Miss Illinois Outstanding Teen Blog
May 26, 2010 | I can't believe that just about a year ago we were packing up the car and heading to Springfield…just like we're doing again in a couple of days! This has been a wonderful experience and I can't believe it's almost over. Thank you again to the Illinois Scholarship Association for making this past year one I will never forget. I can't wait to meet all the girls. It's going to be a fun and exciting weekend for everyone! Good Luck and Dream Big! Love, Andi
May 22, 2010 | Today was another opportunity to volunteer for Relay For Life to raise money for the American Cancer Society. I love these events because they are so successful in such a short period of time. The City of Wheeling held today's event at my high school, which makes it easy to get the support of my fellow students. I'm so proud of everyone's hard work for this great cause. We walked through the night without sleeping but it was worth it!
May 11, 2010 | I left school a bit early today so I could arrive on time at a great fundraiser for the American Cancer Society in Aurora. A big thank you to teacher Jennifer Carnes for coordinating this Relay For Life dinner event, the Colonial Café for its donation of proceeds from tonight's sales, and the many students, parents and community members who joined us for dinner. I really enjoyed working with our new 2010 Miss Chicago, her Outstanding Pre-Teen and Princess. We signed lots of autographs and everyone had a great time while raising money to support the efforts of the American Cancer Society.
April 29, 2010 | Today I attended a special awards luncheon held by my high school district to honor and showcase the top 14 fine arts students in the district. The event was attended by many parents, teachers, principals, administrative officials and retirees. After lunch, all the honorees performed for the group. I received the district dance award and I took the opportunity to choreograph a new solo, which I will be performing in Springfield as part of the entertainment at the Illinois' Talent competition!
April 18, 2010 | Rebecca and I headed off to the Miss Illinois Sweeps Pageant today in Champaign. I had a great day! Thank you to everyone for making me feel so welcome as Illinois' teen titleholder. As I was watching the pageant I couldn't help thinking that I'll be 18 next month and will then qualify to compete as a Miss! Seems like it was just yesterday that I was 16 and had become Miss DuPage County's Outstanding Teen 2009. The last couple of years have flown by and the end of my senior year is filling up with awards ceremonies, dinners, prom, and graduation. Then I register for college classes on June 8. My mom is doing a great job of keeping up with me…which she says is a challenge.
April 17, 2010 | As Miss Illinois' Outstanding Teen, I'm always learning new things! Today we produced my farewell video (hope you all come to Springfield to see it!). Working with the pros at Magic Dreams Productions was awesome. First, we selected all the photos to include. Then, I read the script I had written for the voiceover (and I have to admit I was a bit nervous). I also selected a background song called, “I Hope You Dance” that really speaks to my personal path and wish for you all. The result of all this is a fabulous video that I can't wait to share with you! Thank you, Magic Dreams Productions!
April 3, 2010 | Yesterday, I headed to Metropolis, IL to join Peyton for our photo shoot. On the way down from Chicago, we stopped at The Pageant Room in Marion, IL. They have an amazing selection of beautiful pageant and prom dresses. Thank you to Michelle Holmes for providing our photo shoot dresses! We were met by hair and makeup stylists who spent almost 2 hours making us "just right". Thank you to everyone for making me feel like a princess ... and a real model! I can't wait to see the results of our photo shoot by the pros at Limelight Studios.
March 25, 2010 | Today I left for a weeklong trip to Miami to dance in the National High School Dance Festival. My high school's Orchesis team was very fortunate to be selected from hundreds of schools that submitted audition tapes to perform in their show. This week was also an opportunity to take dance workshops, which are great for keeping skills sharp, and learning new moves. As soon as I return home, it's back to work getting ready for a photo shoot being planned for Peyton and I for the front cover of the Miss Illinois' Outstanding Teen & Pre-Teen Pageant program book. I can't wait!
