1. First appearance as Miss North Dakota USA 2011. State Christmas Tree lighting at the North Dakota State Capitol. The first appearances is always the most memorable as I stepped out for the first time as Miss North Dakota USA only a few weeks after I was officially “on the job”.

2. Competing at Miss USA. What an unforgettable opportunity. Vegas will never, EVER be the same whenever I go back. It taught me to believe in myself, how to be mentally tough, focused and strong.

3. Meeting amazing people! I can’t believe all the very, amazing people who I have met traveling, on airplanes, at appearances, events and even on-line (believe if or not.) If I wasn’t Miss North Dakota USA, I would have never encountered these people. The impact they have made on my life will not be forgotten.

4. Appearances, appearances, APPEARANCES! Garrison FBLA Banquet. Parades. Speaking in rural communities about Breast Cancer Awareness. Reading to classrooms. Fundraisers. Diamond give aways. USS North Dakota ceremony. Rotary Club presentation. Radio interviews. TV interviews. Web interviews!!!! And the list goes on….

5. Susan G. Komen for the Cure. As a daughter of a breast cancer survivor, it was important to me to share the message of Susan G. Komen for the Cure with as many people as I possible and to put information in their hands and the hands of their loved ones.

Hard to believe I am down to only 19 days left as Miss North Dakota USA 2011.

Brandi xx

I’ve been doing ”it” since I was..let’s say 10,”it” gives me chills, “it” makes me excited, “it” keeps me coming back for more and I’ll keep doing “it” for the rest of my life because I enjoy it!

So, what is “it”?

Volunteering of course!

I started volunteering when I was in elementary school. My grandma got me started helping her at the local food pantry. I helped her out as much as I could. It continued into high school when I started tutoring junior high school students during my off hours or study halls. I think back and I hope the students looked forward to that hour as much as I did.

I went to college and started searching for something to get involved in. I started by coaching bowling with Special Olympics, and then I found the Big Brothers Big Sisters Organization. I’ve been a “big” now since 2004 and am currently matched with the most amazing “little sister” I could ask for! We have so much fun together, mostly cooking, baking and well… eating!

While I’m still involved with BBBS, I’m also an “

North Dakota Susan G. Komen for the Cure. This one is very, very close to my heart because my mother is a breast cancer survivor and we also have a cousin that is going through treatment right now. I’m looking forward to working with them more to educate women and men about the risks of breast cancer. The Miss Universe Organization made the decision to support breast and ovarian cancer in 1998,  so Miss USA spends countless hours working with Susan G. Komen for the Cure. You could say I’m practicing up my supporting them here in North Dakota

Serving at The Banquet with the University of Mary Alumni Council.

I am a council member for the University of Mary and last year we started hosting The Banquet at Trinity Lutheran Church in Bismarck. This was my fourth time volunteering at The Banquet, a free meal served each Thurs by volunteers to anyone in need in the Bis-Man area. I also volunteered when Papa’s Pumpkin Patch hosted it the last two years as well. It’s such a great cause to be part of. It feels great helping people in the Bismarck-Mandan community by making sure they get a great meal each Thursday and great fellowship as well!

Most recently, I joined a  team for the Medcenter One Great American Bike Race (GABR) 2011 which I am very excited to be a part of this year! GABR is an annual fundraising event created to help patients with cerebral palsy and other  related disabilities and their families purchase adaptive equipment and services. I have several friends who work or have worked with children with cerebral palsy and they have shared stories of how amazing these children are! It’s a great cause to contribute too and you can do so right here! I’d appreciate it and so would Medcenter One and all the children and families.

Any of the organizations I listed above are looking for volunteers. I encourage you to contact one of them or find a organization that is close to your heart to be part of. And don’t be shy, you don’t need to stop at one! Be careful though, “it’s” addicting!!

Happy volunteering,

 Brandi

-Miss North Dakota USA 2011

This has become a recognizable saying to promote breast cancer awareness. That is what my blinged out coffee mug signifies that was gifted to me by a breast cancer survivor, my lovely mother. Not to mention the fact that I love, love, LOVE anything that sparkles, glitters or shines. I will “fight like a girl” against breast cancer for woman with organizations like North Dakota Affiliate of Susan G. Komen for the Cure. My mother is an active member of this organization in North Dakota, and I am hoping to be “komenized” soon.

Woman in business are also “fighting like a girl” and will need to keep doing so for the next decade. Even as women in business have made huge strides over the past several years, women still face the pressure of what will determine their success. Get this! While women hold 51.4 percent of managerial and professional jobs, only 3 percent of Fortune 500 CEOs are female – The Decade of the Woman Entrepreneur. This was in an  article published by the Kauffman Foundation. I’ll  ”fight like a girl” as I am making my way to the top.

I’m also going to keep fighting to be the best person I can be, learn more and new things each and every day, see the big picture, set goals and “fight like a girl” to do whatever-it-takes to achieve those goals! I have a big year ahead of me. No, I have a HUGE year ahead of me and you can bet that I’m going to be ready for it!

I’m going out of 2010 kicking and screaming and ready to “fight like a girl” in 2011!

I’ll see you in 2011!

B