Flag Family News Reporter Chris Larson’s interview with Miss North Dakota USA Sophia Richards
FARGO, N.D. – A small town North Dakota native is the new Miss North Dakota USA.
Sophia Richards hails from the small town of Hope, which is northwest of Fargo in rural Steele County. Over the weekend, she was crowned Miss North Dakota USA 2026 at a combined pageant in Des Moines, Iowa. The pageants that were held included the states of North Dakota, South Dakota, Minnesota, Iowa and Wisconsin.
“As Miss North Dakota USA 2026, I will spend my year traveling the state,” she said. This year is the golden anniversary of the Miss USA organization.
Richards’ platform surrounds mentorship. She’s a mentor, volunteer and advocate for the organization BIO Girls, a nonprofit that was founded in 2013 in Fargo. The organization ‘improves the mental health of adolescent girls through empowerment of self and connection with others,’ according to its website.
Richards has been involved in the organization for the past four years.
“As a mentor, I’m able to have one-on-one conversations with the girls that I wish I would have had when I was younger,” she said.
Hailing from a town of 250 people, she doesn’t take the job of Miss North Dakota USA lightly – and wants to give some simple advice to young women – especially from small towns.
“You can achieve anything that you set your mind to,” Richards said. “You don’t have to be limited by where you come from, you can go out and create opportunities, and make a name for yourself, and achieve your dreams.”
The 2026 Miss USA and Miss Teen USA national competitions will be held in Miami, Fla., from August 20th through 28th.