March 6, 2010 | I had the pleasure of attending the Miss Blackhawk Valley Pageant today in Moline. The pageant directors did a great job of putting on a wonderful evening. A big thank you to them for letting me take part. Congratulations to Brittany Schultz on her past year of service and to the new Miss Blackhawk Valley's Outstanding Teen, Kaitlyn Wehr. I'm getting excited about the upcoming Miss Illinois' Outstanding Teen Pageant this May. Hope all the contestants are practicing their interview skills and talents! We're going to have lots of fun!
March 1, 2010 | Today is the start of some big fundraising efforts for my three favorite charities! As part of my personal platform, I emphasize the importance of doing community service in order to help "strengthen teen values". On March 7, I will be volunteering at the 16th Annual Benefit Concert, "Dance for Life's Next Generation" event in Wheeling, Illinois. I will be doing lots of administrative work plus dancing in one number. All proceeds will be donated to the Dance for Life Fund and The Children's Place Association, organizations dedicated to the support of those living with HIV/AIDS. In the next few months, I will also continue to raise funds for The Children's Miracle Network and the American Cancer Society. On May 22, I will participate as a 3-year team member in Relay For Life in Wheeling, Illinois, which is an event for raising funds for the American Cancer Society. If you are interested in donating to any of these charities on my behalf, please contact Rebecca Cutler.
February 27, 2010 | I would like to thank all my friends and family who supported me over the past three days at my Orchesis show. Having a great audience makes performing on stage so much easier! I received an email yesterday from my pageant director, Rebecca Cutler, who is busy putting together the 2010 Miss Illinois' Outstanding Teen Pageant. It's going to be a great event! I'm looking forward to performing my MAOT talent for everyone and congratulating the next state titleholder. You are going to have an amazing year! I will be attending more local pageants in March and April so everyone stop and say hello…and feel free to ask me questions about my year of service!
February 15, 2010 | Today was an all-day practice for my upcoming Orchesis dance show. I never dreamed my senior year would fly by so quickly. My high school friends are all starting to get misty-eyed just thinking about the reality that next year we will go our separate ways. I'm reminded daily of how important my family and friends are to me and I cherish the moments we spend together.
January 30, 2010 | This morning was a meet and greet with many former Miss Americas. I had my program autographed and had my picture taken with each of them and they all congratulated me on winning my state title. Tonight was the Miss America finals. Congratulations to Caressa Cameron on becoming Miss America 2010! I know you will do a fine job of representing the Miss America organization this year. Congratulations also to Erin O'Connor, Miss Illinois, for all her hard work this year for this pageant and for our State. I'm proud to be your friend and thankful for everything you have done for me personally. I couldn't have a better role model. Thank you also to the many sponsors who help the organization in so many ways! We are all VERY appreciative of what you do for all of us!
January 29, 2010 | Thank you to the Miss Nevada Scholarship Organization, Outstanding Teen Director, and Miss Nevada's Outstanding Teen, and her family for sponsoring and coordinating a PERFECT day for the teens today in Las Vegas. Now we have great memories of being together in both Orlando and Las Vegas! It was so much fun seeing all of my friends again … one from each state! How crazy is that? Today we traveled to a local hospital where Children's Miracle Network put on a presentation for us. My visit there with the CMN people and patients inspired me to do even more for this fine charity. We also toured Las Vegas by bus, were serenaded by "Elvis", went to the top of the Eiffel Tower (in Vegas, of course), and had our picture taken with the Mayor of Las Vegas! When we returned back to Planet Hollywood in the afternoon, all the teens participated in an autograph session, which was extremely well attended by the general public. I love to see the lit-up faces of the many girls as they received our autographs and talked to us about our experiences as state titleholders. Hopefully we have inspired other girls to participate in this great program!
January 28, 2010 | I spent all day today in rehearsals with the other outstanding teens. We danced in a special production number in tonight's preliminary contest! I loved our costumes … pink cowboy hats that light up (very Las Vegas!), cutoffs, a pink tee shirt, pink bandana, and white tennis shoes. Such fun! I will never forget my experience of performing in Las Vegas on the Miss America stage!! Thank you, thank you, MAOT!
