She's Baaack!

Hello World.

I cannot lie, my blog has not been updated because school started, and quite frankly, I forgot I even had one. Since winning the title of Miss Stanton 2010, life has been a whirlwind. I'm already half way through my fall semester here at Central Michigan University. Where has the time gone!

I recently had the opportunities to appear in the Cedar Springs Red Flannel Parade, as well as the Central Montcalm Homecoming Parade. Both were fantastic, with truely receptive and rather happy crowds! I also spent the past weekend at the JW Marriot in Grand Rapids with the Snapple./Dr. Pepper team. Once again we had a great tailgating party for the UofM/MSU game! It was the 6th year that this even has taken place, and it gets bigger and better every year.

I am so fortunate to have the opportunity to work with such a fantastic group of people! I roomed with the always amazing Mekeisha Alcock, as well as Lisa Dexter, whom I had just meet and absolutly LOVE! It was a great weekend of football, dancing and amazing friends. I am forever greatful for the opportunities that I have been presented with and an amazed everyday at the things in my life that God has given me.

I think this is going to have to be the end of this post, as homework is calling my name =/

God bless

Chelsea

Surprise!

Hello all,

Sorry I have not posted in such a long time, but life has been CRAZY. If you haven't noticed yet, there are a few changes to my blog because not only did I relinquish my Miss Danish Festival crown, but last Thursday I was blessed with the title of Miss Stanton 2010, and the chance to go back to the Miss Michigan stage in June of 2011. Needless to say, I am VERY excited.

To catch you up on what has been going on in this crazy world of mine, since Miss Michigan, I attended my last few parades as Miss Danish Festival 2009, including one in Manistee where I got to see the beautiful Miss Ludington Area, and the Grand Haven Coast Guard Festival parade where the crowd presented me with Danishes at one point, and at another a rather dashing young man gave me roses!

Also, along with the rest of the Danish Festival Court I was able to host a 'Walk It Chalk It' event to spread the word about my platform, G.Y.M. Get Youth Moving!, as well as collect food for the food pantry's in the area.

As my year was drawing to a close, I was contacted by a close friend of mine Alexa Lalonde (Miss Stanton 2009). She informed me that Stanton did not have enough girls to qualify as a MAO affiliate and that they had opened to all of Montcalm County, therefore making me eligible to compete. I jumped at the chance to represent my county, continue my platform, and return to the Miss Michigan stage.

On Thursday August 12th I was blessed with the opportunity to represent the county as Miss Stanton 2010. The community was so welcoming and happy to have me at the Stanton Old Fashioned Days. Of course, I will miss Julie Stephens (my director for Miss Danish Festival) and the job of representing the Danish Festival. But I have to say I have an AWESOME director as Miss Stanton, and I am so excited for the up coming year! Also, congrats to the new Miss Danish Festival Marissa Roy!

Just for the record you can already start donating to the Childrens Miracle Network to help send me to Miss Michigan. Please visit www.missamerica4kids.org , search contestant 'Chelsea Kreiner' and make a donation on my page. It benefits the CMN, the MAO, and Me. Plus its a great tax write off! ;]

Thanks for all the love and support you all have shown me the last few weeks!

Chelsea Kreiner
Miss Danish Festival  2009
Miss Stanton 2010

'Look to the sunshine, and you cannot see the shadows'

Miss Michigan Week, Update #1

Hello everyone!

It's Tuesday here in Muskegon, and the Miss Michigan contestants (including me) have officially been here for 3 days! Sunday started off with a talent rehearsal for all 30 contestants. It was great to see what everyone has been working on all year, everyone here is so talented. The judges definatly have their work cut out for them, thats for sure!

After talents, we all moved into the dance studio to learn the opening and closing numbers for Saturday. 4 hours got a little long, especially on the first day. But the choreographers have been great, and are really good about giving us breaks and letting us out early! Sunday for dinner, we were treated to Red Lobster. It takes time to feed 30 hungry beauty queens, but the whole restraunt team was really great about it!

Monday was another full day of practice, with a break for lunch with the exchange club. Dinner was at Buffalo Wild Wings, one of my favorites! The whole restraunt, guests included really took to our visit, and it was great to get to interact with everyone!

Today, Tuesday, was interview day! My interview was at 2pm, and it went GREAT! I feel really good about it, so hopefully the judges felt the same way! For dinner we visited the beautiful Muskegon Country Club. Tomorrow on stage competition starts, where I will compete in Life Style and Fitness, and Evening Wear.

