2027 Queen of the Snows Candidates

Amanda Rikess

Sponsored By The Eagle Street

Amanda has an MBA in Change Leadership, a fancy way of saying she's qualified to convince people to do things they hadn't planned on doing. Raised on Minnesota's Iron Range, Amanda came to Saint Paul for college and now calls it home with her husband Tony and cat Stella. She's spent her career fundraising, planning weddings and events, and bringing people together, occasionally against their better judgment. A lifelong dancer, Eagle Street Grille veteran, and coin collector, she believes Minnesota winters are a participation sport. Amanda owns A Range of Events, loves a good parade and fireworks, and considers catching the first snowflakes of the season a mandatory activity. Give her a dance floor, a carnival, or a room full of strangers, and she'll find a reason to sparkle!

Caroline Cummings

Sponsored By the Lewis Sports Foundation

Caroline Cummings is a Minneapolis resident with a passion for connecting with others to create lasting, positive changes in our communities. She is a proud graduate of Saint Mary’s University and the University of St. Thomas, where she earned degrees in business analytics. Caroline works at Best Buy as a Decision Scientist, where she uses data to learn customer behaviors to shape strategy. Beyond her professional life, Caroline feels strongly about mentoring in her community. She is the assistant coach for Farmington Girls Swim & Dive and volunteers with a pre-professional development program in her hometown, where she uplifts young women to aspire to great things. In her free time, Caroline enjoys pop culture trivia, going to the movies, and crafting handmade gifts for her loved ones.

Erika Boike

Sponsored By Pink Car Realtor

Erika Boike is a proud wife, mom of three boys, and passionate community advocate. She works in senior living sales and serves as Director of Housing for the St. Cloud Norseman, helping young hockey players find welcoming homes. As founder of Skate Free Charlie, created in honor of her son, she brings people together through events that support local youth. Erika also serves on the board of Bris Lodge. Her volunteering began as a Goodwill Ambassador for Crystal, where she later mentored future ambassadors. She loves hockey, cheering for her sons, watching her husband coach youth hockey, and finding meaningful ways to give back—always with a little laughter and a cup of coffee.

Madison Clum

Sponsored By Steve Doody of Edward Jones Investments

Born on Minnesota’s Iron Range and raised in South St. Paul, Madison is a Minnesota girl at heart who loves the people and communities that make this state feel like home. She is fortunate to have a career that she loves as a hairstylist and has been working at Salon Fusion in Inver Grove Heights for the past 6 years. She was given the title of “Sunshine Coordinator” where she is in charge of celebrating milestones, birthdays, and bringing extra cheer around the workplace. In her free time she enjoys cheering on the MN Wild, tending to her fish tank, and taking on new DIY projects. Always eager to learn, she took up crochet in July and has been hooked ever since. She brings that same enthusiasm and warmth to everything she does and hopes to make a difference wherever life takes her.

Nicole Thacker

Sponsored By NE Moose Bar & Grill

Nicole Thacker has lived in Minnesota most of her life and St. Paul has her heart. A single mother of two beautiful children, she brings strength, optimism, and a big smile to everything she does. Since 2005, she has worked in mental health and human services, from a mobile psychiatric unit to her own private practice, listening to the needs, challenges, and wins of St. Paul residents. She founded anjoRENEW, co-hosts the Our Stigma podcast, and volunteers across the city she loves. Her kids will tell you that in her free time she loves cleaning and organizing almost as much as she enjoys meeting new people. Having been through hard seasons herself, she speaks up for the most vulnerable in St. Paul and uses every advantage she has to bring awareness and hope.

