Savannah Grace Horstman might have already held a state title, but she says the crown of Miss La Crosse-Oktoberfest fits even better.
Horstman was crowned during a scholarship program Saturday at UW-La Crosse. Eleven contestants vied for the title that is an official preliminary competition to both the Miss Wisconsin and Miss America organizations. Miss La Crosse also travels to many festivals and appearances each year with the Oktoberfest Royal Family.
Horstman, 22, started competing in the Miss America program when she was 12. Her parents, Travis and Mandi Horstman, were Oktoberfest Grenadiers, and she met 2012 Miss La Crosse-Oktoberfest Tianna (Vanderhei) Goldberg who introduced her to the scholarship organization. Goldberg became Miss Wisconsin in 2018.
During a decade of periodically competing, Horstman held the titles of Miss Seven River’s Teen in 2016, Miss Halfway Creek’s Teen in 2017 and Miss Onalaska’s Teen in 2018. It was during that reign she became the 2019 Miss Wisconsin’s Teen. She held the title an additional year due to COVID.
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When Horstman moved to Milwaukee after graduating from Holmen High School in 2020, she didn’t think she would have the opportunity to compete for the La Crosse title. But after she moved back in June, she decided to go for it.
With the title, Horstman earned over $10,000 in scholarships. Previously, she’s earned around $13,000 in scholarships.
Horstman, a former show choir performer and singer since the eighth grade, sang “Heart of Stone” from the Broadway musical “SIX” for the talent portion of the competition. She placed highest among the contestants. She chose the song with the help of her vocal coach. Horstman saw the musical in Milwaukee with her mom and sister on International Women’s Day last year.
For her social impact initiative, Horstman has selected: “#ALLY—Supporting the LGBTQ+ Community.” When she was 12, her best friend was terrified to come out to his parents.
“I knew that I wanted to educate others on what inclusion looks like so no child would be afraid to be their true self,” she says.
Horstman plans to continue fundraising for the Trevor Project, a national suicide hotline for LGBTQ+ youth, and partner with local LGBTQ+ centers to fundraise and educate on inclusion. So far, she has raised more than $1,500. Her goal is to host another fundraiser to double that amount before the Miss Wisconsin contest in June.
Horstman says she wouldn’t trade the Miss experiences for anything.
“Miss America has helped me develop into the well-spoken, confident young woman I am today,” she explains. “I have earned numerous dollars in scholarships and have had the opportunity to develop and promote a community service initiative. This opportunity has had many impacts on my life — and it is way more than just a pageant.”
Horstman is excited to spend the next year with the new fest family and the Grenadiers representing the area.
“Growing up around Oktoberfest, I cannot wait to be back in parades and have the honor of sitting in the Maple Leaf,” she says.
Along with serving as an ambassador as a part of the Oktoberfest Royal Family, she will also performs volunteer work promoting her personal platform and the national platform of American Heart Association, along with competing for Miss Wisconsin.
Earning first runner-up at this year’s competition was Anna Rehbein, whose hometown is Rochester, Minnesota. Second runner-up was Kiana Lomen of La Crosse. More than $20,550 was awarded.
