Viterbo nursing student and Miss La Crosse Oktoberfest Vivian Stephenson will compete for the title of Miss Wisconsin Wednesday, June 17–Saturday, June 20 at the New Berlin West Performing Arts Center, and the well wishes of the university community go with her.
“I’m excited,” said Stephenson, a native of Viroqua. “There has been lots of preparation and I’m looking for forward to it.”
Stephenson will tap dance to the song These Boots are Made for Walking in the talent portion of the competition. It will be the same performance that helped win her the title of Miss La Crosse Oktoberfest and the pageant’s Best Overall Talent Award, but with a new costume and some minor chorographical adjustments. Stephenson and the other 30 contestants in the Miss Wisconsin pageant will also compete in the categories of interview, on stage question, evening gown, and health and fitness. Thousands of dollars in scholarships will be awarded.
Nine months into her reign as Miss La Crosse Oktoberfest, Stephenson has especially enjoyed visiting area classrooms and childcare centers as part of her community impact initiative, “Harmony in Motion: Dance for Youth Well-being,” which advocates for using dance to benefit the physical, mental, and emotional health of young people.
“Breaking out my tap dance board and sharing my passion with them has been my favorite part,” Stephenson said. “The kids jump up and dance and are very excited.”
A dancer since the age of three, Stephenson teaches at the La Crosse Dance Centre and Sole Expressions Dance Studio. She will graduate with her nursing degree and a dance minor from Viterbo in May 2027. Her long-term goals are to work as a registered nurse midwife and own a dance studio.
Participating in the Miss La Crosse Oktoberfest program has provided Stephenson with numerous benefits, including improved public speaking and interview skills, and the ability to engage and talk with people from all walks of life, and things that will help her as a nurse. She has earned $11,000 in scholarship funds so far, including the $500 per semester scholarship awarded by Viterbo University to any of its students named Miss La Crosse Oktoberfest.
“I have also learned more about the importance of hometown pride, service, and all the great things our community has to offer,” Stephenson said. “It’s been a great experience. The support I have received from everyone has been outstanding.”
Learn more about Vivian and the Miss La Crosse Oktoberfest scholarship program at https://www.oktoberfestusa.com/about/royal-family/miss-la-crosseoktoberfest/.
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