Bethany Alves: Ms. Alves grew up spending summers in North Dakota with her cousins. Her favorite event was the Hatton Demolition Derby. She is attending George Mason University and hopes to one day be an art therapist. She is active in her community through volunteering at local food pantries as well as being a coach for the Sterling Youth Soccer Associations High School girls team.
2018
Harshita Gaba: Ms. Gaba grew up in Fargo, North Dakota. She is a 2018 graduate from Georgetown University. At Georgetown, she was the President of Don Bosco Cristo Rey Tutoring. As President, she organized biweekly trips for Georgetown students to help tutor the high school students.
2017
Olivia Cox: Ms. Cox is a graduate of West Fargo High School and a 2015 graduate from Concordia College (Moorhead, MN) with a degree in Political Science. It was during her semester in DC with the American University’s Washington Internship Program that she “fell in love with the culture of DC and decided to pursue a career in politics upon graduation.” She returned to DC and works in Senator Heidi Heitkamp’s office, first as a staff assistant and now as deputy scheduler. She is honored and excited to represent North Dakota at this year’s events.
2016
Rachael Gabrelcik: Ms. Gabrelcik is studying Psychology/Occupational Therapy at the University of North Dakota. When she isn’t studying, she volunteers at Circle of Friends, the local humane society in Grand Forks. She enjoys rugby, reading, and playing the oboe. Ms. Gabrelcik is a 2013 graduate from Fridley Senior High School in Fridley, Minnesota. She is honored to be representing her new home, the state of North Dakota, as a Cherry Blossom Princess.
2014
Karly Moen: Karly Moen is a 2013 graduate from the University of North Dakota with a degree in Political Science. Karly was a member of Alpha Phi and served as Director of Scholarship and Vice President of Program Development. At UND, Karly volunteered for local community events and worked with her sorority to raise awareness for cardiac care. She also interned for former Senator Kent Conrad. Karly embodies small town, North Dakota values. She grew up in a small town in Minnesota, just a few miles form the ND border, with her parents and brothers. They spent every holiday and many weekends on her grandparent's farm outside of Milton, ND. She and her extended family would gather at Icelandic State Park to enjoy North Dakota's great outdoors. We are excited that she will represent North Dakota during the Cherry Blossom Festival this year.
2013
Bethany Martindale: Bethany Martindale is a 2008 graduate of Fargo North High School and recently received her degree in Political Science from the University of North Dakota. When she wasn't studying, she was busy keeping active in Kappa Alpha Theta sorority, playing cello in the university's chamber orchestra, and working in the Student Involvement Office. Upon graduating in May of 2012, Bethany moved to Washington, D.C. to work for Senator Kent Conrad. Following Senator Conrad's retirement, Bethany was hired and now works for the newly elected Senator Heidi Heitkamp. Back in 2010, one of her best friends, Kathryn Berg, was the Cherry Blossom Princess for North Dakota and Bethany is excited to be able to share this once in a lifetime experience with her.