Miss Chicago 2022 Program Book

Miss Chicago 2022

January 15, 2022 The Mayfair Theater

Miss Illinois Isabelle Hanson

Miss Illinois' Outstanding Teen Kylie Ryder

M O PET RD IT ER IO N

CO

Opening Miss A Onstage Question Miss B Talent Miss C Onstage Question Teen Lifestyle & Fitness Miss A Talent Miss B Onstage Question Miss C Talent Teen Talent Miss Red Carpet Teen Red Carpet/Onstage Question - Intermission Isabell Hanson, Miss Illinois Farewells Teen Awards Miss Awards

Miss Illinois 2021 Competition Miss Illinois' Outstanding Teen 2021 - Kylie Ryder Second Runner Up to Miss Illinois - Monica Nía Jones

2021 Miss Illinois' Outstanding Teen - Kylie Ryder, Miss Windy City's Outstanding Teen 2020 Miss Illinois 2nd Runner Up - Monica Nía Jones, Miss Chicago 2020 Miss Illinois Top 11 Finalist - Megan Magee, Miss Windy City 2020 Carolyn Paulus Talent Award - Monica Nía Jones, Miss Chicago 2020 Overall Teen Talent Award - Kylie Ryder, Miss Windy's City Outstanding Teen 2020 Omega Preliminary Talent Award - Monica Nía Jones, Miss Chicago 2020 Photogenic Award - Monica Nía Jones, Miss Chicago 2020 Top Fundraiser Award - Monica Nía Jones - Miss Chicago 2020 People's Choice Award - Monica Nía Jones - Miss Chicago 2020 People's Choice Top 5 - Eden Wilson, Miss Chicago's Outstanding Teen 2020 Photogenic Top 5 - Eden Wilson, Miss Chicago's Outstanding Teen 2020

Miss Chicago Group A #2

#1

MAKALYN

BRIANNA

TAP DANCE

VOCAL

Stage 5: Finding the "I" In Identity

"Be Bold, Brave and Brilliant" - Girls Incorporated

#3

LYDIA

Second Chance for the Homeless

DANCE

#5

#4

ISH

Destigmatizing Mental Illness

COMEDY

AZIZAH

Mind, Body, & Love: Mental & Behavioral Health Resources for Youth & Young Adults

VOCAL

Miss Chicago Group B #6

#7

ALYSSA

ROMI

Educate & Empower: OVarian Cancer Awareness

Filmmaking In Education

BATON TWIRLING

#8

MONOLOGUE

#9

SHERIDAN

ELENA

VOCAL

BROADWAY VOCAL

Food for Thought

People of Color In the Arts

#11

#10

INDIA

MARISA

Advocating for At-Risk LGBTQ+ Youth

POETRY

DANCE

Miss Chicago Group C #12

#13

REAGAN

LILLIAN

H.E.A.L.: Health Education, Advocacy, and Leadership

Doting Earth: Inspiring Advocates for Nature

BROADWAY VOCAL

DANCE

#14

HYERO

Make Art Accessible to All People

LIVE ART

#16

#15

LINDA

MONICA

VOCAL

M.U.S.I.C. - Music Uniting Souls In Communities

VIOLIN

Miss Chicago's Outstanding Teen #3

#2

#1

PAIGE

JENEEN

BROOKLYN

IRISH DANCE

LYRICAL DANCE

VOCAL

Childhood Cancer Awareness

#4

Mental Health Awareness

#6

#5

NORA

H.O.R.S.E.: Helping Others Respect and See Everyone

SARAH

LARA

ARTISTRY

VOCAL

Ending the School to Prison Pipeline

IRISH DANCE

#6

Operation Daymaker

#8

#7

MIA

KENDRA

PRACHI

IRISH DANCE

VOCAL

DANCE

Choose to Breathe

Reduce, Reuse, Recycle

Miss Judges

HOSEA SANDERS

Hosea Sanders is a 17-time Emmy Award winner who serves as an Entertainment Reporter at ABC 7 Chicago. Sanders plays a major role as an anchor-reporter and program host at Chicago’s top-rated television station. He provides entertainment coverage for WLS-TV and other ABC owned-and-operated stations across the country. Sanders also presents the “Chicago Proud” series of stories which give voice to everyday Chicago-area heroes. In addition, Sanders spotlights the differently-abled community in a regular series of stories called, “Celebrating Abilities.” His reporting on this beat was lauded in a story published in the Columbia Journalism Review.

