Winona State University Relay for Life

 

 Why do I relay? I relay in memory of my Aunt, Becky Miller and my Grandma, Caroline Fellows. I also relay in celebration of my Grandma Helen, Ashley Kes, and Megan Rabenberg who are all survivors.

It was an honor to attend Winona State University's Relay for Life and have the opportunity to share my platform with those that attended. It meant so much to me to present my platform here as I celebrated 2 young girls, who have inspired my platform, surviving cancer.

I must say, my platform presentation went way better than expected. During my presentation we had planned for one student to donate her hair as I was talking. While she was getting her hair cut I was asked by a fellow Dance Society member if the stylist would be willing to cut her hair as well. At that point, I asked the audience how many people would be willing to donate their hair right there and then and 3 hands were raised. I got an okay from the stylist to stay a little later and pretty soon we had a line of 15 girls waiting to donate their hair. Unfortunately we only had time to have 9 girls donate their hair but the stylist agreed to have them come to her salon and donate their hair and get it styled for just $10! I am proud to say that with my presentation alone, we collected enough ponytails to make a single wig; a wig that will give a woman battling cancer the confidence to say, "I'm going to fight cancer today!" I am so proud of all of the ladies that donated their hair and I wish I could have joined them! Below, I have posted pictures from throughout the night and among them you can find a collage of my favorite "after donation" pictures from the night!

     I would like to give a special thank you to my mom who drove down to Winona to spend the late night with me. She was my only team member able to make it and I can't thank her enough for all of her help!

I would not have survived the night without this girl. When a line of 15 girls unexpectedly wanted to donate their hair, she helped me organize the crowd and get things taken care of, she really was my savior!

Here is the collage of some of the after shots from the night. Thanks again to all of the girls that stepped up and made the cut for the Pantene Beautiful Lengths Organization! You have made a very special difference in one woman's life and the 8 inches that you donated is going to mean so much more than just a ponytail!

Love Always,

Lauren

Miss Minnesota Orientation and Teen Pageant

This weekend was absolutely unforgettable! Katie and I had so much fun at orientation and even got free "Soul Man" sunglasses to take home! It was so wonderful meeting all of the lovely ladies that I will be competing with and the Miss Minnesota committee. I am so excited for all that they have planned for us during Miss MN week and I am so glad that I will be rooming with the beautiful Chelsea Swiggum! After orientation we went back to Katie's apartment to get ready and then met our lovely directors for dinner. Next thing on our list was the Miss Minnesota's Outstanding Teen pageant!

 Pre-pageant selfie!

 I am so proud of my Miss South Central's Outstanding Teen Alyssa Crum! She performed beautifully and I have to admit that I was crying every time she came on stage (proud tears). She ended up getting 2nd Runner Up and I couldn't be more proud of her! My other "little sister" queen, Sadie, did an amazing job. We are so proud of her performance and how much she has grown. Also, congrats to the new Miss Minnesota's Outstanding Teen, Lauren Algyer! I had the pleasure of getting to know her during the Miss South Central pageant and I know she will do a fantastic job!

"Prince Charming", Me, and "Babette"

Here it is! My official headshot for the Miss Minnesota Competition, photo credit goes to Tara Bjerke Photography. I am so proud to be Contestant #12, your Miss South Central. It is such an honor to be competing with so many beautiful and talented young women. I can't wait for Miss MN week to be here and see who is crowned the next Miss Minnesota!