A NEW YEAR! TIME TO CONTINUE MAKING A DIFFERENCE!

Hi Friends and Pageant Sisters! 

It's almost the New Year and as I reflect on my recent titleholder activities, I remember how much fun I have had judging pageants, working with the Salvation Army and Feed the Hungry Children, playing Bingo with the elderly, distributing toys at Christmas, as well as looking forward to my first Parade (Winter Carnival) since I was a Homecoming Queen in High School!  lol 

I hope we can get together on March 23, 2013 for Isaac's Foundation's Annual Chili-Feed Fundraiser.  I was lucky enough to be there last year and it was fun to meet Mary, Rose, Wendy and Linda and to work with the purpose of raising funds for a worthy cause.  I was so impressed by the love of that small community in Sauke Center, MN, and how much money was raised!  Mary and I both reminisce about wanting a crown just like the one Rose wore (and I think she was coveting Wendy's lifetime crown)! lol  We (all three) got our wishes! 

There is so much good we can do, in little ways, to make a difference in others lives.  I am blessed to be involved with volunteering.  I have always helped in areas of teaching and leadership, but it's so much fun to be on the "front lines".  Entering my first pageant has turned out to be a wonderful experience.  How richer my life is having come to know our (great) director, worhtwhile platform(s) and fellow pageant sisters.....

Although I am getting into my busiest season with my job, I still plan to accept opportunities that present themselves to help others!

I have to say, I really enjoy working with my new friends at the Salvation Army.  The work is so practical and yet so helpful to others.  I also like that they know the people they serve, having seen them over and over again. 

I just got QPR Gatekeeper Certified today.  It was bittersweet as I learned how easy it can be to prevent a suicide.  I had always been told, if someone wants to do it, they will.  I don't believe that anymore.  Most people don't want to commit suicide, they just don't see anyway out.  That's when someone with a little training can recognize the warning signs and take steps to save lives.  I only wish I would have known this before my son died.  But like the trainer said, we are only responsible for what we 'know to do'. 

I'm looking forward to developing my indoor (power) Out of Darkness Walk-ing class.  I want to do all in my power to stop suicide from happening!  I want to start a charity in the future.  Big dreams, but I will take them one step at a time! 

Happy New Year to all! May God richly bless you and keep you safe!

Sherry
Sherry Westland
Sr. Ms. Global United

Give thanks by making a difference...

Happy Thanksgiving Week! I have had so much fun as Classic Ms. Global United 2012-2013! As I continue to live a life of service with my crown, I am amazed at the number of people I encounter in all of my appearances that do not serve, have never served and have no idea how to get started.

Because of this, I am challenging all of you to make this Thanksgiving weekend count. Take just one hour (longer if you can) and do something for someone else and your community. Grab an empty bag and walk to the nearest park to pick up litter. Google local events in town and show up to help in some way. Go on the website of a community organization, look for their needs list and collect some items. A few to consider

 are Target giftcards for prenatal vitamins for pregnant teen girls at myHealth for Teens and Young Adults (wstcmn.org), Coats for Kids drive, local holiday food drives or Samaritan's Purse Operation Christmas Child. Help Isaac's Hope Foundation in their mission to end childhood cancer by donating dollars through my Game Board of Hope- send me a message at classicmsglobalunited@gmail.com to hear more. I am volunteering at the Walk for Hunger at the Mall of America on Thanksgiving morning and at the Season of Wishes booth for the Make A Wish Foundation on Saturday at MOA. 

All I ask is that you just simply do something to make a difference for someone else in the next few days...thank you and HAVE FUN DOING IT!  Lisa Stordahl

A FEW WORDS FROM SR. MS. GLOBAL UNITED

10/27/12

Greetings All! 

I have been so honored to represent the new era of seniors as the 2012-13 Sr. Ms. Global United!  What a busy couple of months I have had since the pageant. 

Here are a few of my activities as I am committed to my duo platforms of Isaac's Foundation and suicide prevention:  
Minnesota State Fair 8/12, Relay for Life, Fairgrounds, AL, MN 8/12,

Susan Koeman Zumba Party @Armory (Isaac's Fdnt. Table) 9/12,

Patriot Guard Mission, Escort Traveling Wall 9/12, Speaker, AL Toastmasters Club 9/12, Visiting Royalty/Speaker, Division TM Contest 9/12, Eaton Sport & Spine Center Fundraising Day for Isaac's Fdnt. 10/12 & 10/26 - $300 donated by my friend Jacque to Isaac's Foundation, Judge for the Twin Cities Model Search @ Bessie's Boutique 10/18/12/appearance on Pageant Live, Micah 6:8 Project, 10/23/12, Adopted ongoing fundraising for Isaac's Foundation. ...I'm off to a good start with more plans for the near future!

