MISS WASECA COUNTY SLEIGH & CUTTER
Jasmin Kotek
Class of 2026
Class of 2026
Talent: Electric Violin
Community Service Initiative: CultureChange: Mental Health Advocacy Directors: Jennifer Burt & Molly Kopischke, Email: [email protected] Next Competition Date: TBA Triple Competition with Miss South Central, and Owatonna |
Jasmin Kotek, often known as “Jas,” proudly serves as Miss Waseca County Sleigh & Cutter, a local titleholder representing Southern Minnesota. A former competitive dancer with a love of jazz, her nickname reflects the vibrant energy and passion she brings to every role she takes on. Jasmin wears many hats: teacher, coach, nonprofit founder, published author, mental health advocate, and violinist. But at her core, she is driven by a commitment to education, empowerment, and creating actionable change in her community.
A Faribault, Minnesota native, Jasmin was shaped by the classrooms, teams, and mentors who believed in her when she sometimes struggled to believe in herself. Today, she gives back in those very spaces as “Ms. Kotek,” a 7th-grade Math, AVID (student success), and PGC (leadership elective) teacher at Faribault Middle School, which happens to be the very school she once attended. She graduated from Minnesota State University, Mankato, with a Bachelor of Science in Secondary Mathematics and Communications Studies in 2022, earning continuous Dean’s List honors throughout her studies. She recently completed her Master’s degree in Curriculum and Instruction from Western Governors University, finishing a three-year program in under three months and completing an additional 40 graduate credits. She plans to pursue a Doctorate in Education, with the goal of becoming a collegiate professor working with aspiring educators. Jasmin’s love for education first blossomed through coaching, where she spent a decade on the sidelines of high school gyms as a dance team coach, including six years as head coach of the Northfield Hiliners Dance Team. She has also coached cheer and softball and recently began working with students in middle school theatre and musical productions. Within the Miss America Opportunity, Jasmin showcases her love for music through her talent: the violin. Although she first picked up the violin in fourth grade, initially because it meant getting out of gym class, what began as a clever strategy quickly grew into a genuine passion. For nearly a decade, her violin rested in its case, but recently, Jasmin rediscovered her love for the instrument and is excited to bring it back to the stage, with a modern twist, as she performs on the electric violin. Jasmin’s Community Service Initiative, CultureChange: Mental Health Advocacy, is deeply personal. After losing her cousin to suicide and witnessing loved ones struggle with mental health challenges, experiences that also pushed her to find strength in her own journey, she recognized how critical access to support and education truly is. These experiences inspired her to co-found CultureChange (CC), a nonprofit organization expanding access to mental health resources through outreach and connection, focusing on education, legislation, literature, and community building. Jasmin is committed to ensuring every person has the tools they need to thrive. Today, CC curriculum and programming have reached over 300 universities, 16 Minnesota school districts, and two countries. Beyond advocacy, Jasmin works toward systemic change by assisting with the development and implementation of mental health legislation aimed at making mental health education and training mandatory. She is also the author of five children’s books focused on social-emotional learning, helping young readers build confidence, emotional awareness, and resilience. Through her initiative, Open Books, Open Minds, she places these books in schools and libraries across Minnesota. Jasmin also partners with the Steele County United Way, serving on their Mental Health Team and supporting the opening of a local Teen Center, creating a safe and welcoming space where young people can connect and find support. When Jasmin isn’t in the classroom or crowning around, you can usually find her spending time with her rescue cat, Gibby, consuming copious amounts of caffeine (preferably a Dunkin’ iced coffee or an Alani Nu energy drink), or in the gym lifting heavy weights, chasing a new PR, or tackling a CrossFit workout. Jasmin will compete for the title of Miss Minnesota this June. Follow along on her journey at @misswasecasleighandcuttermn and @jasmin.kotek. |