Pennsburg native crowned Mrs. Pennsylvania America 2015
Essington, PA – Mrs. Bucks County 2015 Kate Schartel Novak from Pennsburg was crowned Mrs. Pennsylvania America 2015 at the
Clarion Hotel Philadelphia International Airport on Sunday, April 26, 2015. The event, produced by
MTAA, LLC, is an official state preliminary to the
Mrs. America pageant, to be held in September.
Novak competed three times for the Mrs. Pennsylvania America title, placing second- and first-runner up in previous competitions. Last year’s winner, Amira Hamid Joseph, attended the 2015 pageant to crown her successor.
“I am absolutely thrilled” Novak said. “To finally become a part of Mrs. America—the original competition for America’s married women—is an honor I unequivocally cherish.” Novak’s determination to succeed is not just limited to her participation in pageantry, however.
Prior to marriage, Novak obtained both her B.A. in English and her M.Ed. in Secondary Education from Lehigh University in five years while working two jobs, interning, and volunteering. Shortly after graduation in 2005, she realized her dream to dance professionally as a director and member of the Lehigh Valley Outlawz indoor football team’s dance team, the Lady Outlawz. After teaching in the public school system for almost ten years, she has now returned to school herself in order to become a veterinary technician due to her passion for animal health and welfare. She is currently a travel agent and
ZUMBA fitness instructor, both of which call upon her love for event planning and attention to detail.
Novak’s faith informs her volunteer endeavors through
Unitarian Universalism’s Second Principle: Justice, Equity, and Compassion in Human Relations. She devotes time, talent, and funds to a variety of causes, as she and her husband, Ray, are Wish Granters for the
Make-A-Wish Foundation of Greater Pennsylvania and Southern West Virginia, and can be found frequenting Lehigh’s alumni events, as Kate has served on Lehigh’s Young Alumni Council, Alumni Admissions Outreach, and reunion planning committees.
Both Novaks also support additional charities through a fairly newfound interest in running, including organizations that support children’s cancer prevention/education and research for the cure and keeping the arts alive in local communities. Additionally, Kate passionately advocates for women’s health initiatives and LGBT equality.
As for her involvement in pageantry, Novak explains, “Competing is a way in which women can put themselves to the test. Preparing for a pageant requires women to be extremely honest with themselves about where they stand as wives, mothers, career women, community leaders, and public servants. The judging process can be very subjective, so it’s important to determine the ‘why’ beyond the ‘win’ and look at preparation as a growth process. I have grown and continue to grow in countless ways because of my involvement in pageantry, and am grateful beyond words for the opportunities it has presented.”
For more information about the Mrs. Pennsylvania America pageant, please visit http://www.mrspennsylvania.com. To book Mrs. Pennsylvania America 2015 for your event, please email mrspaamerica2015@gmail.com.
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