(more pictures can be found and purchased at paulapreston.smugmug.com )
Until next time!
Callista Wengel, Miss Coon Rapids 2017
(My week at Miss Minnesota was a week that I will never forget! It was my first time at Miss MN and wow! What a blast! The week started off with a laugh as we rolled into the wrong hotel, and it was fairly uphill from there. I checked in, dropped off my auction basket, and picked up my official Miss Minnesota tote filled with goodies from the state committee before heading to my room to meet up with my roommate for the week (Miss TRF - check the previous update for details). I also received beautiful gifts from my own committee and community - Thank you all! Right off the bat was a photo shoot and then a welcome picnic (hosted by my beautiful committee) that also included a photo shoot (there were a lot of pictures taken that week). The week was filled with loads of fun activities like visiting the children's hospital, the MN veterans' home, touring the state capitol, attending the MMNOT pageant, and going to the Crayola Experience at MOA with our princesses (who we also crowned). Competition started on Wednesday and went through Saturday (with the exception of Friday - the MMNOT pageant). I competed in Talent and Onstage Question as well as Interview on Wed. and did Evening Wear and Swimsuit on Thurs. in the preliminary competitions. Although I was not selected for any awards or Top 10, I couldn't be happier with the way that I performed that week. I'm also so happy to introduce my princesses for the year (I was given the special opportunity to have more than one), Savannah and Brielle! Welcome to the family girls! (more pictures can be found and purchased at paulapreston.smugmug.com ) Until next time! Callista Wengel, Miss Coon Rapids 2017
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I just got back from Miss Minnesota orientation the other day and it was so much fun! I can't wait for the Miss Minnesota competition in June! We learned our opening number dance, and all I can say is that you're going to love the theme. We also drew for contestant order and roommates. I am contestant number 1 - which means I will compete in interview, onstage question and talent on the 14th (prelim night one) and life style and fitness and evening wear on the 15th (prelim night 2). I also got to meet my roommate, the lovely Miss Thief River Falls, Ashley Myer! Tickets are on sale, so don't hesitate - they sell out fast! One of my headshots for Miss MN Miss Thief River Falls 2017, Ashley Myers
So now that Miss Minnesota Orientation is done (blog about that coming soon ;) ) I am so proud to release the images that I will be using for the week of Miss Minnesota 2017! I had an amazing photoshoot and it was so hard to pick the final photographs. I would love to thank the awesome Emily Stock of Tiger Lily Photography and the lovely Gianna Capuzzi for doing my hair and makeup! It was so nice to be pampered by them. Thank you ladies for the amazing time that I had, and good luck to you and your businesses in the future!
So I'm not from Coon Rapids originally so I've never gotten to experience the magical week that is snowflake days. Let me just say that it was fantastic! It was great getting to know that community that I serve in such a fun way. Some of the things that I did included a golf tournament, a sock hop, and a medallion hunt where we got to meet the firemen (all in one day!). As well as a chili feed, a children's carnival and this cool little thing called "cookies and canvas" where the children got to paint pictures and eat cookies. As we move away from Thanksgiving and towards another holiday season, I would like to take a moment and reflect on what I'm greatful for.
I've had a lot of bad things happen this year - especially right around Thanksgiving when my Great Grandmother passed away - but there is still plenty to be thankful for. I'm so thankful that I was blessed with this title and opportunity to represent the lovely area of Coon Rapids and the chance to compete at Miss Minnesota. I'm also really thankful for the wonderful directing team that I was gifted with them, both to help train and preapare me for Miss MN but also to support and encourage me with my life and platform. I've never worked with such amazing directors before and I am loving every minute of it. I'd like to take a moment for everyone to just find 3 things that we can be thankful for this holiday season, in a time that makes so many very emotional. I would like to remind everybody that you ARE worth it, and loved, and not alone. You are worth more than gold. If this holiday time gets to be too hard, there are places to turn. I'll leave the suicide hotline number just in case. There is no shame in realizing your worth and getting help. I love you all!!! <3 1-800-273-8255 - Suicide Hotline Hey guys! So it happened a while ago, and I'm a little late on posting this (but I decided to give everyone a chance to settle down after so many things happened in the past two months) but I was honored to be in the Anoka Halloween Day Parade with the Coon Rapids Junior Royalty! It's usually a 3ish hour long parade, and there were 6 sections of the parade, all containing at least 20 units (that's a lot!). I'll let you in on a little secret - it only takes about 45 minutes once you get going when you're actually in the parade ;) Anyway, the big day arrived and we were all having a blast talking and eating taco-in-a-bag, when the worst thing happened (well probably not the worst), it started raining! Of course I had decided to wear a gown instead of something sensible, so I had to don a jacket, wrap a blanket around my legs, and hold an umbrella while I was waving during the parade, so that nothing would get ruined. let's just say that I learned my lesson. I'm glad that I went though. It was nice to see all those smiling faces, having fun in spite of the rainy weather. I wasn't able to find any really good pictures from the parade, So I pulled what I had off of my snapchat. Hope you enjoy! See you closer to Thanksgiving - and remember: You are loved, and you are worth More Than Gold!!! -Miss Coon Rapids 2017 Callista Wengel <3
Hey Everybody! I'm sorry I'm so late in posting this - life has been very busy! I would like to introduce myself to you as your new Miss Coon Rapids 2017! This was definitely my favorite pageant I've done in my 3 years in this system - and not just because I was crowned ;) - It was so organized and relaxed at the same, and everyone was so nice and welcoming. I honestly couldn't believe it when they called my name. I think I'm still in shock. My first appearance right after the pageant was a blast, it was so nice getting to meet the community for the first time as queen. I'm also absolutely in love with my sister queen: Miss Coon Rapids Outstanding Teen 2017, Hannah. She is one of the sweetest people I have ever met. I would like to thank everybody that helped me make it here - and believe me there are too many to list. I am so excited for this year and I can't wait to see what it brings!
