As a child, Jayme Dawicki dreamed of being a concert pianist. She started taking lessons at age three, and today, 19 years later, she is an acclaimed pianist with a degree in music.
Call it luck of genetics, but Dawicki is also an intelligent, altruistic woman who feels a commitment to her country and, oh yeah, looks great in a bikini. Hence, Dawicki has a new dream: To become Miss America and travel the country promoting fine arts programs for children. She believes music has enriched her life in fantastic ways, and now wants to do her part to integrate the arts into as many kids' lives as possible.
Dawicki was crowned Miss Wisconsin earlier in the summer, and currently, is representing our state in Atlantic City where she will soon compete against 50 women (including Miss District of Columbia) to wear the crown, promote her vision and earn big bucks.
OMC: How did you decide you wanted to become Miss Wisconsin?
JD: I began competing in pageants three years ago. Before that I never really thought about it. At that time, talent was 40 percent of your score (it's now 30 percent), and since piano was my thing, and I wanted to continue my education, I decided the Miss America pageant was for me.
OMC: How old were you when you started playing piano?
JD: I was three years old. I've been classically trained for 19 years ... I also play musical pop and older standards and I compose my own music. I've played piano professionally at John Hawks Pub and The Grand Avenue Mall.
OMC: I read each contestant has to have a platform. What does this mean and what is yours?
JD: Each contestant has to have a community focus. If you win, you become a national representative for your cause, which can range from cancer to literacy to AIDS. Mine is fine arts, and my platform is called STARS, which stands for "Saving The Arts Raises Standards." I chose that because I believe music has a tremendously positive effect on children's growth and development. The platforms have really catapulted the Miss America program to a higher level. I believe it's really important to have something you stand for and to give back to your community.
OMC: So what is the break down for the scoring system?
JD: The interview is 40 percent, talent is 30 percent, swimsuit is 10 percent, evening gown is 10 percent, and there are two questions, both worth five percent each of your total score.
OMC: So if you win, what will you do?
JD: I will go to schools and into the community and talk about how we can support children's arts programs and incorporate them into all of our children's lives.
OMC: Did you graduate from college?
JD: Yes, I graduated in December of 2001 from UWM. I have a degree in Music and Theater. I would love to go back to school.
OMC: When and where were you crowned Miss Wisconsin?
JD: In Oshkosh, on June 22, at a week-long pageant.
OMC: It's been a while since I watched a pageant. What are the categories?
JD: There's an interview, evening gown, swimsuit and talent portion.
OMC: Tell me about the interview portion.
JD: I will be interviewed for 12 and a half minutes. This will happen before the pageant airs on TV, and viewers might see clips of the interview, but not the whole thing. They will definitely ask me about my platform, because they want to make sure I can take my program to the national level, which I can. They also have a fact sheet about me, so they could ask me anything about my education, accomplishments, future goals or family. There could be something on "9/11" or Iraq, or something as silly as 'What's your favorite color?' I'm hoping for more intelligent questions, though.
OMC: Tell me about your evening gown.
JD: It's a strapless, mint green, very simple chiffon silk dress. There's also a chiffon scarf that drapes from right shoulder to left hip and attaches with a broach. It's a very classic, elegant look, which is definitely my style. It was one of those dresses. You know, I tried on 100 gowns -- honestly -- and then I tried on this one and thought "Oh my gosh! This is it!" It looks and feels great. For the evening gown portion we're escorted across the stage by our fathers.
OMC: Tell me about your swimming suit. One or two piece?
JD: It's a two-piece, and it's also mint green. It's also a real classic style. It's cute and it shows my figure off. The swimsuit competition is only 10 percent of the overall score, and I think people will find this interesting. People so often associate pageants with the swimsuit aspect, but in reality, this is not just a beauty pageant. It's a scholarship program that's more about helping people and taking care of yourself and your body.
OMC: What will you play for the talent portion?
JD: A piece called "Wedding day in Troldhaugen" on a Baldwin grand piano. It's a two-minute piece. That's all the time we're allowed.
OMC: So when did you get to Atlantic City?
JD: I got here on Sunday (about two weeks before the pageant).
OMC: Have you sensed a lot of competition from the other contestants?
JD: People would ask me if I was nervous, and the biggest thing was that I was really nervous about meeting people. I anticipated they wouldn't be nice, but everyone is really, really nice. Then again (laughing), we haven't technically gotten into the competition yet ... so things might change.
OMC: So what does your schedule include the week before the pageant?
JD: Lots of rehearsals. Tomorrow we get on stage for the first time and then we get to run through it.
OMC: If -- or should I say 'when' -- you win, what happens next?
JD: Miss America is immediately taken to press interviews, and from there, she's flown to New York and travels around the country for a year speaking about her platform. Basically, she changes cities every 24-36 hours.
OMC: Wow. Are you prepared for so much travel?
JD: I don't know if any of us are. None of us have had that experience, but I would gladly welcome it. The opportunities are phenomenal ... How many lives could I help in a year? It would just be amazing.
OMC: How much does Miss America earn?
JD: She gets $60,000 toward college, and I've heard between $100,000-$200,000 in salary. That would definitely be nice, but that's not what it's about. It's about promoting your program and serving your nation for year.
OMC: What would you do with the scholarship money?
JD: I've thought about going into arts administration so I could work with groups like Save the Music, Wisconsin Arts Board, the Arts Alliance, and so forth. I've thought about going back to Madison. I went to Madison for two years and loved it but transferred to UWM to study with specific teacher.
OMC: Where did you grow up?
JD: I grew up in New Berlin. Went to New Berlin West.
OMC: Obviously Miss Wisconsin, and Miss America, has to be in great shape. What is your workout regime?
JD: I enjoy cardio so I run and work out on a cross trainer. I also do a lot of crunches, curls, push ups, lunges ... I have a detailed program. I work out almost every day.
OMC: Who is the current Miss America?
JD: Katie Marie Harman, of Gresham, Oregon.
OMC: When does the pageant air?
JD: It airs on Sat., Sept. 21 at 7 p.m. on ABC.
Molly Snyder started writing and publishing her work at the age 10, when her community newspaper printed her poem, "The Unicorn.” Since then, she's expanded beyond the subject of mythical creatures and written in many different mediums but, nearest and dearest to her heart, thousands of articles for OnMilwaukee.
Molly is a regular contributor to FOX6 News and numerous radio stations as well as the co-host of "Dandelions: A Podcast For Women.” She's received five Milwaukee Press Club Awards, served as the Pfister Narrator and is the Wisconsin State Fair’s Celebrity Cream Puff Eating Champion of 2019.
