Latest news with #MissWisconsin
Yahoo
11-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Door County high school student makes local history at Miss Wisconsin's Teen contest
For a second straight year, a Door County woman made local history at the Miss Wisconsin Scholarship Competition. Reigning Miss Door County's Teen Elise Jackson of Sturgeon Bay became the first representative in the 24-year-history of the Miss Door County's Teen program to place in the top five of the Miss Wisconsin's Teen pageant when she was named third runner-up in the 2025 state competition held June 20 in New Berlin. And, Jackson wasn't the only woman from Sturgeon Bay to be named to the top five in the teen pageant, as recent Sevastopol High School graduate Ophelia Linnan, entered in the competition as Miss Fond du Lac's Teen, was fourth runner-up. Jackson's historic top-five result comes on the heels of Kylee Duessler becoming the first reigning Miss Door County in the program's 27 years to place in the top five for Miss Wisconsin when Duessler was named fourth runner-up in the 2024 state competition. In the 24-year-history of the Miss Door County's Teen program, Jackson was the first to crack into the elusive Top 5 and was named 3rd Runner Up to the new Miss Wisconsin's Teen 2025, Natalie Popp from Fitchburg. Jackson, a student at Southern Door High School, won a total of $900 in scholarships at the state contest: $600 for her third runner-up placing and $300 for placing second in the special 'Patriotism Reigns' award, an essay competition where she wrote about her brother's enrollment in the U.S. Military Academy at West Point, New York, and her work with her community service initiative, 'Next Gen Civics." That's in addition to the $2,000 scholarship Jackson earned when she won the Door County teen competition and another $525 in scholarships and prizes in the local pageant for being named Miss Teen Congeniality, winning the fitness and talent parts of the competition and tying for first in the interview portion. For the talent part of the contest, Jackson played the well-known Beethoven composition 'Für Elise' on piano. Now back in Door County, Jackson is promoting her 'Next Gen Civics' initiative in the hope of igniting civic interests in young adults, making them more civic-minded and preparing them to become strong future leaders. At Southern Door, she is the current class president, a student council representative and Senate President for Youth in Government. Linnan earned a $500 scholarship as fourth-runner-up. Miss Capital City's Teen Natalie Popp of Fitchburg won the Miss Wisconsin's Teen 2025 competition, with Miss River Cities' Teen Ruby Marti named first runner-up and Miss Madison's Teen Carly Doome second runner-up, followed by Jackson and Linnan. The 2026 Miss Door County, Miss Door County's Teen and Miss Cherryland contests are scheduled for Feb. 7 at Southern Door Community Auditorium in Brussels, and applications are being accepted. Winners of those competitions advance to take part in the Miss Wisconsin and Wisconsin Teen pageants, with the Miss Wisconsin winner moving on to represent the state in the Miss America pageant. Since its first competition in 1997, the Miss Door County organization has awarded more than $275,000 in scholarships, which the organization claims makes it one of the top local pageants for scholarships in the state. To apply or for more information, visit Contact Christopher Clough at 920-562-8900 or cclough@ MORE: Here's your guide to festivals and special events in Door County from July 10-19 MORE: Southern Door County resort and marina sold to new owner who plans upgrades MORE: Shipwreck with Door County ties that was lost for 131 years is a national historic place FOR MORE DOOR COUNTY NEWS: Check out our website This article originally appeared on Green Bay Press-Gazette: Door County student makes history at Miss Wisconsin's Teen contest
Black America Web
24-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Black America Web
Willow Newell Becomes 1st Black Woman Crowned ‘Miss Wisconsin'
Source: Oatfeelgood / Getty Congratulations are in order for Willow Newell, who made history as the first Black woman to win Miss Wisconsin on June 21. The Racine native will now be heading to compete in the Miss America competition, which will take place in Orlando, Florida, in the first week of September. According to the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel , Newell, a recent Carthage University graduate, beat out over 29 contestants at Saturday's competition, excelling in five categories: evening gown, talent, private interview, health and wellness, and an on-stage conversation about community service. The talented 22-year-old earned $13,000 in scholarships, along with an additional $2,300 in scholarships for her impressive performance, WISN noted. Additionally, Newell earned the top-scoring vocalist during the competition. She impressed the judges with a powerful rendition of 'And I'm Telling You' from Dreamgirls , which earned her the Ryan Guy Memorial Music Scholarship. Reflecting on the huge win via Instagram, Newell told fans that her life would be 'forever changed' by the extraordinary moment. 'I AM GOING TO MISS AMERICA!!! 💚💚💚 WHAT IS HAPPENING!?!' the pageant winner wrote, captioning a photo of herself being crowned 'Miss Wisconsin' wearing a stunning green dress. 