January 27, 2010 | I'm so excited to be in Las Vegas for Miss America week. As Miss Illinois' Outstanding Teen, I was awarded tickets to all the preliminaries and final night. I'm sitting with all the other outstanding teens in a special section very close to the stage. Cameras are only allowed in the preliminaries and I snapped a few nice shots at tonight's event. All the contestants are extremely well prepared for competition and I'm sure every single one of them wants to be Miss America. Wow…this would be hard to judge!
January 17, 2010 | I traveled to Oak Park Arms for today's pageants for Miss Cook County and Miss Western Suburbs. Congratulations to all the winners of these two pageants. Everyone is doing a fine job and the competition is very strong. Thank you to Oak Park Arms for their outstanding support of the Illinois Scholarship Program. This weekend I have been side-by-side with Miss Illinois, Erin O'Connor, and I continue to be amazed at how she has progressed throughout her year of service. She was a PERFECT emcee today and I can see that she is ready to be Miss America! She leaves at the end of this week for the Miss America pageant and I will be cheering for her every day. Go Erin!! We are all so proud of you!
January 16, 2010 | Today was the beginning of a very busy pageant weekend! I was so impressed by the Miss, Teen and Pre-Teen contestants today in the Miss Northern Suburbs Pageant, held on the beautiful campus of Lake Forest College. I was glad I wasn't a judge at this one! Everyone was very well prepared. Congratulations to all the new title holders! I enjoyed helping hand out awards and speaking to the audience. Thank you to the directors of the Miss Northern Suburbs Pageant for their hospitality and for including me in their great event.
January 1, 2010 | Happy New Year! I can't believe 2010 is here. This is the year I graduate from high school and the time is really flying by both at school and as my year of service moves forward. Congratulations to all the new 2010 Miss Illinois' Outstanding Teen local titleholders! I am eager to meet you all in the coming months. I plan to attend many of the Local Miss and Outstanding Teen pageants this year so be sure to introduce yourself if you see me! Before you know it, the state and then national Outstanding Teen pageants will be upon you so it's a good idea to practice your talent and interview questions every moment you can…and take every opportunity to make new friends! I can't wait to see all of my Miss America's Outstanding Teen friends at the Miss America pageant at the end of this month, to perform with them in the Thursday preliminary, and to cheer on Erin O'Connor, our wonderful Miss Illinois!
December 25, 2009 | Merry Christmas and God's Blessings to All for a very Happy Holiday Season! The month of December has been filled with holiday events at school that have given me some great memories of my senior year. Hopefully the audiences I performed for left the band, choral and dance concerts with nice holiday spirit to carry them through the holiday season through to the start of the next decade … 2010!
November 26, 2009 | Happy Thanksgiving everyone! Today I got up bright and early and drove down to Chicago for the McDonald's Thanksgiving Day Parade. I met up with Erin O'Connor and Peyton Tucker. First, Peyton and I watched as Erin performed in the special opening number. Then, we all walked to the start of the parade and got into our horse-drawn carriage! Even though the weather was a bit drizzly, it did not bring down anyone's holiday spirit. The sidewalks were packed with people of all ages. I'm so proud of being able to be a part of such a great Chicago tradition.
October 30, 2009 | Tonight I attended Erin O'Connor's CMN fundraiser. It was held at a place called Bourbon Street. Erin and her family put on an amazing event. The banquet hall was huge and beautifully decorated. I was very impressed with the raffle items that were donated to her cause and I could tell that her family worked very hard to accomplish all of this. There was a very inspirational video promoting Children's Miracle Network and it touched many of the audience members. Throughout the night, I helped by selling buttons with Erin's picture on them. They were a big hit, to say the least. I can't wait to cheer on my "big sis" at Miss America!
October 23, 2009 | Tonight was a great appearance for me. I was asked to do a twirl performance at half-time with the Hononegah High School marching band. The weather wasn't great but I don't think anyone really cared. The stands were packed with fans and they cheered for both the band and me! It was really an honor and I thank Hononegah High School for letting me participate in their senior night celebration. I LOVED twirling to Thriller ... the band was terrific!