All in all, its been a great begining to the week. My roommate Emily, (Miss Sunrise Side), is so nice. She is such a sweetheart, and I am grateful for the opportunity to get to know her more! The other girls have been great too. Also, a HUGE thank you to Julie Stephens, the Danish Festival Board of Directors, Noddea Skidmoore, and Shannon Odonald for the gifts!

More tomorrow hopefully!

All 30 contestants at the Exchange Club luncheon

All the contestants in front of the theatre.

Interview outfits. My roomie and I =]

Some little fans at Buffalo Wild Wings.

4 Days and Counting

Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday, MISS MICHIGAN.

In just 4 days, Julie and I will make the trip to Muskegon for the last time this year. On Saturday the contestants will arrive to compete for the title of Miss Michiga 2010. I'm happy to say that I feel like I am completly prepared, and so very excited to spend the week with such amazing women. After having met most of the girls vying for the title, I am glad to say that, each and every one of them is so deserving.

This past week I had the unique opportunity to spend time at CMU, volunteering with the Special Olympic Summer Games. My roommate for the weekend was Nicole, our current Miss Michigan. We had such a blast! Thursday we girls were invited to a VIP Reception in the Kelly/Shorts stadium, where we were fed very well (my favorite!), before making our way to the opening ceremony line up. Each girl was assigned to the group of athletes from her area of the state. Alexa Lalonde, Miss Stanton, and I were assigned to Area Six. We were pleasantly surprised to find that we were not the only 'celebrity' volunteers. The CMU football players were also volunteering their time!

It was great to have to opportunity to mingle with the athletes, and to meet some amazing people. It was so nice to attend an event where everyone is so welcoming and excited to have you there. Friday consisted of mingling with the athletes, handing out medals, and a huge autograph session. Then came my favorite part, the closing ceremony and dance for the athletes. The ceremony and dance were out in the stadium. It was so much fun dancing with everyone and giving out autographs!

Saturday was a parade in Carson City. And the next big event is Miss Michigan. Before I post photos, I would like to remind everyone of my Wardrobe Showing/ Send-Off Party at the Greenville Area Community Center on Thursday. 6:00 to 8:00 PM. I would love to see you all there!

Signing Autographs at the SAC

Opening Ceremonies with a few of the Area 6 athletes

Some of the Athletes and Football Players. These guys were fantastic!

Just can't hide that Chippewa Pride!

Possibly my favorite picture of the weekend.

Hellooooo Summer

First and foremost, I would like to begin this post by asking something I think we've all wanted to know..WHERE DID APRIL GO? This last month has been so crazy, that I've completly forgotten about some of the little things, such as my blog. So, let me apologize in advance if this gets long, but there is lots to tell!

In short, April was a very fun month for me, filled with new and exciting things. I just finished up my freshman year here at Central Michigan University (Dean's List here I come;]) As well as signed for my very first apartment! I'm starting to feel so old. Though I am glad that school is over for the year, and ecstatic for the warmer weather, it is a little bittersweet when saying good by to the friends I've made through out the year.

April was also a busy month for my Miss Michigan preparation. I spent most of my weekends, and Friday's, shopping. And I think my roommates are getting sick of my singing around the dorm all the time! I would like to send a big thank you out to those who helped me reach my goal of $350 for the Children's Miracle Network. Not only does this donation help send me to the state pageant, but it also goes to help some great kids.

I also spent my free time making apperances as Miss Danish Festival 2009. On the 17th of April I had the unique experience of judging the 2010 'Mr.GHS' pageant. This 'man pageant' as the organizers call it, was a fundraiser to help a local boy with Lukemia get his wish of swimming with dolphins. The Greenville High School National Honors Society took on the task of raising $2500 to help the Make-A-Wish foundation send little Ben to swim with his dolphins. The proceeds from the pageant exceeded their goals. It was great to be part of such a good cause, but let me tell you, the pageant was a riot! The contestants took their acts very seriously, and still had the audience just rolling. It was good to see some old friends as well.

The next day I visited the Greenville High School again, to take part in the third annual Jacket Challenge. It is a 5K race, or 1 mile walk, and promotes healthy lifestyles in Montcalm County. It was so great to see all the people that came out  to participate, and I had the greatest time running the children's races, encouraging them on. We did a 'mascot chase' as well as a mile and half mile run.

A few fun facts about the month of May that I would like to share with you. Did you know that May is National Running Month? Strap on those tennis shoes and get moving! Also May is for Miracles according to the Children's Miracle Network! You can donate today, share your story, visit Carmike Cinema's to veiw a CMN trailer, and more. Just visit MayIsForMiracles.org. And.....6 weeks to Miss Michigan!

