Defeat of Jesse James Day Parade

 Defeat of Jesse James Days in Northfield is one of my favorite festivals to go to! Alyssa and I started off the day at the royalty reception at the Northfield Middle School. We had breakfast and introduced ourselves to all of the other royalty in the parade. In the huge crowd of royalty, we were able to track down all 4 of the St. Paul Winter Carnival Princes. Each prince has his own embroidered sticker representing the "area" he represents. The North Wind Prince has a snowflake sticker, the West Wind Prince has a cowboy hat, the South Wind has a chili pepper, and the East Wind has a genie lamp. I happen to have a North Wind snowflake from 3 years ago but at the breakfast we were able to get a sticker from each prince...my life is now complete ;) The East Wind Prince told us that if he gave us a sticker we had to do something irresponsible so I quickly responded, "Let's go rob a bank!!" (not even thinking about the connection to Jesse James Days). After taking a huge group picture, we got on a bus and headed downtown to the reenactment. I have seen the bank raid reenactment several times but it never gets old. After the fabulous reenactment, we headed back to the parade line-up to wait for the parade, and when I say wait, I mean for two hours before we even got moving!! It was a long parade but it was a great one. I was able to see my high school principal and my high school speech team coach. Jesse James Days is one festival that you will find me at, every single year! I love the city of Northfield and I recommend that you attend the festival next year!!
Until next time,
Lauren

Waseca Wounded Warrior 5K and Fundraiser

 As some of you know, the Miss South Central pageant is based out of Waseca. Throughout my reign, I have come to think of Waseca as a second home. I have gotten to know so many great people from that community and come to love that community as much as my own. Within the past year, Waseca lost one of it's great citizens while battling over seas and another one of the great Waseca Warriors, Tom Block, was greatly injured. This last weekend I got to go home to give back to the Waseca Wounded Warrior fundraiser in which I got to meet Sgt. Tom Block. I started off the morning by running in the 5k. Over the summer I have been working my way up to hopefully run a half-marathon but this was my first "official" 5k. Before the race started, I was told that Sgt. Tom Block was going to lead the pack on the run. This was absolutely amazing to me because I was told that his doctors thought he would never walk again and that it was only a few weeks ago that he started training for the 5k. It was an honor to follow him through the 5k trail as he held the American flag with honor and pride. It was also an amazing feeling to be greeted by him as I finished the run.

 After the run, I headed over to the Waseca fairgrounds for the rest of the fundraiser. They had activities for the kids such as face painting, a clown, and a bouncy house. They also had 2 stages that had different bands alternating all day and all night. I had the pleasure of working for the silent auction, directing people to grab a bidding number and start shopping! After working the silent auction I headed over to the admission table to work for them for a while. I was so grateful to be able to talk with Sgt. Tom Block and thank him for his service. He taught me that no matter what life throws at you, you should never give up, you should always fight your greatest fight...you just might surprise yourself. I also got to see the great "Uncle Ken" which is always the cherry on top of the day :)

I am so grateful for our military troops. I know that without them, I would not be able to have the life I have today. Thank you to Sgt. Tom Block for his service and for showing me what determination can do, and thank you to the community of Waseca for such a great turn-out at the fundraiser. The fundraiser was a great success and I'm so glad I was able to be a part of it!!
Love Always,
Lauren

Special Olympics Fall Games

 The Minnesota Special Olympics Fall Games has been one of my favorite events that I have done throughout my reign. This was my second time volunteering at the games and I can't wait to do it again. This year I got to hand out the medals for softball and bocce ball. The smile on the athlete's faces when they received that medal after all of their hard work was priceless. I also ran into some people from my surrounding towns and one person that was a cousin of someone that I graduated with. I also got to see some athletes that I met last year but it was great to meet so many new athletes. It is incredible how small the world is but it is even more incredible what this organization offers for the athletes. It was great to see the fabulous Elizabeth Scipioni (a former Miss South Central) and her family, I owe you a big thank you for always keeping me in mind when it comes to volunteering for the games. I'm so grateful to have the opportunity to work with this wonderful organization and to witness the impact it has on so many people's lives.
Love Always,
Lauren

