1/10/2011 XL 93 Radio Interview with Trevor D and Binky Lee

 Like most teens I know, I wake up every morning to my alarm clock playing XL 93.  I get to listen to the best songs and lots of cool and funny stories with the morning show hosts, Trevor D and Binky Lee.  On January 10, 2010, I was able to be one of those stories!  As my Dad was driving me over to XL 93's studio in Grand Forks, ND, I heard discussion that it was Binky Lee's 25th birthday, so, Dad and I stopped at the East Grand Forks Hugo's store bakery and picked up a birthday cake for Binky Lee!  Happy Birthday!  I had a great time delivering the cake to her in the studio as my interview with them began.  They were great at asking me lots of questions about my platform and we discussed the importance of teens visiting Minnesota's State Parks and Trails for all the historical and scientific significance plus the fun of hiking, biking, skiiing, and snowshoeing! Then I gave them both my Junior Explorer stickers which they proudly wore!  Thanks to my friends at XL 93!

12/27/2010 KTRF 1230 AM Radio Interview with Mark Allen

If Thief River Falls, Minnesota were a dictionary, then the listing under "radio" would read, "Thief River Falls Radio, AM 1230, KTRF."  They are the voice of all that happens in Northwestern Minnesota and Thief River Falls.  One of their shows is called "Open Line" and its host, Mark Allen, interviews newsmakers and takes listener phone calls for discussion.  I had the good fortune of being asked to visit the studio and be Mark's guest on 12/27/2010, where I was able to spend about a half hour discussing my platform, "Explore Your Backyard:  Visit Your Minnesota State Parks and Trails."  Mark has great interview skills as he worked through the details of why teens should visit State Parks with their families to learn all the historic and scientific lessons that the parks teach, plus the obvious physical exercise that comes with hiking, biking, snowshoe-ing, and even skiing.  When my interview was complete, I even awarded Mark Allen his very own "Junior Explorer" badge!  Thank you to all my friends at Thief River Falls Radio!

12/22/2010 Lincoln High School Recognition Assembly

A few times every school year, our high school gathers the entire student body to recognize the accomplishments of its students.  At this assembly, the student body was recognizing many highly successful students, from football players and swimmers, to new Eagle Scouts.   Our principal, Mr. Shane Zutz, also wanted to recognize my accomplishment as Miss Red River Valley Outstanding Teen and allowed me to address the entire assembly and explain my platform, "Explore Your Back Yard:  Visit Your State Parks."  Thank you Mr. Zutz!

12/20/2010 High School Orchestra Concert

Many people know that I play piano, but I play the cello, too!  I have been playing cello since fourth grade.  My Mom and Dad started my next two brothers and I in orchestra at the same time.  I, of course, on cello, My brother, Brett, on string bass, and Brayden on violin.  At that time, I was in 4th grade, while Brett was in 3rd grade and Brayden was in first grade.  We actually practiced together every morning for the first year.  Imagine listening to cello, bass, and violin playing together, out of a first year book, where the songs are all the same, but each is in a different key!  It was hidious!  But Mom and Dad kept up an hour a day (6 AM) practice routine so that we would learn quickly.  Now, in the High School Orchestra, I am first chair cello, Brett is a 10th grader as first chair bass, and Brayden is first chair 2nd violin as an eighth grader.  We are deeply indebted to Mom and Dad for making us start that practice together many years ago.  Of course, we are also thankful to the many teachers who have helped us along the way-  Mr. Druse, our high school orchestra teacher, Mr. Buchmeier (Crookston High School Orchestra Teacher who is Brett's bass teacher), Mrs. Welsh, (UND cellist and my cello teacher).  

Our high school orchestra had its Christmas Concert on December 20, 2010.  Christmas concerts are my favorites because we often get to play classical Christmas Hymns as well as contemporary pieces, too!   We had a special treat in this concert-  A good family friend of ours, Jim Van Schaick, was asked to play electric guitar with our orchesta as we played an arrangement of Trans-Siberian Orchestra's Christmas Sarajevo.  We even had students playing our electric Vipers! 

12/20/2010 Heritage Senior Center Christmas Dinner

 The Heritage Senior Center in Thief River Falls is very special to me.  For many years they have been willing to listen to my piano playing as it developed from novice to where it is today, so when their director, Shannon Olson called and asked if I'd play for their Annual Christmas Dinner, of course, I was happy to oblige!  My dad was happy to take me too, because, he said, he could visit all his insurance clients!  It turned out that on the evening of the dinner, Mother Nature decided to send us a blizzard, so the weather was quite nasty but about 100 brave souls ventured to the Senior Center for a delicious dinner.  I was able to read the Christmas Story, play many Christmas Carols and hymns, and then finish with an explanation of my platform as Miss Red River Valley Outstanding Teen.  The seniors were very supportive of getting teens into the state parks with their families.  Thank you for asking me to perform for you!

12/19/2010 Speech Team speaking at Challenger Elementary

On December 19, 2010, our high school speech coach asked several members of our team to give an "informance" on the Speech Team to Challenger Elementary School.  I presented one of my stories for the category "Storytelling," which I took to the State Speech meet last spring.  As you can see from the photo, several members of our team gave an explanation of how we like to find our pieces-  from our favorite books to our favorite plays-  and then interpret them in different ways to highlight our favorite elements.  This group of my friends love to speak in public.  Can you imagine giving a speech in front of a large crowd?  We live for it! 

In Minnesota, there are 13 different speech categories, broken into 2 basic types-  Public address and Oral Interpretation.  I have competed in both.  Public address includes such events as Informative, Original Oratory, Extemporaneous Speaking, and more.  Oral Interp includes such events as Storytelling, Humor, Drama, Prose, Poetry, and more.  Its great fun to be able to take a piece of literature or drama and cut it into a speech specifically designed to portray a specific message and emotion. 

I am using these skills to present my platform, "Explore Your Back Yard:  Visit Your State Parks."  I encourage you to check out a park today!

Happy New Year!

Amidst a nasty winter blizzard 2010 ended while we witnessed the start of 2011!  I wish you and your family a healthy and prosperous New Year!  Happy New Year!