I know there are more things that are slipping my memory at the moment, but I will be sure to share some photos! Thursday I move home and the work really kicks in. I will be back to working 40 hours with my kids at Stepping Stones Montessori, as well as preping for Miss Michigan, AND making Miss Danish Festival apperances all over that state. Including a visit to some CMN hospitals, and participating in the 2010 State Special Olympics right here at our very own Central Michigan University! I promise to try to update more as well!
Have a wonderful day =]

Judging at Mr.GHS 2010

The 'Court'

Running at the Jacket Challenge

Where Did The Warm Weather Go?

Hello all!

I'm a little behind on my blog, but that's a good thing because it means I've been busy. This past month, several of the local Miss America titleholders, including myself, have been traveling around Michigan, helping with/performing at/judging for the Dr. Pepper talent search. The talent search took place in Wal-Mart's throughout Michigan, looking for a top finalist to send to Vegas for the ACMA's.
The Dr.Pepper/Snapple group is a great supporter of the Miss Michigan program, and gives Miss Michigan a $10,000 scholarship every year! So it is great to be able to help them out! My personal Wal-Mart was the Jackson store. I visited one Friday afternoon in order to hand out samples of Dr. Pepper cherry. Then the next Thursday I went back to Jackson to judge the talent competition. The whole event was great! And there wasn't a person their who couldn't sing, so we judges had our work cut out for us!

I also attended the Miss Lighthouse Coast pageant (congrats. to Stephanie Frey Miss Lighthouse Coast 2010!), as well as orientation for Miss Michigan! For those of you wondering, the theme for this year's pageant is 'And the Beat Goes On'. It was great to get some information and hang with the girls for the weekend! However, by Satuday night I was exhausted! It was exciting, however, to learn all the things we would be doing for the pageant, it made it all seem very close!

I am contestant number 21. This means that Wednesday will be my swimsuit/evening wear preliminary night, and Thursday will be my talent night. It would be great to see every one there!

More later, for now I'd like to share a few photos from the last few weeks =]

Much love,
Chelsea

Casey Crabtree, Alyssa Bedford, and I grabbing something to eat before MLC

Local titleholders at MLC

Judging the talent search

Is it March already?!?!

Hello All =]

       Its been a while since I last wrote, and trust me, lots has been going on! I have now puchased my evening gown AND talent gown for Miss Michigan! I owe a HUGE thanks to Becker's Bridal in Fowler. They were absolutly fantastic to work with and I walked away with 2 gorgeous dresses!
      On Saturday I was lucky enough to be asked to attend a Fairytale Story celebration at Cedar Crest Elementary to kick off March is Reading Month (my favorite!!). I had a blast reading to the participants, handing out stickers, and watching them play in a pop-up tent decorated to look like a castle. And no, unfortunatly that is NOT where I reside, though many thought so!
     Saturday evening I was presented with the opportunity to attend the Miss GVSU pageant and cheer on my Miss Danish sister Emily Cole! It was a great trip with some great women and interesting conversation! Emily looked beautiful, and took the congeniality award as well as second runner-up, and was presented with the chance to compete at the Miss Lighthouse Coast Pageant this weekend in Muskegon! I was also lucky enough to see the new Miss GVSU crowned, and a big congratulations goes out to Morgan Lind. She is a very talented girl and I can't wait to get to know her at Miss Michigan!
     Unfortuantly I didn't have the chance to socialize with other titleholders, as I have been sick and had a fever while at the pageant. I didn't want to pass that along!
     Also this weekend I made the final cuts on my talent music for the state competition, it only took 2.5 HOURS, and I owe a HUGE thank you to the VanHouten Family for donating your time and amazing musical/technological talents, and helping me acheive the perfect track.
     Now I just have to survive one more week of school before Spring Break! Break kicks of with a trip to the Holiday Inn in Muskegon to cheer on, not one, but TWO of our very own Danish girls in the Michigan Sweeps pageant, and the last chance to go to Miss Michigan 2010! Last year I was blessed to be able to compete as Miss Danish Festival's runner-up, along side former Miss Danish Festival Shannon O'Donald, where She placed 3rd Runner-Up and I placed 4th! This year I have the opportunity to support my first runner up Lindsey Kern, and my pageant sister Emily Cole! And on Saturday, Julie and I will make the trek back to Muskegon for Miss Michigan Orientation!
Good Luck to all the girls preparing for Miss Lighthouse Coast!

Chelsea

Emily and I in 2006 when I was her teen.

The beautiful miss Lindsey and I

Shannon, Lauren, and myself at the Miss Lighhouse Coast Pageant last march

I need a soap box!

