Cobber Pride was all over the Miss Minnesota Competition the week of June 18. Abigail Vogeler ’23, Grace Henderson ’25, Morgyn Haugen ’22, and Whitney McClain all competed for the crown, making Concordia proud the whole way. The competition includes many different aspects that showcase each title holder’s skills and brilliant mind, which our Cobbers said was a life-changing experience that grows a woman’s confidence while giving her the opportunity to further her career and education goals.
Crown, Connections, and Concordia
After years of admiring a photo of her mother as Miss Northwest, Henderson competed for the first time this year, winning the title of Miss Lady Slipper 2023. She says she has grown in many ways between both her time at Concordia and as a local title holder for the Miss America Organization.
“I talk about my experience with pageants as initiating me into a new chapter of my life, especially because the Lady Slipper symbolizes new beginnings,” Henderson says. “Concordia opened the doors for me to continue to progress and mature as a young woman and a role model.”
She says a big part of wearing the crown is growing in confidence, learning to trust yourself and your capabilities, and being able to pursue initiatives you’re passionate about.
“I would say the most rewarding part is the community that you’re able to build with the crown,” Henderson says. “The crown became an outlet for me to express myself and to reach new people. I’ve gotten to meet small business owners and make connections that I wouldn’t have been able to.”
From left: Vogeler, Henderson, and McClain
McClain currently holds the Miss Northwest 2023 title. She works in Concordia’s Career Center and has seen a lot of ways that her job and her pageant experience complement each other. Her skill in helping students with interviews and resumes has proven essential to her own interviews in the Miss America Organization. In return, the organization strengthens her skills at work by giving her experience interacting with people of different backgrounds and mindsets, improving her public speaking skills, and growing her network and outreach opportunities.
“Knowing how to be flexible and adaptable in any situation is what I’ve learned from this organization and have been able to take that to the career center,” McClain says.
Vogeler also competed for the first time this year, winning the local title Miss Moorhead 2023 last fall. She was introduced to pageants by Haugen, who was Vogeler’s predecessor in the role of Miss Moorhead and is now Miss Perham 2023. Vogeler says all of the different ways she’s been involved at Concordia have helped her “channel the fire and drive” she has to pursue what she’s passionate about, which has helped her in competition.
“I love getting the chance to share my voice with others,” Vogeler says. “I have so much to say, and Miss Minnesota gave me an additional platform to express myself.”
Using Their Platforms
Participating in the Miss America Organization also aligns with Concordia’s mission to send thoughtful and informed citizens into the world. Henderson says a big part of the reason she decided to compete is that she was able to choose a community service initiative. She decided to focus on chronic illness advocacy, and has been able to meet people to help further that initiative.
McClain has similar sentiments about the community service aspect of the experience. “I think the most rewarding thing is just knowing that I’ve been able to impact people’s lives,” she says about her Mental Health Awareness initiative, which assists people in finding help and knowing when they need it. “It’s OK to not necessarily feel OK, but there are people who are there to help you.”
Photo courtesy of Hiropix
Vogeler says that her favorite part of holding her title is deeper community interaction. Her community service initiative is disability awareness, and she’s been able to attend more events related to her platform.
“I have been able to integrate a lot of the work I did with Sonder, the disability advocacy student organization at Concordia, into my community service initiative, which has made it easier than starting from scratch,” she says.
Winning Awards
Cobbers competing for Miss Minnesota received an array of awards and recognitions. Haugen won the Miss Congeniality Award, voted upon by other participants for someone who truly embodies everything Miss Minnesota stands for. Henderson was awarded the Producer’s Choice Award, given to someone who does an exemplary job helping with the production of the competition, and the Non-Finalist Talent Award for her top-notch tap performance. Vogeler made it into the top 12 semifinalists, and McClain placed second runner-up.
“When I got to the top five, I thought, ‘this is super exciting because I’ve made the goal that I set for myself,’” McClain says. “But to know that I get to go further than my goal is super rewarding.”
McClain leaves a heartfelt reminder about the Miss America Organization. “I think everyone’s initial reaction to a pageant is something like the way it’s portrayed in movies,” she says. “I can’t speak to other organizations, but this one is definitely very scholarship-driven and supports young women and helps them achieve their goals.”
The Miss Minnesota Scholarship Organization is one of the biggest scholarship providers to young women in the state, helping them achieve their goals one competition at a time.
Written by Tierney Jo Stewart ’24