Runny Noses: Not Just for Humans

It is that time of year again, where the seasons are changing and it seems that everyone is getting a cold. And as it turns out, cows seem to get colds around this time of the year too.

I am one of the Fall cold victims myself and today at work, this beautiful little girl had a runny nose too. Just like I will do for myself, we'll keep an eye on her to make sure that it does not turn into anything more serious. Now if it does, the vet will be called to diagnose her and together we will set a plan of action for her to get back to being healthy and happy. Now if it does get more serious, this is where I would be very happy that vets are able to give antibiotics, just like doctors are. If I were to get a sinus infection, I would definitely want antibiotics, just like this little lady would be if she got an infection. Hopefully, however, both of our immune systems take over and we will be back to being healthy very soon!

So I "Lost" a Local...

A year ago all I knew about Miss America was the name. I had no idea what all went on behind the seasons. Then one random day in February, I decided to sign up for Miss SDSU/Miss Brookings pageant, not even knowing at the time that it was affiliated with Miss America or even Miss South Dakota. By some stroke of God, I won and went on to compete at Miss South Dakota.

Two weekends ago, I competed for Miss State Fair. Only my second local. I was so nervous. I had won my first title by pure beginners luck and I was afraid to lose a local. But I did. I "lost." I won the interview and a very honorable award (the Kind Heart Award), but I was not given a title, nor was I even a runner up. It hit me like a hurricane. I had no idea what I had done wrong. Then I looked at the video that my boyfriend had recorded to send to my family because they weren't able to make it. Simply by losing, I was able to see myself for what the judges saw. I was able to truly look at my flaws and see how much progress I have made from the beginning, but also how far I still have to go. And who knows, I may lose again, and again, and again. And each time will be a learning experience for me, keeping me grounded. Who would have thought that it would take "losing" for me to see my true self and for once, I am grateful to not have walked away a "winner." I am excited for whatever may lie ahead and for more learning and growing experiences.

Why I stay in Sigma Alpha!

So I could write about all of the crazy serious reasons that I wanted to join that I told the Sigma Alpha, Omega Chapter in the spring of 2013. About how I wanted to gain professionalism and connections within agriculture. Or I could write about how I really just joined because as a eager freshman I joined anything that would look good on a resume and an upperclassmen told me to.

But instead, I am going to write about why I stay in Sigma Alpha. Yes, I have gained a whole new insight into the professional world and yes, it does look good on a resume, but none of that is important when I am stressed out and busy, and still have to go to a meeting every Tuesday night.

My wonderful little, Hailee.

I go because every Tuesday night, I get the privilege of walking into a room full of bright intelligent women who all love agriculture just as much as I do. I get to hammer out details of a plan with different minds and view points, learning to compromise. I get to spend time with my amazing "little" sister, who most certainly brightens my day and reminds me so much of my biological little sister. I may have never met Hailee had it not been for Sigma. I get to sit and worry about the test I have the next day with my fellow sisters, or I get a reality check when one of them looses a close friend and my problems don't really seem that hard anymore. The structural pieces of Sigma Alpha are important, but what is more important are the women that stand next to me each meeting as we open with our objective and close with a prayer. We may not all be best friends, but we all are their for the betterment of each other, our sorority as a whole and agriculture. I am very proud to be a member of Sigma Alpha!

Visit our Facebook page for more info: Sigma Alpha - Omega Chapter
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The Difference Between Learning for a Test and Learning for Knowledge

I took my first Advanced Placement course when I was a junior in High School, the whole time I heard "this will be on the test." The second half of my high school career was learning for the sake of preparing for a test. All I had to do was take in a bunch of information until the beginning of May and then it could all be forgotten at the completion of "the test." Unfortunately, due to this mindset, I looked at college this way as well, only seeming to take in what I thought would be on a test. And I feel as though my classmates are doing the same thing, but then I spent a summer learning for the sake of gaining the knowledge and it opened my mind to a whole new world.

This past summer I had an internship with Cargill Animal Nutrition, as a dairy focused consultant intern. I worked with so many great minds in dairy nutrition that were bound and determined to help me grow as an individual and as a student. Over the summer, I spent so many days learning the ins and outs of the science behind dairy cattle nutrition. There was no test to prepare for, no homework to turn in. The only goal was to learn and understand more of what my future might hold.

Some beautiful cows from this summer indulging in their delicious TMR/breakfast.

