EOT Focus articles. :)

Hello everyone! I hope all of you are doing well. :) College in Jamestown, ND is going well. It's been a bit of an adjustment, but quite new and exciting. 

For the past two weeks I have been submitting articles to the EOT Focus. During my year as Miss Perham I will weekly be sharing my news, experiences, and inspirations all the way from Jamestown, ND. I was hoping I would be able to link my articles from the EOT Focus website, but they are only published in print. So here is my article from last week. Be sure to purchase the EOT Focus to see it in print. Otherwise, I'll be posting it here as well. 

Much love to all of you! I hope you enjoy my "little inspirations."

Paige 

(8.25.11 Article) Hello from Jamestown College in Jamestown, ND! This week I moved into my new home for the next nine months. Classes have begun and the experience has been quite a thrill. I’m really looking forward to all of the adventures this year at college will bring. It’s been quite a journey already! 

Last week I had the opportunity of introducing myself and sharing a little about my appearances, and my platform. I had a great time at the Vergas Looney Days Parade and at my last turtle race of the season. The sight of people celebrating community is so great to see. 

I hope you find yourself celebrating community often and appreciating the encounters you have with individuals around you. Whether it be your mother, father, brother, sister, friend, boss, or coworker, I encourage you to appreciate each one of them. Not only appreciate them, but appreciate where they are in their journey of life. Encourage them, inspire them, and give thanks for them.   Every person you encounter in our community is unique, special, and has a gift of their own to share with you. As I have met many incredible people this week at college, I have also been reminded of the special individuals who have been present in my life for a long time. Many of these people happen to live, work, and play in Perham, Minnesota. 

As your Miss Perham I often remind myself of how blessed I am to be an ambassador for this community. From Jamestown, ND I still hold and carry the responsibility of representing you. These next few weeks I hope to get more involved in the community of Jamestown and get connected with the Jamestown tobacco-free coalition. I am excited to continue sharing my thoughts, inspirations, and exciting news from week to week all the way from Jamestown, ND! 

Many Blessings!

Paige 

New Beginnings! :)

Greetings from Jamestown College everyone! It has been a crazy orientation weekend filled with many experiences and new people. Tomorrow morning I officially begin classes. I am very excited to meet my professors and get to work! I thought I would update you all a bit before this week goes into full swing. :)

First and foremost CONGRATULATIONS to our Miss Minnesota's Outstanding Teen for being awarded fourth runner up at MOAT. What an accomplishment and great experience for Alexis! :) I look forward to getting some one on one time with her to get the goods. :) Minnesota sure is proud!

I'm not sure if you are a regular reader of the EOT Focus, but I have just begun writing in the paper. My plan is to update all of you every week, not only here, but at the paper. My "Paige's Notes" can range from appearances, updates, and my inspirations, or thoughts of the week. Enjoy!!

As part of my platform I work with an organization called SADD (Students Against Destructive Decisions). I am on the SADD National Student Leadership Board with 9 other students from across the United States. This past June I flew to Chicago to attend the National Conference and began my year of service. I will be sure to share my experiences with all of you. :) Be sure to check out the website to learn more about the SLC and SADD. I love this organization and believe wholeheartedly in its message. http:/sadd.org/slc.htm

There are many ways to connect with Tobacco prevention programs in Jamestown. I'm anxious about them!

Here are a few pics from moving into college! You can tell how busy the weekend has been.
Be sure to purchase your EOT Focus this week or check them out online!

Blessings,
Paige

Last Day at the Turtle Races (for now..:))

Dedicated volunteers!

Congrats to our winners!

Today I spent my last morning at the Turtle Races before I head to school. It was a beautiful morning. 250 races were with us. You can start to see turtle racing season is nearing it's close. I'm sad I have to wait an entire year for the next season.I have had a great time and have felt so welcomed by my community! I am continually honored to represent you.

