July 21st, 2009

What a whirl wind of a day! At 11 a.m., the Coon Rapids Junior Royalty and I went to National Morning to Unite for the seniors. I rode with the Coon Rapids Senior King and Queen - let me tell you, car rides with them are usually just as fun as the actual event. We’ve missed turns and had great conversations, but the funniest and scariest memory was when Senior King Roger momentarily stopped in the middle of a neighborhood intersection at a parade to get directions because once again we couldn’t find where we needed to be. The station wagon was in front of a fire hydrant and all of a sudden we heard a fire truck coming down the road… moving along, every year the Hot Foot Stompers Square Dancing Group is at National Morning to Unite for entertainment.



Fast Fact: I used to be a Hot Foot Stomper (2 years ago). Square dancing is actually really fun! It is one of the only types of dance I am actually coordinated in. I am looking forward to joining their group again in the fall.

After that fun filled morning, my brother drove me to my piano lessons with Sandy Delmore. We have been drilling away at my selection for nationals and are working on a little something new to play throughout my year so listen up for it. I will give you a hint, it is another Spanish piece!

At 7:00 p.m. I had the opportunity to meet with Coon Rapids Mayor Tim Howe at the City Council meeting. He congratulated me for winning the title of Miss Minnesota’s Outstanding Teen and recognized the hard work I’ve been doing with my platform and as the city mascot. (Yes, I am the official Rockee the Raccoon mascot of Coon Rapids.) Thank you Mayor Howe for the opportunity to chat with you.



July 20th, 2009

This evening I made my eleventh visit to Mercy Hospital in Coon Rapids. George and I both enjoy spending time with the staff, other volunteers and patients. It really puts a smile on my face knowing that we can brighten up the sterile hospital (George smiles too!)

Fast Fact: Therapy Dogs are becoming more common.

I am truly amazed at how many more people are aware of what Therapy Dogs are, what they do, and where they visit. I’m fortunate to be part of this growth and am here to answer any further questions!

July 19th, 2009

Every other Sunday afternoon, George and I make our way through the halls and lounges of Camilia Rose Care Center. Most residents do remember George and me. Regardless of if they do or not, everyone is excited to see us. We have built relationships with so many of the residents, the usual hour that I spend at Camilia is not long enough anymore! The time flies by as we chat up a storm. On this day, there is an exceptionally touching story I would like to share. (Please remember that I cannot share details about any of the patients due to their privacy rights) There is a woman resident who has been experiencing a lot of pain in her body. We have visited with her several times and each time we have gotten to know each other more and more. Today, she was sitting on the side of her bed. George and I walked in and he immediately sat down by her feet. This resident commented on how beautiful and well trained George was. She then said that dogs can feel human’s pain and she thinks George can feel hers. George is an exceptional dog and I believe he really does know when someone is sick or experiencing pain. I am so happy that I have gotten to know this remarkable, strong woman and that George could share some of her pain for the several minutes we visited.

July 17th, 2009

For the second weekend in a row, my mom and I made the 4 hour trip up to the Heart of the Lakes area, this time for the Miss Perham and Miss Heart of the Lakes (HOTL) pageant. We have worked out a driving system, I drive to St. Cloud (66 days until my 16th birthday!), we stop and get lunch, and my mom drives the rest of the way giving me time to put my makeup on. We were greeted by the director, Gina, and the 7 girls competing. It was great to catch up with the girls I already knew and meet the new contestants. Everyone has been so supportive of the Miss Minnesota’s Outstanding Teen organization and I can truly say I feel like a little sister to all the great representatives of Minnesota.

A typical picture: Lauren Johnson, Miss Brainerd Lakes and I have taken a photo together at every event together so far. So, we didn’t break the custom here!



Thank you to Gina and the Miss Perham/Miss HOTL committee for the opportunity to come to your pageant. It was a great show and I am glad to be part of it. Congratulations to the new Miss Perham, Jennifer Strege and the new Miss HOTL, Lacey Erickson. You two have the confidence and talent to represent your community well.

Hello Minnesota!

Hello Minnesota!

My name is Katlyn Ziegler and I am honored to introduce myself to you as Miss Minnesota’s Outstanding Teen 2009! Time has already flown by and it has been nearly a month since the crown was placed on my head. I have already had the opportunity of meeting many new people and I look forward to exploring Minnesota even more as my year continues.

