One of these 18 candidates will soon be crowned Aurora, Queen of the Snows of the 2016 St. Paul Winter Carnival.
We know this much: Our future queen is between the ages of 21 and 48.
She might be the one who has kissed the Blarney Stone (it was on her bucket list). Or it could be the one who specializes in obscure movie quotes. Or the one who enjoys baking cakes with her 6-year-old sister. Perhaps it’s the hockey mom, the Girl Scout leader or the anthropology student. St. Paul’s next queen might be the candidate who plans to purchase some electric socks (brilliant!). Or the one who is running in memory of her mother, who died unexpectedly in September. Or the one who wears locally made scarves.
We the people of St. Paul might soon bow to a military veteran, a woman who clocks in at the Flint Hills refinery or to a dental hygienist. She could be a resident of St. Paul — or of Minne-apolis (gasp!), Woodbury, Hopkins, West St. Paul, South St. Paul, Burnsville or some other city in the extended Twin Cities metro.
One thing we do know for sure: All of the candidates appear to love hot chocolate (the Pioneer Press interviewed the 18 candidates earlier in January, just before they took the stage at the junior royalty coronation). From meeting the candidates, we also know this: Each candidate is enthusiastic for the chance to serve our city, either as queen or as one of the four princesses of the 2016 St. Paul Winter Carnival Royal Family. It is our pleasure to introduce you.
Keyah Adams, 21, Bloomington, sponsored by Apitz Painting. Adams is the oldest of four children, who range in age from 2 to 21. Adams is a student at Hamline University. She is studying biological anthropology. She would like to continue her education at a graduate program in Hawaii in order to practice her field in East Asia. When she is not working or in class, Adams loves spending time with her family, especially her siblings. She also enjoys drawing and photography.
Signature winter drink: Caribou’s Berry White Mocha
Jennie Albert, 37, Brooklyn Park, sponsored by Northern Prairie Financial. Albert holds many titles: accountant, wife, mother, Girl Scout troop leader and cookie mom, animal rescuer (she has fostered more than 50 kittens with local animal rescue). Her family is titled, too: Albert’s husband, Mike, was the 2011 Count of Ashes for the St. Paul Winter Carnival and her daughter, Sara, was the 2014 Princess of Ice for the junior royalty. In her spare time, Albert enjoys Texas hold ’em poker, knitting and spending time with her family at their camper in Crosby, Minn.
Favorite winter activity: “I love to downhill ski. I taught my daughter how to ski when she was just 3 years old. She’s 14 now and a snowboarder.”
Kyla Bernardy, 22, New Brighton, sponsored by the Fridley American Legion Post 303. Bernardy graduated in December from Metropolitan State University with a bachelor of arts degree in individualized studies with a focus in business communications and supply-chain management and has been hired as a buyer at U.S. Water in St. Michael. She also has an associate of applied science degree in culinary arts from Hennepin Technical College, where she graduated with honors and was part of Phi Theta Kappa Honor Society. In her spare time, Bernardy enjoys cooking, traveling and coaching basketball. She was a Fridley Princess in 2010-11.
Favorite winter scene: “I love snow-covered evergreens — the contrast of dark to light.”
Chelsea Bolier, 23, St. Paul, sponsored by Rice Street Festival. Bolier, the 2014 Rice Street Festival Queen, has lived in
St. Paul all her life. She earned her bachelor of science degree in biology, with a minor in English, from the University of St. Thomas in 2015. While at St. Thomas, Bolier was the president of the Liturgical Choir, a member of the dean’s list, a member of the Tri-Beta National Biological Honor Society and a tutor for the Get Ready college awareness program, where she mentored middle- and high-school students at St. Paul public schools. She is applying to the University of Minnesota’s College of Pharmacy graduate program. Chelsea has two jobs — she works as a certified pharmacy technician at Walgreens and as an accounting assistant at Brock White Co., a construction and building materials distributor headquartered in St. Paul. In her spare time, Chelsea enjoys reading, singing and volunteering.
What she loves about winter: “I love ice skating. I played hockey when I was younger. I love gliding along the ice, it feels like you’re flying.”
Shakira Bradshaw, 26, Woodbury, sponsored by Healing Connections Therapy Center. A 2011 graduate of Hamline University, Bradshaw works for U.S. Bank in the corporate office. She was married in August; the newlyweds are planning a trip to Italy for their first anniversary. Bradshaw is running for Queen of the Snows in memory of her mother, who passed away unexpectedly in September. Her mom taught her to love people and animals and that it’s OK to be a class clown.
