Three GVSU Lakers set their sights on Miss Michigan 2025 title

BY Sarah Dudinetz
Image credit - Cory Morse

Jun 9, 2025

Three GVSU students and alumni are preparing to compete for the title of Miss Michigan 2025 and the opportunity to represent Michigan at the Miss America competition in September.

Lauren Mroczek ’21, Payton Perry-Radcliffe ’23, and current junior Natalee Urbon said that the week is more than just competing for a crown and a sash, but a chance to promote causes that they are passionate about through their service initiatives, spend time with one another and potentially walk away with thousands of dollars in scholarship money.

“Something people might not know is that when you're competing in Miss America, you actually have to live out your service initiative,” said Urbon, who will represent her hometown as Miss Ludington Area. Her service initiative is "The CommUNITY Campaign: Fostering Unity Through Service." “That requires a lot of fundraisers and events, and being a very active member in your community.”

Natalee Urbon, Miss Ludington Area, laughs with other titleholders at a Miss Michigan week kickoff event held at The Deck in Muskegon.

Lauren Mroczek, Miss Greater Kalamazoo, signs an autograph card for a young girl at a Miss Michigan week kickoff event.

Mroczek, who holds the local title of Miss Greater Kalamazoo, said her passion for her service initiative, "Feeding Ourselves: The Importance of Fruits and Vegetables," was sparked by nutrition classes she took at Grand Valley, where she studied biomedical science with an emphasis in nutrition science.

“I work to highlight fruits and vegetables, the nutrients they contain and how they benefit our bodies by lowering our risk of chronic disease, as well as work to increase access to fruits and vegetables,” she said. This will be Mroczek’s third time competing for the title of Miss Michigan.

Payton Perry-Radcliffe poses for photos during a Miss Michigan week kickoff lunch at The Deck in Muskegon.

Perry-Radcliffe also found inspiration for her service initiative, "H.E.R.O: Help Encourage Representation Opportunities," during her time at Grand Valley.

“I worked in Grand Valley’s Office of Multicultural Affairs for about two years and was also in the Laker Connections program. My time at Grand Valley definitely helped me dip my toes into the social justice world, and I wouldn't be here and be an advocate if it wasn't for that,” she said.

The Miss Michigan contestants will also have the opportunity to cheer on their teen titleholders as they compete for Miss Michigan’s Teen on Friday, June 13. Perry-Radcliffe will be cheering on her fellow titleholder, Miss Jackson Crossroad’s Teen, Natalie Schmidt.

“It's her first time competing at Miss Michigan’s Teen and I'm just so excited for her,” Perry-Radcliffe said. “The experience alone can teach you so much that you'll take with you for years down the road. I can’t wait to cheer her on.”

Competition for the Miss Michigan contestants takes place in Muskegon. Following their private interviews with the judging panel, they will compete onstage in preliminary competition on Thursday, June 12. The final night of competition, which will conclude with the crowning of a new Miss Michigan, will take place on Saturday, June 14. In-person tickets can be purchased through the Frauenthal Center , and livestream tickets can be purchased through CUR8 .