Meet Mrs. North Dakota International 2018 - Laura Schmidt!
Mother, wife, Soldier, volunteer and advocate are just a few
titles I hold in my every day life and now, Mrs. North Dakota International
2018. I firmly believe in giving back to
others through volunteering, advocacy, and kindness. I always try to maintain the mindset that
there is always someone out there in our local communities that may be struggling
more than you, so lend a hand, give back!
I am 28 years young and recently moved to Bismarck from Fargo, North
Dakota. I have a wonderful husband, Kelly of 2.5 years, our son Bode, 11 months
and our 2-year old fur child, Lola.
I am not originally from North Dakota, so winters were a
little hard to get used to up here! I was born and raised in southeast South
Dakota along with my twin brother, Michael and older sister, Carol. After high school I went to Arizona State
University where I received my Bachelor’s of Science in 2012. During my time at ASU, I was a collegiate
member of Arizona State ROTC, Alpha Delta Pi Sorority, worked for Sun Devil
Athletics and played club sports. Upon graduation
from ASU, I commissioned into the United States Army as a Military Police
Officer and moved to North Dakota to join the North Dakota Army National Guard.
Through my work with the North Dakota Army National Guard, I
met my husband Kelly (I was his supervisor on the drill weekends). I will be honest we were not very fond of
each other at first. However, opposites
do attract and from six years ago we have come together to create our wonderful
little family. We married in July 2015
with our wedding celebration in October 2015.
Kelly and I had always wanted a family but knew it would be difficult
with my previous health issues. After
almost a year of trying for children, we were elated when we found out we were
expecting for February 2017. Fast-forward
to February 21, 2017 we welcomed our miracle baby, Bode Douglas Schmidt. People say you experience a different love
for your children and it is the best love you can ever feel…they were spot
on! He is the best thing that has ever
happened to us and makes me want to be a better person everyday.
Besides being a mother and wife, I am a Soldier. I have the honor of being a Captain and
serving full-time in the Army National Guard in the best state, North
Dakota. Throughout my time serving in
the state I have gained not only great professional experiences but also a second
family where we are always there for one another. It was through the North Dakota Army National
Guard that I was able to complete my Master’s in Education in 2015, travel
across the world, and meet many people from many walks of life.
Volunteer is another title I hold that is near and dear to
my heart. I have been a volunteer for many organizations throughout all the
communities I have lived in, but volunteering for Ronald McDonald House
Charities has been part of my life for years. I have volunteered at various
houses since the age of 11. This
wonderful organization provides a home away from home for families of
critically ill children receiving medical care. I do anything and everything
they need of me when I volunteer. This includes baking, cooking, cleaning,
laundry, office work, working events and my favorite: getting to know all of
the families who are staying at the house.
I have had the recent opportunity to take over social media for the
Bismarck Ronald McDonald House and write several grants for the houses that are
in need of supplies. I could not be more
honored to have RMHC as my personal platform as Mrs. North Dakota International
2018.
In my free time, I love to coach. I have coached for over
eight years and love to make an impact on our youth, especially you women. I am a fitness junkie, baking queen, and Big
Bang Theory lover. My son is my number one priority and I am soaking up every
minute I can with him. He is such a momma’s
boy, but I will never complain about that because I know it will not last
forever.
Wrapping everything up has brought me to where I am now,
your Mrs. North Dakota International 2018.
I am excited for the opportunity to represent the greatest state in the
Union, promote my personal platform: Ronald McDonald House Charities, promote
the International Pageant’s platform: American Heart Association/Go Red For
Women, and be a role model in our North Dakota communities.
With Gratitude,
Laura Schmidt
Mrs. North Dakota International 2018
“There’s no place like
home…unless it’s a Ronald McDonald House!”
