Kalbow hopes to raise awareness of Post Traumatic Stress Disorder and stresses that PTSD doesn’t only affect military and veterans, but also victims of severe trauma.
By MELANIE PILTINGSRUD
Staff Writer
Kaylee Kalbow of Austin has been named Miss Minnesota International 2022. She will represent Minnesota in the Miss International 2022 pageant in Kingsport, Tennessee, from July 25th through July 30th.
Kaylee is the daughter of mother Amy Schaper of Austin, MN, and father Kerry Kalbow of New Richland, MN. Her grandmother Diane Schaper and Terry Mitchell are from New Richland, and her grandmother, Jan Kalbow, is from Hartland. She is currently pursuing a degree in International Business at the University of Minnesota.
Kalbow speaks highly of New Richland: “Everybody's always so friendly there.” She has fond memories of Farm & City Days and helping her grandmother hunt for the medallion. “I was actually in the parade in 2016 there as Miss Austin. That was fun.”
Kaylee became interested in the Miss Austin pageant when she saw an ad in the Austin Daily Herald in 2015. She won the Miss Austin title in 2016, but when Kalbow's prom date landed on the same day as the Miss Minnesota competition, Kalbow decided she couldn't miss prom. Kalbow didn't lose out though; her reign as Miss Austin was extended to allow her to compete for Miss Minnesota in 2017.
What appeals to Kalbow most about the competitions is the opportunity to spread her platform: "Be your own butterfly, Let go, be free," with which she hopes to raise awareness of Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD). Kalbow stresses that PTSD doesn't only affect the military and veterans. It also affects victims of natural disasters, sexual abuse, car accidents, “Or even people right now who are dealing with Covid,” said Kalbow.
Kalbow speaks from experience; traumatic events that occurred throughout her life caused her to drop out of college. As a toddler she was sexually abused. As a teen in alter school, she was bullied, and in middle school she was jumped in the girls' locker room, which caused her appendix to explode. “I almost died,” said Kalbow. “It was a long recovery, that one. A lot of complications with that.” Finally, when Kalbow went to college, she was sexually harrassed by her roommate and the roommate's boyfriend. Kalbow decided to take a step back from life to focus on her mental health.
“I never thought that I could have PTSD,” said Kalbow. She hadn't realized how much all the past traumatic events had built up over time. When she was diagnosed with the disorder in 2017, she said, “It clicked. It totally made sense.” Kalbow was glad of the diagnosis, because finally knowing she had PTSD meant that she could get the help and therapy she needed in order to heal and recover.
It wasn't an easy road. It took Kalbow three years to work through her trauma. “The first year I went into a complete, really bad depression,” said Kalbow, who credits her mom with being her rock and support system through it all. “She dragged my butt to the hospital, and got me therapy.” Kalbow went through cognitive behavioral therapy and exposure therapy, and saw a trauma therapist every week. “I didn't want to go,” said Kalbow, “but I forced myself to go because I needed to go.
“And now I'm healed and I want to get that message to other people, so that they can heal, too, and share their story of healing,” said Kalbow with enthusiasm.
Throughout her reign, Kalbow will be the voice for people living with PTSD by spreading awareness, advocating, and educating others with her platform. “I'll be talking about that... forever,” said Kalbow. “For the rest of my life.” Kalbow hopes to use her degree in International Business to take her platform overseas.
Kalbow had gained weight because of depression, but once she recovered, she became determined to get in shape. She lost 35 lbs., and continues to make fitness a priority. “Right now I'm focusing on getting toned,” she said. “I like to do ab workouts and lift weights.” She also loves doing cardio. “You can find me dancing and singing in the kitchen all the time,” she laughs.
Kalbow has also been a vegetarian for 11 years, ever since her appendix burst. “I eat really clean,” said Kalbow. She eats lots of fruits and vegetables, limits sugar, and drinks lots of water.
At the Miss International 2022 pageant, Kalbow will be joining contestants from all over the world. “I'm excited to meet [the girls from] all the other states and countries, and hearing their platforms, and creating bonds in the sisterhood. It's going to be super fun!” said Kalbow, who loves watching the other girls walk out on stage so gracefully in their evening gowns, and listening to their speeches. The contestants, who Kalbow says are really supportive of each other, will have a fun-filled week of volunteering and activities, and finish the week with the preliminaries on July 29th and 30th.
Kalbow does a lot of volunteering in conjunction with her reign as Miss Minnesota International. She will be working with the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI), which coincides with her platform. She also donates to the Mower County Humane Society, and the Salvation Army. Another cause that is close to Kalbow's heart is Relay for Life, because her grandmother, Diane Schaper, is a seven-year breast cancer survivor. “I like to support the breast cancer organizations whenever I can,” said Kalbow. “Any little volunteer thing, I love to get myself involved with, because I love to give back. I'd rather give than receive in life.”
To other young ladies wanting to compete in a pageant, Kalbow says, “Don't be scared to do it. Just go do it. You'll have fun. It doesn't matter if you win or you lose. The main thing is to just get out there and meet people, and you'll probably even meet friends.” Kalbow reiterates her feelings about giving back: “Just going and volunteering in your community and being involved is the greatest thing ever, I feel.”
Does Kalbow think she has a shot at winning Miss International? “Oh, yes, I do!” she said. “I've got an amazing coach, and I'm feeling great. If I don't win, it's whatever is in God's will, I feel like. I'll just do my best and have fun.”
The pageant will be livestreamed at www.miss-international.us on July 29 and 30, 2022.
If you would like to contact Kalbow for events, or to sponsor her, she can be reached at: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.