Guide to Miss Michigan 2025, featuring 22 candidates

MUSKEGON, MI – The 86th annual Miss Michigan scholarship competition returns this week to Muskegon, with a three-night itinerary showcasing candidates intelligence, talent and beauty.

This year’s event features 22 Miss Michigan contestants and 15 Miss Michigan Outstanding Teen program contestants.

Here’s everything you need to know about this week’s events.

Where: Both the Miss Michigan Scholarship Program and Miss Michigan’s Outstanding Teen Program competitions will take place at the Frauenthal Theater, 425 W. Western Ave., in downtown Muskegon.

When: The Miss Michigan competition kicks off at 7 p.m. on Thursday, June 12 with the preliminary rounds. The finals, concluding with the crowning of Miss Michigan 2025, are scheduled for 7 p.m. on Saturday, June 14.

The 2025 Miss Michigan Outstanding Teen competition takes place at 7 p.m. on Friday, June 13. The winner will be crowned at the end of the evening and can compete to be named Miss America’s Outstanding Teen.

Doors open at 6:15 p.m. each night.

Tickets:Tickets are $45 to attend the preliminary night of the Miss Michigan competition on Thursday, $45 to attend the Outstanding Teen program on Friday, and $50 for the final Miss Michigan competition on Saturday. Tickets can be purchased online here.

The Miss Michigan organization is once again livestreaming Friday and Saturday night’s events for those who can’t to make it in person. The live stream of the Miss Michigan’s Outstanding Teen and Miss Michigan finals tickers are available for $38 each plus $4.38 in fees. Get tickets here.

Scholarship winners: Winners of the Miss Michigan competition receive scholarship money of $10,000 to the title winner, $4,000 to the runner-up, $3,000 to the second runner-up, $2,000 to the third runner-up, $1,500 to the fourth runner-up and $1,000 to the other five semi-finalists.

Non-finalists receive $500 each, plus there are individual scholarship awards for best talent, evening gown, interview and more.

This year there are two more Miss Michigan candidates than last year’s 20. Candidates model evening wear, give social impact statements, answer on-stage questions and perform talents.

“It’s always bittersweet,” said Paula Dewall, state executive director of the Miss Michigan Scholarship Program. “We’re excited to crown our new Miss Michigan, yet we have to let our current Miss Michigan go. You build bonds and friendships with them so it’s hard to let them go.”

Miss Michigan 2024 Jenae Lodewyk

Jenae Lodewyk was crowned Miss Michigan in 2024, competing as Miss Bay County. An advocate for women in male-dominated industries, Lodewyk graduated from Wayne State University with a degree in business management.

The player and family engagement coordinator of basketball operations for the Detroit Pistons won the on-stage question award worth $250. The then-24-year-old wowed the judges with her response to a question about how, as a woman in a male-dominated field, she would advance to become the head of basketball operations for the Pistons.

For the talent portion, she dressed in a Detroit Pistons hoodie and sweatpants and performed a piece called “Her story of rising to the occasion.”

Along with her crown and $10,000 scholarship, she won the opportunity to compete in the Miss America competition but was not a semifinalist.

RELATED: ‘One of the best weeks of my life:’ Miss Michigan competes at Miss America contest

Lodewyk only got into pageantry two years ago in an effort to pay off her student loans. She said due to the Miss Michigan scholarships she has now accomplished that goal, along with serving in communities around the state.

Since earning the Miss Michigan title last year, Lodewyk has been speaking at workplaces, conferences and schools. She has also participated in parades, a special needs fashion show and visited a veteran’s hospital in Ann Arbor for Christmas.

Lodewyk will crown her successor on Saturday.

Several events are scheduled throughout Muskegon this week where the public can meet the 2025 candidates ahead of the competition.

Contestants will arrive Monday, June 9 in Muskegon and will have lunch at 12 p.m. at The Deck, a beachside restaurant and bar at Pere Marquette Park, 1601 Beach St.

There will be a welcome party and photo/autograph session until 2:30 p.m.

After leaving the Deck, the contestants will head to Putter’s Creek for a mini golf event.

The Miss Michigan contestants will also go on a 1 p.m. Aquastar cruise on Muskegon Lake on Friday, June 13. Aquastar Cruises is located at 560 Mart St. The public is invited to join. Tickets can be purchased on the Aquastar website here.

The candidates will then be at the city’s Taste of Muskegon in the evening at Hackley Park for autograph signing and photos.

After months of anticipation, the candidates for the scholarship competition are eager to take the stage on Thursday.

How the competition works

The Miss Michigan Scholarship Organization provides women with opportunities to earn scholarships, expand their networks, acquire valuable life and career skills and contribute to their communities through community service initiatives.

This year’s 22 Miss Michigan contestants will compete in the preliminary round Thursday, which will feature on-stage questions, a social impact initiative speech, a talent portion, a health and fitness portion and evening gowns.