On the programming side, Sanders hosts ABC 7’s Emmy Award-winning series, “Our Chicago: Black Voices of Change” (formerly “Heart & Soul”), which showcases Chicago’s vibrant African American community. He also helps host one of the highest rated local shows in Chicago, the popular New Year’s Eve special, Countdown Chicago, as well as ABC 7’s Bud Billiken Parade, the largest African-American parade in the nation. He is also one of the faces of ABC7’s hugely-successful annual blood drive and food drive.

Sanders is in constant demand nationally as a public speaker and has received more than 100 awards for community service. He is a member of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity and has worked at TV stations in Los Angeles, Dallas, and Little Rock, Arkansas.

Sanders has emceed pageants across the nation and has judged numerous local and state contests affiliated with the Miss America Organization, including Miss Arkansas, Miss Virginia, Miss Texas and Miss North Carolina. He makes his home in Chicago’s West Loop.

CRYSTAL SIMS Attorney Crystal Sims is owner and partner at Henderson Banks Law, a law firm located in downtown Chicago, Illinois. She is a Wisconsin native, where she earned her Duel Bachelor of Arts in Criminal Justice and Political Science with a Concentration in Law from the University of Wisconsin, Parkside. After her undergraduate studies, she moved to San Antonio, Texas, where she worked for Spurs, Sports, and Entertainment, prior to moving to Chicago, Illinois for law school. Crystal received her Juris Doctor from The John Marshall Law School, now the University of Illinois Chicago School of Law. Crystal concentrates her practice on employment and personal injury. Crystal is also a founding member of The Chicago Lawyers Collective, an organization that provides free legal assistance to underserved communities. In addition to her dedication to justice for her clients, Crystal was a successful candidate in both the Miss America Organization and Miss Universe Organization.

STEPHANIE DLUGOPOLSKI Stephanie is the Associate Director of Earned Media at Wisconsin-based Johnsonville, LLC, America’s favorite sausage company. As an accredited public relations professional, she leads the company’s earned media efforts, social marketing and content strategy. A storyteller at heart, Stephanie began her career as a newspaper business editor after graduating from Western Michigan University in Kalamazoo, Michigan. Over the last 20 years, she’s served as a communications professional in various industries, providing strategic communications counsel, advising on executive communications, personal branding, speechwriting, influencer, and social media marketing. She’s also the board president for Nourish Farms, a farm-to-table philanthropy based in Sheboygan County, Wisconsin. Stephanie and her husband, Mark, are the proud parents of two daughters. In her spare time, she enjoys volunteering, travel, cooking, tennis and volleyball.

Miss Judges OLIVIA PURA Olivia Pura is currently in her second year of doctoral studies at the University of Chicago, where she is pursuing a PhD in Biochemistry & Molecular Biophysics. At UChicago, she serves as the VP of Social Programming & Events for the Graduate Council, overseeing the University’s nearly 9,000 graduate students. She earned her bachelor’s degree in Biochemistry at Northwestern University in 2020, graduating with departmental honors, Phi Beta Kappa distinction, and magna cum laude honors. During her undergraduate years, she was awarded over $10,000 in grants for her independent research projects, becoming a published scientific author at the age of 19.

No stranger to pageantry, Olivia held the title of Miss Illinois USA 2020 and earned a Top 10 placement in the Miss USA competition. She used her record-breaking, 654-day reign to share her love of science and advocate for women in STEM, hosting webinars and speaking at conferences that reached thousands of students across the country.

