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AllTrails

"I use this anytime I'm looking for a new hike. It gives easy-to-navigate maps, reviews, photos and current weather/trail conditions! During my year as Miss North Dakota, I spent a considerable amount of time in the western part of the state, specifically around the Williston region. Conveniently, Williston is located just an hour's drive from the North Unit of Theodore Roosevelt National Park, so I made it a priority during my year to stop and explore (weather permitting) on my way to Williams County. A few of my favorite hikes that I discovered included Sperati Point via Achenbach Trail and Prairie Dog Town via Buckhorn Trail. Another trail system in North Dakota that I’d like to explore is the Maah Daah Hey Trail, which encompasses over 144 miles of breathtaking terrain: majestic plateaus, jagged peaks and valleys, large expanses of rolling prairie, and intertwining rivers that offer pure, unadulterated wilderness. On the All Trails app, I currently have the Bennett-Maah Daah Hey-Cottonwood Loop saved to my Future Hikes list."

BeReal

"BeReal is a social media app that asks users to post unfiltered photos of themselves once a day. It's meant to encourage people to be more authentic, instead of trying to present their best selves. It's not just another social media. I use it as a daily journal of my life!"

What are health, wellness and beauty to you?

In some form or another, I think all of us want to feel beautiful and crave validation for being so; however, that kind of fulfillment can’t last forever. All too often, we forget that beauty is a subjective construct and that the opinions of those around us do not ultimately hold value over our worth and perception of self-beauty; what matters is that each of us are loved and we deserve to be reminded of that fact daily.

I believe that the formula for true beauty, and ultimately optimal health and wellness, is actually quite simple: genuinely and confidently love others (along with yourself!) and you’ll be amazed at the result. When you care for others along with yourself, people take notice not only because it’s externally attractive but because it’s refreshingly pure. And when we care for ourselves, we simultaneously begin to feel connected to and realigned with our truest selves—which I believe are all key characteristics of optimal mental health and wellness.

What are your next steps with your social impact initiative, “The Influencer Era: Impact Beyond the Screen”?

My “why” behind wanting to be Miss North Dakota was always my desire to be a positive role model, especially for young people Over the course of this past year, I’ve spread the message to students across North Dakota about the importance of relationships and how our true impact happens beyond the screen. Face-to-face interactions are crucial because bonds are strengthened when reinforced by the physical. Things like looking another person in the eyes, giving them a hug or simply nodding and smiling while you listen emphasize the fact that you are there for them

While encouraging young people to get off of their devices, I’ve had conversations with them about the importance of healthy social media usage and reminded them that it’s each of our responsibilities to choose how we use technology proactively. After my year as Miss North Dakota wrapped in June 2022, my speaking engagements took to the back burner (as I planned a wedding and began a new job); however, although I may no longer be Miss North Dakota, I hope to continue speaking and scaling my message to encompass mental health initiatives throughout North Dakota and beyond

"Now this is a mission that I can get behind!"

- Grant Ayers, Editor

How has competing in Miss North Dakota impacted/ benefited your initiative, as well as your other ventures?

I didn’t win the first time I competed for Miss North Dakota, nor the second or even the third. It wasn’t until my fourth time competing and final year of eligibility that I finally won the crown. And even then, although I knew I had a good chance, I didn’t expect to win. Frankly, I don’t think any of us should necessarily expect anything in life but instead, we should approach everything we do with humble confidence, a willingness to work hard (if we intend to be competitive) and a spirit of respect for others—of their perspectives, opinions and goals.

My pursuit of becoming Miss North Dakota was years in the making. Throughout the process, I learned the importance of perseverance, resilience and leaning on my community. Although it might sound cliche, I wouldn’t be where I am today without the friends and family who helped me throughout my journey. Becoming Miss North Dakota was undoubtedly a springboard for opportunities and relationships, including gaining a new family member—my soon-to-be sister-in-law who was my Miss Oregon!

What do you love about the local community?

I absolutely love this city. Having grown up in Fargo-Moorhead and spent the majority of my young adult years here, it’s been inspiring to watch this community evolve and transform into a Midwest cultural hub with strong Scandinavian roots. I remember when I graduated from Oak Grove Lutheran High School in 2014, I was so excited to leave and live elsewhere. However, the more I travel and see the world, the more I realize how grateful I am to be from Fargo and to call this city my home.

From hearing entrepreneurs speak weekly at StartUpBREW to seeing farmers and makers share their products and creations at the Red River Market, these are just a few of the events that display how this city’s identity is strong and our desire for connection is growing. Fargo-Moorhead is an incubator for creative minds and collective imagining, and I am so proud to be from North Dakota, specifically Fargo—a community that breathes such life and connection.