Miss Beloit loving her week on stage
By Rebekah Danaher
Daily News staff writer
Whoever knew that a fairy tale kingdom lay 130 miles north of Beloit?
Not Sara Siekierski. Not until this week, that is.
Siekierski, Miss Beloit 2006, has been dazzled by royal treatment at the 2006 Miss Wisconsin Pageant in Oshkosh. Here, young women have a chance to realize their childhood hopes of becoming a real-life queen.
Twenty-eight contestants from all over the state arrived in Oshkosh last Sunday with satchels full of shoes, make-up and gowns in preparation for the contest that began Thursday.
The moment 20-year-old Siekierski's parents, Mark and Sue, dropped her off in Oshkosh, the Beloit resident was whisked away on a tour fit for a princess.
“I feel like royalty,” Siekierski said by phone late Thursday night. “It's great to feel like a princess for a week.”
There's been dress-up, socializing, dinners, champagne parties and parades. “I've met so many wonderful women,” she said. “It's been great getting to know them. I can just be myself around them.”
But amid all the fun and friend-making, Siekierski hasn't forgotten about the competition. Through grace, poise and style, the women have to convince the judges that they're made of royal blood.
The winner of the Miss Wisconsin crown qualifies for the Miss America Pageant.
Hoping to capitalize on the energy that qualified her for the Wisconsin pageant, Siekierski gave a repeat performance of the vocal selection “On My Own” from the popular stage production “Les Miserables” in the preliminary talent competition Thursday night. Siekierski's interview question Thursday dealt with her platform of underage drinking prevention - an issue that's near to her heart and has kept her busy with speaking engagements in Beloit.
She didn't come away the winner of the talent category or the on-stage interview but fans told her it was the best she ever sounded.
“I am very happy with how I did,” she said. “My friends and family said I couldn't have done better.”
In the crowd were her parents, Executive Director of the Miss Beloit Pageant Joanne Klett, Miss Beloit Pageant President Eddie Farr and some of Siekierski's best friends. They brought some hometown cheer to Oshkosh and Siekierski said it felt wonderful to have their support there.
Beloit is foremost on her mind as she steps on to the stage in Oshkosh.
“My number one goal is to represent Beloit well,” she said.
The preliminary winners Thursday were Miss Mississippi Valley Alexandra Kealey, Miss La Crosse/Oktoberfest Beth Bruzek, Miss Southern Wisconsin Michelle Smukowski and Miss Door County Wendy Buechel.
Friday, Siekierski was to compete in the swimwear and evening gown contests.
Tonight, the top 10 finalists will be selected to compete again in all of the categories. From there, the judges will narrow the field to the top five and then will select Miss Wisconsin 2006.
Siekierski admits she is surrounded by a lot of talent but isn't intimidated.
“I think I've felt in the right place,” she said. “It's a tough competition but all of us are talented.”
Thursday night, the UW-Whitewater junior sounded optimistic for the rest of the weekend. For Siekierski, the experience isn't only about winning, though she'd like to finish in the top 10. The real value for Siekierski is the personal growth that comes along with the physical training, primping and polishing.
And though it's glamorous, living the life of a princess for a week isn't always that easy. The women are kept busy interviewing, rehearsing, signing autographs and preparing for their individual performances. The women will dance together in a final ensemble number and Siekierski had to downsize a pair of high heels she had brought. The heels were just too tall to keep up with the intense choreography.
Each day, the young women are up early and out until late and Siekierski admits she's a bit exhausted.
But also exhilarated.
No Miss Beloit has ever gone on to immediately win the Miss Wisconsin title, so Siekierski has a little something to prove.
Stephanie Klett is the only Beloiter to win the Miss Wisconsin Pageant, but did so after qualifying through the Miss Wisconsin Central Pageant.
Whatever the outcome - whether she leaves Oshkosh with another crown to add to her collection or not - Siekierski will look back fondly on this storybook moment.
“It's been a great experience no matter what,” she said. “I know I did my best.”
