tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12003233842540005262024-03-13T07:30:18.691-05:00North Dakota International Pageants®Our mission is to make a difference!North Dakota International Pageantshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14951878250980733028noreply@blogger.comBlogger551125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1200323384254000526.post-34539476162175094592021-10-10T18:03:00.005-05:002021-10-10T18:03:41.967-05:00Mackenzie Fuller's Adventures at Nationals<div class="separator"><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;"><span face="Montserrat, sans-serif" style="font-size: 12pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span><img height="174" src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/YstL7RJ0Ebhrzw3_wnVgTC3ZawmsbkkbI7GcbVlhorgn5H7-xUuE-xCja6EzrSRWD9HIe0hJQvQozeItQpIGtgTLiSWJCp_hoyhgYJoPK5oovCJ6J5g5DOAgWYRszUnk6xM5i7fg=s0" style="font-family: Montserrat, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; margin-left: 0px; margin-top: 0px; white-space: pre-wrap;" width="231" /></p></div><p> <span face="Montserrat, sans-serif" style="font-size: 12pt; white-space: pre-wrap;">Wow! It has already almost been a month since nationals, and I still feel like it was just yesterday. I feel honored to be able to represent the great state of North Dakota on an international level! Get ready for a lot of pictures, because I have so many fun memories I want to share with you!</span></p><span id="docs-internal-guid-5b0c9601-7fff-5163-0af4-eaea97978105"><div style="text-align: center;"><img height="364" src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/QItu04S4BTKsOgFAfJy5gh_Cb6Yc4QnkmA0viobMXMcKM9LmZ8uKH19cac60Mji5l9Wrcxco2H897mbNMwq0Bx5bm4UYUVv73b_rWZ1fmdS82tDwpPjpAYlBA-bMq0zlqI5cq4em=s0" style="font-size: 12pt; margin-left: 0px; margin-top: 0px; white-space: pre-wrap;" width="273" /></div><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span face="Montserrat, sans-serif" style="font-size: 12pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">From the moment I left North Dakota, I knew that Nationals Week was going to be amazing! Miss North Dakota International 2021 Megan Koehler and I were traveling together, so of course it would be a great time!</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;"><span id="docs-internal-guid-2e7af537-7fff-a98f-cfa9-21644800f50e"><span face="Montserrat, sans-serif" style="font-size: 12pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="border: none; display: inline-block; height: 339px; overflow: hidden; width: 254px;"><img height="339" src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/JJrlQxgY3ZwYOqY4__eVvKqjS-8BsQ9O642-owzZd6HbsvJQri062V-FKUHUDw56wDeG4hR5mg6HHD4OmjCd5dnP_-swsd-v--IU5HaN9JyfKtou97qF1_HIU9pPdm2EAOzSJH5H=s0" style="margin-left: 0px; margin-top: 0px;" width="254" /></span></span></span></p><br /><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span face="Montserrat, sans-serif" style="font-size: 12pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">I was able to take my picture with each pilot I was on the plane with! I told them that I flew a plane last year for my aviation class, and they were all pretty impressed that I had that opportunity at 16 years old! </span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;"><span id="docs-internal-guid-6b9453ee-7fff-1e76-793d-9af3ab2d0f3e"><span face="Montserrat, sans-serif" style="font-size: 12pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="border: none; display: inline-block; height: 456px; overflow: hidden; width: 342px;"><img height="456" src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/lk5BI9R_Z2xDT2LdWbk_UGGWEraslmMsjzVuBGTuHPVM9YTkBPwZGb6QW9nS5gE_xmni7azy9S3tFwUXqCj4DeCJkF-WjxoKFXOQXmKJQ4LobtJD_Xx2f8vr4DDVTgJ4ESMP10Wk=s0" style="margin-left: 0px; margin-top: 0px;" width="342" /><img height="352" src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/7Nmx4jCxsWK9-qGHLtSpQIuRfOSXnOlv-lYy4rnEpa97X2KXFFlZcka36q3FqlnZ5UZF5CcXfIiH_uVwyGEuDrJbsZ6knryf9OkaxKXLdw53Xibi18eS6i-Ky_l0y1zT4CvPwqDj=s0" style="font-size: 12pt; margin-left: 0px; margin-top: 0px;" width="263" /><img height="547" src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/TLBnVKr0vHQx9njIoBfpF5WX5er4-SRoOUDjCO6CHZT63xbwpHFIzeJ4JrUm0J3QgStQaYmV9EFYYK9s-tgfd3Lznn9EBVCp191Dj4fs73IpDWCSIbS09dEvnzKXseAu5STqPnnY=s0" style="font-size: 12pt; margin-left: 0px; margin-top: 0px;" width="410" /></span></span></span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span face="Montserrat, sans-serif" style="font-size: 12pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Our first stop after leaving North Dakota was our connecting flight in Dallas, Texas. Guess who we found in the airport? Miss Texas International 2021 and Miss Teen Texas International 2021! We took lots of pictures together and made a great bond before even being officially at the national pageant!</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;"><span face="Montserrat, sans-serif" style="font-size: 12pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span><img height="338" src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/LAF8FUwbIPkYwx6I9FxPFtWwrBC-trgTZdECwoHY57ty4UIDNyJTrKDaIm6TWcpZYC0dmFzH0ZqEJXwOORKfdP8hh4rgA_HavQf-5bAQUqK8Owx0fuqMYQfjT8YHXTP56JCtJ1Tk=s0" style="font-family: Montserrat, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; margin-left: 0px; margin-top: 0px; white-space: pre-wrap;" width="303" /></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span face="Montserrat, sans-serif" style="font-size: 12pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Once Megan and I arrived in Kingsport, TN, we found our three preteens. We had a group meeting and said a prayer and then it was off to bed.</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;"><span face="Montserrat, sans-serif" style="font-size: 12pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span id="docs-internal-guid-7199b1cb-7fff-47a7-2595-707c5e1a8bb7"><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="border: none; display: inline-block; height: 287px; overflow: hidden; width: 288px;"><img height="287" src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/MFen7YzFZdpXWynQZaS9AbtjSRM4JRReNzzdUBtrEdrYuLoKsTj_UfGvwTTgR9afxI9X131H6CyNXfglXCGCDj0aNUUmLYIiPGL9Wv2elwKP3vM6YJcns6iptKX75c1UT3SQKZpi=s0" style="margin-left: 0px; margin-top: 0px;" width="288" /></span></span></span></span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span face="Montserrat, sans-serif" style="font-size: 12pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">I had a surprise present waiting for Megan when we arrived in Kingsport. We had matching pajamas! It was so fun to take cute pictures in them, and they were soooo soft! A huge thank you to Mrs. North Dakota International 2021, Emily Brooks, for embroidering our titles on them! </span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;"><span face="Montserrat, sans-serif" style="font-size: 12pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span><img height="322" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/PSePmKSpopgeDjFdFeI52OSJishyajPFx8GUZwCuyolT1zHDIoyIktLy1XuUItuY9LfdEVqZdqZcIujBUeAs2knvTCd7BPCWos09_T2ltxBezLl2LwErJpeBXdCthDiQT9o9qVdm=s0" style="font-family: Montserrat, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; margin-left: 0px; margin-top: 0px; white-space: pre-wrap;" width="241" /></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span face="Montserrat, sans-serif" style="font-size: 12pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">The next day before orientation, I met up with Miss Teen Maryland to go swimming in the pool! We had so much fun talking about our platforms, what is special about our home states, and our goals for the rest of our reign.</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;"><span face="Montserrat, sans-serif" style="font-size: 12pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span><img height="199" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/lVp45UJZNcWAw_XYzujGB8gYorF-q5eGZdznzU4q8F0NuS1fxYz6hp3IPtvisEfMl4xeMHFKdrn7x34Zg-f_cAyBrAle6QCoCXaTRrjKN4lrfmbngQehauj_OzoBZFzyfXQyvWXF=s0" style="font-family: Montserrat, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; margin-left: 0px; margin-top: 0px; white-space: pre-wrap;" width="265" /></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span face="Montserrat, sans-serif" style="font-size: 12pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">That afternoon was orientation! Megan and I met our sister queens to the south: the South Dakota Queens! As we were taking our picture, we realized that we were even matching! The North Dakota Titleholders were wearing black dresses, and the South Dakota Titleholders were wearing white! </span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;"><span face="Montserrat, sans-serif" style="font-size: 12pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span id="docs-internal-guid-0fd98d29-7fff-6cf3-1a3c-cf28a00a84e6"><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="border: none; display: inline-block; height: 428px; overflow: hidden; width: 321px;"><img height="428" src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/e9HJPZnK0kSTkbzipmfskhVbh_nrLyiYA4inDDU0W3WzKUUEy80k_obrZqt-DBHWzf1I6S0lA3-gB0pO4lodBzFSGYZPk7xY9QEYthZWT7P3WYdH-r_QWbZggTrZDlnP0CQcoUTW=s0" style="margin-left: 0px; margin-top: 0px;" width="321" /></span></span></span></span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span face="Montserrat, sans-serif" style="font-size: 12pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">The next day was full of adventures! First, we went to visit the girls in Girls Inc. Each titleholder brought a backpack full of school supplies for the girls to take to school! A huge thank you goes to Mrs. Darlene Ruud and Mrs. Pam Matte for sponsoring my backpack! </span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;"><span face="Montserrat, sans-serif" style="font-size: 12pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span id="docs-internal-guid-f285ec54-7fff-e004-655d-f68ddff1e42f"><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="border: none; display: inline-block; height: 130px; overflow: hidden; width: 172px;"><img height="130" src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/0LjGaKzsJAO3V5olSE4uVtzBsH8-r0AqtB0JD4du-v2-FBkkHdrm_GMJdMpHgYdzAAoDsdxRfkl2eUk9fyigC2mY4plD8yjPnpvO0p6--nLhE4lJ4Tkr4APxDQ5pJLhgU_R6pk2F=s0" style="margin-left: 0px; margin-top: 0px;" width="172" /></span></span></span></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;"><span face="Montserrat, sans-serif" style="font-size: 12pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span id="docs-internal-guid-921e7251-7fff-5ecc-b4ea-1bf618caeedd"><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="border: none; display: inline-block; height: 308px; overflow: hidden; width: 230px;"><img height="308" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/zSXwzkacDukyHc5BNRzresgCNRngOqkantuqY1Ka5ESN9OyYkPjePukeJubVktqOdzhz0fphp1uwQpXfDSA_lSEHYc_SR34bxhf0CVWkXVAaC3HW5q023fB3d5OF5nKNkXJdPuyc=s0" style="margin-left: 0px; margin-top: 0px;" width="230" /></span></span></span></span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span face="Montserrat, sans-serif" style="font-size: 12pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">After that, we went AX THROWING! If you haven’t ever gone ax throwing in a Sherri Hill dress and high heels, are you really living? Haha! </span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;"><span face="Montserrat, sans-serif" style="font-size: 12pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span id="docs-internal-guid-cee802c6-7fff-6a12-e2fa-268ed8c0e1aa"><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="border: none; display: inline-block; height: 198px; overflow: hidden; width: 265px;"><img height="198" src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/TbO2T2tsb1zIodp8a9EuWGAO3uT38zUKwC-uwiwMxIqyqYq_S3UtHE3PLYRg6Gm6AhQ0HL9GjavdQ0gerO54lSq1-oeq88B8bcgkoWGgoDLvbfcm1x2fvZ5emGA5X_ToaNyw8rvi=s0" style="margin-left: 0px; margin-top: 0px;" width="265" /></span></span></span></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;"><span face="Montserrat, sans-serif" style="font-size: 12pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span id="docs-internal-guid-f085b21d-7fff-16c7-7058-b1b11d1051c4"><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="border: none; display: inline-block; height: 507px; overflow: hidden; width: 380px;"><img height="507" src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/Sy_xbTeWKCt_pytETdMhOidoEuDe7FphjUxBMsSHbDxg67i1WNPC6rBIl1k-ufdltVELFrVTA7WYYCf28mBWd6en2AnlzbcXpUrMEW5BjGZA_Xem3EyWKYuabLG9aEddGYLXaRRP=s0" style="margin-left: 0px; margin-top: 0px;" width="380" /></span></span></span></span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span face="Montserrat, sans-serif" style="font-size: 12pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Next up was mini golf and a taco building contest! I definitely will need to work on my putting skills, as I started out great, but then it seemed like the ball just didn’t want to go in the hole no matter how much I tried… HAHA! Taco building was so much fun! It was our surprise event that we didn’t know was happening until orientation! Each table had supplies they could use and then one secret ingredient. Our secret ingredient was Thousand Island Dressing! Each group had a set limit of how much time to build their taco and get their presentation ready for the judge. My team made a taco based off of Tennessee and the hotel we were staying at! And guess what? WE WON THE CONTEST! It was such a fun way to end an excitement-filled day!</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;"><span face="Montserrat, sans-serif" style="font-size: 12pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span id="docs-internal-guid-193eb1d1-7fff-bfc1-f90e-dbe428e75e3e"><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="border: none; display: inline-block; height: 232px; overflow: hidden; width: 310px;"><img height="232" src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/f2lMNMqkhPXqs54EjylFzX5iHdDuYT3fch3Yn3Sh3xOQdxm0TUNG1CU-whTDphKs16628T0Ohg49BvMUhbJ6RYy7bwgIDmZziZvO-GaYkaxxJTy6J797QTq_ebfuSrIuOo5UFKK0=s0" style="margin-left: 0px; margin-top: 0px;" width="310" /></span></span></span></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;"><span id="docs-internal-guid-d48768ed-7fff-2f6e-dcf6-28267a228b46"><span face="Montserrat, sans-serif" style="font-size: 12pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="border: none; display: inline-block; height: 500px; overflow: hidden; width: 375px;"><img height="500" src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/8Iie3GGhmH1026cb0KO4TuDKZa6UQVOERtDZndAjdZXf_zkyorOZGoMOpYwN4HACOUncAZMvDLim0-3GlTRfFk2DOyscRBoxPfiBeswoX_J-hRdjhGJgcFTsjdZNBWWb91jvanS_=s0" style="margin-left: 0px; margin-top: 0px;" width="375" /></span></span></span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span face="Montserrat, sans-serif" style="font-size: 12pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">The next morning was interviews. I was so excited to share my platform of Volunteer- Be The Nice Kid with judges from across the world! My group said a prayer before the interviews and then we went in to share our stories.</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;"><span face="Montserrat, sans-serif" style="font-size: 12pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span><img height="333" src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/RocO-BkENnnZmykGOvTPn3K7zPpmYSNyQXLviyvnEHL7U-WNMauor5bFEpGvi89uatbEoybXqxcCwO3hsRtmCc8GGa-u7uLDaWuRjvi_O5zua4Lvoe48g4xzr2ZcpGrr5RvHnW6i=s0" style="font-family: Montserrat, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; margin-left: 0px; margin-top: 0px; white-space: pre-wrap;" width="249" /></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span face="Montserrat, sans-serif" style="font-size: 12pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">That night was the Pre-Teen pageant! I had a blast cheering on Medora, Clara, and Sawyer! They all did amazing and I couldn’t be more proud of them!</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;"><span face="Montserrat, sans-serif" style="font-size: 12pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span><img height="177" src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/a0CmBNw6GY-0-5WRXTtMmwh0KU2hI1IjuUBLgovPs8_uJgJGyQSEDP6JJ3Vab2kE7wEOpxPZZU-bsHtH_zxxaujBtMMT_yelqO4fRMupAXk4suWT5faiGGi2D7O3cd9KoQ-pW17C=s0" style="font-family: Montserrat, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; margin-left: 0px; margin-top: 0px; white-space: pre-wrap;" width="235" /></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span face="Montserrat, sans-serif" style="font-size: 12pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">That night my mom arrived in Kingsport! As soon as I saw her in the ballroom I ran up to her and gave her a huge hug! She is my biggest supporter, and I know that I wouldn’t be the woman I am today without her as my example. She is my biggest role model, and I was so happy to be in the same state as her again. </span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;"><img height="308" src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/1NA8toKCPqcy630_Oo9-sM_aj9_8inxBtcoajG3y9wWxRGCJqu-N2llR5JzrSL4d550BF4F2biaWUMqsPrmpTmml-iYyOVQWUlvBWSlFJmntf5epdfu5UcH6HrRTtTMS_m4LnR7p=s0" style="font-family: Montserrat, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; margin-left: 0px; margin-top: 0px; white-space: pre-wrap;" width="231" /></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;"><span style="border: none; clear: right; display: inline-block; float: right; height: 219px; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em; overflow: hidden; width: 292px;"><img height="219" src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/EvxQMW1UGssixuo4V36sftVNE-lyNVZc_69cIB0oh_JcPVu2v2yzFSq83wFuvuBkdmBf7GV-YLPCRHaL7aHw3Ox4zJQN0ggF34GDs4E-K50ND_jc94r_GhKg0tIKWHDgE0RYqyqL=s0" style="margin-left: 0px; margin-top: 0px;" width="292" /></span><span id="docs-internal-guid-eec6ee9a-7fff-b76a-8646-1cd153be2410"><span face="Montserrat, sans-serif" style="font-size: 12pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span></span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span face="Montserrat, sans-serif" style="font-size: 12pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">The next day was the Teen preliminary competition. When they announced my name and the title of Miss Teen North Dakota International 2021, I felt a huge surge of pride. I have the amazing opportunity to represent my state, platform, and who I am in a worldwide pageant. That is amazing. My cousin and aunt came to watch me during prelims. It was so good to see them again! My directors gave me a huge hug and told me how proud they are of me. They are the best directors I could ever ask for. My coach Ava Hill-Harner attended the pageant, too! I am so grateful for her expertise to help me with my pageant journey! My mom gave me a hug and told me that I did amazing! I appreciate all of the support that I get from my amazing pageant family. </span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;"><span