October 16, 2009 | I was honored today at my school in the annual Senior Stars ceremony. I had been nominated by my poms coach to be recognized as a senior who has outstanding grades, participation in school activities and community service involvement. This was a really special moment for me as only a handful of seniors receive this recognition. The ceremony was attended by all students and parents. I was told to wear a fancy dress and my mom and I laughed at the wide selection of dresses I now have to choose from. It was an easy decision, however. I picked out a blue dress that is my school color.
October 8, 2009 | I just discovered a hidden benefit to competing in the Miss Illinois Outstanding Teen pageant! Today was auditions for the school variety show. I've wanted to perform in the show since I was a Freshman but never seemed to be ready in time for auditions. However, this year I was totally prepared and ready to go. All the hard work for MIOT and MAOT paid off and the judges loved my routine so I was chosen as one of the performances for the show! I can't wait for my school friends to see me twirl on stage and I'm glad I finally managed to pull this together before I graduated.
September 29 2009 | As Miss Illinois' Outstanding Teen, I developed a presentation that I can use when talking to pre-teens and teens about my personal platform. I just finished a Powerpoint presentation for this and my pageant director came over tonight so that I could do my presentation for her. She had some great ideas for some changes I could make. I can't wait to use it in some upcoming presentations at Illinois schools. We also reviewed my appearance calendar for the rest of the year. I'm excited about my year of service and the things I'm going to be able to do, like the McDonald's Thanksgiving Day Parade in Chicago!
September 25 2009 | This evening at the varsity football game, my school celebrated "Senior Knight." I can't believe I'm a senior now…where did the time go? My parents escorted me onto the football field where I was honored for being a senior and also for being the Captain of the poms squad.
September 13 2009 | Today was the annual Silver Knights banquet where all the team members from the previous year gather for a nice meal, hear about the upcoming year plans, and are presented awards that were won at the national championship during the summer. We are very proud of ourselves again this year. We won the National Championship title for Show Corps with Props. This is a great example of what a group of dedicated, hardworking girls can accomplish.
September 6 2009 | This was a very crazy day for my family and I! We really packed a lot into the day. At 6:30 A.M., we all got in the car and drove to two colleges in Wisconsin for brief tours. After 6 hours of driving around, we dropped my dad off back at the house and my mother and I continued to drive another 3.5 hours to Hoopeston to see the National Sweetheart Pageant. After the pageant was over, we drove another 3.5 hours to get back home. Wow! Anyway, the highlight of the day was the National Sweetheart Pageant, which is a pageant in which the runners up from all the Miss America state pageants gather together to compete against each other. The entire event was very impressive and the people of Hoopeston are so welcoming. I'm so glad I was able to attend.
September 5 2009 | Every year, Buffalo Grove celebrates Labor Day with a community festival called Buffalo Grove Days. For many years, I have been dancing with my dance studio, Marcia's Dance Studio, on stage as part of the festival entertainment. This year I was selected to dance again with my studio. I really enjoy performing for Buffalo Grove…it's become a Labor Day tradition for me!
August 17, 2009 | Today is the start of a week of poms practice for me, then school next week, and life is back to normal, sort of. I will never be the same and I want to thank everyone again for helping make my MAOT experience such a great one. Thank you to MAOT for the entire experience, and especially for awarding me a four-year paid college scholarship at Troy University! Wow! I am very honored and grateful. Thank you to all the MAOT sponsors and to Taylor Fitch and Katie Stam for their support and help throughout the week. Thank you to my parents, Rebecca Cutler, Amalia Schwerdtmann, Erin O'Connor, Aunt Susie, Grammy & Poppy, and all my friends and relatives who helped me in so many ways with preparation, daily notes of encouragement, and a beautiful program ad. Also, thank you to Sam Haskell for writing your book, sharing your stories, and donating proceeds to MAOT. Once I can get the book away from my parents, I'm looking forward to reading it! They say it is one of the best books they've ever read.
