For former German-American Steuben Parade Queen Rebecca Joy Koehler, serving on the 2016 court was far more than wearing a crown — it was an unforgettable year filled with culture, celebration, lifelong friendships, and a deeper connection to her German heritage.

Crowned during a year when legendary Olympic figure skater Katarina Witt served as Grand Marshal, Rebecca’s reign became one of the most meaningful experiences of her life.

When reflecting on her time as Queen, Rebecca says it’s nearly impossible to choose just one favorite memory. Among the standout moments was the Oktoberfest celebration in Central Park following the Parade. The atmosphere, she recalls, was unlike anything she had ever experienced — filled with excitement, music, laughter, and people from all over Germany and the United States coming together as one community.

“It felt like everyone was family,” she shared. “The energy that day was absolutely incredible.”

Another cherished memory came during her participation in Kölner Karneval in Germany. Riding on a float alongside the mayor, tossing candy to thousands of revelers dressed in elaborate costumes, Rebecca experienced firsthand one of Germany’s most beloved traditions.

“I was also lucky to be surrounded by the best court who made every event memorable,” she said. “I could honestly go on forever about the experiences and friendships from that year.”

Rebecca’s connection to German-American culture began long before becoming Queen. Growing up immersed in German traditions and organizations, she regularly attended German cultural events and became deeply connected to the community. Over the years, many members of the German-American community encouraged her to pursue the title of Miss German-America.

“At the time, I didn’t really see it in myself,” she admitted. “But I’m so grateful I listened to them.”

That encouragement ultimately led her to an experience she now describes as one of the coolest and most meaningful opportunities of her life.

Rebecca’s advice to future court members is simple: enjoy every second. “Enjoy every single moment because it truly goes by in the blink of an eye,” she said. She acknowledges the demanding schedule that comes with the role — weekends spent traveling to Oktoberfests, countless events, rehearsals, and preparations leading up to the Gala and Parade.

“I won’t sugarcoat it — it can be exhausting at times,” she laughed. “By the end, you may feel like you never want to hear the word ‘cornflowers’ again!”

But despite the long days, she says the experience is more than worth it. “You’ll walk away with unforgettable memories, lifelong friendships, and once-in-a-lifetime experiences — and you’ll wish you could relive it all over again.”

Although work and travel have made it difficult to remain heavily involved with the Parade Committee in recent years, Rebecca still found ways to contribute, including helping update events on the Parade website for a period of time.

Following her reign, she also continued marching in the Parade with the NY Schuetzen Ladies Auxiliary — an organization that holds special meaning for her. In fact, before becoming Miss German-America, Rebecca was crowned Queen of the NY Schuetzen Ladies Auxiliary in 2015, humorously holding the title “Hottie Shottie.”

Today, Rebecca works for United Airlines in Business Operations, a fitting role for someone with a passion for travel and experiencing different cultures. Her adventures around the world have also led her to try some truly unique foods. From puffin, whale, horse, and fermented shark in Iceland to sea cucumber and puffer fish in Japan, Rebecca embraces every opportunity to experience something new.

“I love traveling as much as possible and trying exotic foods along the way,” she said.

One tradition Rebecca continues to cherish is making Glühwein every Christmas and visiting Germany’s famous Christmas markets whenever possible during the holiday season.

If she could design her own Parade float someday, she says she would focus on celebrating German traditions and highlighting the many contributions German immigrants made to American culture — contributions many people may not even realize originated from Germany.

Looking back, Rebecca says being part of the court shaped her in ways that still impact her life today. “Being a court member gave me experiences, friendships, and confidence that still impact my life today,” she reflected. “It pushed me out of my comfort zone and helped me grow as a person and represent my heritage with pride.”

More importantly, the experience strengthened her appreciation for the German-American community and the generations who worked to preserve its traditions.

“I’m incredibly proud to have been part of it,” she said. “The memories and friendships I made during that time are ones I’ll carry with me forever.”

Rebecca also hopes younger generations continue participating in German-American organizations and traditions so the culture remains vibrant for years to come.

“These communities and events help keep our culture and traditions alive while creating lifelong friendships and unforgettable experiences.”