Anita Green
MISSOULAAnita is a University of Montana alumna who received her Bachelor of Arts degree in Sociology with an emphasis in Inequality and Social Justice and a minor in Communications. Anita made state history as the first openly transgender person in Montana to be elected as a national delegate to a nominating convention. Anita works with adults with disabilities and as a part-time Twitch affiliate. Anita is competing in hopes of inspiring other transgender women to achieve their aspirations.
Annie Berget
LINCOLN COUNTYAnnie is a born and raised small town Montana girl. She is a Political Science major at the University of Montana, a passion prompted by an Internship at Guantanamo Bay Cuba. Annie is currently paying for college by fighting Wild Land fire over the summers. Annie enjoys scuba diving, rock climbing, hiking, and volunteering in her spare time. She hopes that someday she will be a part of a World untouched by the violence of war.
Ashley Kittson
HELENAAshley is a junior at Carroll College pursuing a nursing degree. When finished, she hopes to use her degree to give back to her community and reservations throughout the state by spreading awareness and educating others on mental illness. Ashley is a member of the Blackfeet Tribe in Browning, Montana. In her spare time she enjoys traveling and exploring parts of Montana. She plans to use this opportunity to act as a public role model to others and is honored to represent Montana.
Baleigh Doyle
DILLONBaleigh recently graduated from the University of Montana Western with a mathematics degree and enjoys snowboarding. The past two summers she worked as a systems engineering intern at NASA Goddard Space Flight Center in Greenbelt, Maryland creating software and analyzing data. She would like to thank Pioneer Federal, Today’s Images, and Bliss Boutique for sponsoring her as well as her friends, family and coworkers for all their support for this competition.
Bianca Rose Hunter
WEST BOZEMANBianca Hunter is a 24-year-old mental health advocate, beauty industry consultant, blogger, social media influencer, and YouTuber based out of beautiful Bozeman, Montana. Bianca writes and speaks passionately about mental illness with the aim of promoting exposure, discussion, and transparency about something so prevalent in today’s society. In writing about mental illness, she hopes that her personal experiences will inspire others to speak openly about this topic, encouraging healing, education, compassion and introspection.
Claire Shinn
MSU BOZEMANClaire, 20, enjoys traveling, skiing, trap shooting and raising cattle. She mentors young adults to become leaders in their community through 4-H, is a Junior in college, a brand ambassador, business owner and self-taught makeup artist. Claire has never been one to shy away from an adventure and is always willing to learn. She hopes her participation in this pageant gives her more opportunities to serve and represent her state as a true Montana woman.
Dakota Fountain
KALISPELLDakotah Fountain is a goal setter and dream chaser. She looks up to her mother, Judy and her sister, Montana, as they inspire her greatly each and every day of her life. She is the type of person that does not give up when she is told “no” and never quits when she gets knocked down. She dreams to own and run a daycare/preschool with her sister to help shape the young minds of our future.
Elle Cook
YELLOWSTONE COUNTYElle is pursuing a degree in Nutritional Science in preparation for medical school. After medical school, Elle plans to pursue a career as a Dermatologist. Elle is passionate about helping others and started a non-profit, The Spreading Faith Foundation, to assist families with children who have chronic medical conditions. Elle is extending the Foundation to assist children that are victims of human trafficking. Through her faith, Elle aspires to impact as many lives as possible.
Emily Madieros
GARDEN CITYEmily is the only event planner and photographer combo in Montana. Recently published in Rocky Mountain bride, Emily lives by the phrase, “choose kindness.” A devoted mentor to “Little Sis” Halo, for Big Brothers Big Sisters and Center for Mental health volunteer, Emily‘s hope of becoming Miss Montana USA is to represent the USA at Miss Universe, to address a global audience about mental health, with an emphasis on teen suicide prevention.
Grace Zitzer
ZOOTOWN USAGrace graduated with her Masters of Social Work in 2017. She pursues social work to fulfill her passion for empowering others. Through her work at Child Protective Services, Grace has learned that when we extend patience and kindness, we are able to create the best change. When not working, Grace can be found trail running, eating tacos, or volunteering with Camp Make-A-Dream, Big Brothers Big Sisters, and the Missoula County Human Trafficking Task Force.
Jami Forseth
HUNTLEY USAJami is pursuing a career training service dogs to assist children with autism and physical disabilities. Being involved in 4-H and doing volunteer work for children led her to her life passion. Spending six years training for her black-belt inspired her to teach women self-defense and self-confidence through her platform, “Know your worth.” Jami hopes to dedicate her life to helping those in need through her work and continuing to volunteer as much as possible.
Jess Priske
MISSOULA COUNTYJess is a real estate agent at Windermere Real Estate and will attend the University of Montana in the spring for Construction Site Management. As someone who is very interested in entrepreneurship, Jess looks forward to starting her own construction company that will focus on expanding the affordable housing market. In her free time, you will find Jess playing her bagpipes, hiking, or spending time with her “little” through Big Brothers Big Sisters of Missoula.
Kaylee Jellison
LAURELKaylee is a hardworking, passionate, and driven young woman. Between balancing three jobs, she is also a member of a traveling clogging competition team, which she also helps co-teach. She loves spending time with her family, and her non-related family at one of her jobs, a nursing home. She hopes that she can spread awareness on the effects of Alzheimer’s, as well on the importance of spending time with your loved ones.
Natalie Razey
DOWNTOWN MISSOULANatalie is a third-year student at the University of Montana. Double majoring in Political Science and Criminal Justice, she plans to practice law on an international level. She is a peer advocate and educator for the Student Advocacy Resource Center on campus. An advocate for SARC, YWCA, and the Crime Victim Advocate Program, Natalie looks forward to using this platform to raise awareness for those programs and bring attention to the issues they focus on.
Rio Overcast
BLAINE COUNTY USARio Overcast is Miss Blaine County USA 2018. She grew up on the hi-line in the small town of Chinook. She loves the community and all of the people in it. Rio is pursuing an Exercise Science degree at MSU, in order to fulfill her passion to become an occupational therapist. She enjoys spending most of her time wake surfing, spending time with family and friends, and taking the time to travel when possible.