Favorite snowfall: “The thick snowflakes that make it look like we’re caught inside of a snow globe.”
Shannon Cherep, 32, South St. Paul, sponsored by Gopher Bar/Global Fund Charitable Foundation. Cherep, who graduated from the University of Minnesota-Duluth in 2006, is employed at the Flint Hills Resources refinery. Cherep and her husband have two cats and one very large dog. Cherep has a bucket list that she is working her way through and adding to as well. So far, she has visited 15 states and nine countries, gone skydiving and kissed the Blarney Stone in Ireland. She also enjoys taking boat rides and motorcycle trips.
How she survives winter: “Winter was never something I really enjoyed — until a friend introduced me to the Winter Carnival. It has become the way I survive winter:
to have that light in the winter — it’s something to look forward to. Now, I even have a ‘Countdown to Carnival’ on my phone.”
Rebecca Cooper, 48, Vadnais Heights, sponsored by the Bungalow Inn of Lakeland. Cooper is a fourth-generation resident of St. Paul. She has more than
23 years of military service. After she retired from the military, she achieved her lifelong dream of becoming a librarian. She works for both Hennepin and Ramsey County libraries, while also being the CEO for Cooper & Cooper Consulting — a woman-owned, service-disabled, veteran-owned small business. Cooper is a volunteer in her community supporting local youth sports as a hockey and baseball mom. She also participates in her church, St. Mary of the Lake. She is married to Curt Cooper and mother of Conor, 13; Carson, 11; and Cadence, 8.
Winter favorite: “My favorite thing about winter is hockey. I have two boys and one girl who play. I have two families — my own family and our White Bear hockey family.”
Emily Hoene, 25, Minneapolis, sponsored by Power Plumbing. Hoene graduated from Gustavus Adolphus College with a degree in international management. This past fall she graduated from Cigna’s IT leadership development program, where she works as an IT project manager. She recently moved to Minneapolis where she lives with her dog, Bert. In her free time, she coaches Special Olympics, spends time at the cabin and eats her favorite local candy bar, Pearson’s salted nut roll.
Winter philosophy: “I agree with my dad, who always says, ‘Winter is too long in Minnesota not to do anything active.’ I like ice skating at the rink where my dad is the volunteer manager.”
Rahila Hungiapuko, 26, St. Paul, sponsored by SevenHills Benefit Partners. Hungiapuko loves the performing arts and is involved with numerous community theaters and organizations. She graduated with a bachelor’s degree in media communication from Bethel University in 2012, and she plans to obtain a Juris Doctor within the next few years and would like to work in the juvenile justice field. Hungiapuko is passionate about children’s welfare and education and is actively involved with children’s ministry and after-school mentoring.
Winter armor: “Wearing locally made scarves while sipping peppermint hot chocolate.”
Madison Jerde, 22, Minneapolis, sponsored by Wold Architects & Engineers. A Minneapolis native, Madison recently graduated cum laude from Iowa State University, where she earned a bachelor of fine arts in graphic design and supporting minors in Spanish and advertising. Having recently joined Wold Architects & Engineers in downtown St. Paul as a marketing coordinator, she also enjoys doing freelance graphic design work in her spare time. When she’s not being critical of typography on restaurant menus, she is attending social and cultural events throughout the Twin Cities, as well as borrowing too many books from her local library.
Favorite winter sport: “I used to play hockey. I loved it. I just love flying around on the ice.”
Afton Kielsa, 27, Hanover, sponsored by River Run Team ReMax Results. Kielsa spent the majority of her life on the East Side of St. Paul and continued her love of the city by pursuing her degree as a 2011 graduate of St. Catherine University with a bachelor of science in exercise and sports science and a minor in coaching. An Ice Skating Institute world champion, she loves to teach figure skating. One of her greatest accomplishments was when she was appointed to the U.S. Naval Academy by former Sen. Norm Coleman, but she ultimately chose to remain in St. Paul. Kielsa works at Olive Garden as a certified trainer. Kielsa has volunteered for the Animal Humane Society, Como Zoo and the Royal Sisterhood. She now sits on planning committees for the St. Paul Festival and Heritage Foundation, which produces the Winter Carnival. In her spare time, Kielsa loves bargain shopping, baking, exercising, watching movies and walking her dogs.
Why she loves winter: “It’s breathtaking, magical and wondrous, being outside while wearing furry, sparkly boots and drinking hot chocolate.”
