Being Miss Minnesota Teen was Truly a Dream Come True for Brittany Link

Being Miss Minnesota Teen was Truly a Dream Come True for Brittany Link

National
American Miss has been part of my life for six years. Each year I
competed I learned more about myself, my abilities, and how much I
wanted to become Miss Minnesota.
That’s why it truly was a DREAM COME TRUE when I was crowned your
2010-2011 Miss Minnesota Teen. I couldn’t have asked for a better way to
spend my senior year. From photoshoots with my sister queens to walks
for worthy causes, this year has been filled with amazing moments of
being able to give back. I’ve worked with organizations such as Susan G. Komen, Miracles for Mitch, Eden Prairie foundation, and the Juvenile Diabetes research foundation to name a few.

A great honor was being able to represent Minnesota
at Nationals in California. It was a blast! Forming friendships with
amazing teens from across the country while touring the streets of rodeo
drive and enjoying rides at Disneyland
was something I’ll never forget. I was so blessed to be supported by my
fellow teen state queens throughout the year; it’s good to know I’m not
the only one who breaks out into our production number dances when I
hear the music on the radio! Placing top 5 in spokesmodel, receiving
best thank you note, and placing 2nd runner up for best resume was icing
on the cake.

But
perhaps the greatest joy of my year was being visiting royalty at local
state pageants where I got to meet the contestants and help them
throughout the weekend. I’ll never forget when a teen from Illinois told
me I was her role model. That made the hours of driving in the car,
lack of sleep, and DYING feet from heels worth it. And that’s my
challenge to me, my successor, and all the contestants from NAM: be a
person worth looking up to. National American Miss has allowed me to
discover more about myself and my personal talents. I hope that if this
is your first experience with pageants or your tenth year of competing,
you will learn more about who you are and gain friendships that will
last. I know personally I’ve been blessed to have my “NAMily” grow
throughout the years.

There
have been so many people that have encouraged my throughout my reign.
First and foremost I must thank my family: my amazing, supportive mom
who has been to all my appearances and traveled with me throughout my
year; to my dad who is a fantastic national escort and always tells me
how proud he is of me; and my brother who has escorted my since 6th
grade at all the state pageants. Also lots of love to the Sauerer
family, Jackie, all four of my grandparents, and of course the Maples
family and NAM staff for creating such a fabulous program that truly
encourages girls to be their personal best.

And
of course, to my crazy, loveable, sweet, sassy, and caring SISTER
QUEENS! Truly you have made my year unforgettable. I’ve loved getting to
know each and every one of you. I’m so excited to see what adventures
you have in the years to come because I know your talents will be put to
use in ways that will encourage and lead others.

Finally,
I leave you with one quote that I strive to follow in my daily life:
“If your actions inspire others to dream more, learn more, do more, and
become more, you are a leader.”

2010-2011 Miss Minnesota Teen,

Brittany Link