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03/11/2017
By Thomas Kvamme Herald Columnist Nov 3, 2017
Miss America
Newly crowned Miss America 2018 Cara Mund reacts during the 2018 Miss America Competition Show Sunday. Michael Loccisano • Getty Images for Dick Clark Productions
It’s homecoming weekend in Williston, but this is no ordinary event we’re talking about.
You see, this city will be putting out the red carpet to welcome Cara Mund, who is returning back to her home state and the home of the Miss North Dakota Scholarship Pageant.
But this time is special, as she returns with the crown representing her state as Miss America.
Marilyn McGinley, who has been associated with the state pageant for a very long time, tells us a number of events are planned in Mund’s honor.
Plans call for Mund to speak at a school in Williston today, along with a press conference.
In the works will be the official crowning of the new Miss North Dakota, Lizzie Jensen, who finished as the first runner-up at the pageant in June.
She will now prepare to take on the role as Miss North Dakota.
In addition, Mund will be the headliner at a community pep rally beginning at 7:30 this evening in the Phil Jackson Field House.
Tickets are needed for the events, and you can purchase them online at www.missnorthdakota.org, in person at the Williston Visitor’s Center or at the door.
While this isn’t the first Miss America to visit Williston, this is certainly the first carrying the banner for her home state.
We encourage you to get out and show support as she returns home.
Once the day is wrapped up in Williston, the contingent will head to Bismarck where Mund will have a full day on Saturday, once again with a public reception at the Bismarck Events Center.
That will be followed that evening with a black tie dinner in her home town at the University of Mary.
We learned most of the members of the Miss North Dakota Board of Directors will be following Mund to Bismarck for that event.
LOTS OF GUESTS
A large number of visiting queens from many states will be on hand here, in addition to Miss America’s Outstanding Teen, Jessica Baeder.
Also coming, according to McGinley, will be Miss New Jersey, Kaitlyn Schoeffel; Miss Missouri, Jennifer Davis; Miss District of Columbia, Briana Kinsey; Miss Texas, Margana Wood; Miss Connecticut, Eliza Kanner; Miss California, Jillian Smith; Miss Minnesota, Brianna Drevlow; Miss Rhode Island, Nicolette Peloquin; Miss South Dakota, Miranda Mack; Miss Montana, Maddie Murray; and Miss Virginia, Cecili Weber.
Now that my friends alone would be worth the price of admission.
HOW IT STARTED
While McGinley has been involved for a number of years, we should tell you a little about how the state pageant got its start in Williston.
Who better then Jack Dyville to fill in the
timeline.
He recalls that back in 1985, the Miss America Organization was looking for new franchise holders for Miss North Dakota.
At that time, it was the reigning Miss ND was Barbara Kerzman who, “proudly threw our names, Jack Dyville and B. Michael Quale, into the ring as we were at the time producing Miss Williston.”
Dyville went on to say, “we received a call from MAO officials and they offered us the franchise — saying they would give us an hour to consider. When they called back, we said yes.”
MAO then sent the Field Director from Atlantic City the following week to Williston.
“We had a meeting with the entire Miss Williston Committee and Williston officials. We presented 100 letters from local businesses and organizations sharing their support for our committee,” added Dyville.
FIRST WINNER
“We produced our first state pageant six months later, with Susan Campbell being the first state winner crowned in Williston,” said Dyville.
At Miss America, she received a George Cavalier Talent Award and was named to the Gillette Miss America Troupe, which she traveled and performed with for two years.
The second year, Grand Forks resident and Julliard student Tina Curran became Miss ND and was named to the Top 10 in Atlantic City.
We can personally relate to this winner as our (Linda) youngest daughter Jill was a Little Sister for Curran, only adding to the excitement.
MORE OFFICIALS
At the end of Curran’s reign, Dyville recalled another MAO official attended the state pageant and, “I so vividly remember asking after he said, ‘Wow North Dakota is on a roll with you guys!’ So in my exuberant way I asked, ‘Do you think ND will ever have a Miss America?’ His reply: ‘It is inevitable!’”
Well, that day has arrived, although it has taken 29 years.
However, with the excitement the board of directors, the state of North Dakota and all our pageant friends are experiencing, “the wait was worth it,” according to Dyville.
He added, “and we could not be more thrilled and proud of Cara Mund. She has truly worked to achieve her goal and is truly deserving of the honor.”
