While her smiles are bright and wide when she is twirling a baton, they were anything but when Miss Cherryland Paige Nikodem watched a loved one struggle with substance abuse.

A former Miss Oshkosh Teen, Nikodem was recently crowned the second Miss Cherryland, which allows young women from across northeast Wisconsin to compete for scholarships under the Miss Door County Scholarship Organization banner.

Her community service initiative that she will promote throughout the year is called “Stronger than Substance: Engage, Educate, Empower.” Nikodem was inspired by the personal journey her loved one went on as they fought substance issues. When she knew they were going to be OK, Nikodem knew it was a story she wanted to share in the community.

Nikodem will join Miss Door County Kaylee Griep, Miss Door County Teen Mia Glocke, and Miss Cherryland Teen Elise Jackson as they travel across the county over the next year promoting their community service initiatives, which will be highlighted individually this week. The quartet also will compete in the Miss Wisconsin and Miss Wisconsin’s Teen competitions, scheduled for June 16-20, 2026, in New Berlin.

Photo courtesy of Fire Flame Creative