Bob, our announcer, asked me to sing a little number on the track this morning. I shared the first verse of Amazing Grace. It was his request! The turtle races got really quiet for a few moments. It was fun to share with everyone which warmed me up for my days in Jamestown, ND. I'm looking forward to my music classes and opportunities at Jamestown College this year! I will be leaving bright and early tomorrow morning to arrive in Jamestown by 8 a.m.

I hope to update you as I my journey as Miss Perham continues. I'll be sure to let you know how move in goes!

P.S. This week my first article in the EOT Focus will be published. Watch out for it. I'll keep you posted.

Much love,
Paige

Vergas Looney Days Parade

On Saturday afternoon I traveled to Vergas, MN to participate in the Vergas Looney Days Parade. I always enjoy this parade as it brings back memories from my days as Princess Altona. There were many familiar faces in the crowd and the parade was a super quick one! I was the first queen through. Once I stepped off of the Perham Express I stood and enjoyed the parade with my friend Emily. I had a great time cheering and waving to the other queens as they passed. It was a gorgeous day! A special thanks to my drivers. I appreciate your time and effort to make Perham known. I’ll see you soon!

Wednesday morning is turtle races. This will be my last appearance before I move to Jamestown bright and early on Thursday. I really hope to see you there! 

Blessings!

Paige 

Three for Thursday! Lunch with Rotary, Miracle Treat Day, and the 2011 Miss Vergas and Princess Altona Pageant

Rotary President Phil Holtan and I 

Fudge Family. They are adorable!

It's Miracle Treat Day!

My mini Reese's was fabulous! I was makin' a miracle!

Our Little Miracle Cassidy, making a blizzard.

Cassidy and I 

Queen Haley and Princess Leah one last time. 

Maren Anderson, Princess Altona 2011

Hugs for Kenzi Kovar, Miss Vergas 2011.

Three appearance all in one day! I had an incredible time on Thursday. I was up bright and early to meet with me directors. We had a great time over coffee. Around 11:00 it was time for me to stop at the Perham Dairy Queen to promote Miracle Treat Day. I am honored to not only promote my personal platform this year, but the Miss America Organization Platform of “Children’ s Miracle Network. DQ is a huge supported of CMN as well. Every summer, usually in August, they have Miracle Treat Day, all proceeds from blizzards are donated directly to CMN. I stayed for about an hour and then joined the Perham Rotary for lunch. 

If you have never been to Rotary, it is quite an experience. I always love visiting the dynamic Rotary members. This past spring I was a Student Rotarian and met with them weekly. I was thrilled to get to see many of them again. They gave me the opportunity to formally introduce myself as Miss Perham. I shared a bit about my plans for the fall, and talked about my first few appearances from pageants and parades to the turtle races. 

After my lunch with Rotary I went back to the Dairy Queen. For two hours I had the help of our Little Miracle Cassidy. Cassidy is six years old and is full of laugher, enthusiasm, and excitement even after years of struggling through lukemia. The staff at Dairy Queen put her to work helping with making the miracle treats. Every customer she helped was pure smiles when they left. The EOT Focus came to interview her on site. When I told her she was going to be in the newspaper she immediately yelled to her to her unlce, “Uncle Dennis, I’m gonna be in da newspaper!” She was thrilled. I had the opportunity to speak with her Uncle Dennis and he filled me in with all of the details about her progress and journey. I am truly inspired. I hope you took the time to visit your local DQ to purchase a blizzard. CMN does incredible work for those faced with struggles, and hardships. 

Thursday evening I traveled to Vergas, Minnesota to watch the Miss Vergas and Princess Altona Pageant. As a former Princess Altona (2008) I was brought back to my earliest days in my pageant career. Congratulations to the newly crowned Miss Vergas, Kenzie Kovar and the new Princess Altona, Lauren Anderson. I will be back in Vergas on Sunday for the Looney Days Parade. I’m very excited to make another journey to Vergas! 

