WAUSAU − Ten young women and teens from across central Wisconsin will compete Nov. 1 for the title of Miss Wausau Area 2026 and Miss Wausau Area’s Teen 2026.
Directed by Jenny Stanke, the mother of Miss America 2023 Grace Stanke, the competition is an official local preliminary to the Miss Wisconsin and Miss Wisconsin’s Teen competitions to be held in June 2026 in New Berlin, according to a news release from the local organization.
“In our third annual competition, we cannot wait to continue to uplift women from the central Wisconsin community and award over $6,000 in scholarships,” said Executive Director Jenny Stanke. “I look forward to spotlighting the women, and working with our two new titleholders to represent the Wausau area.”
What does the competition look like?
The competition will be held at 4 p.m. Nov. 1 at the UW Center for Civic Engagement, 625 Stewart Ave. in Wausau. Tickets cost $15 cash and will be sold at the door.
Contestants will be judged in private interview, on-stage conversation, health and fitness, talent and evening gown.
Finishing out their years, Miss Wausau Area 2025 Avery Manthe and Miss Wausau Area’s Teen 2025 Anna Jacobson will crown the two new titleholders.
Winners will receive cash scholarships to the school of their choice, the opportunity to represent their community for the next year, and the chance to compete for Miss Wisconsin, and potentially Miss America. The Teen winner will go on to compete for Miss Wisconsin’s Teen, and potentially Miss America’s Teen.
Meet the Miss Wausau Area 2026 contestants
Six young women will compete for the title of Miss Wausau Area 2026.
Contestant No. 1 − Ashley Springer
Springer is studying violin performance, arts management and music education at UW-Stevens Point. For her talent, she will perform a classical violin number to “Thunderstruck.” Her platform is “ColorSound − Empowerment Through the Arts.”
Contestant No. 2 − Allison Wisinski
Wisinski is studying accounting and mathematics at UW-Stevens Point. For her talent, she will perform a vocal number to “I Have Nothing.” Her platform is “Body Positivity − Empowering Others.”
Contestant No. 3 − Janae Bond
Bond is studying digital marketing at Northcentral Technical College. For her talent, she will perform a jazz dance to “Boogie Wonderland.” Her platform is “Not Just a Limp.”
Contestant No. 4 − Makaya Stanke
Stanke studying wildlife ecology and management at UW-Stevens Point. For her talent, she will perform a cheer routine to “Breakin’ Dishes.” Her platform is “No Animal Left Behind.”
Contestant No. 5 − Abigail Wilke
Wilke is a senior at Spencer High school. For her talent, she will sing and perform American Sign Language to the National Anthem. Her platform is “Keeping Families Closer.”
Contestant No. 6 − Arianna Gierman
Gierman is studying nursing at Northcentral Technical College. For her talent, she will perform a lyrical dance to “How Do I Say Goodbye.” Her platform is “Compassion in Action − Bridging the Gap in Patient Care.”
Miss Wausau Area’s Teen 2026
There are four local teens competing for the title of Miss Wausau Area Teen 2026 competition.
Contestant No. 1 − Morgan Sorge
Sorge is a student at Marathon High School. For her talent, she will perform a piano number to “Fountain in the Rain.” Her platform is “The Gift of Life − Blood Donation.”
Contestant No. 2 − Colette Pickar
Pickar is a student at Faith Christian Academy. For her talent, she will perform a spoken word to “There Their They’re Sew So.” Her platform is “Dyslexia Awareness − Education about the Impacts of Dyslexia.”
Contestant No. 3 − Kylie Padilla
Padilla is a student at Wausau West High School. For her talent, she will perform a tap dancing number to “Without You.” Her platform is “The Most Wonderful Time of the Year − Fundraising for children’s medical care & research.”
Contestant No. 4 − Chloe Munguia
Munguia is a student at D.C. Everest Senior High School. For her talent, she will perform a jazz dance to “I Know the End.” Her platform is “Resilience in Action − Mental Health Awareness.”
Editor Jamie Rokus can be reached at jrokus@gannett.com or follow her on Twitter at @Jamie_Rokus.
This article originally appeared on Wausau Daily Herald: Meet the 10 contestants running for Miss Wausau Area and Miss Wausau Area’s Teen 2026
Reporting by Jamie Rokus, Wausau Daily Herald / Wausau Daily Herald
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