Miss Oktoberfest
Born and raised in the region, Sandra Dynka wears the crown
KITCHENER — A kinesiology graduate and former tennis player has been named Miss Oktoberfest.
Sandra Dynka was crowned from among nine contenders at a black tie event at Lot42 Friday night.
She will serve as an ambassador for the festival, which celebrates its 50th anniversary this year.
Dynka, who was born and raised in Kitchener-Waterloo, is a kinesiology grad from Texas Tech University with a minor in nutrition.
Kitchener-Waterloo Oktoberfest said that one her biggest passions is educating people about the importance of nutrition and making it accessible to every single person in Waterloo Region. Last year, she helped launch a project in which individuals in need are given nutritious organic meals three times a week using vegetables grown at a community garden.
“Leaders that I look up to in my life lead with respect, are humble and never take their leadership for granted,” Dynka said in her Miss Oktoberfest application.
“I want to follow in their footsteps and make an impact on this community leading in exactly that way.”
The festival said Dynka also is an advocate for encouraging others to believe in themselves and pursue their dreams, no matter how old they are.
It noted that as a former tennis player — she has competed professionally in both singles and doubles — she has experienced the burden of struggling to find her identity outside of competition.
A news release said that “a dream of hers is to start an organization where females can come together and embrace who they are outside of their field whether it be athletics or otherwise.”
Dynka, 28, will serve as Miss Oktoberfest for the next 12 months. This year’s festival runs from Oct. 5 to 13.