Hello everyone! It's hard to believe it's been over a month since Miss Illinois week..it's definitely time to update and share about my experience and the results of Miss Illinois 2010.
I arrived in St. Charles on June 16 and after all of the contestants had checked in, we had rehearsals for the production numbers and walking patterns. Thank you to our choreographer, Karen Bloom, for being patient with us as we learned the dances! They were a lot of fun! Also, thank you to the talented Extreme Dance Force team who performed with us on the final night!
During the week, I had a lot of fun with many of the girls. There were a lot of laughs and inside jokes, we helped each other out, and we were there for each other. I really appreciated that and look forward to staying in touch with many of you!
It was such a thrilling feeling when the curtain went up and we were on stage for the first time of Miss Illinois 2010! My first competition was talent--90 seconds and worth 35%! I performed "Impromptu in C Sharp minor" by Reinhold, which is a very sentimental piece in my family. My grandmother played this piece in the 1940s and taught it to my mom. When was little, I loved listening to my mom play it and was definitely inspired by it, with the exciting, fast runs and the slower, expressive section in the middle. I began to learn parts of it by ear even before I began taking piano lessons at age 7. So, it was really special to perform this at Miss Illinois. I wore a one-of-a-kind custom designed gown made for me by fashion designer Miranda. She had always wanted to make a dress for the piano and generously offered to make one for me. I think that it turned out beautifully and am so thankful to her!! The dress is a beautiful iridescent purple color with a V-neck and V-back. There is a rhinestoned belt at the waist and a big train at the back that flows over the piano bench.
I also competed in Evening Gown, which is worth 20%. My dress was a beautiful, rich, royal blue at the top which fades into a lighter blue at the bottom, and the gown has a sparkly tear drop accent in the center of the neckline that connects into one shoulder strap, so it looks asymmetric. I really enjoyed walking the runway during the evening gown competition that night!
Afterwards, I got to see my family, Rachel, and a family friend, Maria Millen--thank you for coming to support me! After a short visit, it was time to get some much-needed sleep--Miss IL week is full of early mornings and late nights with a lot going on each day.
There were several times during Miss IL week for the Miss contestants to interact with their princesses. One day, we all played games and had lunch together, which was definitely a fun time for Bella and I to spend some time together, talk, laugh and have fun (and take some photos, of course)! We got to see our princesses rehearse their dance numbers on stage. Bella did a great job! There was also a Princess Luncheon during which we all dressed up and got to crown our princesses on stage with Miss IL and her princess!!
That was definitely a highlight moment for Bella and me. I think she really loves her crown and felt very special. The princesses had the opportunity to be on stage on Friday and Saturday nights...and I loved seeing Bella in her beautiful white dress after the pageant was over!
Each contestant has a private, 10 minute interview with the panel of judges, which is worth 25%. I had the first interview on Friday morning at about 8:30am. I've been mentally preparing for the job of Miss IL as well as staying up to date with current events, my opinions about them, and being knowledgeable about Children's Miracle Network, Character Counts, and my personal platform "Redefining Success: Using Your Talents to Serve Others," so I felt very prepared and really felt confidant about how the interview went. In fact, I love the interview portion!
On Friday night, I answered my On-Stage Question, which dealt with platform and how I've applied that in my own life as a pianist. This phase of competition is worth 5%. I wore my interview dress and felt confidant about my answer. Then, I competed in Lifestyle and Fitness, worth 15%. I wore a black monokini swimsuit and really felt great about it. I have worked so had on improving this area of competition, so I was definitely proud of myself! After I got off stage, it was a very emotional moment for me. A huge thank you goes to my director's boyfriend Leo, who is a personal trainer and worked with me to teach me some very helpful exercises. Also, I want to give a shout out to The Workout Company in Normal, IL. I am a part-time employee there, so I have really taken advantage of their amazing facility, including group classes. I have had such positive experiences there! For more info, please visit their website: http://www.theworkoutcompany.org/
On Saturday morning, all of the contestants helped out with the Golf Outing at Pheasant Run. Thank you to Glenn Schwerdtmann for organizing this! It was definitely funny to watch some of us (try to) hit the golf ball...I'm even a bad mini-golfer! Haha!
Finally, it was Saturday night..the night we'd all been waiting for. The music started and we performed our opening number and introductions one last time. Then, it was time for the announcement of the Top Ten Finalists...and I was so excited to be the fifth contestant called! I was thrilled and honored to be part of such a talented, intelligent, beautiful group of young women who were the best candidates for the job and title of Miss Illinois for a second year. We all rushed back to our dressing rooms to get ready for the next phase of competition. There were so many people who offered their help to us with changes and anything we needed. I really appreciated that! I loved walking out in my talent dress and performed my heart out, savoring the moment. Then, I had fun in Lifestyle & Fitness, and enjoyed my time on stage in my evening gown. After we all performed the final number, the Top Ten stepped forward, and I heard 5 other names announced as the Top 5 finalists. I can't pretend that I wasn't extremely disappointed. In that moment, my opportunity for the title was no longer available and I experienced so many emotions because I now knew and the pageant was over for me.
However, I also knew all along that I was in a win/win situation--this year, my Miss IL journey coincided simultaneously with another journey, one filled with it's own share of obstacles, questions, waiting, hoping. After my sophomore year at Manhattan School of Music in NYC, I came home and was not able to go back due to financial struggles. This was an extremely difficult time for me for many reasons. I had a lot of confusion and questions about the future. But I didn't give up. Ted and Donna Loy, family friends from church, introduced me to Wheaton College, which has a Conservatory of Music. From my first visit to Wheaton on, I fell in love with it and felt that God wanted me to be there, if only he would provide a way. I prepared for my audition, and it was a success. After months of waiting, I learned that I was accepted as a transfer student...and was absolutely overflowing with thankfulness at the sum of money offered to me in grants and scholarship!!! Praise the Lord! They made it financially possible for me, and the scholarship money I have won through Miss IL and prelims have also helped me pay off loans/school. So, although my dream of becoming Miss IL did not come true this summer, I am celebrating the opportunity to continue my education and be a student again at an amazing school, and I can't wait to start! I have already met some wonderful people there, so I look forward to building relationships as I grow in my relationship with Jesus, as a musician, and however else. I'm so grateful for this blessing and reminder of God's faithfulness, perfect timing, and guidance in my life.
After the pageant, I was so grateful to see the people who came to support me at the reception--my parents, Grandpa and Grandma, Aunt Diane, Aunt Sharon, Tracy and Bella, and Rachel and her mom. I felt so thankful that you were there to share that night with me and I love you all. Thank you so much. Also, although I didn't get to see them afterward, I'm so glad that my friend Tammy Renee' drove all the way from Flora, IL to come to the pageant! It really meant a lot to me.
Thank you to Marta, Lana, and all of the wonderful hostesses, as well as all of the security guards and the production team. Also, thank you to Pheasant Run Resort and the Dellora Norris Center, as well as all of our Miss Illinois sponsors, Michelle Holmes (http://pageantroom.com/), Limelight Studio Photography, our emcees, guest performers, and judges. Last but certainly not least, thank you to Amalia and Glenn Schwerdtmann, the Miss IL board members, and all of the local directors. Without everyone (and probably more!) listed above, it would not be possible to run this great organization. Your time, dedication, and hard work is so appreciated!!
I am more determined than ever to pursue my goal of becoming Miss IL. The longer I am involved in the Miss America Organization, the more I have grown and learned. This is something I believe is very valuable, and I will continue to work hard, compete, and represent the ideals of this organization.
Best wishes to Whitney for her year of service as the new Miss Illinois!!
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