On Thursday, March 6th, my Royal sisters and I had the opportunity to help with Inver Grove Heights Parks and Rec Bingo and Banana Splits at The Veterans Memorial Community Center. We helped out with calling numbers and helping the kids play. I didn’t know there was so many different ways to play bingo – H, Y, postage stamp, etc.! There were many different prizes including gift cards donated by our local Dairy Queen.  We had a break in between where everybody made their own banana split sundae – again all donated by Dairy Queen. We had a chance to meet kids from the community and play bingo with them. It was so fun and we all had a great time!

Audrey Wulfing

Inver Grove Heights Junior Miss 2014

On Saturday, March 1st, I attended an event that holds a special place in my heart. For the third time, I took part in the annual Juvenile Arthritis March at the Mall of America. This event is held to raise funds and awareness for juvenile rheumatoid arthritis, a condition that has affected me since I was fifteen, and many other kids just like me. The first time I participated, I remember being astounded by the amount of support and kids that are just like me and it made me feel like I wasn’t alone. It almost brings me to tears every time I go —  it will always be such a huge part of my life and a cause that I will always be passionate about. This year, my rhuematologist was chosen to be the guest speaker! It was really fun to be able to meet up with her and be a part of her team again since I hadn’t seen her in a while. Despite the fact that I was recovering from my recent surgery, I still made one lap around the mall and had a great time doing it! I plan on continuing to walk these laps around the mall every year to come, and continue to be a part of this amazing event.

Kelsey Stout

Miss Inver Grove Heights 2014

On March 1st, I completed a service project that I’d been working on for about a month. I chose to collect donated towels and blankets from family and friends to give to the Inver Grove Heights Animal Hospital. I have always loved animals and grew up in a house full of pets, so being able to do something to make these animals more comfortable at the vet’s office felt great! I also used to shadow at this clinic when I was interested in becoming a vet, and they helped me experience so many amazing things about their job. Giving the towels and blankets to them felt wonderful because it was a big huge “thank you!” to them for all of the helpful things they’ve done for everyone’s pets and families (including mine), and it was a great way to help them have some extra supplies around! I was not expecting to collect that many towels and blankets, but I received so many we were having a hard time finding a place to put them until I was done collecting them! I’ve never done my own project involving collecting and donating things to an organization, so this was a new and very worthwhile experience for me. Hopefully I can take what I learned from this experience and keep donating to the animal hospital, and other places, too!

Kelsey Stout

Miss Inver Grove Heights 2014

On Saturday, February 22, my Royal Family and I had the opportunity to participate in Bingo with the residents at Good Samaritan in Inver Grove Heights.  We helped them in playing bingo and calling numbers.  One of the residents even gave me her bling ring that she won.   It was a fun time seeing how happy they are when we visit.  We finished off the afternoon by serving ice cream to the residents and visiting.   I had a fun time helping to brighten their day.

Chloe Patnaude

Inver Grove Heights Little Miss Princess 2014