Marissa is no stranger to pageants! She has competed in various pageants in Wisconsin since 2001 at the age of 9. She was Top 15 last year at Miss Wisconsin USA 2017. Good luck Marissa at Miss Wisconsin USA this year!
How many pageants have you previously competed in?
I competed in my first pageant at age 9, Miss Wisconsin American Coed 2001! I placed third runner up out of thirty contestants and was hooked on pageants. I competed the following two years (2002 and 2003) and placed fourth runner up both times. After taking a break from pageants, I competed again in 2009 at Miss Frederic, the annual pageant held in my hometown and won Miss Frederic and Miss Congeniality. I went on to compete in Miss Wisconsin Teen USA 2010 and made Top 15 and came back in 2011 and placed fourth runner up, which is when I aged out of the teen division. In April 2014 I was crowned Miss Wisconsin American Coed and went on to nationals, tying for 11th place. In April 2015, I competed at the national competition for Outstanding American Miss and won my first national title! In September 2016 I competed in Miss Wisconsin USA and made Top 15 as well as winning the Photogenic award. The most recent pageant I have competed in was Miss Wisconsin United States and I placed first runner up!
What made you decide to compete in Miss Wisconsin USA 2018?
My fascination with pageants started like many other girls; I loved dressing up and I dreamed of being a queen and wearing a crown. However, after competing in my first pageant, I realized how much competing in itself, let alone holding a title, impacts not only you but everyone around you. You can do as little or as much as you want with a crown, and I plan to go all out. Holding the title of Miss Wisconsin USA would give me the power to travel the state I was born in and speak to children and adolescents about how to chase your dreams regardless of the circumstances you came from.
Outside of competing in pageants, what do you like to do for fun?
I love spending any free time I have with my family. I also love to journal and blog, read for pleasure, go on evening walks, and go shopping.
Give a brief bio of yourself.
I graduated from the University of Minnesota with an elementary education major and a child psychology minor. I went on to get my graduate degree from the University of Minnesota and graduated with a Master's degree in elementary education with a 3.9 GPA. I am currently a second grade teacher in Hudson, Wisconsin and plan to teach for at least 10 years before pursuing an administration position.
If you win your state title, what do you hope to accomplish throughout your reign?
I was born to a teen mom and adopted by my father, who after a few years' into my parents marriage developed a very bad dependency on alcohol which ultimately led to their divorce. I have been raised the majority of my life by a single mom, on food stamps and free lunches. Neither of my parents had schooling beyond one year at a technical school. (Just because there is a wide range in audience , I will not go into more detail of the different trials I have faced.) Because of the circumstances I came from, many people wrote me off and thought my dreams were much too large for me. There were a few select adults throughout my life that really stood up and showed me that they truly believed in me. It is because of those adults that I am able to be where I am today; a place, statistically speaking, I should not be given the path that led me here. I could not be more thankful for those that helped me realize that my path may be different from most, it may take longer or more steps to get where I want to be, but that does not mean it is not possible. I would love to spend my time as Miss Wisconsin USA traveling Wisconsin and speaking to children and adolescents about the different trials I faced and how I found the resilience to accomplish my dreams. I would also love to hear their dreams and help point them in the directions and to the resources that will help them get to where they want to be.
What is your dream job (besides being Miss USA, of course!)?
Just as I said above, traveling and speaking to children and adolescents. If I could do that every day, I would be the happiest woman alive. I have faced many bumps along the way, but all of them are worth it knowing that my bumps can help someone else’s path run smoother
How many pageants have you previously competed in?
I competed in my first pageant at age 9, Miss Wisconsin American Coed 2001! I placed third runner up out of thirty contestants and was hooked on pageants. I competed the following two years (2002 and 2003) and placed fourth runner up both times. After taking a break from pageants, I competed again in 2009 at Miss Frederic, the annual pageant held in my hometown and won Miss Frederic and Miss Congeniality. I went on to compete in Miss Wisconsin Teen USA 2010 and made Top 15 and came back in 2011 and placed fourth runner up, which is when I aged out of the teen division. In April 2014 I was crowned Miss Wisconsin American Coed and went on to nationals, tying for 11th place. In April 2015, I competed at the national competition for Outstanding American Miss and won my first national title! In September 2016 I competed in Miss Wisconsin USA and made Top 15 as well as winning the Photogenic award. The most recent pageant I have competed in was Miss Wisconsin United States and I placed first runner up!
What made you decide to compete in Miss Wisconsin USA 2018?
My fascination with pageants started like many other girls; I loved dressing up and I dreamed of being a queen and wearing a crown. However, after competing in my first pageant, I realized how much competing in itself, let alone holding a title, impacts not only you but everyone around you. You can do as little or as much as you want with a crown, and I plan to go all out. Holding the title of Miss Wisconsin USA would give me the power to travel the state I was born in and speak to children and adolescents about how to chase your dreams regardless of the circumstances you came from.
Outside of competing in pageants, what do you like to do for fun?
I love spending any free time I have with my family. I also love to journal and blog, read for pleasure, go on evening walks, and go shopping.
Give a brief bio of yourself.
I graduated from the University of Minnesota with an elementary education major and a child psychology minor. I went on to get my graduate degree from the University of Minnesota and graduated with a Master's degree in elementary education with a 3.9 GPA. I am currently a second grade teacher in Hudson, Wisconsin and plan to teach for at least 10 years before pursuing an administration position.
If you win your state title, what do you hope to accomplish throughout your reign?
I was born to a teen mom and adopted by my father, who after a few years' into my parents marriage developed a very bad dependency on alcohol which ultimately led to their divorce. I have been raised the majority of my life by a single mom, on food stamps and free lunches. Neither of my parents had schooling beyond one year at a technical school. (Just because there is a wide range in audience , I will not go into more detail of the different trials I have faced.) Because of the circumstances I came from, many people wrote me off and thought my dreams were much too large for me. There were a few select adults throughout my life that really stood up and showed me that they truly believed in me. It is because of those adults that I am able to be where I am today; a place, statistically speaking, I should not be given the path that led me here. I could not be more thankful for those that helped me realize that my path may be different from most, it may take longer or more steps to get where I want to be, but that does not mean it is not possible. I would love to spend my time as Miss Wisconsin USA traveling Wisconsin and speaking to children and adolescents about the different trials I faced and how I found the resilience to accomplish my dreams. I would also love to hear their dreams and help point them in the directions and to the resources that will help them get to where they want to be.
What is your dream job (besides being Miss USA, of course!)?
Just as I said above, traveling and speaking to children and adolescents. If I could do that every day, I would be the happiest woman alive. I have faced many bumps along the way, but all of them are worth it knowing that my bumps can help someone else’s path run smoother