Sophie Hentges

Sponsored By NWS Ladies League

Sophie Hentges is a student at the University of Minnesota Twin Cities, pursuing a Bachelor of Science in Psychology. She works as a Direct Support Professional at an adult day program, where she builds meaningful connections with participants through therapeutic recreation. From 2021-2022, she served her community through the Jordan Ambassador Program and has completed over 100 volunteer hours at the university and throughout the Twin Cities. Growing up in a tight-knit family of five taught Sophie the importance of unconditional support and teamwork, values that continue to inspire her dedication to academics and volunteerism. Some of her interests include going on hikes, reading, spending time with friends, and playing euchre with her family. One fun fact is that she’s had over 30 pets!

Anna Day

Sponsored By COMING SOON!

Anna believes the most beautiful stories are written with courage, kindness, and a little magic. A dreamer and lifelong learner, she embraces each new chapter with curiosity and determination. Her passion for growth recently led her to graduate at the top of her class from Nova Academy as a certified nail technician, while also embarking on a new career designing commercial flat roofs as a Tapered Specialist. Each new experience has strengthened her resilience, compassion, and appreciation for life’s blessings. She believes everyone has a story worth hearing and even the smallest act of kindness can leave a lasting impression. With an adventurous spirit and a heart full of dreams, Anna knows her most beautiful chapters are yet to be written.

Christina Murphy

Sponsored By Splat Tag Paintball Park

For Christina, community isn’t just where she lives, it’s where she leads, serves, and brings people together. She was named as one of the 2026 Ambassadors of the Year for the St. Paul Winter Carnival and serves as Volunteer Coordinator for the 2026/2027 festival! Christina is pursuing her Bachelor’s degree in Advocacy and Political Leadership at Metro State University. Winter Carnival tradition is a family affair: her son served as the 2025 Prince of Ice & Snow, and her daughter as 2026 Princess of Ice with the Saint Paul Winter Carnival Junior Royalty. A self-proclaimed taco connoisseur, Christina loves finding great tacos wherever she goes. Fun fact: she is left-handed and once appeared as a contestant on the game show "Let's Make a Deal!" with Wayne Brady.

Heather Fairbanks

Sponsored By Landmark Jewelers

Heather believes every day can be a special occasion if you decide to celebrate it, and she certainly does! A lover of cheesecake, Dr Pepper, and anything that sparkles; she collects stories, eyeglasses, and Minnie Mouse ears in all colors and themes. An avid volunteer, Heather is always looking for new ways to help out and get connected. She serves on the high school theater boosters, and rescues thousands of pounds of groceries each week for her local food shelf. Heather admires the tradition, whimsy, and impressive community that brings this festival to life, and has enjoyed being involved as an SPFHF member, volunteer, serving on the Ambassadors board, and participating in all Winter Carnival has to offer. Mom to Phoebe and wife to George, the Fairbanks family lives in Cottage Grove.

Melissa Hoffman

Sponsored By COMING SOON!

Melissa grew up in the small, southern Minnesota town of Mapleton. Otherwise known as the curling capital of southern Minnesota. Her nephew was on the Olympic gold medal curling team!Melissa lived in Mankato for 15 years and worked for 3M Promotional Markets as a graphic artist and customer service rep for Post-it notes. She has also worked with special needs children in the Eagan school district for 9 years. She has several years experience working in the wealth management industry, but says not to ask her how to invest your money! Melissa currently works for Sysco Foods as an executive admin assistant. She has 3 adult boys. One married and one engaged. Just waiting for grandkids! Melissa enjoys reading, traveling and spending time with her kids as much as possible!

Skye Hoekstra

Sponsored By Villella Olson Agency Inc.

A Stillwater native and proud Minnesota mom, Skye Hoekstra has dedicated her career to education, literacy, and creating opportunities for children. After beginning her career through Teach For America and AmeriCorps in Las Vegas, she served as a teacher, instructional coach, and principal before returning home. Today, she serves as a Teaching and Learning Supervisor for Stillwater Area Public Schools. Skye holds degrees in biology, education, and educational leadership. Outside of work, she volunteers to support young readers, manages her children’s hockey team, and loves spending time with family. She believes in the power of community, finding joy in the little things, and never being afraid to try something new—even running for Queen of the Snows!