Crowning 40 years: Miss Wadena Pageant celebrates legacy of confidence, community and crowns – Wadena Pioneer Journal

WADENA — For four decades, the Miss Wadena Scholarship Pageant has been more than a beauty competition. Since 1983, the event has helped young women build confidence, form lasting friendships and gain valuable life skills — all while celebrating community pride.

Originally known as “The Wild West Roundup and Little Miss Roundup,” the pageant was launched in partnership with the Jaycee Women of Today fashion show. Tracy (Adams) Kooman, the first Miss Wadena, recalls her experience as both thrilling and a little nerve-wracking.

“There were bats flying around the Memorial Auditorium while I was singing during the talent portion,” Kooman said with a laugh. “But the support, guidance and connections I made are something I’ll never forget.”

Kooman said the title opened her eyes to a new side of Wadena.

“I was involved in sports, so I thought I knew the community,” she said. “But being Miss Wadena allowed me to see it differently through volunteering and meeting people I wouldn’t have otherwise.”

After her reign, Kooman went on to compete in the Miss Minnesota pageant, becoming the youngest contestant at the time. Her experience in pageantry even helped launch a professional singing career.

“Another contestant I met encouraged me to audition at Valleyfair, and that led to five years as a professional singer,” she said.

Following the disbanding of the Jaycee Women of Today, the pageant aligned with the Miss Minnesota organization and was renamed the Miss Wadena Scholarship Pageant. In 1998, organizers chose to discontinue participation at the state level and removed the swimsuit portion of the competition.

Today, the pageant follows a format similar to national competitions, with contestants judged in categories including talent, evening gown, casual wear and interviews with judges.

Now celebrating its 40th year, the Miss Wadena Scholarship Pageant continues to serve as a platform for personal growth, public service and community engagement — a tradition that has left a lasting impact on generations of young women.

Over the years, hundreds of young women have competed for the Miss Wadena crown, with many former titleholders carrying the experience and crowns with them long after their reign.

For Gabrielle Ross, Miss Wadena 2017, the title marked the culmination of a lifelong connection to the pageant. Ross first became involved with the Miss Wadena Scholarship Pageant at age 5 when she served as Little Attendant.

“It was kind of just like the culmination of my time in the organization and was really special because that was a big goal of mine growing up — to be Miss Wadena,” Ross said.

Now living in Gainesville, Florida, Ross recently earned her law degree and is preparing for the bar exam. She credits the Miss Wadena program with helping her develop confidence and communication skills that have benefited her far beyond the stage.

“I used to be incredibly anxious and had a lot of anxiety around things like public speaking and even just normal conversations,” Ross said. “Miss Wadena really helped me.”

Ross added the experience of interviews, on-stage speaking, and support from the pageant committee gave her a foundation for success in professional settings, including job interviews and networking.

“The biggest thank you in the world to all of the Miss Wadena pageant committee members because they literally changed my life,” said Ross, who added the pageant committee members hold a special place in her heart. “They all are the most incredibly special people to me and they see the value of what Miss Wadena can do for young women.”

Miss Wadena 2012, Halley (Maas) Trochman described her crowning moment as “surreal and definitely unexpected,” especially since it was her first time competing in a pageant. Trochman said she was inspired to enter the pageant to push herself outside her comfort zone and try something different.

“I feel like I have always kind of gravitated towards leadership roles. And Miss Wadena was actually kind of the catalyst of my pageant career,” Trochman said. She would go on to compete in the Miss North Dakota USA in 2016. She won the title, and would go on to compete in the Miss USA pageant in Las Vegas.

“Being in Las Vegas for two weeks, competing on a national stage on television, it was just kind of one of those once in a lifetime experiences that I honestly don’t think I would have even attempted had it not been for the Miss Wadena pageant,” said Trochman.

Miss Wadena 1985, Maria (Moore) Clarys, said winning the pageant influenced her life personally and professionally.

“It helped me really polish myself, and instilled positive habits, and taught me poise and confidence, especially when under pressure,” Clarys said.

When asked about advice for young women competing in this year’s 2025 Miss Wadena pageant, Clarys encouraged them to have fun, enjoy the loving community, take advice from supporters and recognize that participating itself is a win regardless of the outcome because it demonstrates bravery.

Jill (Samuelson) Borgerding, Miss Wadena 1997, said after being crowned she was overwhelmed with both excitement and gratitude. She would go on to compete in additional pageant competitions, winning various titles along the way, including competing for Miss North Dakota.

“It was an incredible rush of emotions when they announced my name as Miss Wadena,” Borgerding said. “ I remember standing there, heart pounding, with my friends and family in the audience, feeling so honored and overwhelmed with gratitude.”

Gratitude that continues today as she prepares to make her way back to Wadena to celebrate 40 years of pageantry alongside fellow queens. Borgerding said her time as Miss Wadena left a lasting impression on her.

“To the community of Wadena and everyone who has supported the pageant for the past four decades — thank you from the bottom of my heart,” Borgerding said. “Your dedication and passion have made this tradition possible, and I am so proud to have been part of it. You have built something truly special that celebrates our town, our values, and our future.”

The Depot will sparkle a little brighter on Saturday, June 28, with a special celebration of 40 years of pageantry taking place to honor both the legacy of the Miss Wadena Scholarship Pageant and former Miss Wadena queens. The celebration is set to take place 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. at the Depot prior to the Miss Wadena Scholarship Pageant at 7 p.m. at the Wadena Memorial Auditorium. The theme this year is, “Totally Rad–Totally Royal”, with seven young ladies vying for the title of Miss Wadena 2025. Tickets are $5 in advance, or $7 at the door. Tickets are available at Thrifty White Drug, Wadena State Bank, and from each of the seven contestants.