Marilyn McGinley, who serves as president of the Miss North Dakota Pageant, informs us that former Miss North Dakota Roxana Saberi has received a major honor.
Marilyn recently received word that the United States Jaycees announced that Roxana Saberi has been chosen as one of the 2011 Ten Outstanding Young Americans.
Also among the top 10 is the likes of Drew Brees, quarterback of the New Orleans Saints football team.
The Ten Outstanding Young Men program was officially adopted in 1938 and has been conducted annually since 1940.
In 1984 the U.S. Junior Chamber admitted women as members and, in accordance with this change, reorganized this major awards program to reflect the organization’s membership.
MISS NORTH DAKOTA
Roxana was Miss North Dakota back in 1997 and finished among the Top Ten at the Miss America pageant.
Roxana is a 1997 graduate of Concordia College in Moorhead, Minn., while also earning a master’s degree from Northwestern University in Chicago and a master’s degree in international relations from the University of Cambridge in the United Kingdom.
FOLLOWS HER DREAM
It was back in 2003 when Roxana's dream of visiting her father’s homeland came true when Feature Story News offered her a job in Iran.
She lived there doing stories for Feature Story News, while also freelancing for BBC, NPR and ABC Radio.
During her time there she was also writing a book on Iranian society.
TIME IN PRISON
Back in 2009 Roxana was held prisoner in Iran for 100 days, with friends and national officials across the country calling for her release.
Following her release, Roxana penned a book about her experiences, “Between Two Worlds: My Life and Captivity in Iran.”
Since then, she has been speaking out and writing about human rights in Iran.
Her travels brought her back to Williston to deliver the 2010 commencement address of Williston State College, along with a book signing here.
BASIS FOR AWARD
Winners of the Jaycees Ten Outstanding Young Americans are selected based on their achievement or contributions in at least three of the following areas: personal improvement or accomplishment; financial success or economic innovation; social improvement to major contemporary problems; philanthropic contribution or voluntary service; politics or government service; scientific or technological contributions; cultural achievement, academic leadership or accomplishment; moral and religious leadership; athletic accomplishment; success in the influence of public opinion, along with any other contribution to the community, state or nation.
Copies of entries are sent to screening judges who independently select and rank the semi-finalists.
Those are then sent to finalist judges who independently narrow the selection to the 10 men and women selected as the Ten Outstanding Young American honorees.
OUTSTANDING NAMES
Roxana finds herself among some pretty good company.
Of the more than 600 young Americans honored, many were recognized before the achievements for which they are now known.
Among those are the names of former presidents John F. Kennedy, Gerald Ford and Bill Clinton along with Ann Bancroft, Gale Sayers, Elvis Presley and Kaye Lani Rae Rafco.
WILL VISIT HERE
We learned from Marilyn that Roxana will pay a visit to Williston during the upcoming Miss North Dakota Pageant set for June 9-11 at the Williston High School Auditorium.
While here Roxana will take part in the state pageant on June 9-10 and will be playing the piano.
From here she will go on to Chicago, where the Top Ten honorees will be presented at the national Junior Chamber of Commerce meeting on June 11.
Our community is very fortunate to have this outstanding young lady remain loyal to individuals who were in her corner early on.
We send out a Scope Salute to Roxana on being among this outstanding group.
TRINITY GROUNDBREAKING
It's been a long time since the original announcement that Trinity Community Clinic-Western Dakota and the Trinity Regional Eyecare-Williston Basin were going to join forces in a new building to be located west of the city.
Well folks, time has come to get things rolling on the new facility that we told you about more than six years ago.
A groundbreaking ceremony has been set for 11 a.m. on May 24 at the job site which is located between the Landmark Building and Herman Oil, just off the west by-pass.
With everything already going on, this project only adds to the workforce.
BAND DAY SUCCESS
Mother Nature proved to be nice, at least for most of the day, with the Williston Basin Racing Association coming out on the short end on Saturday.
The sun held on throughout the early afternoon, only to have the skies turn cloudy and rain force postponement of opening night at the race track.
But it still can be said the 79th annual Band Day proved to be a huge success.
According to many this was one of the largest in recent years and the streets were lined with spectators.
In addition, activities in Harmon Park at the Virgil Syverson Performance Center attracted a huge crowd as they listened to band performances along with checking out numerous vendors.
Over at the Raymond Family Community Center, the Basin Kruzers car show and the Pride of Dakota event attracted very nice crowds.
The Williston High School hosted a rodeo, drawing huge numbers from across the state at the MT Saddle Club Arena.
To cap off the evening a performance of Dakota Air: The Radio Show, headed up by Merrill Piepkorn, proved to be a great way to finish the day.
After going through a major storm the weekend before, folks were ready to get out and have some fun in the sun.
VIDDA LODGE 4-663
With the month of May upon us that can only mean Syttende Mai celebrations popping up.
The first we want to tell you about is Vidda Lodge 4-663 Sons of Norway in Crosby will sponsor a Syttende Mai celebration on Sunday.
This event will begin at 2 p.m. near the theatre, with a parade of flags on main street in Crosby.
At 2:30 p.m. at the Dakota Theatre the movie "Ole Bull - His Quest for the Heavens," will be shown.
Admission is free and everyone is welcome to take part.
Hey, refreshments will be served at the end of the movie.
It should also be noted that Vidda Lodge will also celebrate Syttende Mai with residents at the Northern Lights Villa assisted living center in Crosby at 2 p.m. on the traditional day May 17.
INDOOR PARKS
While Williston and folks in the western part of our state were withstanding the storm the first weekend in May, talk on the radio shows in Fargo included completion of an indoor park.
Now that even makes sense.
Pointing out the short seasons we have had of late, an indoor park, much like a swimming pool tends to make sense.
By offering concessions and charging a nominal entry fee, such a facility just might work.
Now to take it a step further, wouldn't it be nice to have a dome over Aafedt Stadium?
CURB RUMMAGE SALE
Those folks on the eastern edge also know how to hold a community rummage sale.
Simply put your unwanted items on the curb and let folks in the market for some goods to drop by and help themselves.
Whatever remains is then hauled away by city crews.
Works for me.
MERCY SALE NEXT
Speaking of rummage, the annual Mercy Community Sale is set for Saturday at the Raymond Family Community Center.
This event has raised a lot of funds for community projects over the years, while the splash pad proposed by the Community Builders stands to pick up the cash this time out.
Drop by the center early on Saturday to check out the bargains.
TARGET FIELD EXPRESS
Just a note that a limited amount of seats still remain on the Target Field Express.
The chartered bus, in conjunction with the Williston State College Foundation, will venture to Target Field in Minneapolis on May 28 for a Twins baseball game against the Los Angeles Angels.
Give me a jingle at 571-0748 for complete details on this diamond trip.
Go Twins.
Kvamme can be reached at scopend@yahoo.com.