Miss North Dakota 2014, Filipina-American Audra Mari finished as first runner-up behind Miss Nevada Nia Sanchez.
Mari’s grandfather is originally from Pangasinan and came to the United States to become a doctor.
She’s a Dean’s List student at North Dakota State University in Fargo where she studies public relations.
She also holds the Miss Teen USA first runner-up title.
Filipino blood was also represented by Miss New York Candace Kendall and Miss Kansas Audrey Banach.
Both Kendall and Banach failed to make the top 20.
source: www.abs-cbnnews.com