Our New Miss Michigan is the Coolest Person Ever

A new Miss Michigan was crowned on Saturday after two nights of competition.

20 contestants from all over the state gathered for the competition at Muskegon's historic Frauenthal Theater.

It was 24-year-old Miss Bay County, Jenae Clayre Lodewk, who took home the title and won the 2024 Miss Michigan scholarship competition.

Who is Jenae Clayre Lodewk?

From some quick social media sleuthing, the newest Miss Michigan is a graduate of Wayne State University and currently works for the National Basketball Association's Detroit Pistons.

She has now been with the Pistons for over four years, per her LinkedIn. She started as a human resources intern before being promoted into full-time roles: equipment coordinator, assistant equipment manager, and now player and family engagement coordinator.

On the side, she also works on her own upcycled fashion brand.

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Winners of the Miss Michigan competition are awarded scholarship funds as follows: $10,000 to the title winner, $4,000 to the runner-up, $3,000 to the second runner-up, $2,000 to the third runner-up, $1,500 to the fourth runner-up, and $1,000 to each of the other five semi-finalists. Non-finalists receive $500 each.

Not only did Lodewk win the title, but she also walked away from the competition with a whopping $11,850 in scholarships along with the Preliminary Onstage Question Award, Miss Congeniality Award, Legacy Award, and Pamela Eldred Community Health Award.

With the win, she is also able to compete in the Miss America program in December.