At just 17 years old, Westminster’s own Madelynn ‘Mady’ Nackerud has already carved out space for herself in the spotlight. This year, the senior at Flatirons Academy was crowned Miss Colorado’s Teen 2025. After securing her victory among strong competition, she went on to represent our community and state in the national Miss America’s Teen pageant held in September.
While it may not be as flashy as the stage, Mady is just as comfortable in the quiet corners of College Hill Library (3705 W. 112th Ave.), one of her favorite spots in Westminster. That’s where we met up with her to chat about her pageant journey.
Even offstage, her confidence and grace are unmistakable. Mady’s connection to Westminster runs deep, and as Miss Colorado’s Teen, she is proud to represent the city she loves. Before earning her statewide title, Mady held the crown as Miss Westminster, a role she described as deeply rooted in connection.
“Representing Westminster means representing the true definition of community.”
Mady Nackerud, Miss Colorado’s Teen
“Representing Westminster means representing the true definition of community,” she said. “Even though Westminster is large, it’s still really close-knit.”
During her reign, she became a familiar face at local events, forging relationships with residents from every corner of the city. That experience laid the foundation for the next chapter.
Now, as a titleholder, Mady serves as a voice for all of Colorado. Ask Mady what she loves most about our great state, and her answer is immediate: “I love both our nature and diversity. I think we’re a state that makes people feel seen in a variety of ways. Nobody feels like the odd one out.”
Her appreciation for Colorado’s inclusive spirit mirrors her own values. Mady’s community service initiative, Connection is Protection: School Incident Prevention, is more than a platform — it’s a personal calling. The idea was born from a family legacy. Her father survived the Columbine school shooting, and her grandfather served in law enforcement.
“It’s an issue that’s relevant to all high school students,” she stated.
This history drives her mission to create a safer, more supportive environment for students not only in Colorado, but nationwide.
Her work with the Westminster Police Department (WPD) has been a cornerstone of her advocacy.
“WPD is one of the most caring and open police departments that I have interacted with,” she said.
While police interactions can be intimidating, Mady credits WPD for their kindness and approachability. She encourages other young people to get involved, no matter how small.
As Miss Colorado’s Teen, Mady’s duties include acting as an ambassador, promoting her community service initiative, competing in Miss America’s Teen pageant, honing her talent skills, and pursuing personal and educational goals.
Mady said everything came full circle when she was crowned Miss Colorado’s Teen, calling it a “rainbow moment.”
“Everything came together, and the storms were worth it,” she reflected. “It felt good to know that something I worked for had paid off. Especially while I was able to talk about my dad’s story, which fuels my community service.”
It was a moment of triumph, not just for her, but for the mission she carries.
Forget the outdated stereotypes. Through her community involvement, leadership, and unwavering dedication to positive change, Mady Nackerud isn’t just a pageant titleholder — she is a role model, inspiring others to make a difference while staying true to themselves. As she continues to grow in her role, there is no doubt Mady will have a lasting impact on our community and beyond. Good luck, Mady! Westminster is rooting for you.