This past Saturday was a very special day in my little town of Sleepy Eye, as it was the coronation of Miss. Sleepy Eye and the two princesses. For what seems like forever ago, I had the honor of representing my community as Miss. Sleepy Eye 2011. During my year I attended a number of local events, traveled to area communities to take part in their festivals and parades, and represented Sleepy Eye in the 2012 Queen of the Lakes Scholarship Program. The Minneapolis Aquatennial Ambassador Organization is a dynamic development organization that inspires young Minnesota women to achieve extraordinary futures. The scholarship program is a week long candidate experience for young women that is held in Minneapolis and is in conjunction with the Minneapolis Aquatennial each year in July. Every year, the Queen of the Lakes and two Aquatennial Princesses are chosen to represent the festival and city of Minneapolis all over the state, nation, and world.
I am forever grateful to the Miss. Sleepy Eye Organization and the Sleepy Eye Chamber of Commerce as they gave me life opportunities that have changed my life forever. Being a candidate in the Queen of the Lakes Scholarship Program was something I will never forget. The fact that I got to represent Sleepy Eye was so special to me because I have such a strong pride for my community. I will forever call Sleepy Eye my home, will always my cherish memories of growing up there, and be proud to have been a Miss. Sleepy Eye.
I was given the great honor of being named one of the Aquatennial Princesses for 2013. In this year, I made approximately 150 appearances in order to grow and maintain relationships with communities. Not only did I represent Minneapolis in this year but Sleepy Eye as well. When meeting new people I was always proud to say where I was originally from.
It is difficult to put into words how the Aquatennial has affected my life because of the overwhelming number of ways it has done so. To put it short, I believe I am a stronger, more determined, and confident individual because of my experience. I also have a greater appreciation for my community of Sleepy Eye and the Miss. Sleepy Eye Program because without them, I wouldn't have had this life changing experience. Most importantly, I will forever cherish the friendships that were formed and will continue to grow in both the Aquatennial and Miss. Sleepy Eye organizations.
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| Judging the corn eating contest at Sleepy Eye's Buttered Corn Days 2011. |
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| 2012 Candidate Experience |
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| 2013 Aquatennial Family |
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| Miss. Sleepy Eye 2011, 2012, 2013, & 2014. Congratulations Bethany! It is now Miss. Sleepy Eye 2013, Maddy Helget's turn to go to the Aquatennial. We are all very excited for her! |
This is very well written, Anna! I am very proud of how far you have come in PR over the past few years. You will do a wonderful job in the Public Relations field!
ReplyDeleteThis is great Anna! I first heard about you being part of the Aquatennial Ambassador program from my grandma (who just happens to live in Sleepy Eye) and she showed me the article that you were in and she asked if I knew who you were, and at the time I didn't. This year, I actually got to know you in a few classes we had and I think you are a really GREAT person to be around and I hope i get to know you in the future.
ReplyDeleteThanks Josh! That really means a lot.
ReplyDeleteRyan, who is your grandma? I would maybe recognize her name. I have also enjoyed getting to know you this year!