I have lived in Coon Rapids, a suburb about 30 minutes north of the Twin Cities, for all my life. Coon Rapids is home to over 65,000 residents. My City has been noted in Money Magazine's 2006 Best Places to Live as “… a city with many strengths. It has the advantages of a large city with a small town feel. It has affordable housing, low taxes, quality education, outstanding community involvement and volunteerism and is conveniently located with access to major highways to connect to the entire metropolitan region.” I truly believe my family and I belong to a tight-knit and generous city with sense of civic pride and commitment. I currently am enrolled at Coon Rapids High School and will be entering my sophomore year in the fall. Living in such a large city has opened me up to many different experiences that have helped shape me to be the person I am today.

My platform that I will be working with as Miss Minnesota’s Outstanding Teen 2009 is entitled “Paws for Love,” which first originated when George, my Pembroke Welsh Corgi, and I undertook six months of obedience and training classes to become a Therapy Dog and handler. While George provided love and companionship at home, we learned to rely on each other as our training continued. With high hopes, we were soon tested and evaluated by a certified Therapy Dog International (TDI) Evaluator. The test is developed to show that the dog, as a companion to people, can be a respected member of the community. George and I had to demonstrate confidence and control as we completed the eleven-step course. Our dedication and hard work was rewarded, as we became one of the youngest qualified members of TDI and now proudly sport our TDI tags.

TDI is a volunteer group organized to provide qualified handlers and their Therapy Dogs for visits at institutions, facilities, and anywhere else a Therapy Dog is needed. This organization is based on the clinical proof that petting, touching, and talking with dogs will lower patients’ blood pressure, relieve stress, and ease depression. With these facts, it is important that hospitals and other institutions are aware of the importance Therapy Dog visits have on their patients. Over 15,000 dogs are registered with TDI in all 50 states, Canada, and several other countries. Through TDI, I have provided comfort and companionship by sharing my Corgi, George, with patients in statewide medical facilities and George certainly does leave an ear-to-ear smile and an indelible mark.

Besides the diligent work I have been doing with my platform, I have also been preparing to compete at Miss America’s Outstanding Teen in August. From the time the crown was placed on my head, I have had only 6 short weeks to ready myself for the national competition. My preparation has included many hours a week pounding my heart out to perfect my piano piece for the talent portion, the endless stack of paperwork required to compete, the many trips to the gym, and shopping for new gowns, definitely my favorite part. Fortunately, I have had amazing love and support. First and foremost—Mom; she has been by my side every step of the way. Words cannot express how much I appreciate her continuous strive for me to succeed on the Miss America’s Outstanding Teen stage. As the bills keep coming, she only says, “It’s a once in a lifetime chance.” Thanks Mom. Furthermore, my director, Diane Buszta has given me the guidance and reassurance I have needed to help shape me into the young woman I dreamt I would be. She is VERY hard working and will make the Miss Minnesota’s Outstanding Teen program successful. There have been many other people that have helped me along my journey and I would like to take the time to thank every one of you for your time and commitment.

I would also like to thank our outstanding sponsors for supporting our program. It is these sponsors that allow the Miss Minnesota’s Outstanding Teen organization to nurture and build the scholastic achievement, creative accomplishment, healthy living and community involvement of our nation’s youth. Our gratefulness to you goes beyond words.

Furthermore, I am looking forward to the year ahead with my “big sister” Brooke Kilgarriff, Miss Minnesota 2009. I have had the opportunity to spend some time with you already and I am looking forward to the many memories we will share. You truly are a beautiful, talented, and confident woman. You possess all the qualities that are associated with the Miss America Organization. I can’t wait to go to Las Vegas to cheer you on at Miss America!

Finally, to the state of Minnesota: I am so proud to be your representative. Everyone has welcomed me with open arms truly showing our “Minnesota nice.” With this said, I would like to leave you with a quote by former U.S. Surgeon General, Arthur J. Kropp. He states:

"The American ideal is not that we all agree with each other, or even like each other, every minute of the day. It is rather that we will respect each other's rights, especially the right to be different, and that, at the end of the day, we will understand that we are one people, one country, and one community, and that our well-being is inextricably bound up with the well-being of each and every one of our fellow citizens."

Minnesota is without a doubt the ideal state. It is here, that I feel at home. Thank you Minnesota and I look forward to the year to come.

In all sincerity,


Katlyn Ziegler

Miss Minnesota’s Outstanding Teen 2009