The month of June marks the preliminary competition for Miss Indiana held in Zionsville at the Zionsville Performing Arts Center – with one of IUPUI’s own in the running. Catherine Sellmer, currently holding the title of Miss Indiana South 2023, recently graduated from the School of Science’s Department of Psychology. Her on-campus experience saw involvement in the Women4Change at IUPUI student organization as a member of the Exec Board as well as the Honors College and ALDPES Honors Societies.
“What I love most about IUPUI is the professors. I have had many professors influence me during my time at IUPUI, but my biggest role model is Dr. Kroupa,” said Sellmer. “I had the opportunity to TA for her class, and I learned so much from her.”
Such pageantry has been a part of Sellmer’s life as far back as the 7th grade, when she competed in her first Miss America Organization [MAO] competition – though such a road was paved with self-discovery and a need for community.
“I wanted to do it but didn’t know what to do. I had danced growing up, but at this point, I had not danced competitively in about 4 years. I shoved the idea of competing to the back of my mind. However, one day during my sophomore year, I saw an ad for Miss Collegiate Indy, saw I wasn’t doing anything that weekend, and decided to compete. I loved the experience and connected with two amazing women.”
Despite outdated stereotypes and connotations of vanity, what Sellmer speaks to the most is the community engagement at the core of the competition.
“What some do not know is that the Miss America Organization is one of the largest scholarship organizations for women in the country. Candidates are not evaluated based on outer beauty, but rather on the differences they make in the community. And that’s what really drew me into MAO. When I was 16 years old, I started to share my eating disorder recovery story on Instagram. When I was first diagnosed, I felt so alone because I knew no one else with the same struggles. By sharing my story, I thought I would be able to change others’ lives and encourage them to choose recovery. I even hosted two body positivity workshops with a friend in high school. It was through the Miss America Organization I was able to gain the confidence to expand this initiative.”
Sellmer’s story has grown to encompass a brand all its own entitled Great at Any Weight and she has participated in two Girl Scouts of Central Indiana events, partnered with IUPUI’s Office of Health and Wellness for National Eating Disorder Awareness Week, and hosted talks with the parents of Indianapolis Public Schools students about warning signs of eating disorders.
“Winning the title of Miss Indiana would mean a variety of things to me,” says Sellmer. “I know that with this title, I would be able to encourage people to be resilient. Eating disorders are a prominent issue in America, with almost 29 million individuals struggling. I want more people to know that they do not have to struggle alone. That they can seek help. Most importantly, I want them to know that they are more than their eating disorders.”
As a representative of the city and the legacy of impassioned IUPUI students, Sellmer is excited to take to the stage June 14-16 in Zionsville. Learn more at: missindiana.org.