannot ride a bike! I am rather uncoordinated, and I was never very good at balancing on a bicycle. Sometimes my friends like to try to “teach me”, but I know they just want a good laugh!

#9- I am the youngest person in my grade. I began kindergarten a year earlier than the rest of my peers. I always thought it was cool until all of my friends were turning 16 and my mom still had to drive me everywhere!

#10- Duck Dynasty is my favorite show. Every Wednesday night, my family gathers in our game room to watch the new episode. We love how funny the Robertsons are! I actually get to meet the cast in two weeks, so stay tuned for pictures!

Caroline Crowley

Minnesota State Fair Parade

The “Great Minnesota Get-Together” was true to form, with hundreds of thousands entering the gates each day during the 12 day run! The fair’s history dates back to 1855, and it is the second largest state fair in the country. Krista, Gabby and I were invited to ride on the visiting royalty float during the parade on Sunday, September 2nd, which we gladly accepted!

It was a gorgeous day; however, the end of the state fair in Minnesota represents the end of summer. For anyone familiar with our part of the world, this is bitter sweet…as autumn brings for many welcomed cooler weather, football, and changing leaves…but also, the close to summer vacation, shortened daylight, and bitter cold is soon to follow.

 

For the three of us, we soaked in the sunshine, enjoyed the crowd, and had a wonderful time together as usual! MMXII forever!

All my love,

Sarah Bazey
Mrs. International 2012

City of Brooklyn Park

I was so honored when asked to come speak to my hometown, Brooklyn Park, during the city council meeting. Before my presentation, the city council and many of our community residences discussed the benefits of park systems in the community, more specifically, the benefit of art in community and public artwork in the parks. I was very interested in this and of course voiced my opinion, strongly in favor of implementing more creativity and large-scale artwork in the community.

I think it is so necessary for each town or community to have a piece of artwork that represents their town and that draws in many visitors. Think about the Millennium Bean in Chicago. Everyday, thousands of people come to see "the bean". It represents innovation, strength, community, and growth. I love that! It is so unique and has become a tourist attraction because of its popularity. It bring a greater purpose to the park. Without it, I think the park would loose its power and popularity.

I will be working with the Youth Council to implement a public display of artwork honoring adults and volunteers in the community to who read or donate books to children. I am hoping this is just the first of many new art projects in the Brooklyn Park community.

When it was my turn to speak, I was presented with this lovely proclamation of recognition and congratulations. Which states:

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Whereas, on March 11th 2012, Krista Wanous was recognized by the Miss Minnesota International Pageant for successfully competing in four areas of competition - interview, evening gown, fun-fashion, and fitness-wear.

 

Whereas, the Miss International Pageant System has been developed to promote today's young women and their accomplishments, being the premiere pageant for young women to open doors to explore world cultures and have opportunity to share beliefs and make a difference; and

 

Whereas, Krista excelled in the interview portion of the pageant, speaking about her platform of healing lives through creative expression. Her passion for the healing arts is strong, as it helps countless numbers of children each year deal with emotional pain through drawing, painting, sculpture; and

 

Whereas, Krista chose her platform based on personal experience, she herself used the healing arts to get through difficult emotions; and

 

Whereas, the Brooklyn Park resident and former 2000 Brooklyn Park Ambassador also represents her hometown effectively and professionally, being able to successfully compete in many image-oriented categories such as evening gown and fitness wear competition; and

 

Whereas, there is only one Miss Minnesota International and Krista Wanous was the one and only winner.

 

Now, Therefore, I, Jeffery Joneal Lunde, Mayor of the city of Brooklyn Park, Minnesota, do hereby recognize and congratulate Krista Wanous for this outstanding accomplishment and extend to and wish her the best in the upcoming national Miss International competition in Chicago.
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Each member of city council came down from their seats to shake my hand and give their warmest wishes of encouragement and congratulations. To say the least, they were pretty excited when they saw me in my new gear as Miss International 2012! I will blog about updates as more progress towards greater public artwork displays and projects happens.

