Miss Duquesne pageant benefits Make-a-Wish

Group photo of the contestants and judges at the Miss Duquesne Pageant, showcasing women in dresses holding bouquets, with a young girl in a blue dress and crown in the front. — [Courtesy of Cassidy Reitz] The contestants of the Miss Duquesne Pageant and its organizers pose for a photo. Back row left to right: Mariah Diel, Zaida Cruz, Cassidy Reitz, Hannah Johnson. Middle row left to right: Delaney James, Lauren Dynesko, Peyton Straub, Sarah Planic, Lauren Nowak, Rachel Cruz and Nataley Davis. Front row: Annie Knisley.

Rowan DuBois | staff writer

Duquesne alumna Katie Knisley was 37-weeks pregnant with her son when she first heard the news.

Her husband Kyle brought their daughter, Annie, to a doctor’s appointment because she hadn’t been producing tears when she cried.

“The doctors came in and basically told him to sit down because the news was going to be hard to hear,” said Knisley.

Annie had been diagnosed with a rare form of eye cancer called retinoblastoma.

After receiving chemotherapy, Annie became cancer free.

On Nov. 15, Annie and Katie were both invited to be judges of the 22nd Miss Duquesne Pageant, whose proceeds benefit the Make-A-Wish Foundation. Eight students participated in the event, which is hosted by Alpha Sigma Tau.

Throughout the fundraising campaign, the sorority raised over $13,000 for Make-A-Wish. By the end of the evening, that number climbed to $16,644.

Annie herself recently had her own Make-A-Wish fulfilled. She wished for a playground to be built in her backyard.

“The coolest part was seeing her while it was being built,” Kyle said. “And now it’s so nice that she has a space where she can just be a kid.”

A young girl in a dark dress and tiara stands next to a woman in formal attire, holding flowers and wearing a sash. The background features a staircase and a colorful stained glass window. — [Courtesy of Cassidy Reitz] Miss Duquesne Pageant winner Sarah Planic (right) kneels next to Annie Knisley (left.)

The pageant began with an introduction of the judges, and a video of Annie ringing the cancer-free bell.

Family and friends in the crowd could support the cause during the event by buying flowers to vote on the girls, or by buying raffle tickets for a chance to win a number of items, including a signed photograph from Steelers defensive tackle Cameron Heyward.

Jason Romeo, a member of the crowd, was there to support Alpha Sigma Tau and the cause.

“The world has lost the ‘it takes a village’ attitude,” Romeo said. “I think events like this are a good way to help bring that back.”

Being the director of the event, Reitz knows how hard everyone worked to make it possible.

“Calling companies, setting up the event with the school, getting girls to participate, picking out decorations, basically everything,” Reitz said. “There’s a lot of behind the scene work that went in to get everything ready.”

Romeo praised how much work had gone into setting up the evening.

“We’re here to support all of the girls,” Romeo said. “I can tell how hard they worked to set this up.”

The contestants were judged on their gowns and introductions, then they were asked to answer a personal question.

After the questions, the contestants performed in the talent portion of the night. The talents ranged from singing to pom-pom dancing to solving a Rubik’s Cube on stage.

At the end of the night, Duquesne Ballroom Association representative Sarah Planic was crowned as “Miss Duquesne 2025,” and Annie was given the honorary title of “Junior Miss Duquesne.”

Romeo, whose wife is an elementary school teacher in the area, has seen firsthand the impact that Make-A-wish can have.

A young girl in a dark dress and glasses interacts with a woman in a black dress, who is knelt down and appears to be helping her, with festive decorations and balloons in the background. — [Courtesy of Cassidy Reitz] Annie Knisley (left) signs a star for Ellie Nonkes (right.) Knisley survived her battle with a rare form of eye cancer known as retinoblastoma, and the star represents all of her strengths and battles and challenges that she has overcome.

“These people are in unfortunate situations and [Make-A-wish] is a positive thing for them,” Romeo said “It’s positive for the children, but it’s also positive for the family too, because they get to see their child have that experience.”

At the event, the ballroom was decorated with balloons, flowers and photo opportunities. As the contestants came up on stage one-by-one, many shared stories of how illness had impacted their lives and the career choices they’ve made since.

Then, Knisley came up on stage to share her family’s journey. While fighting back tears, Knisley thanked both Alpha Sigma Tau and Make-A-Wish.

“Before this all happened, I wasn’t aware,” Katie said. “When you live in your own bubble, you don’t know what other people are going through. Now, I feel like I’m more empathetic, and I just want to help more people.”

“Seeing all this,” Katie said, “It really makes me want to pay it forward.”

Rowan DuBois can be reached at duboisr1@duq.edu