Update…

BISMARCK, N.D. (AP) — Thousands have welcomed Miss America Cara Mund back to her North Dakota hometown.

About 2,000 people turned out Saturday for Mund’s welcome-home party in Bismarck. Young girls and boys cheered when North Dakota’s first Miss America appeared at the Bismarck Event Center.

Mund told the crowd that — whether young girls are in North Dakota or in a rural area — they can make their dreams come true if they work hard.

The 23-year-old was crowned Miss America in September. Saturday was her first homecoming party, and before the event she stopped at Sanford Children’s Hospital to visit patients.

Heidi Allbee brought her two girls, 10 and 3, to Mund’s homecoming. Allbee told The Bismarck Tribune it’s a “source for pride” for North Dakota to finally have a Miss America.

 

Washington   U.S. Senator Heidi Heitkamp will speak at the homecoming for North Dakota’s very own Miss America Cara Mund to congratulate and thank her for the work she is doing representing North Dakota and the rest of the country.

SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 4, 2017,   2:45 p.m. CT at the Bismarck Event Center, 315 5th Street

BISMARCK, N.D. (Nov. 3, 2017) – Gov. Doug Burgum has proclaimed Saturday, Nov. 4, 2017, Miss America Cara Mund Day in North Dakota to coincide with homecoming ceremonies for the Bismarck native.

On Sept. 10, 2017 Mund became the first Miss North Dakota to be crowned Miss America, and only the fourth Miss North Dakota to reach the top 10 of the competition.

A 2012 graduate of Bismarck Century High School, Mund has raised nearly $80,000 for Make-A-Wish through the North Dakota Make-A-Wish Fashion Show she founded 10 years ago. She also interned for U.S. Sen. John Hoeven last year and has said she wants to be North Dakota’s first female governor.

“Cara Mund has represented her home state in an exceptional manner,” Burgum said. “Her hard work and perseverance, dedication to public service and commitment to improving the lives of others is a source of immense pride for people across North Dakota. We celebrate her return home and wish her a successful reign as Miss America.”

Williston, home of the Miss North Dakota pageant, will host a homecoming celebration for Mund starting at 6 p.m. Friday, Nov. 3, at Bakken Elementary School, with Lt. Gov. Brent Sanford among the scheduled speakers. Mund will then return to her hometown for a welcome home party at 3 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 4, at the Bismarck Event Center.