In her free time, Olivia co-hosts the Science in Society podcast with her fiancé, Drew, a medical student and fellow nerd. She also enjoys attending music festivals, painting, weightlifting, and spending time with their mini goldendoodle, Rigatoni.

BRITTANY SMITH Brittany Lynch (Smith), born and raised in Elmhurst, Illinois, is a 2012 honors graduate of Purdue University with a degree in Health and Kinesiology. While attending Purdue, Brittany was a four year member of the GoldusterDance Team and an active sister in Delta Gamma. As a senior in college, Brittany competed in her first MAO event ever, winning the title of Miss Purdue followed by Miss Indiana 3rd runner up in 2012, Miss Northern Suburbs (IL) 2012, and Miss Illinois 2013. As a world ranked Irish dancer, Brittany's love of dance gave her much of her competitive spirit and the impetus to win many of the MAO talent competitions.

During her year as Miss Illinois, Brittany promoted her platform of STEM education with particular interest in the health of older adults. She is SilverSneakers certified and spent much of her year as Miss Illinois visiting with older adults and helping to promote more active living through her passion of dance. Following Brittany's year as Miss Illinois, she pursued a Master's degree in Physician Assistant Studies and now practices as a PA in Orthopaedic Surgery (Spine) at Rush Hospital. Brittany’s favorite job is being a mom to two beautiful daughters, Sophia & Charlotte, and living in Elmhurst with her husband, Jack.

Teen Judges DEBRA MORRALL Debra Morrall is a graduate of Alverno College in Milwaukee, where she earned her BA in Professional Communications and Business Management. During a 25 year career in the banking industry, Debra was employed in retail banking and bank data processing, where she traveled extensively as a corporate trainer specializing in system conversions and support. In the financial industry, Debra was a registered Broker/Dealer, a licensed Insurance Agent and a Notary Public.

Prior to her retirement in 2018, Debra spent 15 years employed in Education as a teacher, coach and program administrator. As a participant and coach in competitive color guard, drill team and cheerleading, Debra has earned regional, state and national awards. Since 2008, she has been the Executive Director of the Miss Racine Scholarship Organization and plays an active role in implementing the Wisconsin Sweeps Competition. These MAO affiliations have produced over 40 Miss and Teen titleholders in 14 years and have been the starting point for three eventual Miss Wisconsins. In addition, Debra has served as a judge in Wisconsin, Illinois, and Iowa. Now retired, Debra’s time is spent traveling, making jewelry and spoiling her Grandson, Jack.

MIKHAYLA HUGHES-SHAW Mikhayla Hughes-Shaw served as Miss Iowa 2018 and competed at Miss America. During her year of service, she completed over 150 community and school appearances and talked to over 10,000 students about the importance of mental health awareness and suicide prevention. She won many talent awards during her years competing with her violin, Charles. She now volunteers with the Miss Iowa Scholarship Program, and serves as the local executive director for the Miss Clinton County Scholarship Program in Clinton, Iowa. She also volunteers with the Mississippi Crown Scholarship Program in the Quad Cities, Illinois. She earned her Bachelor of Arts degree in Journalism and Mass Communication from the University of Iowa. Go Hawks! Mikhayla now works as a broadcaster and hosts “Living Local,” a lifestyle show which airs weekdays at noon in the Quad Cities. In her free time, she enjoys buying too many candles, binging Netflix shows and attending concerts.

TREVOR WALKER Trevor is an accomplished actor and singer that currently resides in Palatine, IL. Classically trained in voice, he has won numerous contests around the state of Illinois. A native of Danville, IL, he is a 2005 graduate of Danville High School, where he was was a member of the award winning show choir, Danville Delegation.

One of Trevor’s passions is Makeup Artistry. He has been a Professional Makeup Artist for 10 + years, and has worked for Lancome, Laura Mercier, and MAC Cosmetics as a regional makeup artist, as well as owning his own artistry business, TJ Walker Artistry. He currently works full time in Management for AT&T. Trevor holds a degree in communication sciences from Danville Area Community College, and is presently working on a degree in Business at The University of Illinois at UrbanaChampaign. In his spare time, he enjoys reading, baking, and volunteering with The Trevor Project and Equality Illinois. He also donates his time to mentoring youth in his hometown.

