Raquel Wellentin, a senior majoring in university studies, was crowned Miss North Dakota USA 2017 at a pageant held Nov. 20 at NDSU’s Festival Concert Hall.

Wellentin will move on to compete next summer for the title of Miss USA, which will be broadcast on Fox Television.

"I am honored and humbled to represent North Dakota at the upcoming Miss USA pageant,” said Wellentin, who had finished as first runner-up in each of the past two years. “I am grateful for this opportunity because I am able to promote the values I am passionate about,while empowering every woman in the great state of North Dakota. I would encourage every woman to try to do something new each day to recognize the confidence, beauty and perseverance that they have within themselves.”

She was president of NDSU Women’s Collegiate Club Volleyball, and currently is an assistant volleyball coach at Fargo’s Davies High School. Her goal is to earn her teaching degree.

Wellentin, who was born in the Philippines, later lived in Enderlin and Fargo, North Dakota. She is the daughter of Marelina Centeno and Don Wellentin.

The state competition was directed by Future Productions LLC of Minneapolis, which has produced state and national pageants in more than 38 states. NDSU’s Campus Attractions is a partnering sponsor of the event.

Also during the state competition at NDSU, Kilyn Parisien-Haill of Belcourt, North Dakota, was named Miss North Dakota Teen USA 2017.

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