Miss Sleigh and Cutter: Jasmin Kotek crowned January 21

“I remember when I first walked in, I cried in the interview room because they asked me to tell them about myself,” said Jasmin Kotek, who was crowned Miss Waseca Sleigh and Cutter at the organization’s annual pageant on January 21. “I searched the wall for answers, but I could not tell you who I was.”

Seeing Kotek’s bubbly energy and contagious smile, it seems hard to believe she ever struggled with knowing who she was. But that’s exactly her point and why she advocates for mental health: many people don’t recognize the many different impacts me fully understand all the factors it can play into someone’s life and with their mind. She credits her acquired confidence to her experiences with the Miss Minnesota pageant and all those who encouraged her, playing a part in her growth. 

“No one realizes the way this opportunity [can] change your life,” Kotek says. She adds she doesn’t mean only wearing beautiful gowns or the performances throughout the show. Instead she makes it clear the friendships she made and the strengthened confidence in herself have been more than she could have dreamed, allowing her to help others in turn.

Not only does she have resilient confidence, but she also has a dual passion to continue learning while also finding ways to give back.

Kotek describes big, bright plans for sponsoring projects which promote mental health coordinated with physical health and exercise. She says she recognizes mental health is a complex issue, but wants to do what she can to help and inspire others.

A first-generation graduate of Minnesota State University in Mankato with a secondary degree in mathematics education, Kotek teaches middle school mathematics in Faribault, her hometown; she says Waseca has also always had a place in her heart.

Over the years, Molly Conway,organizer of the Waseca Sleigh and Cutter, explained that a closed title restricts who can compete and three candidates at minimum are needed. For instance, in the past and for Waseca, only those who worked, lived, or went to school within the county could participate. This year, the Miss Waseca Sleigh and Cutter pageant changed its “closed” title to an “open” one in Waseca County so the program is available to candidates from other counties in Minnesota. It helps broaden numbers, since the program requires three contestants at minimum for participation. 

“Jen runs the ‘Miss’ division and for the first time ever, we had zero ‘Miss’ candidates,” Conway stated. “So this year we had to make Waseca an ‘Open’ title, meaning anytone who lives, works, or attends school to compete.”

Conway also explained that for the Owatonna Teen title, the pageant had only two girls apply so they had to ‘Open’ that title, too. “In summary, it’s been a rebuilding year,” Conway added. 

“Waseca is always a community I wanted to wear across my heart,” Kotek says, referring to the banner she now wears. “Knowing I had the chance and the opportunity to represent what has always been home for me in this organization – there’s no greater honor I could’ve asked for. And with that, I want to prove that you don’t have to be from [Waseca] to represent it well.”

She also said she’s ready to give back to a community which believed in her even when she didn’t believe in herself. She mentions the benefits of her friendship with Bailie Thom, the 2023 Waseca Sleigh and Cutter title holder. “I admired her immensely,” Kotek says, remembering. “I know I have big shoes to fill, but there are no others I’d rather fill.”

“I love doing cross fit and coaching different sports,” she says with enthusiasm as she lists the ones she participates in: She’s the head coach of the Northfield Highliners Dance Team, the Cannon Falls Dance Team, the Tri-City United cheer team, and an assistant coach for the middle school girls’ softball team in Faribault.

With these leadership qualities, passions, and skills, she has many avenues where she actively seeks to be there for her students and athletes. She shares how she has grown over the years, especially by participating in the beauty pageant.

“I’ll never forget the moment I was sitting, crying because I had these emotions that were so much bigger than I could explain,” Kotek says. “There was this thought in my head that kept telling me I can’t get past this alone.”

Those thoughts stayed with her when she sat in the doctor’s office with her diagnosis of general anxiety disorder and depression after indicating on an assessment she experienced certain symptoms.

“It’s a trial-and-error process because it’s not one size that fits all,” Kotek observes. “Growing up, I saw first-hand how family members struggled and then I went through my own struggle with mental health.”

She mentioned a cousin who committed suicide in 2008 when she was in fourth grade; she said she saw his battle to find the counselor and the medications and solutions for his specific needs. But through the grief, it sparked a desire in Kotek to reach out and help others like her and her cousin.

While attending college, Kotek created a non-profit organization called Culture Change. The community service initiative is one she promotes all year. “It expanded from being something small to now reaching 200 universities,” Kotek adds, noting how thankful she is to the Miss America Beauty Pageant for providing a platform to help promote her cause.

Remembering the inspiration her own teachers provided, Kotek says she now strives to become the same model for her students and athletes. “I’m teaching kids to become good humans,” she says. “When they’re heavy with emotions and learning who they are and what their beliefs are, I’m there.”

“[Some of them] don’t get that anywhere other than school, unfortunately,” she says.

For Kotek, the most important aspects of personal beauty are character and empathy. “When I say that, I mean how we treat others and make them feel – like the most important person,” Kotek says.

With that, she also believes in investing in other women and their passions; it’s what builds friendships. Right now, Kotek says she is proud of who she is.

“I’m proud I’m able to transform my trials and tribulations into triumphs,” she says. “I’m hoping to bring home the crown of Waseca, so we’ll see.” Also among Kotek’s plans is pursuing her Master’s degree in Education;  in the realm of fitness, she would like to start her own business and become a personal trainer who also incorporates mental health as part of her program.