Promoting kindness all day, every day!

As per usual, I have many more updates coming your way! Miss Chain of Lakes has been very active the last few months, especially with promoting my platform. Read all about it below!


#TheKindnessChallenge—I made a Facebook page now to post weekly Kindness Challenges that I start and I want others to participate in! It’s “Miss Chain of Lakes 2017 – Allie Koes,” so give it a follow and join in the movement of kindness by clicking here: www.facebook.com/MissChainofLakes2017AllieKoes/

Ms. Thimjon’s Class— I had the opportunity to go back to my first grade teacher’s class and speak with her fifth graders! Because March is National Reading Month, I read a few kindness stories to them from a kindness edition of Chicken Soup for the Soul, and then we did TWO kindness projects together. I brought a variety of thank-you notes and each student wrote one for someone, and afterwards, we went outside and scattered 100 pennies on the playground for the younger students to find during recess.

One thing I love about my platform, #TheKindnessChallenge, is that anyone can participate, and all of us have the ability to do kind acts to make this world a better place! Also, because they were doing kind things for others, I did a kind thing for them by bringing candy :)

Mr. Theissen’s, Mrs. Loch’s, and Mrs. Gaddini’s Class—These three classes were so much fun! I read Cara’s Kindness, a super cute children’s book about passing on kindness, then we talked a little about the importance of being kind. After, I had colorful poster board for each of the classes that said “We are a kind class.” Each student traced their hand on a piece of construction paper, cut it out, decorated it, and then glued it on the board which was hung in their classrooms to remind them to always offer their helping hands to others!!

Mrs. Przybylski’s Class—I was so excited to make an appearance at my fourth grade teacher’s second grade class! The students were such a great audience that asked so many questions! I read a few kindness stories to them, one being Have you Filled a Bucket Today? (which is one of my favorites!), and brought a bucket full of kindness ideas. Each student chose a random act of kindness from the bucket, read it aloud, and if they accepted #TheKindnessChallenge and said they were going to complete it that day, I gave them a piece of candy! It was a joy to spend time with them!

Chain of Lakes Rotary Presentation— I gave a presentation to the Chain of Lakes Rotary one early Wednesday morning! It was a great group that gave me such helpful feedback. Nothing makes me happier than sharing all my platform work with others and inspiring people to join my mission of kindness!

Speaking at Totino Grace and Collection for Gillette Children’s—In front of the entire school of about 1,000 people, I had the opportunity to speak Monday morning during convocation. WOW. It is so crazy to think I graduated from TG four years ago, and I have accomplished so much since then. I gave my first motivational speech about kindness, spoke about the drive I was organizing through the school for Gillette, and also challenged each audience member to perform a random act of kindness that day.  

Miss America Serves Day—Service is my favorite part of the crown, so of course I celebrated this MAO holiday! On #MissAmericaServes Day, I delivered all the game, book, art supply, and stuffed animal donations that I collected as part of #TheKindnessChallenge Week 3 to Gillette Children’s Specialty Healthcare, our local Children’s Miracle Network Hospital. There is no better way to spend the day than doing good for others! Thanks to Mary Dengerud, the Respect Life Group, and the TG community for donating and making miracles happen #ForTheKids!

Annual Easter Act of Kindness--Holidays are a wonderful occasion to spread kindness! I spent Easter working then delivering some Easter goodies to the residents at my grandma's assisted living facility! Each year, I make an Easter basket and bring it to a different care facility for the elderly. The joy on their faces is priceless every year 😊💕🐥 A little kindness goes a long way!

Orientation Weekend—Everything is official! Paperwork is turned in, my headshot is submitted, I got my roommate for Miss MN week (Katlyn – Miss Heartland!), and I chose my spot in the contestant order. I am contestant #23 (my lucky number), so I will be competing in Lifestyle & Fitness and Evening Wear on Wednesday (June 14), Talent and On-Stage Question on Thursday (June 15), and finals are on Saturday! I CAN’T WAIT!!

Also, official headshots are now on the Miss Minnesota website! See them here: www.missminnesota.org/contestants.html

My Princess—I finally had the chance to meet my fantastic princess, Riley, and her mom, Stephanie, last week! Riley is so sweet and has tons of energy! I know we will have so much fun during Miss Minnesota week!

Graduation—In December of 2016, I obtained my Bachelor of Science degree in Health & Wellness, a Spanish minor, and an Applied Business Certificate at the University of Minnesota – Twin Cities. Even though I had already graduated, I wanted to participate in commencement in spring. Now I finally feel like a graduate! 3.5 years of challenging courses, great memories, and life lessons to carry with me into the future. I am so proud to be a Gopher Grad! #Classof2016
Next stop…graduate school!
 
We are in the home stretch now. 30 days until I leave for Miss Minnesota week. Wow. Thanks to my family and friends for all the support thus far. I am loving every minute of this experience!


Carpe diem,

Allie