Miss Beloit Sara Siekierski ready for state competition
By Rebekah Danaher
Daily News staff writer
Staff photo by Rebekah Danaher
Miss Beloit Sara Siekierski will walk tall in various pairs of fancy footwear at this year’s Miss Wisconsin Pageant. The contest will take place June 22-24 in Oshkosh. Siekierski qualified for the pageant by winning the Beloit title and hopes to add the Wisconsin crown to her collection of glitz and glitter.
When Miss Beloit Sara Siekierski takes the stage at the Miss Wisconsin Pageant June 22 to sing her solo “On My Own,” she'll be anything but that.
Siekierski will be cheered on from the audience by adoring family and friends as she makes an attempt at the coveted crown.
Admittedly awkward and unpopular in grade school, Siekierski never pictured herself draped in chiffon and sparkles promenading across stages. She always loved to sing, but certainly never thought she had what it took to wow audiences and judges.
Now, as she sits poised on the sofa in her Town of Beloit home with parents Mark and Sue, she dares to dream that the title at this year's pageant could be hers. The Miss Wisconsin contest will take place June 22-24 in Oshkosh and Siekierski will be there throughout the entire week.
Siekierski recalls sitting in the Beloit Memorial High School Auditorium in 2004, watching her friends perform in the Miss Beloit Pageant. It wasn't until her mom whispered to her that she belonged on the stage, that she even considered it.
In 2005, she was first runner-up to Miss Beloit Kayleigh Brancamp and this year, she owned the stage, winning the title of Miss Congeniality and the crown. She won on a platform of underage drinking prevention and her performance of the vocal solo “On My Own,” from the popular stage production, “Les Miserable.”
Siekierski will give a repeat performance in two weeks, but with a little more confidence and candor. She's been attending community meetings and events where she's been outspoken against underage drinking and has future engagements planned.
She has teamed up with Rock County Mobilizing for Change on Underage Drinking and the student group Operation Advocating Knowledge, formerly Youth2Youth and Tobacco Free Kids.
The issue is personal for Siekierski who, at age 20, has seen too many of her friends in high school and in college engage in illegal drinking.
And while she's got the passion, Siekierski has sought coaching from Jodi Curtis in Brookfield, Wis., on her presentation style to help prepare her for the on-stage interview as well as her talent.
Joanne Klett, executive director of the Miss Beloit Pageant, said Siekierski is the first Miss Beloit to get professional advice in preparation for the big day.
No Miss Beloit has ever gone on to subsequently win the Miss Wisconsin title.
Stephanie Klett was crowned Miss Beloit and Miss Wisconsin 1992 but qualified for the latter contest through the Miss Wisconsin Central Pageant.
Siekierksi will face 27 other women in Oshkosh and Klett acknowledged that it is a tough field, crowded with several women who have been to the competition before.
But Siekierski could have the upper hand as a debutante.
“Fresh and new,” Klett said.
Coming from Beloit, Siekierski thinks that perhaps she has something to prove.
“Beloit sometimes gets overlooked,” she said. “I do want to show people Miss Beloit can do well.”
Siekierski has noticed a change in herself as she's worked on her posture, exercised and concentrated on her speech.
“I've come a long way,” she said.
Her mom agreed.
“Even in the last month preparing for the Miss Wisconsin Pageant, it's amazing the changes I've seen,” she said. “It's taken her out of her comfort zone.”
And then there's the fun part - the shopping.
Siekierski has five gowns for the week of events. Her dress hunting has taken her from Racine to Kenosha to Baraboo to Brookfield.
Mark laughs as he admits he's been in on the shopping excursions.
“I know about tea length and A-line,” he said.
Siekierski's younger brother, Dan, 18, isn't necessarily interested in all the details of the pageant, but he's certainly supportive, she says.
Her grandmother, Shirley Siekierski, is perhaps her most enthusiastic fan and a great lover of sparkles and glamor, Siekierski explains with a laugh.
Some of Siekierski's close friends will travel to Oshkosh to watch the Thursday talent competition. Fans at home who aren't able to go to the contest can stay informed through her on-line Web site at www.missbeloit2006.blogspot.com. Mark said he hopes to keep the site updated as best as he can from the road.
Anyone wishing to send flowers should address them to Miss Beloit Sara Siekierski, 1 North Main, Oshkosh, Wis. 54901.
Of course winning the Wisconsin title would be a dream come true for Siekierski, but she'd be pleased even to place in the top 10, or anywhere for that matter. Regardless of the outcome, she's already proud of where she's been.
“I'll be the happiest person to be able to come home and represent Beloit for the rest of this year,” she said.
Many personal accomplishments have already been gained, she said.
“It's amazing the transition from being a little girl who thought I couldn't do this to where I am now,” she said.
