One Week!!!

The Pawnee Prairie Days Pageant was held today in Pawnee, IL, which is in the Springfield area. I was one of three judges who scored the adorable little girls and boys according to appearance and charm/personality, as well as choosing the 'most photogenic' contestants. They were all adorable, and it was a fun event. I almost wished I would have had another outfit with me so I could have ridden some of the rides at the carnival! Thank you to Jenny Thomas, who organized a great pageant and invited me to judge.

I also picked up my dresses from the seamstress today!! Thank you so much, Mavis! You do great work! I will also be picking up my custom-designed talent gown--I am so grateful for your talent, skill, and generosity, Miranda!! It is gorgeous! Thank you!

In exactly one week, the new Miss Illinois will be crowned and begin her year of service to the people of Illinois and preparing for the Miss America pageant in January 2011.
I'm sure Miss Illinois 2009 Erin O'Connor has mixed emotions about giving up her title--it has been a great year for her. Although I didn't personally see her often this past year, I've been able to keep updated through the Miss IL website. She has grown so much, and it's really been neat to see what she's been able to do with the crown, especially her amazing work to spread her message of awareness of and ways to prevent skin cancer. I know her mother would be so proud. Thank you, Erin, for your dedication and representation of the MISA/MAO. Best wishes for whatever is next!

I am so thrilled that Miss Illinois week is almost here and everything is coming together. It's also going to be such a special time for my princess Bella and me. Thank you so much to my family and friends for their support, especially to mom (thank you for being such a good listener for all my late-night talks) and to my director Rachel for her advice and direction, and thank you, Lord, for this opportunity to pursue my dream and for the way you've blessed me. I feel so prepared, and I've grown so much not only since I began competing but as Miss Capital City. I'm anxious for the wait to be over and to put my whole heart into competing for the job and title of Miss Illinois 2010! Let's do this!

Cards or gifts can be sent to:
Natalie Sherer~ Miss Capital City 2010
c/o Pheasant Run Resort & Spa
4051 East Main Street
St. Charles, IL 60174

MY COMPETITION SCHEDULE:
THURSDAY NIGHT: TALENT and EVENING GOWN
FRIDAY NIGHT: SWIMSUIT and ON-STAGE QUESTION
SATURDAY NIGHT: FINAL NIGHT and CROWNING OF MISS IL 2010!

For Tickets, call: 630.584.7200 ext. 10
Here is the link to the Norris Cultural Arts center website: http://www.norrisculturalarts.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=events.eventDetails&EventID=191

Thank you for reading my last post before the 2010 MISS ILLINOIS PAGEANT!