August 14, 2009 | Today was filled with more rehearsals, a fabulous luncheon with the princesses, a photo opportunity with Katie Stam, Miss America 2009, and a terrific Farewell Party for Taylor Fitch in the evening. I was happy to spend time with my parents at the party. I really feel like I've learned to fend for myself this week, but I've missed talking to my mom and dad. Tomorrow is the final night and I will be sad for all of this to end. However, I know I have made some great friends that I will keep for a lifetime. I've also really enjoyed the workshops we've had. I've learned so many life skills here this week. Thank you to MerrieBeth Cox, Miss Illinois' Outstanding Teen 2007, and her mother, for encouraging me to participate in the Miss America's Outstanding Teen organization. You don't know how great an experience this is until you've done it!
August 13, 2009 | This week has been a whirlwind adventure and is moving very quickly now. We are very busy, very excited, and not really getting much sleep! Tuesday was my evening gown competition, Wednesday was my fitness competition, and tonight was my talent. I know I am doing my absolute best, which is important to me. My dance twirl routine was probably the best I've ever done and I am very proud of myself for what I've accomplished. The girls here are AMAZING! Anyone here could win this competition - and deserves to win. So, I'm just having fun with it all. All the girls are beautiful, very smart, and extremely talented. Just participating in this competition and meeting 52 girls, one from each state, is worth the entire experience.
August 10, 2009 | Today starts the competition. I was one of the first for personal interview and I really thought it went well. After the interviews today, we were given help to take all our competition clothes, etc. over to the Orange County Convention Center where everything will stay until the pageant is over next Saturday night. Having everything organized and in its place will make the whole week so much easier. After rehearsal we got to shop at the trade show and create a "wish list" for our parents. Then we got dressed up again for a great dinner. We are definitely being treated like princesses ... and there is no shortage of food! After dinner, we were given Snuggies for gifts. We all curled up in them and watched the Teen Choice Awards. The MAOT staff is absolutely top-notch and the hostesses and security people are quickly becoming like parents to us! Thank you so much for making us feel safe and at home here.
August 9, 2009 | We were all up quite early this morning as we had a photo shoot in front of the Rosen Centre Hotel. The photos will be used in upcoming hotel promotional brochures and videos. After the photo shoot, we spent the day rehearsing then changed clothes again into shorts and Savvy tank tops. We headed to Planet Hollywood and walked the purple carpet there. Thank you to Planet Hollywood for the wonderful party for all the contestants! I had a great time meeting the other contestants and taking pictures of each other.
August 8, 2009 | I think my brain is going to explode I learned so much today! In one day, we learned a 16-minute opening dance with state intros and a crazy routine to "Mama Mia." The dances have great choreography and I'm having so much fun. Production numbers are my thing…and there is no shortage of opportunity this week for me to dance my heart out!! Another very fun part of my pageant experience is that we are always being given gifts! A big thank you to Frederico Leone for our opening number heels and to our jewelry sponsor for the gorgeous crystal hoop earrings and bracelet to go with our Tony Bowls cocktail dresses! Today ended with an event at Medieval Times where we were part of the opening number for the show as we each walked in carrying our state flags. I was so proud to be representing the State of Illinois. We returned back to our hotel on a bus and were a bit surprised at the paparazzi when we got off the bus!
August 7, 2009 | Today was the beginning of the pageant activities and the day I moved out of Rebecca's room into my contestant room with Miss Washington's Outstanding Teen, Reina Almon. I was up by 6:00 A. M., quickly ate breakfast and set my hair for the photo shoot today. At registration, I met Taylor Fitch, the current Miss America's Outstanding Teen. She was even more beautiful and charming than I could have imagined. The production staff videoed me today as I said my personal intro and also did an add-lib chat for another video. Then I was sent to meet fashion designer, Tony Bowls, for a photo shoot in a long green & blue evening gown he had designed and selected for me personally. The shoot went really well and was great fun. Plus, I was very proud when he said I had done a great job of setting my hair so he sent the hair and makeup stylist away! After the photo shoot, he gave me a gorgeous pink cocktail dress to keep – and to use for the opening number. All contestants were given matching dresses, but in different colors. A big thank you to Tony Bowls for making my pageant experience so very special!! For dinner today, there was a terrific Welcome Party with a fashion show and dance afterwards. Then, at 11:00 P. M., there was our nightly hostess meeting to tell us what to expect for the next day. I can tell this is going to be a very busy 10 days!!
