Ms. Oktoberfest becomes family affair
Angela Teleweck has represented the German-American Social Club in Cape Coral about as well as anyone who has ever worn the sash and crown as Ms. Oktoberfest.
Having won the honor in 1998, she has gone to just about every Oktoberfest and every Ms. Oktoberfest pageant, not to mention smaller events and just hanging out and having a good time at the GASC.
So, you could imagine the happiness she felt when her daughter-in-law, Lissette Ortiz-Teleweck, was crowned Saturday to become the first Ms. Oktoberfest since 2019 after the last two pageants were cancelled because of COVID.
Ortiz-Teleweck was selected from among four other contestants to earn the crown, one that her mother-in-law had the honor of giving her since Ms. Oktoberfest of 2019, Ashley Jones, couldn’t attend.
“Honestly, I’m very shocked and surprised. I thought I was a good contestant, but I didn’t think I was going to win because everyone else was really great,” Ortiz-Teleweck said.
Perhaps nobody was as shocked and pleased as Teleweck, who had to keep her daughter-in-law on an even keel to help her get through.
“I told her to relax and no matter what she’s part of the club and one of my good friends now. We have a community going, the next generation,” Teleweck said. “There were tears and excitement. I couldn’t believe I got to crown her.”
Ortiz-Teleweck has lived in the Southwest Florida area. She attended the University of South Florida, majoring in public health, and is currently working on her masters degree in public administration at FGCU.
She works at the Harry Chapin Food Bank as program coordinator and served in the Peace Corps in Belize as a health education volunteer.
“I’ve always been passionate about serving the community and helping others. I’ve always genuinely been interested in that,” Ortiz-Teleweck said.
Ortiz-Teleweck will be the face of the Oktoberfest activities, taking part in all the promotions and will reign at the event. She also will be at the two Gartenfests this winter as well as other big events at the club, and will participate in the annual Edison Festival of Light Parade in Fort Myers.
She will also promote friendship and further educate people on the German culture and get everybody involved in the club.
“I want to spread the word that this is a welcoming place. I want to promote the club and hopefully get more members in and prepare for Oktoberfest,” Ortiz-Teleweck said.
As for upholding the standards her mother-in-law set, Ortiz-Teleweck said there will be lots of pressure, but knows that Angela will be on her side.
“She is very helpful and I think I’m in safe hands with her. I’m very honored to follow in her footsteps,” Ortiz-Teleweck said. “She gave me some pointers, but I just spoke from the heart and made sure to be myself.”
And what advice does Teleweck have for Lissette?
“I’d tell her to be there for the club, be herself and love life,” Teleweck said.
The other contestants were Lisa Kraft, Jasmin Pearson, Liane Eagen and Sara Skorak.
Oktoberfest was cancelled entirely in 2020, but returned in 2021. While it had record turnout, because the COVID restrictions were not lifted in time, the pageant was not held and the previous Ms. Oktoberfests who were able came to serve in that role instead.
As a result, rules were changed that will allow the previous Ms. Oktoberfests to wear their sashes at Oktoberfest. They will not wear the crown, as only the current Ms. Oktoberfest is allowed to wear it.