Hi friends! I wanted to make a post about my year as 2023 Miss Great Plains! I have had the honor to represent American Royal Beauties through many volunteer opportunities in my communities. It was such a blessing to attend these amazing events alongside my beautiful sister queens!
As I reflect on my past year and getting to represent ARB as 2023 Miss Great Plains, I wanted to share some love from our Nationals Pageant back in July.
The week was busy and I met some amazing new friends that I was honored to compete with and cheer on from the sidelines.
Some things I learned from the competition week that I believe are good petals of advice would be:
•be open in all experiences life has for you. take risks, try something new!
•don’t shy away from sharing your stories with others, even the totally goofy ones that make you seem silly.
•wear a smile everywhere you go, the world is grumpy enough. share some simple joys with others.
•make connections. humanity was designed to live life together and we’ve spent the past few years in solitude which was tough on everyone.
•show grace for others, but especially yourself.
•spend time with your momma, cherish every little moment you get to share with her. ❤
I was excited to come home with the 2023 National Talent title for the Miss division this year!
To recap my year, I’ve comprised all of my experiences in a bullet list format for easy reading!
Enjoy!
And as always, I love talking about life and my experiences so drop me a message if you want to chat!!😊
December 2022 –
Mall of America; The Salvation Army Bell Ringing: I volunteered with some Sister Queens at the Mall of America for The Salvation Army holiday bell ringing donation drive. We greeted mall-goers with bright smiles and cheerful bell ringing while collecting donations for The Salvation Army. It was also during the weekend that all donations were matched up to $25k.
Mall of America; Festival of Trees; ARB Themed Tree by Heather Fairfield and Phoebe: Some Sister Queens and I visited the Festival of Trees exhibit at the Mall of America to support another of our Sister Queen’s ARB themed tree. Heather and Phoebe decorated an ARB themed tree for the exhibition.
National Cemetery; Wreaths Across America: Some Sister Queens and I volunteered to place wreaths at the National Cemetery for Wreaths Across America. This event is to honor, remember, and teach of the sacrifices of our Veterans.
The Rivers Senior Community; Holiday Caroling: Victoria put together a festive evening of caroling at The Rivers Senior Community home and she invited royalty from around the state to attend. We also got to carol alongside some royalty from the Aquatennial Ambassador Organization. It was a lovely evening spreading joy and cheer to the residents through holiday songs!
February 2023 –
THE Pageant Event; Milwuakee, WI: “THE” Pageant Event was a weekend full of pageant shopping, fashion shows, and sisterhood with my fellow sash sisters from all over the US and Canada! My Mum and I got to represent ARB in the Fashion Show while getting some great stage practice for Nationals. I also found my Formal Gown for Nationals at Autumn’s Closet!!
2023 Winter Ball – Viva Las Wishes; Wishes & More Winter Ball: I volunteered with the Wishes & More organization at their Winter Ball, the theme was Viva Las Wishes and I dressed up as Elton John to fit the theme! A few of my sister queens and I helped out with personal photography at various photo ops and with donation collections. It was great getting to help raise funds to bless the lives of children fighting terminal or life-threatening conditions through wishes, scholarships, memorials and more to support both them and their families.
March 2023 –
Sparkle Night at the Shriner’s Circus: Spent the night with my fellow Minnesota Royalty and Ambassadors from across the State at the Shriner’s Circus for a fun, fabulous Sparkle Night. Met some amazing new sash sisters and spent a fun evening with some of my ARB Sister Queens! I also got to hold a snake!! The circus talent was phenomenal!
Volunteered with Loop Events at the MercyMe Concert in Rochester; Merch Table Volunteer for Taya: Used my #crowntoserve at the MercyMe concert in Rochester volunteering at Taya’s Merch table at the venue. Met some other great volunteers and got to share my experiences with ARB the past few months!
April 2023 –
Sparkle Night at the Timberwolves Game: Celebrated Crunch’s (MN Timberwolves mascot) birthday with fellow Minnesota Royalty and Ambassadors at the Sparkle Night event at the Minnesota Timberwolves game. It was fun getting to see friends and make new friends with sash sisters around the State! We also got to take a huge group picture on center court after the game!!
Feed My Starving Children; Food Packing Volunteer: A few of my ARB Sister Queens and I volunteered a few hours of our weekend to pack Manna Rice Food Packs with Feed My Starving Children. We packed a total of 149 boxes to be shipped to Zambia, 19 boxes and then some packs of which were packed by our group alone! My Mum and I also supported local artisans in Haiti and Honduras by purchasing some hand-crafted items from the FMSC site.
May 2023 –
Invisible Wounds Project; Volunteered at the Blue Jean Ball: A few of my ARB Sister Queens and I volunteered at Invisible Wound Project’s Blue Jean Ball event for donors. We helped with initial event set-up and directing traffic within the building.
