2024 Miss La Crosse Oktoberfest – Savannah Grace Horstman
Savannah Horstman is 2024 Miss La Crosse-Oktoberfest
Article by Brad Quarberg, 2016 Maple Leaf Parade Marshal
Savannah Grace Horstman may have already held a state title, but she says the crown of Miss La Crosse-Oktoberfest fits even better.
Horstman was crowned the 2024 Miss La Crosse-Oktoberfest during a scholarship program Saturday, Sept. 14, at UW-La Crosse. Eleven contestants vied for the title that is an official preliminary competition to both the Miss Wisconsin and Miss America organizations. Miss La Crosse Oktoberfest also travels to many festivals and appearances each year with the Oktoberfest Royal Family.
Horstman, 22, started competing in the Miss America program when she was 12. Her parents, Travis and Mandi Horstman, were Oktoberfest Grenadiers, and she met 2012 Miss La Crosse Oktoberfest Tianna (Vanderhei) Goldberg who introduced her to the scholarship organization. Goldberg became Miss Wisconsin in 2018.
During a decade of periodically competing, Horstman held the titles of Miss Seven River’s Teen in 2016, Miss Halfway Creek’s Teen in 2017 and Miss Onalaska’s Teen in 2018. It was during that reign she became the 2019 Miss Wisconsin’s Teen. She held the title an additional year due to COVID.
When Horstman moved to Milwaukee for college after graduating from Holmen High School in 2020, she didn’t think she would have the opportunity to run for Miss La Crosse-Oktoberfest. But when she moved back home after graduation in June this year, she decided to pursue the dream that got her started in the Miss America Organization.
By earning the Miss La Crosse-Oktoberfest title, Horstman received $5,750 in cash scholarships and $4,500 in in-kind scholarships. Previously during her decade of competing she earned around $3,000 in cash scholarships and more than $10,000 in in-kind scholarships.
Horstman, a former show choir performer and singer since the 8th grade, sang “Heart of Stone” from the Broadway musical “SIX” for the talent portion of the competition. Her performance placed highest among the contestants. She chose the song with the help of her vocal coach, and because it holds a special place in her heart. Horstman saw the musical in Milwaukee with her mom and sister on International Women’s Day last year.
For her social impact initiative, Horstman has selected: “#ALLY – Supporting the LGBTQ+ Community.” When she was 12, her best friend was terrified to come out to his parents.
“I knew that I wanted to educate others on what inclusion looks like so no child would be afraid to be their true self,” she says.
As part of the initiative, Horstman plans to continue fundraising for the Trevor Project, a national suicide hotline for LGBTQ+ youth, and partner with local LGBTQ+ centers to fundraise and educate on inclusion. So far, she has raised more than $1,500 for the Trevor Project. Her goal is to host another fundraiser to double that amount before she heads to the Miss Wisconsin in June.
Having experienced so much during her Miss competitions, Horstman says she wouldn’t trade the experiences for anything.
“Miss America has helped me develop into the well-spoken, confident young woman I am today,” she explains. “I have earned numerous dollars in scholarships and have had the opportunity to develop and promote a community service initiative. This opportunity has had many impacts on my life— and it is way more than just a pageant.”
Horstman, currently a patient services specialist at Emplify Health in La Crosse, is excited to spend the next year with the new fest family and the Oktoberfest Grenadiers representing the area.
“Growing up around Oktoberfest, I cannot wait to be back in parades and have the honor of sitting in the Maple Leaf,” she says.
Along with serving as an ambassador as a part of the Oktoberfest Royal Family, Miss La Crosse-Oktoberfest also performs volunteer work promoting her personal platform and the national platform of American Heart Association, along with competing for Miss Wisconsin. The local scholarship program awards thousands of dollars in cash and in-kind scholarships plus many gifts and benefits to title holders and other contestants.
Earning first runner-up at this year’s competition was Anna Rehbein, whose hometown is Rochester, Minnesota. Second runner-up was Kiana Lomen of La Crosse. More than $20,550 was awarded during the competition.
