About Miss St. Croix Valley

Mental Health Matters

In 2015, Whitney nearly lost her friend to suicide; a moment that shifted her entire worldview. That led her to create Tailoring Your Toolbox. An initiative focused on mental health awareness and advocacy through the 3 C's: Community, Conversation, and Connection. Through those pillars, she has been advocating for better mental health support in Minnesota as well as helping individuals across the state ‘tailor their own toolbox’; encouraging self-exploration and pinpointing available resources.

This initiative has given her the opportunity to connect on a personal level with her community of Moorhead and Minnesota as a whole. From partnering with NAMI Minnesota and NAMI Moorhead, presenting to over 300+ students in middle and high schools, to story times with the Lake Agassiz Regional Library and fundraisers with Act Up Theatre, Whitey has witnessed firsthand how something as simple as a kind word or simply stating that you care can change someone’s outlook on life.

Since that life-changing day, she has been doing her part to bring awareness to and fight the stigma that surrounds mental health.She hopes that she can continue to inspire others to enact change and make a lasting legacy one step at a time.

Who is Whitney?

A performer, advocate, and lifelong learner, Whitney is someone who appreciates the power of storytelling. She has always understood the need for connection between people - family, friends, neighbors - those we hold most dear.

Beyond the crown, you can usually find Whitney curled up with a good book, dominating at kickball, tending to her virtual farm on Stardew Valley, or, on many occasions, performing on stage in her next theatrical production. She has been in numerous roles with multiple companies and has worked on 4 independent films. She appreciates roles that speak to complex issues and relationships, and the relaxed environment that a theatre can bring.

Outside of the stage, she also continues to chase her educational dreams. Alongside her Bachelor of Fine Arts degree in Musical Theatre, she is currently completing the American Sign Language & Deaf Studies program and earning a Certificate in Writing.

Her time with the Miss Minnesota Organization, developing Tailoring Your Toolbox, and getting to learn and grow alongside her community has shown her that change is possible when we stand together for a common purpose. By fostering these difficult conversations, connecting with ourselves and others, and supporting community resources, we can shift the narrative and create a positive environment.

Whitney is excited to take on this new adventure is Miss St Croix Valley, and she cannot wait to share the journey with you!

Interested in Booking Miss St. Croix Valley?

Would you like Miss St. Croix Valley for an appearance? Please Email: Sammi@MissRiverValley.org