Racine’s Willow Newell Crowned Miss Wisconsin 2025, Makes History as First Black Titleholder

The Miss Wisconsin Scholarship Organization has crowned a new titleholder, and it’s a moment that marks history.

Willow Newell of Racine earned the title of Miss Wisconsin 2025 on Saturday night, rising to the top of a field of 29 contestants from across the state. In doing so, she becomes the first Black woman to hold the title in the organization’s nearly 90-year history. Newell competed as Miss Racine and now advances to the Miss America 2026 competition, set to take place in September in Orlando, Florida.

At just 22 years old, Newell brings a long list of achievements to the crown. She’s a 2025 graduate of Carthage College with a Bachelor of Arts in Musical Theater, and a seasoned vocal performer with more than 15 years of experience. She’s been active in 15 stage productions and first got involved with the Miss America Opportunity as a teen delegate in 2017.

During the competition, Newell earned several top honors, including awards for preliminary talent and evening wear. She also tied for both overall evening wear and interview scores. Her performance of “And I’m Telling You” from Dreamgirls won her the top vocalist title and the Ryan Guy Memorial Music Scholarship. Altogether, she received $15,300 in scholarships and several other gifts.

Newell’s Community Service Initiative, titled Expression Without Exclusion, focuses on increasing access to the arts by building inclusive spaces, connecting communities, and sharing stories.

According to Brenda Baudo and Meghan DeMore, co-executive directors of the Miss Wisconsin Scholarship Organization, Newell’s journey within the program has been years in the making. “It has been exciting to see her grow into the accomplished and talented woman she is today,” they said. “She found her purpose that she was searching for and now a voice as Miss Wisconsin 2025.”

The 2025 competition also recognized a strong group of semi-finalists and finalists:

Top 11 Semi-finalists:

1. Olivia Heuer, Miss Wisconsin Rapids (People’s Choice winner, $600 scholarship)
2. Christel Rivera, Miss Great Lakes (Racine)
3. Savannah Grace Horstman, Miss La Crosse-Oktoberfest
4. Halle Bender, Miss Wood Violet (Madison)
5. Jada Davis, Miss West Allis (Milwaukee)
6. Gabriella Suliga, Miss New Berlin (Milwaukee)

Each semi-finalist received a $500 scholarship.

Court of Honor:

1. Fourth Runner-up: Evelyn Green, Miss Sugar Maple (Oshkosh), $1,000 scholarship
2. Third Runner-up: Jordenne Butler, Miss Northern Lights (Onalaska), $1,500 scholarship
3. Second Runner-up: Catherine Smith, Miss Rock River Valley (Janesville), $2,000 scholarship
4. First Runner-up: Jasmine Peck, Miss Madison (St. Francis), $4,000 scholarship

Since 1936, the Miss Wisconsin Scholarship Organization has provided scholarships and opportunities for young women to serve their communities, grow as leaders, and advocate for causes they believe in. Past winners from Wisconsin who have gone on to earn the Miss America crown include Terry Anne Meeuwsen (1973), Laura Kaeppeler (2012), and Grace Stanke (2023).

For more information or media inquiries, please contact the Miss Wisconsin Organization directly.

Photo credit: Magic Dreams Productions

Top Five Photo from left: Catherine Smith, Jasmine Peck, Evelyn Green, Jordenne Butler, Willow Newell