Nine candidates vie for 2024 Willmar Fests crowns (2024)

WILLMAR — Nine candidates will vie for the chance to be crowned during the 2024 Willmar Fests celebration. Three candidates will succeed last year's royalty — Malaya Yague, Queen of Festivals; Marisa Peterson, Aqua Princess; and Esmeralda Garcia, International Princess.

Adrianna Rodriguez, 18, is the daughter of Cindy Lubenow and Eleovardo Rodriguez Sr. She is the second-youngest of six and is very family-oriented. Her siblings are Roland, Eleovardo Jr., Jonathan, Maria and Alex Rodriguez.

Contributed / Willmar Fests

Rodriguez is a Willmar Senior High graduate, Class of 2023. She is also the first of her siblings to graduate from high school. During her time in school, she was involved in pep band and student council. Rodriguez has been playing trumpet for four years and baritone for more than three years. She loves music and everything it has to offer. While in student council, she helped plan and coordinate many events. She loves to be organized.

Rodriguez is currently attending Ridgewater College and is planning to pursue a major in marketing. She is also employed at Walmart in the pharmacy and is planning to become a certified pharmacy technician. Rodriguez loves her job and all the learning opportunities and new experiences it has to offer. In her free time, she loves reading, going to the gym, shopping, hanging out with friends and being around her family.

Rodriguez' Willmar Fests Sponsor is Heritage Bank.

Bethany Molash, 19, is the daughter of Tommy and Amy Molash.

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She is a Willmar Senior High honors graduate, Class of 2023. While in high school, Molash participated in dance at The Main Pointe School of Dance where she also helped out with some of the classes offered to younger dancers. She also enjoyed participating in school musicals, track and field, and FFA where she served as the chapter’s secretary her senior year.

Molash currently attends college at Minnesota State University in Mankato where she is majoring in elementary education and hopes to be able to make a difference in her students’ lives. During her first year of college, she volunteered at Lincoln Community Center in Mankato where she had the opportunity to be in a classroom helping students learn English.

Outside of school, she works at Kwik Trip in Mankato and Runnings in Willmar. During her free time, Molash enjoys being outdoors, singing loudly in her car, and spending time with her friends and family.

Molash's Willmar Fests Sponsor is Slumberland Furniture.

Dena Mathison, 19, is the daughter of Steve and Jeri Ann Mathison.

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She is a graduate of Willmar Senior High School, Class of 2023. While in high school, Mathison was involved in volleyball, choir, 2701 and Key Club. She also managed baseball and attended Ridgewater College through PSEO. Mathison enjoyed volunteering at Kennedy Elementary with the Lunch Buddy program and with preschoolers in Kidsworld at Willmar Assembly of God Church.

Mathison decided to further her education at University of Minnesota — Duluth, majoring in integrated elementary and special education. While there, she enjoys campus life by being involved in the Christian group Chi Alpha, Education Minnesota Aspiring Educators and intramural volleyball. With her degree, she hopes to return to the Willmar School District to teach.

Mathison works at Walt’s in Willmar and also as a nanny for her cousin. In her free time, Mathison enjoys growing in her relationship with Jesus, spending time with family and friends, crocheting, reading, and being outside.

Mathison’s Willmar Fests Sponsor is Walt’s.

Deshawna Hodges, 18, is the daughter of Jacqueline and Joel Eberle.

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Hodges is a graduate from Willmar Senior High School, Class of 2023. She excelled in volleyball, soccer, basketball, track and field, and also participated in the choir. Hodges held captaincy positions on the track and field team as well as the basketball team, and was a recipient of the prestigious Debbie Negen Women Athlete of the Year award. During the summers, Hodges works as a summer custodial worker for Willmar Public Schools, contributing to a conducive environment for learning.

Currently studying at North Central University, Hodges continues to pursue her passion for sports as she balances her commitments to both the soccer and track and field teams. She is also an active member of the Student Athlete Leadership Council (SALC), where she partakes in significant decision-making processes and engages in philanthropic endeavors. Majoring in sports management and business, Hodges aspires to leverage her education to become an impactful athletic coach while also exploring the realm of sports marketing. Her interests extend beyond the field and into psychology to gain insights into athletes' mental health, aiming to provide comprehensive support and guidance. With a heart deeply rooted in Willmar, Hodges dreams of returning to her community as a dependable and compassionate coach, inspired by the mentors who guided her throughout her formative years.

She also treasures her free time and spends it working out, indulging in delicious meals, worshiping, and cherishing moments with her loved ones.

Hodges' Willmar Fests Sponsor is Maurices.

Esmeralda Conde is the daughter of Rosario and Rosendo Conde.

