How I Captured the Hoosier Spirit With a Title

It was at least 9:30pm, and my attention was on catching at LEAST a quarter of the Super Bowl. Myself and 20 other girls piled on-stage for crowning, and the sleep deprivation was kicking in. They started announcing preliminary awards and after I won none of them, I counted myself out from a title.

Though I felt discouraged, I continued to cheer and clap for all of my friends as they called 4th runner-up… 3rd runner-up… 2nd runner-up… 1st runner-up… and announced the first Miss title. Miss Heart of the Midwest went to a girl I became friends with during the day, Elyssa. Her voice could fill the largest venue on the planet and her heart was pure gold. However, it was during her crowning that I came back to Earth and observed the Miss candidates who were left standing. Before I could get a good look, I heard, “Your Miss Spirit of Indiana 2022 is… Madeline Fisher!”

My crowning moment at the Miss Spirit of Indiana Scholarship Pageant! Photo courtesy of Hannah Poitras Photography (2022).

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I went back to campus that night over the moon excited; not only because I finally had the adorable Miss America Organization (MAO) crown, but I now had a whole year of sharing the Spirit of Indiana with Hoosiers across the state!

I hit the ground running by showcasing all of the things that made me unique; like my obsession with the Disney Parks and my utter infatuation with the color purple. On my titleholder Instagram page (@missindiana_spiritofindiana), I quickly established the goals of my Social Impact Initiative, Yousical Theatre, and began sharing feature stories of other artists!

After everyone got to know me online, I made sure to attend every other MAO local in Indiana to cheer on my friends. I also made tons of appearances at Veterans Honor Flights, local events, and fun days out with other titleholders in Zionsville. I loved nothing more than pinning my crown on, velcroing my sash, and walking around with the biggest smile you’ve ever seen.

I was seriously so in love with the titleholder lifestyle!

Myself and former Miss Hoosier Valley, now Miss South Bend,

Maci Tetrick posing at the Indy Honor Flight. Photo courtesy of

Indy Honor Flight (2022).

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The utter excitement of being in my community as a representative of the Hoosier Spirit filled my heart and propelled me to Miss Indiana in June with so much gratitude.

Upon arrival, I just couldn’t believe I was there. I was just so grateful to have even made it to the state competition; I was even more grateful to have the title of Miss Spirit of Indiana. Everyone told me I was just so peppy and fit the title so incredibly well.

I’ve always been a very supportive friend, but at Miss Indiana, I was everybody’s personal cheerleader. During rehearsals, I sat in the audience hooping and hollering for every single girl, miss and teen, who took the stage. I thought nothing of it, I was just enjoying the whole experience.

After Preliminary Night 1, I was stopped by four different local directors who thanked me for making their girls feel more confident.

I went back to my dressing area after these interactions and just cried. I didn’t cry because I was sad, but because one of the directors told me, “You are the most compelling woman here. The way you encourage the other girls really is telling of your title. You are everything Indiana has to offer, and you’re the spirit of Indiana in a person.”

Wow! I’m tearing up typing this out.

I couldn't even tell you how much it meant.

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I love living in Indiana. The landscape is breathtaking, the people are hospitable, and regardless of where I go, I always feel at home. Miss Spirit of Indiana being my first MAO title was extremely fitting, and I’ve done everything I can to spread the Hoosier Hospitality while wearing the sash across my chest.

I’m already dreading the day I crown the next Miss Spirit of Indiana.

If you were wondering, yes, it’s on Super Bowl Sunday again.

I mean, don’t get me wrong, I’m so excited to give another young woman this amazing job, but I know it will be bittersweet. All titleholders say that parting with your first local title is rough, but I’ll miss having the physical word ‘Spirit’ on my chest.

Though I won’t wear the Spirit of Indiana physically, it will never leave my heart, and I’ll continue to carry all the love with me.

My official titleholder autograph card shot. Photo courtesy

of Megan Gilbert Photo (2022).