MISS WASECA COUNTY SLEIGH & CUTTER
Jasmin Kotek
Class of 2024
Class of 2024
Talent: Jazz Dance
Community Service Initiative: CultureChange: Mental Health Advocacy Directors: Jennifer Burt, Miss WCSC/Miss SC; Molly Kopischke, OT Email: [email protected] Next Competition Date: January 25, 2025 Triple Competition with Miss Southern MN, and Owatonna |
On January 20th, 2024, Jasmin Kotek was crowned Miss Waseca County Sleigh & Cutter and embarked on her journey to Miss Minnesota 2024. Being a Southern MN native, this title is close to her heart, serving the communities that shaped her into the young woman she is today.
Jasmin Kotek is a graduate of Minnesota State University Mankato with a bachelor of science in Secondary Mathematics Education, having the ambition to continue her education to obtain a master's in education focusing on curriculum & instruction. Having educators, coaches, and mentors that inspired her career choice, Jasmin is now a Middle School pre-algebra, algebra I, and AVID (advancement via individual determination) teacher to 7th & 8th-grade students in her hometown of Faribault, MN. Her career goal is to continue to be an educator to all and aid in restructuring the Minnesota Education Standards & system to provide an equitable education. Most of her free time is spent in high school studios & gyms being a coach. She is entering her 10th year of coaching and is currently the head coach of the Northfield Hiliners Dance Team, Cannon Falls Fall Dance Team, Tri-City United Cheer Team, and an Assistant Coach to the Faribault Middle School Girls Softball Team. With the Miss America Opportunity providing a platform to showcase talent, Jasmin shares her love for dance that started back in 7th grade when she tried out for her high school dance team by performing a jazz-style routine that embraces her story of choosing the path of positivity and resilience. Jasmin's Service Initiative is "CultureChange: Mental Health Advocacy," in which she works to shift the culture and stigma surrounding mental health through outreach, access, and connections alongside her non-profit organization, CultureChange. Through this work, she has implemented a 4-part initiative at universities across the Midwest, crafted K-12 mental health curriculums, created a mental health framework implemented in schools across the state, and now is designing cutting-edge technology to innovate mental health resources. Her reach has exceeded 280 universities, 13 MN school districts, and two countries, making her Social Initiative scalable to the national level. Additionally, Jasmin is a strategic partner of various other organizations, including Project Carla, Seeds of Success, NAMI, MindfulMovement, Change to Chill, Sophie's Squad, The Jordyn Clark Foundation, Seeds of Success, and more. To reach audiences and minds of all ages, Jasmin has published three children's books, "Believe, Bella," "Exhale, Ella," and "Strong, Sox." where she breaks down mental wellness through a growth mindset and social-emotional learning. She also has implemented the #ExhaleProject, derived from the quote 'inhale the positives, exhale the negatives,' where she promotes a positive mindset by crafting bracelets with positive words, igniting mental health conversation. This project has reached thousands of individuals and over twenty states to date. Her ultimate goal through her Community Service Initiative is "to be the person for others she once needed herself," with the passion behind it stemming from the loss of her cousin Brandyn in 2008, her personal mental illness experiences, and the experiences she has endured of those around her. |