face="Montserrat, sans-serif" style="font-size: 12pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span id="docs-internal-guid-fb33db65-7fff-1aec-3307-ff5b78d4c2f0"><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="border: none; display: inline-block; height: 525px; overflow: hidden; width: 393px;"><img height="525" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/x-_tFJi-1Bye_6Pc6jPiAsjvM8E8hTVCRw1RVIM2jFzhLFxVxZgbRfwwiz3onNpWcjX_5vm9965Q8_mydgNG-suHGTcUBPQR34YWwvbMEQ_mt231ZnWLWi7f9-9YxVuthj3ky_G5=s0" style="margin-left: 0px; margin-top: 0px;" width="393" /></span></span></span></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;"><span face="Montserrat, sans-serif" style="font-size: 12pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span id="docs-internal-guid-9e605c22-7fff-c8aa-830f-4339f765dd85"><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="border: none; display: inline-block; height: 393px; overflow: hidden; width: 294px;"><img height="393" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/pJK2YKKYzvurbJUybxPo3gm6wEvZEajOc4CA7GwwL6enzppxlKCdZySv7R-HuFmEMtIrPPJv7mnqTvac9YonX3_DMrWAinwVc93ooIaANmeL-0EDUznJs3JgTISvqre9AliqFFUF=s0" style="margin-left: 0px; margin-top: 0px;" width="294" /></span></span></span></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;"><span face="Montserrat, sans-serif" style="font-size: 12pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span id="docs-internal-guid-2ec662c1-7fff-f996-f12a-3101a441d457"><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="border: none; display: inline-block; height: 316px; overflow: hidden; width: 237px;"><img height="316" src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-G0gpjHtgpHjNE1hn76OH5jVJryshLnsaYv10tWOX8JddufPnJhSrbn08IytyIhTb9lIzVIUUn14seSHcdASDp79eXScWSblnTIEEBo2Wg8a96UoPLWsUQpVSWcL8pg3jacE9BP7=s0" style="margin-left: 0px; margin-top: 0px;" width="237" /></span></span></span></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;"><span face="Montserrat, sans-serif" style="font-size: 12pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span id="docs-internal-guid-d8c9a58c-7fff-3fd4-86fa-371223f92d59"><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="border: none; display: inline-block; height: 394px; overflow: hidden; width: 295px;"><img height="394" src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/H7Rl6_gG8Ia3AQU9q26V1rk2DqJqc6h3kqixYyww7JWMrr56Qq6RVLYCdQFMVHvseqXoS4UpOGUhswF4x2A-PKaHqia-ZAvxNOicXCxiGV5LvYQM9BfD48UWcFKz1AwfqMiX35w1=s0" style="margin-left: 0px; margin-top: 0px;" width="295" /></span></span></span></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;"><span face="Montserrat, sans-serif" style="font-size: 12pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span id="docs-internal-guid-2b0a5a6a-7fff-a209-3291-fe9710e9f25c"><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="border: none; display: inline-block; height: 383px; overflow: hidden; width: 287px;"><img height="230" src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/wLRy5ME76saFTlPjtWCDmUBpBqoUICt8bkyiEYLmeH-Sqca0XkNFHYzKu9t2bXHvpDWQqH1BVh6v5xjdh0GGsU4JTi31cPXz7VIIjFiflkH790uMJHbj99OfKKr3uzuZs1mvfsLb=w173-h230" style="margin-left: 0px; margin-top: 0px;" width="173" /></span></span></span></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;"><span face="Montserrat, sans-serif" style="font-size: 12pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span id="docs-internal-guid-fb36e68c-7fff-9f77-e967-e509faba6c11"><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="border: none; display: inline-block; height: 508px; overflow: hidden; width: 381px;"><img height="277" src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/mJIrRaSKapHnsoWd1SYijPa6RX5Eyw5JmmcABOF8PsteL1WnMEn9Ixqoe9aJjKO1PEkAvXH1JnS47gFmauGen5FLuTlmoQ8Q09v9qsgnJw4uDNYaU4BDTgugTOZbKrVb_JLLrKXA=s0" style="font-size: 12pt; margin-left: 0px; margin-top: 0px;" width="208" /></span></span></span></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><br /></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;"><span face="Montserrat, sans-serif" style="font-size: 12pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">The next day was our day off. My aunt, cousin, mom, and I went to IHop for breakfast. I had crepes and they were soooo good! Then we went to the water park! I loved going on the lazy river and the huge water slides. After that, we went on a carousel. It was such a fun day! <span id="docs-internal-guid-1b154d03-7fff-11c6-ae16-41062038796c"><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="border: none; display: inline-block; height: 278px; overflow: hidden; width: 208px;"><img height="301" src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/OHLaLEVtLvAzEA1Ac6KjqePEWCZojwXfmXkp7GlJ0wqOlHha6hq8N2GIQBmMD0VE9TAbjLkHL5cOOhGI5zFhD0XaSdBVBen_7_mnQ9zDT7-MdBh7YfLgRnql8n1OT-jqxwsEaaWw=w225-h301" style="margin-left: 0px; margin-top: 0px;" width="225" /></span></span></span></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;"><span face="Montserrat, sans-serif" style="font-size: 12pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> <span id="docs-internal-guid-fe99e886-7fff-cf50-7869-6e88d0127a7e"><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline;"></span></span></span><img height="292" src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/WyasGzqjp0Wj1Ooj1izw4-df224L6Wo-ciEvgyAgtMikbY5W1YpKyobcMCXn-KMKHgoezOhVISzUi7aPlOLOkcyScfhKxIdbEDuMp9VnaTjq7V6SHslfo_mZgQ9ABO59xlmHJkRt=w219-h292" style="font-family: Montserrat, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; margin-left: 0px; margin-top: 0px; white-space: pre-wrap;" width="219" /></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;"><span face="Montserrat, sans-serif" style="font-size: 12pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="border: none; display: inline-block; height: 285px; overflow: hidden; width: 213px;"><img height="285" src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/Es5Y6o8pfs452reS1NiID9cWbVrGDzzhay4xxcmsTdXxpDO4aVfXRIXlH-Qguej6muLgZzD_6S5HpWOPdCBvG84HliubTEdvM1WXl_eyhfuJkLXXAw4Hwt7SgGahTWjSVru9n92z=s0" style="margin-left: 0px; margin-top: 0px;" width="213" /></span></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;"><span face="Montserrat, sans-serif" style="font-size: 12pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="border: none; display: inline-block; height: 285px; overflow: hidden; width: 213px;"><span id="docs-internal-guid-d340c756-7fff-e60f-6955-f790b305e98f"><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="border: none; display: inline-block; height: 280px; overflow: hidden; width: 209px;"><img height="293" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/Fnw3EfPUVyJ4efYwLqvgijN5ownbufKd7GcdW8CEhT2SiCQG2KwSb-QOsaOa9Fq3kA3ntwDOcxSq9_bxGIyWuszvMtYw4fzt-d67aNHrATS_gQRyYV9DhQNISB3MD4netcLaIJ2k=w221-h293" style="margin-left: 0px; margin-top: 0px;" width="221" /></span></span></span></span></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span face="Montserrat, sans-serif" style="font-size: 12pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">That night was the Miss preliminary competition. I cheered Megan on as she represented North Dakota on the international stage. She did amazing! </span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span face="Montserrat, sans-serif" style="font-size: 12pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">The next day was followed by lots of rehearsals! Then that night was finals! While I didn’t make it into the final competition, I am still proud of what I had accomplished. Going into nationals, my goal wasn’t to win, it was to have fun and soak in every moment! I am so grateful that I was able to meet all of the girls from across the globe, and have such an unbelievable connection with each and every one. </span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;"><span face="Montserrat, sans-serif" style="font-size: 12pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span id="docs-internal-guid-82d72126-7fff-bfa1-c422-e2e48f02ae42"><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="border: none; display: inline-block; height: 276px; overflow: hidden; width: 207px;"><img height="276" src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/O-9Yk-YP3tegILD8LJhXDcQ8b6-XU1P6aBg6TefvrI4kKR24EST51rzLfYCfN65zmVixW4BCB4uQadNXIglklCbLv83CRuZi-dIUaPfR1kb2mOxSsxcfWx-6CSrcdjM1PTmW7UnY=s0" style="margin-left: 0px; margin-top: 0px;" width="207" /></span></span></span></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;"><span face="Montserrat, sans-serif" style="font-size: 12pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span id="docs-internal-guid-2824f6c5-7fff-ec93-c128-b97c43a9969a"><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="border: none; display: inline-block; height: 279px; overflow: hidden; width: 208px;"><img height="279" src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/8nc0CjqQ2ayeEB1MLqn9x5hNlBSqWzF7N3AA7FDYHI8JUElhF1RUDFXNnLGZr6C7PP0N-FO17ySrfQMD61SnaLO7GZyGnxdhcNa5jG4akkHc7DAeKsbpTIhIv00Yrmb6LsLw-zsF=s0" style="margin-left: 0px; margin-top: 0px;" width="208" /></span></span></span></span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span face="Montserrat, sans-serif" style="font-size: 12pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">After the pageant Megan, my Mom, and I packed up all of our stuff and got ready for our flight. We didn’t even sleep after the pageant because our flight was early and we were still so excited! Our adventures didn’t stop after the pageant was over. Megan and I made little potted succulents at nationals and brought them from Tennessee to Texas, to North Dakota! It was so funny to carry a plant around the airport!</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span face="Montserrat, sans-serif" style="font-size: 12pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">I feel so blessed to have such an amazing support group. Thank you so much to everyone for supporting me along my journey! But just because nationals is over, doesn’t mean my reign is. Stay tuned to see the rest of my adventures!</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;"><span face="Montserrat, sans-serif" style="font-size: 12pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">-Changing the world, one act of kindness at a time, </span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;"><span face="Montserrat, sans-serif" style="font-size: 12pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Mackenzie Fuller</span></p><div><span face="Montserrat, sans-serif" style="font-size: 12pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></div></span>North Dakota International Pageantshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14951878250980733028noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1200323384254000526.post-83244876078386483402021-10-10T17:32:00.002-05:002021-10-10T17:32:29.870-05:00Give Thanks with Emily Brooks<p> </p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span><span> </span></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-4PLifwpWejA/YWNowmFTZQI/AAAAAAAAC1M/IlPSSgkaoT0K5SCoEm8_cwH5Iyi2njbYACNcBGAsYHQ/s2694/emily%2B1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1167" data-original-width="2694" height="139" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-4PLifwpWejA/YWNowmFTZQI/AAAAAAAAC1M/IlPSSgkaoT0K5SCoEm8_cwH5Iyi2njbYACNcBGAsYHQ/s320/emily%2B1.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /> <span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><p></p><p class="MsoNormal">As our state starts to dip into the lower temperatures, I
begin to crave wearing sweaters, drinking Pumpkin Spice Lattes, and doing all
of the things that make me feel cozy this time of year. Fall has been my favorite
season for as long as I can remember. When I walked home after school as a
child, I loved hearing the leaves crunch beneath my feet. This season reminds
me of the excitement for back-to-school and football games, of getting a chance
to reconnect with my friends after a summer apart, and of trees whose colors
are hued with bright reds. There are just so many reasons to love fall!<o:p></o:p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-J86zqkYPQGE/YWNo8EQGGbI/AAAAAAAAC1Q/WTLWwkVcqFUUQ_gIF7Xhv0PPwnvYLi8TQCNcBGAsYHQ/s1842/Emily%2B2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1842" data-original-width="1202" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-J86zqkYPQGE/YWNo8EQGGbI/AAAAAAAAC1Q/WTLWwkVcqFUUQ_gIF7Xhv0PPwnvYLi8TQCNcBGAsYHQ/s320/Emily%2B2.jpg" width="209" /></a></div><br /><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><br /></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>I also
start looking forward to Thanksgiving and Christmas this time of year. Getting
a chance to share giant, laughter-filled meals that go on for hours with my
loved ones is a life joy for me. I have so many wonderful memories of cooking
with my grandmother and her sisters during the holidays. That’s where the real
fun was, in the kitchen. I’ve always loved to cook. So many of the cooking skills
I’ve learned happened during the days of preparation in the kitchen that took
place before and during holidays.<o:p></o:p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-UZROhKxi5og/YWNpSMuk1yI/AAAAAAAAC1c/M5Ya0TjTPOYMYQCjppJt2pL3F-vnbD8-ACNcBGAsYHQ/s1847/emily%2B3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1847" data-original-width="1231" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-UZROhKxi5og/YWNpSMuk1yI/AAAAAAAAC1c/M5Ya0TjTPOYMYQCjppJt2pL3F-vnbD8-ACNcBGAsYHQ/s320/emily%2B3.jpg" width="213" /></a></div><br /><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><br /></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> T</span>o have
a regular gratitude practice. Reminding myself of all of the many blessings I
get to experience in life is something I do mentally on a daily basis. This
practice has really made a huge impact on my life. During the fall time,
though, I make a point of writing down the things I’m grateful for. My children
have enjoyed these practices too over the years when we turn them into a family
project for decorating the house. <o:p></o:p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-o0YeTrjUmpg/YWNpc3tit-I/AAAAAAAAC1g/EF6vL9DA3A0oUb2hLF3-G_d1i8RGIgHEACNcBGAsYHQ/s2048/emily%2B4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1335" data-original-width="2048" height="209" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-o0YeTrjUmpg/YWNpc3tit-I/AAAAAAAAC1g/EF6vL9DA3A0oUb2hLF3-G_d1i8RGIgHEACNcBGAsYHQ/s320/emily%2B4.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><br /></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>A few
years ago I learned about the concept of hygge, a Scandinavian term meaning
“coziness.” It’s an attitude of embracing these colder months in meaningful
ways. After reading more about hygge (pronounced “hoo-ga”), I realized why I
love fall so much. It’s the coziness of this season that I enjoy! I’ve since
started incorporating more of the hygge practices into my family’s life once we
start getting cooler weather. That means lighting candles during dinner time,
enjoying hot apple cider in front of the fire in the evenings, and snuggling
into pajamas to watch a movie together at the end of a busy week. <o:p></o:p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Z_PwxrWW7aU/YWNpnXjaavI/AAAAAAAAC1o/ndgSARnhTmEF5Jmb59R2aUrs9sWmdMPzQCNcBGAsYHQ/s1496/Emily%2B6.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="967" data-original-width="1496" height="207" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Z_PwxrWW7aU/YWNpnXjaavI/AAAAAAAAC1o/ndgSARnhTmEF5Jmb59R2aUrs9sWmdMPzQCNcBGAsYHQ/s320/Emily%2B6.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><br /></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Enjoy all
that fall has to offer. I hope you’ll explore some new ways to grow a deeper
appreciation for my favorite season!<o:p></o:p></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">Sharing a mother’s
love,<o:p></o:p></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">Emily Brooks<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">A quick explanation of hygge: <a href="https://www.bbc.com/news/magazine-34345791">https://www.bbc.com/news/magazine-34345791</a><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">My favorite book on hygge: The Little Book of Hygge by Meik
Wiking<o:p></o:p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-54gTcnldLy8/YWNp2rybtwI/AAAAAAAAC1w/uzGFZ4VcPhUO6pMMR5E_shzy3L9394fHQCNcBGAsYHQ/s1744/emily%2B5.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="964" data-original-width="1744" height="177" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-54gTcnldLy8/YWNp2rybtwI/AAAAAAAAC1w/uzGFZ4VcPhUO6pMMR5E_shzy3L9394fHQCNcBGAsYHQ/s320/emily%2B5.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><br /></p>North Dakota International Pageantshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14951878250980733028noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1200323384254000526.post-39906929006762004292021-10-10T17:18:00.004-05:002021-10-10T17:18:43.756-05:00Sawyer Anderson Does Fall Right!<p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-YJeV6z66O8E/YWNli8gIcQI/AAAAAAAAC0Y/LKn-UHyBNwkOmIuGZsALa9I328KdRJj5ACNcBGAsYHQ/s2048/IMG_4006.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="240" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-YJeV6z66O8E/YWNli8gIcQI/AAAAAAAAC0Y/LKn-UHyBNwkOmIuGZsALa9I328KdRJj5ACNcBGAsYHQ/s320/IMG_4006.jpeg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><p></p><p class="MsoNormal">It’s officially fall, y’all! My favorite time of year. I’m
not a super outdoorsy girl. The summer is too warm. The winter? Too cold.
Spring is too rainy and unpredictable. But fall? I can do fall. <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><o:p></o:p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-jIWZxNAxMtU/YWNlt_sGW5I/AAAAAAAAC0g/Zb6GxnSyjkQ3e3sAYQizW5WnNLlc1bfZgCNcBGAsYHQ/s2048/IMG_6563.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1642" data-original-width="2048" height="257" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-jIWZxNAxMtU/YWNlt_sGW5I/AAAAAAAAC0g/Zb6GxnSyjkQ3e3sAYQizW5WnNLlc1bfZgCNcBGAsYHQ/s320/IMG_6563.jpeg" width="320" /></a></div><br /> <p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">I went to the pumpkin patch with my mom and sister today. We
were able to walk around comfortably in jeans and a tee while sipping cups of
coffee/hot chocolate/cider. And pumpkins. Did I mention all of the pumpkins? As
you know, I love art, and decorating pumpkins is my jam. Every year we decorate,
paint and carve a ton. My mom also bakes the pumpkin seeds for a yummy snack. <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><o:p> </o:p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-gjCPIahki7Y/YWNl6lhp41I/AAAAAAAAC0o/Ay7M2_ZqV1M5BfnbSV5oIvgkRD7XGggOwCNcBGAsYHQ/s2048/IMG_4606.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1717" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-gjCPIahki7Y/YWNl6lhp41I/AAAAAAAAC0o/Ay7M2_ZqV1M5BfnbSV5oIvgkRD7XGggOwCNcBGAsYHQ/s320/IMG_4606.jpeg" width="268" /></a></div><br /><p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Fall is also the start of school and the activities season.