By Rebekah Danaher
Daily News staff writer
Staff photo by Rebekah Danaher
Miss Beloit Sara Siekierski will walk tall in various pairs of fancy footwear at this year’s Miss Wisconsin Pageant. The contest will take place June 22-24 in Oshkosh. Siekierski qualified for the pageant by winning the Beloit title and hopes to add the Wisconsin crown to her collection of glitz and glitter.When Miss Beloit Sara Siekierski takes the stage at the Miss Wisconsin Pageant June 22 to sing her solo “On My Own,” she'll be anything but that.
Siekierski will be cheered on from the audience by adoring family and friends as she makes an attempt at the coveted crown.
Admittedly awkward and unpopular in grade school, Siekierski never pictured herself draped in chiffon and sparkles promenading across stages. She always loved to sing, but certainly never thought she had what it took to wow audiences and judges.
Now, as she sits poised on the sofa in her Town of Beloit home with parents Mark and Sue, she dares to dream that the title at this year's pageant could be hers. The Miss Wisconsin contest will take place June 22-24 in Oshkosh and Siekierski will be there throughout the entire week.
Siekierski recalls sitting in the Beloit Memorial High School Auditorium in 2004, watching her friends perform in the Miss Beloit Pageant. It wasn't until her mom whispered to her that she belonged on the stage, that she even considered it.
In 2005, she was first runner-up to Miss Beloit Kayleigh Brancamp and this year, she owned the stage, winning the title of Miss Congeniality and the crown. She won on a platform of underage drinking prevention and her performance of the vocal solo “On My Own,” from the popular stage production, “Les Miserable.”
Siekierski will give a repeat performance in two weeks, but with a little more confidence and candor. She's been attending community meetings and events where she's been outspoken against underage drinking and has future engagements planned.
She has teamed up with Rock County Mobilizing for Change on Underage Drinking and the student group Operation Advocating Knowledge, formerly Youth2Youth and Tobacco Free Kids.
The issue is personal for Siekierski who, at age 20, has seen too many of her friends in high school and in college engage in illegal drinking.
And while she's got the passion, Siekierski has sought coaching from Jodi Curtis in Brookfield, Wis., on her presentation style to help prepare her for the on-stage interview as well as her talent.
Joanne Klett, executive director of the Miss Beloit Pageant, said Siekierski is the first Miss Beloit to get professional advice in preparation for the big day.
No Miss Beloit has ever gone on to subsequently win the Miss Wisconsin title.
Stephanie Klett was crowned Miss Beloit and Miss Wisconsin 1992 but qualified for the latter contest through the Miss Wisconsin Central Pageant.
Siekierksi will face 27 other women in Oshkosh and Klett acknowledged that it is a tough field, crowded with several women who have been to the competition before.
But Siekierski could have the upper hand as a debutante.
“Fresh and new,” Klett said.
Coming from Beloit, Siekierski thinks that perhaps she has something to prove.
“Beloit sometimes gets overlooked,” she said. “I do want to show people Miss Beloit can do well.”
Siekierski has noticed a change in herself as she's worked on her posture, exercised and concentrated on her speech.
“I've come a long way,” she said.
Her mom agreed.
“Even in the last month preparing for the Miss Wisconsin Pageant, it's amazing the changes I've seen,” she said. “It's taken her out of her comfort zone.”
And then there's the fun part - the shopping.
Siekierski has five gowns for the week of events. Her dress hunting has taken her from Racine to Kenosha to Baraboo to Brookfield.
Mark laughs as he admits he's been in on the shopping excursions.
“I know about tea length and A-line,” he said.
Siekierski's younger brother, Dan, 18, isn't necessarily interested in all the details of the pageant, but he's certainly supportive, she says.
Her grandmother, Shirley Siekierski, is perhaps her most enthusiastic fan and a great lover of sparkles and glamor, Siekierski explains with a laugh.
Some of Siekierski's close friends will travel to Oshkosh to watch the Thursday talent competition. Fans at home who aren't able to go to the contest can stay informed through her on-line Web site at www.missbeloit2006.blogspot.com. Mark said he hopes to keep the site updated as best as he can from the road.
Anyone wishing to send flowers should address them to Miss Beloit Sara Siekierski, 1 North Main, Oshkosh, Wis. 54901.
Of course winning the Wisconsin title would be a dream come true for Siekierski, but she'd be pleased even to place in the top 10, or anywhere for that matter. Regardless of the outcome, she's already proud of where she's been.
“I'll be the happiest person to be able to come home and represent Beloit for the rest of this year,” she said.
Many personal accomplishments have already been gained, she said.
“It's amazing the transition from being a little girl who thought I couldn't do this to where I am now,” she said.
posted by Sara Siekierski @ 5:12 PM
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