August 6, 2009 | Rebecca and I spent the entire day at the Magic Kingdom today, from 8:30 A. M. until it closed (and nearly missed the last bus out)! We got fast passes to Big Thunder Mountain (Space Mountain is under construction) and also rode Splash Mountain. We stayed for the nightly electric light parade and my favorite fireworks show. One of my lifelong dreams is to dance at Disney and I now feel confident my dream can come true! Throughout pageant week, I met many dancers and choreographers from Disney who encouraged me to audition for Disney. I'm so glad I am a part of the Miss America organization. This program really does give girls the confidence to accomplish their dreams!
August 5, 2009 | Rebecca and I headed to Orlando today to start my MAOT adventure! Just as I was about to leave the house for the airport, the zipper on one of my three giant suitcases broke (yes, I'm taking three jumbo suitcases and two large carry-ons!). My D.O.D. (Dear Old Dad) jumped to my rescue and was able to fix the zipper and get me to the airport in time to meet Rebecca and enjoy my favorite food, spinach dip & chips, before our flight. I couldn't help thinking how proud of me my mom would have been to see me hang up my 150 pounds of clothes as soon as we arrived at the hotel. I kept hearing her voice saying, "You can't wear wrinkly clothes!" I miss my parents already just knowing in a few hours my cell phone will be taken away for the next 12 days and in two days I will move onto the contestant floor at the hotel where there are security guards 24-7. I'm definitely on my own this week!
August 3, 2009 | My pageant director came over today to spend 3 hours packing my suitcases for MAOT. Thank you so much, Rebecca, for helping with this unbelievable task! I'm ready to go now and can't wait to meet my roommate, Miss Washington's Outstanding Teen. I also just finished developing a new pamphlet on my platform, "Strengthening Teen Values: The Key To Adult Success." While I'm at the pageant, I'm having copies printed for handing out at appearances. In my pamphlet, I offer some great ideas on service projects you can do that will help so many others, help strengthen your value system, and are fun to do! If you would like a copy, just email missilotptdir@aol.com. Be sure to include your name and address.
July 30, 2009 | I just returned home from spending the week at Northern Illinois University where I attended the UDA dance camp with my school's poms squad. I have been a member of my high school poms squad since I was a Freshman so this was my 4th and final time to participate in this great opportunity. I selected the most difficult dance workshops I could so I could get a great workout for the MAOT pageant also! Before I leave for the pageant, I'll be catching up with my friends, seeing movies, swimming, and roller-blading with my dad (keeps our legs in shape for ski season!).
July, 24 2009 | Today was the last day of AYOP (America's Youth On Parade). I spent this entire past week at the University of Notre Dame with my team, the Silver Knights Baton Twirling Corps, as we competed in this national championship event for twirlers. As a team, we did very well in the 3 events we competed in! We placed 1st in Show Corps with Props, 2nd in Senior Parade Corps, and 3rd in Poms. On a personal level, I was proud of my second place win in Two-Baton. We continued to practice this week but when I wasn't twirling for team I was practicing my talent for Miss America's Outstanding Teen Pageant that's coming up in August! I'm really getting excited now for the pageant and for the chance to perform my dance-twirl routine in front of such large audiences!
July 17, 2009 | Today was the last day of "twirl camp" before nationals. This week, my team practiced for 34 hours! Most people don't realize how much practice time is involved in this sport but good twirling technique is the result of repetitive movement. The more you do, the better you are! Also, most great twirlers are also great dancers with lots of ballet training. My team also spends many hours polishing our dance technique.
July 4, 2009 | Happy Fourth of July to everyone! Today was even better than I could have dreamed! The rain held off for most of the day and I was able to sit with Peyton Tucker, our 2009 Miss Illinois' Outstanding Pre-Teen, in the convertible for the parade. I was so proud to represent the Miss Illinois' Outstanding Teen organization as I waved to all my friends, family, and residents of my hometown. After the parade, I headed over to Arlington Park Race Track with Peyton and Erin O'Connor, our new Miss Illinois. Throughout the day, we signed autographs, had personal interviews that were broadcast on TV, and enjoyed some marvelous meals in the VIP suite. I also had a chance to be in the room with the announcer when he calls the races. Thank you to everyone at Arlington Park Race Track for their outstanding hospitality and for July 4th memories I'll never forget!
