Miss La Crosse Oktoberfest promotes healthy minds and bodies

In less than one week, Oktoberfest will kick off in La Crosse.

To help count down the celebration, the newly selected Miss La Crosse Oktoberfest, Jordenne Butler, began making appearances to promote the event, as well as her platform: “Healthy mind in a healthy body.”

Butler was selected Saturday night at the Viterbo University Fine Arts Center, after a day of participating in interviews, showcasing her talent — lyrical dancing — and presenting her social impact statement:

“In 2012, my father was diagnosed with cancer, and that was a wakeup call for my family and our health. We started eating more nutritious meals together, going on walks and making it a priority to go to our yearly checkup.”

She said that experience motivated her to encourage others to think positively.

“As we all know, healthy looks different on everyone, but as we have a positive mindset around health is so important,” Butler said.

As an Onalaska native, Butler is no stranger to the September tradition.

“Growing up in the area, I looked forward to Oktoberfest every year,” Butler said. “The Maple Leaf Parade, the Torchlight Parade, but now, getting to actually be a part of Oktoberfest is so incredible, and I am very honored to be in this position.”

Butler is a Viterbo University student and will compete in the Miss Wisconsin scholarship program in June.