She's getting ready to travel the state promoting the importance of volunteer work.
Her mom in Dundee says she is proud of her daughter who has overcome so many obstacles.
"She did fantastic," says Mary Ann Wertenberger, Miss Michigan's mother. "This is what she trained for all her life."
Miss Michigan's mother just returned home to Dundee Monday evening.
She was in Muskegon Saturday night watching her daughter win the state crown.
"I'm thrilled," says Mary Ann. "She has being working towards this since she was three years old she started dance."
The newly crowned Miss Michigan is a 2007 graduate of Dundee High School. Also, just last month she graduated from Kendall College in Grand Rapids with a degree in interior design."
For Elizabeth Wertenberger, this is a dream come true.
It's a dream that some doctors never thought she could achieve.
Wertenberger has overcome almost a lifetime of chronic illness.
At age 13, Elizabeth was diagnosed with juvenile rheumatoid arthritis which affects the joints and organs.
"At one point the doctors told her she would be in a wheel chair, that she would never be able to walk, that her future was going to be in a wheel chair," says Mary Ann.
Elizabeth took 13 pills a day and even had to undergo chemotherapy.
But now thankfully Elizabeth is in remission.
Her mom thanks her daughter's passion for dancing for saving her mobility.
"Through the art of dance, it kept her going," says Mary Ann.
Miss Michigan hopes to inspire kids and even senior to get moving.
She's also eager to compete for Miss America.
"She's going to hit the Miss America stage in January and blow everybody away," says Mary Ann.
The 22-year-old next advances to the Miss America pageant in Las Vegas in January, which is expected to air on ABC.
Monday night 13 ABC spoke with Miss America 1988 from Monroe Kaye Lani Rae Rafko.
She has some advice for Elizabeth: stay grounded, be focused, and don't forget what this is all about. That's helping others.