Steele County Fair

 The Steele County Fair is by far the best county fair out there! It was great to spend the afternoon with my Outstanding Teen, Alyssa, at the fair. We started off by going to the petting zoo to see all of the exotic animals. After that we had to go see the ever famous, pig races!! Turns out Brittney Squeals won the race but because Lindsey Lo-ham was caught drinking again, the women were disqualified ( a little pig humor)! Of course, we couldn't leave the fair without having a delicious sno-cone from Sno Biz!! Thank you to Amanda Kanewischer for the free sno-cones!! You will always have my repeat business even when the crown is off my head!! As if the sno-cone wasn't sweet enough, we stopped by the Four Seasons building for some Nitro-Ice Cream!! That ice cream is probably the best thing I have ever had. If you haven't tried it, make sure you get some next year! We then walked around the Four Seasons building and got a picture with Flo (pictured below) and then we got a caricature done of us! It turned out pretty well and the Burger King crowns that he added was a clever idea. To end the night we played bingo...sad to say we didn't win. As you can see in the picture below, my new nickname should be one-away...because that is what I always am! I have come to terms that I will never win bingo but it was fun trying! You can bet that I will be at the Steele County Fair for many years to come, it is always a blast and it has so much to offer!
Until Next Time,
Lauren

Miracle Treat Day

 It can either be called Miracle Treat Day or A Pageant Girl's Favorite Day. Miracle Treat Day happens once a year in hopes of raising money for the Children's Miracle Network. $1 from every Blizzard goes to the Children's Miracle Network, an organization that we raise money for as the national platform for the Miss America Organization. The reason why I call it a pageant girl's favorite day is because we are asked to buy an ice cream treat as our official duty for the day :) If you missed Miracle Treat Day this year make sure you buy 2 Blizzards next year. CMN is a great organization and I am honored to have participated in this very important day!!
Love Always,
Lauren

P.S. The midnight truffle Blizzard was fantastic, try it!!

Waseca County Princess Coronation

 What do you get when you mix together sno-cones, a county fair, free ride tickets, queens, and lots of little girls?...you get the Waseca County Princess Coronation!! We had 21 girls sign up to be Waseca County Princesses, so we invited them to the fair to be crowned. The four of us queens performed a talent ( I sang "Somebody to Love"), then we crowned our "team" and then we got to take our girls on rides! I quickly found out that I am getting too old for rides....Although I look like I'm having fun in the picture above, my stomach was not having very much fun...I only went on three rides and then I gave away my other tickets because I just couldn't take it anymore!! It was a sad realization but I understand now that I am too old for this kind of fun! After my team went on the rides of their choice, we got to go to the Sno-Biz stand for a treat! It was the first time I had ever had a sno-cone and it was amazing!! Thank you to Amanda Kanewischer for the free Sno-cones!! You will for sure have repeat business from me! After our stop at Sno-Biz, Sadie and I went to the hypnotist show and got to be hypnotized! Apparently....I'm hilarious (according to Alyssa)! I had napkins inside my dress, I played a piano with my butt and I'm a flirtatious driver...yep that's what happened while I was being hypnotized :) The Waseca County Fair is always a fun time and I'm so glad that we have so many amazing girls to be a part of Team Waseca with us!

Love,
Lauren

 "Fun" on the rides,

 two of my amazing princesses,

 

 all of our princesses,

 Team Lauren,

 Me and Alyssa at the petting zoo,

 me singing "Somebody to Love",

 enjoying a treat at Sno-Biz,

and crowning my cousin Hudson!!

4th of July Parade

 4th of July is one of my favorite holidays and I'm so glad I got to spend it with my Teen Queen, Alyssa!! Yes, we went the festive route and dressed in Red and Blue! It was a very windy day as you can tell in the picture below but it was a great day. However, I want to clarify one thing, the title Miss South Central and Miss South Central's Outstanding Teen doesn't mean that we are representing South Central College...we have heard this from a lot of people but it was the first time that a parade announcer ever made that mistake! Oops :) Now I end this post with a question... What's better than food, friends, fireworks and fun on the lake?...Nothing!
Love,
Lauren

