WILLISTON, N.D. - Miss Williston State College, Hailey Bendixson, along with 23 other young women from around the state will be staying at Williston State College's dormitory (Frontier Hall) June 11, 12 and 13 as they compete in the Miss North Dakota Scholarship Pageant. Pageants are nothing foreign to Bendixson as Vivian Kalmik, Miss North Dakota Little Sister Program Chair explained, "She held a title when she was two years old being crowned 'Baby Teeny Miss' in the International Miss Classic at the North Dakota State Fair." Since then, Bendixson has held several additional titles including Little Miss, Jr. Miss and Teen titles. "Being part of the Miss North Dakota is one of the biggest goals for a pageant girl growing up in North Dakota," explained Bendixson.

Bendixson initially chose WSC so she could be close to her family, but now is excited to participate in the Williams County Scholarship starting in the fall. Bendixson will begin her second year at Williston State College with the goal of majoring in Elementary Education and pursuing an additional degree in Photography. "I enjoy the class sizes being smaller and I have greater access to our professors. Campus life is really fun and students have many opportunities to meet and make new friends," Bendixson explained. "WSC has a great sense of school spirit and pride which carries over into the community allowing students to truly make a difference."

With a platform of "Don't Just Stand There...VOLUNTEER" Bendixson was a great choice for Williston State College. "Hailey's drive and willingness to be part of Williston State College after she received her title was impressive," explained Natalie Popko, Communications Specialist at Williston State College. "She was volunteering in the bookstore making coffee, helping Student Life get volunteers for Earth Day, helped the Marketing Department with their booth at the Home and Garden show and was part of the Band Day Parade. She really is someone who not only lives by her platform but follows Williston State College's motto of Where the people make the difference. She really does make a difference."

In addition to helping out at Williston State College, Bendixson took part in in several charity walks and visited schools to talk with children about being a volunteer. "It is a lifestyle about helping others and your community without expecting recognition, money or prizes," Bendixson explained. "So many people just stand around and say there is nothing to do! My philosophy is to volunteer and get involved in something. Growing-up in 4-H we were mentored in volunteering so it became a natural thing for me to do. My life has been so positively impacted by giving and doing for others that I wanted to use my crown to bring awareness to volunteering." Bendixson has continued her volunteerism campaign after the school year ended and is excited for the Miss North Dakota Scholarship Pageant to begin.

The Miss North Dakota Scholarship Pageant will be at the Williston High School Auditorium
June 11, 12, and 13. For more information visit: www.missnorthdakota.org
Please contact Natalie Popko at 701.774.4222 with any questions. For other information regarding Williston State, visit www.willistonstate.edu, call 1.888.863.9455, or stop by 1410 University Avenue, Williston, ND.