Trevor is very excited to see the future leaders of our great nation, and wishes the best of luck to the candidates this evening.

Miss Judges BRIDGET O'CONNELL Bridget is no stranger to the Miss America Organization. She spent her college years competing in both Texas and Oklahoma. Bridget credits Miss America with financing a large part of her college education. Over the last 30 years, Bridget has spent her time in the staffing industry as a Vice President and Partner. As a partner with Ascendo Resources, Bridget’s focus is Executive Search for the “C-Suite,” particularly accounting and finance professionals. As an interviewing professional, Bridget speaks to college seniors on interview preparation and landing their first job. She has run many interviewing workshops throughout the country. In her spare time, she has volunteered to help MAO candidates with interview preparation.

Bridget has been married to her husband, Patrick, for 32 years. They have four children, including Mary and Elise, both who've held local and state pageant titles.

ANDREA NOVAK Andrea Novak was born and raised in the Chicagoland area and is a lifelong resident of the State of Illinois. Andrea is an experienced marketing professional with a demonstrated history of working in the fashion industry and dance products/apparel industry. She earned a Bachelor of Business Administration (BBA) focused in Marketing, Public Relations, and Dance Performance from the University of Wisconsin Whitewater. Andrea also graduated with a Master of Science (MS) in Communication with an emphasis in Strategic Communication/Public Relations and Integrated Marketing Communication/Advertising from Purdue University.

In 2009, Andrea served as Miss Illinois’ Outstanding Teen for the Miss America Organization. At the Miss America’s Outstanding Teen Pageant, she was awarded a full college scholarship for her academic excellence. At the pageant, her talent was a dance-twirl routine. She has many years’ experience as a competitive baton twirler and was a member of the 2006 USA Baton Twirling World Competition Team that competed in the Netherlands and placed 3rd in the world. Also, she is a National Winner in the X-Strut Category, a combination of dance and baton twirling.

Andrea is passionate about the arts. She has experience with playing multiple musical instruments and vocal performance and she continues to dance professionally parttime with Outlet Dance Company. With more than 25 years of dance training in all areas of dance, including classical & contemporary ballet/pointe/jazz/modern/hiphop along with 10 years’ experience in choreography & teaching, she continues to provide free-lance dance training/choreography and is often called upon to judge high school and college dance auditions. As a child, Andrea was a six year member of the Joffrey Ballet of Chicago children’s cast of The Nutcracker, performing more than 100 times on stage at Chicago’s Auditorium Theater. She has danced on stage at Planet Hollywood, Las Vegas, for the 2010 Miss America Pageant, performed multiple times in Dance Chicago at the Athenaeum Theater, volunteered at Dance for Life in Chicago, and has been a guest performer at the Metropolis in Arlington Heights, IL. Currently, Andrea is the head of marketing for a large corporation based in Chicago where she oversees the development of marketing strategy and execution for multiple global brands offering dance and wellness apparel and products. She enjoys any opportunity to use her communication skills whether face-to-face or stage-toaudience. With nine years’ experience in public speaking and emceeing for the Miss Illinois Association, she is excited to be back supporting the Miss America Organization as a pageant judge for Miss Chicago.

Chairpersons

SHA-NITA RHEA Sha-Nita Rhea is utilizing her Masters Degree in Education as a ninth grade English Teacher at Beloit Memorial High School, where she has been teaching for 6 years. ShaNita is no stranger to pageantry. She was Miss Beloit in 2007, winning a talent preliminary and non-finalist talent award at Miss Wisconsin, and Miss Racine in 2009. She went on to be first runner up to Miss Wisconsin that year. Sha-Nita is currently the Executive Director of Miss Beloit and the trifecta, Miss South Central. Miss Rock River Valley, & Miss Turtle Creek Competitions. She has had two Miss Wisconsins within the last two years (this year’s Miss Wisconsin, Jennifer Schmidt, was Miss Rock River Valley 2020). In her spare time, she enjoys reading, going to dance practice with her six year old - Jaliyah, family trips, bowling, and singing karaoke.