Love you all! Miss Coon Rapids 2017, Callista Wengel Hey everyone! I am so sorry these post have been few and far between, A LOT has happened since Miss Minnesota week.
Firstly, let me tell you that my week at Miss Minnesota was one I'll never forget. I am not exaggerating at all when I say that the women I competed with are the epitome of talent, intelligence, grace, and beauty both inside and out. I made friends that will remain a lifetime. I MADE TOP TEN! Though I was not awarded a place in the top 5, I was so proud of myself in each and every category. I felt as though I showed the judges the real Alexis Houle, and that was all I asked God for going into the week. Now, when I say a lot has changed, I mean A LOT has changed. I am starting a new chapter in my life, and have made the decision to move to Phoenix, AZ for a short while. While here, I will be continuing my work with Dare2Dream (this gives me the opportunity to conquer some southern states!) and looking after some family members in a time of need. I want to thank each and every one of you, from the bottom of my heart, for following me throughout my reign as Miss Coon Rapids, and being my unending support source. Without you guys, I would not have had even a pinch of the success that I have had during my reign. I will be back! Maybe not in Minnesota, but my time on the Miss America stage is far from over. Forever Your Miss Coon Rapids 2016, Alexis Houle I have the honor of rooming with an incredible young woman this coming week: Miss Moorehead Brooke Critchley! From the little I have spoken with Brooke (and the copious amounts of Facebook "creeping" I have inevitably done), I can already tell that this girl is so beautiful, both inside and out.
In an attempt to get to know my roommate a little better, and to give you all a sneak peak of Brooke behind the scenes, I have asked her a series of questions to which her answers are posted below. Enjoy! What is your platform and why did you choose it? My platform is "Fighting Hunger, Fueling Education" and I chose it because of my passion surrounding the importance of providing equal education to all students combined with my love and experience being an ambassador for the nation's largest youth-led food drive, Fill the Dome. As a future educator, this is a platform issue I will forever feel passion for. What is your favorite post-pageant snack? My favorite post pageant snack are grapes!! I know it is strange but I'm normally so thirsty, hungry, and craving something sweet after pageants and grapes take care of all of that (the grapes are followed by lots of chocolate) What is your talent, and how long have you been doing it? I dance for my talent and I actually haven't been doing it for very long. My dad, grandpa, and uncles all coach basketball so I played until I was 13. I realized I would much rather be on a stage performing than on a court and started training intensely with my saxophone, choir, and ballet. Dance quickly became my favorite and, six years later, I'm still in love with it! What are you most looking forward to during Miss Minnesota week? I wish I could pinpoint one thing I am most excited for at Miss Minnesota, but I really can't. It is my first year and I am just so excited for everything! I am getting the opportunity to pursue my biggest dream and I can't imagine being more excited for anything but that. What is one crazy thing I should expect as your roommate? One crazy thing to expect from me is that I am incredibly clumsy! Be prepared to laugh at me constantly tripping or dropping things! The past few weeks have been absolutely loaded with appearances and homework as I finally finished up my junior year of undergraduate classes! I presented Dare2Dream at Superior High School's Changing Lives class, as well as a "Girls in Action" group at a Mounds View Middle School! I loved being able to get volunteers together to clean up one of Duluth's many public parks on Miss America Serves Day, and I was able to help out with the Coon Rapids Lion's Club waffle breakfast. In the coming month I will be working hard at preparing myself for the Miss Minnesota stage, and cannot wait to see where this journey will be taking me! I am so blessed to have the amazing opportunities I have been granted lately with Dare2Dream taking on yet another state, and I'm sure there will be many more to come. Enjoy these pictures from my presentations!!
If you would like Dare2Dream to present at your school or organization, or would like more information, please contact me at [email protected] |
AuthorLeah Mau Archives
September 2020
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