Miss Brainerd Lake's Outstanding Teen 2012!: January 2012

Tuesday, January 31, 2012

The past two weeks...

I can't believe how fast time is flying by! It doesn't seem like it's been a month since my crowning. Again, I want to thank my awesome community for being so supportive! 60 days until Miss Minnesota's Outstanding Teen! :)
So here's an update:

On the 22nd, Savannah and I headed down to St. Cloud to get our headshots taken by Kelly Beniek and to get a few sister queen shots too. It was so much fun and I'm so happy that we got some queen bonding time :) The pictures turned out amazing, and I'm excited to share them with you as soon I get them!

Then, the following day, Savannah and I participated in Donkey Basketball. The event was put on by the Brainerd FFA, and my good friend, Mari, is Vice President this year. She asked me if Savannah and I would participate. Basically we played a game of basketball on donkeys. Yep... How many queens can say they have done that? I take pride in knowing that we are probably the first! :) By the end of the night I was not only laughing hysterically but I also got to say that I kissed a donkey... on the lips. I guess I had accidentally hit a donkey in the head with a ball and had to get down on my knees and apologize to him and give him a kiss. That's another first for many queens!

Just this past Sunday, I attended the Miss Grand Cities Outstanding Teen pageant in Grand Forks, ND. Although the pageant was held in North Dakota, Miss Grand Cities OT will advance to the Miss Minnesota's Outstanding Teen pageant. Congrats to Mia Pagnac who is the very first Miss Grand Cities Outstanding Teen! Mia competed at the Miss North Metro Outstanding Teen pageant when I gave my title up, so I was extremely happy for her! Also congrats to Brainerd's own Catie Kleindl, who competed on Sunday as well. So happy and proud for her! Keep up the awesome work!

And to top off my busy 2 weeks, yesterday I officially inducted into the National Honor Society. It's certainly something that I'm extremely proud of! As much fun as it is to be recognized for the volunteer work and academics, at the end of the day recognition really doesn't matter all that much. What matters to me is the impact I've had on someones life and that I made a difference in my community.

Hope you all are battling through this rough winter! (that was sarcasm!)
Bailey

Sunday, January 15, 2012

Miss America 2012!

My favorite time of the year is always Miss America time! Last night the 91st Miss America was crowned, and I would like to say a huge congrats to our sister state Wisconsin and Laura Keappeler for being the new Miss America! Wisconsin has had 1 Miss America and that was in 1973.

I would also want to say congrats to our very own Miss Minnesota, Natalie Davis. I KNOW that Minnesota is so incredibly proud of you, Natalie! In our eyes, you are Miss America! I'm sure you represented Minnesota with grace and class. The work you have put into making sure you are the best Natalie you can be is incredible. Welcome home, and I hope that you enjoy the next 5 or so months of your reign!

Bailey

Wednesday, January 11, 2012

Miss Brainerd Lake's Outstanding Teen 2012!

I am so very honored and humbled to have been named Brainerd's first Miss Brainerd Lake's Outstanding Teen 2012! I can't begin to describe the feeling of hearing my name called after years of preparation. I'm am SO excited to begin this year!

To give my community a bit of a backgroud on me :) This was my 4th time competing in the Miss America's Outstanding Teen system and the first time I had ever officially won a title. My first pageant was Miss Minnesota's Outstanding Teen 2009 (MMOT). I didn't walk away with any award, but I did come back home with a drive for excellence. The following year at MMOT 2010 I ended up walking away with the community service award and 2nd runner up! I was thirsty for more, so I entered the very first Miss North Metro Outstanding Teen 2010 pageant which would qualify me to go to state with a crown and a title. I found out a few short weeks before the pageant that instead of me competing for the title, the director was awarding it to me! I was overjoyed! I spent all of last year making hundreds of appearances and soaking up every minute I had with the title. Being Miss North Metro Outstanding Teen made me realize how much I really love what the Miss America Organization provides young women. I went to Miss Minnesota's Outstanding Teen 2011 for a third time feeling more ready than I ever had before. On April 1st, 2011 I came out of that pageant as the 1st runner up. It's certainly an honor that I'm proud of, but I wanted more. Shortly after giving up my Miss North Metro Outstanding Teen title, I approached the Miss Brainerd/ Baxter Scholarship Program directors about possibly doing a teen pageant. I had no idea if they would even do one, and how much it would change me!

So that's how I got here today. I'm so beyond blessed to be able to call myself the first Miss Brainerd Lake's Outstanding Teen. I competed with 15 other beautiful and talented young girls who were so awesome to work with! Each one of those girls deserves every honor in the world for facing their fears and competing on that stage. I'm so incredibly proud of all of the hard work they put into this!

That night, I was so gratified to recieve the Interview, Talent, and Evening gown awards and tie for the Fitness Wear award! All I can say is hard work truly does pay off.

Also for the first time, a Miss Baxter's Outstanding Teen 2012 was crowned that same night. Congrats to my new sister queen, Savannah Cole! I can't even wait for Miss Minnesota's Outstanding Teen 2012 and to show everyone what we Brainerd girls are made of :)

My promise to my community is this: I promise to represent the Brainerd area with class and style, and put my heart and soul into each and every appearance. I view this title, first and foremost, as a job. Therefore I promise to be at as many events in the Brainerd Lakes area as humanly possible. All-the-while preparing myself to be the next Miss Minnesota's Outstanding Teen and make Brainerd proud!

With that, I would like to thank a few people for their countless efforts into making my pageant experience so memorable:

To my Savior: I'm so thankful to be able to share how great God is as Miss Brainerd Lake's Outstanding Teen! I owe this title to Christ, who has gotten me to where I am. Thank you God for being awesome! :)

My new directors, Bill and Vicki: What you two do for this organization is unmatched. The time and effort you put into this program is immeasurable and extremely appreciated. Thank you for allowing me to represent the Brainerd Lake's area and for the many volunteer hours you have put into helping me shine on stage. SO proud to say that you are my directors!

Jackie Thurlow: You are the BEST! Thank you for everything. I couldn't have asked for a better person backstage to give me constant support and love. When I look at you, I see a young woman who is ready to win a sparkly new toy (If you know what I mean). Good luck at Miss Brainerd/Baxter this summer! :) XOXO

Emily Stunek: Thanks for all of the support backstage as well! I'm so grateful for you and the things you did to help out on Sunday. You will always be my first Miss Brainerd!

The 4 judges, and Quinn Nystrom: Thanks for taking time out of your busy weekend to congregate at Tornstrom and judge the pageant. Thanks for choosing me to be the first titleholder!

The 15 other contestants: You girls were so incredible! You made the experience that much more fun :) Thanks for all of the support you have given to myself and Savannah. You are all winners at heart and should be proud of yourself! I love the sisterhood we have created together :)

My parents: Thank you for your constant support! You think I'm absolutely going insane sometimes when I say what I want to do, but you always are behind me 150 percent. I sure couldn't have made it this far with you two!

My friends and family that came to the pageant: Thanks for coming and cheering loud for me! You are the best support system any girl could ever have and I appreciate that.

And finally to the community of Brainerd: Thanks for all of the congrats and well wishes! It's pretty amazing to be recognized and congratulated as I'm walking down the halls in school or out and about somewhere in town. Thank you to those who appreciate what goes into competing in a scholarship pageant and how much work it is.

Here's to a great year!
Miss Brainerd Lake's Outstanding Teen 2012,
Bailey Wachholz