A Powerful Support System

Thank you to all who had attended my send-off party! It was such a blast and I couldn't be more grateful for the friends and family who are incredibly supportive. Your encouragement and kind words are what keep me grounded and level headed. Without you, my mind would be spinning. The love and support I receive from not only my family and friends, but my community is what drives my confidence. I'd like to also mention my two brothers who were such a tremendous help. When the lawn needs mowin', burgers need grillin' and chickens go missing, you guys are the ones to step up! Keenan and Eric I love you both! It is a week away until I leave for "Miss MN week" and couldn't be more pumped. Last minute preparations are in order! Also, I am continuing my summer courses this week at UMD, which I must post-pone until after the pageant!!

                                                http://www.dreamdanceacademy.org

Id like to give a huge THANK YOU to the organizations and wonderful people who have supported me in my preparations for the pageant. Thank you Dr. Robert Lacosse and Lake Dental for my new pearly chompers. I will feel even more confident when I know my teeth are show-stopping white! Also, Nik Johnson from Dream Dance Academy for choreographing and working with me on my talent. Thank you for letting me use your studio, you all have made we feel so welcome! Also, Thank you to my family, especially my parents, Dennis and Birdie Bakken who have been at my side in every aspect. Without you this year wouldn't have been possible. I can't wait to see you in the crowd cheering me on. Love you!

Send-Off to Miss Minnesota Pageant 2012 and Prelim Info!

Looking forward to spending time with friends and family, your support and encouragement and shaped me into the woman I am today. Thank you to all who have helped me through my reign as Miss Bayfront, I promise the city of Duluth will be represented with Honor!
I'd like mention my preliminary information because I have had many questions on what night I will be performing.
I am contestant #5 ( I chose my birthday!)
On prelim Night One:  I will be competing in the Evening Gown and the swimsuit/Lifestyle and Fitness.
On prelim Night Two: I will be competing in the Talent, Which is a Pom Dance to the song, "Journey Without You" A mashup by Journey, David Guetta and Usher. Also I will compete in the On-Stage Question portion of the pageant.

KTCO Bridesmaids Ball for Gillette Children's Specialty Healthcare 4/6

Funky music, crazy dance moves and a grand array of bridesmaids dresses lit up the night at the Greysolon Plaza in Duluth. Miss Minnesota 2011, Natalie Davis and I enjoyed mingling and dancing with the crowd. The Gillette kids, dresses and all, took the floor the second the music started. Natalie and I encouraged many more to come and take photos as well. The requirement of the night was to wear an old bridesmaid dress or prom dress. Those who participated were asked to work it in a fashion show! Natalie and I, along with other local celebrities from Duluth were asked to judge the dresses. There was a wide variety of gowns, my favorites were the oldies from the 70's and 80's. The awards were a plaque and sash.The judges favorite dress went to Emma, who is a Gillette patiant and she was all smiles through out the rest of the night. Next year I hope to attend again and possibly there will be an even bigger turn out!! Thank you Natalie and Gillette for the cute photos!

Miss City of the Lakes & Miss West Metro Pageant 3/4

 Shelby

 Entire Goofy Royalty

Mary land-sharking me.

Congratulations to two outstanding young women. Bethany Beniek and Brittany Tishmak both were phenomenal on stage and we now have our final group for the Miss Minnesota Class of 2012!

UMD Dance Marathon 2/24

Possibly the most exciting and high energized kids I've ever met! The Dance marathon took place in the Kirby ballroom at the University of Minnesota, Duluth campus. From 7pm-3am we danced the night away. Children from the Gillette Specialty healthcare come down to celebrate and DANCE. There was Zumba and a hypnotist, as well as tons of chances to win prizes and crazy games! We also learned a group dance that was taught throughout the night which got the party pumpin' when some started to slip into sleep! By the end of the night we raised over $4,000. As a dancer, this was MY element. Next year we plan to make it bigger and better and raise more money than ever before!! Be sure to hang on to those dancing shoes because you're not going to want to miss this next year!

Miss Coon Rapids Pageant 2012 2/4

 Haley and Kiah

 Rachel Latuff

 The entire Royalty Along with Miss Minnesota, Natalie Davis 

and Miss Minnesota Outstanding Teen 2011 Alexis Houule

 Haley, Mary and Caitlyn

Finally an update! Its been a while due to the technical difficulties of my website, but it is now up and running and ready to go! Last February was the Miss Coon Rapids pageant and I got to meet some of the lovely ladies I'll be competing with for Miss Minnesota in June. They are all beautiful, unique and intelligent young women and I can't wait to meet each and every one of them. A tremendous congratulations to Samantha with her new title, Miss Coon Rapids 2012. There was a lot of talent and grace on that stage and I could see some true leaders of our community in that bunch. A good friend of mine, Rachel Latuff rocked the stage!! Cant wait to see her succeed in future pageants. Also there were  performances by Miss Minnesota, Natalie Davis and Miss Minnesota Outstanding Teen Alexis Houule. What an experience! Couldn't be more pumped for the next local Pageant!