In the spotlight at Miss America
Two Wisconsin women vying for the crown
MANITOWOC - McKenna Collins began her own business at age 15 and was a full-time professional ballerina at age 16.
Now she’s in Atlantic City competing for the title of Miss America, one of two Wisconsin women in the contest: Miss Iowa, Chelsea Dubczak, is from Holmen.
The finals will be shown at 8 p.m. Sunday on ABC.
“I’m not nervous,” Collins said during a phone interview. “I’m excited. I know how much I’ve worked for and prepared for the job and I know I’m ready.”
It’s been a whirlwind summer for the 21-year-old University of Wisconsin senior, who was crowned June 17 at the Miss Wisconsin Scholarship Pageant.
“What an incredible platform to talk about issues that mean so much to me,” said Collins, of Waunakee. “My favorite part is talking to people, getting to represent the state and the Miss Wisconsin organization.”
She kept busy her first two months as Miss Wisconsin working across the state to promote her platform, “Table Talk: Promoting Civil Discourse,” and preparing for the Miss America Competition.
The spotlight is not new for Collins.
She is majoring in communications and political science and plans to attend law school in Washington, D.C. She has interned both with Robin Vos, speaker of the Wisconsin Assembly, and U.S. Speaker of the House Paul Ryan.
“I liked having even a small hand in legislation,” she said.
Dubczak is promoting a platform of “Ladies Who Lift: Strengthening Mind and Body.” She’s a graduate of Drake University, pursuing a doctorate in vocal performance. She’s also a certified personal trainer.
While Collins and Dubczak looked forward to their time in Atlantic City, 2016 Miss Wisconsin Courtney Pelot looked back.
The former Miss Green Bay Area, a Manitowoc native, made more than 190 appearances during the past year, visited 31 schools and logged about 34,000 miles across Wisconsin promoting her literacy platform.
Her advice to the competitors: “Every single day is packed, like living two or three days, so live in the moment. There were so many ‘pinch me’ moments.”