NEW BERLIN, Wis. (CBS 58) -- Amongst 29 other contestants, a 22-year-old from Racine became the first Black woman to win the title of Miss Wisconsin 2025 on Saturday, June 21. 

Willow Newell earned her Bachelor of Arts in Musical Theater from Carthage College. Having been a vocal performer over 15 years, she sang "And I'm Telling You" from the musical Dreamgirls in her talent phase of the competition. 

She has participated in 15 community and college theater productions both on and off the stage and has been a competitor in the Miss America Opportunity since 2017. 

Now, in 2025, she holds the title of Miss Wisconsin. 

"The journey that Willow has been on within our organization began years ago in our Teen program," said Brenda Baudo and Meghan DeMore, co-executive directors of the Miss Wisconsin Scholarship Organization. "It has been exciting to see her grow into the accomplished and talented woman she is today. She found her purpose that she was searching for and now a voice as Miss Wisconsin 2025." 

Newell received $13,000 in scholarships along with other gifts and awards. 

She also won preliminary talent and evening wear award honors, and was named the top scoring vocalist, having received the Ryan Guy Memorial Music Scholarship earning her an extra $2,300 in scholarships. 

Her Community Service Initiative called Expression Without Exclusion, aims to provide inclusive and accessible opportunities for the arts. 

She will go on to compete for the title of Miss America 2026 in the first week of September in Orlando, Florida.