Miss Septemberfest chair steps down, reflects on title
Septemberfest came and went this month in Schaumburg, but for one key board member it remains bittersweet.
Cara Mohr chaired the Miss Septemberfest competition for the last time, after running it for 20 years and being involved with it nearly since she won the title herself in 1993.
"I stayed involved because I knew how big an impact it made on me," Mohr says. "I wanted to give that experience to other girls, of just how important it is to have a sense of community in their lives."
Community drives every aspect of the competition, from the essay questions and interview process in the application, to the appearance of Miss Septemberfest and her court in the Labor Day parade and at Septemberfest itself.
"I always hear that girls apply because they saw Miss Septemberfest and her court riding in the parade, and they want the chance to be a role model for someone else," Mohr adds.
These young women, she said, are ambassadors for Schaumburg with all of their achievements and involvement in the community.
Consider this year's Miss Septemberfest, Krislyn Cordoza, who was crowned Sept. 1. The 16-year-old Schaumburg High School student plays violin in symphony orchestra and is a member of the National Honor Society and math team. She also volunteers for the Appalachia Service Project and as a religious education catechist.
As Miss Septemberfest, however, she did more than ride in the parade. Krislyn introduced herself to audiences on the main stage, as well as the musical acts on the small stage.
She also helped out with children's activities, staffed the information booth and, in general, served as a liaison between the village of Schaumburg and families attending the festival.
"It may be little known, but being Miss Septemberfest really gives girls a great opportunity for public speaking," Mohr says, pointing to the crowds of more than 5,000 for the main stage acts.
It was 15 years ago that Mohr recruited the Rotary Club of Schaumburg/Hoffman Estates and the Sons of Italy to provide scholarships to Miss Septemberfest and her court members, and both agencies have remained on as sponsors.
Nanette Sowa, one of the directors of the Rotary Club, says its members are committed to making a difference in their community, and that literacy and education are core values.
"Miss Septemberfest fits both of those values," Sowa says. "Plus, this contest has a broad reach to the community as well."
About the same time as the scholarships were added, Mohr gained a co-chair in Mallory Riggles, a former Miss Septemberfest. The two have worked closely together running the competition, and both stepped down together.
Before going out, Mohr created a new competition, this time for boys. The program has many of the same criteria and benefits as Miss Septemberfest, and once again recruits young men who are between the ages of 16 and 19 and who are actively involved in the community.
Devyn Frantz, a 16-year-old Schaumburg High School student and member of the marching band won the village's first title.
"What really stuck out were his answers to the community questions," Mohr said, "and how a strong community shapes an individual."
It's clear that growing up in Schaumburg impacted Mohr's life, leading her to give back to its young people for more than 20 years. But now she's a mother of two young children and feels it is time for new leadership.
During this year's Septemberfest, it was announced that Natalie Bryeans would be the new chairwoman and Laura Sue Jensen - both former Miss Septemberfests themselves - would be the co-chairwomen.