Hello all,
So as I am gearing up for G.Y.M. Get Youth Moving! today, I came across a fact that really bothers me. The Bagel Bites products are the "Official Snack of US Youth Soccer". Now I understand that money is tight, and it is great that the US Youth Soccer organization found a sponsor in bagle bites, but it completly undermines what G.Y.M. teaches students! A fun snack is okay once in a while, but we should be providing HEALTHY snacks to our children. It is difficult for me to stomach the fact that a 'snack' food with 450 calories per serving it the official sponsor for a children's sports team.

Does anyone agree with me??

Lots of Love

Chels

Way To Go Nicole!!

Just checking in to tell you all that Nicole, Miss Michigan, won the preliminary award thursday night for talent! Way to go Nicole! Michigan loves you!

Teens For Jeans

For those of you interested in helping out, volunteering time, or donating to an organization, dosomething.org is a GREAT place to find community service opportunites, or to start your own!
Now through mid-february you can donate gently used jeans to their Teens for Jeans campaign. Jeans can be dropped of at Aeropostale stores for a thank-you gift of 25% off you purchase, PLUS you are helping out teens in need! Just visit http://www.dosomething.org/teensforjeans/home for more information.

Also we are still collecting donations for Haiti until Friday. All items will be given to Rays of Hope in Grand Rapids this weekend!
Thank you everyone, have a fabulous week!

Chelsea

Oh! P.S.
Dont forget to stop by the CLUB in Greenville Saturday January 30th at 10:40 for the first segment of G.Y.M. Get Youth Moving! We will be in the gymnasium playing games and learning how to stay healthy! All elementary students welcome!

Help Us Help Haiti!

Hello all!

After the earthquake that has ripped through Haiti, my roommates and I have decided to collect supplies to help. Relief groups are in need of nonperishable food items, over-the-counter medical supplies, bandages, wraps, sheets, blankets, toothbrushes, toothpaste, washcloths and towels. All donations will be delivered to Rays of Hope in Grand Rapids.

If you wish to help out, you can contact me at krein1ce@cmich.edu!

Thank you for the continued support!

Chelsea (and the girls of 412!)

Some Photos!

Here are some photos to go along with the latest post!


http://www.flickr.com/photos/46257623@N02/sets/

Hello blogging!

Hello everyone!

Chelsea here, and this is my first blog as Miss Danish Festival 2009, (4 months late, but whose counting?) So 2010 is officially underway and I can already feel June creeping up on me! I am so very excited to represent Greenville at the Miss Michigan competition!

Here is a little bit to catch you up on what has been happening.

I was crowned Miss Danish Festival 2009 the second weekend of August, and spent the third weekend in August 'ruling' over our very own Danish Festival! The court and I rode in the parades, helped out at the children's activities, and made apperances all over town. My favorite things were riding in the fireman's parade and Thrill of the Grill. For those of you who have never attended a fireman's parade, it is a nighttime parade dedicated to the firefighters, policemen, service men, etc. It is a really cool event because firetrucks from all over Michigan came to Greenville that night to participate. I was put up IN THE BUCKET of one of the firetrucks as we drove through town, first silently, and then with all the sirens on! I think I was deaf for a large part of the next day! As for the Thrill of the Grill, that has always been a favorite of mine! We all know Chelsea loves her food!

Sunday I finished up my 'duties' for the weekend and headed up to CMU! I have to say it was a very overwhelming week, but I wouldn't have had it any other way.
Since then the court and I have been traveling all over Michigan participating in other festival parades in order to promote our own festival! It is an honor to be the face of the Danish Festival! It is so nice to meet other people from around that state and share with them what our great town has to offer!

2009 closed with a trip to Fredrick Meijer Gardens and TWO outdoor light parades. The Garden's were absolutly beautiful, and it was so much fun to pose with the Danish tree and talk to people about the Danish heritage! It never ceases to amaze me, how many people have been to and love our festival! The Greenville and Lowell Christmas parades were FREEZING! but they were definatly worth the trip! Tom Kreiner was so kind as to deck our float out with Christmas lights, and it looked great!

I also had the opportunity to attend Miss West Michigan, where my very own first runner-up Lindsey, placed in the top 5! Way to go Linds!

And now, it is January, just months from the Miss Michigan competition in June and I am ready to dive in head first! I have set up a Fitness with Royalty program at the Club in Greenville that I am SO very excited about! Taylor is doing a great job of setting up Reading with Royalty. I have my talent chosen, and now I just need to hit the gym!

I wish you all the best!

Chelsea