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2025 Miss La Crosse Oktoberfest competition

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  Published in Sports and Competition on Sunday, September 14th 2025 at 0:42 GMT by News 8000
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Miss La Crosse Oktoberfest Competition 2025: A Glimpse into the State‑of‑The‑Art Pageant

The 2025 Miss La Crosse Oktoberfest Competition, one of the most anticipated events on the local pageant calendar, drew a crowd of over 600 cheering spectators to the historic La Crosse Civic Center on Saturday, April 20th. The competition—held every year during the city’s beloved Oktoberfest festival—offers a platform for young women from the Madison‑La Crosse region to showcase talent, poise, and community leadership while competing for a coveted state‑wide title. The competition, featured in News 8000’s recent in‑depth coverage, highlighted the blend of tradition, modernity, and civic engagement that defines the pageant.

The Big Picture: When, Where, and Why

The event took place at the La Crosse Civic Center, a 1,200‑seat venue located at 300 Lake Side Drive, a location chosen for its accessibility and picturesque view of the Mississippi River. The pageant is scheduled each year to coincide with the city’s Oktoberfest celebration, a nod to the region’s German heritage. The pageant’s official page—linked in the News 8000 article—offers an online ticketing portal and a schedule of events, including a preview of the competition’s seven distinct rounds: Opening Statement, Talent Showcase, Evening Gown, Community Service Presentation, Swimsuit (Revised) – “Swimwear”, Interview, and the Final Question.

The underlying purpose, as explained in the article, is to empower young women to become community leaders. Contestants are required to complete a minimum of 20 volunteer hours in their community before entering, and the competition’s Community Service Presentation round emphasizes the importance of civic engagement. The pageant’s director, Sarah Meier, quoted in the News 8000 piece, “We want to create a platform where young women can shine not just on stage, but in the civic life of our city.”

Contestants: Diversity and Dreams

The 2025 roster included 15 contestants, ranging from 18 to 24 years old, all hailing from the La Crosse and Madison metropolitan area. The News 8000 article features short bios for each contestant, underscoring the diversity of backgrounds and aspirations. A few standout stories include:

• Emily “Em” Jensen, a sophomore at the University of Wisconsin‑Madison, who is studying environmental science. She will be advocating for sustainable city practices during her community service presentation.

• Olivia Rojas, a 20‑year‑old nurse‑in‑training at the La Crosse Regional Medical Center, who plans to highlight the importance of mental health awareness.

• Marisa Liu, a 22‑year‑old freelance graphic designer, who will be showcasing a talent piece: a self‑composed musical performance on the piano.

Each contestant will walk the stage wearing a costume that represents their personal style while adhering to the pageant’s dress code guidelines, which emphasize modesty, elegance, and cultural sensitivity.

Judges and Their Credentials

The judging panel was composed of a blend of local business leaders, former titleholders, and community organizers. According to the News 8000 article, the panel included:

• Mark Hoffman, CEO of Hoffmann Construction Group, who will focus on leadership and ambition.

• Jenna Smith, Miss Wisconsin 2018, who will assess community service impact and public speaking.

• Dr. Alan Riley, professor of Political Science at the University of Wisconsin‑La Crosse, who will evaluate intellectual depth and civic engagement.

• Lara Gonzalez, founder of the La Crosse Women’s Business Network, who will focus on entrepreneurship potential.

The judges will use a scoring rubric developed in partnership with the Miss America Organization to ensure consistency and fairness.

The Competition Flow

1. Opening Statement – Contestants deliver a one‑minute speech, setting the tone for their personal brand.

2. Talent Showcase – Each contestant performs a talent of their choosing, from singing and dancing to instrumental performance or a short monologue. The News 8000 article highlighted that the talent round will be filmed for online distribution.

3. Evening Gown – The evening gown segment tests poise and runway presence, judged against a national standard of elegance.

4. Community Service Presentation – Contestants share their volunteer work, backed by photos and testimonial videos. News 8000 noted that this segment will include a live Q&A with a local nonprofit.

5. Swimwear – The pageant’s updated “swimwear” round emphasizes fitness, health, and self‑confidence, with a focus on active lifestyle promotion.

6. Interview – Judges ask a set of prepared questions to gauge personality, intellect, and community engagement.

7. Final Question – The top 5 finalists respond to a live audience question: “What is your vision for the next five years for La Crosse?” The answers will be posted on the pageant’s social media channels for public voting.

The competition will conclude with the announcement of the winner, the first runner‑up, and subsequent placements.

Prizes and Future Opportunities

The winner of Miss La Crosse 2025 will receive:

• $5,000 cash prize
• A $2,500 scholarship to a local university
• An all‑expedition trip to the Miss America pageant in Dallas, Texas
• A feature in La Crosse Tribune and a local media package
• Community endorsement letters for college admission or employment

The News 8000 article emphasized that the pageant’s sponsor—Oktoberfest Brewery, a local craft brewery—provides a complimentary bottle of the 2025 “Wiener Gold” as part of the winner’s trophy package.

Community Impact

One of the key takeaways from the News 8000 piece is the pageant’s commitment to local community building. In addition to the contestants’ volunteer hours, the pageant’s event includes a fundraiser for the La Crosse Food Bank and a partnership with the Wisconsin State Fair. The pageant’s organizers announced a new “Pageant for a Cause” program where the pageant’s proceeds will fund scholarships for women pursuing STEM fields in the region.

Final Thoughts

The 2025 Miss La Crosse Oktoberfest Competition stands out not only as a showcase of beauty and talent but also as a platform for young women to engage with civic life, promote community service, and advocate for causes that matter. News 8000’s coverage underscores the importance of such events in providing opportunities for leadership development and community engagement. As the pageant moves into its 30th year, it continues to adapt—modernizing its categories, strengthening its community ties, and championing the next generation of leaders from La Crosse and beyond.