Day 2 and Day 3 of MAOTeen week!

Since I totally forgot to post a journal from my week at MAOTeen yesterday, I will post two today and hopefully some tonight.

Day 2 of MAOTeen:

"It was another bright and early day... this one starting at 5AM to get ready for breakfast at 6:20AM!

Our day of rehearsal started at 7:30AM with Pam, John, and Pam's team of dancers. In the four and half hours before lunch, we rehearsed the opening number and the fitness wear group production. We also learned all of the formations, so it was good to actually do it all the way through and be able to envision what we look like onstage.

Lunch was just a few doors down. The hour break we had flew by and before I knew it all 53 of us were back in rehearsal.

After lunch we practiced the individual evening gown and fitness wear competitions as well as the final evening gown parade. We were just practicing on the carpeted hotel ballroom floor at the Rosen Centre, but soon we will move into the Linda Chapin Theater at the Orange County Convention Center to really practice how we will look and feel on the actual stage.

Practice ended at 5pm that night and I was happy that I got to sit down and practice my piano before five, so I feel ready for Thursday night when I perform my talent and hopefully Saturday night as well :)

After out eight and a half hour rehearsal, we were escorted to our hotel rooms to get ready for dinner at Planet Hollywood.

We all transported in a big bus over to Downtown Disney and had our pictures taken in front of Planet Hollywood. I felt like a celebrity because not only did we have the official photographer and video crew following us, but also parents and random people. It's so nice to feel like a celebrity once in a while, but I'm glad that only lasted for a little while :)

Dinner was delicious and Planet Hollywood treated us with ice cream sandwiches for desert.

Although the night got long, I was excited to crawl into bed at a decent hour (is midnight decent?). Tomorrow I have my interview at 8AM, the very first of 53. Tomorrow will be another fun day of more rehearsal and Medieval Times.

Also tomorrow we have to bring all of our competition wardrobe to rehearsal so it can be transported to the theater for show time Tuesday night."

Day 3 of MAOTeen week:

"I am so excited that my interview went so well this morning. The judges were so nice and easy to talk to. I felt that that eight minute interview was the best it could have possibly been. My hard work and all those mock interviews led up to that moment and I walked away peaceful and excited as to how well my interview went. God answered my prayers this morning so I must give this glory to Him for watching over me in that interview room... I'm ready to ROCK that stage tomorrow night!

After my interview, I had more video shooting to do. I certainly wasn't expecting this much video taping!

The the shoot I was able to go up to my room, change into rehearsal clothes, and gather my competition wardrobe. Our stuff will be transported over to the theater later today.

After a couple hours of rehearsal, it was then lunch time. Today we had really spicy Mexican food... my favorite!! For desert we had some of the best chocolate cake I've ever had. Needless to say, I had one happy belly after that lunch!

And again, we had more rehearsals after lunch until 5pm in which we just cleaned up bits and pieces of the production numbers and drilled them until they were perfect. I'm glad we had this time to really focus on the choreography and the formations so I could feel perfectly prepared for the start of prelims tomorrow night. Even though my feet are sore and I'm very tired, I'm having an awesome time!

The girls are very nice and so far I haven't run into any girls that are nasty or mean. They truly are a genuine group of girls and I'm so proud to be one of the 53 girls here competing for the title of Miss America's Outstanding Teen 2013.

After out second day of long rehearsal, us girls were able to pick out some tings at the Trade Show to put on our wish list. This list will be given to our parents tomorrow, who then can choose to purchase those items for us :)

We literally had 15 minutes to change and freshen up before Medieval Times and after our time at the Trade Show. That was probably the quickest I have ever gotten ready in my entire life!

Medieval Times was very unique. Of course we boarded that big ol' bus of ours and drove over there only to have more videotaping done and pictures taken. All those cameras have seemed to become the norm :)

Once in Medieval Times, we had to find our state flags and rehearse a short walking pattern because we were going to be introduced at the start of the show.

The show was just really crazy. I didn't really know what to expect, but it ended up to be a pretty crazy and fun show. Basically, there were six knights and they competed against each other in games until one knight was standing as the champion. My group had the yellow knights and he was not very good... but that's okay!

We got our dinner right before the show started and it was a good meal however there were no utensils... you have to use your hands! This was a fun change and a different feel.

