Former Miss Quincy to represent Wisconsin in first Miss Volunteer America pageant in May

MILWAUKEE — Angelica Niemann continues to use the platform of pageants to make a difference in the lives of people.

Niemann, a 2015 graduate of Quincy (Ill.) Notre Dame, recently was named the first Miss Wisconsin Volunteer in the Miss Volunteer America Organization, a nationwide, service-oriented scholarship program created in February 2020 and based in Tennessee. 

Niemann, who works for a social media consulting company in Milwaukee, was a former Miss Quincy 2016, Miss Macomb 2017, Miss Illinois Sweetheart 2018, Miss Springfield 2019 and Miss Milwaukee Area 2020/2021. She will compete in the inaugural Miss Volunteer America pageant on May 2-7 in Jackson, Tenn.

She calls opportunities like the pageant in May “lollipop moments.”

Niemann’s platform: ‘Eat Right, Future Bright’

“It’s those little moments that are special, and you don’t even know it until it’s already gone,” Niemann said. “For example, at a previous summer camp, I worked with children with special needs and learned sign language. I was in a parade driving down Maine Street in Quincy, and someone signed to me. I signed back and communicated with a little girl. To have that mother reach out to me and say how much that meant for her daughter to communicate to me and have that kind of impact, it’s just those moments.

“(The pageant) is just another opportunity to inspire people to set an example to be a good leader. I want to continue to volunteer, and this is the path I’ve headed down. There have been so many people who have been in pageants themselves and really inspired me with all their volunteerism and their platforms. It’s just a really cool opportunity.” 

Niemann, 25, is a daughter of Ted and Suzanne Niemann of Quincy. She is a partner with the National School Lunch Program as she promotes her platform, “Eat Right, Future Bright,” which focuses on preventative nutrition education for children. She has published 11 cookbooks and a children’s book. 

The pageant will have five stages of competition: private interview, lifestyle and fitness, evening gown, onstage question and talent. Niemann will perform a ballet en pointe routine.

Miss Volunteer America offers swimsuit, evening gown competitions

The Miss America pageant and the Miss Volunteer America pageant are similar, but Niemann says there are two big differences.

“The big change you’re going to notice is Miss America has no swimsuit (competition). Miss Volunteer America added swimsuit back,” she said. “Also, there’s the service aspect. Our major focus is volunteerism. We all have our own platforms. I’m all about nutrition and ‘Eat Right, Future Bright.’ The group of people who started this organization has a huge heart to serve, and I felt like that really aligned with my values.”

The Miss America pageant scrapped swimsuits and revamped the evening gown competition starting in 2019.

Allison DeMarcus, Miss Tennessee 2009 and the wife of Rascal Flatts bassist Jay DeMarcus created the Miss Volunteer America Organization. Thirty states will send contestants to the inaugural pageant.

Niemann wants to create statewide volunteer week

Niemann is trying to create a statewide volunteer week in Wisconsin during National Volunteer Week, April 17-23.

“I’m just trying to just get the state involved with various activities and what’s great about volunteering,” she said. “There are just so many ways you can volunteer, whether it is creating a GoFundMe page for your favorite nonprofit or giving your extra canned goods in your pantry to the local food pantry. It doesn’t have to be something big or elaborate. You can be giving your time or giving your money. Everyone’s going to give differently.”

“With her great talent, conversational skills and dedication to volunteerism, we know she will represent Wisconsin well, and she has our full support,” Rick Rose, executive director of Miss Wisconsin Volunteer, said in a press release.

Niemann believes the Miss Volunteer America organization fits with her goals.

“It’s so much more than a pageant,” she said. “We all have that common goal, to leave the world better than we found it, to make our impact on our world and make our minutes matter. Being able to have this platform and this organization behind me really gives me a unique opportunity to reach out to so many more people. It allows me to maximize my time and maximize my experiences.”