WADENA — Seven young ladies are competing in this year’s Miss Wadena Scholarship Pageant on Sunday, June 23 at the Wadena Memorial Auditorium. The theme for this year is “A New Era,” with contestants showcasing their talents as they compete for the title of Miss Wadena 2024. But before you vote for your favorite contestant, get to know each of the candidates.
Photo credit: Taylor Haman
Danica Pederson is sponsored by Moment in Time Dance Company and is the daughter of Michele and Michael Listrom. Danica’s talent is dance and she will be performing a piece called, “Do What I Do.” She will graduate in 2025 and after high school Danica plans to attend M-State in Wadena for her generals and plans to continue her education at a university majoring in education with a minor in business. Danica’s hobbies include dancing, traveling, camping and making memories with friends and family.
Photo credit: Taylor Haman
Mazie Boen is sponsored by R.D. Offutt Farms and is the daughter of Kayla and Warren Boen. She will graduate high school in 2025 and has plans to attend Ridgewater in Willmar to pursue agribusiness with an emphasis in crops. Mazie’s talent is guitar and will be playing "Good Riddance" by Green Day. Some of Mazie’s hobbies include fishing, all water activities, and listening to music.
Macy Wynn is sponsored by Moment in Time Dance Company and Now and Forever Wedding Gallery. She is the daughter of Bryan and Alicia Wynn and will graduate in 2025. Macy plans to attend college after graduation to obtain a degree in sonography. Her talent is dance, and her hobbies include dancing, camping, going to the lake with friends, shopping and hanging out with friends and family and traveling.
Photo credit: Taylor Haman
Vanessa Haataja is sponsored by Julia Whynott Piano Instructor and is the daughter of her adoptive mother Carol Haataja, and birth parents Jesse Ahlers and Melissa Shogren. Vanessa’s talent is piano and will be playing “Joyful, Joyful We Adore Thee,” by Ludwig Van Beethoven arranged by Lori Line. Vanessa will graduate in 2025 and plans to attend the University of Minnesota Crookston to pursue a degree in agriculture. Her hobbies include piano, arts and crafts, gardening, hunting, fishing, trap shooting and volunteering in her community and at church.
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Photo credit: Taylor Haman
Ava White is sponsored by Now and Forever Wedding Gallery and is the daughter of Stacy White, and Aaron and Tina White. Ava will graduate in 2025 and plans to attend a four-year university to pursue a degree in biology, and then grad school for a degree in chiropractic medicine. Ava’s talent is dance and will be performing a rendition of “Material Girl” as seen on the hit television show “Glee.” Her hobbies include dance, and spending time with friends and family.
Photo credit: Talyor Haman
Amaya Walker is sponsored by ShopKo Optical and is the daughter of Jamie Erckenbrack and Michael Walker. Amaya will graduate in 2025 and plans on attending a four-year university for psychology, and advance further in her education to become a psychologist. Her talent is trumpet and will be playing a solo piece called “Cherry Pink and Apple Blossom White” by Perez Prado. Her hobbies include crocheting, drawing, swimming and hanging out with friends.
Photo credit: Taylor Haman
Braelyn Wegscheid is sponsored by Bluffton Hardware and is the daughter of Ryan and Bobbi Jo Wegscheid. Braelyn will graduate in 2025 and plans to attend M-State in Moorhead or North Dakota State College of Science for dental hygiene. Her talent is jazz dance and will be performing a piece called “Outside” by Ellie Goulding with choreography by Maddi Horn. Braelyn’s hobbies include dancing, tubing, attending sporting events, traveling and spending time with family and friends.
Photo credit: Taylor Haman
The Miss Wadena Scholarship Pageant will take place 7 p.m. Sunday, June 23, at the Wadena Memorial Auditorium. Tickets are $5 in advance, $7 at the door and can be purchased from the contestants, Thrifty White Drug and at Wadena State Bank.
By Nicole Stracek
Nicole Stracek was a freelance writer for over 10 years before joining the Wadena Pioneer Journal. She covers everything from city council and county board meetings to breaking news. The community reporter can be reached at 218-631-2561 or nstracek@wadenapj.com.
