Miss Minnesota: The Picture Perfect Job!

Hello Everyone! I decided to do a picture blog because I have had a busy two weeks and wanted to show you what I was up to!
Last weekend I went to Two Harbors (near Duluth) to crown Kimberly Jacobson the new Miss North Shore. I was able to spend the weekend with Kimberly and her family and Vicki, the new director of the pageant. I was given the royal treatment and had a blast at their festival, "Winter Frolic."
Look how cute the truck was that I rode in for their parade!
The people that live in Two Harbors are extremely tough. The bitter cold weather didn't bother them or keep them from watching the parade and partaking in the weekend's events!

Kimberly and I did a lot of events during the weekend to kick off her new title and to have the community get to know her and myself and what the Miss America Organization is all about! Did I mention it was really cold out!?

The cold didn't keep me from having fun either, and we did get to warm up indoors with hot cocoa and face painting.

I believe this was called "Swooshing." If you haven't "swooshed" before, then you are missing out! They had "Swooshing" races to raise money for charity, so I decided I needed to try it and it is was so much fun!

To continue with "I love to Read Month" in February, I visited three other schools either reading to classrooms or speaking to the schools on ways they can be an inspiration to others by using their gifts and talents!
I am really loving these types of appearances. Witnessing the enthusiasm from these young students makes me excited for their future and what it holds.



Congratulations to the new Miss West Metro and Miss City of Lakes, Allison Lordboch and Samantha Phillipi! All of the Miss Minnesota locals have been crowned so congratulations to you all! What an exciting journey you have ahead of you as you prepare for the job of Miss Minnesota 2011 along with Miss Minnesota week in June!

Tuesday, March 1st is National Pancake Day. Please make sure to visit your local IHOP and get yourself some pancakes for the Children's Miracle Network Hospitals. I always say that calories don't count when they are for charity! Check out IHOP if you want more information!

Until next time,
Kathryn Knuttila

Congratulations to the new Miss Coon Rapids, Megan Ehlert, who was crowned on Saturday evening! How exciting it has been to see all these titleholders for 2011!! I do want to mention how impressed I was with the organization of the pageant, which would not be possible without the hardworking VOLUNTEERS that make it possible. Thank you to each and every local director and the volunteers for each pageant. Without you this organization would not be where it is today. I hope you know how much I appreciate you and so do your titleholders and community! Keep up the great work! The last pageant of the season (Sweeps) is coming up soon and then we are on track to Miss Minnesota week… but again, I don’t want to think about that yet!

I have had some fun appearances these past few days! On Monday night, I was in a town called Lake Park where I was invited to perform and speak during their middle school and high school pops concert for jazz band and choir. Even though it was absolutely bitter cold outside, there was a great turnout and the concert was so fun! The kids sang some of my favorite pop songs; I told them it was better than the halftime show during the Superbowl! I also talked about the importance of music in my life, the Miss America Scholarship Program, and a bit about Inspiring America and CMN. I had my CD’s on hand and raised another $170 for CMN!

So in my last blog, I told you that I thought I might be in a commercial during the Superbowl, but later realized that it was FOX news that did a segment on me and CMN. Click here to watch! I can’t tell you how much I appreciated FOX news doing this for me! I do apologize if I misled you or if you were specifically watching the Superbowl to see “my” commercial; I certainly appreciate your support though!

This month is “I Love To Read” month, which has me visiting classrooms to read. Today I read to a third grade class at World Cultures Magnet School in St. Paul. After I was done reading, they asked me questions about being Miss Minnesota. I forgot how much I love this part! I was asked if I get to ride in a limo to my appearances. You know, that’s not a bad idea! I will work on that for the next Miss Minnesota. ;)
I also was asked if there was a King, Mr. Minnesota and if my crown was real. Kids just make me smile! I left them all with a signed autograph and a CD for the class to listen to during their study time. They were such a great group of kids so I really look forward to the next class visits.


If there is ever a month to show extra support for reading, this is the month to do it! We all know how reading is so important especially with the lower literacy rates in our country. If you get a chance, I encourage you to volunteer to read at your local school or library!

Keep reading!
Kathryn

Back to life, Back to reality!

It has been a little over two weeks since I have been home from Miss America and I can’t quite believe that actually happened…what an amazing experience that was!!! I have been keeping in touch with a few of the other state titleholders, which is one of the greatest things I know I will take from this experience. The new Miss America, Theresa, wrote all of us a really nice email. Considering how crazy busy she is right now, I found it so thoughtful that she took the time to write us a message.

While I have not had many appearances since I have been home it has been a great opportunity to catch up on sleeping, eating :), and some great personal events. The week following Miss America, I went home to help my piano students compete in the Minnesota Music Teacher’s Association Competition. I obviously was not available to teach them during my time at Miss America, so I was beyond proud with how each and every one of them performed. Almost all of my students won and will be competing at the state level in March! I enjoy teaching piano so much and I have so appreciated how flexible my piano families have been with my Miss Minnesota schedule. We have even done some lessons over Skype, which is pretty cool!





We also have had some exciting additions to our family! I became an Aunt to my sister Kim’s new baby twins! They were born two days after I came back from Miss America so I tell Kim it was nice of her to wait for me to get back to have them! ;) They are two perfect blessings, a boy, Liam Jon, and a girl, Olivia Katheryne (Kim asked me to be her Godmother…how exciting!). I have been spending a lot of time being Auntie the past few weeks and it has been wonderful.



Of course, it hasn’t been all fun and no work! Last week I was interviewed by Fox News for a Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals commercial that will be featured during the Super Bowl. I know a lot of people love watching the commercials during Super Bowl Sunday, so now you get to watch for me (though I don’t know how much of our interview they will be using…just a disclaimer in case it’s a quick second!)!


I am excited to be back in pageant mode this weekend at the Miss Coon Rapids Pageant! (I can’t believe there are only two more pageants left and then Miss Minnesota will be here…but, I don’t want to think about that yet!) For those competing in our final two local pageants, remember to enjoy the journey as much as you would your preferred destination. If I have learned anything from pageants it is that you have no control over the outcome! You just have to present the best YOU so no matter what happens you know you didn't compromise or change the core of who you are. Just have fun and know you will grow each time you compete, win or lose! Some of my best friends are from pageants so take advantage of the fact you are surrounded by women who are just as talented, intelligent, and driven as you are! I am rooting for you all!

Blessings,
Kathryn