Meet Natalia Yurecko
Miss Minnesota's Teen 2026
Newly crowned titleholders win educational scholarships, once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to compete at Miss America and Miss America’s Teen
PRESS RELEASE
(Welch, Minn.) June 20, 2026 - A milestone 90th Miss Minnesota competition culminated Friday evening at Treasure Island Resort & Casino with the crowning of Miss Minnesota 2026 and Miss Minnesota’s Teen 2026. Following three days of competition, Anna Brennan, Miss Twin Cities, was crowned Miss Minnesota 2026, and Natalia Yurecko, Miss River Valley’s Teen, was crowned Miss Minnesota’s Teen 2026.
Anna Brennan, Miss Minnesota 2026, is the recipient of a $10,000 educational scholarship and will represent Minnesota at the 2027 Miss America competition.
Brennan is a Journalism student at the University of St. Thomas and a KSTP-TV Twin Cities Live! Promotions Intern. Her community service initiative, which she will promote during her year of service, is MediaWELL.
“MediaWELL is dedicated to building the foundations of Empowered Connection for the digital
generation,” said Brennan. “Empowered Connection is the ability to engage with today’s digital landscape intentionally and intelligently, gaining the benefits of media without harming quality of life.”
For the talent portion of the competition, Brennan performed Classical Ballet en Pointe to “Tango de Roxanne.”
The Miss Minnesota competition featured 25 candidates ages 18-28 competing in Private Interview, Talent/HERStory™, Health & Fitness, Evening Gown and On Stage Conversation
Top five finalists in the Miss Minnesota competition include:
1st runner up - Miss Capital City - Jordan Mann
2nd runner up - Miss St. Croix Valley - Whitney McClain
3rd runner up - Miss Granite City - Michelle Rose Bergh
4th runner up - Miss Waseca County Sleigh & Cutter - Jasmin Kotek
Natalia Yurecko, Miss Minnesota’s Teen, is a 17-year-old senior at Minnetonka High School. She is the recipient of a $3,000 educational scholarship, and will represent Minnesota at the Miss America’s Teen 2027 competition.
For the talent portion of the competition, Yurecko played “Bumble Boogie” on piano.
As Miss Minnesota’s Teen, Yurecko will spend the year as Minnesota’s teen ambassador at various events across the state. She will also promote her community service initiative, OCD: Transforming Obsessive Compulsive Disorder Into Obtaining Confidence Daily.
“The crown provides a powerful platform to elevate conversations that are often hidden,” said Yurecko. “By using my voice to advocate for mental health education and compassionate policy, I will ensure that no child feels alone, misunderstood, or invisible because of OCD.”
The Miss Minnesota’s Teen competition featured 14 candidates from across the state. Top three finalists include:
1st runner up - Miss Moorhead’s Teen - Jillian Bain
2nd runner up - Miss Twin Cities’ Teen - Marnie Shepersky
For more information, visit the Miss Minnesota website, Facebook and Instagram, and the Miss Minnesota’s Teen website, Facebook and Instagram.
PRESS RELEASE
(Welch, Minn.) June 20, 2026 - A milestone 90th Miss Minnesota competition culminated Friday evening at Treasure Island Resort & Casino with the crowning of Miss Minnesota 2026 and Miss Minnesota’s Teen 2026. Following three days of competition, Anna Brennan, Miss Twin Cities, was crowned Miss Minnesota 2026, and Natalia Yurecko, Miss River Valley’s Teen, was crowned Miss Minnesota’s Teen 2026.
Anna Brennan, Miss Minnesota 2026, is the recipient of a $10,000 educational scholarship and will represent Minnesota at the 2027 Miss America competition.
Brennan is a Journalism student at the University of St. Thomas and a KSTP-TV Twin Cities Live! Promotions Intern. Her community service initiative, which she will promote during her year of service, is MediaWELL.
“MediaWELL is dedicated to building the foundations of Empowered Connection for the digital
generation,” said Brennan. “Empowered Connection is the ability to engage with today’s digital landscape intentionally and intelligently, gaining the benefits of media without harming quality of life.”
For the talent portion of the competition, Brennan performed Classical Ballet en Pointe to “Tango de Roxanne.”
The Miss Minnesota competition featured 25 candidates ages 18-28 competing in Private Interview, Talent/HERStory™, Health & Fitness, Evening Gown and On Stage Conversation
Top five finalists in the Miss Minnesota competition include:
1st runner up - Miss Capital City - Jordan Mann
2nd runner up - Miss St. Croix Valley - Whitney McClain
3rd runner up - Miss Granite City - Michelle Rose Bergh
4th runner up - Miss Waseca County Sleigh & Cutter - Jasmin Kotek
Natalia Yurecko, Miss Minnesota’s Teen, is a 17-year-old senior at Minnetonka High School. She is the recipient of a $3,000 educational scholarship, and will represent Minnesota at the Miss America’s Teen 2027 competition.
For the talent portion of the competition, Yurecko played “Bumble Boogie” on piano.
As Miss Minnesota’s Teen, Yurecko will spend the year as Minnesota’s teen ambassador at various events across the state. She will also promote her community service initiative, OCD: Transforming Obsessive Compulsive Disorder Into Obtaining Confidence Daily.
“The crown provides a powerful platform to elevate conversations that are often hidden,” said Yurecko. “By using my voice to advocate for mental health education and compassionate policy, I will ensure that no child feels alone, misunderstood, or invisible because of OCD.”
The Miss Minnesota’s Teen competition featured 14 candidates from across the state. Top three finalists include:
1st runner up - Miss Moorhead’s Teen - Jillian Bain
2nd runner up - Miss Twin Cities’ Teen - Marnie Shepersky
For more information, visit the Miss Minnesota website, Facebook and Instagram, and the Miss Minnesota’s Teen website, Facebook and Instagram.
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DID YOU KNOW? Future Miss Americas, Current Leaders
Miss America’s Teen is exactly what it sounds like: it’s a division of the Miss America program for young women ages 13-18. Just like the Miss America division, teens who register for membership get access to professional development, networking, scholarship, community service opportunities, and can sign up for on-stage competitions. Check out the Sign Up page to learn more about the benefits of membership, and if you want to hone your interview skills, showcase your talents, earn additional scholarships, and compete for the job of Miss America’s Teen, head to our Competition page. |
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Natalia is available to emcee, meet, speak, or participate at your next event!
From Grade Schools to High Schools; from Galas to Podcasts or Zoom meetings, Miss Minnesota's Teen will be a lovely addition to your special occasion. Stay Connected with Natalia on Social Media
To read more about Natalia, check out the "News Room"
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