One of the most asked questions I got after I was crowned
the new Miss Wisconsin’s Outstanding Teen was, “Has it sunk in yet?”, and no,
it had not then, and it still hasn’t now! Annie Jorgensen, Miss Wisconsin’s
Outstanding Teen 2011, even joked to me afterward that I wouldn’t think it was
actually real until I was crowning my successor (which I don’t even want to think about yet!). But honestly,
I wake up every morning and feel so lucky and so blessed that I have been given
this opportunity to fulfill this job and to represent this organization.
I was able to compete with 12 other amazing, talented,
intelligent, and beautiful young women, all of whom would have done this title
proud. Even in just that one day I made memories to last a lifetime, and walked
away with new lifelong friends. I truly believe that it is my duty to not only
represent the great state of Wisconsin, but to also represent those remarkable
young women and to take the things I learned from each of them and use them
throughout my year.
And speaking of my year, it kicked off bright and early that
next day at 5:30 am. I was able to spend the day with all the fabulous contestants
competing to be my new “big sister”, the title of Miss Wisconsin. We spent the
morning at the Oshkosh Farmer’s Market, signing autographs and taking pictures.
This was the first “surreal” moment I had, signing my name as Miss Wisconsin’s
Outstanding Teen, it was a dream come true. Then it was off to Festival Foods
for lunch and helping bag groceries! Lunch, which was so kindly sponsored by
Festival, was fabulous! However, bagging groceries is most definitely NOT my
calling, so instead I enjoyed getting to know the customers and what they were
planning on cooking with all the delicious food! I cannot say enough kind
things about the ‘Miss’ contestants, they were so welcoming and kind to me that
day, and really were role models for me to look up to!
I also got to bond with another role model that day, the
reigning Miss America’s Outstanding Teen, Elizabeth Fechtel! While all the
‘Miss’ contestants were in their final rehearsal, we got hang out with each
other in the dressing room just being normal teenagers; talking about our
family, friends, states, and our shared love of cats! She is one of the most
genuine and personable people I have ever met, it’s no wonder why she captured
the hearts of the judges and the crown!
The day ended with the Miss Wisconsin Pageant having its 50th
anniversary of being held in Oshkosh, Wisconsin! The caliber of women who
graced that stage that night was unbeatable. These are women who exemplify
those for points of the Miss America crown (Style, Success, Scholarship, and
Service) to its fullest. But ultimately, it was Miss Lacrosse/Oktoberfest, Kate
Gorman, who was crowned your new Miss Wisconsin!
But the festivities didn’t stop there; a few short days
later I was able to welcome Kate to my home town of Oregon, WI for one of her first
official appearances, first at the O-Town Showdown Car Show and then the next
day at our annual Summerfest Parade! I’m so excited to get to spend this year
with Kate, and after getting to know her over those few days and some dinner
with my mom’s now infamous “Tango Pork”, I can say that I have a great role
model and big sister to look up to.
This journey would not have been made possible without some
amazing people. First of all, to all the amazing board members, field
directors, sponsors, hostesses, and volunteers, thank you for all you do for
this organization and for all of the contestants, your hard work does not go
unnoticed! To Harmann’s, thank you for a fabulous headshot, once again! To
Nikki, Becky, Trent, and my Miss West Allis/New Berlin Family, thank you for
all the support, love, encouragement, and
attention, I love you all! To Miss Ashley, thank you for all the support
and advice you’ve ever given me, it makes me who I am today, and thank you for
the fabulous wardrobe! To my family
and friends, there’s too many to count, but your constant support and
reassurance is my driving force, I couldn’t do it without you! And finally to
God, because over this past year, I’ve learned that you have the plan in your
hands, and what extraordinary plans they are!
I am so excited to start this journey and begin this
whirlwind of an adventure! Let’s see where this road takes me!
--Madeline Morgan, Miss Wisconsin’s Outstanding Teen 2012