ART HEALS!
XoXo - All My Love,

Krista Wanous
Miss International 2012

Minnesota Celebration!

The evening of August 16th was a night of celebration, as Krista and I were blessed to be surrounded by supporters and loved ones who shared their hugs, kisses, and well wishes! Unfortunately, Gabby was not feeling well enough to attend, but it goes without saying that her finish as 2nd Runner-up at Miss Teen International was outstanding and we are all extremely proud of her.

For me, this night was very special. Not only was it an opportunity to share my excitement with family and friends, but to connect with one person in particular who knows how I feel in a way that only 26 other women in the entire world can understand. Someone who I have known my entire life, and yet someone I have not seen in person since prior to my competing for the Mrs. Minnesota title. She has given me unconditional support and encouragement, but due to health concerns and family issues she was not able to be present for either pageant. Her name is Susan Hoffman – Mrs. International 1995, and she is my cousin.

 My cousin Susan Hoffman - Mrs. International 1995, Krista, me, and Sarah Wall - Miss International 2005

It was so very fabulous to see both her and her husband Robbo! Susan looks as beautiful as ever, and it is amazing to think two women from one family could have been so blessed to both earn this title.

 Andrea Bennett-Xiong - 1st Runner-up Mrs. Minnesota 2012, me, and Holly Ernst - Mrs. Minnesota International 2003 and hostess for the event

If you haven’t read Krista’s blog about the celebration, please do, as she did a wonderful job highlighting the food, the cake, the Edible Arrangement from our judge and former Mrs. Canada International Amanda Lee, as well as, Nick Zerwas another of our state judges who attended the party and who is very involved with the American Heart Association, the gorgeous patio setting, and most importantly the treasured guests who showed up to share in this experience with us!

Carla Jean Beaurline - Owner/Host of "Around Town" on cable television & me (Carla was also a 2011 Mrs. Minnesota International judge)

Thank you to Holly for opening up your home. Thank you to Cheri and Sarah for helping host this lovely party! And, thank you to all of you who have supported me along this journey! I am simply overflowing with love and blessings.

All my love,

Sarah Bazey
Mrs. International 2012

Minnesota International Sisterhood

There is a rich tradition within the Minnesota International Pageant sisterhood of sharing the joys and sorrows in life. Earlier this year, a group of former Minnesota titleholders, along with several long time sponsors of the system, joined together to support one of their own. They threw a benefit for Donnell Rank - Mrs. Minnesota International 2007, who is putting up the fight of her life against breast cancer. I was so proud to participate as the newest member of the sisterhood.

Just a few months later, on August 12, 2012, a smiling Donnell joined a large group of us in a joyous occasion, as we celebrated the upcoming marriage of Becky Ringen – Miss Minnesota International 2006. The thread that connects each of us is the International Pageant System and our love for all that it represents.

Specifically, with Becky who works for the American Heart Association, the connection to the International Family and its dedication to community and charity involvement is a wonderful circle. Who knows, maybe a soon to be married lady will be interested in seeking a future Mrs. International crown!

With love,

Sarah Bazey
Mrs. International 2012

Lonsdale Parade

Come rain or shine…the parade must go on! With my husband Joe as my chauffeur, and a very cool Camaro convertible donated by New Prague Auto Group, we lined up for the community celebration in Lonsdale, Minnesota!

Thank goodness for the gift bag that was given to all of the Mrs. International 2012 contestants, as the umbrella and jacket, which were among the gifts with the Mrs. International crown and roses, were both necessities on this rainy and chilly day.  Regardless of the weather, the streets were lined with people of all ages waving, clapping and cheering in celebration of their little town about an hour south of the Twin Cities.

