It's Been Too Long...

I have an apology to make, I'm terribly sorry I haven't been updating my blog as often as I had wanted this summer! It's been about three months since Miss Minnesota and so much has happened.  Well first of all 15 new local titles have been awarded and I unfortunately only made it to one local pageant.  It's so wierd being unable to attend all the local pageants because last year I had attended almost every single one.  Congratulations to all the wonderful young ladies who have the opportunity to compete for Miss Minnesota 2012!  I am so excited for all of them :-) 

Bailey and I at the Miss Brainerd/Miss Baxter Pageant

I have been a workaholic at my current job with TGIFridays as I am trying to find a "big girl" job.  I applied to dental school and have the year off waiting to hear if I have been accepted or not.  Prayers would be appreciated!

I had a fun appearance in July when I was asked to be the MC for the Little Miss Roccori Pageant in Cold Spring, MN.  It was fun to share my experience competing in pageants and how it has benefited my life. 

Time goes by so quickly it's hard to believe that I am already giving up my title next month on October 9th at Hopkins High School.  This year has flown by and I have enjoyed every day, every appearance and every opportunity that has been given to me.  Thank you for reading my blog throughout my reign as Miss North Metro.  I appreciate your continued support with my dream of becoming Miss Minnesota. I will update my blog one last time before I give up my title, but until then enjoy the beautiful autumn weather and mark your calendars for October 9th!  Some lucky lady will be taking my job.

Always,
Bethany Beniek

Miss Minnesota Week - Saturday

Once Saturday came around it certainly didn't feel real.  I kept thinking to myself, "Oh my gosh a new Miss Minnesota is going to be crowned tonight!"  The brunch that morning was very nice.  All of the contestants stood up and shared a fun memory about the week, we were all laughing and crying by the end of the brunch.  We all honored Kathryn for her outstanding accomplishments during her year of service.  Kathryn, you trully are an amazing young woman. I want to thank you for being such a fabulous representative of not only Minnesota, but of what the Miss America Organization truly represents.

At brunch on Saturday

Reflecting back on the final night of competition, I cannot be more pleased with my performance.  I am honored to say that I was a top ten finalist, a quality of life finalist, and the recipient of the Children's Miracle Network "Miracle Maker Award." I felt and still feel very confident about every area of competition and that's all I could ever ask for.  I know that everything happens for a reason, and I cannot wait to see what God has in store for me.  Thank you so much to all of my family and friends who helped me every step of the way, I couldn't have done it without you.  Congratulations to the newly crowned Miss Minnesota 2011, Natalie Davis!  I can't wait to see how you will continue to build the Miss Minnesota Organization.  It will be yet another exciting year for Minnesota! 

Accepting the Miracle Maker Award from Gillette's Champion Child, Emily Davis

My Family

Little Sister Queen

It's really difficult to come back to reality after being treated like royalty all week.  It was nice to sleep in this morning and catch up on some much needed sleep though.  I'm diving back into reality quickly as I will be applying to dental school this summer and searching for a "big girl" job during my year off from school.  Please stay tuned to my blog as I will be updating it as I continue my Miss North Metro appearances.  I do not give up my title until October so I will be trying to promote my title as much as possible.  

I will be attending the Miss Brainerd/Miss Baxter pageant on Saturday.  Hope to see you there!

Always,

Bethany Beniek                  

Miss Minnesota Week - Friday

Friday was an early morning for all of us contestants because we had to get up to eat at IHOP.  It was well worth the early morning though.  The manager was so nice and the food was yet again, delicious!

Mary and I on our way to IHOP

Aja and I coloring at IHOP :-)

After eating at IHOP we went over to the golf course for the golf tournament.  Aja and I brought some arts and crafts activities that her director had given her.  We colored cute princess faces and made a neclace.  It was really fun and they turned out really cute.  It was also really nice to have my own golf team and be able to hang out with them for part of the day.

My golf team

Arts and crafts!

After the golf tournament we headed back to the hotel where we all had time to take a shower and prep for Friday night preliminary competition.  Congratulations to preliminary winners Natalie Davis (swim wear) and Aja Majkrzak (talent).

I am so excited for tonight and I can't wait to see and speak with all of you :-)  I wish I could write more, but I have to leave to head over to the theater right now.  I will add more details tomorrow.  I have had the best experience this week and no matter what happens tonight, I know I feel confident about every area of competition.  I couldn't ask for anything else.

Always,

Bethany Beniek   

Miss Minnesota Week - Thursday

Today was a blast!  It was the best day of competition I have ever had, and I think it was because I was so relaxed and prepared for anything that would happen.  I feel like my interview went really well and I feel very confident about my swim suit and evening wear performances tonight.  Despite some wardrobe and tecnical malfunctions I think everyone performed extremely well for the first preliminary competition.  Congratulations to the two preliminary winners, Samantha Phillippe(swim wear) and Natalie Davis(talent), I am so thrilled for you!   

Getting ready backstage with Melissa

Contestants 12-21 in my dressing room :-)

Tomorrow we are getting up very early to eat at IHOP and then attending the golf tournament that is a fundraiser for the Miss Minnesota Organization.  After that we are off to our second night of preliminary competition where I will have my on-stage question and perform my talent peice.

