She Will Do Cumberland Proud

Makenna Olson was born in Cumberland and graduated from the town’s high school last year. This year she’s attending her first year at UW-Eau Claire Campus pursuing a degree in Public Relations with a minor in Marketing.

She lives at home and commutes to school.

Her mom is the District Nurse for the school system and her dad works as a banker and travels a lot and they’re all involved with Cumberland activities and clubs.

The unique thing about Makenna is that after college graduation, she wants to stay in Cumberland and start a business. That’s right, she hasn’t got the attitude of so many small-town youths; just counting the days before they can leave.

Makenna volunteers with the Cumberland Fire Department at their annual 4th of July Pancake Breakfast and she also volunteers with the Cumberland Wrestling Association. If there’s anything going on in town that needs a volunteer, she’s available.

She was also the Miss Cumberland that reigned as Rutabaga Queen last year. She almost felt obligated to do it because not only did her mother reign once as queen, so did her grandmother.

“It was such a great experience and I had lots of fun and made lots of friends.” She loved spending each weekend in a different town representing Cumberland and now she’s seen the advantage of running for Miss Teen Wisconsin this April in Appleton.

At age 19 she knows that life and business are all about connecting and networking and many Miss something or another is often scouted for jobs, especially ones in college pursuing marketable skills.

Part of the requirements for the Miss Teen Wisconsin is they do a volunteer project at least once a month. She’s got that covered.

Another requirement is that she has a platform. That’s not a problem either because she has a heart for suicide prevention with “Out of the Darkness Walks” already on her to do list in Barron County. She’d also like to present her platform in the local schools.

The Miss Teen Wisconsin hasn’t been held in a while, and to her advantage, this year there are only 15 girls running. The closest contestant lives in Eau Claire and all the others are way south in larger cities. She’s got a great chance.

The pageant winner is based on four qualifications.

1. 25 percent for beauty, which is fitness and poise.
2. 25 percent is in the evening gown walk.
3. 25 percent in based on their individual interviews.
4. The last 25 percent is based on their on-stage question.

Winners get scholarships, fitness club memberships, lots of swag and most importantly, it opens doors for her future.

If she does well, her plans are to go on to the Nationals of the Miss Teen US in June and then stop for a while, seeing she will no longer officially be a teen.

This little town of two thousand and some has been known for the past 85 years as the Rutabaga Capital because years ago it was one of the main crops grown, harvested and ‘waxed’ before being sent out to the nation.

Now they will be supporting their own fourth generation citizen to represent them in Wisconsin. It costs about $1,000 simply to get registered.  So far, she’s supported by Cas Men’s Wear, JAK Accounting, Farr Insurance, Cindy Agen and the Indianhead Sports Shop.

If you would like to kick in a few bucks, she would be grateful. You can contact her at 715-419-1077.

Diane Dryden has been a feature writer for twelve years and is the author of two novels. Order your copy of the Accidental King of Clark Street and Double or Nothing on Foster Avenue today!