I want to share with you an epiphany I had yesterday morning. This photo shows me joining our local ZUMBA Instructors to raise funds for cancer.  This event was held in our local National Guard Armory, which is huge.  There was a massive turnout of Zumba enthusiasts.  I got a vision yesterday related to exercise and suicide prevention.  As a Fitness Instructor, I want to organize a (Power Walk) 'Out of the Darkness' as a future endeavor!  Since as we all know, the winter season precludes walking outside, I plan to hold this walk indoors with all proceeds benefitting the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention!  So, stay tuned to hear more as this development comes to fruition!

I have many thoughts of future endeavors, so we'll see what the future holds! 

I am so humbled to have the opportunity to help others.  Out of my greatest tragedy, I am building a bridge of Hope!  I have found my life's purpose and have a bigger voice to be an advocate as a titleholder.  Thank you to the best Pageant and Pageant Director for giving me this chance to discover, in even small steps, what one woman can do to leave this world a better place!  :)

Love to all my pageant sisters!  Miss ya!
Sherry Westland
Sr. Ms. Global United

AFTER THE CROWNING

Hey Everyone!!!!

Okay so i have never blogged before, so hopefully this is good! haha :)
I just wanted to say a few words about how everything is going since the pageant in August!!!

First: I jsut wanted to give a big THANK YOU to Wendy! She has been such and amazing help with everything, and I know that without her this pageant wouldnt be what it is! which is FABULOUS!!!!! :) This whole experience has been amazing and im so greatful for it, from the pageant, to the crowning, to after the crown! I cant wait to see you again Wendy! I know you will be proud!

So far I have been doing a lot of volunteer work with NAMI Minnesota (National Alliance on Mental Illness), PACER Center, Kids n' Kinship, and the Silver Ribbon Campaign. I can't wait for more!! Tomorrow I will be volunteering with Kid n' Kinship by packing birthday boxes!

My favorite part about having this oppertunity is that i have gottin' to meet so many people, use my crown as a microphone to get my message out there about my life growing up with a mental illness, that it doesn't define who you are, and of course giving back!

Second: my advice for the next contestants: If you can dream it, You can do it! if you have a dream, don't let anything stand in your way! Work hard, be dedicated, and know that you are worth it! lastly, everyone is beautiful in there own way! :)

Third: I can't wait to see you all next year!!

<3 LOVE <3
MISS GLOBAL UNITED 2012- 2013
Mary Kathryn Scheele
DONT FORGET TO LIKE MY FACEBOOK PAGE
http://www.facebook.com/MissGlobalUnited2012

Ms. Global United - Appearances and Updates!

