Rachel Alder, recently crowned Miss North Ogden, is paving the way for eminence and distinction as she welcomes in this new chapter of her life to serve.
Having grown up in Centerville, Utah, Rachel was born in North Ogden and calls it home once again. Throughout her life she has always had a love for sports, particularly water polo and swimming. She also enjoys playing the guitar and singing any chance she gets.
“I love to try things that really push me.”
With that being said, Rachel chose to try out for Miss North Ogden at the encouragement of a co-worker and mentor of hers, Amy Rasmussen.
“I knew this was well out of my comfort zone and I saw it as a great opportunity to learn new things. And I have!”
Initially Rachel’s reaction after she learned she had won Miss North Ogden was shock.
“A lot of shock,” she says. “I anticipated it being over with at the end of the day and just a cool learning experience but to have a whole year of new experiences-- I was incredibly excited at the opportunities available through this program.”
Rachel’s platform is “Choose Your Own Statistic: Taking a Look at the Positive Numbers.” It is heavily involved in her advocacy for foster care and post adoptive services.”
“The conversation I’m hoping to start with my platform is that we have the power to overcome negative statistics and cycles we may face.”
Specifically, Rachel is referring to drug addiction, obesity in the family, lack of education, and poverty.
“I’m on a crusade to show that we can have the power to overcome those things we face.”
Concerned with the negative odds and statistics regarding the youth in the foster care system, Rachel hopes to make improvements within these aspects.
“Why don’t we also share the positive ones? Like the number of former youth in the foster system who are first generation college students or those who broke the cycle of abuse or addiction in their family?”
These are the questions Rachel would like to see addressed more frequently within conversations to show these youth that they aren’t alone.
Towards the end of July, Rachel flew to Ghana, Africa, to spread her message of hope and positive thinking while serving within an orphanage and school. She is partnering with the non-profit foundation, The Ivy Foundation, to bring joy to these children.
During her year as Miss North Ogden, from 2018-2019, Rachel plans to visit as many schools as possible to share her platform, “Choose Your Own Statistic: Taking a Look at the Positive Numbers” and to publicly speak in many venues to create awareness for her platform.
“I plan to do a benefit concert to raise funds for Utah foster care, and to help advocate as much as possible for it.”
Additionally, Rachel hopes to be able to educate others of the falsehoods regarding negative stereotypes with fostering. Knowing there is a great need for foster parents here in Utah is a big reason why she is emphasizing her platform at this time.
“I hope to be as involved in the community as possible and most importantly to represent my City well.”
If you’d like to reach out to Miss North Ogden, Rachel Alder, you may send her an email at rachelalder.15@gmail.com
