Annika Kovar
Creating Generation Healthy
Just finally catching my breath after a whirlwind of a weekend... My dream came true on Saturday night, and I was crowned Miss Coon Rapids Outstanding Teen 2018. It still feels so surreal as this next chapter in my journey begins. I have big shoes to fill as I step into the Coon Rapids tradition of excellence, but I know that with your support, I'm up for the challenge. Thank you to my family and friends; whether you came to cheer me on, sent messages of encouragement, said prayers or sent positive thoughts my way, please know that I appreciate all of you more than you know. To my new pageant family, #TeamCoonRapids, I know how incredibly lucky I am to have you, and I am so excited to make Coon Rapids my new home away from home.
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For those of you who don't know me, I figured I should formally introduce myself, I am Annika Kovar, your new Miss Coon Rapids Outstanding Teen 2018. I am a Junior and honor student at Perham High School. Not only am I busy in the classroom, I compete in Diving, Track, and I'm a Leadership Captain on the Varsity Speech Team. Other activities include Student Council, Interact, Concert Choir, Swing Choir, and I was recently nominated by my teachers to my High School's new Site Council. Outside of school I am a student representative for Perham's Community Wellness, I volunteer my time as an activities leader at Great Beginnings Childcare, and sing in St Henry's Youth Choir. I am also a cabin cleaner at my parents resort during the summer months, and can make a bed in 30 seconds.
Here are some other Fun Facts about me: I appeared on the cover of Explore Minnesota, I can walk on my hands (I was a gymnast for almost 10 years) My favorite color is any shade of Pink My favorite foods are Strawberries, Granny Smith Apples and Venison One of my hobbies is Re-purposing Old Vintage Furniture Favorite thing to do in the summer is wake surf I hunt every year with my entire family. Our hunting cabin is 15 miles from Canada, or as our current Miss Minnesota, Brianna Drevlow likes to joke, it's the suburbs of Canada. At an early age, I fell in love with gymnastics, because who doesn't love cartwheels when you're 5. So naturally, being active and eating healthy became an important part of who I am. Unfortunately, following a sports injury in middle school, I experienced first hand the effects that a lack of exercising and poor eating habits can have. After a long recovery, I was determined to become the healthiest version of myself and inspire others to do the same, which is how my platform Creating Generation Healthy was born. Through education and awareness I have been personally making a difference in the lives of youth in Minnesota. My goal for Creating Generation Healthy is to create a generation of healthy kids, and it starts with a Two Step plan I promote called "ME." "M" is for Move More, and "E" is for Eat Real. The benefits of physical activity along with healthy eating can help prevent the very diseases that obesity causes, and studies show that children who are active have more self-confidence, and even learn better in school.
Move More is encouraging children to get their recommended 60 minutes of active play every day. As a way to help kids get moving more in a fun way, I produced children's exercise videos called Fit Kids Get Active With Annika. Eat Real inspires kids to make healthy food choices, like lean meats, whole grains, fresh fruits and vegetables. To help children learn more about eating real, I started Little Sprouts Garden Gang, a program where I partner with childcare homes throughout the state, providing them with free vegetable seeds and program information to plant gardens with their daycare kids. In 2017, I partnered with 35 childcare homes in 21 different communities, educating children from across the state, hands on. I attended the Perham Pageant on January 13 as a former Miss Perham's Outstanding Teen 2014. I also had the pleasure of helping out earlier in the day. Thank you Gina for allowing me the opportunity to serve. Congratulations to Allie Koes Miss Heart of the Lakes 2018, Maggie Wolthe Miss Perham 2018, Bailey Walsh Miss Heart of the Lakes Outstanding Teen 2018, and Hanna Beck Miss Perham's Outstanding Teen 2018. I forgot to take a progression crowing picture, so I will just list us. First Perham OT was Lauren Anderson, followed by Lordes Anderson, followed by me, Annika Kovar, then name changed to HOTL as Kendra Sparby was crowned, followed by Sophia Roll, now splits to 2 teens, Hanna Beck (Perham) and Bailey Walsh (HOTL). Excited for all of the new titleholders as the begin their year of service together. I'm sure they will all do great things.
I attended the Miss Chain of Lakes pageant this weekend to watch and cheer on some some amazing friends, and was so proud of them all. Congratulations to my beautiful sister queen Breanna Stoesz for being chosen as Miss Chain of Lakes OT, Whitni Minton Miss Central Minnesota, Maddie Hickey Miss Southwest OT, Hannah Eastin-Fox Miss Chain of Lakes, Kate Constance Smith Miss Central Minnesota, and Mary Kathryn ScheeleMiss Southwest. Can't wait to see where your year takes you. Best Wishes to each of you! #thesiterhoodisreal For the other contestants who didn't walk away with a title, you are all still winners in my eyes. You have accomplished much just through your participation- friendships, confidence, and experience just to name a few. So, keep smiling, keep being positive and please keep competing. The next pageant could hold the crown that is intended for you. Someone once spoke those words to me, and they were right, my day did come, and it's likely ours will too. I believe in you!
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Annika Kovar
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