Hi Ladies! WOW! The first few months of my reign have been a blur! I can't tell you how excited I am to be your 2012 Ms. Global United! I had a BLAST at the national pageant ... meeting everyone from around the world was an amazing experience ...one that I will never forget! I especially want to thank my mom for making the trip to MN with me. I was so proud of her for competing and I can't wait to see what next year will bring for her. Thank you for always cheering me on mom! Now it's my turn to be your number one fan! There are so many things that I want to accomplish during my reign I didn't know where to begin. I can't believe how fast the time has gone already! I'm feeling pretty proud in all that I have accomplished in such a short amount of time! Upon arriving home I finished up my school supply drive and food drive collections for the Salvation Army ... We collected SO MUCH stuff to donate to low income families in my area! I am so thankful to work at such an amazing place - Anytime Fitness - They allow me the creativity and freedom to make up and choose events that are special to me. We collected so much that we even made the local paper! A huge thank you to all my members! September was obviously Children's Cancer Awareness month ...so I requested a HUGE bin a goodies from Linda at Isaac’s Journey. She sent me cookbooks, magnets, pins, pens, and cookie cutters to sell throughout my year ... I want to raise as much awareness and money as possible for such a worthy organization. My mom and I have already gotten started on the fundraising and I am proud to say that we are well on our way to our goal! I also did a collection drive at work ... 16 surrounding Anytime Fitness locations put out collection boxes and posters in their clubs ... the donations are STILL coming in but I am happy to report that we have collected over 6 bins of toys, crayons, coloring books, stuffed animals, etc. for nearby Children's Hospitals. I can't wait to post pictures! In September I had the opportunity to participate in the Bridal Elegance Fashion Show in Ottawa IL. Pageant girls from all over came to attend the workshops, seminars, and watch the latest fashions from Bridal Elegance in their fashion show. It's the biggest Prom and Pageant store in our area and we even had the chance to meet and take photos with Miss USA! What an honor to be asked to be in the fashion show with MISS USA!! I was thrilled especially since there were only a handful of models there. What an honor ... and Miss USA?? What a doll! I absolutely LOVE her! Make sure to wish her luck and cheer her on at the Miss Universe pageant December 19th! October is obviously Breast Cancer Awareness month so I am representing by wearing as much PINK as possible. My gym and its members are even getting involved too! My mom and I did a 5K walk in Green Bay and then hit up the local iHop to warm up! It was a rainy chilly day but SUCH a great cause :) Last week my friend Saryna came up from IL to visit and we attended the local Humane Society walk and fundraiser with my little puppy Tucker. All the dogs were dressed up in Halloween costumes. SO CUTE! My little boy had a great time playing and sniffing all his new friends. :) We have a few more events coming up in the near future... so I'll be updating you again soon ... Can't wait for Halloween next week ... My mom and I will be doing "Trunk or Treating" in Green Bay ... Wait til you see my costume! Until next time, Lots of LOVE and RHINESTONES! XOXO Autumn Kastein Ms. Global United 2012 PS Don’t forget to “like” my facebook page! - https://www.facebook.com/groups/TheGlassSlipperPageantResaleShop/430487690342633/?comment_id=430552387002830&ref=notif¬if_t=group_comment#!/MsGlobalUnited201213?fref=ts

CONTACT
Wendy Lindberg
Executive Producer Global United Pageant ™
Company Information:
21605 Goldenrod St NW
Oak Grove, MN 55011
(320) 349 0243
www.globalunitedpageant.com
globalunitedpageant@yahoo.com

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

GLOBAL UNITED PAGEANT ™ CROWNS ITS 2012-13 TITLEHOLDERS

27 Contestants ages 13 to 83gathered in Minneapolis, MN this August for a week of fun, friendship, and a chance to become one of the five new international Global United Pageant™ Queens.

Pageant week was filled with great events and opportunities for the delegates to get some great treats and give back to the communities around them, including trips to the Mall of America for shopping and mini golf, a St Paul Saints Baseball game, Massages, Pajama Parties, the Gold Ribbon Banquet and more.

The week’s highlight, undoubtedly, was on Friday afternoon when the contestants gathered at the University of Minnesota Amplatz Children’s Hospital to host a party for the patients undergoing treatment for many life threatening illnesses. Over 70 children and their siblings were treated to face painting, cupcake decorating, temporary tattoos, Tied blankets or pillows, gift bags, games and princess crowns or hero capes. With a few tears, but a lot of joy, the contestants were feeling very grateful to be a part of this event to brighten the day of the patients there.

Competition began Saturday at the Historic Mounds Theatre with Interviews in the morning and the Grand Finale that evening.

Taking home awards that evening were Autumn Kastein, of Wisconsin,for the silent auction item; Tonya Allen, from Arizona, for the runner up ad page sales; Callie Liew, from Singapore, for the highest ad page sales and top people’s choice votes; Pageantry Spirit Award recipient, CiCi Berardi, Elaine Reinholz, from Iowa, for the overall personality wear; Candice Tie, from Malaysia, 2nd place talent; Lisa Stordahl, from Minnesota, for overall interview, 1st Place Talent and overall evening wear; and Robin Ross-Holmes, of Arizona, for overall community service. Runners-up to the evening were Katy Hamlin, Miss Midwest; Crystal Chappuis,Ms Midwest; Tonya Allen, Mrs United States; Robin Ross-Holmes, Classic Mrs Arizona; and Jewel Smalldon, Senior Ms Grand Cayman Islands.

