Written By Lenny Coyne
The 60th Annual German-American Steuben Parade Committee of NY is proud to announce the selection of the new Miss German-America & Her Court for this anniversary year 2017!
Caitlyn Walsh, a Law Student attending her first year of law school at NY Law, and a resident of Riverhead, NY is the new Miss German-America 2017! Miss Walsh is a recent graduate of Fordham University, with a BA in Philosophy. She is conversant in the German language. She will hold a highly honored position in this year’s Parade, as she presides over the German-American Steuben Parade’s “Queen’s Float” on Fifth Avenue come September 16th, along with her Court, which includes returning princess Michaela Stuart of Greeley, PA. Miss Stuart is a college student at Susquehana University, majoring in Public Relations with a minor in Health Studies. Both are perfect representatives of the rich German-American heritage and culture of the New York area.
This year’s pageant took place in a ceremony held at the historic
Liederkranz of NY City, located in the heart of German-town (Yorkville) in Manhattan’s Upper East Side. A packed house witnessed a pageant that included two finalists who ran for the title. The winner will receive a $5,000 scholarship at the end of her term, while the princess will receive a $2,500 scholarship. Each contestant was interviewed by a panel of 6 judges. After the judges cast the initial vote, each contestant was then introduced to the audience, who also had an opportunity to cast a vote for the Queen!
Besides crowning Miss German-America, a Junior General and 2 Junior Princesses were also introduced as members of this year’s Court: Angelina Hoffmann is a Junior Princess, and daughter of Robert and Ernestina Hoffmann of Glendale, NY. Elise Held Sheehe will also serve as Junior Princess. Her brother, Mark Griesing Sheehe, is this year’s Junior General von Steuben. Their parents are Gerald and Nancy Sheehe of Bethany, CT.
Over 100 guests were in attendance, including the Steuben Parade’s General Chairman – Robert Radske. Also present was the President of the German-American Committee of Greater NY – Michael Rabus. The ceremonies were presided over by the Miss German-America Committee Chairwoman Connie Rom, and Parade Vice Chairwoman Nicole Radske-Miskiewicz.