I am excited to perform my talent tomorrow night!  I hope to pleasently surprise everyone :-)

Always,
Bethany Beniek        

Miss Minnesota Week - Wednesday

I woke up to the most delicious breakfast I have ever had!  We ate at the Original Pancake House where we got to order any type of pancake we wanted.  I ordered some banana pancakes that were so good I think I will dream of them tonight! 



After breakfast we all went to the theater for an entire day of rehearsal.  We went through everything so many times I think it's imprinted in my mind forever. We are ready for tomorrow that's for sure!

Taking a break at rehearsal

After rehearsal we went to Brunswick Bowling Alley to eat pizza and go bowling.  I am very poud to say that my team, Kali Randall, Megan Elhert, Elizabeth Scipioni and I were the bowling champions! We had the highest scoring team.  We won cute frames that say "Girls Night Out."

Winning Team!



I am pleased to say that after bowling we came back to the hotel and have the rest of the evening free!  I am so exhausted that I know I will fall asleep the second my head touches a pillow.  I need my beauty sleep for tomorrow.  I have my talent rehearsal at noon and then my interview around 3:00pm.  I still cannot believe that competition starts tomorrow.  It still doesn't feel real.  I'm excited to meet the judges in my interview and compete in swim wear and evening wear.  Pray that all the contestants do their best tomorrow!

See you tomorrow!

Bethany Beniek

Miss Minnesota Week - Tuesday

It was Minnesota Zoo day!  We all wore our matching Miss Minnesota T-shirts and had the opportunity to wander around the Minnesota Zoo for awhile.  We all attended the bird show which was so much fun to watch!  Kathryn was even chosen as a volunteer to let a bird fly up onto her arm!

After the zoo we ate at Chianti's Grill and then headed to the hotel to pack up all of our competition "stuff" to bring to the theater.  It was quite the task, but we managed to get everything there.

At Chianti's Grill

Once we got settled into the theater we had rehearsal on the stage where we mastered the opening number today ;-) 

Taking a break during rehearsal

Being silly in our dressing room :-)

After rehearsal we got ready to eat at Bucca Di Beppo.  It was fantastic!  Pasta, bread, and desserts...what else could we ask for?! 

At Bucca with Natalie

Tomorrow we are eating at my favorite breakfast restaurant, The Original Pancake House!  I am so excited to eat a hearty breakfast that will include bananna pancakes! YUM! After breakfast we will be having rehearsal all day at the theater.  When I say all day I mean it!  It will be a good six hours of dancing and walking in heals to make sure the show runs seamlessly this weekend.  After rehearsal, all of the contestants will be going bowling.  It will be nice to relax and hang out with the other contestants as we enjoy a fun evening together before competition starts on Thursday.  We will be getting back to the hotel early tomorrow night which will be nice to get my beauty sleep before preliminaries start on Thursday.  I still cannot believe how fast time is going by! 

  

Always,

Bethany Beniek

Miss Minnesota Week - Monday

Yet again, today was a whirlwind of appearances that have me wondering where the time goes!  This morning we visited Gillette Children's Hospital where we had a tour and made cookies with the patients.  I have been to Gillette Children's Hospital many times, but I have never seen it so busy.  So many little ones came out to make cookies with us and I couldn't help but feel overwhelmed with emotion and awe of how incredible these children are.  Their bright personalities are a true testimony of what my platform is all about.  No matter what adversity these children may be facing, they don't let anything get in the way of having a positive attitude and fulfilling their dreams.  They are a fine example of how their life experiences with health issues do not hold them back, but rather motivate them to see the opportunity for personal growth and to be a positive influence to others.  I admire the patients at Gillette oh so much and I am pleased that the Miss America Organization is partnered with such a worthy organization.

Yes, Tashayanna ate all those sprinkles!

We have another princess in our midst :-)

After having lunch at Gillette we headed over to the State Capitol where we had a quick tour and the extraordinary opportunity to meet Governor Dayton.  He came out of his office and took the time to shake all of our hands.  It was a honor to have been in his presence and I was really impressed with the way he handled himself.  I correlated how he treated everyone in the room with how I think a local, state and national title holder should impact everyone they meet.  He made the effort to make sure he somehow connected with everyone in the room and left a lasting impression.  I only hope I have that same charisma that he expressed today.  Thank you Governor Dayton for spending time with us, it will never be forgotten.

Speaking with Governor Dayton

Meghan and I feeling powerful in the senator's seats

After the State Capitol we all hopped back into those glorious 15 passenger vans and took several sponsor photos.  We had a little extra time before dinner so we had some much needed "girl talk" at Starbucks :-)

Hanging out at Starbucks

Dinner at Fuddruckers was delicious if I may say so myself!  They had fountain Doctor Pepper which made me extremely happy!  I definately needed a caffeine boost before having rehearsal.  Rehearsal tonight was really productive.  We learned the rest of the introduction number.  It was a lot to take in so I hope we can all pull it together and remember everything tomorrow when we rehearse in the theater!  

Megan and I at rehearsal

Tomorrow we are visiting the Minnesota Zoo!  Pray for good weather because I hear it may rain.  I do have my umbrella just in case though.  After the Zoo we are eating lunch at Chianti restaurant and then heading back to the hotel to basically "move in" to the theater.  We need to have all of our competition wardrobe and anything we need for the theater brought with us tomorrow.  This is going to be quite a task with 21 contestants!  Once we are all moved in we will have rehearsal on the big stage and then eating at Bucca Di Beppo.  

Getting more and more excited with each passing day!

Always,

Bethany Beniek