Global United Pageant ™ Winners
Miss Global United, Mary Kathryn Scheele of Minnesota
Ms Global United, Autumn Kastein of Wisconsin
Mrs Global United, Elaine Reinholz of Iowa
Classic Ms Global United, Lisa Stordahl of Minnesota
Senior Ms Global United, Sherry Westland of Minnesota

Global United Ambassador for Community Service, Robin Ross-Holmes of Arizona Global United Ambassador for People’s Choice Votes, Callie Liew of Singapore

ABOUT GLOBAL UNITED PAGEANT™

Global United Pageant™ is founded in the idea that there is a need for programs for women to be celebrated less for their good looks, but instead for those who have the true beauty within themselves.

The Global United Pageant is committed to seeking contestants and title holders who exemplify the beauty that comes from serving others in the community and pairs with organizations from all over the world to give to those in need.

Though many of the pageant’s donations and partnering organizations change form year to year, one remains constant: Isaac’s Journey. In honor of the director’s friend and in memory of her son, who passed away due to childhood cancer, the Global United Pageant™ permanently partner with Isaac’s Journey to help raise funds for childhood cancer research.

This is why our crowns hold the dimensional ribbon: to represent childhood cancer awareness.

Additionally, each contestant, as a part of their application process, will also submit a list of organizations with which they wish to partner. If chosen as one of the international titleholders, one of their named charities in their application will receive at least 50.00 in honor of the winning titleholder. In this sense, every contestant has a say in how the program will run each year, lending a very personal aspect to the pageant for everyone involved.

Getting to Know YOU! by Sherry Westland

Greetings fellow pageant sisters - those whom I have met and those I have yet to meet!

I am excited to represent today's Senior Woman. We are a different breed than Senior women from past generations! This is my first pageant, born out of a desire to not only help others, but to direct some positive energy into something fun to help heal from grieving the loss of my oldest son just last year. It has and is helping me heal. I am learning a lot! I hope to glean what I learn to not only represent the Global United Pageant and awareness of needs of Children with Cancer, but to one day start a foundation in my son's memory. I am looking forward to learning so much more from the pageant experience and YOU! I am honored to get to know such accomplished women who I know will become life long friends. Kudos to our director, Wendy Lindberg! You are awesome and an inspiration to us all!

Fondly,

Sherry Westland
Senior Mrs. United States

My Crown

I love representing Ms. Global United... Funniest thing about my crown is the fact that it leaves a HUGE dent on the top of my head. I have learned that if you are going somewhere after an event to wear your down, or you will have crown dent... LOL! Having something to take for a headache maybe a good idea too. BUT, I wouldn't change it for anything! I love our charity, what we stand for, and having a lovely shiny crown doesn't hurt. =) Smiles & Sunshine! Rose Russo

Ms. Global United ~ Rose Russo

I can't believe the pageant is approaching so quickly! This year has been such a wonderful experience. While I am looking forward to meet all of the wonderful contestants and the fabulous woman who will continue the title for the 2012-2013 year, I am sad this year is coming to a close. Working with the director, Wendy Lindberg, is an amazing experience. She is an extraordinary director and a true friend. The women I met and worked with through the pageant were wonderful, and many of them have become life-long friends. This year I have participated in a variety of walks including Relay for Life, Bark for Life, Race for a Cure, and Little Heart Warriors. I have also been working with the E Street Cruisers & Loma Linda Children’s Hospital. It has been such an exciting year! So far the most exciting adventure was going to Minnesota for the Isaac’s Journey Chili Feed! I enjoyed spending time with some of this year’s contestants and seeing people come together for such a great cause. I had the joy of serving drinks at this event. I have never seen so many people drink chocolate milk! I was the “California girl” who came up for this event, so maybe it is a Minnesota thing…lol… The live auction was amazing to see and there were so many prizes, it was a truly amazing experience! Can’t wait to do it again!

Yesss!!! What a great way to kick off the flagship year of Global United Pageants! Right now there are 22 contestants registered for this year's pageant in Minneapolis MN!! This is going to be such an amazing program and I am soooo excited to see what is going to come from this year and all the AWESOME women who are joining us for pageant. I truly believe that because of this scoring system, the way we weigh the areas of the competition and the activities we have pageant week draw a whole other type of amazing woman to the pageant and we have the some of the finest contestants in the whole world coming to compete. I am so excited to see you all soon and so thrilled to welcome more into the Global United Family! --Wendy Lindberg, Director

