MISS NORTH STAR
Bella Burkel
Class of 2026
Class of 2026
Talent: HERStory
Community Service Initiative: Small Town, Strong Hearts: Improving Heart Health Education and Rural Healthcare Access Director: Kara Super-Peterson Email: Kara Super-Peterson Next Competition Date: TBA Open and held with Miss Glacial Waters |
Bella is a passionate healthcare advocate, public health communicator, and lifelong small-town Minnesotan from Greenbush. A two-time college graduate by the age of 19, Bella earned her Associate of Arts in Liberal Arts with Highest Academic Honors from Northland Community and Technical College, and graduated Summa Cum Laude with her Bachelor of Arts in Public Health Communication from the University of North Dakota. She currently pursues her Master of Science in Organizational Leadership with a specialty in Healthcare from Arkansas State University.
Diagnosed with juvenile rheumatoid arthritis at the age of three, Bella’s personal health journey inspired her to dedicate her career to creating more human-centered, equitable healthcare systems. Her community service initiative, Small Town, Strong Hearts, was inspired after her 9-month-old brother experienced an unresponsive episode that led to all five of her siblings being diagnosed with Long QT syndrome, a potentially life-threatening heart rhythm condition. This deeply personal experience ignited her passion for heart health education and rural healthcare improvement—empowering small communities with the tools, training, and access needed to save lives. Bella currently serves as Practice Manager at Red River Dental, Health Literacy Program Administrator at the UND Clinic, and Founder of Riyen Design. She is a professional photographer, certified Pilates instructor, and older sister, and has been recognized for her academic excellence, leadership, and innovation—earning multiple President’s List honors while balancing full-time work, volunteering, and community impact projects. She has coordinated statewide health campaigns, led fundraising initiatives for terminally ill children, and presented her rural health research to professionals and policymakers. Her mission is to use her platform to improve healthcare access, inspire resilience in the face of chronic illness, and prove that no matter where you come from, you can make a lasting impact. |