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June 16, 2023
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Mrs. Minnesota America 2023- Brandi DeVries

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Brandi DeVries, formerly Mrs. Edina,  was crowned Mrs. Minnesota America 2023 on Sunday, June 11, 2023 at the Eagan Community Center in Eagan, MN. Brandi will promote Children’s Cancer Research Fund during her year of service and looks forward to representing Minnesota and this organization established for married women. She is a founding board member for Soar Leadership Council of Children’s Cancer Research Fund, a group that raises awareness and critical funding for childhood cancer research as well as patient and family programs. The group has raised  $70,000 for Emerging Scientist grants and $25,000 to support Camp Norden. Brandi personally raised over $1,500 as a cyclist in the 2022 Great Cycle Challenge.

“To be able to represent Minnesota is an incredible honor. It’s my goal to raise awareness of

children’s cancer and encourage others to take action to support critical funding for childhood

cancer research as well as patient and family programs as Mrs. Minnesota America.” – Brandi DeVries, Mrs. Minnesota America 2023

Originally from Mohall, ND, Brandi graduated from the University of Mary, Bismarck, ND, with degrees in Business Communication and Business Administration. No stranger to pageantry, she has held the titles of Miss Norsk Hostfest 2004, Miss North Dakota International 2007, and Miss North Dakota USA where she competed for the title of Miss USA in 2011. She came to Minnesota to pursue a career in 2012 where she worked for companies JLL, Inc. and Land O’Lakes, Inc. She currently works at DeVries Bar Grinding, Inc. in Minneapolis as the VP of Operations and holds her certification as a Project Management Professional (PMP – PMI).

Brandi resides in Edina with her husband, Cole, their son, Bane, and a crazy cocker spaniel, Butters. Cole proposed to Brandi on an African safari in Kenya and they were married a few short months later in April 2016. As a family they enjoy traveling, working out, hosting in their backyard, golfing, and volunteering together. In her freetime you can find Brandi learning to play tennis, listening to podcasts, or planning the next get together with friends.

To book an appearance with Brandi, email mrsmnamerica2023@gmail.com.

July 18, 2022
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Mrs. Georgia American 2022- Jennifer Pettie

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Jennifer Pettie- Legal epidemiologist, public health strategist, and health equity champion, Mrs. Georgia American 2022
Jennifer Pettie works to improve population health outcomes. Her experience spans the federal, state, and
private sectors, and lies at the intersection of healthcare strategy, policy, and law.

Jennifer’s work and personal life unexpectedly collided when she almost lost her life after giving birth to
her daughter last year. Determined to turn this experience into an opportunity to improve maternal health
outcomes, she created the Maternal Health Conversations Web Series – a national campaign that has
helped raise awareness, highlight resources, and inform next steps. Her biggest reward has been hearing
from moms, partners, support people, nurses, OBGYNs, and doulas and learning how they have found
this content helpful.

In alignment with the Victoria’s Voice Foundation, Jennifer has informed her Maternal Health
Conversations Web Series with opioid addiction awareness, resources, and action items. Recognizing that
opioid overdose is one of the leading causes of maternal deaths, she is working to facilitate strategic
initiatives to combat this crisis.

A proud alumna of Brooklyn Law School, Emory University’s Rollins School of Public Health, and
Villanova University, Jennifer has worked to become recognized as a leader in her field. She was recently
recognized with the March of Dimes Woman of Distinction Award for Healthcare Leadership, NMQF
Health Leader Award at the Annual Congressional Black Caucus Health Braintrust, and Atlanta Young
Government Leaders Award. She has been featured in academic journals, broadcast radio, and conference
panel discussions on critical healthcare matters.

For Jennifer, self-care is spending quality time with her wonderful husband Jason, Bankruptcy Trustee
and Attorney, and their amazing daughter, Jayla Ann Rose. They can be found traveling, cheering on the
Atlanta Braves at Truist Park, taking walks in their Kirkwood neighborhood, and working on their tennis
game.

July 18, 2022
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Mrs. Georgia America 2022- Meredith Pope

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Meredith Pope-  BACKGROUND: I found my voice through writing. Writing children’s books, gives me
a special opportunity to use my talents outside the classroom. My blog (www.meredithpope.net)
and I am NOT Trash podcast have proven to be very rewarding in many ways. Nothing makes me
happier than reading all the emails from women across the country thanking me for the real life
inspiration I provide. When I am not writing about eco-friendly superheroes or parenting tips, I enjoy
playing tennis (2x City Champ) making commercials for Hotworx, Pella Earth Products and binging
Netflix!

June 20, 2022
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Mrs. Minnesota America 2022- Rachel Betterley

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Rachel Betterley was born March 2, 1991, in the river town city of Hastings, Minnesota.  At a young age, Rachel was gifted in the arts. “I was always holding a pencil.” She recalls. “I was the daydreaming, artsy kid constantly drawing new worlds, people, and realities.”

Likewise, Rachel has always been a people person, which is why she decided to become an art teacher. At nineteen, she pursued a bachelor’s degree in art education at the University of Minnesota Duluth and later received a master’s of art education at Boston University, graduating magna cum laude. In addition to urban and rural teaching experiences, She served internationally at Danila Kumar School in Ljubljana, Slovenia. Currently, she is serving her 9th year teaching high school art in St. Louis County.
 
Shortly after graduating, Rachel discovered the Miss America Organization and her life changed when she was crowned the 80th anniversary Miss Minnesota on June 13th, 2015. During this time, she served as the state ambassador for Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals and underwent a one-year anti-bullying awareness campaign that reached over 10,000 youth across the state of Minnesota.

Nationally, Rachel has appeared on Good Morning America and the Miss America Pageant live on ABC. Statewide, she has appeared on Fox 9, WDIO, Channel 12 News, Twin Cities News Talk, AM1280 The Patriot, AM 1460 KDWA, KBFT Bois Forte Tribal Community Radio, Hastings Community TV, and was a brand ambassador for Zandolee Media. Her role as Miss Minnesota inspired many aspects of her teaching philosophies and passion for making the world a kinder place through art. Through her #ArtwithHeart Empty Bowl Fundraiser, thousands of dollars are raised annually for rural food banks.

As a 10 year teaching veteran and artist, her goal in the public eye is to inspire people to live their life as authentically as possible, no matter how weird, outrageous, or creative that may be. She affirms, “the confidence to express yourself at any age is invaluable to your happiness and goal-setting. When you embrace the inner-self that is truly fueling your passions, you can set yourself up for success and help others along the way.”

Knowing the importance of art advocacy and staying true to those words, she decided to pursue pageantry in the MRS. division under the Mrs. America Organization. On June 12th, Rachel won the title of Mrs. Minnesota America 2022! She is honored to represent this great state and organization for established married women.

You can follow her on Facebook, Instagram (@rachelbetterley) and Twitter (@rmbetterley), where she enjoys posting about art, fashion, marriage, her two sons, Ryland and Nash, teaching, volunteering, snowmobiling, and various appearances. For more information visit: www.rachelbetterley.weebly.com