Wendi Russo - Mrs. Minnesota-America 2008

This year’s Mrs. Minnesota-America 2008 is 41-year-old Wendi Russo of Eden Prairie. Wendi was crowned June 7, 2008 at the Historic Fitzgerald Theatre in downtown St. Paul. In addition to the title, Wendi was honored with Best in Evening Gown, Best in Swimsuit, and Best in Interview, and was named “Mrs. Photogenic.” Wendi tied with two other contestants from Iowa and Wisconsin respectively for the “Mrs. Congeniality” award.

Married to husband Corrado for four years, they are proud parents to a 3-year-old daughter. Wendi and Corrado met while she was vacationing in Italy, and as a result she and her family enjoy traveling back to Sorrento on the Amalfi Coast for annual visits with his family.

As an on-air television shopping host for Shop NBC (Monday-Friday, 6 to 9 AM), Wendi has an opportunity to present a variety of products such as diamonds, fashion, beauty, watches, electronics, bedding, jewelry, and home furnishings. Her acting background, sales experience, and fashion sense have melded together to create her “dream job”.

Wendi values higher education and earned a B.S. degree in Business Administration from the University of Vermont, a certification in Broadcast Journalism from UCLA, and is certified as an Accredited Jewelry Professional with the Gemological Institute of America (GIA) where she is currently pursuing her Gemologist degree. Wendi studied as a professional actress in NYC for five years with a variety of teachers, including William Esper, Meisner Studios, and the Lee Strasberg Institute. A voice-over talent for many local businesses, Wendi can be seen in commercials and print ads throughout the Twin Cities metro area.

Passionate about mentoring, Wendi’s platform is “Become an Everyday Hero: Mentor a Child.” As an Ambassador and Senior Volunteer Speaker for Kinship of Greater Minneapolis, Wendi includes her 7-year old mentee in family outings which provides consistent support and friendship on a weekly/bi-weekly basis. Wendi actively recruits couples, families, and individuals to make a difference in the life of disadvantaged children through mentoring. She says, “It is easy to write a check to a charity, but far more valuable to give your time to a child who needs a positive role model and new experiences to nurture their dreams.”

To learn more about Kinship and mentoring, visitwwww.kinship.org.

To learn more about Wendi and for upcoming appearances and photos, please visit www.wendirusso.com and www.mrsminnesota2008.blogspot.com.

 

The 2009 Mrs. Minnesota-America Pageant

The 2009 Mrs. Minnesota Pageant will be held June 6th, 2009 at the Fitzgerald Theater in St. Paul, Minnesota.

Wendi Russo, Mrs. Minnesota-America 2008 will be on hand to crown her successor.

Numerous prizes will be awarded, including air and hotel accommodations to the Mrs. America Pageant, a full scholarship to Premiere Modeling School in Minneapolis, and personal fitness consultations..

For more information, or to obtain an application and to purchase tickets to the competition, contact Faith and Carl Schway, Directors at (651) 454-2513 or premieremodeling@hotmail.com.

City and county titles may be reserved on a first entrance basis.