ORLANDO, Fla. (KEYC) –

ORLANDO, Fla. (Valley News Live) – This year’s Miss America pageant has a local twist as Miss Minnesota, Emily Schumacher, was also Miss Mankato.

Another fun fact: Miss North Dakota, Sophia Richards, works for our sister station, Valley News Live in Fargo.

Over the past 103 years, this pageant has provided a platform for 52 state delegates to share their charitable and community service efforts in hopes of winning the Miss America Organization scholarship.

Glitz and glamor take over the city of Orlando, Florida as the Miss America 2025 competition begins. The 52 delegates vying for the crown show that it takes beauty and brains to retain this national title.

On Wednesday evening, Miss Preliminaries took the contestants through fitness and evening wear competitions as well as the much-anticipated interview question. The women have 30 seconds to answer a randomly asked question live on the Walt Disney stage.

Miss North Dakota Sophia Richards was asked: “Mental health is a crucial aspect of overall wellbeing, but is often overlooked until a mental health crisis occurs. How can we reduce the stigma associated with seeking help before a mental health challenge becomes overwhelming?”

In her response, Richards highlights a personal connection and the local BIO Girls program, an organization she has been passionate about for three years.

“Unfortunately, I lost my aunt to suicide at a very young age and my family were not very open to talking about it. That’s why I’ve tried to be a mental health advocate my whole life,” Richards said. “As a BIO Girls advocate, volunteer and mentor, that’s exactly what I do in my community and my home state of North Dakota. And I am thrilled to represent this North Dakota-born organization on the national stage tonight. As your next Miss America, I will not rest until every state has an ORGANIC girl because I am on a mission too important to fail.”

Miss Minnesota, Emily Schumacher, took the stage to introduce her involvement with the American Heart Association.

Schumacher was asked: “Heart disease remains one of the leading causes of death in our society, yet many people are unaware of the simple steps they can take to improve our health. “What can be done to raise awareness of heart health, promote healthier lifestyles and promote education about heart disease prevention?”

“Currently, only 1% of our youth in America live a heart-healthy lifestyle. During my year of service as Miss Minnesota, I served as a national spokesperson with the Minnesota American Heart Association,” said Schumacher. “I educate children about becoming heart healthy through life and also participate in the American Heart Challenge, for which I have raised over $50,000 in the last two months. During my year as Miss America, I want to work with the Department of Health and Human Services and the American Heart Association to ensure that the hearts of all children are cared for because heart health is a right, not a privilege.”

Answers to interview questions provide insight to the judges who will select the recipient of the $50,000 Miss America Scholarship.

The first six preliminary winners include Miss Ohio Stephanie Finoti, Miss South Carolina Davis Wash and Miss Wisconsin Mandi Genord for fitness wear.

Miss Florida Casana Fink, Miss Texas Annette Addo-Yobo and our own Miss North Dakota Sophia Richards took home evening gown awards.

The competition will run from December 31 to January 5 and will conclude with the crowning of Miss America 2025 and Miss America’s Teen 2025.

Our sister station in Fargo, Valley News Live, has a team in Orlando providing exclusive behind-the-scenes coverage. Watch for updates throughout the week.

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