Tis the Season: Bell Ringing and Nisswa City of Lights

Happy Holidays! I'm so happy to be able to ring in the season with snowfall, hot coco, and classic Christmas tunes! After enjoying a wonderful Thanksgiving at home with my family I was able to kick off the Christmas season with Salvation Army Bell Ringing and the Nisswa City of Lights celebration!

On the Friday after Thanksgiving I decided to skip the black Friday chaos and trade in the customary shopping bags for a bell! Along with my mother I spent the first portion of my day bell ringing for the Salvation Army in front of the Baxter Cub Foods grocery store. It was great to spend some quality time with my mom while doing some good for the community.

After bell ringing, I headed over to one of my favorite little towns Nisswa, Minnesota to celebrate the City of Lights! Nisswa City of Lights in an annual Christmas lighting ceremony where the whole town; buildings, streetlights, fences, and even trees light up the town after dark. I helped kick off the evening by selling blinky necklaces in support of the Nisswa Chamber of Commerce along with fellow royalty, Nisswa Princess Claire Erholtz and Little Miss Nisswa Carly Maine. I had such a great time braving the cold windy weather with these girls, we had a blast catching up as we roamed around town selling our lights…we even had time to duck inside and grab a cup of hot apple cider! Thanks for a great evening girls!

Nisswa Pricess Claire Erholtz and Little Miss Nisswa Carly Maine

With Claire and Frosty!!

I've also been very busy on improving the reach of my platform and information. I've added not only a series of video blogs, but a website and twitter account…feel free to follow me and check it out!

http://marengoff.weebly.com/

 

https://twitter.com/MissBaxter2012

 

 

 

Stay tuned for more exciting news soon!!

Maren Goff

Miss Baxter 2012

 

 

Pageant, Presentation, Vlog!

Hello again! I must concur with the saying “time flies when you’re having fun”, not only have I been having a great fall, I’ve also been having a busy fall! Everything has seemed to fall into place for me in my new home away from home; Moorhead, Minnesota. So far I have been loving life at MSUM (Minnesota State University Moorhead) as it is filled with great people, both staff and students alike. I’ve spent my first few months of school meeting those who I know will become lifelong friends, enjoying campus life, and I even survived midterms! Here’s what I’ve been up to as your Miss Baxter…

On October 13^th I made the scenic trip to beautiful Bemidji, Minnesota for the first ever Miss Northern Lakes Pageant. Upon my arrival I was so pleased to see my good friend and fellow queen, the lovely Miss Thief River Falls Bailey Sorvig! I know that I’ve discussed the feeling of sisterhood between girls in this organization already, but I really don’t think that I can emphasize it enough. I’m so very fortunate to have met so many wonderful young ladies throughout this journey so far; these girls have truly served as both mentors and friends. I am so excited to see how our bond grows as we move towards Miss Minnesota week. I have to offer a great big congratulations to the first ever Miss Northern Lakes Kayla Brown, and the first Miss Northern Lakes Outstanding Teen Maggie Wothe! Congrats Ladies!

The Lovely Miss Thief River Falls, Bailey Sorvig!

 

Congrats Kayla!

Congrats Maggie!

On October 24^th I was lucky enough to have the opportunity to give a presentation on the Miss America Organization, my personal platform and how we can put an end to negative pageant stereotypes to my freshman speech class at MSUM. My speech was a huge success … I really relished the opportunity to speak in front of my peers about topics that I am passionate about, and I believe that I may have inspired some girls to pursue competing in local Miss America Organization Pageants in both Minnesota and North Dakota!

discussing pageant stereotypes

As another point of interest, I recently signed the Cure Pity pledge. Cure pity is a campaign of Gillette Children’s Hospital that is built around the premise that “Children who have disabilities don’t need pity. They need hope, expert medical care and a world that gives them a chance.” (CurePity.org) I encourage everyone to sign this pledge so that we can remove pity from the lives of these children and work to seek action and for their future.

 

http://curepity.org/

And lastly I am excited to launch my series of vlogs (Video Blogs) “Miss Baxter’s Book of the Week”; I will be posting these here along with my regular blog posts. The videos will also be available on my new YouTube channel and on my website which will be launched very soon! Here is video number one, enjoy!

