by Stephanie Green '09

When Bethel junior Christa Krussow and Nellie entered the Washington County Fair talent show on August 1, Krussow knew it was her abilities the judges would be watching. What she didn’t know was that it was Nellie who would help carry her all the way to a second-place win in the Minnesota State Fair talent competition.

Krussow, a junior majoring in communication studies and sacred music, took home second place in the Open division of the state fair talent competition for her ventriloquism act with her doll, Nellie. The two entered the Washington County Fair talent show as a duet vocal performance, and Krussow sang her way to first place and a spot in the State Fair competition as a Washington County representative. There, Krussow and Nellie performed in one of the nightly talent shows, won first place, and moved on to the semifinals on August 30. She took second place in the semifinals and on August 31, Krussow performed one of 26 acts in the Grandstand in front of 9,000 people, where she received second place in the Open division.

“I was continually surprised every time the judges pushed me on to the next stage. The week at the state fair was a whirlwind,” said Krussow, who has practiced ventriloquism as a hobby since she received her doll Nellie at 13. “I never dreamed that it would end with the opportunity to perform in front of such a large crowd. I enjoyed every minute of it.”