Although it was a late night, I was glad it was a fun night. I'm really starting to feel tired and worn out though and I think I have a cold coming on. It's unfortunate that this happened but I know that God is watching over me. This is just the Devil trying to tear me down and I refuse to let him control me and let this cold get the best of me and interfere with the way I perform tomorrow."

Always,
Bailey

Day One of MAOTeen week!

I'm so happy to say that I have finally arrived back in Nisswa and am comfortably snuggled up in my bed.

My time in Orlando was so absolutely incredible. I can't put it into words because it was such an amazing and life-changing experience.

While I was down there, I did not have access to a computer to update all of you on how my week went, so I made sure to keep a journal and write down everything that was happening that day. As a result, I will be sharing these blogs with you and will be posting one or two of them a day. I want to give each and everyone of you a glimpse into what my week was like, and I hope this helps.

Please remember that these will be in past tense, because I'm literally just copying them out of my journal onto here. If it is in quotation marks, then you know that it is a blog.

So here is the very first one! I hope you enjoy! :)

Day One of MAOT - August 11th, 2012

"The day started early for me because I had a 7:10 AM check-in time. I was so excited that I hardly slept last night.

The first thing I did was meet Elizabeth Fechtel, Miss America's Outstanding Teen 2012. You always dream of meeting Miss America or Miss America's Outstanding Teen and when you finally do you realize that they are normal everyday people. Elizabeth was very kind and I want to congratulate her on an awesome year.

After meeting Elizabeth, I was then rushed over to a Tony Bowls photoshoot with Jenn Cady Photography. This shoot was a lot of fun and has been a tradition of MAOT for many years. I was honored to finally be apart of it.

I ended up wearing our opening number dresses (Sponsored by Tony Bowls himself) for my shoot. My hair was very large and my make-up was very dramatic, but it was a fun experience that I hope the next Miss Minnesota's Outstanding Teen will get to have.

After the shoot, I had some more videotaping to wrap up from yesterday outside. This was just my state introduction and a fun little music video of us girls rockin' it out to Party Rock Anthem that the videographers are going to compile together... I can't wait to see how that one turns out!

Then, I had my fitting for my opening number dress and shoes, as well as my fitness wear outfit, sponsored by Tony Bowls and Zebella Boutique. I'm glad that everything fit the way it was supposed to and nothing needed altering or changing.

Mom and I then had lunch right in the hotel to savor what few moments we had together before heading back up for a mandatory rehearsal. This rehearsal was very intense... all I can say is that I'm glad I learned the production dances before I got here! The choreographer, Pam Bohling and the producer, John Best are awesome people to work with and this organization is truly blessed to have them on board. I worked up an awesome sweat at this rehearsal before I met my Mom and my two directors, MK and Renee, for dinner and to get ready for the orientation. I'm really glad that I had some sit down time with them before the craziness of pageant week began.

The orientation went smoothly, but the hardest part of the night was saying goodbye to my incredible support team. I wish I didn't have to but I'm ecstatic to start my week here at MAOTeen.

After orientation, state gifts were passed out and the contestants were escorted to the hotess suit for a meet-and-greet party in which we all got to know each other and Elizabeth a little bit better before we start our week together. The Miss Florida Organization sponsored this event because Elizabeth was formerly Miss Florida's Outstanding Teen. The director even found a woman in Florida who is a porfessional cupcake baker and has won Cupcake Wars on TLC. All I can say is that that was quite possibly the best cupcake I've ever had. Not kidding! It was insanely good.

After a crazy busy day, I was so excited to crawl into bed and rest up for the day tomorrow. We have an eight hour rehearsal tomorrow, so I think we will need all the sleep we can get.

I even got lucky with a roomate, Jameson from Georgia, that likes to sleep as much as I do! :)"

Always,
Bailey
Miss Minnesota's Outstanding Teen 2012

Elizabeth Fechtel, MAOTeen 2012

Getting my hair done for the Tony Bowls shoot

More video shooting

Moving into my room

Maine's OT, Kate

Mom and I at Orientation

My wonderful directors

My roommate from Georgia!

I'm in FLORIDA!

Holy cow. I'm actually in Florida. I check in tomorrow for my week at Miss America's Outstanding Teen. I'm so excited!

