Kate Redeker was crowned Miss Wisconsin USA 2016 at the end of the beauty pageant held on September 13, 2015 at the Fond Du Lac Performing Arts Center by the outgoing queen, Haley Laundrie. Tyra McFarland was adjudged as 1st runner-up, Heidi Golznig was declared as 2nd runner-up, Teaka Griesbach was titled as 3rd runner-up and Sara Spaulding was announced as 4th runner-up. At the same event Karly Knaus was crowned as Miss Teen Wisconsin USA 2016.
Kate opines that her dream job is to become a helicopter pilot for search and rescue as she loves flying and helping people. Not a newbie to pageant, Kate is a former Miss Wisconsin Teen USA 2013. Kate Redeker resides in Sheboygan, Wisconsin. Juggling her school work and extra-curricular activities, Kate still finds time to volunteer with various altruistic organizations. With her passion for helping others and being in the air, Kate plans on becoming a helicopter pilot for search and rescue after college.
She’s spent numerous weekends traveling to states such as Texas, North Carolina, New York, Florida and Colorado to participate in one of her favorite charitable efforts — the USO’s Operation That’s My Dress, through which designer Sherri Hill’s formal gowns are donated to military teens and wives, as well as women who serve.
The beauty queen reflects: “Everyone has their own perception of beauty and what is beautiful, and that is the beauty of it, I guess. I can share that (message with young girls) and help make them feel beautiful.”
Redeker, the first contestant from Sheboygan and second from Sheboygan County to obtain the state title, said the win came as a shock to her as well, but also acknowledged she “felt unusually comfortable” on stage. She also added that she has battled depression and an eating disorder, but has made tremendous strides on those fronts within the last year. Reflecting on her ideas, she stated: “I want to help girls with that as well. I want people to feel comfortable with themselves and the biggest thing for me with getting over my eating disorder was learning to feel comfortable in my own skin.”
Kate has one older brother, Nick, who she claims is one of her best friends. In her leisure time, she enjoys spending time with her family and friends, hunting, fishing, playing sports, and flying. Kate believes her strongest flair is her capability to relate to anyone she talks to and make people smile. She describes herself as amiable, outgoing, and a Christian who believes staunchly in God.
Wisconsin is one of the least successful states in the Miss USA with only seven placements in over sixty years. The state’s highest placing was Mary Cook earning 2nd runner-up in 1974, and they had no placements from 1979 until 2007, when Caitlin Morrall made the top fifteen. The state has not won the Miss USA title yet, do you believe, Kate Redeker can bring the first crown for her state in the coming edition of Miss USA?