Miss America contestant back in Minnesota, with a scholarship and new friendships – InForum
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PARK RAPIDS — As Miss Minnesota, Emma Vrieze went to Orlando for the week-long Miss America 2026 contest.
Though she did not make it into the “top 11” semifinal round on Sept. 7, she did not return empty handed.
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“Everyone that didn’t make the top 11 was awarded a $3,000 scholarship from a very generous donor,” Vrieze said. “So, I’ll be able to use that for nursing school, which I’m very excited about.”
The 2023 Park Rapids Area High School graduate is enrolled in the nursing program at Minnesota State University Moorhead. She has described Miss America as the leading scholarship organization for women, awarding $5 million in scholarships every year.
Though she wasn’t onstage very long during the televised, final night of the contest, Vrieze did spend time performing throughout the week.
On Sept. 2, the contestants did an opening dance number, introduced themselves by state and name, did a fitness routine together, then walked down the runway and back for the judges.
“The next stage of competition was an onstage question,” Vrieze said. “It was about your community service initiative.” Her initiative was about water safety.
“The last thing we did that night was the evening gown (event),” she added.
Contestants did their talent routines on Sept. 3 and 4.
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“Then we went straight into the Miss competition,” Vrieze said, “and we all did our talents right in a row. That was fun, to have 90 seconds onstage and then you’re done for the night.”
Overall, she said, “we had a lot of rehearsals, just to make sure we knew the dances — which were really hard for me because I’m not a dancer. We had breakfast together every morning. During the day, we sometimes had lunches together.”
Also, one night, they participated in the Go Red gala.
“Miss America is paired with the American Heart Association,” Vrieze said, explaining that the Go Red for Women campaign focuses on women’s heart health. “Everyone wore red. We got to walk the red carpet, and we showed our shoes.”
Vrieze said the Miss America tradition of decorating shoes dates back to the contest’s Atlantic City days.
“You carried your shoe on the stage and showed people,” she said. “I decorated a swimming fin. It was supposed to be representative of you or your state, or something that worked for you. … It was super fun. People loved it.”
The Miss America finals were on Sept. 7. Vrieze was onstage for the crowning of Miss New York, Cassie Donegan.
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“I went into that week with no expectations,” Vrieze said. “I’m glad because I felt like I got so much more out of it without having these preconceptions about what it would be like.
“It was a very unique experience. Nobody could ever explain it to you in enough words, where you’d understand what it’s like. It’s the craziest week you could ever have, but it’s so fun at the same time. And you’re so tired but you’re excited.
“But I know I did my very best, and I’m really excited to be back in Minnesota. In all honesty, I’m very happy to be Miss Minnesota.”
Vrieze said she loves the new Miss America, calling Donegan “really nice. … It’s a really cool story to be a part of, and to be onstage when she was crowned. I was in the front row behind her. And so, to watch it back and to watch my reaction, and watch her reaction, is priceless.
“I think a lot of people think that the joy that they’re watching onstage is fake, but I can attest, it’s very real joy for the winner.”
“Overall, I felt like I put my best foot forward, and I was very consistent through all phases of competition,” Vrieze said. “I think my favorite part was the talent. I really enjoyed my piece” — a vocal performance of “California Dreamin’” by the Mamas & the Papas.
“I think I did really well,” she said. “I represented the way I wanted to. And if you think about it, there’s 52 women. … It’s hard to sneak into that top 11, but I know that I did well, myself. That’s what counts.”
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Something that surprised her is how fast she got to know some of the other state titleholders during the week.
“I hung out a lot with the Midwest girls,” she said. “You could tell, like, we get along really well. We have really similar outlooks on life.”
Her assigned roommate during the week was Miss Michigan Hannah Palmer. She also hung out a lot with Miss South Dakota, Miss Kansas, Miss Missouri and one outlier, Miss Connecticut.
Vrieze noted that she and Miss South Dakota Jamee Katner flew down from Minneapolis together a day early, roomed together that first night and were on the same flight home, “so it was super fun to be with her throughout the entire week.”
She said her hope to come back with lifelong friendships worked out well. “I miss them already.”
After a grueling week, she said, “I was ready to come home and rest, but I wasn’t ready to leave my friends.”
She plans to return to nursing school in January.
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“I have the fall to do as many events as I possibly can,” she said, adding that after the term ends next spring, she’ll have May and June to wrap up her year as Miss Minnesota.
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