Upon my arrival in Orlando on Thursday, I've stayed busy finishing up those last minute things. I've been steaming and ironing (well.. my Mom does the ironing), curling and straightening, organizing and relaxing, working on the production dances, and finding time to take a deep breath. I've only been in Orlando for two days, but they have been filled with fun!

Today, I had the opportunity to have an early check in. This means that I did some of the videotaping today, instead of doing it tomorrow just to lighten the load of the busy day tomorrow.

So today started with some autograph signing for sponsors. Then I was sent to a green screen room to introduce my talent selection. This video will be shown to introduce my talent if I make Top 10. I was then sent down to the pool area with four other girls to do more taping. The weather here in Orlando is very HOT and very HUMID. So this video shoot was hot, but I enjoyed it regardless.

After the shoot, my Mom and I had dinner with Delaware's OT, Morgan and her mom, Wendy. It was really great to get to know them and it makes tomorrow a little easier because I already know one girl.

And while waiting in the hotel lobby, I ran into my roommate, Jameson, from Georgia! I am just so excited for tomorrow :)

Also, if you would like to send me something while I'm down here you can send it to:

Bailey Wachholz
Miss Minnesota's Outstanding Teen
C/O Rosen Centre Hotel
9840 International Drive
Orlando, Florida 32819

No flowers or food are allowed.

My dream is finally coming true. This is an awesome feeling. So as I start to unwind from the day, I want to thank the many people who have made this happen. I can't even begin to tell you how truly honored I am to be representing the state of Minnesota here in Florida. This organization has given me a voice to make a difference in the world. As Miss America's Outstanding Teen, my hope is to strengthen that voice and touch the lives of millions.

This may or may not be my last blog as Miss Minnesota's Outstanding Teen, but this is not the last of Bailey Wachholz, advocate for Alzheimer's and the Children's Miracle Network.

My hope is that the Lord will guide me in the right direction. He already knows who the winner will be next week, but I pray that He will continue to work through me so that I'm able to share His awesome love. I'm giving all of the glory to Him this week. He is the sole reason as to why I'm here. There's a perfect and unique plan for my life and being here in Florida and competing for the title of Miss America's Outstanding Teen is all part of that plan. I pray that the mold He has for my life includes being Miss America's Outstanding Teen, but I also know that the other girls here have a mold for their lives too and Miss America's Outstanding Teen may just fit better into their molds than mine.

Lord, I pray that you can give me the peace this next week to trust in You and in what You are doing. You make everything happen for a reason and I thank You for allowing me to be apart of this week. Whatever happens this week, I know that this is all part of the plan you have for my life. I trust that the new Miss America's Outstanding Teen is able to give the glory to you, Lord, so that she can shine in Your light not in the lights of the stage. My hope is that Miss America's Outstanding Teen can be apart of my life and I pray that You can help me be a better servant for You so that all of America can see how great it is to accept You as a Father and a Savior.

With love and my upmost appreciation,
Bailey Wachholz
Miss Minnesota's Outstanding Teen 2012

One last interview before my plane left for Miss America's Outstanding Teen!

Mani/pedi with my Mom

5AM at the airport

Ready for the video shoot

I'm Leaving... Whoa

I can't even begin to wrap my head around the fact that I am leaving in just three short hours to head to the cities. My plane leaves on Thursday morning, but this is the last time I will be home for two weeks and it's a little bittersweet.

I will not lie to you; these past few days have been very stressful. I'm feeling completely prepared and ready for the week I have ahead of me at Miss America's Outstanding Teen, but a few speed bumps have tried to slow me down.

Saturday night was probably this worst speed bump of them all... My mom was making dinner, and there was an open can sitting on the counter. As I was shutting a cupboard, I drop my hand right on the raw edge of the can and sliced my hand open. As my Mom frantically put it under cold water, the only thing I was thinking was that I needed to play piano. I had this aching fear that I would need stitches to close my inch long cut, which would make it very painful and possibly impossible to play piano. I wrapped a towel around it and prayed that this was just a minor scrap and that I would be fine.

