Grace Stanke | |
|---|---|
_(cropped).jpg) Stanke in 2023 | |
| Born | Grace Marie Stanke (2002-04-30)April 30, 2002 (age 22) Wausau, Wisconsin, U.S. |
| Education | University of Wisconsin–Madison |
| Known for | Miss America 2023 |
| Height | 5 ft 11 in (1.80 m) |
| Title | Miss Wausau's Outstanding Teen 2016 Miss Harbor Cities' Outstanding Teen 2017 Miss Wisconsin's Outstanding Teen 2017 Miss Madison 2021 Miss Badgerland 2022 Miss Wisconsin 2022 Miss America 2023 |
| Term | December 15, 2022 – January 14, 2024 |
| Predecessor | Emma Broyles |
| Successor | Madison Marsh |
Grace Marie Stanke (born April 30, 2002) is an Americanpro-nuclear energy activist and beauty pageant titleholder who was crownedMiss America 2023 on December 15, 2022.[1] A native ofWausau, Wisconsin, she is the thirdMiss Wisconsin to win the national title.[2] She earned a bachelor's degree in nuclear engineering in 2023 and is currently employed in a public relations role byConstellation Energy to advocate for nuclear power.[3]
Stanke is a graduate ofWausau West High School.[4] Her father is a civil engineer.[5] She began competing as a local titleholder in theMiss America's Outstanding Teen pageant circuit to improve her violin skills.[6] Stanke was crowned Miss Wausau's Outstanding Teen 2016, Miss Harbor Cities' Outstanding Teen 2017, and finallyMiss Wisconsin's Outstanding Teen 2017.[7]
Stanke started competing in the Miss America system again after she turned 18 to earn scholarship money.[6] She competed atMiss Wisconsin 2021 as Miss Madison 2021, where she was a semi-finalist.[4][7] Stanke was crownedMiss Wisconsin 2022 while competing as Miss Badgerland 2022 atMiss Wisconsin 2022 on June 18, 2022, becoming the first woman to hold both state Miss and Teen titles.[8] In addition to the title, Stanke won Preliminary Talent and $12,500 in scholarships.[9][10]She studied nuclear engineering at University of Wisconsin–Madison.[11]
On December 15, 2022, Stanke won the title of Miss America 2023 and a $50,000 scholarship.[12][13] During the competition, Stanke received a preliminary talent award and a $2,500 scholarship for her classical violin performance of "Summer: III. Presto" from the Four Seasons byVivaldi.[14] She spent her year as Miss America raising awareness about nuclear power and zero-carbon energy sources.[15] During her reign, Stanke visited nuclear power plants across the United States[16] including theVogtle Electric Generating Plant inGeorgia,[17] thePalo Verde Nuclear Generating Station in westernArizona,[18] andHanford Site inWashington,[19][20] andEnergy Northwest in Washington.[3] She also spoke about the benefits of nuclear power at the Dairyland Power Cooperative 2023 annual meeting inLa Crosse, Wisconsin[21] and at theAmerican Nuclear Society's 2023 annual conference inIndianapolis, Indiana.[22] Stanke served as the Grand Marshal of the 36th Annual Arizona Public Service Electric Light Parade.[23]
During a 'Miss America World Tour', Stanke traveled toCanada,[24]Fukushima, andCOP28 inDubai.[25]
In July 2023, Stanke interviewed withCNN about the "Barbenheimer" phenomenon and her experience with bothpageants and nuclear science.[26][27] In September 2023, Stanke lent some of her sashes, gowns, and crowns to the Marathon County Historical Society in her hometown for an exhibit there called 'A Woman Who Can'.[28] During her reign, the Wall Street Journal declared Stanke "the new face of nuclear energy."[29] Stanke was named to the 2024Forbes 30 under 30 for Energy list.[30]
For her last appearance as Miss America (before the 2024 competition), Stanke spoke to sixth grade girls at elementary schools inIdaho Falls about STEM and nuclear engineering in a partnership with theIdaho National Laboratory.[31]
Stanke traveled over 270,000 miles during her year as Miss America.[31][32]
Stanke completed her bachelor's degree innuclear engineering from theUniversity of Wisconsin-Madison in 2023.[33] She is currently a nuclear engineer and nuclear energy advocate atConstellation Energy.[33][32][34] Stanke continues to advocate fornuclear power andSTEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math) education across the United States.[35][36][37]
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| Awards and achievements | ||
|---|---|---|
| Preceded by | Miss America 2023 | Succeeded by |
| Preceded by Jennifer Schmidt | Miss Wisconsin 2022 | Succeeded by Kylene Spanbauer |
| Preceded by Kylene Spanbauer | Miss Wisconsin's Outstanding Teen 2017 | Succeeded by Mandi Genord |