A Crowning Achievement in Woodbury

Woodbury resident Mary Swenson, Miss Washington County, will compete in a national event in Chicago this July after winning first place in the Miss Minnesota International Competition in mid-March.

“I’m very excited,” she said. “Minnesota is a powerhouse state when it comes to pageants. People in other states are always wondering what Minnesota is going to do. And I have every intention of winning.”

Swenson said she first entered the pageant at age 19 and finally took home the top prize in her fourth attempt this year.

“I just kind of entered on a whim," she said. "And I loved it."

Under the Pageants Unlimited competition, each contestant has a platform, and for Swenson it’s self-esteem for girls.

“That’s how this pageant separates itself from a typical beauty pageant,” she said.

As this year’s winner, Swenson will participate in public events, such as store openings, fundraisers and community activities, to promote her platform.

Swenson, 22, a dance instructor who recently graduated from the University of Minnesota with a degree in communications, said she practices all year for the event.

“It’s a lot of fun. I love to perform; I love being on stage,” she said.

As the names of the runners-up were read during the competition in St. Cloud on March 13, Swenson said, “I just kept thinking, ‘Please don’t say my name.’”

They didn’t... until the end, of course, and now Swenson will have more opportunities to tout Dove Movement for Self-Esteem.

The majority of her score depended on the interview portion of the competition, and she said her communications classes at the U of M helped her.

Swenson has a coach who helps her prepare for pageants—everything from make-up to body language to what to wear.

“It’s kind of like a sports team,” she said.

Woodbury resident Gabby Taylor took home second place in the teen competition.