Long story short, my boyfriends Mom is a paramedic, and told me exactly what to do to help it heal. I refuse to get stitches, so now I'm dealing with a tube of Neosporin, a box of steri-strips, and an Ace bandage in hopes that the pain will subside and the healing process will begin.

So this speed bump has put a little damper in my piano playing ability, but I will NOT let it define how my performance will be next week as I compete on the Miss America's Outstanding Teen stage.

One of my committee members, Val, and my Mom told me that this is just an inconvenience and they are absolutely right. This will not stop me nor will it hold me back.

So as I'm leaving my home, I ask for prayers for a safe journey. As I was reading my devotions today, I thought to share it with all of you because this short thing has instilled a certain peace in me. A peace that only the Lord can give me and I hope that it can bring the same inspiration to you.

This devotion was written my Bethany Hamilton, the surfer who lost her arm in a shark attack:

"Imagine carrying three suitcases, two garment bags, a backpack, a briefcase, and two purses to school or work or church. It would be like trying to surf wearing snowboarding gear, heavy boots, and gloves - what a burden! That's what it feels like when you carry guilt, hurt, bitterness, and forgiveness in your heart.

Fortunately, God can take those burdens away from you. So instead of being buried in baggage, you can rest in the joy and peace he gives. But it means surrender and forgiveness. When I lost my arm, I could have been bitter toward God for what happened. But I made a decision to deny those feelings and instead enjoy the peace and joy God offers. You need to give up whatever is burdening you or, if there is nothing right now, decide in your heart to give it up before it even happens, like I did.

It may seem like you're being weak by admitting your pain, but it's exactly the opposite. God promises his strength to carry you, plus an abundant life, peace, and joy despite sorrow and pain. So drop those bags and stand up straight in God's freedom."

All my love,
Bailey Wachholz
Miss Minnesota's Outstanding Teen 2012

My luggage :) 4 suitcases, a carry on, and a big purse!

Frazee Turkey Days.

Frazee Turkey Days is always a favorite!! For four years I have attended this festival and have always wanted to be a part of it. I was beyond excited that my time finally came :)

The weekend started out with the Miss Frazee and the Miss Frazee's Outstanding Teen pageant. I was able to be with the contestants in the afternoon while they went into their interviews. I even got a little mock interview in myself!

After the contestant interviews, I was treated to dinner with Miss Frazee 2011, Katie Winter, Miss Frazee's Outstanding Teen 2011, Hailey Jutz, Miss Minnesota 2012, Siri Freeh, the 6 judges, and my parents. It was good to have a little relaxation time before the pageant began.

It's so great to be on the other side of things during a pageant... I get to be backstage and mingle with all of this girls, but I don't have to worry about competing and being judged :)!! I was honored to both perform and help crown the new queens. Congrats to the new Miss Frazee, Rebecca Bellefeuille and the new Miss Frazee's Outstanding Teen, Becca Sorlien-Riewer!

I also want to give a huge congrats to the outgoing queens, Katie and Hailey. You two are wonderful representatives for the Frazee area, and I am so proud to call you both my friends and pageant sisters. I wish you two the best of luck in whatever you decide to do, and I hope to see you back in the pageant circuit soon :)

You can't be in Frazee and NOT get a picture with the world's largest turkey :)

The two new queens, the outgoing queens, and Siri and myself

The new Frazee's Outstanding Teen, Becca!

Today, I was in the Turkey Days parade. This is a parade that I have watched two former Miss MN's Outstanding Teen be a part of, so to be in this parade and be Miss Minnesota's Outstanding Teen was great. Although it was another hot day, I enjoyed it! Thanks to Alice and Jay who where very helpful this weekend and for providing a beautiful car for me to ride in :) and the pie and ice cream after was a TREAT!

I love this idea! Hailey is the former Frazee's Outstanding Teen 2011

We loved our pumpkin pie :)

This weekend was so much fun, and was also one of the last appearance before I leave for Miss America's Outstanding Teen. It was kind of a bittersweet realization but I am incredibly excited to leave for Orlando in 11 days! :)

With love,
Bailey
Miss Minnesota's Outstanding Teen 2012

This past weekend.

I've tried to start this blog many times, and the only thing that I can think of saying is that I love being Miss Minnesota's Outstanding Teen.

