My last two weeks before heading back to college.

The month of January has been filled with many great appearances, and while it's been a little stressful having 6+ hours of homework everyday, I've managed to complete my online January-term class and pack in work and appearances on top of that.

Two weeks ago, I attended the Miss Rochester and Miss Olmsted County pageant with my sister queens Molly and Lauren J! My grandma lives nearby, so it was nice it be so close to the pageant and not have to drive home late at night. Plus it's always nice to reunited to other titleholders :)

Last week, Molly and I spoke to two service clubs in the Brainerd Lakes Area. The first was the Nisswa American Legion and the second was the Brainerd Noon Sertoma. I am so incredibly grateful for the support of my community and how willing people are to give generously. Molly and I talked about the Miss Brainerd Lakes Scholarship Program and the Children's Miracle Network and how instrumental these organizations have been in our lives.

Saturday, Molly and I braved the cold and volunteered as security for the Brainerd Jaycees Ice Fishing Extravaganza! We were on the ice by 7:30AM sharp :) I'm always amazed at the people that are crazy enough to fish in such cold temperatures but envy them because I'm such a baby when it comes to the cold :) Thanks to my Mom and my boyfriend, Will, for accompanying us!

Two days ago, Molly and I spoke to the Nisswa Lions Club, which is always one of my favorite groups to speak to because they are such a lively bunch and I know quite a few of them. There were many laughs and good conversations, and I'm happy that they allowed us to speak. I spoke to them last year around this time but as Miss Minnesota's Outstanding Teen 2012. From there, I received their scholarship for high school seniors, which has been such a help in paying for college! Because of them and the Miss America Organization, I'm able to say I'm debt and loan free and have my next year of college almost completely paid for.

I have to say thank you to all of those who have made my year what it has been. My heart overflows with joy every time I think about those that have helped me in this crazy journey. As many of you know, I had no intention on running in the 2013 Miss Brainerd Lakes pageant (in fact, I had my paperwork ready to turn in to a different local pageant!), but lack of numbers forced me to run and for my Mom to step down as a committee member quite literally a week before paperwork was due! I did not feel ready in the least bit, but pulled myself together enough and walked away as the new Miss Brainerd Lakes. I fully believe that God guides you down a certain path for a reason. I had no idea why God was wanting me to venture down the Miss Brainerd Lakes path, but relied on Him to carry me through, and it ended up winning me the title! Clearly God had a different plan for my life than I had for my own, which has given me peace as I tried to balance moving away from home for the first time, taking 17 college credits, and volunteering 8 hours a week.

So thank you from the bottom of my heart so all of your support and love. I'll never be able to thank everyone for impacting my life the way they have.

All my love,
Bailey
Miss Brainerd Lakes 2013

January Festivities!

It has been such a great week to be Miss Brainerd Lakes! Since I'll be home the entire month of January (because I have an online J-term class), this month will be filled with many appearances and preparing for Miss Minnesota.

As a Christmas present, our director, Cyndi, gave us our official jackets with our names and titles! All of us were really excited as we had been waiting for these jackets since we won back in August. I've been wearing it everywhere! I'm so proud to represent such an incredible program.

That same day, we rang the Salvation Army bell at Cub Foods in Baxter. I was so happy we were inside that day because it was below zero outside. Plus we had Andi, a Northern Lights Princess, join us. She always bring energy and spunk to our appearances!

Last Saturday was the Miss Minneapolis and Miss St. Paul pageants in Maplewood. It was so fun to see everyone again! Local pageants are always one of my favorite appearances because it's one of the few times all of the local and state titleholders come together. We had not seen each other since November, so it was great catching up! Congratulations to the new titleholders, Julia and Rachel! There are only three more local pageants before the Miss Minnesota Class of 2014 is complete!!

The day after, my little sister queen and I had our annual Miss Brainerd Lakes Princess Party at Cragun's Resort! Though it was a cold day, it was fun getting to know some of the princesses a little better. The princess program has been such a great addition to the Miss Brainerd Lakes family.

Be watching for some big news I'll be sharing within the next couple of weeks! I'm so excited as I've been working on this for months.

As always,
Bailey
Miss Brainerd Lakes 2013