Da Vinci Academy; Volunteered with 5th grade Field Trip: Loved getting to use my #crowntoserve as a volunteer chaperone for Zane’s class field trip to the MN Viking’s Training Center! We had a full day of fun playing flag football, bean bag toss, and practicing our field goal kicks and passing!
BossLady Shoetique Fashion Show; Appeared as a special guest and represented ARB at a friend’s small business fashion show: It was an honor getting to celebrate BossLadyshoetique Shoetique first year being open in Northtown Mall during her Elegant Point Fashion Show while also representing American Royal Beauties with my Mum, Elegant Ms. Minnesota 2023!!
So proud of our friend Brittney and all of the talented designers and vendors!!
What a great show!
Zimmerman Wild West Parade: My fellow American Royal Beauties sister queens and I represented ARB and our #crowntoserve motto at the Zimmerman Wild West Parade over Memorial Day Weekend! We chose a red, white and blue theme in honor of those who have lost their lives while serving our country! Huge thanks to Heather for building our beautiful float and to Keri for signing us up for the parade!!
June 2023 –
St. Francis Pioneer Days Parade: Represented ARB at the St. Francis Pioneer Days parade by volunteering to carry the banner for the St. Francis Dance Team. We got to see some of our friends in visiting royalty and ambassador programs!
July 2023 –
Coon Rapids Parade: Represented ARB in the Coon Rapids Parade with fellow ARB Sister Queens.
Isanti Rodeo Parade: Represented ARB with some fellow Sister Queens at the Isanti Rodeo Parade.
September 2023 –
Minnesota State Fair Parade: Attended the Minnesota State Fair with a few ARB Sister Queens and represented ARB on the visiting royalty float in the State Fair Parade.
ARB Minnesota and Wisconsin State Event: I volunteered at the MN/WI ARB State Event this year. I joined the ARB team to help with event set-up/tear down, being a friendly face, emceeing Formal Wear/Introduction, and Crowning new queens! It was such a special moment to re-crown my Mum as the Elegant Ms. Minnesota for 2024!!
October 2023 –
Minnesota Wild Sparkle Night: Attended the Sparkle Night at the Minnesota Wild preseason game against Dallas Stars with Minnesota Royalty and Ambassadors. Got to meet-up with Sister Queens on the Ice after the Minnesota DUB for a group picture!
Anoka Halloween Grand Parade: ARB Minnesota and Wisconsin Sister Queens shared the ‘Sweetness of Sisterhood’ and #CrownToServe motto with Anoka parade goers during the Halloween weekend activities in the Halloween Capital of the World – Anoka.
Best Buddies MN Champion Gala: It was an honor to volunteer at the Best Buddies MN Gala with some sister queens! We helped run the gift card fundraiser table for the evening.
MOA Salvation Army Bell Ringing: Another year volunteering with the Salvation Army Bell Ringing fundraiser at Mall of America! Loved spreading cheer during the season of giving with my fellow sister queens!
December 2023 –
Toys for Tots Donations and KARE 11 News Appearance and Interview: Our awesome group of Minnesota and Wisconsin ARB sister queens donated over 200 toys to the Toys for Tots Drive this year! I was honored to represent our group and ARB on the KARE 11 evening news in a short interview at the Backyard!
ARB Iowa and Nebraska State Event: I came to pass on my 2023 title of Miss Great Plains, but I stayed for the fun of meeting contestants, emceeing, and event set-up and tear down! It’s been such a crazy, eccentric year!! 🤩
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I am also proud to share that I designed a “Pageant Memoir” journal and published it on Amazon! I found a need for a prompted and interactive journal for pageant girls and took the initiative to create one to share with the pageant community! Below is the link to check it out!
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My Farewell Speech:
It’s been an honor to serve as your 2023 Miss Great Plains this year! I have made some brilliant new friends, represented ARB at some spectacular events, and loved getting to see old and new friends alike at different functions.
I want to thank my family and friends for always supporting me in all my endeavors. Thank you to Sarah and Susan for cultivating a community of kindness and welcoming me into this beautiful sisterhood. And I am so grateful for the opportunities ARB has given me to share my story and a fun space to express myself and my creativity.
I will always cherish the memories of getting to use my #CrownToServe alongside my Minnesota and Wisconsin Sister Queens! I have loved sharing in all our laughs this year. It was a true blessing getting to meet our State Queens from around the country at Nationals this past July! Here’s to friendships that will last a lifetime!
I’ve been your 2023 Miss Great Plains, Thank you! And you’ll see me again!!
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Stay tuned for the experiences ahead with my new title with ARB!
I am your 2024 Miss North Star State!
~Jai
Journeys with Jaiden 