This year I am a 7<sup>th</sup> grader at Oak Grove Lutheran School in Fargo,
ND. I am currently finishing up my volleyball season. Our team is really great
this year. Thankfully, I get to experience a second volleyball season in the
spring! Basketball is right around the corner for me, with practices starting
in two weeks. I practiced hard over the summer, attending weekly open gyms and
camps. I hope all of the preparation helped! A couple weeks ago I auditioned
for our all-school musical happening this winter. We will be performing Sound
of Music in December, with practices already underway. I’m working hard on my
yodel. ;)<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In addition to all of this
fun, I also started a new year of competitive dance. This year I am on six
competitive teams, including… contemporary/jazz, kick, hip hop, lyrical,
musical theatre,</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-LPfrH0Rxz5k/YWNlUWgCbgI/AAAAAAAAC0U/hx7fgZf7S68Z5K5PUQ2qRmfGKh6LYUMUgCNcBGAsYHQ/s2048/IMG_7107.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="240" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-LPfrH0Rxz5k/YWNlUWgCbgI/AAAAAAAAC0U/hx7fgZf7S68Z5K5PUQ2qRmfGKh6LYUMUgCNcBGAsYHQ/s320/IMG_7107.jpeg" width="320" /></a></div><br /> and Christian contemporary. I also throw in weekly pointe and
technique classes so I don’t get too bored. <span style="font-family: Wingdings; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-char-type: symbol; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-symbol-font-family: Wingdings;"><span style="mso-char-type: symbol; mso-symbol-font-family: Wingdings;">J</span></span><o:p></o:p><p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><o:p> </o:p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-rk_3IU3VCfA/YWNmiYD6lgI/AAAAAAAAC1A/eOIUg_hw3d4Cm8xJIN0i82m7gjW0CdZLQCNcBGAsYHQ/s960/IMG_4898.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="720" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-rk_3IU3VCfA/YWNmiYD6lgI/AAAAAAAAC1A/eOIUg_hw3d4Cm8xJIN0i82m7gjW0CdZLQCNcBGAsYHQ/s320/IMG_4898.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><br /><p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Nestled into all of the great fall activities is one of my
very favorite holidays. Halloween. I am known for my love of dressing in
costume. I have been in love with costumes since I could walk. Every Halloween
consists of at least three costumes for me. I would NEVER get caught wearing
the same costume twice! Plus, I have so many ideas for costumes that I need to
wear that many because I simply cannot decide on just one! Stay tuned for
Halloween week. I can’t wait for you to see what I have up my sleeve…<o:p></o:p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-gSE5HbG3kJA/YWNmG-VZY-I/AAAAAAAAC0w/5LYbjw4GFFoV-64-nXrOv9qRK5gVVj9VACNcBGAsYHQ/s2048/IMG_4642.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-gSE5HbG3kJA/YWNmG-VZY-I/AAAAAAAAC0w/5LYbjw4GFFoV-64-nXrOv9qRK5gVVj9VACNcBGAsYHQ/s320/IMG_4642.jpeg" width="240" /></a></div><br /><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><br /></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Sawyer Anderson, Miss Pre Teen Flickertail State
International 2021 <o:p></o:p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-gEMaPwcnA28/YWNmTQ3Tv8I/AAAAAAAAC04/Ytm4QzTg6kkXgiEp9KX4hnFKH-OrMybbwCNcBGAsYHQ/s2048/IMG_5076.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1549" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-gEMaPwcnA28/YWNmTQ3Tv8I/AAAAAAAAC04/Ytm4QzTg6kkXgiEp9KX4hnFKH-OrMybbwCNcBGAsYHQ/s320/IMG_5076.jpeg" width="242" /></a></div><br /><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><br /></p>North Dakota International Pageantshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14951878250980733028noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1200323384254000526.post-7377076758286066862021-09-16T21:49:00.004-05:002021-09-16T21:49:34.596-05:00Diet Right by Tessa Monzelowsky<p style="text-align: center;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-AXqMGVuQGmU/YUQB_1lxJbI/AAAAAAAACy4/AjCIBSKXoWcxUtnVZ8dDokcJk9b9oWXyACNcBGAsYHQ/s468/Picture%2B3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="351" data-original-width="468" height="240" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-AXqMGVuQGmU/YUQB_1lxJbI/AAAAAAAACy4/AjCIBSKXoWcxUtnVZ8dDokcJk9b9oWXyACNcBGAsYHQ/s320/Picture%2B3.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /> <span style="font-size: 12pt;">I have chosen to write about this
topic because I’m hoping to help anyone out there looking to take charge of
their health. So often we look towards the latest diet trend, and we are
constantly being flooded with images of what the ideal in shape body looks
like. Personal health looks different on everyone, and the latest diet trend is
just that, the latest trend.</span><span style="font-size: 12pt;"> </span><p></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-WjOu9sv_yXs/YUQBJaEJVDI/AAAAAAAACyo/73YYJewWlAEzqoiOKRfLsorq5tAceWqEACNcBGAsYHQ/s975/Picture1.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="975" data-original-width="731" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-WjOu9sv_yXs/YUQBJaEJVDI/AAAAAAAACyo/73YYJewWlAEzqoiOKRfLsorq5tAceWqEACNcBGAsYHQ/s320/Picture1.png" width="240" /></a></div><br /><p></p><p class="Body"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt;"> </span><span style="font-size: 12pt;"> </span><span style="font-size: 12pt;">When
it comes to getting active many people start out to find a way to b estrong. Getting active
should be a process, and have a set of reachable goals. Your own personal level
will depend on where you’re starting. I am a runner, but I love it so that’s
what I do as my activity. That’s another important part of getting active, find
something you really enjoy. I personally am not a gym person, nor do I like at
home workout videos, but I know many people who have found both of these to be
a great way to keep active. For me I love the solitude of running, I love the
small studio I go to for workouts twice a week, and I really do well with
workouts I can do with my own body weight, no equipment, and in the privacy of
my home. There’s a level of vulnerability that happens when you work out, so
make sure you are in a place and around people that you are completely
comfortable with. If you are starting from the very bottom, never doing a
workout outside of what gym class had you do in school, and are intimidated by
all the options out there, I have a few small things to suggest. Get up for the
day 10 minutes early, go straight from your bed to the floor in your room,
start your day with sit ups, push ups, squats, and movement. You set your own
goal for sit ups, push ups and squats, but make it a reachable goal you can
build on. Movement could be as simple as turn music on and dance. Throughout
the day you can get active by simply parking further away at work, the store,
the school, wherever you go during your day. Prioritize activity into your day
with a realistic time. My runs and strength training happen at different times
each day depending on my load for the day, but I always plan when it’s going to
get done whether I get up really really early, or do it after my kids go to
bed.</span></p><p class="Body"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt;"> </span></p><p class="Body"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt;"> The
other part of personal health is what we are putting into our bodies when it
comes to food and drink. I want people to see this as nutrition, not a diet.
Nutrition is a lifelong necessity, not a short term fad. So many times people
think they need to starve themselves to get results and get to where they want
to be. That’s not even a little true. For myself I need to stay away from
dairy, gluten, and soy because these have proven to cause digestive problems
and inflammation. I will actually get sick sick from eating to much dairy and
gluten, and my whole body will swell. Not everyone is like me in this way
though, so I’m not about to tell anyone to stay away from these things as well.
Nutrition is personal, and it needs to fit what your body needs. One thing that’s for sure with food though is
if you eat like poo, you will feel like poo, and nobody likes to feel that way.
I get asked all the time what I actually eat. Here’s a list: potatoes, brown
rice, brown rice noodles, chicken, steak, fish/sea food, all kinds of veggies,
all kinds of fruit, leafy salads, eggs, gluten free bagels, dairy free cheese,
salsa, popcorn not buttered, jerky, dairy free ice cream (occasionally), and
then I do also use powdered nutrition like vegan protein powder, beet root
powder, complex carb powder. My list for beverages is short: I drink mostly
water (100oz minimum), I like raw kombucha, and I do enjoy craft beer (I know
most have gluten in them). One big thing I tell people about nutrition is food
is fuel, your body can’t run without it, and your body prefers to run like a
high end sports car so give it the premium fuel. We have become so trained to
think that our food needs to be super flavorful, it needs to be absolutely so
delicious we can’t put the fork down. Food is our nourishment, it’s what
determines how we feel all around, we literally all have a personal
relationship with food, so find foods that are good for and make you still feel
satisfied emotionally without sacrificing your health. Don’t make every meal a
celebration, it’s ok to eat the “bad stuff” once and a while, but over doing it
often is where we get in trouble. Again take small steps in changing your
nutrition, emotionally you need to be retrained, and your body needs to
physically adjust in stages. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="Body"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt;"> </span></p><p style="text-align: center;">
</p><p class="Body"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt;"> Nothing
about taking charge of your personal health is easy until it becomes habit and
part of you. It is worth it to make the changes, you are worthy of feeling good
inside and out. The rewards of becoming a healthier version of yourself extend
beyond the physical, and will flood into the mental and emotional. This will
start to also show in your relationships with others, and how you manage other
things in life. Imagine the possibilities, the quality of life you can give
yourself by starting small and focusing on your personal health.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="Body"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></p>North Dakota International Pageantshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14951878250980733028noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1200323384254000526.post-48490241706881155652021-09-16T21:29:00.001-05:002021-09-16T21:29:58.070-05:00Emily Brooks at Nationals<p> My trip to compete in the Mrs. International Pageant started
out with my Director, Janelle Steinberg, picking me up at 8am the Saturday
prior to pageant week. We loaded up her car with my luggage for the week ahead.
This included enough clothing for 2-3 wardrobe changes each day! I’m used to
traveling quite a bit and only packing a small carry-on bag; even for a 3-week
trip. Needless to say, it was challenging for me to justify bringing all of these
items, but once I started the week I was glad to have such fashionable outfits
to wear for the events!</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-AIlht0kwxVQ/YUP7-JUVAwI/AAAAAAAACxg/cErPWIPdsJIgTHI29gslqW2kzpRYlH87wCNcBGAsYHQ/s2048/1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1529" data-original-width="2048" height="239" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-AIlht0kwxVQ/YUP7-JUVAwI/AAAAAAAACxg/cErPWIPdsJIgTHI29gslqW2kzpRYlH87wCNcBGAsYHQ/s320/1.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="text-align: left;"> </span><span style="text-align: left;">Getting
to Kingsport, Tennessee where the pageant was held required 20 hours of
driving. We broke it up into 2 days and stayed over one night in Indianapolis.
I had such a great time chatting and laughing with Janelle that I started
losing my voice. We ended the last hour of driving the first day by singing
theme songs to 80s sitcoms together. It was a blast making memories together on
this epic road trip!</span></p><p style="text-align: center;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-PK7ceEyi22A/YUP8OTCxCdI/AAAAAAAACxo/NN2WaPYVBMEhL_1-i8ipmAsjBIZ5qigOgCNcBGAsYHQ/s1686/2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1686" data-original-width="1048" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-PK7ceEyi22A/YUP8OTCxCdI/AAAAAAAACxo/NN2WaPYVBMEhL_1-i8ipmAsjBIZ5qigOgCNcBGAsYHQ/s320/2.jpg" width="199" /></a></div><span style="text-align: left;"> </span><span style="text-align: left;">Once we
arrived in Kingsport, it was time to get settled into a room at MeadowView
Conference Resort & Convention Center. Unfortunately, it was pouring rain
when we were trying to unpack the car. Janelle was so kind and wouldn’t let me
get rained on since I was already changed into one of my outfits for pageant
week. She ended up getting completely soaked, so I wouldn’t have to get wet.</span><p></p><p style="text-align: center;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-DV8NW1y3g7Y/YUP8ci-lbAI/AAAAAAAACxs/Jgojs0nWmQ4QIo8e9kckDOL2oMrlnJTRACNcBGAsYHQ/s1874/3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1874" data-original-width="1483" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-DV8NW1y3g7Y/YUP8ci-lbAI/AAAAAAAACxs/Jgojs0nWmQ4QIo8e9kckDOL2oMrlnJTRACNcBGAsYHQ/s320/3.jpg" width="253" /></a></div><span style="text-align: left;"> </span><span style="text-align: left;">Right
away, I started meeting contestants from all over the world! At the photo booth
in the lobby, I met contestants that traveled from Japan to compete in the
pageant. They were so gracious. Google Translate helped me to share some of the
experiences with them from when I had traveled to Japan with my family.</span><p></p><p style="text-align: center;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-66NnpooHV3U/YUP8lvKFkfI/AAAAAAAACx0/IEj5fzcpnJoIjHkOHwJzfV47XiisnnncgCNcBGAsYHQ/s1867/7.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1867" data-original-width="1485" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-66NnpooHV3U/YUP8lvKFkfI/AAAAAAAACx0/IEj5fzcpnJoIjHkOHwJzfV47XiisnnncgCNcBGAsYHQ/s320/7.jpg" width="255" /></a></div><br /><span style="text-align: left;"><br /></span><p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"> I soon
had the opportunity to meet my roommate for the week. It was really exciting
that she was Mrs. Washington International as my family had just been to
Seattle for the first time. She was wonderful to room with, and I’m thankful
for her kindness throughout the week.<o:p></o:p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-DiELC1Gq2sc/YUP80V8fSUI/AAAAAAAACx8/C-c_pkI6neMzdhyZOMXharqTwNvK0ydPACNcBGAsYHQ/s1873/8.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1867" data-original-width="1873" height="319" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-DiELC1Gq2sc/YUP80V8fSUI/AAAAAAAACx8/C-c_pkI6neMzdhyZOMXharqTwNvK0ydPACNcBGAsYHQ/s320/8.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="text-align: left;"> </span><span style="text-align: left;">As
contestants, there were many events to attend. We had the chance to volunteer
together at Second Harvest Food Bank, eat lunch at Allandale Mansion, raise
funds for Girls Inc. at the pageant Gala, golf at Golf Amplified, and learn how
to make soap from a local artisan. When we weren’t busy with social events, we
were busy practicing for the big show.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-2oZiuUgcM1s/YUP8-J9NttI/AAAAAAAACyE/8phqkKJ5cmoGE7Cp1ZpeBqUXZbq4TAPcQCNcBGAsYHQ/s1868/6.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1868" data-original-width="1396" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-2oZiuUgcM1s/YUP8-J9NttI/AAAAAAAACyE/8phqkKJ5cmoGE7Cp1ZpeBqUXZbq4TAPcQCNcBGAsYHQ/s320/6.jpg" width="239" /></a></div><span style="text-align: left;"> </span><span style="text-align: left;">It was
a wonderful experience to compete on stage during the pageant. My Directors and
Pageant Coaches had helped prepare me, and all of that hard work paid off. I
felt really confident in the spotlight. Having my family in the audience
cheering me on with their support made my heart so happy.</span><p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-of8t0q3dyPQ/YUP9IBJg7qI/AAAAAAAACyM/kezpGabeRSAxY3C2QAMJUKIx1DdDAOUggCNcBGAsYHQ/s2048/5.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1147" data-original-width="2048" height="179" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-of8t0q3dyPQ/YUP9IBJg7qI/AAAAAAAACyM/kezpGabeRSAxY3C2QAMJUKIx1DdDAOUggCNcBGAsYHQ/s320/5.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><p></p><p class="MsoNormal"> It was
an amazing week of memories that I will treasure throughout my life. I hope to
travel to visit the other contestants that I met during the week. They are each
amazing, beautiful, and talented in every way and I miss them already.<o:p></o:p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-MP8BYm_-NMQ/YUP9Xr2yCpI/AAAAAAAACyY/iLrj1mMQwMEWPi0zLom_GqcaeyJwz98HwCNcBGAsYHQ/s2048/9.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1134" data-original-width="2048" height="177" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-MP8BYm_-NMQ/YUP9Xr2yCpI/AAAAAAAACyY/iLrj1mMQwMEWPi0zLom_GqcaeyJwz98HwCNcBGAsYHQ/s320/9.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="text-align: left;"> </span><span style="text-align: left;">I’m
grateful for having the opportunity to represent the beautiful state of North
Dakota on an International stage!</span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Thank you to Mel and Mary Richardson for running such a
wonderful pageant system, the other contestants for your friendship, my Directors:
Janelle Steinberg and Jessie Aamodt for helping me prepare, Mrs. International
– Ashley Rae Klinger for being an amazing role model, Ava Hill with Queens
Consulting for all of the amazing coaching, my mom for helping me with
alterations, my family and friends for all of the support, and my amazing
husband and children for making life so meaningful every day.<o:p></o:p></p>North Dakota International Pageantshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14951878250980733028noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1200323384254000526.post-36232901817569625552021-08-29T20:35:00.002-05:002021-08-29T20:35:42.396-05:00Sawyer Anderson, Miss Preteen Flickertail State 2021, National's Experience<p> A month ago I was in Kingsport, TN for the Miss Pre Teen
International Pageant. I was a little overwhelmed heading into the pageant. My
days were consumed with last-minute preparations, packing, and coaching
sessions. Although I was feeling super prepared and excited, I was a little bit
nervous about the unknown adventure that lay before me.</p><p style="text-align: center;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ETAWUmyJtbc/YSw1XVinhTI/AAAAAAAACv8/OWVDKEO0tWwpxOPLMerT3LbCXovJsEuqACNcBGAsYHQ/s2048/1%2B.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1587" data-original-width="2048" height="248" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ETAWUmyJtbc/YSw1XVinhTI/AAAAAAAACv8/OWVDKEO0tWwpxOPLMerT3LbCXovJsEuqACNcBGAsYHQ/s320/1%2B.jpeg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p>Nerves completely took a backseat on my first full day in
Kingsport. We started our day with check-in and meet & greet. I promised
myself that I would soak up this entire experience, so I arrived armed with a
stack full of Water Works books and a smile. I approached every single girl
that came through those doors with a handshake and introduction and stayed
until I had met every single one. We were all (mostly) strangers, but within
minutes we were all friends… laughing, swapping phone numbers, and taking oodles
of photos.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-n6htwW5ZQuU/YSw1nhCdmAI/AAAAAAAACwI/rX8KH2t2LwYcysHuozJa_CMkXRw37P9VgCNcBGAsYHQ/s906/1-3.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="906" data-original-width="735" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-n6htwW5ZQuU/YSw1nhCdmAI/AAAAAAAACwI/rX8KH2t2LwYcysHuozJa_CMkXRw37P9VgCNcBGAsYHQ/s320/1-3.jpeg" width="260" /></a></div><br /><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p>The rest of the week was very much the same. I don’t miss
the 4:30am a hair and makeup appointments, but I do miss being around a large
group of girls my age who all share similar goals and passions. I imagine it’s
much like going to summer camp. You arrive not knowing a single person, but
leave with tears and some lifelong friends.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-IAcLmNA7fDE/YSw1f4XoCdI/AAAAAAAACwA/qLATqpwh520nGm2-qaMtsBpidFkfVCh_ACNcBGAsYHQ/s2048/1-2.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-IAcLmNA7fDE/YSw1f4XoCdI/AAAAAAAACwA/qLATqpwh520nGm2-qaMtsBpidFkfVCh_ACNcBGAsYHQ/s320/1-2.jpeg" width="240" /></a></div><br /><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p>A lot of people ask me how I did at Nationals or “if I won”.
