OSAGE — Emma Vrieze grew up in the Park Rapids area and is a nursing student at Minnesota State University Moorhead. She was crowned Miss Minnesota on June 20 and will compete for Miss America on Sept. 7 in Orlando, Florida.
Vrieze stopped by KAXE's studios in Grand Rapids on her way to the Hoyt Lakes Water Carnival on Thursday, July 24. Longtime KAXE volunteer Carolyn King, a Miss America pageant superfan, joined the conversation. King hasn't missed a single one since 1950.
"I want them to see my service heart on that big stage."Miss Minnesota Emma Vrieze
Vrieze competed in the Miss Minnesota pageant as Miss Glacial Waters, which represents the larger Brainerd Lakes area. This was her second year competing in pageants.
"I was meeting so many people and making a lot of new connections. And it was so valuable to my confidence level, like getting out of my shell," Vrieze said.
When she was crowned Miss Minnesota, she could hardly believe it.
"You hear your name called and so many different doors are opened...everything that happens in that one moment, you can't even wrap your head around it."
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Vrieze will be taking a semester off from her studies at MSUM in order to fulfill her Miss Minnesota duties and compete for Miss America. She was awarded a $10,000 scholarship from the Miss Minnesota organization.
All Miss America contestants choose a community service initiative. Vrieze is focusing on water safety and drowning prevention. She swam competitively for 12 years, has taught swimming lessons and participated on the Park Rapids Water Ski Team.
"When I was going through my lifeguard certification training, I was learning a lot about drowning... If I didn't know those things, a normal non-swimmer would definitely not know those things, and that's what led to my passion for water safety," Vrieze said.
She has been focusing a lot on this issue while preparing for Miss America.
"I want them to see my service heart on that big stage."
Vrieze flies to Orlando on Aug. 29. Once she arrives, there will be many activities leading up to the Miss America pageant, including preliminary competitions. Vrieze said she is most looking forward to a tea party with the Miss America's Little Sisters program.
There will be a send-off party for Miss Minnesota from 2-4:30 p.m. on Sunday, Aug. 10, at Calvary Lutheran Church in Park Rapids. There will be light refreshments, a silent auction and a wardrobe showcase.
Listen to our full Bright Spot conversation above!
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The Bright Spot is made possible by the Minnesota Arts and Cultural Heritage Fund and the citizens of Minnesota.
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Plus: Zebra mussels found in more Northern Minnesota lakes; Stauber-Swanson to square off in debate; and the KAXE Election Guide is live. -
KAXE partnered with ICTV to host candidate forums for Grand Rapids and Deer River school boards on Sept. 30, 2026. Videos of the forum are available at watchictv.org. -
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