Happy Father's Day from Jocelyn

My dad's name is Gene. He is a farmer and a great dad to my brother Charlie and I. My dad enjoys farming, hunting, fishing, 4-wheeling, and spending time with Charlie and I. He likes antique farm machinery and cars. His favorite food is steak and his favorite color is blue. 

My favorite thing I have done with my dad was during the ND International pageant when he escorted me on stage for the evening gown competition. It was the most special moment ever with my dad. Even better yet, he was the one to put the crown on my head when I won the pageant. He told me he was proud of me.

One of my favorite things to do with dad is to sit in the tractor or combine and farm for a little while. My dad and I also love to go ice fishing together. Last winter, we were ice fishing with some friends in their big fish house. I was just sitting there eating Skittles when all of a sudden, there was a tug on my pole. I started to reel in my line and the hole went black. The fish was covering up the hole because it was so big! At that moment I started crying of joy and screaming of fear! Luckily my dad grabbed my pole to make sure I didn't drop it. He was the one to pull it out for me. It was a big 22 inch Walleye. We went outside on the lake to show everyone else fishing around us. People were coming out of their houses just to look at my fish. Most of the men I knew gave me knuckles. I was definitely the talk of the lake.

Every Father's Day my dad's side of the family comes to our lake cabin. This year we played  cards, ordered pizza for supper and had lots of fun. We didn't go swimming because it was a little chilly. It was a really great Father's Day with family.

Giving Back With Love,

Jocelyn Birklid

Miss Pre Teen North Dakota International 2018