Although I wasn’t crowned Miss Pre Teen International 2021 (and let’s be
honest… there is only one crown and 30 girls who all, in my opinion, deserved
it in one way or another), I did “win”. I won when I decided to run for a state
title back in September of 2020. I won when I competed for the state title and
had never seen a pageant, never worn heels, and couldn’t walk the runway to
save my life. I won when I received a state title and the chance to compete at
nationals. I won when my parents invested everything in me to book and fund the
trip, buy me LOADS of dresses, and run through endless amounts of interview
questions with me every day. And the biggest way in which I’ve “won”? I have
received the greatest platform to share my story and mission of Water Works
with the world. For me, there is no bigger WIN than saving the lives of
thousands of people.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-aY-n0adZ1AY/YSw1uobFwgI/AAAAAAAACwM/SCDb-v_eoCMvvnLdqYFDsdi6ASJZanU6gCNcBGAsYHQ/s2048/1-4.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-aY-n0adZ1AY/YSw1uobFwgI/AAAAAAAACwM/SCDb-v_eoCMvvnLdqYFDsdi6ASJZanU6gCNcBGAsYHQ/s320/1-4.jpeg" width="240" /></a></div><br /><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p>Sawyer Anderson, Miss Pre Teen Flickertail State
International 2021 </p><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></p>North Dakota International Pageantshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14951878250980733028noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1200323384254000526.post-26165298046402934102021-08-29T20:17:00.002-05:002021-08-29T20:17:48.755-05:00Sawyer's Awesome Life<p> Although it seems like people know a lot about me and my
life, there is actually a whole lot about me that most do not know.</p><p style="text-align: center;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-dMDCMMAKmaE/YSwxQ-GTRkI/AAAAAAAACvY/cC5O4mdY4JULgO-1hH97bYi7UhgZAmH6QCNcBGAsYHQ/IMG_3839%255B32507%255D.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="240" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-dMDCMMAKmaE/YSwxQ-GTRkI/AAAAAAAACvY/cC5O4mdY4JULgO-1hH97bYi7UhgZAmH6QCNcBGAsYHQ/IMG_3839%255B32507%255D.jpeg" width="180" /></a></div><br /><br /><p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p>Let’s head way back to before I was even born. I caused my
mom an awful lot of sickness when she was pregnant with me. She experienced
nine whole months of constant morning sickness that never went away. She was
diagnosed with Hyperemesis Gravidarum – A pregnancy complication that is
characterized by severe nausea, vomiting, weight loss, and dehydration. In most
cases, this complication goes away with time. For my mom? It lasted until the
minute I was born (and I was born at 41 weeks!).</p><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p>My parents say that I was an extremely easy child… as long
as I was always held. I never slept, but that has certainly changed now that
I’m a tweenager!</p><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Growing up, life was always a stage for me. I loved to
perform anywhere and everywhere. I was always dressing up, changing my name,
and creating shows and dances for my family every moment I could. I started
attending Penny & Pals workshops at age 3 and LOVED performing on stage
with her during showcases. When I was old enough to attend ArtSpark classes at
Trollwood Performing Art School, I was there with bells on! I also started
dance classes at age 4. I liked classes, but boy oh boy, performances were
where I shined.</p><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p>Not much has changed. Whether acting, dancing or speaking
to hundreds on a stage, I am in my happy place. Most get sick with the thought
of being on stage with all eyes on them. I, on the other hand, look forward to
the opportunities.</p><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p>Most might see me as the girl who always loves to wear
bright colors, fun patterns, and accessories, but there are two things I dislike
wearing… blue jeans and makeup! Yuck.</p><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p>I like to do lots of girly stuff, but I’m really truly
happiest when I’m watching any and all Star Wars or Marvel films, and playing
video games. Fun fact? When I was only four years old, I knew every single Star
Wars character… by memory. My parents would hold up flashcards and I would see
how quickly I could name them. Some of the names my mom couldn’t even
pronounce! I definitely think my Star Wars and Marvel trivia knowledge will
come in handy someday. <span style="font-family: Wingdings;">J</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Wingdings;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-diGuWec3N1k/YSwxfHyV6RI/AAAAAAAACvc/kvdqmADSe5UNJeacQx5LLOQKr-y7FUqiACNcBGAsYHQ/4year_10%255B32506%255D.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="400" data-original-width="550" height="233" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-diGuWec3N1k/YSwxfHyV6RI/AAAAAAAACvc/kvdqmADSe5UNJeacQx5LLOQKr-y7FUqiACNcBGAsYHQ/4year_10%255B32506%255D.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><br /><p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p>~ Sawyer Anderson, Miss Pre Teen Flickertail State
International 2021 </p><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></p>North Dakota International Pageantshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14951878250980733028noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1200323384254000526.post-17285736710495295152021-07-16T17:10:00.001-05:002021-07-16T17:10:34.775-05:00Clara Seckerson wants to help you get started on your own pageant journey.<p style="text-align: center;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-IcL9BjnA3KI/YPIDwFHq99I/AAAAAAAACuA/1PrsUF6VGDYUbAjgPumjSBFZmjIU9m4eQCNcBGAsYHQ/s1500/Clara%2Bheadshot%2B%2B-%2Bofficial.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1500" data-original-width="1100" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-IcL9BjnA3KI/YPIDwFHq99I/AAAAAAAACuA/1PrsUF6VGDYUbAjgPumjSBFZmjIU9m4eQCNcBGAsYHQ/s320/Clara%2Bheadshot%2B%2B-%2Bofficial.jpg" /></a></div><br /> <p></p><p><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; white-space: pre-wrap;">Hi, I'm Miss PreTeen North Dakota International 2021 Clara Seckerson. Today in this blog I am going to talk about Why I choose pageants. The number one reason is to share my platform, The Golden Rule. The Golden Rule stands for Treat Others the Way You Want to be Treated. Or G-Give someone a smile O- Offer a helping hand L- Laugh with someone, not at someone D- Do one act of kindness everyday E- Encourage others to be kind and N-Never speak unkindly. Which is how I interpret it. Everyday I use The Golden Rule and I want everybody to do the same.</span></p><span id="docs-internal-guid-f60d1d1a-7fff-29d4-7400-0cc8c7ae5c8a"><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">The second reason is meeting new people. Since the state pageant, I have made so many new friends of all ages. When I go to appearances I get to talk about my platform. When I go to nationals I am going to meet all the PreTeen contestants and the current queen Allie Campbell (which is a lot of people!). I am usually shy around new people but since getting my title it’s so much easier because most people will come up to me because of my crown and sash. Or when I go up to them I will talk about The Golden Rule.</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">The third reason is to be on stage. I love modeling and being on stage. I feel so happy and cheerful when showing off my dresses. My favorite part of the pageant is wearing my evening gown. I think it’s so beautiful and it fits me perfectly. I found my gown used and knew right away it was meant to be. My dad and mom came to help say yes to the dress! </span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-indent: 36pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">My mom has competed in many pageants since she was little. I did get to go to a few of hers in the past. It's really fun to see all the sparkles. I know that pageants help teach many important life skills like interview skills, people skills, and positive self-confidence.</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-indent: 36pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">So overall I believe everyone should have these skills and pageants are a great place to learn them! I would be glad to talk to anyone about my experience if anyone would be interested.</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span></p><div><br /></div></span>North Dakota International Pageantshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14951878250980733028noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1200323384254000526.post-71192196062641479072021-07-05T13:43:00.001-05:002021-07-05T13:43:09.589-05:00How Pageantry Found Emily Brooks, Mrs. ND International 2021<p> </p><p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">Why I Chose Pageants<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>When I
was 17, I competed in a pageant for the first time. I didn’t know a lot about
the pageant world but had a wonderful experience. It was an opportunity for me
to meet other girls my age from around the state. Caroline Melroe of The Academie
Agency had encouraged me to compete. She provided training to help prepare me
for the various areas of competition. The skills I learned from this pageant
involvement are something that has been useful throughout my life since.
Feeling confident walking into an interview is an amazing skill to have! This
is something I gained from the training I received in preparation for the
pageant.<o:p></o:p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-tZSRqvWr58o/YONR8VHoRYI/AAAAAAAACsg/jrrEgUnfIFYew3CwzrkuqoiUK4NL1J_jgCNcBGAsYHQ/s2048/em%2Bblog%2Bfargo%2Bva.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1523" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-tZSRqvWr58o/YONR8VHoRYI/AAAAAAAACsg/jrrEgUnfIFYew3CwzrkuqoiUK4NL1J_jgCNcBGAsYHQ/s320/em%2Bblog%2Bfargo%2Bva.jpg" /></a></div><br /><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="text-align: left;"> </span><span style="text-align: left;">Fast
forward more than 2 decades…I didn’t imagine that revisiting my pageant dreams
would be in my future; especially not during my 40s. I had been asked if I
would be interested in competing in the North Dakota International Pageants
when my son was a toddler. I had so many activities going on and was a busy
young mother. It was hard for me to imagine adding more to my plate at the time
without feeling overwhelmed. The seed was planted though, and it was something
I always kept it in the back of my mind for a future date. A few years later, I
was asked again if I might be interested. I was nearing 40, and I thought to
myself, “If not now, then when?” I had a strong feeling that it was the right
time for me to revisit the pageant dream from my youth.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-DixpXWXYLzs/YONSHA-2zzI/AAAAAAAACsk/mN44cWNJ2R0MRE_tn6AAuJM49THolVzDwCNcBGAsYHQ/s2048/em%2Bblog%2Bva.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1538" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-DixpXWXYLzs/YONSHA-2zzI/AAAAAAAACsk/mN44cWNJ2R0MRE_tn6AAuJM49THolVzDwCNcBGAsYHQ/s320/em%2Bblog%2Bva.jpg" /></a></div><br /><span style="text-align: left;"><br /></span><p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>I’m a
collector of life moments and friends. What matters most to me are the stories
that define me, and the people I hold dear to my heart. Both of these aspects
have been a part of my pageant journey even before winning the title of Mrs.
North Dakota International 2021. The women who I’ve met through my involvement
with the International Pageants have become wonderful friends and the memories
I’ve made with them have been amazing. One story that comes to mind was one of
the first events I volunteered for with North Dakota International Pageants. I
had the opportunity to escort veterans at the Hector International Airport as
they returned from an honor flight. I knew at that moment that I was right where
I was supposed to be.<o:p></o:p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-HmCgBKR2Epc/YONSOs_HkRI/AAAAAAAACss/1OCH-rejtRoNCHYHJJhlXrvlbxIWYo6ggCNcBGAsYHQ/s2048/em%2Bblog%2Bcar.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-HmCgBKR2Epc/YONSOs_HkRI/AAAAAAAACss/1OCH-rejtRoNCHYHJJhlXrvlbxIWYo6ggCNcBGAsYHQ/s320/em%2Bblog%2Bcar.jpg" /></a></div><br /><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="text-align: left;"> </span><span style="text-align: left;">Moments
such as the honor flight were something that I wouldn’t have had the
opportunity to experience had I not stepped out of my comfort zone, and said
yes to a new adventure with International Pageants. Since winning the Mrs.
North Dakota International 2021 title, the amazing and unique experiences have
continued. I recently had the chance to judge a classic car show. It was
something I hadn’t thought of to put on my life wish list of experiences, but
afterward realized it should have been on it. It was something I’ll never
forget.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-G3eOuONfdPA/YONSYM07N9I/AAAAAAAACsw/OTudbnL1ddQS0uh74yfb2DGZZ27xrrM_ACNcBGAsYHQ/s2048/em%2Bblog%2Bcar%2Bshow.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1528" data-original-width="2048" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-G3eOuONfdPA/YONSYM07N9I/AAAAAAAACsw/OTudbnL1ddQS0uh74yfb2DGZZ27xrrM_ACNcBGAsYHQ/s320/em%2Bblog%2Bcar%2Bshow.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><span style="text-align: left;"> </span><span style="text-align: left;">The next experience I’m looking forward to through my International Pageants
experience is having the opportunity to represent my state at the Mrs.
International Pageant in Kingsport, TN in July. It will be an amazing way for
me to talk about my platform, American Mothers Inc., with a greater impact. I
look forward to meeting new friends from around the world with who I’ll have the
chance to volunteer during our time in Kingsport.</span><p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-u6td2_ALKxY/YONShYSLVJI/AAAAAAAACs4/pQQE9TzJbGAkw2IRyohi1ikxaUnLBjtCwCNcBGAsYHQ/s2048/em%2Bblog%2Bwinter.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1513" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-u6td2_ALKxY/YONShYSLVJI/AAAAAAAACs4/pQQE9TzJbGAkw2IRyohi1ikxaUnLBjtCwCNcBGAsYHQ/s320/em%2Bblog%2Bwinter.jpg" /></a></div><br /><span style="text-align: left;"><br /></span><p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Although
I was a confident woman before revisiting my pageant journey, I’m thankful for
the opportunity to really focus on who I am and what I stand for. For this, I am glad I chose pageants! </p><p class="MsoNormal"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-5lZ6TBm4Uvw/YONRlYhDRKI/AAAAAAAACsY/z-49TkmGFdEMiHq8yaokvVPobmgOl-wlQCNcBGAsYHQ/s2048/em%2Bblog%2Bwinter%2Bparade.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1449" data-original-width="2048" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-5lZ6TBm4Uvw/YONRlYhDRKI/AAAAAAAACsY/z-49TkmGFdEMiHq8yaokvVPobmgOl-wlQCNcBGAsYHQ/s320/em%2Bblog%2Bwinter%2Bparade.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><br /><o:p></o:p><p></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">Sharing a mother’s
love,<o:p></o:p></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">Emily<o:p></o:p></p>North Dakota International Pageantshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14951878250980733028noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1200323384254000526.post-32186917698979144182021-07-03T18:30:00.001-05:002021-07-03T18:32:57.426-05:00Why Tessa Chose Pageants <p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Q1MZKcD4v6I/YODyinXnWkI/AAAAAAAACr8/svvnyoWPyGUcFQSxprciZ5-oCGkSFXqDACNcBGAsYHQ/s969/146A3AEA-A465-447D-8DEB-08A97298B6F5.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="969" data-original-width="828" height="707" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Q1MZKcD4v6I/YODyinXnWkI/AAAAAAAACr8/svvnyoWPyGUcFQSxprciZ5-oCGkSFXqDACNcBGAsYHQ/w603-h707/146A3AEA-A465-447D-8DEB-08A97298B6F5.jpeg" width="603" /></a></div><br /> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-xru2aQSNHjE/YODycH-j-II/AAAAAAAACr4/Vona1pTH3HorlMTH9Tg7dey9P8mqYOE6wCNcBGAsYHQ/s1117/08B946CF-8419-4D51-BF65-BE50E7E8C99D.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1117" data-original-width="828" height="771" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-xru2aQSNHjE/YODycH-j-II/AAAAAAAACr4/Vona1pTH3HorlMTH9Tg7dey9P8mqYOE6wCNcBGAsYHQ/w571-h771/08B946CF-8419-4D51-BF65-BE50E7E8C99D.jpeg" width="571" /></a></div><br /><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-nMnb2vZL_BY/YODyUDinLlI/AAAAAAAACr0/5WEvZXuP4k0pszBDMFIzU7IspVc81Vw2wCNcBGAsYHQ/s1094/EF685678-BC0B-4E90-9664-4159C231B62C.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1094" data-original-width="828" height="818" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-nMnb2vZL_BY/YODyUDinLlI/AAAAAAAACr0/5WEvZXuP4k0pszBDMFIzU7IspVc81Vw2wCNcBGAsYHQ/w619-h818/EF685678-BC0B-4E90-9664-4159C231B62C.jpeg" width="619" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ncyJmi4iKnI/YODyoFknMaI/AAAAAAAACsE/F5Az_BASa2AfuBiTUwUSeSM0CswZuAnfACNcBGAsYHQ/s828/B8975AF2-D82E-482B-9839-CF27092406CC.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="296" data-original-width="828" height="213" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ncyJmi4iKnI/YODyoFknMaI/AAAAAAAACsE/F5Az_BASa2AfuBiTUwUSeSM0CswZuAnfACNcBGAsYHQ/w600-h213/B8975AF2-D82E-482B-9839-CF27092406CC.jpeg" width="600" /></a></div><br />North Dakota International Pageantshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14951878250980733028noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1200323384254000526.post-61925561713939357892021-07-03T18:13:00.008-05:002021-07-03T18:14:58.284-05:00Sawyer Anderson and her Pageant Journey<p style="text-align: center;"> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-qWtLGtmhxks/YODvXRajTbI/AAAAAAAACrs/RiCHfD_cduQok-ieonsixBdnILjRR0p-ACNcBGAsYHQ/s1500/a%2B-%2Bsawyer.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1500" data-original-width="1100" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-qWtLGtmhxks/YODvXRajTbI/AAAAAAAACrs/RiCHfD_cduQok-ieonsixBdnILjRR0p-ACNcBGAsYHQ/s320/a%2B-%2Bsawyer.jpg" /></a></div><br /><p></p><p class="MsoNormal">In 2019 I was contacted by the directors of North Dakota
International Pageants asking if I would be interested in running for Miss Pre
Teen North Dakota International 2020. At the time, Water Works was taking off
with a vengeance, and I was running from school to athletics and
extracurriculars, to church, and to Water Works appearances and presentations,
24/7. Knowing absolutely nothing about pageants, but just knowing that I
couldn’t possibly fit one more thing into my schedule, I politely declined the
offer.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Fast forward to the year 2020. Everything that I knew, and
loved, came to an abrupt halt due to Covid. One day when I was praying for an
idea to get my book, Water Works, back into the hands of so many who have not
yet read it, my mom received an email. It was the ND International Pageant
directors reaching out again to see if I might be interested in running for the
year 2021. Something told me, and my parents, that most offers don’t come
around more than once. We knew nothing about the pageant world, but we knew it
wasn’t something that we should blow off this time. <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">My mom and I dug into some heavy research about the ND
International Pageant. After hours of studying and conversation, I determined
that it would be a lot of work, but I’m used to that. I knew that I would be
thrown into something completely new, but I’ve never been afraid to put myself
out there. I knew that it was a competition and that there would only be one
winner, but I’ve never been focused on being the best. I just want to work
toward being a better person. <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">The number one “push” for me was that the International Pageant system wasn’t a beauty pageant. It’s a pageant focused on platform and
changing the world. This was the answer to my prayers. <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">After five months of being a queen (it still feels weird
saying that), I can tell you that I am so proud of myself for taking that leap
of faith. Representing the state of North Dakota as Miss Pre Teen Flickertail
State International is a responsibility I take very seriously. I am a role
model. In less than a month I get to share my platform with the world, and I
can’t wait to help save more lives. Thank you to my directors for giving me the
push I needed and for never giving up on me. I pray that my hard work and
commitment makes you proud.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">~ Sawyer Anderson, Miss Pre Teen Flickertail State
