FRANKSVILLE - The honors came in pairs for Laura Kuzia Saturday night.

The 21-year-old University of Wisconsin-Whitewater student was not only crowned the 2008 Miss Racine, but she also received the honor of her five fellow contestants by being named the pageant's Miss Congeniality.

Approximately 300 people attended the two-hour scholarship pageant at the Gifford School auditorium. They experienced a program filled with anticipation, tears, laughs, tributes and surprises.

Kuzia, daughter of Randy and Vicki Kuzia of Racine, is studying speech communications and public relations at Whitewater. She will get some experience in publicity during her yearlong reign by making numerous appearances at schools, parades, fairs and charitable events. She will aslo participate in the Miss Wisconsin

competition, the next step to the Miss America pageant, next spring.

For her platform, Kuzia will promote the Jane Cremer Foundation, the mission of which is to increase awareness and prevention efforts for ovarian cancer. The mission is not just a randomly picked charity. Cremer, who died 10 years ago of ovarian cancer, was Kuzia's grandmother.

Kuzia said she will emphasize one particular outreach effort of the foundation. Jane's Studio, Kuzia said, aims to bring ovarian cancer education to girls ages 11 to 17.

Winning two honors in the pageant was overwhelming and touching, Kuzia said.

"It definitely was a surprise for me," Kuzia said. "I'm very, very flattered. All the other girls are really great. They've all been very helpful and fun."

Kuzia received a $500 scholarship in the pageant, in which the women were judged on talent, presence and poise, fitness and an on-stage question-and-answer session.

Rachel Clum, 21, a political science and pre-law student at the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee and Park High grad, was first runner-up in the pageant. She received a $250 scholarship. All the contestants received $100 scholarships for participating.

The night had a bittersweet beginning for Miss Racine 2007 Britani Madala. She choked up and shed tears as she introduced a slide show recounting her appearances over the past year and her competition in the Miss Wisconsin pageant.

But Madala got more than appreciative thanks and a bouquet of roses as she finished her presentation. Out of the audience came her boyfriend of the past 4½ years, Adam Frederiksen, 19, of Racine. Frederiksen took the microphone from the podium, called Madala from backstage, dropped to his knees and proposed. Madala said yes.

"He truly is the love of my life," said Madala, a sophomore at the University of Wisconsin-Parkside studying marketing.

Madala, 20, said she and Frederiksen would likely be engaged for two to three years while they finish school.

The pageant also paid tribute to Miss Racine 1989 Therese Van Ryne, who directed the Miss Racine pageant from 1998 until this year, when she was succeeded by Debra Morrall.

Also vying for Miss Racine 2008 were Melissa Maggart, April Dovorany, Megan Sturycz and Courtney Ladd.