Where Are They Now? Sophie Karegeannes ’19

And The Crown Goes To...

SOPHIA KAREGEANNES ‘19 IMPACTS HER COMMUNITY AS MISS RACINE

—By Rachel Shuster

Parades are a regular occurrence — and duty — on the calendar for one VIP local: Miss Racine.

Or, they would be regular, during a more “regular” year. But that hasn’t been the case for the reigning titleholder: Prairie alumna Sophia Karegeannes ’19.

After graduating from TPS and beginning her nursing studies at UW-Madison, Karegeannes reconnected with a childhood babysitter, who had recently become the Associate Director for the Miss Racine program. With her friend’s encouragement, Karegeannes decided to sign up for the pageant in 2020 — and she won.

Most winners hold their title for one full year of service after being crowned; due to COVID-19, Karegeannes’ year was extended. Despite missing out on many hallmark moments, she says the extra time has proven more beneficial than originally expected.

“The woman who competed in January 2020 is not the same as the woman I am today,” she explains. “I think of the confidence I’ve gained through being part of this organization. I’ve tried to relish in that and channel it in every opportunity I have in this position.”

Although many events have been cancelled or postponed, Karegeannes has been able to dedicate the past year to serving her community in other ways. Her social impact initiative — the platform on which she campaigned for her title — is education, specifically reading. She tutors at Racine’s Cops ‘N’ Kids Reading Center, a position she feels lucky to hold.

She credits her experience as an Upper School student at Prairie with instilling in her that sense of duty to others. “When you are a Miss America titleholder, you could meet someone for five minutes and that could be the only moment in their whole life that they have with the Miss America organization, and I really try to keep that in mind,” she explains. “That is Prairie’s teaching philosophy. Whether it’s your advisor or Dr. Boticki who sees that you’re upset and spends five minutes checking in with you, or whether it’s the Dining Room staff — I only had five minutes with them total, Monday through Friday, but I still remember them and how they made me feel!”

“That’s something that Prairie really instills in you: the importance of your personal interactions and relationships. I always plan to incorporate that into my life, whether or not I’m wearing a crown and sash.”

Karegeannes will compete for the title of Miss Wisconsin in June 2021.