5/12/2009 10:35:00 AM There she is ... Mrs. Excelsior
Former Mrs. Excelsior Natalie Hagemo, right, crowns the new Mrs. Excelsior, Susie Overvold, Friday, May 8 in Excelsior. PHOTO: Mark Trockman
By Amy Lyon
Susie Overvold has a thing for pageants. She represented Wright County in the 2002 Mrs. Minnesota International Pageant and represented Wayzata in the 2003 Mrs. Minnesota America Pageant.
This year, the 38 year old is a contestant representing Excelsior in the 2010 Mrs. Minnesota International Pageant. She received her crown and banner May 8 at Maynard's Restaurant in Excelsior.
Former Mrs. Excelsior Natalie Hagemo passed the crown on to Overvold while Excelsior Mayor Nick Ruehl presented Overvold with a banner.
"Pageantry has always been a dream of mine," said Overvold, who admitted that, to this day, her favorite past-time involves settling down in front of the television with her mother and a clipboard ready to rate the contestants.
She likes the dresses and she likes the music, but most of all, she likes learning about the participants.
The Mrs. International Pageant showcases the accomplishments of married women ages 21-56.
The program nixed the swimsuit competition, and instead places emphasis on participants' platforms.
Overvold's first instinct was to partner with the non-profit organization Drug Abuse Resistance Education (D.A.R.E.), but after careful consideration, she chose the American Diabetes Association as her focus area.
"My mother and a little neighbor friend of mine are affected by diabetes," said Overvold, who hopes to raise awareness for the organization through speaking engagements and outings.
Overvold also plans to become even more involved in the community by volunteering and attending the monthly Ladies' Nights in downtown Excelsior.
"I'll also be volunteering at the 'Awakening' event on June 20 at the Bird House in Excelsior," said Overvold. "The group, Free Arts Minnesota, donates art supplies to abused children."
Overvold's other junkets will include speaking engagements at Rotary and Lions club meetings, and luckily she has no qualms about public speaking or striking up conversations with strangers.
"I've been a dental hygienist for 13 years and I'm with people all day who don't like to come see me," said Overvold. "It's a tough field and I had to learn how to communicate with everyone."
There's an entrepreneurial spirit that runs through her family, too. Overvold has her own spray-tanning business while her husband, Doug, owns a company called Total Energy Concepts that helps businesses protect their electrical equipment and find ways to save energy.
Overvold's stepson, Logan, will be a senior in high school next year, and the smallest member of the family, cocker spaniel Hunter, will likely be seen strolling around Excelsior with the family this summer.
Overvold said that she has learned from 2008 Mrs. Excelsior, Natalie Hagemo, what the role of representing the city will entail.
"I'm thrilled to be following in Natalie's footsteps," said Overvold. "Although, they are big footsteps to fill. Natalie was very active in the community."
"Susie Overvold will be a great representative for Excelsior at next year's 2010 Mrs. Minnesota pageant. She shares my passion for Excelsior and is eager to be of service to her community," Hagemo said.
Contestants are selected for Mrs. Minnesota International through an application process, and represent either their city or county.
The Mrs. Minnesota International Pageant judges participants on interviewing skills, evening gown and physical fitness. The state pageant will take place March 6-7, 2010, in St. Cloud.
