Sister Queens: MSU students use pageants to promote passions
By Amanda Duchsherer
Digital Communications Specialist
amanda.duchsherer@minotstateu.edu
MINOT, N.D. – Sisterhood is an important tenet in the pageantry world.
For 2019 Miss North Dakota USA Samantha Redding and 2019 Miss North Dakota Teen USA Caitlyn Vogel — both current Minot State students — that bond began long ago.
Redding, a senior in the special education program, and Vogel, a freshman enrolled in the nursing program, grew up in Burlington, N.D. and their families have known each other for years. Redding’s younger sister is one of Vogel’s best friends.
“It was crazy,” Redding said. “We joked about it for weeks beforehand saying, ‘sister queens, I see it, it’s going to happen!’ When we both won (on Nov. 4), I thought, ‘Did we really just do that? Did we both win the pageant?’”
“Usually the titleholders don’t really know each other before pageant weekend, but we have the same passion for people with disabilities so that’s going to work well. We’re going to be doing a lot about the value of inclusion and attending many events that are dear to our hearts,” Vogel added.
As Miss North Dakota USA and Miss North Dakota Teen USA titleholders, their volunteer opportunities will increase, something that is important to Redding and Vogel.
“For my part, I’m going to teach people the value of inclusion and she’ll (Redding) teach about the acceptance of everyone. It’s cool because we can teach and we can share and we can also learn ourselves,” Vogel said.
“We’re both into volunteering, so I think it’s going to be a balance of wearing the crown and the sparkles and the heels, and wearing a t-shirt and yoga pants and doing the volunteer work,” Redding said. “We both have over 500 volunteer hours, me in my college career and (Vogel) from high school, that we’ve accumulated. I know my goal is to at least double that in the next year.”
Redding has spent the last several years developing a local program called “More Alike than Different,” based on a campaign by the National Down Syndrome Congress. Although it began with an emphasis on disabilities, her focus has evolved into teaching acceptance about all differences. Vogel founded a fashion show her senior year of high school for girls with disabilities and ran a summer clothing line for the same demographic.
Along with compatible passions and areas of volunteerism, Redding and Vogel’s personalities also complement one another.
“She keeps me on my toes, ‘Have you done this? And have you done this? And this?’” Redding said about high-energy Vogel. “And I’m like, ‘Cait, take a breather, take a step back, we have a year.’ It balances well.”
“And I can learn a lot from her, as you can tell,” Vogel added. “I’m fangirling.”
Redding and Vogel are committed to enjoying the upcoming year. Beyond volunteering, they will frequently travel out of state, engaging with communities and other titleholders. They will also prepare for, and compete in, the Miss USA and Miss Teen USA national pageants in 2019.
“Whether it’s pageantry or doing stem research or being rodeo queen or being a mom, whatever you find your passion for, you need to do that. You need to just do it,” Redding said about the importance of breaking out of the comfort zone. “Don’t let anybody tell you that you can’t do it, or that you shouldn’t do it. (Miss North Dakota) has opened so many doors.”
“It’s the opportunity of a lifetime,” said Vogel.
About Minot State University
Minot State University is a public university dedicated to excellence in education, scholarship, and community engagement achieved through
rigorous academic experiences, active learning environments, commitment to public service, and a vibrant campus life.
| Published: 12/14/18 |
