Miss New Berlin, Rosalie Smith, crowned Miss Wisconsin 2015

OSHKOSH — The final night of the 2015 Miss Wisconsin Scholarship Pageant concluded Saturday, June 20, with the crowning of a new title-holder.

Miss New Berlin Rosalie Smith was crowned during the 2015 Miss Wisconsin Scholarship Pageant at Alberta Kimball Auditorium in Oshkosh.

"This was my first time, my first go-around and I'm just absolutely thrilled to be able to speak for my brother and to speak for those whose voices have been silenced, and I'm just ready to make a difference," Smith told Oshkosh Northwestern Media backstage after Saturday's pageant.

Her platform, "Centered on Loving In Need," is an acronym based on the name of her late brother Colin, and will focus on providing resources for people who are struggling with alcohol and drug addictions.

"I plan to hopefully start a fund and be able to support those who can't afford rehab facilities and to really just get out there in the community and really give a voice to those who have been silenced," Smith said.

The runners-up in Saturday's event were: Miss Harbor Cities Jessica Johnson (first runner-up); Miss Southern Wisconsin Raquel Bruening (second runner-up); Miss Seven Rivers Sarah Newton (third runner-up); and Miss River City Christa Brehm (fourth runner-up).

Saturday's event also marked the final pageant performance for Miss Wisconsin 2014 Raeanna Johnson, whose own platform dealt with raising awareness about substance abuse after her own brother, Tyler.

"The person I am today is nowhere near who I was when I started," Johnson told attendees of Saturday's event. "I will be forever grateful and will pay it forward for the rest of my life.

"To Tyler, I hope I have done your life justice. … Thank you for being my guardian angel."

Semi-finalists who made it to the Top 11 and participated in the swimsuit and talent competitions Saturday evening were: Miss Wisconsin Rapids Area Madeline Kumm; Miss Heart of the Valley Mary O'Connell; Miss Eastern Valley Chelsey Wasielewski; Miss La Crosse/Oktoberfest Audra Fuchsel; Miss Madison-Capital City Tianna Vanderhei; and Miss Fox River Valley Tori Bogren.

In a first-ever four-way tie, Johnson and Wasielewski, along with Miss Milwaukee Haylee Bande and Miss Coulee Region Tara Pizer won the Spirit of Miss America award.

Bande also took home the non-finalist talent award; Newton received the People's Choice award; and Miss West Allis Tyra McFarland was awarded most photogenic, along with winning in the non-finalist evening wear category.

Miss Sparta Zoe Roou was the non-finalist interview winner.

Reach Nathaniel Shuda at 920-426-6632 or nshuda@thenorthwestern.com; on Twitter @onwnshuda.