The words captivating, charismatic, and determined only begin to describe Nitaya Panemalaythong. Her path to the Miss Minnesota USA crown is simply amazing! She won her title in her first pageant competition, and is the first Asian American to hold the Miss Minnesota USA title.

Born in a refugee camp in Thailand, Nitaya came to America as in infant in 1986. The family moved from Minneapolis, to other locations in Minnesota, then North Carolina, before Nitaya returned to Minnesota in 2004.

Nitaya’s drive to succeed flourished in high school, where she became a National Beta Club member (recognizing academic achievement, leadership, character, and service), was selected to the Honors A Capella Ensemble as a freshman, and graduated as a North Carolina Scholar.

Currently, Nitaya works full time in an office setting while attending Normandale Community College. Her goal is to attend the University of Minnesota’s Carlson School of Management to obtain a degree in Finance.

Nitaya is from Laos, and is bilingual. Her proudest accomplishment is becoming a homeowner in 2010. She and her brother in law support 10 family members, living in that home.

The Miss Minnesota USA title will allow Nitaya the opportunity to share her story, as well as encouraging others with the message that anything is possible with determination, drive, and the will to thrive. Certainly Nitaya will impact many others lives during her year as Miss Minnesota USA.

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