How Choosing to Include Builds Confidence & Breaks Barriers

Send us Fan MailIn this inspiring episode of Act to Impact, host Brandi DeVries sits down with Samantha Youngren, special education teacher, advocate, and founding state director of North Dakota Miss Amazing. Samantha shares how her journey in pageantry led her to get engaged in a platform that empowers young women with disabilities to find their voice, build confidence, and step into their greatness.From launching the state chapter in 2019 to watching participants blossom into leaders, Samantha reveals the transformative power of inclusion, mentorship, and community support. Whether it’s through goal-setting, communication skills, or standing on stage with confidence, North Dakota Miss Amazing is proving that every individual deserves to shine.Listeners will be inspired by Samantha’s story of turning passion into action — and her challenge to all of us: choose to include.✨ Key TakeawaysSamantha Youngren is a special education teacher, mom, and the founding director of North Dakota Miss Amazing.Miss Amazing empowers young women with disabilities through pageantry, mentorship, and confidence-building.The program grew from 12 participants to 23 in just a few years and now sends representatives to the national stage.Stories of transformation — like Sam from Jamestown — show how participants gain confidence, leadership skills, and friendships.Inclusion starts small: saying hello, asking questions, and choosing to engage can make a big difference.Samantha’s vision is to expand Miss Amazing across all corners of North Dakota and strengthen the disability advocacy community statewide.📢 Call to Action. Follow North Dakota Miss Amazing on Instagram at @ndmissamazing and on Facebook to see their upcoming events and inspiring participants. Visit missamazing.org to learn more, register, or support a chapter in your state. And most importantly, take action today — choose to include, ask questions, and be a voice for creating a more inclusive world.💛 Are you inspired to take action? Take action and make an impact on a child affected by childhood cancer. Support the much-needed funding for childhood cancer by making a donation NOW to CCRF!Subscribe and Follow: Don’t miss an episode! New episodes drop every other Wednesday.Hosted by Brandi DeVries: Advocate, fundraiser, and Mrs. Minnesota International 2025.Thank you to guest Samantha Youngren.STAY CONNECTED.IG: instagram.com/brandi.devriesWant to watch this episode on YouTube? Watch now.SPOTIFYITUNES