Six ladies clad in formalwear anxiously awaited the results of the 23rd annual Ms. Oktoberfest Pageant on Saturday at the German American Social Club.
The votes were tallied and Marcella Schmidt, 21, of Cape Coral was crowned the 2011 Ms. Oktoberfest. She be an ambassador for the social club during her yearlong reign, said Teresa Kohl, pageant director.
Schmidt took home a $750 jewelry gift certificate as well as a year membership to the club.
Rachael Hazelwood, 23, of Cape Coral was crowned first runner-up and Amanda Dusick was second runner-up.
The pageant had a full house at the club and there was dinner and dancing prior to the competition. Kohl said this event is a highlight for club members.
This pageant isn't your average beauty pageant with a talent and swimwear portion. Rather, it's based on personality and interest in learning about the club and the culture.
Kohl said the club looks for "a girl with a good personality and good with the public."
Ms. Oktoberfest reigns over the club's biggest event - Oktoberfest.
Oktoberfest, a nod to German culture with traditional music, dancing food and beer, will be the last two weekends in October at the social club. The festival draws more than 30,000 people to Cape Coral.
Many contestants spoke about the fun times they have had at prior Oktoberfests and their love for the German culture.
Each contestant was given two questions, one picked out of a hat and one asking why she wanted to be Ms. Oktoberfest.
Marcella Schmidt, 21, of Cape Coral was crowned Ms. Oktoberfest 2011 during the 23rd annual Ms. Oktoberfest pageant July 16 at the German American Social Club.
Hazelwood was most nervous about the questions.
"I'm hoping for a good question and to not be too nervous to answer," she said.
Hazelwood wanted to be in the pageant because she has seen Ms. Oktoberfest through the years. This was her first pageant.
Lori VanWinkle, 43, was also nervous about the questions. She said a couple of people urged her to compete and she applied.
"Why not, it sounds like fun," VanWinkle said. "I'm glad I did it."
Schmidt said she has always had an interest in Ms. Oktoberfest.
"I remember being a little girl and wanted to take a picture with Ms. Oktoberfest," she said.
Schmidt waited until she was 21, the minimum age for contestants. Schmidt was born in Germany but moved to Cape Coral at age 5. She is bilingual and a dual citizen, qualities she thought helped sway the judges.
Schmidt said the win was unexpected.
Ms. Oktoberfest will have many commitments throughout the next year. She will reign over all club events, represent the club at the Edison parade and appear in advertising and marketing for the club. Schmidt thinks she is ready for her new duties.
"I got a lot ahead of me but I can do it," she said.
Kohl is happy with Schmidt being crowned but said that all the candidates were qualified.
"The judges did a great job. They had a difficult job," Kohl said. "I wish they had six queens but that is not possible."
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