Ms. Oktoberfest crowned at German American Social Club
The German American Social Club of Cape Coral is celebrating a part of milestones this year — its 60th anniversary and the 40th crowning of Ms. Oktoberfest.
Sara Skorak, who began volunteering at the club in 2018, was crowned Saturday at festivities that began with dinner, the surprise naming and introduction of five pageant contestants and member voting.
Upon winning, Skorak smiled and pulled a mini-Jägermeister bottle from the pocket of her sparkling gown.
“That little bottle was my lucky charm,” Skorak said.
Shana Overhulser was named first runner up followed by Paola Alfonsina Centti as second runner up.
Each of the competing contestants graciously hugged and congratulated Skorak and all five candidates posed for photographs along with former Ms. Oktoberfest winners.
“I’ve been seeing my generation, the 40- and 50-year-olds, joining the club,” Skorak said. ” It is refreshing.”
She explained she woke up thinking the third time would be a charm.
“I ran in 2022, 2024 and now 2025. I’m just so happy and honored to be this year’s Ms. Oktoberfest,” Skorak said.
Ed Freund, chairman of the 2025 Oktoberfest, explained that crowning marks the first event of Cape Coral’s Oktoberfest season.
“Tonight’s winner will be our ambassador and public liaison for the next year,” Freund said.
Guests and social club members alike had applauded loudly as each of the evening’s five contestants were announced and escorted to the dance floor. Preceding the contestants to the center of the room was 2024 Ms. Oktoberfest, Alexandra Reifschneider. She was followed, in order, by Christina Borgersen, Paige Kohler, Skorak, Centti and Overhulser.
Reifschneider told guests and participants that becoming Ms. Oktoberfest was initially out of her comfort zone.
“Being scared to do something,” she added, “is never a reason to hold back.”
Distinguished member Steve Eichner emceed the event. Eichner said this was easily his 20th time hosting.
Each candidate was asked why she hoped to be selected as the 2025 Ms. Oktoberfest.
A common theme among contestant answers was a shared goal of broadening membership and local awareness of the German American Social Club of Cape Coral.
This year’s Oktoberfest is scheduled for the weekends of Oct. 17-19 and Oct. 24-26 on the grounds of the German American Social Club at 2101 S.W. Pine Island Road in Cape Coral.
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