Meet the 2024 Miss La Crosse-Oktoberfest
Name: Savannah Grace Horstman
Hometown: Onalaska
Immediate family members: Mandi and Travis Horstman (parents); Trinity Horstman (sister)
Education: Graduate of Holmen High School, 2020; Bachelor’s degree in Microbiology and Certificate of Forensic Death Investigation, UW-Milwaukee, 2024
Current position: Patient Services Specialist with Emplify Health, La Crosse
Professional goal: Pursue medical school to become a forensic pathologist
Community Service Initiative: “#Ally-Supporting the LGBT+ Community”
Hobbies: Hiking, tennis, golf, bingo
The Miss La Crosse Oktoberfest Scholarship Program is an official preliminary to both the Miss Wisconsin and Miss America Organizations. Miss La Crosse Oktoberfest serves as an ambassador for the La Crosse community as a part of the Oktoberfest Royal Family. She also performs countless hours of volunteer work promoting her personal platform, the national platform of American Heart Association, and competes for the honor of serving as Miss Wisconsin. This is an organization focused on community service, heritage, and empowering young women to achieve their personal, academic, and professional goals.
The Miss La Crosse Oktoberfest Scholarship Program awards thousands of dollars in cash and in-kind scholarships plus many gifts and benefits every year. Miss La Crosse Oktoberfest also travels to many festivals and appearances each year with the Oktoberfest Royal Family.
Please follow Savannah’s journey on the Miss La Crosse Oktoberfest Scholarship Program page on Facebook page for news and updates.
Eligibility
In order to be eligible to become Miss La Crosse Oktoberfest, you must:
- Miss America 18-28 – must be 18 by state competition, and no older than 27 at state competition
- You must ALSO meet criteria as shown below:
- Be a United States citizen
- Be a female
- Single
- No legal dependents
- Meet residency requirements for competing in your city or state (must live, work, or go to school in La Crosse County)
All interested candidates should email [email protected] for more information.
Former Titleholders
| Year of Reign | Miss La Crosse/Oktoberfest |
|---|---|
| 2023 | Emma Garrison |
| 2022 | Zoe de Boer |
| 2021 | Maddie Adickes |
| 2019-2020 | Jordenne Butler |
| 2018 | Elle Mark (Miss Minnesota 2021) |
| 2017 | Madeline Kumm |
| 2016 | Mattie Mae Krause |
| 2015 | Zoe Roou |
| 2014 | Audra Fuchsel |
| 2013 | Christa Brehm |
| 2012 | Tianna Vanderhei (Miss Wisconsin 2018) |
| 2011 | Kate Gorman (Miss Wisconsin 2012) Ellen Poeschel |
| 2010 | Elizabeth Kramer |
| 2009 | Raeanna Johnson (Miss Wisconsin 2011, Miss Wisconsin 2014) |
| 2008 | Katie Ekern |
| 2007 | Mandy Nogle |
| 2006 | Kristina Smaby (Miss Wisconsin 2009) |
| 2005 | Beth Bruzek |
| 2004 | Maggie Lee |
| 2003 | Katie Mumaw |
| 2002 | Mandy Kupietz |
| 2001 | Abby Ryan |
| 2000 | Erin Schockmel |
| 1999 | Alyssa Bruemmer |
| 1998 | Kristina Kruse |
| 1997 | Polly Steffes |
| 1996 | Misty Averill |
| 1995 | Abigail Meisch |
| 1994 | Gwen Overhouse |
| 1993 | Samara McAllister |
| 1992 | Dawn Holmes (September - December) Kam-Lin Kaio (January - September) |
| 1991 | Jodi Bakken |
| 1990 | Heather Horton |
| 1989 | Patti Hunt |
| 1988 | Liz McConahay |
| 1987 | Stephanie Strever |
| 1986 | Annette Huppert |
| 1985 | Kim Torgerud |
| 1984 | Rhonda Bentley |
| 1983 | Barb Mullallly (Miss Wisconsin) Brenda Holthaus |
| 1982 | Karen Schreier |
| 1981 | Gail Soller (Miss Wisconsin) Theresa Olson |
| 1980 | Amy Schatzke |
| 1979 | Jill Glendenning |
| 1978 | Mary Nelson |
| 1977 | Wendy Jo Abell* |
| 1976 | Sue Ofstedahl |
| 1975 | Debby Nerby |
| 1974 | Jackie French |
| 1973 | Sandra Marx |
| 1972 | Linda Deitte |
| 1971 | Kathy Kennedy |
| 1970 | Rita Deniger |
| 1969 | Marie Beaman |
| 1968 | Kristie Gates |
| 1967 | Marilyn Brahmsteadt (Miss Wisconsin) Fran Noyce |
| 1966 | Kathy Hickey |
| 1965 | Pat Krueger |
| 1964 | Nancy Zinn |
| 1963 | Mary Kay Knudson* |
| 1962 | Marilyn Otto |
| 1961 | Marlene Schultz Diane Morgan |
Miss La Crosse Oktoberfest