Happy Weekend everyone! I will be packing and getting ready for my BIG move to Jamestown where I will be attending college this fall. I am so excited to began this next chapter of my life. I will also be making a few more appearances, and dotting my i’s and crossing my t’s before I leave. 

Love always, 

Paige 

Take Two at the Perham Turtle Races!

My family is from TX, CO, and MN. I am so blessed to have an incredible family. 

Pat and Harper. 2nd Place Winners. So great to see you both!

8.9.11 Semi-final winners from left to right. Congrats!

!

Welcome back everyone! I hope you had a great week. I sure have! My entire extended family is together and it has been a blast. :) I appreciate family so much, and my hope is you do as well. It is such a precious gift we have in life. My fabulous family joined me today at the Turtle Races. I was so blessed to have them there. Thanks fam. :)

Today was my second visit to the Turtle Races. I love having the opportunity to meet individuals who come from around the world to visit Perham, Minnesota. Not to mention, the Turtle Race attraction is quite a unique one to see! If you have never made it to Turtle Races, and are in the area, check it out. There are only a few weeks left as races conclude the last week of August. Races begin at 10:30 a.m. 

There were over 330 racers who came out! Our lovely day began with the mayor of Perham, Mr. Tim Meehl, fulfilling a promise he made the beginning of Turtle Racing season. This past July we broke the record in Perham at 557 racers in one day! Tim allowed me to even shave his head, along with his daughter, Kelli and her good friend, Becky. It was quite a hilarious sight. Cameras were everywhere. Races began sharply at 10:30 a.m. It really amazes me how quickly the races go. I always love meeting every heat winner. We had about 34 heat winners today and a very successful final race. Congratulations to all of the semi-final winners! It was great to see your energy and excitement. 

Next week is my last week at Turtle Races before I head to college in Jamestown, ND. Hope to see you there!

I will be busy with several appearances tomorrow and am very excited. Quick REMINDER! Miracle Treat Day is taking place in Perham at the Local Dairy Queen. If you purchase a blizzard treat, part of your proceeds will be donated to the "Children's Miracle Network." I will be in Perham with one of our very special CMN Champions. I hope you come to see us! Tomorrow a new Miss Vergas and Princess Altona will be crowned in Vergas, Minnesota. I'm so excited to meet two new lovely ladies who will be representing the community of Vergas this next year. 

Until next time, 

Many blessings!! 

Paige 

1st Appearance at the International Turtle Races. :) Yes, in Perham, MN!

Mr. Dan Schroeder

                        

Proud heat winner!

Our Semi-final heat winners.

              !

This morning I was up bright and early to..Yes, be at the International Turtle Races! For years, Miss Perham has appeared at the Turtle Races every Wednesday, to congratulate many turtle race winners. And today was my first experience!

I arrived at 9:45 a.m to officially be "trained in" for the job. I was immediately greeted by the Executive Director of the Perham Chamber of Commerce Mr. Dan Schroeder. I was handed a bright yellow shirt and was put to work. I had the opportunity to meet many individuals from across the US and Canada who came to race their turtles. We had 36 heat winners today and it was a blast having a few minutes to greet them!

The most exciting part of my day was seeing the final three semi-final heat winners compete in their final race. Let me tell you, cheers were coming from every direction! My eyes were glued to the outside white line of the track to see which turtle would finish!...at the blow of the whistle our GRAND Champion, Faith and her family were ecstatic!

After the races I had spent some time at the Chamber. I had a great time! I was even offered lunch by Mr. Dan and had a nice visit him. I'm looking forward to next Wednesday, and many more to come, as you will find me at the INTERNATIONAL TURTLE RACES! :)

*Don't forget Miracle Treat Day is just around the corner!..Be sure to stop at your local Dairy Queen and treat yourself to a Blizzard. Part of your proceeds will benefit the Children's Miracle Network.

Check out the East Ottertail Focus Article about the night I was crowned!
http://www.eotfocus.com/event/article/id/18589/group/News/

Blessings!
Paige