And the winner is…
Caroline Moore of Brooklyn is crowned the 64th Miss Norway of Greater New York
Photo: Edward Johannesen
Elise Fauske (left) was named Miss Heritage and Caroline Moore (right) Miss Norway in the 64th annual Miss Norway of Greater New York competition.
Lars Nilsen
Norwegian Immigration Association
On April 14, a traditional contest was held at the Norwegian Christian Home and Health Center in Brooklyn, N.Y. The contest, sponsored by the Norwegian Immigration Association, Inc. (niahistory.org), seeks to select a young woman who best represents the values and culture of her Norwegian heritage to name Miss Norway of Greater New York.
The seven wonderful candidates ranged in age from 17 to 24 and showed a wide diversity in interests and accomplishments. They were escorted into the competition by a member of the NYPD Viking Association. Each hoped to walk away with the main prize of round-trip airfare to Norway.
Liv Gerda Halvorsen, last year’s winner, presented an enthusiastic account of her trip to Norway, while Kerstin Johnson, Miss Norway 2017, was one of the five judges.
In the end, the 2019 title went to Caroline Moore, a 24-year-old from Brooklyn. She graduated with honors from George Washington University with a degree in psychology and political science. She is a student with the Harvard University extension school, pursuing a master’s degree in government.
Elise Fauske, 18, won the title of Miss Heritage. She is from Ambler, Penn., and intends to pursue a biomedical engineering degree at the Stevens Institute of Technology this fall. She cherishes the values of humility, resourcefulness, and pride inherited from her ancestors and wants to use her degree to make an impact on others’ lives.
Youngsters between 5 and 11 also participate in the competition and are given titles of Little Miss Norway and Cadets.
This event draws contestants and audience from families who have moved from the immediate New York City area but still keep in touch with the churches and organizations. It reflects fierce pride in Norwegian heritage but also the diversity of marriages outside of the Scandinavian sphere.
Miss Norway and Miss Heritage will be among the highlights of the upcoming Syttende Mai parade in Brooklyn on May 19.
This article originally appeared in the May 3, 2019, issue of The Norwegian American. To subscribe, visit SUBSCRIBE or call us at (206) 784-4617.
