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Erin O'Connor
Evergreen Park, Illinois
Age: 21
Education:
Mother McAuley High School
Western Illinios University
Platform Issue: Skin Cancer Education and Prevention
Scholastic Ambition: To obtain a Masters degree in Acting
Talent: Ballet en Pointe
Scholastic Honors: Pearl Le Compte Scholarship, Talent Grant
Career Ambition: To become an actress
Local Competition Sponsor: Miss Macomb Organization
State Competition Sponsor: Miss Illinois Scholarship Organization
Katie Lorenz
Chicago, Illinois
Age: 24
Education:
Plymouth Canton High School
University of Michigan
Loyola University - Chicago
Platform Issue: Volunteerism with idealist.org
Talent: Lyrical Dance
Scholastic Honors: Order of Omega National Honor Society; Deans List
Career Ambition: To work in the non-profit industry in a senior marketing position
Local Competition Sponsor: Miss Chicago
Heidi Ekstrom
Mundelein, Illinois
Age: 24
Education:
Mundelein High School
Columbia College Chicago - Photography
Platform Issue: Enriching the lives of Children with Disabilities
Scholastic Ambition: To obtain a Master’s Degree in Art Education
Talent: Ballet
Scholastic Honors: National Dean’s List, Phi Theta Kappa International Honor Society, Columbia College Dean’s List
Career Ambition: To become a high school photography teacher
Local Competition Sponsor: Miss Kane County
State Competition Sponsor: Miss Illinois Scholarship Pageant, Inc
Ashley Nicole Hatfield
Anna, Illinois
Age: 24
Education:
Anna-Jonesboro Community High School
University of Mississippi
Platform Issue: Breast Cancer: Action, Awareness and Advocacy
Scholastic Ambition: To obtain a doctoral degree in Communicative disorders
Talent: Vocal
Scholastic Honors: - National Society of Collegiate Scholars - Who's Who Among American College Students - Chancellor's List
Other Accomplishments: Individually my greatest non-academic accomplishment was winning the title of Miss Illinois. From a team perspective it was when my Relay for Life team raised $5,000 dollars to donate in the fight against cancer.
Career Ambition: To gain employment as a speech pathologist in an educational, medical or voice rehabilitation setting.
Local Competition Sponsor: Miss Heartland
State Competition Sponsor: Miss Illinois Scholarship Organization
Lauren Allen
Batavia, Illinois
Age: 21
Education:
Batavia High School
Indiana State University - undergraduate, Nursing
Platform Issue: Human Trafficking: Prevention, Protection and Prosecution
Scholastic Ambition: To obtain a Master’s Degree in Pediatric Nursing
Talent: Freestyle Gymnastics
Scholastic Honors: Mortar Board Senior Honor Society; National Nursing Dean’s List; ISU Outstanding Junior Award
Career Ambition: To become a Pediatric Nurse
Local Competition Sponsor: Miss Western Suburbs Scholarship Program
State Competition Sponsor: Miss Illinois Scholarship Pageant, Inc
Michelle LaGroue
Naperville, Illinois
Age: 24
Education:
Wheaton Academy High School
North Central College – graduate – Bachelor of Arts, French
Platform Issue: Empowering Youth Against Violence: Defining NOT Defending
Scholastic Ambition: Obtain a post-graduate degree in language and cultural studies
Talent: Vocal
Scholastic Honors: Recipient of Presidential Scholarship; Named to Academic Standing President’s List three times; Dean’s List all trimesters
Career Ambition: Pursue a career as a performer and motivational speaker
Local Competition Sponsor: Miss Chicago
State Competition Sponsor: Miss Illinois Scholarship Pageant, Inc.
Three Nouns that Can Describe the Contestant: Advocate Visionary Listener
Andrea Fritz
Schaumburg, Illinois
Age: 21
Education:
Schaumburg High School
Eastern Illinois University
Platform Issue: Preventing Youth Violence: Books Not Bars
Scholastic Ambition: To pursue a master's degree in English after completing studies at L'Institut Alpha-B in Nice, France
Talent: Lyrical Dance
Scholastic Honors: Dean's List; selected for membership in Phi Eta Sigma, Kappa Delta Pi, Phi Alpha Eta; presented honors paper, "The Essence of Human Existence," at the Illinois Honors Council Conference; awarded Betty Hawkins writing and leadership scholarship
Other Accomplishments: National spokesperson for Teen Victims Project of the National Center for Victims of Crime and Fight Crime: Invest in Kids; appointed state ambassador for Illinois Literacy Foundation; active in mentoring at Robinson Correctional Facility; Illinois forensic champion and member of Strategic Planning Committee, Illinois District 211
Employment: Founder and administrator of Books on Wings
Family: Father is a high school business teacher. Mother is a pre-school teacher. She has one brother, Bryant, 15.
