Two Time State Winner, Wendi Russo is now Pageant Coach

I have loved my experiences as Mrs. Minnesota America 2008 and Mrs. Minnesota United States 2010 so much, that I have chosen to help other women pursue their goals of becoming a State or National Title holder. Most recently I helped coach Ali Car, Mrs. MN America 20012 and Yasmine Ryback, Mrs. Minnesota America 2011 who placed top 6 at the Mrs. America national pageant. I also worked with Jaclyn Stapp, top 6 at Mrs. World in 2011.

I have coached with 8 well-known coaches across the country and am able to take that knowledge and my recent experiences and help others be successful in pageantry, and in life. I recognize the hard work and dedication it takes to win and I work with my clients from beginning to end. Success is about being competitive in all areas of the competition and learning what sets you apart from anyone else-your gifts. During my year I grew so much throughout my 100 appearances that included charity fundraisers and community events. I can help you market yourself and your platform.

For more information about my coaching, body language prep, interview skills workshops, paperwork assessment, wardrobe consultations and image consulting, please email me at russowendi@yahoo.com. I also have helped many women to parlay their pageant experience to a TV career. I train for all aspects of television and can help you achieve your career goals. For more information go to to www.wendirusso.com.

My clients tell me I'm a life coach, not just a pageant coach.

Hugs,

Much success to you in all you do! XOXO Wendi

Farewell Letter at the 2009 pageant & Appearances

Looking back at 2008--Program Book pages

Mrs. America 2008 highlights page and 2008 Mrs. Minnesota America pageant retrospective. In case you are just "tuning in" --here are pictures from last years' pageant.
Created by Holly Ernst and omitted from the 2009 program guide.

Former Mrs. Minnesota 2008 and Shop NBC Host, Photo by Clay Spann

June 6, 2009 Mrs. Minnesota 2009 Pageant

Congratulations to the new Mrs. Minnesota America 2009, Heather Hall, whom I recruited from Jason Young's Youngquest Fitness gym. She has it all! Brains, beauty,height (5'10"), a fantastic figure, community service and a beautiful heart. What more could you want from a Queen? Heather's platform is working with the Elderly which she'll be actively promoting this year. Although it was her first pageant, Heather had a natural ability on stage and pageant coach & former Mrs. MN 2006, Holly Ernst, knows how to bring out her clients' natural abilities and beauty. I was her first winner last year and I'm sure we'll see many more! Heather received 5 out of 6 of the judges votes.

The results of the pageant for Minnesota: Heather Hall, Winner & Best in Swimsuit and Interview winner; 1st runner up Anne Marie Moore, who also won Best Evening gown and Most Photogenic; 2nd runner up Nichoel Skramstad who also won Best Costume for her Mall of America costume; 3rd runner up Breanna Ludeman; 4th runner up Molly Nicholson. Tori Hill won the Community Service award and was our latest entrant, entering 2 weeks before the pageant! I had met her a few months before at an Eden Prairie Magazine Board meeting and then out of the blue, She decided to run!

All of the contestants worked very hard and put their hearts into their performance. I was very impressed with how beautiful and polished everyone was and the comradarie I saw.

In Iowa, the winner was Loni McNertney, Mrs. Algona; and in Wisconsin, the winner was Coral Hildebrandt, coached by Holly Ernst.


I wish all of the winners a wonderful year...make the most of it and make an impact in your communities! The more you are an example in your communities, the more we can change the view of pageants and prove that we are women of substance and intelligence, as well as beauty.

Pageant Rehearsals with Contestants June 4th

All contestants and their husbands came to the Eagan community Center today to learn the opening number dance, the walking sequence for the evening gown and swimsuit portions of the pageant as well as rehearse in their costumes. So many girls had the cutest sayings! With all of the ladies looking fit and ready, this is going to be a VERY tough year! Even with the economy as bad as it is, Minnesota has 11 contestants, Wisconsin 4 contestants and Iowa 6 contestants. The opening number will be done to "Dancing Queen" from Mama Mia which is the cutest idea and Tami Krause, Mrs. Minnesota Internationa 2009 and her sister Kim Dorn, a former Mrs. MN America were the choreographers for this number.

Tomorrow with be interviews, the preliminary swimsuit competition and costume judging. I will be taping my farewell speech (hopefully without tearing up)and preparing for the big day! After working overnights at Shop NBC until, yes, 5:30am, it will be a nap before heading to the Embassy Suites in St. Paul where all of the contestants are staying before the big day! Very exciting stuff!

