Maricia Pacheco is a friendly face to the AAO - she's volunteered with the Visiting Dignitaries program, candidate orientation and check-in, the Women's Expo, and she's on the AAO Visioning Committee! And did we mention that Maricia was Queen of the Lakes in 2016?! Which community/festival did you represent? Farmington What is one of your favorite memories of being an Aquatennial Ambassador? One of the coolest parts about being a candidate and Ambassador is going down the esc

Dave Recker is a familiar face with the AAO - serving as Commodore in 2013, and is now President of AAO. In addition to his work with the AAO, Dave is a long-time volunteer for youth organizations. What is one of your favorite memories of being an Aquatennial Ambassador? Having been raised in a small rural farming community, I enjoyed every visit to Minnesota communities to meet the wonderful and friendly citizens. It was also incredible watching the improvement in self-conf

Let's meet AAO/MASAA (Minneapolis Aquatennial Senior Alumni Association) volunteer extraordinaire, Kay Bolduan! In 2016, Kay served as Senior Queen. How did you first hear about the Aquatennial and why did you get involved? As a candidate for the MASAA Senior Royalty Program where I was selected and served as the 2016 Senior Queen. What is your favorite aspect/memory/event with Aqua week? Please don't ask me to choose. I love everything about Aquatennial week for different re

Sonja Weiler: her reputation precedes her! She's well-known and highly regarded in the "festival community" and now you get to know her a bit better through Faces of AAO! Sonja is the Vice Commodore for Candidates, and served as Captain in 2013. What is one of your favorite memories of being an Aquatennial Ambassador? I enjoyed meeting new people across the state, "Living the Tradition", and the relationship made with our Ambassador Family. What are your hopes for the Aquaten

If you've been in the world of Aquatennial or Winter Carnival, you've probably met Cindy Shanley! If you haven't met her yet - don't worry - she'll introduce herself to you! Cindy Shanley was the Senior Queen for Minneapolis Aquatennial Senior Alumni Association in 2011. Since then, Cindy has continued to volunteer: she organized and scheduled shifts for volunteers to work at the Ryder Cup at Hazeltine National Golf Club, co-chaired the annual meeting for three years, co-chai

Kenny Devine is certainly a familiar face in the world of AAO - he served as Aquatennial Captain in 2018! We're thrilled that Kenny offered to continue to volunteer, and he's now managing the AAO social media channels! What is one of your favorite memories of being an Aquatennial Ambassador? Attending the 2018 Rose Bowl Game (The Granddaddy of them All) was one of the highlights of my LIFE! The entire week was amazing and punctuated with an over-time, high-scoring thriller! I

Emily Kegley (nee: McConkey) is the new Appearances Coordinator for the Ambassador Team, and an ambassador alumna! Emily served as an Aquatennial Princess in 2009. Which community/festival were you from? Cokato What is one of your favorite memories of being an Ambassador? I always loved seeing the reactions of the recipients of the Honorary Commodore Award. It was always given to volunteers who were not expecting it at all, and I loved watching them come up to the stage. They

Ken Hafften is no stranger to the AAO - he's been volunteering with the Aquatennial in some capacity since 1972! Ken has served as a Vice Commodore (1988-1990), the General Festival Chair (1991); he was the FIRST Aquatennial Captain in 1995, and still serves the AAO by being the historian. What is one of your favorite memories of being an Aquatennial Ambassador? Visiting the various communities, and especially presenting the Honorary Commodore Award. In what other capacities

Laura Swartz is an Aquatennial alumna, and is serving as a captain of the AAO's Pulling Together team! Laura also helps to coordinate events for the AAO during Aquatennial Week. Which community/festival were you from? Willmar What is one of your favorite memories of being an Aquatennial Ambassador? ...it would have to be traveling to Festival Du Voyageur in Winnipeg, Canada with not only our wonderful Aqua family, but our parents! From sledding down hills, dancing to blue gra

We're bringing it back! It's been about 18 months since we last posted a "Faces of AAO!" But with #AquaWeek2018 behind us, we'd like to reintroduce you to some of our volunteers! Kacey Gregerson is the face behind the AAO social media, press releases, and answering messages through the communications email! How did you first hear about the Aquatennial and why did you get involved? I was first introduced to the Aquatennial when I was Miss Winthrop in 2001. I participated in th

As a former Aquatennial Princess (1992), Vice Commodore (1999 Arts & Entertainment Division) and Captain (2009), Natalka's dedication to the Aquatennial and AAO has earned her the nickname of "Capcess." She has also served as President of the Past Princess Association, member of the Visiting Dignitaries committee and plans to increase her involvement in 2017. Which Community/Festival were you from? Northeast Minneapolis How did you benefit from your scholarship? It provided m

As a first-time volunteer in 2016, Wayne Ellingson remembers seeing the Aquatennial represented in a parade when he was a kid back home is Southwestern Minnesota, "From that moment, I wanted to know more about what the Aquatennial and what Minneapolis was all about." Since then he has enjoyed watching the parades and Aquatennial events over the years. When his good friend, Brian Thomas May, became Captain in 2015, Wayne became interested in learning more about what is involv

Jeni is a former Aquatennial Princess from 2014. She then went on to be the 2015 Princess Kay of the Milky Way! Jeni has continued to volunteer for the AAO in media relations and each year during the Aquatennial Festival. Which Community/Festival were you from? Waconia How did you benefit from your scholarship? I used my Aquatennial scholarship to help fund my undergraduate studies at the University of Minnesota- Twin Cities. I am excited to be graduating with minimal debt in

Former Vice Commodore Eileen Hafften first got involved with the Aquatennial in 1980 as a Parade Committee member where she served for 16 years. She also served as an Ambassador Chaperone for 9 years and has served as AAO Board of Directors Secretary since 2015. What is one of your favorite memories of being an Aquatennial Ambassador? The La Crosse Oktoberfest weekends and Aquatennial festival weeks at the hotel. What are your hopes for the Aquatennial and/or the AAO? To see

Currently serving as AAO President, Joe Johnston has extensive volunteer experience with the Aquatennial serving as Board Member in 1999, 2000 Captain, 2002 Commodore, and 2007 President. How did you first hear about the Aquatennial and why did you get involved? I worked in Minneapolis and was familiar with Aqua through community... Got bit by the Aqua Bug like so many of us! I first heard about the AAO through participating in Winter Carnival... Then I had the good fortune