International 2021<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></p>North Dakota International Pageantshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14951878250980733028noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1200323384254000526.post-81225117815915145172021-07-03T17:58:00.004-05:002021-07-03T17:59:19.083-05:00Why Mackenzie chose Pageantry<p style="text-align: center;"> <img height="402" src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/uabPutze0EBBlyfg-1yJBm2Rjix9cpYMu0XRmFZiPIKaGsE1DiWIwzkd8XGDlF4AGsVWKcMfx_3l7_OvKEg0sCMIsoyTymFilYfxTKUXYbmM49OxvjY8TdrDXhnolJjGhy94jjRV" style="font-family: Montserrat, sans-serif; font-size: 15.5pt; margin-left: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center; white-space: pre-wrap;" width="245" /></p><span id="docs-internal-guid-a45a067a-7fff-2c93-f42c-589592a7f882"><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Montserrat, sans-serif; font-size: 15.5pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">I have always loved dressing up in dresses, so when I first heard that there was a pageant in a town by me, I knew that I wanted to sign up as soon as I could. While I still love the dresses, that isn’t what pageants are all about. Pageants have given me an opportunity to make my voice heard, and share my platform. When people see a crown on your head, they are going to want to hear what you have to say. Even when I am not wearing my crown, I still get recognized as Miss Teen North Dakota International and am able to spread my message! This summer I am a lifeguard and I was at the pool teaching swimming lessons when a little girl came up to me and said “Princess, if we jump off the side can you catch me?” </span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Montserrat, sans-serif; font-size: 15.5pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="border: none; display: inline-block; height: 419px; overflow: hidden; width: 257px;"><img height="419" src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/jf5UfFayan7E89oLDN2wveNZXqiHHRp0G_ZDY9UyU5Q5_GWa3OycLHR1egec2vwtV9EuekbRgI7tPZsnhiHZww9DQQZGc9qA32xvWZEVaDYqKb_AEN727ALQDOBQglxjycZo2OWO" style="margin-left: 0px; margin-top: 0px;" width="257" /></span></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Montserrat, sans-serif; font-size: 15.5pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">She recognized me as a titleholder even though I had my hair in a messy bun, no makeup on, no pretty dress. That was a pretty big realization for me. I know when I have my crown on that little girls look up to me because I was once that little girl. When I was younger, my mom said that I would sit in my princess chair, wear my princess dress, and watch Cinderella all day every day.</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Montserrat, sans-serif; font-size: 15.5pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="border: none; display: inline-block; height: 401px; overflow: hidden; width: 278px;"><img height="401" src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/EMKQOb6ztqcguXA_D5GnSeAVt_8og2uSFWFJ2nePjL8m_t9SeIFM1yQTpvbS-pYqYIMXBJWBIiMlCy9sXNMhhpmn7J7sTaiENkRhCdPCiGbK601jmVGB_YO_JQlwGk4TF3BuHcD0" style="margin-left: 0px; margin-top: 0px;" width="278" /></span></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Montserrat, sans-serif; font-size: 15.5pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="border: none; display: inline-block; height: 427px; overflow: hidden; width: 275px;"><img height="427" src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/Wxjp2VtOE3OQkpIHXAjznmwFwuIHxrTv834nURtw3uEuJ5-Vsc2ddncQxn_rPpMTynui-nLPBNYbue5e3EFs13xnvdoHPp7rZEhylxnflv6obEyhedQ8GiUEf1PeoEbyxPQlFj2X" style="margin-left: 0px; margin-top: 0px;" width="275" /></span></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Montserrat, sans-serif; font-size: 15.5pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> I want to be the person that people of all ages can look up to. Some people think that pageantry is just a sparkly crown and pretty dresses. In fact, that is what I thought it was at first. But in reality, it is about the girl wearing the crown. The girl wearing the dress. It's what I can do with the crown. I use the crown as my microphone to be able to share and broadcast my passion for volunteer work to everyone around me. </span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Montserrat, sans-serif; font-size: 15.5pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="border: none; display: inline-block; height: 276px; overflow: hidden; width: 499px;"><img height="374" src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/HU8mvxn95xs5srY_42h157LWrN89tYBmQHT1eF60_j_UW2YKFKGD-o_lDcmVkGaomHs8VoQHqVF1THjbRnVO2j_-VvhZ1ggk5uiXbyEP4GKS20M66gKzDkTHTIoxro7FzhSv90wR" style="margin-left: 0px; margin-top: 0px;" width="499" /></span></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Montserrat, sans-serif; font-size: 15.5pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">I have made so many wonderful friendships through pageants that mean the world to me. I love being around girls who have the same spark in their eyes to make a difference in the world. Just as the quote says “Empowered women empower women” all the girls who I have met through pageantry inspire me to be my best self. </span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Montserrat, sans-serif; font-size: 15.5pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> I am so grateful for all of the opportunities I have been given through pageantry! From an awkward 13-year-old girl entering her first pageant because she liked to wear dresses, to a 17-year-old ready to share her passion work to audiences from around the world, I will forever be grateful for the doors that have been opened for a girl from a small town.</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="background-color: #fdf0f9; line-height: 1.656; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;"><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: Georgia; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">-Changing the world, one act of kindness at a time, </span></p><p dir="ltr" style="background-color: #fdf0f9; line-height: 1.656; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;"><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: Georgia; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Mackenzie Fuller, Miss Teen North Dakota International 2021</span></p><div><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: Georgia; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></div></span>North Dakota International Pageantshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14951878250980733028noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1200323384254000526.post-45534119387380199832021-06-14T17:47:00.002-05:002021-06-14T17:47:56.495-05:00Travel with Emily Brooks, Mrs. ND International 2021<p> </p><p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">Traveling with my
Family<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Since
this month’s blog post is my choice of topic, I wanted to share a little
insight with you about my family life. Specifically, I’d like to share one of
my family’s greatest enjoyments. Traveling together is something we love
tremendously! We’ve had the privilege of venturing to 6 out of 7 continents,
and creating memories together that will last a lifetime.<o:p></o:p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-gIykYrvks2Y/YMfbfOjsWoI/AAAAAAAACpA/XNsLTTIvwTw1PD2vH_lPC0YemuQveDEzgCNcBGAsYHQ/s2048/yoga.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1531" data-original-width="2048" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-gIykYrvks2Y/YMfbfOjsWoI/AAAAAAAACpA/XNsLTTIvwTw1PD2vH_lPC0YemuQveDEzgCNcBGAsYHQ/s320/yoga.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><br /></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>My
husband is a Geographer by trade, which has contributed to my family’s interest
in knowing more about our world. From very young ages, my husband and I have
taught our children about different cultures. We want for them to know what
life is like beyond our community. When we’re not traveling, my family enjoys watching
travel videos together and discussing why we’d like to visit new destinations. <o:p></o:p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-4eYN1IVJGlI/YMfbtAs8YEI/AAAAAAAACpE/ZQmAMZn6PzEq4zZVZOfZ2MNnUbjUJLRvgCNcBGAsYHQ/s2048/Space%2Bneedle%2Bview.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1535" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-4eYN1IVJGlI/YMfbtAs8YEI/AAAAAAAACpE/ZQmAMZn6PzEq4zZVZOfZ2MNnUbjUJLRvgCNcBGAsYHQ/s320/Space%2Bneedle%2Bview.jpg" /></a></div><br /><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><br /></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>This
love of travel has blended well with my background in writing. I’ve been a
featured writer for Creek Living Magazine since 2018 for the Travel Tales
section. Creating these articles has been not only rewarding professionally but has personally given me the opportunity to reflect on our adventures
together. My husband and I have also started a travel blog called Fly Away
Fargo. You can read insights about some of our travels at www.flyawayfargo.com.<o:p></o:p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-JzadmQkj1KU/YMfb52tG7RI/AAAAAAAACpI/4abMUtwtu24YsRvM9ZUmxrLY3nqpXGHewCNcBGAsYHQ/s2048/family.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1355" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-JzadmQkj1KU/YMfb52tG7RI/AAAAAAAACpI/4abMUtwtu24YsRvM9ZUmxrLY3nqpXGHewCNcBGAsYHQ/s320/family.jpg" /></a></div><br /><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><br /></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>In
2019, my entire family along with my brother-in-law took a trip that brought us
on a full lap around the world. We started in Australia, continued onto Singapore,
United Arab Emirates, Switzerland, Morocco, and Portugal before returning to
the United States. We were completely immersed in foreign cultures. Some of the
experiences we had on this trip, we still discuss on a weekly basis.<o:p></o:p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-pIEkB2YbEew/YMfcJqSvexI/AAAAAAAACpU/C9JNI-3SVNEAm7eHxSPKlqEBZleCPsdVACNcBGAsYHQ/s2048/morning%2Bwalk.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1525" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-pIEkB2YbEew/YMfcJqSvexI/AAAAAAAACpU/C9JNI-3SVNEAm7eHxSPKlqEBZleCPsdVACNcBGAsYHQ/s320/morning%2Bwalk.jpg" /></a></div><br /><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><br /></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>I’m so
thankful that we took this trip when we did. The next year, our lives changed
greatly in many ways due to the pandemic. Our travel options became extremely
limited because of safety concerns, and foreign countries closing their borders
to visitors. To fill a bit of the void during this time of the pandemic, I ordered
a subscription to Universal Yums. This subscription provides new treats,
trivia, and in-depth information about a different country each month. It
didn’t completely fill the void that travel usually occupied in our lives, but
it kept the spark alive for learning about other cultures and customs.<o:p></o:p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-OCfpx7DCz0k/YMfcYMaI9sI/AAAAAAAACpY/frV1exq9WbYgod4mVHjjZZoi4PAyftwcgCNcBGAsYHQ/s2048/necklace.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1533" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-OCfpx7DCz0k/YMfcYMaI9sI/AAAAAAAACpY/frV1exq9WbYgod4mVHjjZZoi4PAyftwcgCNcBGAsYHQ/s320/necklace.jpg" /></a></div><br /><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><br /></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Now
that travel has opened back up a bit with the introduction of COVID-19
vaccinations, my husband and I decided to surprise our children with a trip to
Hawaii. It had been a year and a half without any plane travel for us. We were so
excited to finally be back up in the air! There were three destinations on our
itinerary: The Big Island of Hawaii, O’ahu, and Seattle. My family had an
amazing time together on a much overdue vacation. Other highlights of our trip
for me were catching up with one of my childhood friends and her husband in
Hawaii, and visiting my college roommate on the West Coast. <o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-wkytCo687O8/YMfbG_9Rq1I/AAAAAAAACo4/QAlp9fg19kMT4ISgqeFnhvJlnPwC0EzlwCNcBGAsYHQ/s2048/ukilaly.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1522" data-original-width="2048" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-wkytCo687O8/YMfbG_9Rq1I/AAAAAAAACo4/QAlp9fg19kMT4ISgqeFnhvJlnPwC0EzlwCNcBGAsYHQ/s320/ukilaly.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><br /><p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>What I
think my family appreciates the most about traveling together is the chance to
focus on each other. We are all so busy in the day-to-day lives that travel
gives us pause to spend time together. My hope is that we will continue to
create these amazing memories through travel even as our family grows and
changes in the coming years. <span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span><o:p></o:p></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">Sharing a mother’s
love,<o:p></o:p></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">Emily Brooks<o:p></o:p></p>North Dakota International Pageantshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14951878250980733028noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1200323384254000526.post-53422798374381378822021-06-14T17:32:00.001-05:002021-06-14T17:32:22.345-05:00Living with Albinism: Tessa's Story<p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-QJKQkfywWsE/YMfW9v0wbKI/AAAAAAAACos/UtkgdmZhQdEbzi_2cG6PBraVmheJ9GwhQCNcBGAsYHQ/s959/Blog%2B5.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="959" data-original-width="649" height="993" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-QJKQkfywWsE/YMfW9v0wbKI/AAAAAAAACos/UtkgdmZhQdEbzi_2cG6PBraVmheJ9GwhQCNcBGAsYHQ/w670-h993/Blog%2B5.png" width="670" /></a><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-nKRzGLTSmDo/YMfWvcjyG7I/AAAAAAAACok/-9Kc9OUZVIIqSxPOyMVy_WEMDx-hGu2WQCNcBGAsYHQ/s894/Blog%2B5%2B-%2BCopy.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="894" data-original-width="647" height="958" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-nKRzGLTSmDo/YMfWvcjyG7I/AAAAAAAACok/-9Kc9OUZVIIqSxPOyMVy_WEMDx-hGu2WQCNcBGAsYHQ/w691-h958/Blog%2B5%2B-%2BCopy.png" width="691" /></a></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-nYl9eycW6BQ/YMfWjdg7lgI/AAAAAAAACog/xh423pBMHEE2Yh3__4e3Kq7ECp3cxS_8wCNcBGAsYHQ/s681/Blog%2B5%2B-%2BCopy%2B%25282%2529.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="654" data-original-width="681" height="706" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-nYl9eycW6BQ/YMfWjdg7lgI/AAAAAAAACog/xh423pBMHEE2Yh3__4e3Kq7ECp3cxS_8wCNcBGAsYHQ/w736-h706/Blog%2B5%2B-%2BCopy%2B%25282%2529.png" width="736" /></a></div></div><br /><p></p>North Dakota International Pageantshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14951878250980733028noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1200323384254000526.post-80353755463119318822021-06-03T20:58:00.000-05:002021-06-03T20:58:02.130-05:00Clara's Tribute to her Grandparents<div style="text-align: left;"> <span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; white-space: pre-wrap;">Hi everyone, I want to talk about some special people in my life. I recently lost my grandma and grandpa Arizona. We called them grandma and grandpa Arizona because they lived in Arizona. In the summer they would come and live at my house in a camper. My grandpa wanted a garden so we always went to Walmart and chose some different seeds. Then every morning we went to water the plants. We used the plants to make fun recipes. We also made kuchen, brownies, and dumplings. My grandma loved to embroider on towels to decorate them. I just loved to watch her do it. It was so relaxing. Whenever we did anything the game show channel was always on. Usually Family Feud. They liked to play cards and dice.</span></div><span id="docs-internal-guid-b81cdd36-7fff-122d-5d80-e4abbe0d17c7"><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Due to covid, I wasn’t able to see them this past year. I could only see them through facetime. That was really hard on me but soon it got easier. This year when my grandma’s birthday rolled around in honor of her we made her favorite meal to eat and make with my mom and me. The meal was Chicken and Dumplings. It tasted amazing. One of my favorite meals is also Chicken and Dumplings so it was like a treat for me and my family because they love it too!</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">They loved to play cards and dice. Whenever we were bored my grandma would always tell me we needed to play Yahtzee or Frackle. Then she would make grandpa stop what he was doing to play so she could beat him.</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">In the summer when my grandma and grandpa would come to Jamestown I always had to come with them when they went to a store. My job was to keep them from getting lost in the streets and in Walmart. I remember one time when they had to drop my brother and me off at our music lessons but then we got lost. We just kept on going down the street until there was a dead end. We were about 10 minutes late for our lessons. I wish they used Google maps, it would have been a lot easier but that is how they were. I think they got too caught up in talking about coupons and cookies. </span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">This January my grandma died in Covid. A week after my grandpa who also had Covid died. We believe he died from a broken heart. Losing the love of his life for the past 63 years made him really sad. We just had their funeral and that’s what inspired me to write my blog about them. I will always miss them. </span></p><div><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></div></span>North Dakota International Pageantshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14951878250980733028noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1200323384254000526.post-74470003330191570822021-05-28T19:04:00.001-05:002021-05-28T19:04:47.735-05:00<p> </p><span id="docs-internal-guid-de8def55-7fff-38a9-eadb-c5b0de534fc3"><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Montserrat, sans-serif; font-size: 13pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-weight: 700; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Mackenzie’s time at North Dakota Miss Amazing</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Montserrat, sans-serif; font-size: 15pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="border: none; display: inline-block; height: 163px; overflow: hidden; width: 163px;"><img height="163" src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/sVXBSEtLyK1s75BXG5Ieq5chIcWjy5wXExWrMKDHwGt7X7WElOMPcFN3tiVHb7g4zVeLFX4KPYovNVVJOzDVcLDeW7Kbg8nO7ZyodoBm-PUZM6EuIPbfgFapJ94ukQ-d0BKSSYFM" style="margin-left: 0px; margin-top: 0px;" width="163" /></span></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Montserrat, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> On May first I had the opportunity to volunteer at the very first North Dakota Miss Amazing Pageant! The North Dakota Miss Amazing Pageant provides girls and women with disabilities to “consider their goals, step outside of their comfort zone, and build networks of support.” I had so much fun meeting all of the contestants and helping them have a great pageant experience. </span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Montserrat, sans-serif; font-size: 15pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="border: none; display: inline-block; height: 163px; overflow: hidden; width: 163px;"><img height="163" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/JjWAdMOOot0_WjR9tJNC4sHpMSJdPgXcCJY5-HRR5DAbIx4TySndYGp3GOAyTBFv7q1GxpzKUCldDiG6YE22fbHgdVMC2M9xieEij2ORil5F2jM3_p6iJw4LFFRpb9xV8PWqW8Nm" style="margin-left: 0px; margin-top: 0px;" width="163" /></span></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Montserrat, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">I was in charge of the second interview room. Each contestant went to meet three judges in three different rooms for 5 minutes. My job was to introduce each of the contestants to the judges and then let them know when their time was done. I loved seeing each girl’s confidence grow over the course of the day. They all came out of the judge’s room with huge smiles and when I asked how it went one yelled, “Nailed it!” When the contestants were waiting their turn to go into the judge’s room, we had dance parties in the hallway! </span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Montserrat, sans-serif; font-size: 15pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="border: none; display: inline-block; height: 165px; overflow: hidden; width: 165px;"><img height="165" src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/TAwnlC_WvRqtoLV9UWfqLHsFRZ0X8EbdfAfUkY1wDktWzt5p4_dCsCGyKFguhBDa5qX4zxM4stOtGfdrLi2ksCPgEbSM45BW9yuwOy_RZQX8MQp-AtExPTILE2e8qpLwz1x7v6KQ" style="margin-left: 0px; margin-top: 0px;" width="165" /></span></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Montserrat, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">At the end of the day was the pageant! It was so amazing to see all of their passion projects! Passion projects are 90-second performances or presentations that show a hobby that the contestants are passionate about! Some danced, some sang, some recited poems, and there were many other different talents! I met so many new friends and I can’t wait for next year! </span></p><div style="text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-dTJ2gwSrDcI/YLGE8a057mI/AAAAAAAACnQ/49FL1qH37V8KMr0meElPl-Rzdwgd0H7lgCNcBGAsYHQ/s1440/kenzie%2B1.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1440" data-original-width="1440" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-dTJ2gwSrDcI/YLGE8a057mI/AAAAAAAACnQ/49FL1qH37V8KMr0meElPl-Rzdwgd0H7lgCNcBGAsYHQ/s320/kenzie%2B1.JPG" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-family: Montserrat, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></div></span>North Dakota International Pageantshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14951878250980733028noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1200323384254000526.post-86195382323460390412021-05-28T18:36:00.000-05:002021-05-28T18:36:07.665-05:00<p> </p><p class="MsoNormal">This month I want to tell you a little bit about my favorite
people in the world… my family! <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">My dad’s name is Mark. He is truly the smartest man I know.