Until next time,

Maren Goff

Miss Baxter 2012

A Busy Homecoming Weekend

Hello again! After a few weeks of surviving the cooling temperatures (and SNOW!) in Moorhead Minnesota I headed back to my home town for a weekend of fun and community celebration! Here is how my weekend unfolded…

I arrived home on Friday evening and thankfully was able to have a little down time with my family before rushing off to appearances. But on the next morning I was up bright and early ready to wear my Warrior Blue to the Brainerd Homecoming parade! I have to give a huge thank you to Dondelinger Chevrolet Cadillac of Brainerd for making sure that I was riding in style…the dark blue 2013 Chevy Camaro they provided for me truly was the sweetest ride in the parade!

I wish that I could have been the driver!

Little Miss Fourth of July!...What a cutie!

After the parade I made a quick wardrobe change, and met up with my sister queen Savannah Cole and headed down to Hopkins Minnesota for the Miss North Metro Pageant! I want to thank Miss North Metro 2011 Mary Peterson and Miss North Metro’s Outstanding Teen Maren Anderson on a great year of service, and I wish them both the best on their future endeavors. I also want to congratulate the new Miss North Metro 2012 Elsie Arisa and the Miss North Metro’s Outstanding Teen Jaki Cavins!

Today marks a very exciting event for the city of Baxter; the grand opening of Olive Garden! This long awaited addition is not only supplying delicious Italian cuisine to the Baxter area community, but it has also created over 150 jobs for our area. This is an exciting addition that proves that the Baxter area is growing and thriving. To celebrate the event Savannah and I were invited to join the Mayor and Baxter City Council for the Grand Opening and Ribbon Cutting Ceremony. After that we were able to enjoy a great meal inside!

With Baxter City Council

Well that’s all for now; make sure to like my facebook page, and be on the lookout for updates on my current CD project!

http://www.facebook.com/pages/Reading-Rocks-Promoting-Childrens-Literacy-while-Making-Reading-Fun/110650885751312?ref=hl

 

See you soon,

Maren Goff

Miss Baxter 2012

Miss Moorhead Pageant!

If nothing ever changed, there'd be no butterflies. ~Author Unknown

Greetings! These past few weeks have been filled with all sorts of changes and surprises for me; it may seem like I’ve been away for a while, but that’s not the case. Here’s what I’ve been up to…

On Saturday September 8^th, I rounded up some friends from my dorm floor at MSUM (thanks guys) and had them accompany me to the Miss Moorhead Scholarship Pageant; this was a very convenient trip for me as the walk across campus only took me about two minutes! As always it was nice to see my fellow queens, they are all such a great group of girls and I know that we will have tons of laughs and memories when we go to Miss Minnesota next summer. I’m so happy to congratulate my friend Kenzi Kovar on being crowned the new Miss Moorhead. I got to know Kenzi this year as we continued to see each other at pageants; she is such a great girl with a spectacular personality. I’m very happy to have this wonderful woman represent my new home away from; Moorhead Minnesota.

Congrats Kenzi!

Ali Vail! What a wonderful Miss Moorhead...Not to mention a funny gal!

Sister Queens reunited again!

Miss South Central's Outstanding Teen!

One other exciting thing that I’ve done recently has been creating a facebook page dedicated to my platform. Here I will keep friends updated on the progress of any projects that I’m working, upcoming event, or just helpful hints, tips and tricks to keep families motivated to read! I try to update this page daily; hope you enjoy!

http://www.facebook.com/pages/Reading-Rocks-Promoting-Childrens-Literacy-while-Making-Reading-Fun/110650885751312?ref=hl

 

After enjoying a low key weekend at home it’s time for me to head back to school, tomorrow I’m Moorhead bound once again…I’ll be back Baxter!

Until next time,

Maren Goff

Miss Baxter 2012

Car Show, Parade, and Published Article!

I promised that I wouldn’t be away for long; after only two full days of college life I hit the highway and headed back to the lakes area to represent Baxter at the Staples Railroad Days celebration!

I started the day by attending the “Still Cruisin’ Car Show!” Not only did I get to see some pretty sweet rides, but I also was able to have a “meet Miss Baxter” booth. On my breaks from walking around and checking out the cars I was busy at my booth signing autographs and promoting my platform while raising money for the Children’s Miracle Network by selling my personalized bookmarks!

