Our 2025 Willmar Fests Candidates
This year we welcome six young women who will be vying to represent the City of Willmar as Willmar Fests Queen of Festivals, International Princess and Aqua Princess.
Zoe Swart - Sponsored by Slumberland Furniture
Julia Lindquist - Sponsored by Willmar Kiwanis
Addysen Hamstad - Sponsored by Maurices
Lauren Hunt - Sponsored by Willmar Bus Service
Keyla Maciel - Sponsored by Heritage Bank
Audrey Damhof - Sponsored by Gilbertson Management
We would also like to thank Amy Hauge at Amy Hauge Photography for capturing such beautiful photos of these young ladies.
Zoe Swart
Zoe Swart is the 19-year-old daughter of Jason Swart. She is a 2024 graduate of Willmar Senior High School. Zoe was actively involved in choir and musicals throughout her high school years. She now attends Southwest Minnesota State University and is studying social work. Ultimately, Zoe’s professional goal is to work within the field of child protective services to help support children and families in need. When not in school, she enjoys employment at the local Giovanni’s restaurant. Zoe also loves to spend quality time with her family as they have always been a strong source of love and support in her life.
Zoe’s Willmar Fests sponsor is Slumberland Furniture.
Addysen Hamstad
Addysen Hamstad is the 18-year-old daughter of Jami Hamstad and Troy Hamstad. She is a 2024 graduate of Kerkhoven Murdock Sunburg High School. While in high school, Addysen participated in Girl Scouts, volleyball and softball. In the summer she volunteered as a Bible school leader for Salem Covenant Church. Addysen currently works at both Sevita and Culver’s of Willmar. While working at Sevita, she enjoys playing games and doing puzzles with the clients. Addysen plans to pursue her education in cosmetology with a focus on becoming a nail technician. In her free time she enjoys relaxing in her pool, going to the lake, and spending time with family and friends.
Addysen’s Willmar Fests sponsor is Maurices.
Audrey Damhof
Audrey Damhof is the 18-year-old daughter of Jordan and Lisa Damhof. She is a 2024 graduate of Willmar Senior High School. During high school, Audrey was involved in gymnastics, competitive cheer, and AP art. She earned multiple awards, including the Enthusiasm Award—given to one team member each year for outstanding sportsmanship and having a positive, supportive attitude—the Leadership Award as a team captain, and a Studio Design Award for her creativity and talent in AP art. Audrey is currently a licensed real estate agent after taking courses through Kaplan University Online. As a licensed real estate agent at Edina Realty, she enjoys serving clients in Willmar and the surrounding area. Driven by a passion for entrepreneurship, Audrey plans to grow her own business and become a full-time business owner. At the center of Audrey’s passion is a desire to continue to reach her overall goal of making a lasting, positive impact in her community. In her free time, she enjoys painting and spending time outdoors.
Audrey’s Willmar Fests sponsor is Gilbertson Management.
Julia Lindquist
Julia Lindquist is the 19-year-old daughter of Andrew and Jennifer Lindquist. She is a 2024 graduate of Willmar Senior High School. While in high school, Julia was involved in swimming, choir, orchestra, 2701, Key Club, and was a member of the National Honor Society. She was also a captain of the girls’ swim and dive team her senior year. Julia attended Ridgewater College through PSEO during high school and is now attending Minnesota State University Moorhead where she is pursuing a major in Speech Language Hearing Sciences. While there, she enjoys campus life by being involved in the National Student Speech Language Hearing Association, Letters of Love, and choir. Currently, Julia babysits and tutors while in Willmar. In her free time, she enjoys spending time with friends and family, being at the lake, and reading.
Julia’s Willmar Fests Sponsor is Willmar Kiwanis.
Keyla Maciel
Keyla Maciel is the 19-year-old daughter of Rosa and Juan Maciel and a proud 2024 graduate of Willmar Senior High School. During her time in high school, Keyla was actively involved in a variety of extracurricular activities, including the Floriculture team, soccer, and serving as a teacher's assistant supporting both students and faculty. A dedicated member of her Keyla has also been deeply involved in community services. She has volunteered with numerous organizations to raise funds for those in need and participated in the Lunch Buddy Program at Kennedy Elementary mentoring young students and building meaningful connections. Keyla is currently attending Ridgewater College where she is working toward her associate degree with plans to continue her education in pursuit of a degree in educational psychology. In addition to her studies, she works at Heritage Bank in Willmar where she continues to grow professionally. In her free time, Keyla enjoys spending time with her loved ones, caring for animals on her family farm, reading, and going for runs.
Keyla’s Willmar Fests Sponsor is Heritage Bank.
Lauren Hunt
Lauren Hunt is the 18-year-old daughter of Steve and Christine Hunt. She is a 2024 High Honors graduate of Willmar Senior High School. While in school, Lauren was involved in volleyball, dance, track, LCVC club volleyball, band, choir, National Honor Society, Girl Scouts and FFA. She was a dance Captain and an FFA Chapter Secretary. Lauren has enjoyed volunteering and planning many Girl Scout summer camps as well as working with elementary schools to host Ag Day. Lauren is furthering her education at Southwest Minnesota State University with a major in Agricultural Education and a minor in Agribusiness Management. While there, she enjoys campus life by being involved in Education Minnesota Aspiring Educators, serving as President of Ag Club, Student Coordinator for Ag Bowl, and being a student of the Southwest Honors Program. With her Agricultural Education degree, she hopes to return to the Willmar School District to teach and become an FFA Advisor. Currently, Lauren works as a Resident Advisor at SMSU and as a server at Brau Brothers in Marshall. In her free time, she loves to be outside at the lake, spending time with family and friends, and playing with her nieces and nephews.
Lauren’s Willmar Fests sponsor is Willmar Bus Service.