Relay for Life

 I had the wonderful opportunity to share my platform at the Relay for Life in Le Center this summer. I got to spread the message about Pantene Beautiful Lengths and the work I have done with my platform so far. During the opening ceremony of the event, they had a survivor (pictured below), share her story of when she was diagnosed and how she fought back. It was an honor to meet this woman. She is so extremely strong and a true inspiration. I was able to ask her about how her wig, from Pantene, changed her perspective and how it affected her fight against cancer. It was great to have her insight to what the wig does, from the cancer patient's point of view. Thank you so much for sharing your story, I know it impacted my life and many other's that night! I can't wait to share my message and meet more people like her throughout my journey in the Miss America program.
Until Next Time,
     Lauren

Miss Morris Area and Miss Midwest Pageant

 Two of the amazing ladies that I got to know during my Miss Minnesota experience was Miss Morris Area and Miss Midwest. Chelsea, Miss Midwest, was my roommate during the week and I couldn't have asked for a better roommate! Unfortunately, it was time for both of them to pass on their titles to the next young woman. Although Morris is quite a drive, I couldn't possibly miss Chelsea pass down the crown. So, I secretly contacted her mom to see if I could ride up with them and she said yes! As an added bonus, Chelsea's sister, Corrina, was competing in the pageant so I was able to surprise both of them!! When we got to the pageant, Chelsea met her family in the lobby to get something she forgot (of course), and it took her a good minute before she realized I was standing right in front of her, but when she did...she freaked out!! After the pageant, we got to spend some time with the family that Corrina stayed with during the week. How many pageant girls can you fit in one bathtub?....Looks like six!! I'm so glad I got to see Chelsea perform one last time as Miss Midwest and I just want to say that I am so proud to call her my Miss Minnesota roommate, but more importantly my friend. I love you Chelsea!! Also, congrats to the new Miss Morris Area and Miss Midwest, you ladies will do great!

Love Always,

Lauren

Pirate and Princess Party

 Yes, you read that right...Pirate and Princess Party! We spent the day at Kiesler's Campground in Waseca to help out with their Pirate and Princess Party! As soon as we got there we had a huge line of kids who wanted our autographs and a picture with us. While we did this, we were visited by the best clown in the world (not according to Katie). We then got to compete in the sand castle contest, where Sadie and Alyssa helped build it and I, well, supervised. Turns out, a bunch of kids are way better at building sand castles than us. We didn't even place :( but we got to have fun with kids all day and we even got to see some familiar faces!

 The winners of the Sand Castle Contest,

 Our Favorite Clown,

 And the cutest little Pirates :)

I would like to thank Kiesler's Campground for letting us be a part of their party! 

Stay Classy,

    Lauren

I Finally Made The Cut

After convincing approx. 45 girls to donate their hair to Pantene Beautiful Lengths, I finally made the cut myself. I had to wait until Miss Minnesota was over but it was just 2 days after I got home that I cut, what ended up being 10 inches of my hair!! This was my third time donating my hair and I can still say that I feel good after doing it because I know a woman battling cancer is going to get that wig and with it, receive a spark of strength and confidence. It felt so amazing to finally take part in my own platform after all of this waiting and getting to see others take part in this amazing journey!

If you are interested in donating your hair but have questions for me, feel free to email me at Lfellows11@winona.edu

Until Next Time,
    Lauren

Janesville Parade

 Hey everyone!! I'm back!! I finally figured out the problems with my blog and I can now share my summer memories with you!! So here we go, the Janesville Parade! Although people thought we were crazy to be in a parade, dolled up and all, the day we got back from Miss Minnesota week, we had a blast! I have been going to Hay Daze in Janesville ever since I was a little girl so I couldn't possibly pass up the opportunity to be a part of it's celebration this year! The day of the Janesville Parade, I started off the day with my nephew (and Godson's) baptism. This was the first time meeting him and I fell in love with him right away. He is such a little sweetie and does nothing but smile! After his baptism I met Alyssa at the car and we rode through town in the parade. It was great to see so many of my family members, considering only a few could make it to the pageant. After the parade, Alyssa and I ran into Captain Jack Sparrow and even got a kiss on the hand from him. Then I finished the day with a delicious Blizzard from Janesville's Dairy Queen, a treat that I had long been waiting for!! I can't wait until next year when I can enjoy this fun all over again!!
Love Always,
    Lauren

P.S. Congrats to Anna Burns, a past Team Waseca member, for being crowned Miss Janesville! You will make the town very proud!