At my booth!

Next up was the Railroad Day’s Parade! I’ve attended this parade every year with my family since I was very little, so it was very fun for me to be riding in the parade for a change. This event always draws a big crowd with lots of kids… I love seeing the little girls who do their “princess” waves, and then smile big when I wave back at them! I want to thank my Miss Brainerd Lakes/Baxter Pageant sponsors from Thrivent Financial (aka Aunt Kay and Uncle Bob) for chauffeuring me through the parade in an awesome Ford Mustang! Today was a great day in Staples Minnesota; I got to see some awesome cars and I even snagged some parade candy!

Aunt Kay and Uncle Bob! Thanks for being awesome sponsors!

I have more exciting platform news! My article on National Literacy Month was published by the Brainerd Dispatch! In honor of back to school and the upcoming National Literacy Month which takes place in September I composed an article regarding the importance of children’s literacy and how parents and adults can get involved to help their kids learn and grow! Check it out!

http://brainerddispatch.com/news/2012-08-21/literacy-cornerstone-education

 

It was nice to come home from school for the weekend, and I’m glad that I had the opportunity to represent Baxter at another event. Now it’s back to school for me again; I’m all settled in to my dorm and ready for classes to start on Monday. Wish me luck!

Yours truly,

Maren Goff

Miss Baxter 2012

Ps. Though I was not able to attend the Miss Waseca County Sleigh and Cutter and Miss South Central Pageant I would like to congratulate and welcome Drew Trahms Miss Waseca County Sleigh and Cutter, and Tiffany Buszta to the Miss Minnesota Class of 2013! Can’t wait to meet you girls!

Walk a Mile in Her Shoes, and a New Chapter for Miss Baxter!

Greetings again from your Miss Baxter 2012! I’m sad to say that my summer vacation is coming to an end.  When I look back on all the events that I’ve been able to participate in so far, and all of the exciting strides that I’ve already made with my title, I’m proud to say that I have truly put my summer to good use! Here’s what I’ve been up to recently…

Over the past few days while doing some literacy research I stumbled upon Scholastic’s “Read Every Day, Lead a Better Life” Global Literacy Campaign. The main goal of the campaign is to support a child’s right to read. They have 8 core beliefs (I’ll summarize them)…

1.       Literacy is a birthright of all children

2.       Young people need to develop an understanding of how to think logically and interpret information

3.       Literacy of all forms is part of our heritage, and it can help develop what it truly means to be human

4.       “You are what you read”

5.       Every child should have access to books and reading material

6.       Literacy builds confidence

7.       Every child should have someone who helps them to develop a love of reading

8.       In the 21^st century the ability to read is necessary to succeed and survive

I think that all of these core values really ring true, and are equally important to children on their journey towards literacy. After reading about the campaign I decided to join by committing myself to helping children read…and you can too!  Join the literacy campaign today!

http://www.scholastic.com/readeveryday/

On August 18th Elvis (aka Bill), Savannah and I headed out to Mills Ford for the 5^th annual Walk a Mile in Her Shoes! This event is put on by the Mid-Minnesota Women’s Center, and Sexual Assault Services; Walk a Mile is a men’s march with the goal of ending rape, sexual assault and gender violence. Even though this event is in honor of a very serious cause it is still lots of fun! It is named “Walk a Mile in Her Shoes” because that’s exactly what the men are asked to do…they walk a mile in women’s high heels! All in all the entire event was a huge hit; it drew support from the local area law enforcement, politicians and government officials, and even the Brainerd Warrior Football Team! I want to thank the Women’s Center for putting on this great event, and I want to thank all the men who participated and looked fabulous in their huge high heels!

Posing with the big shoe from the 2012 walk!

Holy Cow! These are women's size 16!

Our matching hairy leg tattoos!

Let the walk begin!

Smiling at the finish!

Well as I said summer is ending for me, tomorrow I move to Moorhead to start the newest chapter of my life…college! Wish me luck on my first few days at Minnesota State University Moorhead, but don’t worry Baxter I’ll be back soon!

Until next time,

Maren Goff

Miss Baxter 2012

P.S Be sure to check out my bio on the Miss Minnesota Website!

http://www.missminnesota.org/local.cfm?AID=93