By Rebekah Danaher
Daily News staff writer
Whoever knew that a fairy tale kingdom lay 130 miles north of Beloit?
Not Sara Siekierski. Not until this week, that is.
Siekierski, Miss Beloit 2006, has been dazzled by royal treatment at the 2006 Miss Wisconsin Pageant in Oshkosh. Here, young women have a chance to realize their childhood hopes of becoming a real-life queen.
Twenty-eight contestants from all over the state arrived in Oshkosh last Sunday with satchels full of shoes, make-up and gowns in preparation for the contest that began Thursday.
The moment 20-year-old Siekierski's parents, Mark and Sue, dropped her off in Oshkosh, the Beloit resident was whisked away on a tour fit for a princess.
“I feel like royalty,” Siekierski said by phone late Thursday night. “It's great to feel like a princess for a week.”
There's been dress-up, socializing, dinners, champagne parties and parades. “I've met so many wonderful women,” she said. “It's been great getting to know them. I can just be myself around them.”
But amid all the fun and friend-making, Siekierski hasn't forgotten about the competition. Through grace, poise and style, the women have to convince the judges that they're made of royal blood.
The winner of the Miss Wisconsin crown qualifies for the Miss America Pageant.
Hoping to capitalize on the energy that qualified her for the Wisconsin pageant, Siekierski gave a repeat performance of the vocal selection “On My Own” from the popular stage production “Les Miserables” in the preliminary talent competition Thursday night. Siekierski's interview question Thursday dealt with her platform of underage drinking prevention - an issue that's near to her heart and has kept her busy with speaking engagements in Beloit.
She didn't come away the winner of the talent category or the on-stage interview but fans told her it was the best she ever sounded.
“I am very happy with how I did,” she said. “My friends and family said I couldn't have done better.”
In the crowd were her parents, Executive Director of the Miss Beloit Pageant Joanne Klett, Miss Beloit Pageant President Eddie Farr and some of Siekierski's best friends. They brought some hometown cheer to Oshkosh and Siekierski said it felt wonderful to have their support there.
Beloit is foremost on her mind as she steps on to the stage in Oshkosh.
“My number one goal is to represent Beloit well,” she said.
The preliminary winners Thursday were Miss Mississippi Valley Alexandra Kealey, Miss La Crosse/Oktoberfest Beth Bruzek, Miss Southern Wisconsin Michelle Smukowski and Miss Door County Wendy Buechel.
Friday, Siekierski was to compete in the swimwear and evening gown contests.
Tonight, the top 10 finalists will be selected to compete again in all of the categories. From there, the judges will narrow the field to the top five and then will select Miss Wisconsin 2006.
Siekierski admits she is surrounded by a lot of talent but isn't intimidated.
“I think I've felt in the right place,” she said. “It's a tough competition but all of us are talented.”
Thursday night, the UW-Whitewater junior sounded optimistic for the rest of the weekend. For Siekierski, the experience isn't only about winning, though she'd like to finish in the top 10. The real value for Siekierski is the personal growth that comes along with the physical training, primping and polishing.
And though it's glamorous, living the life of a princess for a week isn't always that easy. The women are kept busy interviewing, rehearsing, signing autographs and preparing for their individual performances. The women will dance together in a final ensemble number and Siekierski had to downsize a pair of high heels she had brought. The heels were just too tall to keep up with the intense choreography.
Each day, the young women are up early and out until late and Siekierski admits she's a bit exhausted.
But also exhilarated.
No Miss Beloit has ever gone on to immediately win the Miss Wisconsin title, so Siekierski has a little something to prove.
Stephanie Klett is the only Beloiter to win the Miss Wisconsin Pageant, but did so after qualifying through the Miss Wisconsin Central Pageant.
Whatever the outcome - whether she leaves Oshkosh with another crown to add to her collection or not - Siekierski will look back fondly on this storybook moment.
“It's been a great experience no matter what,” she said. “I know I did my best.”
posted by Sara Siekierski @ 9:18 PM
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