“I Wish You Were My Stepmom” (4/1/09)

My inbox was full this week after visiting 17 schools and doing over 20 presentations. I received some of the funniest, and most meaningful, emails from these students with topics ranging from being Miss Illinois and competing at Miss America to what kind of car I drive, my dog’s name, and if I believe in ghosts. A student at Arbor Park Middle School sent me the most heartfelt and sincere letter of thanks that I have ever read and one of my pen pals from Chicago Public Schools wrote back to tell me that, since meeting me, she’s raised her grades from C’s and D’s to A’s and B’s. I laughed out loud when a student professed “I wish you were my stepmom” and another wanted to know if I had a boyfriend and, if not, “what are my chances with you?” Corresponding with these students and sharing in their lives is one of the most rewarding aspects of being Miss Illinois and I’m so happy to be able to continue a relationship with these great kids.

Thank you so much to Prairiewood Elementary, Creekside Middle, Dean Street, Olsen Elementary, and Northwood Middle School in Woodstock for having me speak! A special thank you to Laura Argentine for hosting me for the day and for a great lunch with Woodstock administrators! Thanks are also in order for…get ready…Morton Gingerwood, Scarlet Oak, Hille, Kerkstra, Foster and Arbor park in Oak Forest, Deer Park, Ransom in Ottawa and Grand Ridge School in Grand Ridge, Fern, Goodwin (a young boy brought me daffodils from his garden!), and Hall in North Aurora and Aurora! This was a great two weeks of schools with some wonderful students!

On March 18th, I drove out to Roselle for a celebrity book reading! I read one of my favorite new titles, Pinkalicious, answered questions, and signed autographs for a classroom full of students and their parents. Nerge Elementary was having a book fair to recognize some of their published young authors and, as an English major, I was thrilled to be a part of an event that rewarded excellence in writing and the Language Arts!

I’d been looking forward to the 24th all week because that meant – Slumber Party! Miss Illinois Princess, Jessica Durante, and I had been planning a slumber party for a month. We had dinner in Chicago (Jess tried goat cheese – and liked it!), rode the EL, ate too much chocolate fondue, and watched Twilight until we couldn’t stay awake any more. Thank you to Durantes for letting me steal your daughter for a night and to Jess for a great time!

I had the great opportunity of speaking at Lewis University on my career and Miss Illinois experiences. I’ve received every job I’ve ever interviewed for as a direct result of my mock interview preparation with the Miss America Organization and I was so happy to be able to pass on what I’d learned to the undergraduate students there. Through the four points of the crown, Service, Scholarship, Style, and Success, I talked about how we all (ie non-pageant competitors) can improve our resumes, career options, and life experiences by bettering ourselves along these guidelines as well. I really enjoyed preparing this 45 minute long speech and thank you to Smret Smith for believing in me and having me out!

I experienced my first ever arena football game on Friday the 27th with the Chicago Slaughter. The team plays at the Sears Center in Hoffman Estates and I was fortunate enough to be able to do the coin toss! I had a giddy grin on my face the entire time as I met the players, stood on the field, rubbed shoulders with the coaches, organizers, and former Bears players, and met dozens of Slaughter sponsors. I signed autographs in the club and was so thankful for a fun evening!

Last, but not least, were three pageants! Congratulations to Sherrie Gearheart, Miss Northern Suburbs (and winner of a $5,000 scholarship! Go Kristen and Robin!), my new Miss Chicago sister, Imani Josey, and $7,000 scholarship winner, Miss Macomb, Erin O’Conner. Bob and Nancy Foote celebrated 50 years of continuously running the Miss Macomb Pageant and awarded an amazing $11,000+ in scholarships to their contestants. The pageant was a beautiful celebration of this accomplishment and I was honored to share fellowship and a delicious meal with the judges as well as perform at the pageant. Congratulations to Miss Macomb 2008, Alycia McCullough, on all your accomplishments and thank you to the Footes for an unforgettable evening.

Say “no” to snow Illinois!
KT :)
MissIllinois2008@gmail.com