In this particular parade, the announcer read a detailed script about the Mrs. International title and details of my platform. I was actually a bit surprised and humbled when the audience started cheering and clapping as he finished his comments…I waved, smiled, and said thank you directly to those with whom I made eye contact. It may have been a cool day, but it was a heartwarming event.

Thank you to the Lonsdale community for allowing me to share in their celebration.

With love,

Sarah Bazey
Mrs. International 2012

Little Canada Days Parade

There is nothing like a parade on a perfect summer day! It was my pleasure to ride with the beautiful Gabby Taylor, Miss Teen of Minnesota International, in a classic car along a parade route lined with the residents of Little Canada, Minnesota.

My favorite part of a parade is telling little girls they have on a pretty dress and pointing at little boys and telling them they are handsome! The girls beam and the boys turn their heads trying to hide their smiles…and in every case the Mom and Dad just grin.

As Gabby and I passed the organizers area, we were filmed by six cameras including one camera man on a boom, all filming for the local cable television station. For those viewing, a bio was read by the host sharing information about our pageant titles, our platforms, and highlights of Go Red for Women.

Thank you to our friends in Little Canada, and I hope you enjoy the photos for our sunny day!

With love,

Sarah Bazey
Mrs. International 2012

Miss & Teen Finals

I am not certain how most people feel, but from my perspective, I would rather be on the stage competing versus sitting in the audience of a pageant absolutely any day! As the recently crowned Mrs. International it was my privilege to support all of the lovely young women vying for the titles of Miss Teen International 2012 and Miss International 2012!

Kudos to those parents and loved ones filled with excitement and nerves, who hoot and howler, wave signs, and blow kisses as they watch the young woman whom they support take such a risk. Yes, I believe it is a risk to place oneself in a spotlight and allow yourself to be judged in such a public manner. Yet, we do it, because the return on investment can be so sweet!

Speaking of a return on investment, I would argue that having the crown placed on your head is not the only way in which to win a pageant. In my humble opinion, I have learned more from the pageants I have lost than those that I have won. It has been said that, “failure is not falling down, but refusing to get back up.”

As I watched these young women on stage during the pageant finals, I was bursting with pride for each contestant and their display of courage. That said, it is impossible not to make a special mention about the two fabulous young ladies with whom I shared a stage the night we were all crowned together in St. Cloud, Minnesota! Gabby and Krista both did an amazing job on the International stage, and together I believe we all did Minnesota proud! Included is a picture of the three of us at the Coronation Ball.

Looking forward, I could not be more thrilled for Krista Wanous and Caroline Crowley! These young women are going to make a difference in the world and I can’t wait to see it happen!

With love and admiration,

Sarah Bazey
Mrs. International 2012

My First Day

This week, I celebrated the first day of my Senior year at Ashford High School. We decided to design shirts to wear, and of course, we wore our “Senior crowns”, as well! This year I will be taking English 101, Government, Calculus, and Forensic Science. I am so excited to be able to share these lasting memories with all of my friends. We have a very busy year ahead of us, and we are all very excited!

Hayden and I are just a little excited about being Seniors!

My little brother, Grayson, started Middle School, as well.

Ready for an exciting year!

 

Caroline Crowley

Minnesota Welcomes Home Their Miss and Mrs. International

I absolutely adore my Minnesota Pageant family. They are the most wonderful and supportive women on the planet. Sarah Bazey and I were welcomed with big hugs and big congratulations from all our friends and family.  We shared our stories from competing at the national level with our past International titleholder sisters who had been in our shoes before. They were so proud of us!!

I got to thank my mock interview judges who helped me tremendously! Mock interviews and just practicing interviewing is such a great way to prepare for a pageant. It helped me figure out the best way to tell my personal story, and the best way to explain what exactly the “Healing Arts” are. They helped me figure out when to stop talking…because I tend to give a lot more information then needed in interview because I just get so darn excited!
My Mock interviewers consisted of current and former pageant title holders, a couple who had been coordinating pageant judges for years, and a former Miss International and judge. She was particularly helpful because she had experience on the stage, and off the stage as a judge. She gave me so much confidence in myself and in my story. Before I left for nationals she looked me right in the eye and said, “You can do this.We all know you can.” Of course, that made me feel good - but isn’t that what they tell everyone? I couldn’t possibly be the next Miss International; there are amazing girls with amazing accomplishments and stories competing against me. But, I guess they were right!

