NDSU elementary education major Katie Olson was crowned Miss North Dakota during the Miss North Dakota Scholarship Organization’s state pageant June 9 in Williston, North Dakota.

“It was a wave of emotions. I don’t think anything can prepare you for that moment,” Olson said about earning the title. “I’ve dreamt of being Miss North Dakota since I was about seven years old. It was very overwhelming and exciting.”

Olson, who is a member of the NDSU Dance Team, performed a lyrical dance titled “I Will Wait” during the pageant’s talent section. 

She will spend the next few months preparing to compete in the Miss America pageant in September, and then Olson will visit school districts across the state spreading her message called “The Motivational Mindset: Positivity at Every Turn.” 

“My platform speaks to the ups and downs every day in life,” said Olson, who earlier was named Miss Fargo 2018. “I hope to teach people and students of all ages how to deal with those ups and downs and learn about their own mindset to deal with stresses that come with life.”

Olson’s family has strong ties to NDSU. Her father, Terry, and sister, Laura, are NDSU alumni. 

Olson, a junior from Williston, succeeds Fargo's Lizzie Jensen as Miss North Dakota.

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