OCTAVIA REESE Octavia Reese (she/they), Miss Michigan 2005, is a renaissance woman, residing at the intersection of science and art. Octavia’s primary career is in healthcare informatics, specializing in global digital health and UX design, where, as Senior Health Writer, she creates clinical content for One Drop, a New York based startup. In August 2022, Octavia will complete her Master of Science in Healthcare Informatics Administration with a specialty in Global Digital Health and Healthcare UX Design from Northwestern University.

Octavia is also an author, artist, and cellist. The first five volumes of her young adult sci-fi fantasy series, The Hibouleans, is available on Amazon, and the sixth installment will be released in 2022.

Octavia painted The Hibouleans cover art and wrote and recorded the series’ original book score.

Octavia has also taken her visual art into the digital world, creating one of a kind NFTs to trade on cryptocurrency blockchains. Octavia is also a 2023 Artist-in-Residence at Chateau d’Orquevaux in France.

As the founder of two companies, Tavinda Media, LLC and OcTech Health, LLC, Octavia is always experimenting with what’s new and edgy in podcast entertainment, as well as generating innovative solutions to combat health equity issues.

Octavia and her three boys live in Evanston.

Emcee

The Miss Chicago Organization Is proud to welcome Isabelle Hanson, Miss Illinois 2021 to our stage. Top Ten Finalist and Talent Award Winner from Miss America. We're honored to have her celebrate 100 years with us.

Miss Illinois 2021 Top Ten Finalist Miss America

Isabelle Hanson

Emcee

Gabriella Deyi is a television journalist, host, philanthropist, and Miss Wisconsin USA 2020.

She won the title of Miss Wisconsin USA on September 8th, 2019, and went on to compete for Miss USA 2020- the first major United States pageant to ever be held during a pandemic. She is the fourth Black woman to ever hold the title in the pageant’s 70-year history , as well as, the longest-reigning state titleholder to date for Wisconsin.

Gabby worked as an on-air- journalist in Madison, Wisconsin when she won her state title and continued to do so throughout her reign. Shortly after getting off of the Miss USA stage, she was asked to relocate to California by one of the largest and most successful technology companies in the world, Logitech. She is now a storyteller at Logitech and interviews creators, influencers, and celebrities all over the world that are using technology to create social change for everyone, break down barriers and defy logic in their respective fields. She has been able to interview and work with people like Beyonce’s choreographer - Jaquel Knight, Olympian - Allyson Felix, Recording artist - Lil’ Nas X, Environmental activist - Leah Thomas, and so many more.

Journalist Miss Wisconsin USA 2019

Gabriella Deyi

Awards Miss Chicago 2020 | Miss Windy City 2020 Miss Gold Coast 2020 | Miss Cook County 2020 1st Runner Up | 2nd Runner Up Jade Smalls Simmons Overall Talent Award People's Choice Director's Award | Congeniality Award Influencer Award | Entrepreneurship Award