Sunday May 31st, The Hamline Midway Music Festival

It was a perfect day for the Hamline Midway Music Festival, along with a cute puppet show for children and a seat in the Police SWAT team truck. Erica Nego, Miss Minnesota USA 2009 and I had fun meeting the SWAT team and many of the families and children attending this event. My daughter Chloe had the most fun watching a puppet show about Teddy Bear Island--so cute!

Eden Prairie Lions Club Schooner Days, May 30th

The Lions Club annual fundraiser , Schooner days is an absolute ball! Games, rides, donuts from the Hopkins Lions Club, beer and BINGO! were the highlights of the day---I had no idea how into BINGO people would be on a Saturday afternoon! I had so much fun calling BINGO with Lions member ,Gary Stevens, at my side showing me how the BINGO machine worked and I loved interacting with the players..including these teenage boys who kept telling me which numbers they wanted so that they would win! The funny thing was, that I did pick the very number they asked for TWICE!

Several of the Winners came up to get their money and did a "BINGO dance" along the way which was really funny! A group of Eden Prairie Senior boys were a lively bunch, keeping us entertained. During my final game, we brought out "the Magic Box"..where the winner would come up and choose from 3 different doors--one with $40, one with $60 and one with $100! Believe me when I say everyone was excited about that prospect! Thank you to the Eden Prairie Lions Club and Dennis Tully for allowing me to call your Bingo Game! I only wish I could have stayed up until 10:45pm to play Cover All for $400!! See you at Corn Days in August!

Flint Hills International Children's Festival in St. Paul May 30th

Erica Nego, Miss Minnesota USA 2009 and I went to the Flint HIlls International Children's Festival together--she is sweet and gorgeous as you can see! Erica was in the top 15 at the Miss USA pageant and is currently making a multitude of appearances across the country.

This morning, I welcomed everyone to the event and introduced Sol del Soul for some salsa, and Erica introduced a very interesting group who flew half way around the world to perform. Theater, arts and crafts and music were abound for children and families---we loved the Butterfly museum and my daughter Chloe had fun coloring at the various booths. A singing garden and an artistic parade of children representing the different cultures celebrated around the world. Chloe was afraid of the dragons until we showed here that there were children underneath it making it dance around.

The Dwelling Place Christian Shelter Fundraiser

Rockin the Blues Away, a musical fundraiser for the Dwelling Place took place at North Heights Lutheran Church in Arden Hills. The Dwelling Place is the only Christian Shelter for women and children needing a safe place to stay,serving the Twin Cities. The fundraiser featured the hip and handsome Steve Duede, Worship Pastor at Eagle Brook Church and Sara Renner, recording artist with a beautiful voice!
Heather Guerin from the Dwelling Place helped plan the event along with the Board and has been dedicating herself to the women who seek out God's help and the Dwelling Place.

The Top photo features me with KTIS DJ Jake Sommers and Linda Wiza, board member of the Dwelling Place. Thank you for including me in your event! Domestic violence is a subject not spoken about but 1 out of 3 children have experienced a household with domestic violence.

Kansas wins MENC Petition drive, Minnesota in second place

I'm proud to say that I came in second place with 2,170 signatures for the MENC National Association of Music Education petition drive! Kansas received 2,560 signatures for a first place win. MENC is the national platform for Mrs. America and has been supporting music education in our public schools. The winner goes to Vietnam for the Mrs. World pageant as well as their directors. Thank you to all who helped me get signatures and signed my petition!

Twins Versus Brewers Game at 7pm Sunday May 24th

What an exciting game! The Twins won against the Brewers! I threw out the first pitch followed by a U.S. Army General from Minnesota who was 6'5"! T.C. The mascott, caught my pitch and then gave me the ball on one knee, escoring me off the field! Adorable! Mrs. Ham Lake, Tamara Jett was in attendance along with her family and Larissa Bartram and her hubby. Our director, Carl Schway, was allowed on the field with me while I waited to pitch and had a ball meeting the players wives. My fellow co-host, Katina Forte's husband, Todd is helping me to learn to pitch this weekend so I at least make it to the catcher!

I had a hotdog, popcorn and beer, so I felt like a true Twins fan! Why did I feel like I was in the Brewers section? I had no idea there would be so many Brewers fans at the game...but only one strange moment with a Brewers fan jumping the security guards to run out onto the field. He was quickly tackled, cuffed and led out of the stadium...uh, maybe too many beers? In all, this game was one of the highlights of being Mrs. Minnesota!