The overwhelming amount of support I have received the past couple of weeks has been incredible and has made me realize how much this title has changed me (in a great way!) in just the four shorts months since my crowning. Four years ago, I never would have imagined myself as Miss Minnesota's Outstanding Teen gearing up to leave for Miss America's Outstanding Teen. I feel blessed to part of a sisterhood.

Needless to say, after four years of wanting so badly to compete on the Miss America's Outstanding Teen stage, my dream is finally going to come true. This weekend has made that statement actually sink in and I am so excited for Orlando! I'm feeling more ready than ever.

On Friday I made the four hour trip to my Mom's hometown of Ellendale, Minnesota for their big Ellendale Days Celebration. My grandma, aunt, uncle, and cousins all live there and after I was crowned my grandma called me the next day asking if I would be in the Ellendale Days Parade. How can you say no to Grandma? :)

Ellendale is a very small town; the type where everybody knows everybody. I'm known as "Pam's Daughter" whenever I go down there, which is fine with me, but sure makes me laugh.

Although I weather was hot, I was able to ride in yet another Corvette... but blue this time :) Thanks to my family for organizing that!

On Sunday, I had my big sendoff party for MAOT. The day started out a little crazy and stressful, but God worked out all of the kinks and the night ended beautifully. I want to thank everyone that came out to wish me luck and support me in my journey to Orlando. I truly appreciate the love and support I have been given, and I am beyond ready to compete and finally get my chance to represent Minnesota at the national pageant.

When I receive the pictures from the photographer, John Wallin, I will make sure to share them with you. I will be giving you updates (trying to anyway) a lot these next two weeks just to let you know what I'm thinking and how I'm feeling leading up to my departure from Minnesota.

Hope you are having an awesome week!
Until next time,
Bailey
Miss Minnesota's Outstanding Teen

A busy weekend, and an even busier week!

I can't believe how close the Miss America's Outstanding Teen pageant is! Only 23 days until I will be arriving in Florida and I couldn't be more excited.

This past weekend was another busy weekend. Friday I was in Detroit Lakes, Minnesota for a fun filled day! In the afternoon, I was able to meet with Melody Bober. Melody lives in Detroit Lakes and she composed part of my piano piece! I grew up playing her music, so to meet her was really great. I also got to play on her white Yamaha piano... the first time I've ever played on a white piano!

After meeting with Melody, I arrived at the Historic Holmes Theater to meet the Miss Northwest and Miss Northwest Teen contestants. I got to have dinner with the contestants and get to know them a bit before the competition started. Congrats to my former sister queen Rebecca Yeh (Miss Brainerd Lakes 2011), who is the new Miss Northwest 2012! And congrats to the very first Miss Northwest Teen, Sarah Labine! Also a congrats to the 1st runner ups- Lauren Johnson (Miss Brainerd 2009) for the Miss and Maggie Wothe for the Teen. I greatly enjoyed getting to know all of the contestants, performing my talent, and crowning the new queens.

The new Miss Northwest Teen, Sarah Labine!

All of the Teen contestants

Rebecca Yeh, Miss Northwest 2012

The new queens, the 1st runner ups, and Siri and myself!

Sunday I made my way down to Minneapolis for a Twins game with my mom, my best friend Mari, and my boyfriend Dylan. This game was a special game because this game was the Alzheimer's Association's "Night with the MN Twins". A portion of ticket sales are donated to the Alzheimer's Association at this game and those who buy their tickets through the MN-ND Alzheimer's Association get to walk out onto the field before the game and watch the players warm up. I have done this event a couple times before, but never as a queen :) I was excited to wear my crown and even got my picture taken with Twins outfielder, Ben Revere! Oh the people you get to meet when you have a crown on your head :)

Ben Revere

These past two days have been filled with relaxation and restoration as I build my health back up and get things organized before my send-off this weekend.This weekend I will be in my Mom's hometown celebration then my send-off on Sunday. Hope everyone is still coming out to Franklin Arts Center in Brainerd to support me in my journey to Miss America's Outstanding Teen! There will be beverages, food, and cupcakes :)

Today, I'm happy to say that I got my roommate! She is Miss Georgia's Outstanding Teen and I am so excited to spend the week with her while we are down in Florida :)

Much love,
Bailey
Miss Minnesota's Outstanding Teen 2012