From Gonzales to the National Stage!

By LORRELL WRIGHT, For the Inquirer

Angela Witzkoske grew up in Gonzales hearing the words “Come and Take It,” but her personal motto has become “Dare to Dream.”

From her first crown at age eight to representing Texas on a national stage in 2025, the 2014 Gonzales High School graduate has turned pageantry into more than evening gowns and sashes. For her, it’s been a journey of overcoming shyness, building confidence, and using her platform to inspire others — especially young women from small towns like hers.

Her pageant story began in 2004 when her mother entered her in the Little First Miss Gonzales competition.

“My mom wanted me to come out of my shell,” she recalled. “She thought pageants would help me gain confidence, and she was right.”

She went on to win Young Miss Gonzales in 2006, compete for Junior Miss in 2008, and capture the Miss Gonzales crown in 2012. Along the way, she earned statewide recognition, including a Top 10 finish in the Distinguished Youth of Texas program and second runner-up at Pre-Teen Texas.

As a teenager, she stepped onto an even bigger stage, competing in Miss Texas Teen USA in both 2011 and 2013, sharing the spotlight with more than 120 contestants each time. In her twenties, she entered the Miss America system, winning titles including Miss Southeast Texas, Miss Richardson, and Miss Roanoke Texas. When she aged out of that organization, she thought her competition days were behind her — until she discovered USA ICON.

“I wasn’t considering competing again,” she admitted. “But when I learned about ICON’s mission — intelligence, confidence, optimism, and nobility — it resonated with me. There’s no age limit, and it truly focuses on what titleholders stand for, not just how they look on stage.”

In early 2025, Witzkoske earned the title of USA ICON Miss Lonestar State, a regional crown alongside Miss Texas. With just six weeks to prepare for her first national competition, she built a demanding routine. Her mornings began at 5:30 with a workout, followed by a healthy breakfast before heading to her job as the business manager for a Dallas-based art restoration company.

She credits her pageant experience for giving her the confidence to walk into businesses and pitch their services — a skill that proved invaluable on stage. Evenings were devoted to interview practice, skincare, and wardrobe planning. Her boyfriend, a former debate team captain, served as her speaking coach, helping her refine her answers for the onstage interview.

Wardrobe, she explained, is more than just fashion — it’s strategy.

“Every system has its own style,” she said. “Miss America leans toward simple elegance. Miss USA goes for glitz and sparkle. ICON is a blend of the two.”

While many competitors wore glittering gowns, Witzkoske opted for an old Hollywood-inspired look: classic, but with a twist. “I wanted to stand out by doing the opposite of what most would expect.”

Her platform, Dare to Dream, centers on resilience — the belief that life’s “no’s” don’t define you. “Everyone is going to face adversity,” she said. “The key is to move past it and keep dreaming.” She hopes to bring that message home to Gonzales, especially to young women. “I’d love to speak to students about believing in themselves and going after big goals. I also want them to know that pageantry isn’t just about winning crowns — there are scholarships and skills that can change your life.”

At ICON nationals, Witzkoske earned third runner-up — a remarkable feat for her first time on the national stage.

“When they called me into the Top 5, it was that ‘I finally did it’ moment,” she said. Backstage, she admits, isn’t as glamorous as it looks. “Yes, ‘butt glue’ from Miss Congeniality is real,” she laughed. Still, the friendships are her favorite part. One of her closest connections from the competition was Miss Maryland, a naval officer, nurse, and model. “She embodies what ICON is about,” Witzkoske said. “I’ve even invited her to appear with me at events.”

For years, her biggest challenge was the onstage question.

“I used to get so nervous,” she said. “But this year, a mental management coach offered advice that changed everything: treat it like answering a question at a volunteer appearance. That completely changed the game for me.”

At ICON, her toughest area was fitness, but she embraced the experience.

“Honestly, I was just happy to be there. Competing at nationals was a dream come true,” Witzkoske said.

Representing Gonzales, she said, is always special. “People always know ‘Come and Take It,’” she laughed. “It’s fun to share the history of Gonzales, and being from a small town means you have a community behind you. I was humbled seeing so many people from home sharing my posts and cheering me on.”

Now living in Dallas, Witzkoske is considering competing again in the ICON system. She also hopes to mentor other young women — from Miss Gonzales contestants to Miss Texas hopefuls — offering guidance on everything from interview skills to finding the right gown.

Her advice to anyone chasing a goal is simple: “Competing puts you in uncomfortable situations — but you have to get comfortable being uncomfortable. Nothing is unreachable if you dare to dream.”