'I AM ABSOLUTELY SPEECHLESS!! This week has been an absolute whirlwind spent with the best girls in the best city @cityofnewberlin, and to represent my hometown of Racine for the past six months has been an absolute dream!' Newell has been involved with the Miss Wisconsin competition since 2017. She earned her Bachelor of Arts in Musical Theater from Carthage College in May 2025. With over 15 years of vocal performance experience, she has contributed to more than 15 community and collegiate theater productions, both on stage and behind the scenes, WISN noted. Beyond her artistic achievements, Newell launched a community initiative called 'Expression Without Exclusion,' which focuses on promoting inclusivity and accessibility in the arts for people from all walks of life, according to the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel. Newell said she was excited about having the opportunity to showcase her power and purpose on the Miss Wisconsin stage. 'Tonight, I had the opportunity to share my heart with the judges and the state of Wisconsin. My passion and mission in life is to transform lives through the arts, to make everyone feel included, and to create spaces for expression #ExpressionWithoutExclusion,' she wrote, adding, 'It is an absolute honor to be the first Black woman to represent the state of Wisconsin! And I cannot wait to step on the Miss America stage and meet all of you while serving this beautiful state I have the privilege of calling home!' This isn't the first time Newell has won a pageant award. In November 2024, the young star was crowned 'Miss Racine.' She beat out 10 other candidates for the incredible award. SEE MORE: Donna Robinson: Cincinnati State's Black Woman Police Chief Angela Alsobrooks Wins Historic Maryland Senate Race SEE ALSO Willow Newell Becomes 1st Black Woman Crowned 'Miss Wisconsin' was originally published on
USA Today
19-04-2025
- Entertainment
- USA Today
Green Bay Packers legend LeRoy Butler tackles student hunger at 'Taste of the Draft'
Green Bay Packers legend LeRoy Butler tackles student hunger at 'Taste of the Draft' This week, Touchdown Wire's Ed Easton Jr. spoke to Pro Football Hall of Famer and Green Bay Packers legend LeRoy Butler about his involvement in Taste of the Draft and youth mentorship in Wisconsin. Fellow Packers greats will join Butler on Wednesday, April 23rd, from 4:00 PM – 7:00 PM CT at Schreiber Food Headquarters, 400 N. Washington Street, Green Bay, Wisconsin. The event will feature musical entertainment, a sleight-of-hand magician, a silent auction, and appearances by Miss America and Miss Wisconsin. "I'm one of those kids who rely upon strangers to raise money so I can have an amazing meal. Sometimes, when you're in extreme poverty, as I grew up, a school meal is probably your best one," said Butler as the event proceeds to support GENYOUth's commitment to end student hunger and tackle youth food insecurity in Wisconsin. "So, events like this give me hope that kids will one day grow up to be just like me. However, you're in poverty, and you can't afford some of the other food people have, but having an event like this, where two things can be true: you can raise money for a great organization and do some of the great things, and you help people who you don't know that's what's so rewarding. Again, a kid like me—my mom raised five kids by herself—didn't eat breakfast, didn't have breakfast at home, which other kids did, but when we got to school, they had programs like this to go to the cafeteria and eat breakfast." Top chefs, twenty legendary supper clubs, and Green Bay icons will raise funds for nutrition grants for 90 schools throughout Wisconsin to celebrate the NFL Draft's 90th anniversary. "A lot of kids don't even eat breakfast. I couldn't afford it, but the other kids who had money could buy hot stuff, like corn dogs or pizza," said Butler, "But for me, it didn't matter because nutrition is essential. So I am overjoyed now; it reminded me of my hero, my mom, when she used to tell us going to school, we don't have time to get in trouble and break the law because you're wasting time because some stranger is donating money to the food pantry or an event like 'Taste of the Draft.'" The 2022 Pro Football Hall of Famer, who played 12 seasons with the Packers, understands the importance of giving back to the Wisconsin community and connecting with the many children who lack resources. "It means a lot to me. I get very emotional about it, so being a part of it is almost like paying respect back to some of the young men and women who are out there all the time helping and just to let them know as well." said Butler, "Yes, you're a Hall of Famer, but I didn't think he was in poverty. I didn't know if he got a free lunch like me. I didn't think he had a single parent like me. So that's why it's very important for me." GENYOUth will host a Rally for Student Health and Well-being at Valley View Elementary School, located at 2200 True Lane, Ashwaubenon, Wisconsin, on Tuesday, April 22nd, at 9:00 AM CT. The rally will unveil our new, state-of-the-art school meal equipment, increasing access to healthy nutrition. An NFL FLAG-In-School Kit Unboxing and Flag Football Clinic will also be held. Please visit this link to RSVP for the event.