Dyville is especially proud of the fact she has brought so much positive “PR” to the state.
“It is gratifying to hear her say, ‘No matter where you come from, if you have the Miss America spirit, you can achieve your dream,’” noted Dyville.
OTHER SUCCESS
Thanks to the work of Dyville and Quale, along with an outstanding support group, there have been other success stories.
Roxana Saberi, a former Miss ND, is currently living in NYC as well.
Saberi is on air with CBS News and is featured frequently.
“She, too, is thrilled for Cara and is hoping to meet her and interview her during the year,” said Dyville.
“Although Cara has broken the glass ceiling of passing the Top 10, we have had a previous semifinalist, Donna Grotberg, crowned when the state finals were held in Bismarck in the 1960s and Jackie Arness was a Top 16 finalist named as Judges’ Choice just a few years back. The following year Rosie Sauvageau was awarded a preliminary Talent Award.
MOVED TO NYC
“I am thrilled to still be a part of the state board, although moving back to New York City 10 years ago, and have never missed helping out in June, even after giving up my position as Executive Director of 15 years,” Dyville said. “My appreciation to Kathy Jones of West Fargo who currently is serving as Executive Director but is more than happy to continue the production of Miss ND in Williston.”
Dyville noted that local businesswoman Debbie Richter has stepped into the President’s position after “the legendary Marilyn McGinley stepped down from those ranks three years ago.”
GREAT SUPPORT
Others who have been on the state board since the beginning in Williston include Quale, who still serves as producer, Renee Rogness, who still mentors the Judge’s chair position and Ted Lindseth, who has headed the silent auction for many years.
MEET IN NYC
“It was a pleasure to be with Kathy, Debbie and Renee in Atlantic City to cheer Cara on to her victorious runway walk as Miss America 2018,” said Dyville.
“Her dream came true and for Williston, for North Dakota and the State Pageant Committee’s our dream was reached as well. We look forward to a homecoming celebration in her pageant city to present our Miss America to the residents of Williston, as well as her actual home, and the residents of the capital city, Bismarck.”
VERY PROUD
“Having been a part of Miss ND for 31 years in Williston, I have always been proud of our program and representatives so I believe I speak for everyone in Williston when I say we are grateful that both judging panels saw that Cara exemplifies the attributes of the ideal Miss America,” said Dyville.
“And though I live in NYC once again, I happily call Williston home, and will return each year to help with the state competition for as long as I am able.” Dyville added, “One thing I’ve noticed as well, usually hours after Miss America is crowned; no one remembers which state she represented. Not this time: The press and people everywhere seem as genuinely excited for North Dakota and the Peace Garden State is being spoken about by everyone.”
EXTRA SPECIAL
“Saying we are grateful and proud about Cara Mund’s crowning is a total understatement,” said McGinley, who has played a key role.
“Each state is always hopeful that they will come home with the big prize. We have sent 31 Miss North Dakotas, and they have all been qualified young women, but obviously the judges saw something very special in Cara and we agree that she has the traits that make a Miss America.”
She added, “for those of us who have worked all 31 years in some capacity, it is extra special.”
McGinley credited “hundreds of others have donated time, talent and money for at least 20 years.”
RICHTER STEPS IN
Stepping into the shoes of McGinley is Debbie Richter, and she was on hand for the crowning moment.
“It was very exciting to be in Atlantic City and watch the competition unfold. Cara did so great in every phase of competition, and she just had that spark that couldn’t be denied.”
Richter added: “She is so excited and this is her dream come true and she will be able to share her platform of Make-a-Wish, act as an ambassador for Children’s Miracle Network and will really be a great role model for young people who believe that hard work and belief in yourself really pays off. She has been so grateful to our state and local organizations and will represent North Dakota and the whole country so well.”
ND PROUD
While Miss America has called attention to the state, another talented individual who hails from Bismarck is Carson Wentz.
The signal caller for the Philadelphia Eagles of the National Football League has been getting his share of attention with a great season under his belt to date.
Meanwhile, Williston fans are mighty proud of former Coyote Brent Qvale, who was in a starting role on the offensive line with his New York Jets football team that was featured last evening on national television in Thursday Night Football.
The former Nebraska Cornhusker has worked his way into a starting role and you can watch for No. 79 when the Jets get their hands on the football.
So you can see, North Dakota folks are shining in the national spotlight.
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