FAREWELL MISS NORTH DAKOTA

Someday, when my skin is weathered with wrinkles and I’ve gained a few wisps of white in my hair, I know I’ll continue to remember and recount my year as Miss North Dakota. I’ll look back at the photos and recall the memories of exploring my beautiful home state, of competing and representing North Dakota at the 100 Year Anniversary Competition of Miss America, and the moments spent fostering relationships — both the new and the old — while encouraging others to do the same. 

How does one even begin to summarize the impact that such a year has had on their life? With nearly 20,000 miles driven across North Dakota, over 15,000 miles flown, and more than 16 million views on TikTok, I realize that this past year is in fact not about the quantities but rather the quality of relationships and experiences that have been gained. I look back and see a vast spectrum of colors — experiences, individuals, and moments that have molded and shaped me into the person that I am always becoming, and I can only hope that I’ve in turn been able to return the favor to those who’ve surrounded me. 

This once-in-a-lifetime role has changed me for the better. And because of that, I am forever grateful. 

My journey to becoming Miss North Dakota was years in the making. The first time I stepped foot in Williston, North Dakota I was nineteen years old and had arrived by train from Whitefish, Montana where I had recently completed a week of camp counselor training. Upon arrival, I hadn’t showered in days and was wearing dirty gym shorts and my favorite pair of Chaco sandals. Within an hour I had showered, shaved my legs, and secured my sparkly wardrobe and was ready to embrace another side of myself for the week that followed. However, I quickly learned that being a candidate for the job of Miss North Dakota really wasn’t all that different from being a counselor (other than perhaps the wardrobe that frequently required a crown and showering more than once a week.) Along with its emphasis on service, scholarships, and professional development, I was drawn in by the community of people that existed within the Miss North Dakota Organization. 

While I was thrilled to be a candidate for the job of Miss North Dakota, I didn’t win that first year, nor the second or even the third. And yet, over the course of those multiple years I felt God gently telling me, “not yet.” I sensed that I needed to be patient, remain persistent, and find peace if I was to someday win. Of course, there were moments when I doubted myself — plenty of them actually. And in those moments, I’m grateful that I had a village of friends and family who were there to remind me of my worth, value, and goals. They were the ones who encouraged me to continue pursuing my dream of becoming Miss North Dakota and throughout this wonderfully wild past year have been my greatest supporters.

---

I must share a few thank yous — 

• To the Miss North Dakota Board of Directors, thank you for believing in me and for pouring countless hours into making Miss North Dakota a reality year after year. Kathy, Debbie, SuAnn, B. Michael Quale, Rachel, Georgia, Cathy, Marilyn, Mark, Kevin, Stephanie Johnson, Steph Ahlfedlt, Renee, Allison, Leah, Margot, Murphy, Marian… all of you. I’ve had a front row seat to what you accomplish and my goodness, it’s not only inspiring but I hope you realize the tremendous impact that you’ve had on the lives of countless women and girls. 
• Kathy and Debbie, thank you for your communication and for always keeping me on track, especially leading up to Miss America. I admire each of your strong independent spirits and I feel so lucky to have two women who are so understanding and supportive. 
• Debbie and Dave, thank you for providing me with a home away from home and for giving me the wonderful “Richter Experience.” 
• Rachel, I love our conversations that often revolve around our favorite food spots. Thank you for assisting with my schedule and for always figuring out the challenges in seemingly any situation. 
• Steph, you are superwoman! Mother to five and then some, your creative genius especially shines during the state competition and I can’t imagine how the week would run without you. 
• Tessie, thank you for documenting many of the best nights of my life and for capturing my Miss America headshot; I will always treasure having your photos.​

• The City of Williston, thank you for again welcoming and supporting the Miss North Dakota competition in its 36th year. 
• Thank you to our community of volunteers who make state week run smoothly year after year. 
• To the many patrons and sponsors of Miss North Dakota — thank you, deeply.
• Thank you to Devils Lake Cars for providing me with a Chevrolet Equinox to get me safely around the state of North Dakota! (15,000 miles later!)
• To the Miss North Dakota 2021 panel of Judges: Charlie Curry Vantramp, Mike Golden, Ashley Weisz, Casey Paradies, and Carol Craig Potter — thank you for believing in me and giving me the opportunity of a lifetime. 
• My 2020 local director: Amy Cleary — thank you for your ongoing support and for encouraging me to compete one more time.
• Everyone who helped me prep with interview, modeling, talent, etc. (Cara Schoenfish, Lizzie Jensen, Meagan McDougall… there are many others who have helped over the years. You know who you are and I am so grateful.)

• Jacky and Amy Arness, thank you for your constant encouragement and support. I wouldn’t be here unless it was for the two of you. 
• Bekki and Taylor Reinholt, the two of you have been such a light and blessing in my life this year! Thank you for coming all the way to Connecticut to cheer me on at Miss America and for your constant genuine enthusiasm. 
• My fellow Miss North Dakota Sisters — you embody beauty, grace, and the best of North Dakota. It has been an honor to represent you.  
• My Forever Miss North Dakotas — thank you for leaving a beautiful legacy, one that I’ve tried my best to uphold. I hope I’ve made you proud. 
• My Miss America Sisters, I could never have imagined how close we would become as a class and it’s something I would never trade. Thank you for giving me a sense of belonging and for always inspiring me.
• Emma, my forever Miss North Dakota’s Outstanding Teen, I can’t imagine sharing this year with anyone else. I’ve watched you tackle more than any one high school student should, but you’ve done it with ease and confidence. It has been an absolute joy getting to know your family and watch you grow and I can’t wait to see all that you continue to chase in the coming years. I am so proud of you. Thank you for being the best “pageant” sister! 

• Thank you to my grandparents, extended family, and incredible community of friends, colleagues, mentors, and peers. Thank you for your ongoing support and encouragement. I am wildly blessed by the influences you’ve had on my life.
• Those closest to me: my parents, Lance and Ruth, thank you for always setting the example and for encouraging me to pursue my dreams. To my brothers, Luke, Leif, and Ronald, thank you for keeping this “old sis” humble. To my sister, Rikka, and another close friend, Evan Frisk, thank you for being my “official” Miss ND stylists and for always giving me a reason to laugh. I love you all! 

• To the love of my life, Collin Asheim, thank you for your patience and unwavering support of my Miss North Dakota dream. You have been by side through the valleys and up on the mountaintops. Thank you for sacrificing and for putting my needs before your own. I cannot wait to be your wife!

Last, but certainly not least, my Heavenly Father. It’s been His plan all along and I am but a part in His grand plan. I’ve said it before and I will say it again,
​“Thy will be done.”

And to our beautiful next Miss North Dakota, I look forward to cheering you on and supporting you from the sidelines. You are entering a special sisterhood, forever family, and life chapter that will leave you fuller then you could ever imagine. 

As I enter this next season, I’ve been reminding myself that the best is yet to come. This is only the tip of the iceberg of a lifetime full of opportunities, joy, and friendship. I am forever humbled, grateful, and honored to have served this year as Miss North Dakota and am eternally blessed by the relationships that have been forged. 

Thank you, North Dakota.
Here’s to the next adventure! 
xxx 
Reyna Bergstrom
Your forever Miss North Dakota 2021