Call them striking vikings!
Eight Scandinavian beauties competed for the crown in the 62nd-annual Miss Norway of Greater New York Contest at the Norwegian Christian Home in Dyker Heights on April 8. But the pageant is less about beauty, and more about celebrating the Norwegian heritage of community-minded contestants, said the new Miss Norway.
“It’s definitely more than a beauty pageant,” said New Jersey resident Kristen Johnson, a 21-year-old Rutgers University student. “It’s about celebrating our Norwegian heritage and the contributions we make to our community. I’m happy that I can represent that.”
A panel of five judges listened to a three-minute speech from each contestant about her interests and her Norwegian identity. Johnson, who is a senior at Rutgers, already has a job lined up at the New Jersey Department of Agriculture and discussed how she aims to help the state’s planters sustain their crops, and the next generation of farmers.
“Right now I’m trying to help increase young farmers in the state and help farmers’ crops become viable,” she said.
Miss Norway will return to South Brooklyn for her duties during the Norwegian parade in May.
“I’m excited to represent my culture,” said Johnson.
