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!

A Visit From the Bayfront Queens

At Gillette Children’s Specialty Healthcare, they believe all children deserve the best. That’s why they provide the highly specialized care that children who have disabilities and complex conditions need. It is known worldwide for the expertise at multiple locations in Minnesota, including the main campus in St. Paul, and clinics in Burnsville, Maple Grove, Minnetonka and Northern Minnesota.

Gillette is one of the nation’s Best Children’s Hospitals in pediatric orthopedics and neurology and neurosurgery. In fact, They are the Twin Cities’ only nationally ranked children’s hospital for these programs. They offer one of the largest and most respected cerebral palsy programs in the nation. And the Center for Gait and Motion Analysis is one of the world’s busiest.
Check our their website! http://www.gillettechildrens.org/

The Miss Bayfronts visited the Saint Paul hospital and got a detailed tour, as well as meet some incredible kids! The building is expanding dramatically as the hospital is becoming more popular. We were touched by the stories and accomplishments some of these young children have overcame. We enjoyed the company of the staff, patients and parents. Couldn't ask for a better trip to the twin cities! Can't wait to be back during Miss Minnesota 2012 week!

Sponsors of Megan Bakken : Miss Bayfront 2011

Id like to give a Tremendous thank you to my sponsors, who helped me towards my goal during the Miss Bayfront Pageant. Your support has given me confidence to be the professional young woman I Aspire to be.

Thank You Sponsors!

Childrens Christmas at Fairlawn Mansion& Museum

The kids had a blast at the historical Mansion. They participated in story reading and ornament making, also delicious juice and cookies were served! Santa Claus made a grand visit and read the Night before Christmas. I also read the Legend of Mistletoe, a Kittens Christmas! Hope Everyone Has a Happy Holiday!

Alcohol Abuse : A Voice to Students

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Alcohol Abuse : A Voice to Students

As a college student, I am exposed to dangerous situations involving alcohol.  I believe that alcohol use is a responsibility that only a mature adult should have. Yet, some teenagers and students see no responsibility when it comes to a bottle. The violence, drunk driving, and harmful repercussions of alcohol are not a new problem in society these days. For generations, it has caused turmoil to not only the abuser, but their families.

My mission as Miss Minnesota is to voice my story to students of all ages and hopefully plant the idea that alcohol abuse shouldn’t be part of any student’s life. Ever since I was a child, I’ve always been aware of my own families concern with alcohol safety. Alcoholism runs through my family and with my efforts, it seizes with me. My 24 year old brother, Keenan is currently recovering from alcoholism.

Alcoholism is a chronic disease in which causes the body to become dependent on alcohol. When under the influence, one loses control over when to drink, how much to drink, or how long to drink on each occasion. Youth who started drinking before age 15, compared to those who waited until they were 21, were 12 times more likely to be injured while under the influence of alcohol and seven times more likely to be in a motor vehicle crash after drinking. Excessive abuse is risks developing alcoholism. Those with alcoholism, know its causing problems with their relationships, health, work or finances yet, they continue to drink due to their withdrawal symptoms. Keenan, suffered from depression and it lead him into an unfathomable, dark place few people experience. I have a strong drive to prevent alcohol abuse and advocate the safety in alcohol use in students of all ages. My brother is a direct influence of that.

Ever since he became legal, he had begun a frightening road that has changed my family forever. After Keenan had finished his degree and moved out of the house, our family had confidence that he would excel at his new job in a new town. It wasn’t until when he had frequent problems with the law. It wasn’t until when Keenan drunk drove and totaled his truck almost killing his friend in the passenger seat. Almost all incidents were results of alcohol abuse and as a sister, I felt as though I was losing a brother. With Keenan’s increasing depression, it led him to a suicide attempt. After losing his job and 3 driving while intoxicated violations, my brother had left a permanent scar on his and our families’ life. All because of alcohol, he had lost control of every aspect of his life.

                With the support of the Miss Minnesota organization, I hope to bring more awareness to the effects of alcohol abuse. I feel a deep responsibility to prevent alcoholism. Starting with my school, I’d like to be a part of developing more clubs and invite more speakers. APE, or Alcohol Peer Educators, is a campus organization at University of Minnesota, Duluth that deals with presenting harm reduction information to UMD students. As well as I hope to voice my story to students of Minnesota and hopefully reduce the alcohol abuse in our age group.

There are countless stories of families affected by drunk driving and violence related to alcohol and my story is just a grain of sand in Lake Superior. It is the people who have lived and fought through the abuse that truly touch the minds of students. I believe with more support from the organizations that strive to prevent it, the fewer students is prone to abuse alcohol. Throughout my entire Miss Bayfront experience, I’ve realized my platform isn’t just about putting on a crown and speaking to the public. It’s about confirming the safety of others. I’ll use my role as Miss Minnesota to seek support from public officials in order to make alcohol abuse prevention a priority. As well as educate individuals and communities across our state.

Christmas City of the North Parade: Miss MN Outstanding Teen saves the night!

11/18/11 My missing Corvette convertible didn't ruin my Christmas filled night! Due to a "no show" from my driver, I was a little worried if I would be in the parade this year. After lots of waiting and asking for a ride, Miss Minnesota Outstanding Teen Alexis Houule came to my rescue. We enjoyed each others company while smiling and waving to the fellow Duluthians. Overall, the crowd was bundled up for the snowfall and brisk temperature and the parade was just as wonderful and cheerful like every year. Alexis and I were plenty warm on the red stingray convertible. Thanks again girl for being so gracious to share the ride! hopefully next year I will get to stand on the sidelines and watch the entire parade. Happy Holidays everyone! and have a wonderful New Year!