HASTINGS, MN – AUGUST 30th, 2021 – The Miss Hastings Scholarship Program (MHSP) is thrilled to announce its candidates for the 2021 Miss Hastings Scholarship Competition! On Saturday, October 9th, at 3 PM, they will compete for the Miss Hastings 2022 title at Crossroads Church, 225 33rd Street West in Hastings. Tickets are $10 at the door and in advance at https://www.misshastings.org/online-store.

A 501(c)3 charitable non-profit and official preliminary program of the Miss America Organization, MHSP will award the Miss Hastings crown and a $1,000 scholarship to one of three young women. The candidates are Jocelyn Giefer, Jasmin Kotek, and Julia Kurzawski. MHSP will present scholarship awards to each runner-up and each winner of the Talent Award, the People’s Choice Award, and the Spirit of Miss America Award.

Jocelyn Giefer is a graduate of the University of Minnesota- Morris, with a bachelor’s degree in business management and minors in communications and sports management. Currently, she is the assistant manager of Forestville Vines Winery near River Falls, WI, and aims to acquire a teaching certificate. The focus of Jocelyn’s Social Impact Initiative is to spotlight and promote various non-profit organizations in the Hastings area that serve and strengthen families within our community. For her talent, Jocelyn will perform a pop vocal.

Julia Kurzawski is a freshman at the University of Wisconsin, River Falls taking exploratory classes to develop a career that helps others. Her Social Impact Initiative reflects her passion for assisting individuals experiencing domestic violence and the people who support them to live happier lives. Julia is a five-year veteran color guard member of the Hastings High School Marching Band. She will perform a swing flag routine for her talent presentation.

Jasmin Kotek is a senior at Minnesota State University, Mankato, with a double major in secondary mathematics education and science communication studies. Jasmin’s Social Impact Initiative is MIND: Moving in New Directions Toward Mental Wellness. She seeks to educate, influence, and empathize about mental wellness and create an open dialogue to discuss it across each generation within our community. For her talent, Jasmin will perform a jazz dance.

Hosts for the competition are Sophie Keeler, Miss Hastings 2020, and Mike Bremer of HCTV’s “Take a Hike, Mike!”. Featured guests are Elle Mark, Miss Minnesota 2021, and Miss Minnesota’s Outstanding Teen, Bella Grill. Each titleholder will give a talent presentation at the event. Special guests Reese Kuglin and Hailey Sherry from Jan’s School of Dance will perform an award-winning lyrical dance duet.

A silent auction, raffle, and voting for the People’s Choice Award are part of the event. Voting is now live at https://www. misshastings.org/online-store. For more information about the 2021 Miss Hastings Scholarship Competition, please contact Executive Director Janelle Behny at 651-270-8984.

2021 MHSC Candidate Jocelyn Giefer. Photo Credit: Becker Photography Studio

2021 MHSC Candidate Jasmin Kotek. Photo Credit: Becker Photography Studio

2021 MHSC Candidate Julia Kurzawski. Photo Credit: Becker Photography Studio