Prize Packages

Miss Chicago 2022

$1000 Scholarship

Provided by: Miss Chicago Organization

Official Crown & Sash

Provided by: Marisa Buchheit

Miss IL Entry Fees

Provided by: Miss Chicago Organization

Miss IL Opening Number Dress

Provided by: Miss Chicago Organization

Miss IL Headshots

Provided by: Miss Chicago Organization

Competition Footwear

Provided by: Diverse Style by Sydni Dion

Public Speaking Preparation Provided by: Elise Harmening

Makeup Preparation

Provided by: Miss Chicago Organization

Complimentary Dental Services Provided by: Big Smile Dental

Autograph Cards

Provided by: Miss Me Creative Design

Awards Prize Packages

Miss Windy City 2020

$500 Scholarship

Provided by: Jade Smalls Simmons

Official Crown & Sash

Provided by: Claudine Keating Cappelle

Miss IL Entry Fees

Provided by: Miss Chicago Organization

Miss IL Opening Number Dress

Provided by: Miss Chicago Organization

Public Speaking Preparation Provided by: Elise Harmening

Complimentary Dental Services Provided by: Big Smile Dental

Autograph Cards

Provided by: Miss Me Creative Design

Miss Gold Coast 2020 $250 Scholarship

Provided by: Miss Chicago Organization

Official Crown & Sash

Miss Cook County 2020 $250 Scholarship

Provided by: Miss Chicago Organization

Official Crown & Sash

Provided by: Claudine Keating Cappelle

Provided by: Miss Chicago Organization

Public Speaking Preparation

Public Speaking Preparation

Complimentary Dental Services

Complimentary Dental Services

Provided by: Elise Harmening

Provided by: Big Smile Dental

Autograph Cards

Provided by: Miss Me Creative Design

Provided by: Elise Harmening

Provided by: Big Smile Dental

Autograph Cards

Provided by: Miss Me Creative Design

Awards Miss Chicago's Outstanding Teen 2020 | Miss Windy City's Outstanding Teen 2020 1st Runner Up | 2nd Runner Up Imani P. Muse Teen Overall Interview Award Teen People's Choice | Director's Award | Congeniality Award

Prize Packages

Miss Chicago's Outstanding Teen 2020

$500 Scholarship

Provided by: Miss Chicago Organization

Miss Windy City's Outstanding Teen 2020

$250 Scholarship

Provided by: Miss Chicago Organization

Official Crown & Sash

Provided by: Marisa Buchheit

State Entry Fees

Official Crown & Sash Provided by: Kylie Ryder

Provided by: Miss Chicago Organization

State Opening Number Dress

Provided by: Miss Chicago Organization

State Entry Fees

Provided by: Ryder Family

State Headshots

Provided by: Miss Chicago Organization

Public Speaking Preparation

Public Speaking Preparation Provided by: Elise Harmening

Provided by: Elise Harmening

Autograph Cards

Provided by: Miss Me Creative Design

Autograph Cards

Provided by: Miss Me Creative Design

Allison Harrison Miss Gold Coast 2020

Allison Harrison Miss Gold Coast 2020

There are many words I can use to describe these past two and a half years as Miss Gold Coast. But, there is one word that stands out the most - grateful.

Following the incredible moment of being crowned Miss Gold Coast, I would have never imagined that my year of service would have turned into two and a half years due to a global pandemic. It was an unpredictable and thrilling ride, to say the least. Yet, I have cherished every moment.

Throughout this wild journey, I was not alone, and I would like to take this time to express gratitude to a few very special people in my life. I know that I will not be able to address everyone. But, please know that you are all in my heart and that I appreciate you greatly.

To my mom and dad, I am so blessed to have you in my pageant-land adventures. Thank you for supporting me in every single way. Also, thank you for putting up with me and all of the racks of dresses, earrings, all sorts of rhinestones, glitter, and everything in between. I love you both so much. You have not only aided me along my journey within the Miss America Organization, but you fully embraced the ride as your own. You two are my loudest cheerleaders in life, and I could not do it without you both. Because of you, there is no force powerful enough to stop me. I am forever grateful for you.

Lacy and Jason, thank you for pushing me and helping me become my best and most authentic self. You both were the best pageant super-squad a girl could ask for! If it wasn’t for you, the gals and I would not have accomplished as much as we did (all six of us!). From reviewing paperwork, wardrobe checks, mock interviews, talent run-throughs, and much, much more, you truly have been the best team a pageant girl could have. I love you all so much. Both of you have made this year so unforgettable. The next titleholder is so, so lucky to have you each by her side.

To all of Team Chicago, throughout this past year, it has been amazing getting to know each one of you. I will never forget the memories that we made leading up to and during Miss Illinois week. I love all of you, and I am going to miss our Team Chicago days all like crazy!