He holds Doctorates in Finance, Entrepreneurial Finance, and Financial
Econometrics; an Executive Doctorate in Artificial Intelligence (in process);
Master’s Degrees in Finance, Investments, Business Research, History and an
MBA; Bachelor’s Degree in Finance; plus a CFA, CMA and CFM. My little sister
refers to him as “the scientist” and he is pretty handy to have around when I
tackle my 6<sup>th</sup> grade math homework! In addition to his love of
learning, my dad is a HUGE baseball fanatic. He has thousands and thousands of baseball
cards in his collection, and buys/sells/trades with the biggest TOPPS
collectors in the world. My favorite connection I have with my dad is our love
for all things Star Wars and Marvel. We can watch every movie over and over
together, talking about every single detail for hours. We do most of our
talking when he’s driving me to all of my Water Works gigs. He’s the best.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><o:p> </o:p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-4uW2JS_8wSY/YLF9-CMx9yI/AAAAAAAACm4/-LYroIhG6YM0dCQiyb3EMcw9evS3uwoOQCNcBGAsYHQ/s2048/Anderson%2B1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1463" data-original-width="2048" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-4uW2JS_8wSY/YLF9-CMx9yI/AAAAAAAACm4/-LYroIhG6YM0dCQiyb3EMcw9evS3uwoOQCNcBGAsYHQ/s320/Anderson%2B1.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">My mom’s name is Jennifer. She and my dad have been married
for 15 years. She graduated from Concordia College with degrees in English
Literature, Advertising and Marketing. She was a vocal music scholar and sang
with the Concordia Choir. Fun fact… She was the first female student manager of
the choir! It’s no surprise to me that she helped manage the renown choir on
two years of US tours. She is the most organized person I know and keeps our
family running like a well-oiled machine. When she isn’t making lunches,
getting us to and from school, driving us to activities,
planning/volunteering/helping with every activity and event, and keeping our
house in order, she is the marketing and communication brains behind Water
Works. I refer to her as my “executive assistant”. <span style="font-family: Wingdings; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-char-type: symbol; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-symbol-font-family: Wingdings;"><span style="mso-char-type: symbol; mso-symbol-font-family: Wingdings;">J</span></span> Water Works would definitely
not be where it is today without her tireless support. My mom is definitely
supermom. <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><o:p> </o:p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-JOP801I2Nak/YLF-IpiW-WI/AAAAAAAACm8/YD8P4z1M-_Yk5e2xiucEbC0agbGl15pVACNcBGAsYHQ/s2048/Anderson015.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1463" data-original-width="2048" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-JOP801I2Nak/YLF-IpiW-WI/AAAAAAAACm8/YD8P4z1M-_Yk5e2xiucEbC0agbGl15pVACNcBGAsYHQ/s320/Anderson015.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Last, but not least, is my little sister, Sloane. Sloane
just turned five years old. She starts kindergarten in the fall and is about to
lose her very first tooth! She’s the light of my life. Sloane and I are seven
years apart in age. When I was little I prayed so hard that God would bring me
a baby sister or brother to love. When I was seven years old that prayer came
true. And, not only did I get to hold my new baby sister for the first time,
but I was also given the greatest honor of naming her, too. Of all the things I
was made to do and accomplish in this world, I’m pretty sure big sister is at
the top of that list!<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><o:p> </o:p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-cGduSY6yQI0/YLF-TnPngZI/AAAAAAAACnE/lyMsMb6HBFwly8tq_1Rm7Ev_fAUzAGfzACNcBGAsYHQ/s2048/Anderson025%255B30446%255D.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1463" data-original-width="2048" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-cGduSY6yQI0/YLF-TnPngZI/AAAAAAAACnE/lyMsMb6HBFwly8tq_1Rm7Ev_fAUzAGfzACNcBGAsYHQ/s320/Anderson025%255B30446%255D.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">My family is kind of a package deal. We enjoy being together
all of the time. From family trips, to weekend getaways, to school activities
and church, we are always there supporting each other and cheering one another
on. They’re my favorite kind of people. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">~ Sawyer Anderson, Miss Pre Teen Flickertail State
International 2021<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></p>North Dakota International Pageantshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14951878250980733028noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1200323384254000526.post-81038285762788123902021-05-08T22:36:00.003-05:002021-05-08T22:36:34.577-05:00Emily Brook's Photoshoot<p> </p><p class="font8" style="line-height: 16.2pt; margin: 0in; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Calibri",sans-serif; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">My official photoshoot as Mrs. North Dakota International was an
adventure! We headed west about four hours to Natural Impressions: Photography
by Justine’s studio in Hazen, ND. My husband and I decided to stay over in
Bismarck, which is close to Hazen, so we could relax and enjoy some dining out
together during the trip. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="font8" style="line-height: 16.2pt; margin: 0in; text-align: center; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Calibri",sans-serif; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Lw1rdju9IRQ/YJdYJugsyaI/AAAAAAAACl0/zCtKyMkqoo4ySQjwsy-qUgTz-FozoLKpwCNcBGAsYHQ/s2048/Natural_Impressions_103-A.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1366" data-original-width="2048" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Lw1rdju9IRQ/YJdYJugsyaI/AAAAAAAACl0/zCtKyMkqoo4ySQjwsy-qUgTz-FozoLKpwCNcBGAsYHQ/s320/Natural_Impressions_103-A.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><p></p>
<p class="font8" style="line-height: 16.2pt; margin: 0in; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Calibri",sans-serif; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>There were
quite a few clothing options I brought with me to the photoshoot with Justine. I
loved having both of my Pageant Directors, Janelle Steinberg and Jessie Aamodt,
with me in the studio. They did an amazing job of helping me pick out my
wardrobe for each look. From my earrings to my shoes, they gave their expert
opinions. They smoothed my hair and helped make any adjustments needed during
the photos. I told them that I wished everyone could have the same experience
that made me feel like royalty.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="font8" style="line-height: 16.2pt; margin: 0in; text-align: center; vertical-align: baseline;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-h-ZBQBotj4E/YJdX5gFTv6I/AAAAAAAAClo/TZ8vkEluDnEtNSVLclFC18gg9wlaCaJ3wCNcBGAsYHQ/s2048/Natural_Impressions_012-A.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1366" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-h-ZBQBotj4E/YJdX5gFTv6I/AAAAAAAAClo/TZ8vkEluDnEtNSVLclFC18gg9wlaCaJ3wCNcBGAsYHQ/s320/Natural_Impressions_012-A.jpg" /></a></div><br /><span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Calibri",sans-serif; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><br /></span><p></p>
<p class="font8" style="line-height: 16.2pt; margin: 0in; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Calibri",sans-serif; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="font8" style="line-height: 16.2pt; margin: 0in; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Calibri",sans-serif; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>While
taking the photos, Justine had some really great ideas for background,
lighting, and posing. I enjoyed the way she made me feel comfortable in front
of the camera. She turned on some great music, which of course led to dancing
on my part. I love all of the different looks from my photoshoot, but my very
favorite was the bonus photos at the end. Justine set up some lighting that came
straight from above, which created a real contrast between the different
elements in the photos. They turned out so artistic!<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="font8" style="line-height: 16.2pt; margin: 0in; text-align: center; vertical-align: baseline;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-YNMwcxkUdWk/YJdXq1PCTWI/AAAAAAAAClg/yyKqCLj4xLYOOLwA3MkSNGCXHfbLcs__QCNcBGAsYHQ/s2048/Natural_Impressions_108-A.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1366" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-YNMwcxkUdWk/YJdXq1PCTWI/AAAAAAAAClg/yyKqCLj4xLYOOLwA3MkSNGCXHfbLcs__QCNcBGAsYHQ/s320/Natural_Impressions_108-A.jpg" /></a></div><br /><span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Calibri",sans-serif; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><br /></span><p></p>
<p class="font8" style="line-height: 16.2pt; margin: 0in; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Calibri",sans-serif; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="font8" style="line-height: 16.2pt; margin: 0in; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Calibri",sans-serif; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Incorporating
my platform into the photoshoot was really special for me as well. I wore a
tank top with the American Mother Inc. logo that my mom bought for me when we
attending our first AMI Convention together. There was another look that
featured a gold sequin Mac Duggal gown. I held an American flag behind me in
the background against a white backdrop. Justine was able to capture some
really amazing photos of me twirling in the gown with the flag.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="font8" style="line-height: 16.2pt; margin: 0in; text-align: center; vertical-align: baseline;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-_EW5-pNjjs0/YJdXfgu49rI/AAAAAAAAClY/ODHo5qlA4hkPymYN2K4VueXhBtS7SozJwCNcBGAsYHQ/s2048/Natural_Impressions_014-A.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1366" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-_EW5-pNjjs0/YJdXfgu49rI/AAAAAAAAClY/ODHo5qlA4hkPymYN2K4VueXhBtS7SozJwCNcBGAsYHQ/s320/Natural_Impressions_014-A.jpg" /></a></div><br /><span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Calibri",sans-serif; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><br /></span><p></p>
<p class="font8" style="line-height: 16.2pt; margin: 0in; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Calibri",sans-serif; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="font8" style="line-height: 16.2pt; margin: 0in; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Calibri",sans-serif; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>One really
meaningful experience I’ve had with my pageant involvement so far was getting
to wear a very special gown for my official Mrs. North Dakota International. When
I was 17, I competed in a pageant and wore the same gown. My on-stage question
for the Mrs. North Dakota International Pageant was, “What have you learned
about yourself through your involvement with this pageant?”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>My answer spoke of how I’ve realized that
it’s never too late to revisit a dream. It really made the whole moment come
full circle for me.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="font8" style="line-height: 16.2pt; margin: 0in; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Calibri",sans-serif; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="font8" style="line-height: 16.2pt; margin: 0in; vertical-align: baseline;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ZIgPrk0kmOQ/YJdXDWlQ2OI/AAAAAAAAClM/qPXkQlJgRmIHq5SXAjWqDXSbqvtQ_yIqgCNcBGAsYHQ/s2048/1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1366" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ZIgPrk0kmOQ/YJdXDWlQ2OI/AAAAAAAAClM/qPXkQlJgRmIHq5SXAjWqDXSbqvtQ_yIqgCNcBGAsYHQ/s320/1.jpg" /></a></div><span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Calibri",sans-serif; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>The whole
experience of my photoshoot is something I’ll treasure throughout my life. I
loved having my husband, Bill, with me as well to see the entire process.
Looking at the photos brings me back to the moments they were being captured in the studio with Justine, Janelle, Jessie, and Bill. I’m thankful to the whole
team of people that helped make the images picture perfect!<o:p></o:p></span><p></p>
<p class="font8" style="line-height: 16.2pt; margin: 0in; text-align: center; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Calibri",sans-serif; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><o:p></o:p></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-dyIjrb2Pz3o/YJdYmV3D_oI/AAAAAAAACmA/Yp8uKcmXV5Q488JHDfOjuiRlq1bHnrNCACNcBGAsYHQ/s2048/3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1365" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-dyIjrb2Pz3o/YJdYmV3D_oI/AAAAAAAACmA/Yp8uKcmXV5Q488JHDfOjuiRlq1bHnrNCACNcBGAsYHQ/s320/3.jpg" /></a></div><br /> <p></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="border: none windowtext 1.0pt; color: black; letter-spacing: .35pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-border-alt: none windowtext 0in; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; padding: 0in;">Sharing a mother’s love,<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="border: none windowtext 1.0pt; color: black; letter-spacing: .35pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-border-alt: none windowtext 0in; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; padding: 0in;">Emily Brooks<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="border: none windowtext 1.0pt; color: black; letter-spacing: .35pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-border-alt: none windowtext 0in; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; padding: 0in;">Mrs. North Dakota International
2021</span><o:p></o:p></p>North Dakota International Pageantshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14951878250980733028noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1200323384254000526.post-67156166544523555612021-05-08T22:15:00.000-05:002021-05-08T22:15:24.231-05:00Tessa's Photoshoot<p> </p><p class="Body" style="line-height: 200%;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>I haven’t
had many professional photoshoots done before, and being in front of a camera
isn’t my most favorite thing.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I feel
silly posing, and worry about how my eyes will look.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Having albinism presents a different
challenge for photographers, and the images don’t always turn out like everyone
is used to seeing.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I have always been
very critical of how pictures of me turn out, and over the years I’ve just come
to expect my eyes or face to look less than perfect.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The bright lights used in a studio, the backdrop colors, and the flash all have a major impact on the quality of what comes
through in the pictures.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Editing has
come a long way where a photographer can now remove the red of my eyes and turn
them blue, they can now digitally fix the contrast in the photo so I stand out
against a not so flattering background, and they can sharpen the image so you
see the difference between my body and hair.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>The one thing that can’t be fixed through editing is my eye direction,
or the scrunchy looks on my face from squinting due to brightness.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="Body" style="line-height: 200%;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ptjAdwgPjTs/YJdS6kXie9I/AAAAAAAACk0/_IsiCLn805w5X_bE0cPg9V1bCdfpKtWygCNcBGAsYHQ/s624/tessa%2Bblog%2B5.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="624" data-original-width="468" height="309" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ptjAdwgPjTs/YJdS6kXie9I/AAAAAAAACk0/_IsiCLn805w5X_bE0cPg9V1bCdfpKtWygCNcBGAsYHQ/w240-h309/tessa%2Bblog%2B5.png" width="240" /></a></div><br /><p></p>
<p class="Body" style="line-height: 200%;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>I was
pleased with how well Justine with Natural Impressions: Photography by Justine
did on my pictures.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>More importantly, though was how much fun I had in the studio.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>I always have a ton of energy, and Justine just worked with it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She had me jumping and leaping, and doing
poses that had some more dramatic lines to them.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I felt very comfortable being myself, being
silly and energetic, and relaxed to the point I wasn’t stressing about the face
scrunch or weird eye direction.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>One of
my favorite pictures is of me in my gown wearing running shoes instead of
pretty dress shoes because I would totally pull that off away from the camera!
