Three local titles in the Miss North Dakota/Miss America competition were awarded Saturday night during the Miss Grand Forks Scholarship Competition at the Empire Arts Center.
Eleven women competed for the titles of Miss Grand Forks, Miss Empire and Miss Eastern Dakota. The winners were Beth Dennison for Miss Grand Forks, Stephanie Erickson for Miss Empire and Emily Burkland for Miss Eastern Dakota.
Dennison, 21, is a UND student who is originally from Hutchinson, Minn. Erickson, 19, is a North Dakota State student from Fargo. Burkland, 21, is a native of Thompson, N.D., and a UND student.
The 11 contestants for the three titles competed in interview, talent, lifestyle and fitness (swimsuit competition) and evening gowns. While in their gowns, they answered one question on stage.
Three area teens were awarded titles Saturday afternoon in Miss America Outstanding Teen, a competition for girls 14 to 17 and the companion program to Miss America.
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They are Miss Grand Forks Outstanding Teen, Grace Sproule, 15, Grand Forks; Miss Empire Outstanding Teen, Abby Fischer, 15, Grand Forks; and Miss Eastern Dakota Outstanding Teen, Carli Meehan, 16, New Rockford, N.D.
Titleholders advance to state competition. Miss North Dakota Outstanding Teen is June 5 and Miss North Dakota is June 12, both in Williston, N.D.