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She is a Willmar Senior High School graduate, Class of 2023. While in school, Conde enjoyed participating in the orchestra playing the violin. During her last few years of high school, she has had to fight inflammation in her spinal cord as well as a benign tumor which left her paralyzed for some time. After learning how to use her body again, Conde was able to graduate early.

She now enjoys helping her brother with his two baby boys as well as playing basketball in her free time. Conde hopes to pursue a career in health care to inspire hope for others who may endure similar circ*mstances. She is currently employed at Kwiktrip.

Conde’s Willmar Fests Sponsor is Minnwest Technology Campus.

Isabelle Eller is the daughter of Trena and Kris Clark and Bill and Bonnie Eller. Eller is adopted and has spastic cerebral palsy, which affects mainly her left side. Because of this, she has some development delays in learning, physical restrictions and is prone to seizures. Eller doesn’t let any of this slow her down or define her as it is the only life that she knows.

Contributed / Willmar Fests

Eller currently attends FOCUS House, an extension program of the Willmar Public Schools. There, she learns life skills such as cleaning, cooking, organization, how to get around the community, budgeting, grocery shopping and a variety of jobs. Eller has been able to try different jobs each trimester throughout the community. She has worked at Goodwill, the Bethesda Day Break program, at WEAC and has also helped kindergarteners at Lakeland Elementary.

Eller has one year left before graduating from FOCUS House and then plans to attend Ridgewater College’s occupational skills program.

Her favorite ways to spend her free time include FaceTiming with friends, listening to music, watching YouTube videos, and working on 1000-piece puzzles. She also enjoys swimming, riding 4-wheeler/side-by-side and spending time with her cat, Kasey.

Eller’s Willmar Fests Sponsor is Trena Clark - Edina Realty.

Rae Holwerda, 19, is the daughter of Nicole Hengel and Scott Holwerda.

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She graduated from Willmar Senior High with high honors, Class of 2023. During high school, Holwerda was a member of the National Honor Society, speech team, 2701 and multiple musicals. During Holwerda’s senior year, she was one of the captains of the speech team and represented Willmar at the MSHSL AA at the CLC speech meets. Holwerda attended Girls’ State in 2022 and was Willmar's representative for the American Legion Auxiliary.

Holwerda is attending Gustavus Adolphus College in St. Peter, and is currently undecided on her major. While at Gustavus, she is on her Campus Activities Board which plans events for the whole student body, and she serves as co-executive for everyday activities. Holwerda is a member of the American Cancer Society of Gustavus and next year gets the opportunity of being the production chair. She is also a member in the Choir of Christ Chapel.
Holwerda will be working at Luther Crest Bible Camp in Alexandria as a camp counselor during the summer months. In her free time, she likes to spend time with family and friends, getting caught up on homework, singing, and shopping.

Holwerda’s Willmar Fest Sponsor is Jess Kubesh - Edina Realty.

Taylee Pahl, 18, is the daughter of Justin and Amy Pahl.

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She is a high honors graduate from Willmar Senior High School, Class of 2023. While in high school, Pahl participated in cross country, Nordic skiing, track and field. She earned a varsity letter in Nordic skiing and also enjoyed serving as a mentor for students with special education needs.

Pahl remains active in her church community in various ways.

She is currently a student at Ridgewater College, where she is pursuing education to become a medical assistant with plans for that to lead into a second degree to become a radiology technician. Following her education endeavors, Taylee hopes to continue working at the local hospital to pursue her career. She is currently employed by Centra Care Rice Memorial hospital as a CNA/PCA for mother-baby care, pediatric care and women's health care.

In her spare time, Pahl enjoys spending time with her friends and family as well as spending time outdoors.

Pahl’s Willmar Fests Sponsor is Willmar Bus Service.

Thelma Benitez, 19, is the daughter of Maria A. Benitez Perrusquia and Armando Perrusquia. She is the eldest sister of Maria V. Benitez and Kathryn Perrusquia.

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Benitez is a high honors and academic distinction graduate from Willmar Senior High School, Class of 2023. While in high school, she participated in the National Honor Society, FFA, and the floriculture team. She also enjoyed serving as a student assistant and teacher assistant for her peers and teachers. Benitez earned a varsity letter for academics throughout all four years of high school.

She is active in her church community, and enjoyed volunteering as a second-grade catechist her senior year of high school because she enjoys spending time with kids and helping others learn.

Benitez is currently attending the University of Minnesota — Twin Cities, pursuing a major in developmental psychology with a minor in speech, language and hearing sciences. She is also an active member of the psychology group on her campus.

Benitez will balance her summer between working at Target and spending time with her loved ones. In her free time, she enjoys going to the gym, painting, spending time with her sisters and friends, and learning how to play pickleball.

Benitez' Willmar Fests Sponsor is Primrose Boutique.