Hello All! The weather is turning warmer and spring is here! Recently, during my Spring Break from college, I had the opportunity to visit the students of Neveln Elementary.  I had a wonderful two days!  The great diversity of the Austin community led me to feel a need to promote acceptance as Miss Austin.

So I decided to read the book, Pinduli by Janell Cannon, to the students.  All the classes, first through fifth grade, enjoyed the story of a young hyena that is made of fun of by other animals, but discovers that everyone (or every animal) is unique.  Through an African adventure, she realizes the importance of acceptance despite differences the animals may have.  I also had time to talk with the students about acceptance and answer questions that they had for me!  I also traveled back to my younger school days and ate a cafeteria lunch with some first graders!  My visit to Neveln was a great experience and I look forward to visiting the Catholic Schools and Woodson Kindergarten Center in May! Also in May, you can catch me at the Spring Bonnet Tea with Angie McDermott and other former Miss Austins, as well as at the SPARKLE fashion show event!

You are Invited! Welcome to SPARKLE a community-wide fashion show that is the perfect Mother's Day weekend event!

Join us Friday, May 8th, at 7:00pm at Cornerstone Church for a fantastic time full of fun, laughs, door prizes, dessert, entertainment, and of course, fashions! This show is hosted by popular emcee Paul Pruitt, and fashions are modeled by local models, icluding some of our our local celebrities like Angie McDermott (Miss Minnesota), Terese Amazi (Mower County Sheriff), Jayne Gibson (Woodson Kindergarten Principal), Mandie Mickelson (Miss Austin, 2008-09), Bonnie Rietz (former Austin mayor), Sara Larson (Miss Capital City) and lots of other local faces you're sure to recognize! Grab your mother, daughter, grandmother, aunt, and friends, and come out for a night of fun! Tickets are available at the door. Doors open at 6:30 and the sh ow starts at 7:00. Adults are $8, or $6 with a canned good. Ages 12 and under are $3. This year's proceeds and canned goods will benefit the Salvation Army .

 

A Note from the Director...

As many of you already know, one of our committee members was recently diagnosed with cancer. These past couple of months would typically have been filled with pageant preparations and excitement for the upcoming show. Instead, these months have been filled with surgeries, radiation, chemotheraphy, and uncertainty for what lies ahead. This committee member also happens to be my mom. Understandably, our priorities for this year have changed and there is currently no 2009 pageant scheduled, though there are plans in the works for next year. We thank you for your many prayers and well wishes! We also look forward to the rest of Mandie Mickelson's fantastic year and are blessed that she is such a great reprentative for our great city!