Miss Monarch 2023 Paige Nikodem
Paige Nikodem is the first Miss Monarch, which was awarded to the top-scoring rookie* in the Miss competition! At the Miss Chain of Lakes/Miss Capital City competition on January 7, 2023, she won the talent award with her baton twirling. A baton twirler since age 2, she was announced as a Feature Twirler with the University of Minnesota Marching Band. She has performed at both Disneyworld and Universal Studios in Florida. She competed in Italy and Norway as part of Team USA in the World Federation of National Baton Twirling Associations (WFNBTA), winning 2 gold medals.
In her 2nd year at the University of Minnesota, Paige pursues a Bachelor of Science in Law, focusing on sociology, criminology, and justice. Her interest was sparked by watching “Blue Bloods” with her grandparents.
Her social impact initiative, “Healing Hands: Creating Kindness for Cancer Patients” shows support and compassion to those who are fighting cancer. She raises money and seeks product donations to provide blankets and personal care items that make a patient's hospital stays and treatments more comfortable. As a family member who watched her grandfather suffer as he battled the disease, she is committed to making a difference in as many cancer patients' lives as she can.
She has seen other ways to brighten people’s lives through volunteer work: She did data review to assure that rescue dogs were placed in safe homes. During the pandemic, she helped make Covid window masks to improve communication for people with hearing impairment. An annual holiday project was to create Christmas stocking gifts for children whose families are unhoused.
When she returns home from college to visit her family, she loves playing with her four dogs. She has had the opportunity to visit 6 countries and discover new cultures, meet new people, and experience the unique beauty that each country had to offer. A superfan of fabulous and big gestures, she has watched every episode of Ru Paul’s Drag Race.
*Rookie is defined as an individual who has not yet competed at the state level as a Miss candidate.
In her 2nd year at the University of Minnesota, Paige pursues a Bachelor of Science in Law, focusing on sociology, criminology, and justice. Her interest was sparked by watching “Blue Bloods” with her grandparents.
Her social impact initiative, “Healing Hands: Creating Kindness for Cancer Patients” shows support and compassion to those who are fighting cancer. She raises money and seeks product donations to provide blankets and personal care items that make a patient's hospital stays and treatments more comfortable. As a family member who watched her grandfather suffer as he battled the disease, she is committed to making a difference in as many cancer patients' lives as she can.
She has seen other ways to brighten people’s lives through volunteer work: She did data review to assure that rescue dogs were placed in safe homes. During the pandemic, she helped make Covid window masks to improve communication for people with hearing impairment. An annual holiday project was to create Christmas stocking gifts for children whose families are unhoused.
When she returns home from college to visit her family, she loves playing with her four dogs. She has had the opportunity to visit 6 countries and discover new cultures, meet new people, and experience the unique beauty that each country had to offer. A superfan of fabulous and big gestures, she has watched every episode of Ru Paul’s Drag Race.
*Rookie is defined as an individual who has not yet competed at the state level as a Miss candidate.