Chamber Notebook Article:

Miss Harbor Cities Organization, Inc.

The Miss Harbor Cities Scholarship Organization was formed in 2014 as a local preliminary scholarship competition to Miss Wisconsin and Miss America. The Miss America Organization is the largest provider of scholarship assistance to women in the United States, awarding millions of dollars annually in cash awards and in-kind scholarships. MHC also provides an annual Professional Development Series.

Each year, young women ages 13-28 from across the state of Wisconsin come to Manitowoc to compete in this competition for the titles of Miss Harbor Cities and Miss Harbor Cities Teen. In 2020 & 2022, the title of Miss Maritime Bay’s Outstanding teen was also awarded. The winners not only receive scholarships to continue their education, but also go on to represent the Manitowoc-Two Rivers area at the annual Miss Wisconsin and Miss Wisconsin’s Teen competitions held in June, in Oshkosh, WI. They promote the Lakeshore communities throughout their year of service.

The Miss Harbor Cities Organization, a recognized 501(c)3, provides scholarship assistance to young women ages 13-28, fosters mentorship and professional development opportunities, and supports social impact initiatives in the communities we serve. This year’s competition will be held Sunday, February 19, 2023 at the Capitol Civic Centre at 5 p.m. and is open to the public. The show will feature Miss Wisconsin & Miss America! The organization will host a raffle, Meet & Greet, and coronation reception. Tickets are on sale through the Capitol Civic Centre Box Office.

Former Miss Harbor Cities include: Michelle Neumann (2014); Jessica Johnson (2015); Tianna Vanderhei (2016); Alyssa Bohm (2017); Serena Larie (2018); Sarah Niehueser (2019); Katrina Mazier (2020/2021); and Kylene Spanbauer (2022). Former Miss Harbor Cities’ Outstanding Teens include: Sloan Schmitz (2014); Sophia Pollman (2015); Sarah Niehauser (2016); Grace Stanke (2017); Olivia Lulich (2018); Zoe Rucinsky (2019); and Ellie Krohn (2020/2021); and Miss Maritime Bay’s Outstanding Teen, Brooklyn Heyn (2020/2021). Anna Gruesen is the current Miss Harbor Cities’ Outstanding Teen 2022.

In 2017, as Miss Harbor Cities’ Outstanding Teen, Grace Stanke won the title of Miss Wisconsin’s Outstanding Teen; in 2018, Tianna Vanderhei (Miss Harbor Cities 2016) won the title of Miss Wisconsin and in 2019, and Alyssa Bohm (Miss Harbor Cities 2017) won the title of Miss Wisconsin. Grace Stanke went on to win Miss Wisconsin and then Miss America 2023.

Kylene Spanbauer (Miss Harbor Cities 2022) is now Miss Wisconsin 2022. 



The Miss Harbor Cities Scholarship Organization is always open to collaboration and partnerships within the community. If you are interested in sponsorship, partnering, volunteering, donating, having Miss Harbor Cities at an upcoming event or virtual appearance (including virtual classrooms), or have any ideas you want to discuss, please reach out to the Miss Harbor Cities Scholarship Organization at directors@missharborcities.org.

To learn more about the Miss Harbor Cities Scholarship Organization visit www.missharborcities.org or on Facebook at facebook.com/missharborcities or on Instagram.

Miss Wisconsin 2022 Kylene Spanbauer and Miss America Grace Stanke at the recent crowning for Spanbauer. Photo courtesy of MHC Organization.