GREETINGS FROM MRS. IOWA

I am honored and excited to represent married women as Mrs. Iowa Global United! My husband Joe and I have 5 children and 6 dogs. We are both Veterans of the Army, we grew up with parents & 13 other family members who also served our country. This pageant has offered me countless opportunities!! It has helped me rebuild my self esteem lost by being fired. I lost my job a few years ago as a single Mother because I had to care for my kids when they were ill and my Mother has Alzheimer's. She was hospitilized for several weeks after receiving poor care at her nursing home. We almost lost her!! She became my priority and I was punished for it. Pageantry has also allowed me to continue serving my country and has inspired my platform - Voice For Veterans. I have seen firsthand how serving your country can change your life and your families. As Mrs. Iowa, I encourage communities to support our Vets, Soldiers & their families in response to deployments, past and present. My platform is a way to give back to those who provide the freedoms we enjoy. I cannot begin to tell you how this has changed my life!! I am blessed to have the opportunity to change others lives…. I am an advocate for Wounded Warriors, English River Outfitters, Honor Flight, Cedar Vally Outfitters,community Stand Downs supporting homeless Vets, and the American Legion of which I am in the Auxillary. I serve on the Army Community Advisory Board and with the Military Affairs Association. I have helped send 100s of boxes to deployed troops, I visit vets at the VA Hospitals, golf with blind and disabled vets. I teach people of all ages what it means to support our military by speaking at events of all kinds. I teach kids and adults the importance of writing letter to the soldiers and vets. The best thing I do…is thanking the vets myself! I share hugs, smiles and stories. I remind them they ARE important and that their sacrifices were worth it. I never leave an event without feeling like a made a difference in someone else’s life and to me, that is what it means to be a pageant titleholder…..Using your gifts to help others. Outside of my military platform, I volunteer with the United Way, Christian Business Leaders, Girl Scouts, Alzheimer's Association, schools, 4H groups, chaperone pageants, support childhood cancer awareness and help raise money at fundraisers for families of these tiny heroes. I attend any event in which I can offer a helping hand and be an example and leader. I believe with all my heart…I CAN and DO make a difference! I look forward to every day and love being Mrs. Iowa Global United where I can be an example to all ages to follow the dreams in your heart, no matter how old you are. I cannot wait until Nationals!! This pageant is filled with women who share my desire to serve others, I can't think of a better place to find many new best friends!!! Good luck to eveyone.....may God place this amazing opportunity into the hands of the one He has prepared. Until we all meet...... HUGS to ALL from MRS. IOWA!!

I'M SO EXCITED, AND I JUST CANT HIDE IT!!!

These past 10 months of being Mrs. United States Global have been extremely rewarding because I have been able to work side by side with dignitaries and other movers and shakers throughout my community. I’ve seen familiar faces, made new contacts, and changed the lives of those around me forever through the events such as the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation, Speakers Movement, Hope Group for Autism, Making Strides Breast Cancer Walk, Phoenix Heart Walk, American Heart Association, Take Back the Night, Grand Canyon University, Brain Injury Association of Arizona, Keogh Health Connection, Jeremy Bridges Foundation, Bostrom High School, the Tonya Allen Foundation and the numerous feeding the homeless events. I am thankful that this pageant has fine tuned my public speaking abilities and has boosted my overall confidence. Not only that, as Mrs. United States Global 2012 numerous doors has opened with countless possibilities and introduced me to new friends that I know will last a lifetime. To those of you just joining the family, know that this is a family where you will always belong no matter the road it takes us on. You will learn valuable lessons that will shape who you become, and make amazing friends and everlasting memories along the way. You never know what you can do or who you can be if you are too scared to try; so give yourself a pat on the back for taking this chance, because it might just turn out to be the best year of your life. The experience is what you make it; I jumped into my title whole heartedly and have completed hundreds of hours of community service and although crazy at times, I wouldn’t change a thing about it. I will forever have a permanent smile knowing that I’m making a difference within my community and I’m making memories that will be forever etched into my mind. I want to thank the fabulous director, Mrs. Wendy Lindberg, for taking her time to successfully organize this amazing pageant and our participation at all of the community events that we will embark upon pageant week. Without her dedicated support this pageant would not be the great program that it will be for years to come. Best of luck to all the contestants competing and remember to just enjoy every minute, laugh A LOT, rock the stage, and BE YOURSELF! Blessings to ALL of you! xoxo Tonya Denise Allen Mrs. United States Global 2012

Welcome to all the AMAZING contestants joining us at pageant this year! ALREADY we have 20 signed up and a few more waiting in the wings!! I can't wait to meet you all soon!