My second favorite is in my running gear, barefoot, holding my shoes and crown
because that captures my everyday attire and comfort zone (minus holding shoes
and crown). I’m so thankful to be on this journey and for the opportunities the
International Pageant system has given me.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>I’m thankful for the ND directors who’ve built standing relationships
with people like Justine who are not only wonderful at what they do, but truly
a great person to be around.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="Body" style="line-height: 200%;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-PxuJHS_MiUM/YJdTMhFi7HI/AAAAAAAAClA/-LETaYGCEbo8U_4lU_LskKx_W0IQU_yJwCNcBGAsYHQ/s277/tessa%2Bblog%2B3b.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="277" data-original-width="185" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-PxuJHS_MiUM/YJdTMhFi7HI/AAAAAAAAClA/-LETaYGCEbo8U_4lU_LskKx_W0IQU_yJwCNcBGAsYHQ/s0/tessa%2Bblog%2B3b.jpg" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;"><br /></span><p></p>North Dakota International Pageantshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14951878250980733028noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1200323384254000526.post-46616071404740857862021-04-27T19:40:00.000-05:002021-04-27T19:40:18.762-05:00Sawyer Anderson and Photoshoot Fun <p></p><p class="MsoNormal">Photoshoots might not be everyone’s cup of tea… But me? I
LOVE them! Like REALLY love them. Ever since I was a little girl, I would look
forward to having my photos professionally taken.</p><p class="MsoNormal"><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-fOGLLhUz0oU/YIiuSQmnyBI/AAAAAAAACj8/ku_KjX6OI1I_2oeq_lPhha1Qe0ZfigGKwCNcBGAsYHQ/s2048/sawyer%2Bblog%2Blittle.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1462" data-original-width="2048" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-fOGLLhUz0oU/YIiuSQmnyBI/AAAAAAAACj8/ku_KjX6OI1I_2oeq_lPhha1Qe0ZfigGKwCNcBGAsYHQ/s320/sawyer%2Bblog%2Blittle.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><p></p><p class="MsoNormal">I loved the outfit changes,
the pretty hair, getting my nails painted, and did I mention the model poses? I
lived for posing. My Miss Pre Teen Flickertail State 2021 photoshoot with
Natural Impressions: Photography by Justine in January was no different. My three-hour
session with Justine flew by in under two hours. I might have been a little
uncomfortable walking the pageant runway, but the photography studio is my
happy place!</p><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-g3OwsbyqunU/YIiukYL9hNI/AAAAAAAACkE/fz-97NwhGjkFN9hui5kLGkyycDoMkcOUQCNcBGAsYHQ/s2048/sawyer%2Bgetting%2Bphoto.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-g3OwsbyqunU/YIiukYL9hNI/AAAAAAAACkE/fz-97NwhGjkFN9hui5kLGkyycDoMkcOUQCNcBGAsYHQ/s320/sawyer%2Bgetting%2Bphoto.jpeg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Working with Justine was an absolute dream. Not only is she
a creative genius, but she is also such a wonderfully kind person. I felt
completely at ease the entire session. We laughed, I got some great outtakes,
and I went home with lots and lots of beautiful photos. <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Df1NHcXQxWY/YIiu1OPfikI/AAAAAAAACkQ/JzCT79JpWyQXl7cgcVc4NVuS7okGBhHUwCNcBGAsYHQ/s2048/sawyer%2Bwhite%2Bbackground.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Df1NHcXQxWY/YIiu1OPfikI/AAAAAAAACkQ/JzCT79JpWyQXl7cgcVc4NVuS7okGBhHUwCNcBGAsYHQ/s320/sawyer%2Bwhite%2Bbackground.jpeg" /></a></div><br /><p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Thank you, Justine and North Dakota International Pageants,
for such an incredible experience and memories that I will have forever. <o:p></o:p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-nfjO8zGdKOE/YIiutwMtbbI/AAAAAAAACkI/dFhU6ODH4KscCJoVCD_FXsRUydSCH5LGQCNcBGAsYHQ/s2048/sawyer%2Bfun.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1365" data-original-width="2048" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-nfjO8zGdKOE/YIiutwMtbbI/AAAAAAAACkI/dFhU6ODH4KscCJoVCD_FXsRUydSCH5LGQCNcBGAsYHQ/s320/sawyer%2Bfun.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><p class="MsoNormal"><br /></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">~ Sawyer Anderson, Miss Pre Teen Flickertail State
International 2021<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></p><br /><p></p>North Dakota International Pageantshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14951878250980733028noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1200323384254000526.post-56942470245872478722021-04-26T19:17:00.002-05:002021-04-26T19:17:34.354-05:00Clara Seckerson's Platform is the Golden Rule<p> </p><div class="WordSection1"></div>
<div class="WordSection8"><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 114%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 1.0in; margin-right: 71.05pt; margin-top: 0in; text-indent: .5in;"><span style="color: black; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 114%;">Hi,<span style="letter-spacing: -.15pt;"> </span>I<span style="letter-spacing: -.2pt;"> </span>am<span style="letter-spacing: -.2pt;"> </span>Miss<span style="letter-spacing: -.15pt;"> </span>PreTeen<span style="letter-spacing: -.2pt;"> </span>North<span style="letter-spacing: -.2pt;"> </span>Dakota<span style="letter-spacing: -.15pt;"> </span>International<span style="letter-spacing: -.2pt;"> </span>2021,<span style="letter-spacing: -.25pt;"> </span>Clara
Seckerson.<span style="letter-spacing: -.15pt;"> </span>Today<span style="letter-spacing: -.2pt;"> </span>I<span style="letter-spacing: -.15pt;"> </span>am<span style="letter-spacing: -.2pt;"> </span>going<span style="letter-spacing: -.15pt;"> </span>to<span style="letter-spacing: -.2pt;"> </span>talk<span style="letter-spacing: -.15pt;"> </span>about<span style="letter-spacing: -.2pt;"> </span>my<span style="letter-spacing: -.15pt;"> </span>platform.<span style="letter-spacing: -.2pt;"> </span>My<span style="letter-spacing: -.2pt;"> </span>platform<span style="letter-spacing: -.15pt;"> </span>is<span style="letter-spacing: -.25pt;"> </span>“The
Golden Rule”. It stands for “treat others the way you want to be treated”.<span style="letter-spacing: -.25pt;"> </span>I want to spread the word of being
kind. The reason this is my platform<span style="letter-spacing: -.2pt;"> </span>is
that I was bullied a lot and I hated it so much. When I was younger<span style="letter-spacing: -.2pt;"> </span>I had acne, which isn’t very weird now but
back then everybody thought I<span style="letter-spacing: -.25pt;"> </span>was
weird. I also got bullied because of my body shape. I have a very lien<span style="letter-spacing: -.25pt;"> </span>body and nobody else had that. It
shouldn't matter how you look, nobody<span style="letter-spacing: -.25pt;"> </span>should
ever get bullied. Everybody has thought of something bad about<span style="letter-spacing: -.25pt;"> </span>someone else, how to handle this is to
not say that hurtful thing to a person.<span style="letter-spacing: -.25pt;"> </span>Instead, say something that is kind and will encourage them to say something<span style="letter-spacing: -.2pt;"> </span>nice to somebody<span style="letter-spacing: -.25pt;"> </span>else.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 19.3pt; mso-line-height-rule: exactly;"><span style="color: black; font-size: 14.0pt;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 114%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 1.0in; margin-right: 74.85pt; margin-top: 0in; text-indent: .5in;"><span style="color: black; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 114%;">If you bully someone every time you say something hurtful or<span style="letter-spacing: -.2pt;"> </span>mean
they lose self-confidence. If you have a piece of paper as<span style="letter-spacing: -.2pt;"> </span>somebody's heart, and you say hurtful
things to the piece of paper it will crumble up.<span style="letter-spacing: -.25pt;"> </span>If you say kind things to the crumpled up piece of paper it
will open up.<span style="letter-spacing: -.25pt;"> </span>But, the piece of paper
will never be the same. Nobody can ever truly heal<span style="letter-spacing: -.85pt;"> </span>from being<span style="letter-spacing: -.05pt;"> </span>bullied.<span style="letter-spacing: -.1pt;"> </span>So,<span style="letter-spacing: -.1pt;"> </span>just<span style="letter-spacing: -.05pt;"> </span>don’t<span style="letter-spacing: -.1pt;"> </span>bully,<span style="letter-spacing: -.1pt;"> </span>if<span style="letter-spacing: -.05pt;"> </span>people<span style="letter-spacing: -.1pt;"> </span>start<span style="letter-spacing: -.1pt;"> </span>to<span style="letter-spacing: -.1pt;"> </span>be<span style="letter-spacing: -.05pt;"> </span>kinder<span style="letter-spacing: -.1pt;"> </span>it<span style="letter-spacing: -.1pt;"> </span>would<span style="letter-spacing: -.1pt;"> </span>make a<span style="letter-spacing: -.1pt;"> </span>big<span style="letter-spacing: -.1pt;"> </span>impact<span style="letter-spacing: -.15pt;">
</span>on<span style="letter-spacing: -.1pt;"> </span>your<span style="letter-spacing: -.15pt;"> </span>community,<span style="letter-spacing: -.1pt;"> </span>and<span style="letter-spacing: -.15pt;"> </span>then<span style="letter-spacing: -.1pt;"> </span>soon<span style="letter-spacing: -.15pt;"> </span>hopefully<span style="letter-spacing: -.1pt;"> </span>the<span style="letter-spacing: -.2pt;"> </span>world.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 18.95pt; mso-line-height-rule: exactly;"><span style="color: black; font-size: 14.0pt;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 114%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 1.0in; margin-right: 71.25pt; margin-top: 0in; text-indent: .5in;"><span style="color: black; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 114%;">In my class, there’s this
boy who gets laughed at and pushed<span style="letter-spacing: -.45pt;"> </span>around
for no reason, and I hate that. Some people I even call my friends<span style="letter-spacing: -.2pt;"> </span>say hurtful<span style="letter-spacing: -.05pt;"> </span>things<span style="letter-spacing: -.1pt;"> </span>to<span style="letter-spacing: -.1pt;"> </span>him.<span style="letter-spacing: -.1pt;"> </span>I<span style="letter-spacing: -.1pt;"> </span>am<span style="letter-spacing: -.05pt;"> </span>actually<span style="letter-spacing: -.1pt;"> </span>very<span style="letter-spacing: -.1pt;"> </span>good<span style="letter-spacing: -.1pt;"> </span>friends<span style="letter-spacing: -.1pt;">
</span>with<span style="letter-spacing: -.05pt;"> </span>this<span style="letter-spacing: -.1pt;"> </span>boy,<span style="letter-spacing: -.15pt;"> </span>ever
since he came to my school I have always treated him with kind words<span style="letter-spacing: -.55pt;"> </span>and tried<span style="letter-spacing: -.05pt;"> </span>to<span style="letter-spacing: -.1pt;"> </span>make<span style="letter-spacing: -.1pt;"> </span>him<span style="letter-spacing: -.05pt;"> </span>happy.<span style="letter-spacing: -.1pt;"> </span>I<span style="letter-spacing: -.1pt;"> </span>think<span style="letter-spacing: -.05pt;"> </span>I<span style="letter-spacing: -.1pt;"> </span>have<span style="letter-spacing: -.1pt;"> </span>succeeded<span style="letter-spacing: -.05pt;">
</span>at<span style="letter-spacing: -.1pt;"> </span>this<span style="letter-spacing: -.1pt;"> </span>because<span style="letter-spacing: -.1pt;"> </span>now<span style="letter-spacing: -.1pt;"> </span>he smiles, and it makes me so happy to
count him as one of my best<span style="letter-spacing: -.25pt;"> </span>friends.
We<span style="letter-spacing: -.1pt;"> </span>also<span style="letter-spacing: -.15pt;"> </span>have<span style="letter-spacing: -.1pt;"> </span>a<span style="letter-spacing: -.15pt;"> </span>song<span style="letter-spacing: -.1pt;"> </span>we<span style="letter-spacing: -.15pt;"> </span>sing<span style="letter-spacing: -.1pt;"> </span>every time<span style="letter-spacing: -.15pt;"> </span>we<span style="letter-spacing: -.1pt;"> </span>see<span style="letter-spacing: -.15pt;"> </span>each<span style="letter-spacing: -.1pt;"> </span>other.<span style="letter-spacing: -.15pt;"> </span>My<span style="letter-spacing: -.15pt;"> </span>brother<span style="letter-spacing: -.15pt;"> </span>has CHARGE syndrome, and I would hate to
see him get made fun of.<span style="letter-spacing: -1.0pt;"> </span>That’s why<span style="letter-spacing: -.05pt;"> </span>I<span style="letter-spacing: -.1pt;"> </span>am<span style="letter-spacing: -.1pt;"> </span>trying<span style="letter-spacing: -.1pt;"> </span>to<span style="letter-spacing: -.1pt;"> </span>spread<span style="letter-spacing: -.1pt;"> </span>my<span style="letter-spacing: -.1pt;"> </span>platform<span style="letter-spacing: -.1pt;">
</span>and<span style="letter-spacing: -.1pt;"> </span>positivity.<span style="letter-spacing: -.1pt;"> </span>I<span style="letter-spacing: -.1pt;"> </span>hope<span style="letter-spacing: -.1pt;"> </span>you<span style="letter-spacing: -.1pt;"> </span>will<span style="letter-spacing: -.1pt;"> </span>join<span style="letter-spacing: -.15pt;"> </span>me
in my journey of spreading “The Golden<span style="letter-spacing: -.35pt;"> </span>Rule”.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 10.0pt; mso-line-height-rule: exactly;"><span style="color: black; font-size: 14.0pt;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 10.0pt; mso-line-height-rule: exactly;"><span style="color: black; font-size: 14.0pt;"><o:p> <span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span></o:p></span><span style="font-size: 14pt;">When somebody asks me what “The Golden Rule” stands for I</span><span style="font-size: 14pt; letter-spacing: -0.4pt;"> </span><span style="font-size: 14pt;">tell</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 1.0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 2.4pt;"><span style="color: black; font-size: 14.0pt;">them it stands<span style="letter-spacing: -1.0pt;"> </span>for,<o:p></o:p></span></p>
</div>
<span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-fareast;"><br clear="all" style="mso-break-type: section-break; page-break-before: always;" />
</span>
<div class="WordSection9">
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 10.0pt; mso-line-height-rule: exactly;"><span style="color: black; font-size: 14.0pt;"><o:p> </o:p></span><span style="font-size: 14pt;">G- Give someone a</span><span style="font-size: 14pt; letter-spacing: -0.65pt;"> </span><span style="font-size: 14pt;">smile</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 10.0pt; mso-line-height-rule: exactly;"><span style="font-size: 14pt;"> O- Offer a helping</span><span style="font-size: 14pt; letter-spacing: -0.5pt;"> </span><span style="font-size: 14pt;">hand</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 10.0pt; mso-line-height-rule: exactly;"><span style="font-size: 14pt;"> L- Laugh with someone,
not at</span><span style="font-size: 14pt; letter-spacing: -0.7pt;"> </span><span style="font-size: 14pt;">someone </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 10.0pt; mso-line-height-rule: exactly;"><span style="font-size: 14pt;"> D- Do one act of
kindness</span><span style="font-size: 14pt; letter-spacing: -0.3pt;"> </span><span style="font-size: 14pt;">everyday</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 10.0pt; mso-line-height-rule: exactly;"><span style="font-size: 14pt;"> E- Encourage others to be</span><span style="font-size: 14pt; letter-spacing: -0.7pt;"> </span><span style="font-size: 14pt;">kind</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 10.0pt; mso-line-height-rule: exactly;"><span style="font-size: 14pt;"> N- Never speak</span><span style="font-size: 14pt; letter-spacing: -0.25pt;"> </span><span style="font-size: 14pt;">unkindly</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 18.6pt; mso-line-height-rule: exactly;"><span style="font-size: 14pt;"> </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 1.5in;"><span style="font-size: 14pt;">So, the next time you think of “The Golden Rule” try and think of<span style="letter-spacing: -.4pt;"> </span>all<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 1.0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 2.4pt;"><span style="font-size: 14pt;">these things that you can do to brighten up someone's<span style="letter-spacing: -.4pt;"> </span>day!<o:p></o:p></span></p></div>
<span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-fareast;"><br clear="all" style="mso-break-type: section-break; page-break-before: always;" />
</span>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 10.0pt; mso-line-height-rule: exactly;"><span style="color: black; font-size: 14.0pt;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>North Dakota International Pageantshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14951878250980733028noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1200323384254000526.post-69556005426599830222021-04-19T19:25:00.000-05:002021-04-19T19:25:15.334-05:00Mackenzie Fuller's Official Photoshoot<p style="text-align: center;"> <span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><img height="257" src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/ktr2ggmJ8Vj0roEgRDvN3BqlC_pAy4qZwve5m7i5PiCG5UfRAhfF72ksnaLVtlwRAkeJkg7KStrr3RwSwfKaa4bT6iMnIhEKHABsolaKO-NAigRNpPyT3CIx-IMVanDj0_MlDIyT" style="font-size: 15pt; margin-left: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: left; white-space: pre-wrap;" width="172" /> </p><p><span style="font-size: 15pt; white-space: pre-wrap;">I had so much fun at my titleholder photoshoot! I have worked with Justine for 4 years and I was so glad that I was able to work with her for my photos as Miss Teen North Dakota International 2021! It is really cool to look back on what I looked like during my first photoshoot, compared to my most recent. The picture on the left is from my first photoshoot with Justine, and the one on the right is from my latest photoshoot. </span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span id="docs-internal-guid-8a720308-7fff-ed7c-235d-faa8ffc40a24"><span style="font-size: 15pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="border: none; display: inline-block; height: 227px; overflow: hidden; width: 151px;"><img height="227" src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/aAnW0mNJJRswvmeC5GWuO9glzDlACKHmi3rcAMAvDhVJEp_t_afZTS_rN-XH-k6HDYzktXP-Fxenne580ubTspFHP8CyUxLEO-kF31T9wIPv7vVFTX8UZ3cbwG4indmoCLJI1IrR" style="margin-left: 0px; margin-top: 0px;" width="151" /></span></span></span><img height="229" src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/vPFeRd-UiZQ7kgLZV2T7-OcJJQoB-ir7uRE4aMo1QDf4PHk6joO9C4buYNQKoVQjoUA1YSU4USTeD2tm418Mgi7n1VDw3uUASDo5gkAMYlBjbAMP9DKusOz9gxnb1kBmC3lNzBRg" style="font-size: 15pt; margin-left: 0px; margin-top: 0px;" width="153" /></p><p><span style="font-size: 15pt; white-space: pre-wrap;">She always helps me feel my best and knows what my style is. She knows that I can never do a serious face for a picture and laughs with me when I try! I love when she captures the photos of me laughing right after trying to have a serious face.</span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span id="docs-internal-guid-ffa055a4-7fff-0b0b-d62d-e4f0c809c530"><span style="font-size: 15pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="border: none; display: inline-block; height: 220px; overflow: hidden; width: 147px;"><img height="220" src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/JjYZaLHZtfIx-fApuykJhJHeDXTN1muqZ0AA3DX66BBfWwI5G5czv0Gs1AsoCjMVN6EzWSdC2u_qZHE10WkfGv8hEruouwgtTJi8bahxyrV0awXDon6H74k2kodtjQt7OSVzgESl" style="margin-left: 0px; margin-top: 0px;" width="147" /></span></span></span></p><p><span style="font-size: 15pt; white-space: pre-wrap;">I love taking pictures and the end results never disappoint! I brought four outfits to take pictures in, and it was really fun to see all the styles and how they look so different but they were taken on the same day! My mom came with me to my photoshoot and it was so fun! She has come with me to almost every one of my photoshoots. She is one of my biggest supporters. She was constantly giving me compliments throughout the entire photoshoot and it made it so easy to keep smiling! I am so glad to have that experience that I was able to share with my mom. It was so amazing to have my directors Janelle and Jessie there to help me feel confident. They are truly the BEST hype girls! Every time I came out of the dressing room their “Ooohs” and “Ahhs” made me feel so confident and happy! </span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span id="docs-internal-guid-0a5b72db-7fff-8d96-3c7e-79bbc3abab94"><span style="font-size: 15pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="border: none; display: inline-block; height: 203px; overflow: hidden; width: 304px;"><img height="203" src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/0mGYtw7InyqKW7VhpxHat-0bEtmYF9MJHzW7rWbOXA6mStpLXnCuiX_wnIqFz-XGsnxIrhDC1FVBzEQa4BZEw7NMZd6Jx-vLWVYOJL11rQTIi4huLXB1Ed_cwiRY2j8FEe-93UaW" style="margin-left: 0px; margin-top: 0px;" width="304" /></span></span></span></p><p><span style="font-size: 15pt; white-space: pre-wrap;">I highly recommend Natural Impressions Photography By Justine for any of your photography needs!</span></p><div><span style="font-size: 15pt; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></div>North Dakota International Pageantshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14951878250980733028noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1200323384254000526.post-39710433104711574662021-04-08T20:12:00.002-05:002021-04-08T20:12:15.821-05:00Tessa Monzelowsky, North Dakota International Ambassador 2021, and Running<p style="text-align: center;"> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-cmQQiFh9I9Q/YG-phoKUYSI/AAAAAAAACjE/uqeXdL3bc4UKFWN8n2U7PluINCAnDqB6gCNcBGAsYHQ/s277/tessa%2Bblog%2B3b.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="277" data-original-width="185" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-cmQQiFh9I9Q/YG-phoKUYSI/AAAAAAAACjE/uqeXdL3bc4UKFWN8n2U7PluINCAnDqB6gCNcBGAsYHQ/s0/tessa%2Bblog%2B3b.jpg" /></a></div><br /><p></p><p class="Body" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;">Why running? Who actually likes to run for fun? These
are the two most</span><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>common questions I get from people when they
hear I train multiple days a week to go run long-distance races.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Another question I have been asked over the
last two years several times is, what is the purpose to all of this, what are
you expecting to get from it?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="Body" style="line-height: 200%;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Let me first
answer the easy question, who actually runs for fun? The people who have
discovered what running does for them, the ones who have figured out a stronger
Why then a Why Not. Now, why running? Running has its obvious benefits to your physical
health, you’ll lose weight, and gain some muscle. There are also the great
cardiovascular benefits to help prevent being the 1 in 3 statistics for heart
disease or stroke. But, for most the reason we run has a great deal to do with
our mental and emotional health.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Running
naturally produces the happy hormone dopamine. You will also find that by
pushing some of the limits of your own body you are gaining more confidence.