In the preliminary round, points are awarded with 30% for the private interview with the judges, 20% for talent, 20% for health and fitness, 20% for evening gown and 10% for the on-stage question.

Miss Michigan 2025 will earn the opportunity to compete for the Miss America title. While last year’s national competition was in December, this year’s is on Aug. 30 in Orlando, Fla.

“Our Miss Michigan 2025 will have very little time to prepare,” DeWall said about the change.

The new Miss Michigan will have to “hit the ground running” with mock interviews, wardrobe and gown selection and appearances.

“That’s always a challenge – we never know who’s going to be crowned, if they’re going to have a full-time job, if they’re going to be going to college,” Dewall said.

Meet the Miss Michigan 2025 candidates

Scroll down to learn more about the 22 women competing in the 2025 Miss Michigan scholarship competition.

Included with each photo is the contestant’s name, title, age, hometown, career ambition, talent and service initiative she would advocate for as Miss Michigan.

Miss Greater Kalamazoo Lauren Mroczek

Hometown: Mattawan

High School/College: Mattawan High School, Grand Valley State University and the Frederik Meijer Honors College

Career Ambition: To obtain a master’s degree of science in clinical nutrition and become a certified clinical nutritionist.

Talent: Jazz Dance to “Workin’ Day and Night” by Michael Jackson

Service Initiative: Feeding Ourselves: The Importance of Fruits and Vegetables

Miss Jackson Crossroads Payton Perry-Radcliffe

Hometown: LaSalle

High School/College: Adrian High School, Grand Valley State University and Jackson College

Career Ambition: To become a pediatric nurse.

Talent: Cha Cha Dance to “September”

Service Initiative: H.E.R.O. Help Encourage Representation Opportunities

Miss Cardinal Spirit Riana Hardyniec

Hometown: Wayne

High School/College: Wayne Memorial High School, University of Michigan School of Social Work

Career Ambition: To combine my master’s degree in social work and a certificate in nonprofit management to develop the Pages of Hope nonprofit.

Talent: Lyrical Dance “Rise Up”

Service Initiative: Pages of Hope: A Path to Healing For Children Facing Loss

Miss Saginaw County Samantha Pickelman

Hometown: Auburn

High School/College: Bay City Western High School, Saginaw Valley State University

Career Ambition: To pursue a career in financial services, while continuing wedding planning.

Talent: Dramatic monologue

Service Initiative: Memories Matter: Support, Education, and Compassion for those with Alzheimers and Dementia

Miss Monroe County Elora Russell

Hometown: Monroe

High School/College: Airport Community Schools, Eastern Michigan University

Career Ambition: To obtain a degree in business with the goal of working in public relations at Ford Motor Company.

Talent: Jazz Dance to “My Way of Life” by Frank Sinatra

Service Initiative: Breaking The Cycle of Need

Miss River Raisin Festival Kaylie Simpson

Hometown: Adrian

High School/College: Monroe County Middle College, Adrian College

Career Ambition: Having achieved my bachelor’s degree in exercise science and master’s degree in athletic training, I now serve as the director of youth ministries at Ogden Church and a high school athletic trainer.

Talent: Theatrical Jazz Dance to “Cinema Italiano”

Service Initiative: B.E.I.N.G. There for Youth: Believing, Educating, Inspiring, Nurturing Growth

Miss St. Clair Shores Grace Hanke

Hometown: St. Clair Shores

High School/College: Lake Shore High School, University of Detroit Mercy

Career Ambition: To become a mechanical engineer, and have a minor in biomedical engineering, with the ambition of working to advance current technology and research.

Talent: A vocal rendition of “This is Me” from The Greatest Showman

Service Initiative: Social Media vs. Reality: The Impact on Self-Perception

Miss Washtenaw County Madalyn Poupard

Hometown: Monroe

High School/College: Saint Mary Catholic Central, University of Michigan – Ann Arbor

Career Ambition: I currently work as a registered nurse in the Neonatal ICU, and I aspire to obtain my master’s degree of science in nursing/Doctor of Nursing Practice to become a primary care pediatric nurse practitioner.

Talent: Jazz Dance to “All That Jazz”

Service Initiative: Pause Before You Post – The Permanent Impact of Social Media

Miss Bay County Kenadie Mlujeak

Hometown: Saginaw

High School/College: Swan Valley High School, Delta College

Career Ambition: To obtain a bachelor’s degree in sports broadcasting and become a sideline reporter and game analyst in the NFL.

Talent: HERStory – “The Spark”

Service Initiative: Literacy For Life

Miss Ludington Area Natalee Urbon

Hometown: Ludington

High School/College: Ludington High School, Grand Valley State University

Career Ambition: To obtain my master’s degree in Christian ministry, launch my own business as a motivational speaker to empower others and inspire positive change.

