MARINETTE – For nearly 20 years, Miss Amazing has been creating positive space for girls and women with disabilities to grow and find their confidence.
The national competition is set to occur this July in Chicago, Ill., during which Miss Amazing Katie Wilsey of Marinette will represent not only Wisconsin, but all those who have encouraged her along the way.
Before being crowned Miss Amazing, 26-year-old Wilsey had never heard of the group or participated in a pageant.
She shared that her friends and bowling teammates with the Special Olympics in Green Bay encouraged her to join them.
“The original reason I did it — when they finally got me into it — wasn’t for myself, but to inspire other people,” Wilsey explained.
“After they got me involved, they helped me with the application and everything and it started becoming a lot more fun.”
As a creative person that is “always chasing the stars and looking for the next adventure waiting around the corner,” she used this experience to share her art.
Wilsey’s “passion project” was a multimedia piece that included an original poem. She performed the poem in a handmade stormcloud costume in front of an animated clip made from watercolor paintings.
The inspiration for this project came from her own experiences living with autism, intellectual and learning disabilities and dyslexia, which led to her journey of taking on leadership positions like Special Olympics health messenger and attending advocacy conferences.
“I’m always trying to fight for equal rights and advocating and inspiring other people because I feel like I’ve lost my way so many times with disabilities,” Wilsey explained.
She explained the message of her art and performance, “You can find yourself through the storm, even if it’s difficult and hard. There is always light to find if you choose it.”
“Rain follows no rules, it’s just there to drown you,” she added.
Although Wilsey only hoped to share her art and encourage others, she received the news of a lifetime.
“All of the sudden, the announcer called the winner on stage. I have something called an auditory processing disorder — it’s a neurological hearing disorder — so, I turned to look at [the assistant] and she was like, ‘You just won the pageant.’ I was so in shock, I couldn’t even cry,” she recounted.
What made the moment even more special was when the six-year-old princess winner ran on stage by Wilsey.
“I just saw a little bit of me in her in the most positive way.”
Wilsey’s preparation for the national competition marks the first time in 12 years that a newcomer will progress onwards to a higher stage.
Although she was given the option to reuse her previous presentation, Wilsey is excited to bring a new artistic piece to stage about her journey of self-growth and finding courage.
In addition to her art project, she is also working on planning the logistics of attending the competition. Wilsey is fundraising for Miss Amazing due to the costs associated with the competition, travel, lodging and other needs.
Wilsey is working with Cunningham Creations in Crivitz to create a custom jean jacket with a list of those contributing to her fundraising efforts.
“I will be carrying them with me and their support all the way there,” Wilsey explained.
She will also be selling friendship bracelets at the Rec Center Spring Craft and Vendor Show on April 11.
As her journey continues, Wilsey thanked everyone who has helped her so far, including her family friend and neighbor Rod Hansen for covering her registration fee, Katelyn Drust for taking her professional headshots and her mother, Cindy.
“My mom is a true superhero, a single parent and a fierce fibromyalgia warrior. She inspires me every single day with her strength and resilience,” Wilsey shared.
Wilsey hopes to inspire others with her activism and journey, encouraging other young women to “find who you are and sparkle and shine.”
To learn more about Katie Wilsey and support her journey to the National Miss Amazing competition, visit https://givebutter.com/miss-amazing-2026/katiewilsey.
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