A Night at the Oscars

Hamline Homecoming game 2011
with HU quarterback, Adam Meyer and Homecoming Chair, Katie Hoemberg

Being a Hamline University Alum, I have been asked to emcee many events that my former roommate, and member of the HU Programming Board, Katie has helped put on. Katie is the Homecoming Chair of the HU Programming board, and also a very close friend of mine. Early on in my year, Katie asked me to emcee the Homecoming Piper Pride Rally along with the half-time antics of the Homecoming game, but just recently I was asked to emcee an event that was rare to Hamline; they were putting on 'A Night at the Oscars.' This was a black tie event, with a catered dinner and a photo wall for the paparazzi. The night consisted of the viewing of the Oscars on a big screen and my job as emcee was to keep the audience entertained on the commercial breaks. I was to do this by asking trivia questions, which would be answered at the conclusion of the night. Each table was its own group and the winner from each table received a mock Oscar along with a gift bag.
Now for those of you that know me, I'm not into watching the award shows such as the Oscars or Grammy's, but this night wasn't just about the show, it was about the friends that were there. Being a recent alum, I still have many friends that attend Hamline and I don't always get a chance to see them. I always enjoy helping Katie out and having a reason to spend time back on campus. It was great that I got to spend my evening catching up with old friends, and I even enjoyed watching the Oscars!

Gavin and I at A Night at the Oscars

Miss Coon Rapids 2012

It is with great pleasure that I announce our newest crowned member of the 2012 Miss Minnesota class, Samantha Phillippi. Sammi and I met last year through the Miss Minnesota program and since then our friendship has only grown. While at Miss Minnesota last year we formed a special bond in our common love for food. While eating lunch at one of our sponsors, Crave in Mall of America, we had coined a new term that would be used by us the rest of the week, 'second seconds'. Second seconds came about when the waiter asked us if we had had enough to eat (at which point Sammi and I had both gone up for thirds), we didn't want to tell him we had thirds so we told him we had second seconds. Living within only a couple miles of each other during the summer Sammi and I became very close, getting together at least once a week. It was so nice to see her compete, as she is a very talented young woman, and even better to see her crowned as a title holder! I cannot wait for another adventurous Miss Minnesota week filled with laughter and second seconds with her by my side.