Madison Reynolds ~

By Andrea Busche

If you’ve ever tuned in to a beauty pageant, you know the contestants can seem larger than life. There is no question they are blessed with beauty and intelligence, but these women also have worked exceptionally hard to sharpen their talents, improve their public speaking skills and poise. If done well, pageantry is a full-time job.

Hermantown resident Madison Reynolds was crowned Miss Northern

Lakes on Sept. 23. Before winning the crown at age 20, she competed for Miss Hermantown and Miss Brainerd Lakes.

Reynolds is using her one-year term to draw attention to causes that are close to her heart, including her personal platform, Project Choice. She views her “reign” as a great opportunity to serve others. “I don’t need the crown, but the crown is a good microphone,” she said.

An entry into pageantry

Reynolds and her mom, Sherri Edberg, have always enjoyed watching pageants together. With beauty and brains to spare, along with a background in lyrical and jazz dance, it seemed pageantry was a natural transition for Reynolds.

Preparing to compete is no small feat. “These are definitely not just ‘beauty pageants,’” Reynolds said. “They are also based on intelligence, talent and service.”

Edberg helped her daughter prepare by conducting pop quizzes, where Reynolds would practice thinking on her feet. Reynolds studied current events, practiced her speaking skills and honed her dancing. She also developed Project Choice, which focuses on three objectives: to give all children access to healthy food, to encourage exercise and a healthy lifestyle, and to teach children to make conscious choices.

“I want kids to know that I’m not perfect, and everything is OK in moderation,” Reynolds said. “I eat pizza. I eat doughnuts. And that’s OK. Project Choice is really about living a long and healthy life.”

Despite being a self-professed introvert, Reynolds said, “I’m at home on the stage, and I’m very comfortable in front of people. I was painfully shy when I was younger, but I can thank pageantry and dance for helping to overcome that.”

Miss Northern Lakes

The two biggest national pageants are Miss America and Miss USA. Miss USA is part of the Miss Universe Organization, the pageant formerly owned by President Donald Trump. The role of Miss Northern Lakes is open to Minnesota-based participants north of Brainerd and falls under the Miss America umbrella.

Local pageants such as Miss Northern Lakes lead to state competitions such as Miss Minnesota, which eventually funnels up to the Miss America competition. Reynolds dreams of one day being crowned not only Miss Minnesota, but eventually Miss America. She competed for the title of Miss Minnesota in June but did not advance. Contest rules state that ladies can compete until they either win or turn 25, so Reynolds has several more opportunities to fulfill this dream.

No more swimsuits

At all levels, Miss America pageants require contestants to participate in a private interview, as well as evening gown and talent portions and an onstage question. Up until June of this year, the Miss America organization also included a swimsuit segment.

“We're changing out of our swimsuits, and into a whole new era,” Reynolds said. “Miss America is being revamped, and we are redefining what it means to be a female empowerment organization.”

Representing the

organization all receive a sash, crown and crown pin. The young women can be easily identified by their crowns, uniquely adorned with four points representing style, service, scholarship and success.

Reynolds is proud to represent the Miss America organization by displaying these qualities wherever she goes. Service is an important aspect of her life; she has been volunteering for several charitable organizations since she was a child.

And, part of her role as Miss Northern Lakes is to make public appearances. She has visited Hermantown Elementary School three times and was a guest at the Essentia Fit-n-Fun Run, among many other events. “The year is really about what you make of it,” she said. “For me, I wanted it to be a year of service.”

Reynolds recently self-published a book, “Choosy Suzy and Lazy Larry,” and has opted to donate the proceeds to the Second Harvest Food Bank. All illustrations were drawn by students who have been a part of the Project Choice program. The book is available for purchase through Amazon.

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Career goals

Reynolds graduated from the College of St. Scholastica this year with a degree in organizational behavior. After a stint as an intern last summer, she now works full time for Grandma’s Marathon, where she is training for a role as support services director.

Looking ahead, Reynolds would like to remain in the field of public relations. She plans to eventually earn a master’s degree and wants to remain in her home state. “I love Minnesota and particularly Duluth, so I’d really love to stay here,” she said.

When she’s not working or doing public appearances, her life is low-key. She enjoys spending time with her two younger sisters, Brooke and Grace, and the family dog, Griffin. She still lives at home in Hermantown with her dad, Gavin Reynolds. She enjoys unwinding in the evenings with Netflix, and loves dancing, writing and reading.

Beyond the glamour

Reynolds acknowledges that there are plenty of assumptions about pageant contestants. But she insists there is much more to these “beauty queens” than meets the eye.

“We’re not just about evening gowns and hairspray,” Reynolds said. “We have our boots on the ground, and are busy doing important service work in our communities.” D