Talent: Contemporary Dance to “Leave a Light On”

Service Initiative: The CommUNITY Campaign: Fostering Unity through Service

Miss West Michigan Izzy Wallace

Hometown: Washington Twp.

High School/College: Eisenhower High School, Michigan State University and Southern New Hampshire University

Career Ambition: To achieve my MBA, become a Fortune 500 marketing executive and partner with national organizations for disability employment.

Talent: Pop Vocal to “It’s A Man’s World” by James Brown

Service Initiative: Pathways To Success

Miss Flat River Heritage Maddison Hubbert

Hometown: Belding

High School/College: Belding Area High School, Saginaw Valley State University

Career Ambition: Apply my bachelor’s degree of science in public health administration toward managing healthcare facilities, with the goal of ultimately becoming a CEO.

Talent: Jazz Dance to “Applause”

Service Initiative: Today’s Youth, Tomorrow’s Future – The Importance of Youth Leadership

Miss Lighthouse Coast Reese Johnson

Hometown: Monroe

High School/College: Monroe County Middle College, Monroe County Community College and the University of Michigan

Career Ambition: To obtain a bachelor’s degree in graphic design with a minor in LGBTQ+ and gender studies.

Talent: Vocal Performance of “Don’t Rain on My Parade”

Service Initiative: Prism: LGBTQ+ Support, Education, and Resources

Miss Oakland County Alexis Ulmer

Hometown: Walled Lake

High School/College: Clonlara High School, University of Michigan

Career Ambition: To obtain a bachelor’s degree in kinesiology and minor in dance, a doctorate in physical therapy at Duke University, and ultimately become a doctor of neurologic physical therapy.

Talent: Lyrical Dance to “Power of the Dream”

Service Initiative: Fighting Social Media Thinspiration

Miss Spirit of the State Hannah Palmer

Hometown: Brighton

High School/College: Eastern Michigan University

Career Ambition: To advance my career with a master’s degree of Arts in curriculum and instruction.

Talent: HERStory: Your Dream is Waiting

Service Initiative: The Sunflower Project

Miss Sunrise Side Mary Kamara-Hagemeyer

Hometown: Holland

High School/College: Home Educated, Hope College

Career Ambition: To graduate with a MBA from Harvard University, to earn the opportunity as a CEO of a female-focused retail company.

Talent: Performing a vocal rendition of “Never Enough” from The Greatest Showman

Service Initiative: Good Neighbors: Celebrating Our Differences

Miss Apple Blossom Ashlee Pelham

Hometown: Adrian

High School/College: Onsted Community Schools, Adrian College and Spring Arbor University

Career Ambition: To obtain master’s degree in trauma and resiliency, to obtain an associate’s degree in agri-Science and become a certified agri-science educator.

Talent: Tap dance to “Come on Feel the Noize”

Service Initiative: Cultivate Education: Educating Youth on Agriculture

Miss Great Lakes Bay Samantha McGaughy

Hometown: Okemos

High School/College: Okemos High School, Adrian College

Career Ambition: To pursue a PhD in ethnomusicology to explore the connections between music and culture. My ultimate goal is to become a music professor to inspire the next wave of musicians and researchers.

Talent: Vocal Performance of “Habanera”

Service Initiative: E.A.G.E.R. to Learn: Explore, Access, and Gain Educational Resources

Miss Heart of Michigan Ashley Cetnarowski

Hometown: East Jordan

High School/College: East Jordan High School, Lansing Community College and Saginaw Valley State University

Career Ambition: To obtain my bachelor’s degree from Saginaw Valley State University and go on to serve as a public school elementary teacher.

Talent: HerStory — an original piece entitled “Girlhood: A User’s Guide”

Service Initiative: She Is Her Own Hero

Miss Wayne County Mikaela Bannon

Hometown: Canton

High School/College: Rogers City High School, Northern Michigan University

Career Ambition: To obtain a bachelor’s degree of Fine Arts from Michigan State University with a focus in writing and theater. Post grad I dream of becoming an actress while continuing my work as an esthetician.

Talent: Ballet En Pointe: “Le Cygne” (The Dying Swan)

Service Initiative: Cassidy’s Cause: Skin Cancer Awareness

Miss South Central Lacy Jewell

Hometown: Charlotte

High School/College: Charlotte High School, Michigan State University

Career Ambition: To obtain a juris doctorate and become an attorney that advocates for the advancement of social justice issues.

Talent: Rock Drumming to “Thunderstruck”

Service Initiative: Let’s Make Music: Advocating for Music Education

Miss Water Wonderland Olivia Youmans

Hometown: Greenville

High School/College: Greenville High School, Aquinas College

Career Ambition: To become a kindergarten interventionist.

Talent: Vocal Performance of “The Sound of Music” from the musical “The Sound of Music”

Service Initiative: Learning Through Play, Growing Everyday

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