Staff Reporter

It was an emotional night for many young women in the Williston High School auditorium Saturday night at the final Miss North Dakota Scholarship Pageant, but for one young woman in particular, the outcome of this evening shaped what the next year will be like for her.

That young woman was 21-year-old Tessie Jones, who was crowned as Miss North Dakota 2009 by Ashley Young, Miss North Dakota 2008. Jones entered the contest as Miss Dickinson.

The theme for the event was "It's Your Life," a fitting motto for the 20 talented and independent young women that competed for the title and crown.

First runner-up in the final competition was Jessica Harper of Minot, second runner-up was Katie Ralston of Carrington, third runner-up was Kilee Dobogai of East Grand Forks, and fourth runner-up was Fargo native Vanessa Johnson. Finalist that made it to the top ten also included Arianne Martinovich of Anamoose, Nicole Haverland of Perham Minn., Stephanie Richter of Williston, Danielle Refsland of Perham, Minn., and Serena Christianson of Williston.

Jones, 21, is from West Fargo and is a senior at Minnesota State University-Moorhead, majoring in Art and Design and Mass Communications. She graduated from West Fargo High School with Honors, and her current platform is improving mental health and preventing suicide. She eventually plans to obtain a Bachelor of Arts degree and run her own photography business.

She currently works as a freelance photographer and graphic designer as well as customer service representative at Valley Printing, Inc.

For her talent, she performed a classical piano solo composed by Claude Debussy, titled Doctor Graddus ad Parnassum.

In part of her on-stage interview, Jones fielded a question from Judge Randy Pruett about how the five judges would know down the line that she was the right choice.

"With my platform, everything is about awareness," she said. "The more people that I can talk to, the more people who I can spread that message to, the more lives we can save. I can make a difference this year by spreading that message because every person who hears that and looks for the warning signs of suicide can go to those people around them and save lives, and that's the difference I can make in the next year."

Judges for the competition were Denise Schara from Minn., Crystal Askvig from N.D., Daniel Ellis from Ky., Chris Bornes of Mont., and Randy Pruett from TX.

The night also produced a variety of scholarships and special awards.

Stephanie Sandvick was named Miss Congeniality, which came with $150.

Non-finalist High Score Talent went to Nikki Eman and Stephanie Sandvick. Eman won for her performance of a lyrical dance to Cord of Scarlet and Sandvick won for her saxophone performance of Yardbird Suite, to which she added improvisations.

Non-finalist Interview went to Jalyssa Skalsky and Justine Kirkeide, who were each given $100.

Non-finalist High Score Eveningwear from Saturday's final competition went to Jessica Johnson for $100.

Tillarie Jones was given the People's Choice Award, which came with a $50 scholarship.

Kilee Dobogai was awarded the Children's Miracle Network Award for the most money raised, and the honor of Miss Photogenic went to Nikki Eman.

The Karen Victoria Kopseng Medical Scholarship, for $250, was awarded to Stephanie Sandvick. The Jean Stuteville Memorial Production Scholarship for $200 was awarded to Vanessa Johnson.

The Jane Grey Stewart Memorial Production Scholarship, along with $100, was awarded to Justine Kirkeide.