Career Ambition: To become a high school English or French teacher and a published author
Local Competition Sponsor: Miss Chicago
State Competition Sponsor: Miss Illinois Scholarship Pageant, Inc., Oakbrook Terrace
Erika Harold
Urbana, Illinois
Age: 22
Education:
Urbana High School
University of Illinois Graduate
Platform Issue: Empowering Youth Against Violence
Scholastic Ambition: Accepted to Harvard Law School to pursue a career in the fields of Public Interest Law & Public Policy
Talent: Operatic Aria
Scholastic Honors: Phi Beta Kappa; U of I Chancellor Scholar chosen as a Truman Scholarship finalist and USA Today’s All-USA College Academic Second Team; selected for membership in “Senior 100 Honorary” by U of I Alumni Association for outstanding leadership & academic achievement
Other Accomplishments: Submitted written testimony to the U.S. House of Representatives’ Energy & Commerce Committee on Welfare Reform Reauthorization Proposals; Vice President of minority student newsletter & recipient of first prize in Afro-American Studies research paper competition; represented high school in Japan as part of the JALEX Study Program
Employment: Illinois Gubernatorial Candidate’s Campaign Youth Coordinator; teaching assistant; motivational speaker & public relations coordinator; TV intern
Family: Father is owner of satellite installation co. and a director of midwest operations for a youth baseball program. Mother is college counselor and foster parent trainer. She has three siblings: Alexandra, 20, Anastasia, 17, & Nicholas, 14.
Career Ambition: To become a lawyer & seek political office at the state and/or national level
Local Competition Sponsor: Miss Land of Lincoln
State Competition Sponsor: Miss Illinois Scholarship Pageant, Inc., Oakbrook Terrace
Kristin Castillo
Macomb, Illinois
Age: 18
Education:
Macomb Senior High School
Platform Issue: Preventing Youth Violence
Scholastic Ambition: To double major at Washington University, St. Louis in biology/pre-med and music
Talent: Classical Violin
Scholastic Honors: As valedictorian, named as one of only 13 female students selected to the IHSA 2001 All-State Academic Team; received Lt. Governor’s and President’s Awards for Youth Excellence & Academic Achievement 2001; U.S. Army Reserve National Scholar/Athlete Award 2001; Bausch & Lomb Award for Academic Achievement in Science
Other Accomplishments: Three year recipient of top rating in statewide solo competitions for violin, now studying with Chicago Symphony Orchestra’s concertmaster Sam Magad; witnessed the fall of the Berlin Wall and studied the rainforest in Costa Rica; President of Sophomore & Junior class
Employment: N/A
Family: Father is a medical doctor. Mother is an office manager. She has one brother, Eric, 14 and two stepbrothers, Gus, 23, and Jim, 25.
Career Ambition: To become a physician
Local Competition Sponsor: Miss Macomb
State Competition Sponsor: Miss Illinois Scholarship Pageant, Inc., Oakbrook Terrace
Jennifer Diane Powers
Andover, Illinois
Age: 21
Education:
Andover High School
Northwestern University
Platform Issue: Arts in Education
Scholastic Ambition: Bachelor of Music Certificate in Vocal Performance and Music Theatre
Talent: Classical Vocal
Scholastic Honors: N.U. Dean’s List; Finalist & Scholarship Recipient of National Association for Teachers of Singing (Chicago & Boston Competitions); Selected 1 of 6 (and the only underclassman) to Perform in “Campaign Northwestern”
Other Accomplishments: Invited to Participate in 10th Anniversary Celebration of “Americans with Disabilities Act”; Selected to sing National Anthem at Democratic National Convention; Established “Student Companion Connection” at Local Nursing Home
Employment: Radio Voice-Over and Commercial Work; Lifeguard/Swimming Instructor; Restaurant Waitress/Hostess
Family: Father is an Attorney and Special Assistant for a Federal Agency. Mother is a Registered Nurse/Nursing Instructor. She has one brother, David, 18, and one sister, Jackie, 13.
