Celebrating loved ones and their accomplishments. Congrats to my sister Bailey for graduating hs!

Greetings Perham,

            Congratulations once again to the class of 2012! I had a wonderful weekend celebrating with my sister Bailey and many of her fellow classmates. What an exciting time for our “seniors” who will now begin a new chapter in their lives. I am eager to see how each individual will make an impact on our world. Graduation sure brought back many memories from celebrating my very own graduation. A large thanks goes to every person who contributed to celebrating the class of 2012!

            Speaking more on the note of school, Perham Schools have just finished their last week of the school year. Wow! How fast did the time soar by? I’m sure many of you are thrilled to begin your summer plans. My family and I are sure excited to head to the lake and enjoy the warm weather.

            Miss Minnesota is now just two weeks away and each day I get more and more eager to begin my journey at Miss Minnesota. This weekend at the Frazee Event Center I will be celebrating my send-off at 7:00 p.m. My wardrobe, talent, and evening gown will be showcased along with three other area royalty. I know it’s a busy weekend for many with the continuation of celebrating graduation, but if you available feel free to join us.

            This past week I have been flooded by great memories from my high school days and once again am amazed by the love, support, and guidance many individuals in our community give. As I sat at commencement last weekend I was floored at the amount of people who had joined together to celebrate loved ones and their accomplishments. My hope is that we remember those people in our lives who have helped us grow, succeed, and achieve. Without them we would not have such wonderful memories, opportunities, and growth as individuals. Thank those people in your life this week. 

"My hope, prayer, and advice for the Perham High Class of 2012" highlighted in the EOT Focus

Greetings readers,
I decided to debut the EOT article this week early on my blog. It is dedicated to our graduates! :)
Enjoy!

Much love,
Paige

Greetings Perham,

            If any of you made it to the Perham High Concert Choir Pops Concert last week what a treat! Once again I find myself overjoyed by the students who leave their comfort zones to share their talents. Congratulations on a wonderful presentation of talent, hard work, and dedication to all who were involved. Watching from the audience this year gave me a new and exciting perspective. Lot’s of memories flooded through my mind as I watched all of you perform. Stunning job my friends.  

            Well, the week of graduation has finally arrived for the Class of 2012. Congratulations graduates. Many blessings to you as you begin the next chapter of your life. It will be an exciting time as your days become filled with experiences, challenges, new friendships, opportunities, and blessings. Cherish the last few moments of “glory” in your high school as you walk to receive your diploma. You only graduate from high school once. Take time to enjoy your last few interactions with all that are around you.  Most importantly, don’t forget to say your “Thank you’s” to the people who have touched and impacted your life forever. For all of the parents, grandparents, aunts, uncles, teachers, mentors, and friends of our fellow graduates be confident in cherishing the memories you have shared.

            It’s hard to believe I have been a graduate of Perham High School for an entire year now.  At times I can still remember the excitement and how incredibly blessed I felt as I completed my high school career. This past week I have realized even though “home” changes daily, we can all look to the changes and new opportunities as an exciting journey that lies ahead for each and every individual impacted. My hope and prayer for our graduates is that they leave Perham, Minnesota touched by all of us ready to make a difference in our world for others. Blessings, graduates and many congratulations! 

Looking ahead to Miss Minnesota. EOT article.

Hello Perham,

            I hope the Mom’s in our community had a wonderful Mother’s Day. I sure enjoyed the time with my Mom and surprising her a bit here and there. Where would we be without our Mother’s?

            Last Sunday I received the “official” schedule for Pageant Week of Miss Minnesota 2012. Reading through the week made my tummy flutter and to be honest I panicked just slightly as I realized how close it really is. I have been waiting for the Miss Minnesota pageant for months since I was crowned Miss Perham and I can hardly believe it’s almost here! Some of the highlights for the week include a visit to Gilette Children’s Hospital, the Mall of America, Skyline Cosmic Bowling, Original Pancake House, IHOP, and lot’s and lot’s of yummy food! Of course the competition will be the major event of the week!

