Third time is a charm for Nisswa's Mary Petersen
MISS BRAINERD LAKES
When Mary Petersen was crowned 2010 Miss Brainerd Lakes on June 26 at Tornstrom Auditorium, it was an opportunity for her to achieve a three-year goal she has had.
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"It was amazing," Petersen said with a smile. "It was everything I worked hard for."
This was Petersen's third time running for Miss Brainerd Lakes. Her first year she was named second runner-up and last year was named first runner-up. She nearly didn't enter this year's pageant. She met pageant master of ceremonies and co-director Bill Musel for coffee last winter to tell him she wasn't going to run this year. By the end of that meeting, Musel had convinced her to give it one last shot.
"He said in track, you don't stop running a race if you don't win it," Petersen, an avid runner, recalled.
Miss Brainerd Lakes Mary Petersen jogged past the Historic Brainerd Water Tower last week. Petersen, who was crowned Miss Brainerd Lakes June 26, has a platform that promotes running and staying fit.
Brainerd Dispatch/Steve Kohls
Petersen not only went home with the crown but won the swimsuit and talent competitions, too. It was the first time she was able to dance in the program after hip surgeries in 2008 and 2009 sidelined her from running or dancing.
Petersen, a 2008 Brainerd High School graduate and the daughter of Ron and Bev Petersen of Nisswa, had spent 14 years in gymnastics and one year in Just For Kix. She also was active each year in track and cross country. She attended Central Lakes College under the Post-Secondary Enrollment Option program her senior year at BHS and is now a senior at Hamline University where she is majoring in legal studies with a minor in religion. Her goal is to go to law school and become a corporate attorney working in employment law.
Petersen, who couldn't run for two years following her surgeries, competes in the 100-meter and 400-meter hurdles on the Hamline track team and usually runs every day for fun and to stay fit. She has run in a few 5K events in the lakes area and hopes to one day participate in marathons.
Petersen said running brings her "happiness" and she hopes with her platform, "Running the Race of Life" she can encourage young people to get out and be active, rather than being on the computer or playing video games.
Mary Petersen smiled as she was named the 2010 Miss Brainerd Lakes. Miss Minnesota Kathryn Knuttila (left) is shown helping Petersen with her sash.
Brainerd Dispatch/Steve Kohls
"It's a really big stress reliever of mine," Petersen said of running.
Petersen is spending her summer working at Matty's in Lake Shore and Rafferty's Pizza in Nisswa.
"My next goal is to become Miss Minnesota," said Petersen, who will compete in the state pageant next June. "It's such a great organization."
Last year Petersen was named second runner-up in the Miss Northwest pageant in Detroit Lakes and also competed in the Miss Midwest pageant in Morris.
Petersen said her pageant experience has changed her.
"I'm nowhere near the same person I was," said Petersen. "I gained confidence, poise and acceptance of who I am."
Petersen said she's proud to represent the Brainerd lakes area in many events throughout the year. Her first event was running in the Nisswa Firecracker Run last weekend, wearing her sash and crown.
JODIE TWEED may be reached at jodie.tweed@brainerddispatch.com or 855-5858.