Nisswa Winter Jubilee Weekend

Greetings! This past weekend was a busy one for me as I traveled from Moorhead, to Nisswa, to the Twin Cities. Here's what I've been up too!

On February 15, after finishing up my classes at MSUM on friday afternoon I hurried back to the Brainerd area for the 41st Annual Miss Nisswa Scholarship Pageant! The Miss Nisswa Pageant is an annual event hosted by the Nisswa Area Women of Today; this pageant kicks off the towns Winter Jubilee. The Miss Nisswa Pageant is a local scholarship pageant (not affiliated with MAO) open to area high school seniors. The contestants are required to compete in evening gown, interview, casual wear, onstage question, and essay; at the end of the pageant Miss Nisswa is crowned along with two runners up who are given the honor of being named Nisswa Princesses. During the evening a Little Miss Nisswa is also crowned, she is chosen at random by a name being drawn from a hat. This pageant has always been near and dear to my heart, I first appeared on the Miss Nisswa stage as a second grader who so badly wanted to be Little Miss Nisswa (unfortunately I wasn't crowned, but I'm pretty proud of my second grade self for strutting my stuff on stage…and holding it together after the disappointment of my name not being called)! Last february I was also a Miss Nisswa contestant, though it seems like so long ago I remember it like it was yesterday. Though I was not crowned Miss Nisswa I was given the honor of being first runner up, and from that moment on I knew that I was going to keep competing in pageants (however if someone had told me I would end up being Miss Baxter I probably wouldn't have believed them)! I had such a great evening at the pageant, and I was even given the honor of helping crown the first runner up! Thanks to the Nisswa community and the Nisswa Area Women of Today for putting on such a great event!

2012 and 2013 Miss Nisswa Courts!

Congrats to Miss Nisswa 2013 Carissa Voels

Crowning Nicole!

THROWBACK! Little Miss Nisswa Pageant 2002! 

THROWBACK! Miss Nisswa Pageant 2012! My first pageant  

The very next morning I was up bright and early along with my fellow queens Bailey (Miss Minnesota's Outstanding Teen), Serena (Miss Brainerd Lake's Outstanding Teen), and Lizzy (Miss Central Lake's Outstanding Teen) to judge the giant snow sculptures around the town of Nisswa. All of the sculptures were based on the Jubilees candyland theme; they were all very impressive…some even looked good enough to eat! After snow sculpture judging we all packed ourselves into a convertible and enjoyed the brisk Jubilee parade!

After the Nisswa parade I made a quick wardrobe change and it was off to St. Paul for the Miss City of Lakes / Miss West Metro Pageant! This was such a great evening as I was able to meet the rest of the class of 2013! These great girls just make me more and more excited for the week we get to spend together in June! Congrats to the New Miss City of Lakes, Savannah Cole! Savannah was formerly my Miss Baxter's Outstanding Teen, I couldn't be more proud of this awesome girl!!! I also want to congratulate the new Miss West Metro Ali Vail! Ali has such a big personality, and I can't even begin to imagine all the laughs that she'll bring to the class of 2013!

Serica and Drew

Emily, Kathryn, and Tiffany

Courtney!

Crystal!

Miss Savannah!!

Congrats Catie!!

Ali!!

Our lovely Miss MN Siri!

That's all for now! Stay tuned for more

Lots of love,

Maren Goff

Miss Baxter 2012

First Events of 2013!

Hello and Happy New Year! I hope that everyone had a happy holiday season and that you've had a wonderful start to 2013, just as I have! I know that 2013 will hold some exciting new opportunities for me and I'm hoping to take them in stride as I move closer and closer to the Miss Minnesota Scholarship Pageant in June! Here's a look at how I wrapped up 2012, and how I've been kicking off my new year!

During the month of December I was busy with preparations for our upcoming Miss Brainerd Lakes/Miss Central Lakes Outstanding Teen Pageant! On December 7th my lovely sister queens and I had the pleasure of hosting the very first Miss Brainerd Lakes Trunk Show! We helped our teens with paper work, sold some lovely gowns to our contestants, and we even had the pleasure of welcoming interview coach Don Baker to our area for an interview clinic with our lovely contestants! That same weekend on December 9th I traveled to Detroit Lakes, for Siri's send off to Miss America! What a great weekend!

On December 21st I was back in Brainerd for the Grand Opening of Discount Tires! I have to thank Baxter Mayor Darryl Olson, and the Baxter City Council for being so supportive of my reign, and for giving me the opportunity to appear at community events such as this. During the grand opening we also had the pleasure of meeting a celebrity guest, former Governor Jesse Ventura!

We even brought a Jesse Ventura action figure!

With former first lady Terri!

Jesse Ventura!

Now for a big event! The Miss Brainerd Lakes/Miss Central Lakes Outstanding Teen Pageant! On January 6th I had the privilege of seeing two lovely new ladies being crowned! Congratulations to Serena Schreifles the new Miss Brainerd Lakes Outstanding Teen, and Lizzy Thurlow the first ever Miss Central Lakes Outstanding Teen! I'm so proud of all of our contestants; it’s so rewarding to see girls grow within this program. All of our contestants were an absolute joy to get to know…I know many of these ladies will go on to do great things.

Congrats to Lizzy and Serena!

All of our beautiful contestants!

Baxter Girls! Sister queen love!

With Miss Baxter 2011 Haley Van Steenwyk! Love this girl!

After party!

During my winter break from school I was also very fortunate to have the opportunity to speak to many local elementary schools about my platform "Reading Rocks"! I was able to visit 25 local elementary school classrooms where I was able to spread my message or literacy and create enthusiasm for reading amongst the students.

Thank you notes!

This note was so funny! It made my day!

The last sentence is why I do what I do!

On January 19^th I made my way back to the Lakes area for the Brainerd Jaycee’s Ice Fishing Extravaganza! My very brave sister queens and I bundled up and headed out for a day on the frozen waters of Gull Lake’s Hole in the Day Bay! We were joined by approximately 12,000 dedicated fishermen and women hoping to reel in the catch of day! It was so cold that day, I’m glad that I bundled up like a true Minnesotan!...Complete with my crown secured atop my furry bomber hat!

Some bundled up queens!

 

That’s all for now! Stay tuned for more updates soon!

 

Lots of love,

 

Maren Goff

 

Miss Baxter 2012