For Natalee Urbon, being crowned Miss Ludington Area 2025 is not just a title—it’s a platform to give back to the community she loves and inspire others to follow in her footsteps. As a 21-year-old student at Grand Valley State University, Natalee’s journey reflects dedication, passion, and a vision for unity and compassion. Now, she’s preparing to represent Ludington at the Miss Michigan 2025 Pageant, part of the prestigious Miss America Organization.
“I competed for the title of Miss Ludington three years ago and had so much fun! After that, I went on to compete for other titles—state and local—and realized I love pageantry,” Natalee shared. “This time, I finally felt confident enough in my skills to grace the Miss Michigan stage, and Miss Ludington was the first step.”
A Legacy of Leadership: Miss Michigan and Miss America
The Miss Michigan Scholarship Pageant, established in 1922, is an official precursor to the Miss America Organization, the nation’s largest provider of scholarships for women. Miss America focuses on empowering women through education, talent, and community service. Michigan has produced five Miss America winners, most recently Kirsten Haglund in 2008, whose platform focused on eating disorder awareness. Before her, Kaye Lani Rae Rafko of Monroe won in 1988, advocating for hospice care.
While Ludington has yet to see one of its own crowned Miss Michigan, Natalee’s journey continues the tradition of community-focused leadership. Her participation in Miss Michigan positions her to bring Ludington’s values to the state and potentially national stages.
The Miss Ludington Area Scholarship Pageant
The Miss Ludington Area Scholarship Pageant, a cornerstone of the community, provides young women with opportunities to showcase their talents and advocate for causes. This year’s competition awarded $4,000 in scholarships, offering financial support for higher education. Contestants competed in categories such as talent, on-stage interviews, lifestyle and fitness, and evening wear, each demonstrating their commitment to growth and service.
Natalee plans to use her scholarship money to continue her education at Grand Valley State University. “All of the scholarship money will help pay for my tuition so I can get my degree in Communication Studies with a minor in Digital Media,” she explained.
The pageant also highlighted the talents and causes of three other remarkable contestants:
- Lanie Hutchinson, 20, of Michigan State University, amazed with her speed painting talent and her service initiative for Toys for Tots.
- Tessa Hendrickson, 20, of Ferris State University, performed a cheer and dance routine while advocating for the Kids in Need Foundation.
- Aubrey MacIntosh, 20, of Central Michigan University, delivered a clarinet composition to support her initiative, Music to Inspire.
A Year of Growth and Service
Natalee succeeds Athena Dila, Miss Ludington Area 2024, whose initiative, From Surviving to Thriving, focused on fostering resilience and important conversations with students. Athena described her year as transformative: “The platform this experience has given me to work on myself is unmatched. I’ve learned so much from the amazing role models around me.”
Athena also reflected on her week at the Miss Michigan 2024 Pageant, where she formed bonds with her fellow contestants and deepened her skills in public speaking and social media. Passing the torch, Athena expressed her confidence in Natalee’s leadership, saying, “Natalee is very lucky to have a great group like you behind her!”
Natalee’s Compassion Campaign
At the heart of Natalee’s platform is her service initiative, The Compassion Campaign, which strives to “eradicate hate, inspire compassion.” Inspired by her experiences at Grand Valley State University, Natalee was motivated by the divisions she saw on campus to create a movement that promotes connection and unity.
“The mission is simple: eradicate hate, inspire compassion,” Natalee said. “I want to inspire individuals in our community to love loudly and suffer together. Volunteerism fosters connection, and if I can be a door opener for connection in our community, that is success to me.”
She plans to host fundraising events, partner with local charities, and encourage volunteerism to address issues such as poverty, cancer, and human trafficking. Her year of service is focused on creating a ripple effect of kindness and action.
The Challenges and Rewards of Pageantry
Competing for Miss Ludington Area was not without its challenges. For Natalee, the biggest hurdle was developing confidence. “The most challenging part of competing for any pageant is the part no one sees: mindset,” she revealed. “Whenever I became overly self-critical, I made a point to remind myself of my true identity and worth.”
Despite these challenges, the experience strengthened her resolve and commitment. “It hasn’t changed any of my goals. However, it has motivated me to be disciplined in achieving the goals I’ve already made for myself in my education, career, and personal life.”
Natalee’s ability to balance her academic life with her pageant responsibilities has been key to her success. “Google calendar is my best friend!” she said. “I’ve learned that my time and energy are valuable, and I can’t say yes to everything.”
Inspiring the Next Generation
As Miss Ludington Area, Natalee hopes to inspire young women to embrace their individuality and pursue their dreams. “My prayer is that girls see me and think, ‘If she can do it, I can too!’” she said. “We must remind ourselves that there is only one ‘you’ in the world. To try and be someone else is a disservice to the world.”
Her goal is to serve as a role model, attending events throughout the year to connect with the community and encourage others to believe in themselves.
Looking Ahead: Representing Ludington at Miss Michigan
As she prepares for the Miss Michigan Pageant, Natalee reflects on the journey ahead with excitement and determination. The Miss Ludington Area Pageant has given her a platform to amplify her message, and she’s ready to take that to the next level.
“I hope to inspire others through my compassion and joy. Whether I win or not, I will continue to represent Ludington with pride,” she said.
For the Ludington community, Natalee’s reign represents not just a crown, but a commitment to unity, growth, and inspiration.