Now that you’re receiving these two positive reinforcements you’ll start to dip
deeper into your own head and heart. Here’s where you start to find you are
capable of handling the stress and obstacles life inevitably throws our way.
You no longer can go for a run and try to lie to yourself about the realities
you face. You will start to have more positive self-talk at this point, and
you’ll start problem-solving the hard stuff. You will also find yourself
digging into the deep parts of your psyche and finally handle some of that
garbage you’ve been holding onto for far too long. With each of these steps
into the mental and emotional parts of yourself, you discover how capable you
are of doing really hard things. For many of us who stick with running, we start
to understand how the external pain (yes it hurts to run long distances) is necessary
to get rid of the garbage and stay on top of the new positive self we’ve
created. To answer the questions of why keep training, what’s the purpose of
all this? Simple, I’ve reached a point in my journey where I can set real
tangible goals, I have a real place where I know I can escape when I need to,
and I’m keeping my body healthy, so my quality of life lasts as long as my soul
does. I’ve also discovered that you’re never too old to set a goal so big
you’re scared of it. I would love to take the podium in a master’s division
championship race.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I want to qualify for
Boston, but even bigger qualify to run the Abbott World Marathon Majors! I
don’t know what my journey will bring for certain, but I do know that I won’t
give up. There’s always a new goal to set your sights on so you’ll learn to be
humble with each successful milestone you hit, and you’ll definitely fall down
(sometimes literally) and have to learn to persevere through the failure.
Running is something you truly do for yourself. It’s just you and the path, the
clock is the only real competition.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>One
of my coach’s favorite quotes is “fail to prepare and you prepare to fail.” I
am the only one who is accountable for what I accomplish, no one can do it for
me, and no one can take away what the work does for me. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="Body" style="line-height: 200%;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span></span><span style="font-size: 12pt;">There are
many other parts that go into a running journey, and I will be sharing those
other parts as the year moves forward. I hope to inspire others with my own </span><span style="font-size: 12pt;">journey and hope to see and
hear how running has helped others become the best version of themselves.</span></p><p class="Body" style="line-height: 200%; text-align: center;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-tEL3iZnQWMQ/YG-pql7i5LI/AAAAAAAACjI/5JXEymboCXUaTNGaV0gHNbD4jtkes4l9QCNcBGAsYHQ/s394/Tessa%2Bblog%2B3a.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="394" data-original-width="244" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-tEL3iZnQWMQ/YG-pql7i5LI/AAAAAAAACjI/5JXEymboCXUaTNGaV0gHNbD4jtkes4l9QCNcBGAsYHQ/s320/Tessa%2Bblog%2B3a.jpg" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><br /></span><p></p><p class="Body" style="line-height: 200%;"><o:p></o:p></p>North Dakota International Pageantshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14951878250980733028noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1200323384254000526.post-11161660081213364342021-04-01T20:17:00.001-05:002021-04-01T20:17:19.643-05:00American Mothers and Mrs. ND International 2021, Emily Brooks<p> </p><p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">My Platform is
American Mothers Inc.</span><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="font8" style="line-height: 16.2pt; margin: 0in; vertical-align: baseline;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-InSu7UoAEks/YGZvZ36MD9I/AAAAAAAAChw/d0xdzJasS04NrO0138R2-D_gYZacg2NYgCNcBGAsYHQ/s1795/emily%2Bblog%2B3b.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1774" data-original-width="1795" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-InSu7UoAEks/YGZvZ36MD9I/AAAAAAAAChw/d0xdzJasS04NrO0138R2-D_gYZacg2NYgCNcBGAsYHQ/s320/emily%2Bblog%2B3b.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><span style="font-family: "Calibri",sans-serif; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span></span><p></p><p class="font8" style="line-height: 16.2pt; margin: 0in; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"><br /><span style="font-size: medium;">My platform is American Mothers
Inc. (AMI). After recovering from postpartum depression, I had the desire to
support other women with issues unique to motherhood. </span><span style="border: 1pt none windowtext; color: black; letter-spacing: 0.35pt; padding: 0in;"><span style="font-size: medium;">In 2018, I was honored with the North Dakota Mother of the Year
title by AMI for my contributions to my community, which has given me the
ability to share this support on a greater scale. I’ve gotten very involved
with this amazing organization with roots dating back to Eleanor Roosevelt in
the 1930s. I currently serve AMI on the Board of Directors, Executive
Committee, as North Dakota Chapter President, and Co-Chair for AMI’s
participation in the United Nations Commission on the Status of Women.</span><span style="font-size: 11pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/--kBXxK8d21A/YGZvzCseq4I/AAAAAAAACiY/ZrOuTP8BhCoBfRd9Io-50iD_vy8iNybdwCNcBGAsYHQ/s1789/emily%2Bblog%2B3a.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1785" data-original-width="1789" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/--kBXxK8d21A/YGZvzCseq4I/AAAAAAAACiY/ZrOuTP8BhCoBfRd9Io-50iD_vy8iNybdwCNcBGAsYHQ/s320/emily%2Bblog%2B3a.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><p></p>
<p class="font8" style="line-height: 16.2pt; margin: 0in; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="border: none windowtext 1.0pt; color: black; font-family: "Calibri",sans-serif; font-size: 11.0pt; letter-spacing: .35pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-border-alt: none windowtext 0in; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin; padding: 0in;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="font8" style="line-height: 16.2pt; margin: 0in; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="border: 1pt none windowtext; color: black; letter-spacing: 0.35pt; padding: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;"> </span><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;"> </span><span style="font-size: medium;">For
the past two years, I’ve worked to build a local chapter of AMI in North Dakota.
Last fall, our ND Chapter of AMI received our official Charter for meeting all
of the national requirements. It’s such a blessing to join together with other
amazing women in North Dakota to do good works. In the short amount of time
that we’ve been volunteering as a group, our Chapter</span></span></span><span style="color: #333333;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="font-size: medium;"> has: helped clients select groceries at the Emergency Food
Pantry, packed food for Feed My Starving Children, held a book drive for Little
Free Libraries, collected clothing to benefit the Foster Community, written
Hope Notes for the North Dakota Boys & Girls Ranch, supplied a birthday
party for Box of Balloons baked and delivered Valentine's cookies to our
local first responders, and helped set up and decorate for several fundraisers
benefitting local non-profits. </span><span style="font-size: 11pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></p>
<p class="font8" style="line-height: 16.2pt; margin: 0in; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: #333333; font-size: 11pt;"><o:p><span style="font-family: arial;"> </span></o:p></span></p>
<p class="font8" style="line-height: 16.2pt; margin: 0in; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="color: #333333;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;"> </span><span style="font-size: medium;"> </span></span><span style="font-size: medium;">American
Mothers has not only given me a way to connect with other moms in my state to
make a difference but the opportunity to connect with women all over the United
States and internationally. Attending the national AMI Conventions in
Washington DC has provided an amazing way to meet dynamic moms who are making a
difference in each of their own lives. I’ve met women who have started diaper
banks when they found out that baby care needs weren’t being met through other
resources, women who have founded non-profits to benefit children that have the
same disabilities as their own, and women who have invented products to suit
the needs of their families when they couldn’t find what they wanted elsewhere.
What do all of these women have in common, they all saw a need that wasn’t being
filled and used their maternal energy to find a solution. I draw so much
inspiration from all of these women’s stories!</span><span style="color: #333333; font-size: 11pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-scsaAPYnFQA/YGZv0rsrzuI/AAAAAAAACic/sDI9sNrr4GEq7oAeGsO-t458hJf57uWnwCNcBGAsYHQ/s2048/emily%2Bblog%2B3d.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1120" data-original-width="2048" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-scsaAPYnFQA/YGZv0rsrzuI/AAAAAAAACic/sDI9sNrr4GEq7oAeGsO-t458hJf57uWnwCNcBGAsYHQ/s320/emily%2Bblog%2B3d.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;"> <span style="font-size: medium;"> </span></span><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: arial;">For the
past two weeks, I’ve had the honor of attending</span><span style="font-family: arial;"> the United Nations Commission
on the Status of Women as a representative for AMI. Previously, I had the
chance to attend this event at the United Nations Headquarters in New York
City. This year the event was moved online due to the pandemic, but this new
way to attend allowed me to view even more panel discussions. The speakers for
the panel discussions shared really powerful first-hand stories, information,
and statistics affecting women all over the world. I’m looking forward to
sharing the information I gained from these panels nationally as a speaker
during the American Mothers’ Convention on May 1</span><sup style="font-family: arial;">st</sup><span style="font-family: arial;">.</span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-GbmQ6GYceBM/YGZv0svGrII/AAAAAAAACik/QmPVSArhmNYE_BOuw8kbE4ILR8Krt3CzACNcBGAsYHQ/s2048/emily%2Bblog%2B3c.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1492" data-original-width="2048" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-GbmQ6GYceBM/YGZv0svGrII/AAAAAAAACik/QmPVSArhmNYE_BOuw8kbE4ILR8Krt3CzACNcBGAsYHQ/s320/emily%2Bblog%2B3c.jpg" width="320" /></a></span></div><span style="font-family: arial;"> <span style="font-size: medium;"> </span><span style="font-size: medium;">The
amount of gratitude I feel for AMI is very deep. This historic organization
whose vision is that every mother has a voice has given me just that; a voice
to share my life experiences in a meaningful way with others. The friendships
I’ve made along the way are something that I treasure.</span><o:p></o:p></span><p></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-j5WU59dCvPU/YGZv0vAWj2I/AAAAAAAACig/kIM4_OJ01foy33GJePBIu-YqZ7QHzFsRACNcBGAsYHQ/s2048/emily%2Bblog%2B3e.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1523" data-original-width="2048" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-j5WU59dCvPU/YGZv0vAWj2I/AAAAAAAACig/kIM4_OJ01foy33GJePBIu-YqZ7QHzFsRACNcBGAsYHQ/s320/emily%2Bblog%2B3e.jpg" width="320" /></a></span></div><span style="font-family: arial;">Sharing a mother’s
love,<o:p></o:p></span><p></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Emily Brooks<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Mrs. North Dakota
International 2021</span><o:p></o:p></p>North Dakota International Pageantshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14951878250980733028noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1200323384254000526.post-27437800594448935112021-03-22T19:32:00.003-05:002021-03-23T09:06:13.308-05:00Miss Teen North Dakota International, Mackenzie Fuller and Be the Nice Kid<p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span id="docs-internal-guid-d499ab30-7fff-e0b9-e573-471a199a4592"><span style="background-color: white; color: #050505; font-size: 11.5pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="border: none; display: inline-block; height: 199px; overflow: hidden; width: 264px;"><img height="199" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/1NAg5tPY3ytN7Fcv_3niDpnb4aAsKt8p3XCR_8Xy6kqvRTEFByxmumISEkrWCM5-i3Aj5ZzxodPAed_TPLz-F9SpM3Vl-neoblu2NuJMmwUpAUwd8XFo-VzapKlF0Kb0PuHRqBay" style="margin-left: 0px; margin-top: 0px;" width="264" /></span></span></span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">My platform is <b>Volunteer- Be The Nice Kid</b>. With my platform, I take every opportunity to volunteer, and spread kindness all over my state! What is a better way to show kindness than volunteering? Some of my favorite volunteering opportunities have been making cheer-up bags for my local elementary students who have to be quarantined, reading a book to students in kindergarten through second grade during Kindness Month at my local elementary school, and coordinating a cereal box donation for our food pantry. Volunteering is a great way to give back to your community, showing the impact one person can have, and inspiring future volunteers. </span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span id="docs-internal-guid-651d5562-7fff-7f64-44ce-1f54f21819c5"><span style="background-color: white; color: #050505; font-size: 11.5pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="border: none; display: inline-block; height: 217px; overflow: hidden; width: 289px;"><img height="217" src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/VNz8imAxMlmINaaPyLnWl5cxvt82jHip6lKXUyp7EGQHngiDM0iW9FIrQ6dxuBZtucvVrddMl67qfRpi1reB06lpcmBe00XN2COWa2oO1HPYzaL86PIItWeKT11lB81YrxBwsIpS" style="margin-left: 0px; margin-top: 0px;" width="289" /></span></span></span></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span id="docs-internal-guid-fd138a9b-7fff-f777-d262-e4ab3881790d"><span style="background-color: white; color: #050505; font-size: 11.5pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="border: none; display: inline-block; height: 358px; overflow: hidden; width: 268px;"><img height="358" src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/1jVHNBL7wxfvBWBAtWQkRW7hMrHL05Y7XcYHN755UP9LOgqHFcWpUJfUvA1lgp_vkI8x6DKdPK9MPORntNv-ZpIiMM6DXDlQU_EthnBI54k-Kdc7OxKj2GyDlVzgbsCcbpL-GkXW" style="margin-left: 0px; margin-top: 0px;" width="268" /></span></span></span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; white-space: pre-wrap;">The quote that all started my platform was from my partner Bryan Skavnak, the creator of Be The Nice Kid. The quote goes like this: </span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span id="docs-internal-guid-c726d5d0-7fff-4992-6b3b-ca874f5f0cf8"><span style="background-color: white; color: #050505; font-family: Arial; font-size: 11.5pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="border: none; display: inline-block; height: 295px; overflow: hidden; width: 368px;"><img height="295" src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/froFul5SupZC48V0IEolcSMS6QQooIBoIcBiMajQtnWrwyRyMQYXGbB82XhtXNScMD0j4JUr7eyUqTW9vvO3J4x-gtQLzlNXLePtYg4FRS9jsO6LOwyda7u0j7ApBqOKWQQEpvxK" style="margin-left: 0px; margin-top: 0px;" width="368" /></span></span></span></p><span id="docs-internal-guid-db9df8a4-7fff-2169-543d-f76911bad42a"><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #050505; font-family: Arial; font-size: 11.5pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">When I saw that quote, I knew that I wanted to know more about the organization of “Be The Nice Kid.” I talked to Bryan and I ended up partnering with him! I love being able to share the message of Be The Nice Kid! Whether it is packaging over 200,000 meals for meals on wheels, singing in church, spreading kindness rocks, or distributing food at our local food pantry, I want to make a difference to as many people as I can. Volunteering is a great way to help give back to your community while you are also empowering future volunteers and showing the impact one person can have. One of the best things about volunteering is that there are so many different organizations and opportunities, that you can always find something that fits your interests! </span></p><div style="text-align: center;"><span id="docs-internal-guid-ff9eac87-7fff-1472-cd7d-20ff84913245"><span style="background-color: white; color: #050505; font-family: Arial; font-size: 11.5pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="border: none; display: inline-block; height: 373px; overflow: hidden; width: 279px;"><img height="373" src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/HvzBmwPsbgjnpTr_LN6i9Kkq4eMEhUq-1YnG_5-hCI3JbRqfHB4Vik9cHFCmb7Lmb6ZC6XYzVqVIttGp8aUXsDT3Zx5Le9e8HMV3_UPcph1VWw60LEta9fkw5_zNQN7miNCR02XH" style="margin-left: 0px; margin-top: 0px;" width="279" /></span></span></span></div><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #050505; font-family: Arial; font-size: 11.5pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Changing the world one act of kindness at a time,</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #050505; font-family: Arial; font-size: 11.5pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Mackenzie Fuller</span></p><div><span style="background-color: white; color: #050505; font-family: Arial; font-size: 11.5pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></div></span>North Dakota International Pageantshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14951878250980733028noreply@blogger.com