When I walked into the International interview I remembered everything my mock interviews told me and I laid it all out on the table. It was such a joy to be able to tell them how much they had helped me with my confidence, my speaking skills, and my ability to direct the interview towards questions I wanted them to ask me, with the proof of their hard work sitting right on top of my head!

We hung out by the pool all night eating lots of yummy treats! My judge from the Miss Minnesota International pageant, a former Mrs.Canada International, Amanda Lee sent us a beautiful Edible Arrangements bouquet. I love chocolate and fruit and have been dying to eat one of these things ever since I saw it on TV two years ago. Thanks Amanda! So delicious! We also had a cake with our pictures printed on it. This may sound insignificant, but I have never had my face on a cake so I was pretty psyched! It wasn’t long until I ate myself silly, haha.

Unfortunately, my dear friend Gabby Taylor was very ill and could not attend the party. We missed you Gabby, love you so much, and are very proud of you!!

Before the sun went down I got to chat with another one of my judges from the state competition, Nick Zerwas. He is the most supportive and encouraging man I have ever met and is so inspirational to me! He works with the American Hearth Association because he has had many serious heart problems and surgeries. He was so enthusiastic about me winning the state competition, and even more when I won the International competition. I love you Nick and Amanda – best judges ever! And thank you for supporting me all throughout my journey.

Thank you to my coach, my family, and all my pageant sisters for encouraging me and reminding me that I had what it takes to be Miss International 2012. Your kind words rang though my head all week during competition and helped me calm the nerves. I cannot thank each of you enough. I hope I have the opportunity to love and support all of you, they way you have helped me.

Krista Wanous

My First Appearance in Hoyt Lakes, Minnesota

There are many “firsts” in a life time…one of which I will always treasure was my first official appearance as Mrs. International 2012! Joe and I drove four hours from Minneapolis to a little town in Northern Minnesota called Hoyt Lakes. This once thriving mining town has been struggling to stay alive since the mines closed, and yet they come together and celebrate their community every July.

For many years the reigning Mrs. Minnesota has made the drive to participate in the Hoyt Lakes Water Festival, and the individual responsible for keeping the connection alive is Robert “Bart” Bartholomew.  Since this appearance was already on my schedule, my director Allison Stavrakis sent Bart a message letting him know Mrs. Minnesota would not be attending, but he would be getting Mrs. International as his guest!

 

 

From the moment we arrived, Joe and I were treated like royalty. We were given lovely accommodations at a cozy inn, treated to the Hawaiian themed buffet, and even though Mother Nature was not cooperating, the event was a success under the community pavilion.

I am pictured with Bart and other residents of this charming community. I sincerely want to thank the town of Hoyt Lakes for their warm & wonderful reception.

With love,

Sarah Bazey
Mrs. International 2012

My Interview with Tiara Magazine

The lovely Sherrie Gearheart is the Editor-in-Chief of Tiara Magazine, and it was a pleasure meeting her just prior to the start of the Miss Teen and Miss International Pageant Finals. She captured some photos for her publication on the grand staircase in the North Shore Center for Performing Arts, and conducted the interview in the balcony as both the crowds and excitement was building in the lobby below!

It was also a treat to meet Kim and Madi Cole, who were attending the finals with Sherrie. I am pictured here with Madi on the balcony in my new favorite Sherri Hill gown designed with the help of Joey Rutherford.

My interview with Sherrie should appear in the September issue of Tiara Magazine. So mark your calendars and check it out!

With love,

Sarah Bazey
Mrs. International 2012