July 1, 2009 | I'm looking forward to being at Arlington Park Race Track this weekend on Friday and Saturday afternoons and to fulfilling my lifelong dream, to ride in a convertible as Miss Illinois' Outstanding Teen in the Frontier Days parade in my hometown, Arlington Heights! The Fourth of July is one of my favorite holidays and the Miss Illinois organization is going to be sure this one is the most memorable!
June 28, 2009 | This weekend was the 2009 NBTA Midwest Regional Baton Twirling Championships. My team, the Silver Knights Baton Twirling Corps, hosted the 2-day event each year. It's so much work, but absolutely worth the effort. This year as Miss Illinois' Outstanding Teen, I handed out nearly 200 awards and trophies, plus crowned the new Miss Majorette of the Midwest. I want to thank my corps coaches, JoAnn Britton and Wendy Kuminowski, for their support of me and of the Miss Illinois' Outstanding Teen organization. (So far, they've had two of their twirlers win the title!). There were hundreds of attendees at this event so it was a great opportunity to meet and greet so many talented girls from the Midwest region of the U.S. and talk to them about Miss America's Outstanding Teen organization. I'm sure there will be more twirlers in the pageant as word travels fast! Go twirlers!!
June 21, 2009 | I spent the past week in St. Charles, Illinois with my new pageant director, Rebecca Cutler. She is making this so much fun for me and I can't imagine what I'd do without her help! This past week was the Miss Illinois 2009 pageant and I was pleasantly surprised at all the things I was able to do to help and participate in. The Princess girls are great fun! We practiced for the production number together and attended a fabulous luncheon event just for the Princesses. I was happy I got to perform for the Friday preliminaries and also had a short interview on stage. I also had a special photo shoot with Limelight Studio Photography. This was amazing! They do beautiful work and I felt like America's Next Top Model! The best part of the weekend was meeting the new Miss Illinois, Erin O'Connor! We're sure to become good friends as we have so much in common. We've already started to plan how we could do a ballet pointe duet together next year! Keep your fingers crossed!
June 14, 2009 | Today was the 25th Anniversary celebration performance of Marcia's Dance Studio in Buffalo Grove. I have danced at this studio since I was three years old and it was an honor to participate as Miss Illinois' Outstanding Teen as a special part of the anniversary celebration held at Stevenson High School. This was a great opportunity for me to talk to so many young girls about the Miss Illinois' Outstanding Teen organization and to share my experiences with them. Hopefully we'll see some great dancers from the studio turn up at next year's Illinois teen and pre-teen pageant events!
May 26, 2009 | I'm home now from the pageant and recovering from one of the best times of my life! Wow - I'm the 2009 Miss Illinois' Outstanding Teen! I am so excited about the opportunities that are going to come my way and I have so many people to thank for helping me earn this title and new position. First of all, thank you to my parents who are always by my side cheering me on and supporting me in so many ways. I simply couldn't do this without you. A huge thank you also to my friends Chelsea, Amy, Katie, Caitlyn, Daniela, Vanessa and Megan who traveled to Springfield, along with Grammy, Poppy, and Aunt Susie. I'm so glad you were all there to share in the celebration and to provide moral support. I need to thank my twirling coach Ginger Latelle for her great choreography and constant encouragement and also my dance instructor of 13 years, Marcia Dobslaf, who is always there to support me. Thank you also to all the Miss Illinois sponsors for their support and to Amalia and Glen Schwerdtmann for their never-ending energy and support of the Miss Illinois organization. Finally, congratulations to Peyton Tucker, the first Miss Illinois' Outstanding Pre-Teen and to Kole Bossong, the first Illinois Talent Competition Winner! I'm looking forward to working with everyone this next year!