New Miss Oktoberfest hopes to be a role model for youth in the community
'Words truly can't describe the feeling and the emotions that ran through my head upon hearing my name'
A fresh face takes on the role of Miss Oktoberfest 2017 as a student from the University of Guelph was crowned on Friday as Kitchener-Waterloo's 49th Miss Oktoberfest.
"Words truly can't describe the feeling and the emotions that ran through my head upon hearing my name," Mikaila Emrich told CBC News. "It was very surreal."
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This year's Oktoberfest Gala Ball was held at the new LOT 42 space in Kitchener, where Vanessa Buttinger, former Miss Oktoberfest, crowned Emrich in front of about 500 people.
The 21-year-old said the support she received from her friends and family made it an exceptional night to remember.
She recalled a sentimental moment on Friday when she watched the German Dance Group perform, a group she was a part of for seven years.
"It was very emotional for me to see that because that is what sparked my interest in Oktoberfest to begin with," she said.
Inspiring others
Emrich's rich German background played an important role in her involvement with the Kitchener-Waterloo Oktoberfest.
"It is something I had wanted to do since I was a young girl," said Emrich, who hopes to be a role model for other youth in the community.
She hopes to inspire and support others the same way her family and friends did throughout her recovery from a concussion three years ago.
"You realize that no matter what you go through in life, there are people that care for you and I see that as a huge inspiration to do that for others as well," she said.
"Now that the role has evolved into more of a leadership position, I could not be more honoured to have the opportunity to represent the festival and the culture we all love."