HURON — Nora Chavez fell in love with pageants after she went to the Miss South Dakota competition, when Olivia Odenbrett was crowned Miss South Dakota’s Outstanding Teen, in 2022. Olivia became her idol.

From then on it was constantly ‘Can I do a pageant?’ Shortly thereafter, Nora competed for the Miss USA Ambassador at their state competition, and won People’s Choice, and the title Miss Black Hills USA Ambassador Jr. Preteen.

As that titleholder, she will travel to Orlando at the end of July, to compete for the title of Miss USA Ambassador Jr. Preteen.

As a fundraiser, her mother Karen Amlaner is holding a gun raffle to fund the trip to Orlando. The top prize is a Benelli Nova pump tactical 12 gauge shotgun, while other prizes include a $200 Cabella’s gift certificate or a $75 gift card to Ryan’s Hangar Restaurant.

Raffle tickets can be purchased at Ryan’s Hanger, The Red Arrow Bar and Black Tie, all of Huron.

The drawing will be held at 2 p.m., Saturday, June 1 at Putters and Scoops in Huron and the winner does not need to be present to win. Nora also has a rolling bake sale through the month of April at Black Tie.

The USA Ambassador competition is a charity-driven organization that promotes success through leadership, integrity, character and confidence in today’s young women.