            As I look ahead to Miss Minnesota I was reminded of an important little lesson. Many times in our life we like to look ahead to the future. We sometimes can find ourselves worrying about what is next, what if this or that happens, or why can’t I decided what my next days will look like. Yes, it is good to look ahead, shoot for goals and dreams, but most importantly remembering that we need to enjoy today. As I make final preparations for Miss Minnesota I will do my best to focus on being satisfied with where things are today and staying calm. I would encourage you to do the same as panic may arise when we realize we don’t always have control of our circumstances. May you be satisfied in your days this week. Many blessings to you my friends.  

Pizza with Miss Perham

Tonight I held my last Pizza Ranch Fundraiser before Miss Minnesota. Once again I am amazed by the support of my community. I had a wonderful time seeing people I haven't seen in quite some time.

I was greeted by a very ambitious and excited Girl Scout troop. They wanted not one, but two autograph cards from me and they even offered to take a picture with me. They were so cute! I really think there was a future Miss Perham in that bunch. I am sure of it.

A couple of years ago I left my camera and phone on the top of my car and drove away with it. The items fell off and laid in the middle of the road without my knowledge. However, a wonderful women brought my items to the police department. The next day I was relieved to be handed my items. Tonight I met the women who brought my phone and camera to the police department almost two years ago. I love living in a small community.

After the fundraiser we had six young ladies who are interested in becoming Miss Perham and Miss Perham's Outstanding Teen attend a meeting about the pageant in August. I can't wait to find out who are next ladies will be!

Blessings!

Paige

Excitement for Miss Minnesota is arising!!

Greetings friends, 

As of today I hold the schedule for Miss Minnesota 2012 Pageant Week in my hands! I am so thrilled for the week of June 10-16th! I can hardly await. 

I will be arriving in Eden Prairie on Sunday, June 10th, of pageant week to begin the wonderful festivities the new Miss Minnesota Board of Directors have spent countless hours organizing and putting together. They did a phenomenal job! 

Some of the highlights include Skyline Cosmic Bowling, The Mall of America, Gillette Children's Hospital, Original Pancake House, IHOP, Bucca, and much much more! It's going to be an exciting week!! 

Here is a taste of what is coming! :) 

Much love, 

Paige 

Home Sweet Home...EOT article

Greetings readers,

            Home sweet home! It is so great to be back in Perham, Minnesota for the summer. Oh, how I missed our community. This past week I started working at the Dean’s Bakery. I’m up bright and early each morning to be there at 5 a.m. to frost donuts. Be sure to stop by and say hi sometime! The job works perfectly with my Miss Perham schedule, especially with preparations continuing for Miss Minnesota.

            I’m not even really quite sure where to begin with this week’s column. I still feel like my head is spinning a bit from finals week and moving out of my dorm room. I had a wonderful last week at college and thoroughly enjoyed my last days with friends and last choir performances for the year. It was a little challenging to leave as I really started to establish relationships and “home” in Jamestown. But I am so thankful to spend quality time with my family and see many of you this summer. Not to mention, let my brain recover from all the learning. What a great school year it has been.

            Miss Minnesota is coming faster than ever and I am working against the clock to wrap up last minute details. I’m really getting excited. I feel like I have said that a lot, but I truly am. It’s going to be quite an adventure. The website is now up and running and I am thrilled to share where you can find it. Head to www.missminnesota.org to meet the fellow ladies I will be competing with. Be sure to also visit the locals page to learn more about Miss Perham. I am also excited to announce that the next Miss Perham pageant is tentatively planned to take place on August 17, 2012. I wonder who our next Miss Perham will be? I can’t wait to see. I know last week I mentioned a blog story about my top 10-15 life lessons I leaned about college. Well, I got them down to 25! If you haven’t visit my blog please do at www.missperham2011.blogspot.com Have a wonderful week.  

