About the Miss Wisconsin Scholarship Organization
Founded in 1936, the Miss Wisconsin Scholarship Organization is a preliminary to the Miss America Organization, one of the nation’s leading achievement programs and the world’s largest provider of scholarship assistance for young women. Last year, the Miss America Organization and its state and local organizations made available more than $45 million in cash and scholarship assistance. Almost all contestants have either received, or are in the process of earning, college or post-graduate degrees, and utilize Miss America scholarship grants to further their educations. Each of these talented and educated women promotes a personal service initiative upon which she provides service to her community.
The Miss Wisconsin Scholarship Competition is held every June. For 61 years, Miss Wisconsin was crowned in Oshkosh, Wisconsin at the Alberta Kimball Auditorium. Beginning in 2025, Miss Wisconsin will be crowned at the West Performing Arts Center in New Berlin. The week of activities includes visits with local organizations and sponsors, a Night to Ignite Gala, two evenings of preliminary competition with one night of final competition. Miss Wisconsin’s Teen Competition is also held during competition week.
The Miss Wisconsin Scholarship Organization operates under the direction of a dedicated team of volunteers. They serve as members of the Board of Directors, sub-committees, production team, and field directors who assist local competitions throughout the state.
Wisconsin has been well represented at the Miss America Competition over the years and three went on to become Miss America. Terry Anne Meeuwsen of De Pere was crowned Miss America 1973, Laura Kaeppeler of Kenosha received the crown in 2012, and Grace Stanke of Wausau earned the title in 2023. You can learn more about Terry, Laura, and Grace by visiting our Forever Miss Wisconsins page.
About the Miss America Organization
Miss America is the celebrity representative of Miss America Organization, which has a storied 100+ year history, and is an iconic brand that is ‘Made in America’. Each year, our Miss America is selected from the official State Delegates who represent each state organization along with the District of Columbia, currently 51 exceptional young women between 18-28 years of age.
The role of Miss America is an exciting, fun, challenging year of service that requires energy, positivity, professionalism and courtesy. Miss America uses her term to inspire, promote, engage and represent woman across America and their respective ambitions, goals, dreams and visions of their futures.
A first step to continuing her education and career, the role of Miss America is a once-in-a-lifetime experience that carries with it prestige, influence, responsibility and great honor. Follow Miss America on all social platforms @MissAmerica and join in the excitement of the year of competitions ahead!