As I start my senior year of college, I find myself reading and listening to lectures more closely, and asking questions because I'm curious, not because it is going to be on a test. I now want to go to class because I want more knowledge, not because I want the letter A on my transcript. College is not simply a stepping stone to great things, it is our present, our right now. From now on, I'm going to live in the present and soak up every ounce of that $15,000 a year education.

Support Comes in Many Forms: Sometimes Even Butter

Some may think that walking on a stage in front of hundreds of people hoping to become the dairy princess that I had been idealizing my entire life could have been be the loneliest moment of my life. I was standing there, looking out from the backstage curtain, only able to see the bright lights and maybe a couple people in the front row. Nerves took over and all I could think was "don't trip, don't trip." Then it was my turn, I took a deep breath and stepped out there in my white, sparkly gown that I loved so much. The next thing I remember is a huge lump in my throat and tears welling in my eyes. There were over fifty people in purple shirts standing and screaming my name. They had come from all parts of my life to support me in this journey. I knew from that moment on that no matter what happened that night, I was loved and had the support of all of my family, friends and fellow farmers.

So to those twelve amazing young ladies that take the stage this Wednesday, and to all those lucky women that will follow in our footsteps, good luck! But I want you to know that even if you don't win, you still have the backing of Minnesota's Dairy Farmers, your families, and all of us former butterheads the rest of your life, in all your adventures. Also you will never have to struggle in the "What makes you unique" get to know you game ever again! "I have a 90 pound block of butter that looks just like me" always wins!

Day 3 Miss SD: How Cow Shows are like Pageants!

Day 3 at the Miss South Dakota Pageant was super busy with production items. During the breaks, we all get to talking and I was telling someone how preparing for a pageant is like preparing for a dairy show. For those of you who are not from the cow world, you will think I'm crazy, but those of you who have shown might see where I'm coming from.

Pre-Show/Pre-Pageant:
Before the show you work constantly with your heifers on walking, just as a pageant contestant does with her swim suit and evening gown walks. Your heifers must keep their head high and strut their stuff, just like a contestant in the pageant. Also when you practice setting up your heifer, you emphasis her strengths and fix her weaknesses, exactly like when contestants pick swimsuit posses. You also work on slimming down your heifers to make sure that she is in the right condition and we are in the gym everyday, also watching what we eat. Then before the show you shave your heifer to show off her strengths and femininity. The pageant girls shave their legs to make them look as sleek and feminine as possible.

Miss America 2015, Kira Kazantsev, showing off all the work she put in for her walk.

Show/Pageant Day:
You get up early, shower to make sure you are fresh and clean, ready to go. Then you spend quite a bit of time doing your hair and make-up, to help emphasis your strengths and hide your weaknesses. Showmen get up early (or don't go to bed at all), give the cows bathes, then style the hair on their spine, or "top line," to make her look as straight across her back as possible, as well as sharper (thinner) throughout. We even rat our cows tails like a good number of pageant girls will do to their hair.

My heifer, Rio, showing her style off with that straight top line and sleek black coat after winning.

In Ring/On Stage:
You get out their and let all of your hard work show, strutting and showing off all of the skills you have honed. And if something goes wrong, you smile and let the judge(s) see who you are and the work you've put in.

My sister, Laura, supporting me through everything.

Support:
Both of these amazing activities would not be the same without all of the support. In my show life, as well as my pageant life, my family has been the key to my success. I could not have made it this far without any of them. Tomorrow I will go more in-depth on this, but I cannot thank them enough so why not thank them in this blog post too?

Day Two at Miss South Dakota

This morning started out so wonderful, as we got to hang out with our little sisters. My little sister, Olivia, is quite the amazing young lady. We actually have a lot in common, we both love purple and have black labs. However, she has the talent to dance and I do not. I am a little jealous of that skill, hopefully I can summon some of that for the dances Thursday, Friday and Saturday.

After taking a picture for the Hot Springs news paper. We headed to the State's Vets Home. We heard so many amazing stories from those who served our country, including a wonderful woman, Wanda, who was a World War II veteran. I was so inspired by their stories, as they defied death and protected our freedoms and this great Country we love.

The wonderful Wanda.

The rest of the day was a lot of rehearsals. I have choreographically danced more since becoming a contestant in the Miss America system in the last four months than I have in my entire life. But it is so fun to see how much progress we all are making. I am so excited for everyone to see it and for those of you who are not able to attend, I will get a DVD so we can watch it later! Good night everyone. I will talk to you all Tuesday night.