My Crowning Moment

I can't even begin to tell you how honored I am to have been chosen to be Miss Southern Minnesota's Outstanding Teen 2017. What an amazing whirlwind of emotions for me this weekend. As I stood on the stage listening to my directors saying good bye to me, I was happy for the opportunity to have served this community, I felt complete, and full, yet so very sad for my year to end. Because I knew that this might be the last time I would be able to compete for a while. I had hoped to run in another Teen pageant this cycle, but as luck would have it, I had a conflict with the date for St. Croix, and would be unable to compete in the Greater Minnesota sweeps pageant in March because I would be traveling to Chicago to perform with my High School Choir. I didn't want to take a year off, but I was beginning to accept that there was really nothing I could do to change that. So when Molly Conway Kopischke and Jennifer Lechner Burt surprised me on stage by saying they had talked to the State Board, and to Miss America and that if I would have them they would like to sponsor me this year as a New Teen Title.....there are really no words that quite define how overjoyed I was, I still cry each time I watch the video, it is just surreal. This year is going to be such a Blessing, and I can't wait to embrace every moment of it. From the bottom of my heart, Thank you to everyone who has supported me on this journey, your kind words and comments are so touching, and I wouldn't be where I am today without the love and support of you all.
Your NEW Miss Southern Minnesota's Outstanding Teen 2017
Annika Kovar