Eastern Connecticut State University senior Olivia Wronka was crowned Miss Little Poland in September 2021 at the annual Little Poland Festival in New Britain. New Britain is home to the state’s largest Polish population and has been dubbed the name “Little Poland.” As the largest Polish festival in New England, Little Poland Festival attendees celebrate Polish culture, music and cuisines.

Wronka will hold her title as Miss Little Poland for a year and will have the honor of crowning the next Miss Little Poland on June 5. At the festival attendees, performers participate in folk dances, dress in traditional Polish costumes, try Polish dishes, enjoy live music, watch the crowing of Miss Little Poland and much more.

Due to COVID-19, the festival had to operate differently this past year. Instead of having a live competition to view the talent of Miss Little Poland contestants, the festival held an online poll where people could vote for their favorite contestant. “After the voting, I was hand-chosen by the pageant committee from a smaller select group of contestants to be Miss Little Poland and represent Polonia from central Connecticut,” said Wronka.

"Olivia is a stellar member of our Eastern community--sweet, great work ethic, talented, kind and modest," said Professor Emeritus June Bisantz from the Art and Art History Department. "Not only is she beautiful inside and out, she's also an excellent designer with great technical skills."

Wronka majors in New Media Studies. “The new media studies program has allowed me to grow as an artist and a future professional,” she said. “Not only have I been able to develop my skills as a designer, but I have also been exposed to a variety of other mediums in the communication field. I’ve also been given opportunities to use these skills in real-world applications.

"I am looking to apply to a nursing program after I graduate from Eastern. I am choosing to pursue a career in nursing in hopes of one day integrating my degrees and interests in art and medicine in a creative way," she said.

"Eastern has prepared me for my goals by helping to develop strong communication and collaboration skills needed in any professional field. My professors have made me confident in my abilities to enter the professional world beyond Eastern and I cannot wait to see what will come next for me.”