Peggy Ly, 29, Roseville, sponsored by Mama T’s Castle Tap. Ly, a Circle Pines native, is a dual-licensed dental assistant and hygienist and earned her bachelor of science in dental hygiene from Minnesota State University, Mankato. With her dental training she gives her time to many that are unable to obtain dental services through such organizations as Give Kids a Smile, Project Homeless Connect, Union Gospel Mission of St. Paul and Christina’s Smile. In her free time, Ly enjoys reading, staying active and watching cheesy movies.
Winter tip: “I love the idea of going outside and being active — this winter, I’m learning to ice skate — especially if I know that I will have hot chocolate or hot soup waiting for me afterward. Hot soup is my favorite — any kind of creamy soup, although chicken noodle is good, too.”
Alyssa Ortiz, 21, West St. Paul, sponsored by J&J Temperature Controlled Storage. Ortiz, a native of St. Paul, graduated with honors from Dakota County Technical College, receiving an associate of applied science in dental assisting. Ortiz works at Midtling Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery in St. Paul. Ortiz says that one of the most rewarding things about her job is being able to comfort and calm her patients’ nerves prior to surgery. In her free time, Alyssa enjoys fishing (on a dock, on a boat or in an ice house); creating projects from her favorite website, Pinterest; and baking cakes with her 6-year-old sister. Her previous titles include Miss West St. Paul 2013.
Winter splurge: “My next purchase will be a pair of electric socks.”
Alyssa Sigafus, 26, Plymouth, sponsored by Ideal Printers. Sigafus and her husband, Daniel, have a 2-year-old daughter, Sophia. Sigafus works at Ameriprise Financial in downtown Minneapolis and is a coordinator for the Big Lake Ambassador Program. Sigafus is also a part-time student, earning the final credits for her communications and leadership degree at the University of Minnesota. Sigafus volunteers with the deaf and hard of hearing as a language facilitator and with the deaf and blind as an intervener. In her free time, Sigafus enjoys performing traditional Irish stepdancing, painting and photography.
Favorite time of year: “Summer is not my thing — winter and fall are my favorite seasons. I love tubing. I have seven younger brothers and we have a family tradition during the holidays (if there’s snow): We start tubing at 11:30 p.m. and we tube through the New Year.”
Jeana Steigauf, 23, Woodbury, sponsored by Twin Cities Foot & Ankle Clinic. Born and raised in Minnesota, she likes to say that she has the “accent to prove it,” Steigauf graduated from St. Cloud State University with a bachelor of science in management with a concentration in human resources. She works as a talent sourcing specialist in the human resources department with POPP Communications. Steigauf enjoys donating her time to help strengthen the Woodbury Ambassadors Scholarship Program as a past ambassador, volunteer, candidate coordinator and mentor.
Favorite winter memory from childhood: “The ice rink we made in our back yard every winter.”
Tiffany Swenson, 31, Burnsville, sponsored by her employer, Automated Photo Technology, where she works as a production manager. Even though Swenson now resides in Burnsville, this St. Paul native has cherished memories of being raised in Minnesota’s capital. She was also crowned the Rice Street Festival Queen in 2013. Swenson enjoys spending time with her boyfriend, Jim, and their two daughters, and as a mother she wants to lead a positive, healthy and happy lifestyle. She was recently awarded her certification as a health coach and has found great joy in helping to guide clients on their journeys.
A recent winter outing: “My daughter and niece and I went ice skating for the first time at Wells Fargo WinterSkate in downtown St. Paul for my daughter’s 10th birthday. We went to Caribou afterward — they had Cookies & Cream Snowdrifts and I had a peppermint mocha. And then we continued the party at Nickelodeon Universe at the Mall of America.”
Mallory West, 30, St. Paul, sponsored by Fury Motors of South St. Paul. While West enjoys her work on the other side of the river as an administrative legal assistant at Meshbesher & Spence, she is proud to be a resident of St. Paul. She also enjoys traveling, journaling, staying active and socializing over good food.
Winter fun: “I like ice skating at Landmark Center and having hot chocolate afterward while admiring the lights of downtown.”
Heather Westling, 37, Hopkins, sponsored by Quality Insurance Service. Originally from Howard Lake, Westling enjoys making a difference with her career as a speech-language pathologist. Her favorite pastimes include knitting and crocheting, going to musicals and spending as much time as she can with her nieces and nephew. Her most recent accomplishment has been learning the ins and outs of home improvement while remodeling her home with the help of her uncle. If you are ever in need of a quick or obscure movie quote, Westling is an expert.
Winterjoy: “My favorite activity in the winter is going sledding with my nieces and just watching their faces as they freak out as they go down the hill and then, afterward, the joy on their faces as they ask, ‘Can we go again?’”
Copyright 2016 Pioneer Press.