Top 25 Lessons of my freshman year. :)

Greetings readers,

Well, as most of you know I just finished my freshman year of college studying music education in Jamestown, ND. I had a wonderful year. One that is filled with many new and exciting experiences, many of which I never thought or knew would come my way. 

Throughout the year I leaned many new things, many of which, I like to call my life lessons for the year. Some of them are hilarious, serious, meaningful, and ones that I learned in the midst of fear of the unknown. I'm sure every person who has "survived" their first year of college can tell you it's the biggest "growing" year. I'm thrilled to share the lessons I learned. I hope as you read you can find ways they relate to your own life. :) Enjoy!

My 2011-2012 College Life Lessons. 

Jamestown College, ND 

#1 Be sure to always make sure you have access to "man power..." if you are a female ;) You will need help carrying your extra large wardrobe up many flights of stairs. Not to mention, if you need assistance setting up a loft, they will save you extra hassle, time, and will liberate you from looking like a complete fool. ;) 

#2 Now that you are in college school work turns into your life. You do homework every chance you get, you can spend up to an hour on one math problem, an entire week to write a three page paper, and hours upon hours in the practice room. :) 

#3 You no longer go to school from 8 am to 3:30, it starts when you are awakened to an alarm and the day ends when you hit your pillow. 

#4 Sometimes the struggle to understand a course or assignment will actually inspire, challenge, motivate, and make you push yourself beyond what you thought possible. :) 

#5 Learning how to "dictate" music makes you think critically about music all the time. When you sing hymns in a church you will now be searching for the key, time signature, establishing where "do" is, and determining what kind of conducting pattern you would use if you were in front of a choir. (shout out for my music fellows!) 

#6 Your friends are now your family. They will be your immediate access support system. Love you guys! 

#7 Sometimes you have to pretend you know what you are doing, just to survive! ;) 

#8 Instead of going out to eat with your friends or to a movie with your friends like you would in high school, study parties are now what you do to hang out.

#9 Taking a break is essential to staying sane. It's ok to stop studying for just a few minutes. 

#10 You will now have a deeper appreciation for your family. Phone calls, cards, and even occasional visits can leave you a bit teary eyed. 

#11 Leaving your comfort zone is the key to growth as an individual....exactly what college is. 

#12 Appreciate a busy schedule, one that demands more than you think you can even fulfill. 

#13 Sometimes you have to except the fact that you may fail time and time again before you see any success or improvement. 

#14 The days are LONG, weeks are fast, months fly!!! 

#15 The salad bar and fruit bowl is your best friend in the cafeteria. It's your only source of healthy options! 

#16 Freshman fifteen avoidable? Absolutely, if you head to the gym 5 days a week. (especially, if you have a swimsuit competition in June of 2012, one month after your first year of college ;)) Shout out to my pageant peeps! 

#17 If your appreciation starts to fade for your subject area, get INSPIRED fast!!! If you don't goals start to get hazy. 

#18 Get involved!! Take every opportunity to travel, meet new people, and be challenged! 

#19 The people you meet are the highlight of your year. You may encounter someone you never thought you would meet. Be thankful for new faces and all of the names you may have to memorize. 

#20 Getting extra help from your professors will hold you accountable. 

#21 Taking time to visit your community and the people you miss the most will be your source of encouragement. Without those emails, calls, and visits the home sickness will sink in really fast. 

#22 Your roommate will become your sister! Love you, Taylor! 

#23 Your relationship with the Lord will continue to mean more and more as you face new challenges. Relying on the Him will encompass an entirely new and exciting meaning. 

#24 Taping quotes, inspirations, and bible scriptures all over your dorm room will remind you to keep going when you feel like you can't. 

#25 As challenging as college is- don't wish the time away! Being uncomfortable, challenged, stressed, and inspired will bring you to paths you have never trod...and it's ok! ;)