She is preparing to make a run at the coveted title of Miss North Dakota USA. Erica Dalen, 19, Minot, was selected to compete in the state pageant Nov. 3-4 in Fargo.

“It was a week after her graduation from Minot High School that she found out,” said Richard Alexander, stepfather.

Dalen said she saw a pamphlet about the contest that piqued her interest. She decided to submit an application requesting a photograph and personal information. The application was reviewed and approved by a selection committee. Upon hearing the news she was selected Dalen said her first reaction was that she “wasn’t certain I was going to do it.” However, she quickly embraced the opportunity.

“I am excited to just get the exposure of going through with it, to maybe get a scholarship,” said Dalen. “I’ve always been kind of interested in modeling and such. I was in kids’ pageants when I was younger.”

Dalen’s mother, Corrine, says her daughter participated in dance classes from age 3 up until high school. She calls her a “beautiful dancer” and is hopeful her daughter will have a positive experience at the pageant.

“Some of the judges are from modeling agencies and that’s something she’s always been interested in,” said Corrine.

The Miss North Dakota USA pageant is held in conjunction with the Miss North Dakota Teen USA pageant. The number of contestants in the Miss North Dakota USA pageant, or who they are, has not yet been released but 20 to 50 entrants are expected. Competition will be scored in three categories – personal interview, swimwear and evening gown. Performing a talent is not required.

Dalen said one of the biggest things on her mind as she prepares for the pageant is how she’ll do answering questions posed by the judges.

“I’m not used to public speaking but I think I can handle it,” said Dalen.

“They are mostly looking for the natural you,” added Corrine. “They are not worried how you answer everything. They just want it to come from your heart.”

When asked about what segment of the competition she feels most confident in, Dalen replied, “I think I’ll do very well in the swimsuit category because I feel that I’m very fit. I’m excited for that one.”

Dalen has acquired some local business sponsorships to help with the expenses associated with the pageant. Family and friends have been helpful too in backing her quest for the title of Miss North Dakota USA. Any person or business interested in assisting her effort is asked to contact Gate City Bank in Minot.

The winner of the Miss North Dakota USA pageant will receive an extensive list of prizes, including college scholarships. They will also advance to the national Miss USA contest next spring to compete against title holders from other states in front of a national television audience.

The state pageant will be held at the Reineke Fine Arts Center, a 1,000-seat hall on the campus of North Dakota State University. Preliminaries will be held Saturday, Nov. 3 with the pageant finals starting at 4 p.m. the following day.

(Prairie Profile is a weekly feature profiling interesting people in our region. We welcome suggestions from our readers. Call Editor Mike Sasser at 857-1959 or Regional Editor Eloise Ogden at 857-1944. Either can be reached at 1-800-735-3229. You also can send email suggestions to msasser@minotdailynews.com.)