My 41st week (wow, time is flying by) was a jam-packed week. It started in Rapid City at Robbinsdale Elementary School. Lane Madsen, the school’s counselor, arranged the entire day. Lane’s daughter, Javonte, has been competing in Miss South Dakota’s Outstanding Teen for several years and is a joy to be around. She lights up a room. The day started at 8:15 in the morning and ended around 3:30pm. I gave 11 presentations to different classrooms ranging from kindergarten to 5th grade. Money $heep handed out over 200 books! I love these days. I go home exhausted, but so fulfilled that I spent an entire day doing what I love. God is good – all the time.
On Tuesday I drove across the state to be at USD to promote the upcoming Mr. USD fundraiser for Children’s Miracle Network. Amber Hulse, Miss State Fair, and Anna Bonnstetter, Miss USD, joined me to hand out CMN band aids and information cards to promote Children’s Hospitals Week. The Miss America Organization partners with Children’s Miracle Network and Miss America serves as the National Goodwill Ambassador for CMNH. In celebration of Children’s Hospitals Week, titleholders across the country spent time promoting CMNH. On Wednesday, I spent time at the Walmart in Brookings with Cameron Schroeder, Miss Railroad Junction, and Miranda O’Bryan, Miss SDSU. We loved meeting customers and promoting CMN.
Thursday, I was back in my hometown to talk with the choir and orchestra classes at Huron Middle School. It is always fun to be back home. I talked about my journey in the Miss South Dakota Organization and how it led me back to the piano. Music is a beautiful gift. I am grateful I listened to God’s guidance and have taken advantage of His undeserved gifts. I explained to the students that I have no intention of becoming a piano teacher or playing piano professionally. However, there is still room in the arena for people like me. People who love music and the beauty it offers.
Friday was another busy day. I was off to Miller for a full day of classroom visits for Money $heep. I talked with every grade in the elementary school right away in the morning. Then I spent several hours visiting each class individually to take pictures and answer questions. The future is so bright, friends. I also drove out to Miller’s colony school to talk with the students there. As Miss South Dakota, I get to meet people from all different backgrounds and cultures. It is one of my favorite parts of this job.
Sunday I spent the day in Vermillion for the Mr. USD fundraiser for CMN. Amber Hulse, Miss State Fair, planned the entire event and executed it beautifully. There were eight candidates and each young man selflessly left it all on the stage. Each competed in evening gown, fitness, and talent. There was singing. There was dancing. There was laughter. Several of the local titleholders for Miss South Dakota drove down for the day to volunteer as judges, auditors, and performers. Congratulations to the new Mr. USD, Carson Sehr.
The community that this organization creates is unbreakable. It is a community of young women that support each other and lean on each other. I am grateful for this community.