Miss Wisconsin 2024 crowned in Oshkosh competition

On Saturday evening, June 22, 2024, Mandi Genord, a 22-year-old woman from Beaver Dam, swept the title of Miss Wisconsin 2024 among a field of 30 contestants representing their communities across the state.

Competing as Miss Northern Lights, Genord receives $12,500 in scholarships along with other gifts and awards, and the opportunity to compete for the title of Miss America 2025 (date and location to be determined). She also won preliminary talent and evening wear award honors, was named the overall evening wear winner and tied for the overall Interview score. With those awards, Genord earned an additional $1,500 in scholarships.

For the talent phase of competition, Genord performed a contemporary jazz dance to ‘”You Don’t Own Me”. Her Community Service Initiative is Movement Matters. Genord strives to keep kids in motion increasing cognitive function and self esteem through the power of activity.

A 2024 graduate of the University of Alabama, Genord was awarded Bachelor’s Degrees in Political Science, Communication Studies and Dance. She plans to attend law school with aspirations of becoming an Adoption Attorney.

Genord served as Miss Wisconsin’s Teen in 2018. She is the third former Miss Wisconsin’s Teen to be awarded the title of Miss Wisconsin. She credits her time with the Miss America Opportunity for helping her to graduate debt free.

“I am thrilled to have Mandi Genord crowned Miss Wisconsin 2024, back representing our organization.” said Brenda Baudo, executive director of the Miss Wisconsin Scholarship Organization. “She is well-spoken, intelligent and talented. I am anxious for her to get out into the communities promoting her service initiative.”

Rounding out the Top 11 semi-finalists and court of honor were the following candidates:
● Miss New Berlin, Kailee Doherty, Menomonee Falls, “People’s Choice” winner, $600 Scholarship
● Miss West Allis, Brystal Schultz, Bristol, $500 Scholarship
● Miss Rock River Valley, Hollis Brown, Savannah, Georgia, Semi-finalist, $500 Scholarship
● Miss Turtle Creek, Kayla Gallego, Miramar, Florida, Semi-finalist, $500 Scholarship
● Miss Sugar Maple, Theresa Guardiola, Ra, Semi-finalist, $500 Scholarship
● Miss Great Lakes, Willow Newell, Racine, Semi-finalist, $500 Scholarship
● Fourth Runner-up, Miss Door County, Kylie Duessler, Sturgeon Bay, $1,000 Scholarship
● Third Runner-up, Miss Madison, Halle Bender, Madison, $1,250 Scholarship
● Second Runner-up, Miss Onalaska, Jordenne Butler, Onalaska, $1,500 Scholarship
● First Runner-up, Miss South Central, Catherine Smith, Janesville, $3,000 Scholarship