Willow Newell ’25 crowned Miss Kenosha 2023

Willow Newell ’25 Willow Newell ’25 was recently named Miss Kenosha 2023! She is the first African American woman to ever receive the title.

“Becoming the first Black Miss Kenosha is an insurmountable honor! I am not only standing on the shoulders of so many people who have paved the way for me to be successful in pageantry, but I will now have the opportunity to set a precedent for other women joining the Miss America Organization,” says Willow.

“As Miss Kenosha, I plan to entertain and inspire the community through vocal performance, inform young women on how to earn scholarships by competing for Miss Kenosha, and I will be the representation of diversity I want to see in the entertainment industry by visiting schools, nursing homes, churches and more!”

Gloria Castro-Jimenez ’24 Carthage junior Gloria Castro-Jimenez ’24 took third runner-up in the pageant. Gloria is a student worker in the Engagement and Inclusion Center whose social impact was on diversity and inclusion.

“We are very proud of these two ladies as they showed representation for women of color in the pageant,” says Victor Escobedo, program specialist for equity and community connections.

Congratulations to Willow and Gloria for all their hard work and dedication to the Carthage and Kenosha communities!

Sponsoring Department, Office, or Organization:

Office of Equity and Inclusion

For more information, contact:

vescobedo@carthage.edu