The German-American Steuben Parade Committee of NYC is proud to announce the selection of the new Miss German-America & Her Court 2018! Pavlina Schriel, a 23-year-old resident of Norwalk, CT, is Miss German-America 2018! Miss Schriel is a 2016 graduate of New York University in Manhattan and currently a music teacher at Brookside Elementary School in Norwalk, CT. On September 15th, 2018, she will ride the German-American Steuben Parade’s “Queen’s Float” on Fifth Avenue along with Princesses Sean Tomlinson of Clarks Summit, PA and Kirsten Rischert-Garcia of New York, NY. Miss Tomlinson is a double major of German and Sociology/Anthropology at Fairfield University, Class of 2019. Miss Rischert-Garcia is a Masters student at Yale University, Yale Divinity School, Class of 2020. All three accomplished young ladies are extraordinary representatives of the rich German-American heritage and culture of the tri-state area.
The crowning took place in a ceremony held at Reichenbach Hall in Manhattan on May 20th, 2018. The assembled guests were introduced to each candidate with a question and answer session focused on German identity. Each contestant was initially interviewed by a panel of 5 judges. After the judges voted, each audience member had an opportunity to vote for the Queen! Miss German-America 2018 receives a $5,000 scholarship, her princesses each receive a $2,500 scholarship.
In addition to crowning Miss German-America 2018, a Junior General and 2 Junior Princesses were introduced: William Castle of New York, NY is Junior General von Steuben. Katherine Johanna Husveth-Larsen of Summit, NJ and Amelia-Elsa Schweizer, of Norwalk, CT are the Junior Princesses.
Over 120 guests were in attendance, including the Parade’s General Chairman Robert Radske, numerous Committee members, and various Club Presidents and Representatives from throughout the German-American community in the tri-state area.
Newly crowned Miss German-America 2018 Pavlina Schriel remarked “I am honored to be chosen as the Queen of the German-American Steuben Parade. I am looking forward to a wonderful year of further exploring my heritage and representing the German-American community”.
Departing 2017 Queen Caitlyn Walsh commented “My experience as Miss German-America has made me fall in love with my German culture and family history all over again.”