Career Ambition: To Become a Vocalist/Actress on Broadway; Arts Advocate
Local Competition Sponsor: Miss Northern Illinois
State Competition Sponsor: Miss Illinois Scholarship Pageant, Inc., Oakbrook Terrace
Jade Smalls
Evanston, Illinois
Age: 21
Education:
St. Andrew's High School
Northwestern University
Platform Issue: Preventing Youth Suicide
Scholastic Ambition: To Obtain a BM, MM, and a DMA in Piano Performance; To Attain Performance Certificate from Either the Royale Academy of Music in London or the Paris Conservatoire
Talent: Piano
Scholastic Honors: Recipient of the Jackie Robinson Scholar Award; Only Non-Psychology Major Accepted into Internship Position at Youth Resource Foundation's Warming House; First Female Section Leader in Northwestern Marching Band's Drum Line
Other Accomplishments: Winner of Numerous Music Competitions, Awards, and Scholarships; Founding Member of "Boomshaka", a Percussion Dance Ensemble; Student Body President Lettering in Basketball, Volleyball, and Track and Field while in High School
Employment: Provides Musical Ministry for Senior Citizens' Home; Youth Evangelist at Abundant Life Church; Administrative Assistant at Jenkins' Orphanage
Family: Father is a Civil Rights Activist. Mother is an Administrative Assistant. She has one sister, Isis, 9.
Career Ambition: To Become a Concert Pianist and to Build a Lifestyle Grounded in the Arts
Local Competition Sponsor: Miss Chicago Pageant
State Competition Sponsor: Miss Illinois Scholarship Pageant, Inc. Oakbrook Terrace
Amanda Jo Meadows
Sycamore, Illinois
Age: 21
Education:
Sycamore High School
Western Illinois University
Platform Issue: Mentoring: A Child's Compass for Opportunity
Scholastic Ambition: To obtain a Bachelor of Arts Degree and Master's Degree in Communications/Public Relations
Talent: Baton Twirling
Scholastic Honors: Who's Who Among American High School Students; Altrusa Leadership Scholarship Award recipient; High School Student Council
Other Accomplishments: Selected as one of 8 (out of 1,000) Goodwill Ambassadors to Peru; Pan-Hellenic representative and Delta Zeta second vice-president; first featured baton twirler at WIU in 18 years and member of World Champion USA Baton Twirling Team, (Milan, Italy)
Employment: House painter/trimmer; janitor for Family Service Agency
Family: Father (Ray Garrett) is business manager for Department of Children & Family Services. Mother is a director of business operations, Family Service Agency. She has one sister, Tiffany, 26.
Career Ambition: To secure a position as a director of development with a social services agency; be a community leader; teach baton part-time
Local Competition Sponsor: Miss Macomb Pageant
State Competition Sponsor: Miss Illinois Scholarship Pageant, Inc.
Katherine Shindle
Evanston, Illinois
Age: 20
Education:
Bishop Eustace Preparatory School - 1994
Northwestern University
Platform Issue: AIDS Prevention: Education in Action
Scholastic Ambition: Double major: theater and sociology Minor: certificate in music theater
Talent: Vocal
Scholastic Honors: College - 3.5/4.0 GPA; Dean's List; dormitory government 1995, 1996; 1995 and 1996 Dolphin and Waa-Mu Shows; recipient of Waa-Mu Outstanding Contribution Award. High School - National Merit Scholarship commended student; graduated magna cum laude; National Honor Society; Presidential Academic Fitness Award; Who’s Who Among H.S. Students; State of New Jersey Senate and General Assembly Commencement Citation; Garden State Scholar 1994/1995; N.J. State Interscholastic Athletic Association Scholar-Athletic Gold Award; French Honor Society.
Other Accomplishments: American Legion Auxiliary Jersey Girls' State Delegate; National Latin Exam Silver Medalist; Varsity Letter Girls Track; New Jersey State Trooper Youth Week Delegate; Supervised peer ministry program, ministry retreat mediator; Choir Merit Award; Forensics-Diocesan 1st Place Winner, 1993 and 1994 (nationals delegate); Make-A-Wish Foundation dance marathon 1996
Employment: Volunteer at dance studio as a janitor in exchange for dance lessons; NASAS Diner
Family: Father is financial consultant and Certified Financial Planner. Mother is a homemaker and private music teacher. She has one brother, Mickey,18
Career Ambition: To pursue a career in musical theater
Local Competition Sponsor: Miss Lake-Cook
State Competition Sponsor: Miss Illinois Scholarship Pageant, Inc., Oakbrook Terrace
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