With every day that passes in pageant-land, I realize more and more how honored I am to have a tribe of bright, change-oriented people by my side. You all are direct proof of that. Thank you to everyone, from the bottom of my heart, to allow me to serve our great community. You have helped me live out my dreams, and then some. No matter where I go, I will always keep this experience close to my heart.

FOREVER YOURS, MISS GOLD COAST 2020 & 2021, ALLISON HARRISON

Megan Magee Miss Chicago 2019 Miss Windy City 2020

Megan Magee Miss Chicago 2019 Miss Windy City 2020

I was 22, going into my last semester of college with no idea what I wanted to do with my life when I won Miss Chicago 2019. When I competed for Miss Chicago In December 2018, I was searching for direction. So Immediately, I went back to campus, started scheduling work with my SII, Be the Match, prepared for two National Speech Tournaments, and tried to get everything together for Miss Illinois In 6 months.

During my year as Miss Chicago 2019, I led confidence seminars for middle school girls, hosted donor registry drives to get people on the National Stem Cell and Bone Marrow Registry. Through Speech and Debate, I was able to speak with over 2,500 people from across the country about becoming Bone Marrow and Stem Cell donors. At Miss Illinois 2019, I was honored to be named Overall Interview Winner, Alpha Preliminary Social Impact Pitch Winner, Alpha Gown Winner, and 1st Runner Up to Miss Illinois 2019.

As Miss Windy City, I had the opportunity to parter with Be the Match at the national level for the first time.

Getting to work with their social team taught me how to communicate about Cellular Therapy on social media. Then, just a little over a month after winning Miss Windy City, Covid-19 changed the world as we knew it. Luckily, communities pivoted quickly. I was able to virtually attend career days and speak with elementary students about persevering through adversity.

Then, after two years of a deadly pandemic, science made it possible for Miss Illinois 2021 to happen safely.

It was the greatest MAO experience I've ever had. We played Twilight trivia In the hotel, ate amazing food made by Susan Shea, and shared so many laughs. At Miss Illinois 2021, I was thrilled to be in the Top 10 with such amazing women.

None of this is possible without some very special people.

Tom and Phlayne, thank you both for driving so many hours to see me compete in the Miss Illinois Organization over the years, I'm grateful to have you as my family. To the Pillars, thank you for welcoming me into your home, and always supporting me. Jesse and Cindy, thank you for taking my preparation for Miss Illinois as seriously as I do - you both are my personal hype women.

Annika, Ariel, Gabi, Isha, Jana, Izzy, and so many more of you - holy cow. You are all Miss America to me.

Y'all uplift, inspire, and encourage me to pursue my dreams and to see the best in myself. I'm so excited to see where this next chapter will take all of us old girls.

To my Mom and Dad. There will never be words even close to adequately describe the level of love and support you've given me in my life. Thank you both for believing in me and sticking with this pageant thing with me for so long. I'm excited to go to Marion with both of you again in June.

Jason and Lacy, this organization doesn't run without people like the two of you. After winning Miss Windy City 2020, you both asked me the most profound question of my adult life so far - "What will make Megan happy?" I had no answer. I really didn't know, which was sobering. I set out to find the answer, so I got more involved in my gym, started prioritizing joy, acknowledged that no amount of money can buy me more time, and eventually started my own photography business. And none of the things just listed was being Miss Illinois. I finally understood that no job title, pageant title, or even degree would make me happy. Being Miss Illinois is still the dream, it's not a dream that defines who I am, but it is one that makes me strive to be the best version of myself.

Jason and Lacy, thank you for being mentors young women like me need. I hope you don't ever doubt the impact you have made on my life. Thank you so much for putting up with my shenanigans for THREE whole years.

I look back at my time in the Miss Chicago Organization and it truly has changed the direction of my life. It pointed me in the direction to find happiness, to be a business owner, and to be my own Miss America.

MEGAN MAGEE MISS CHICAGO 2019 MISS WINDY CITY 2020 & 2021

Eden Wilson When I moved to Chicago in 2019, I signed up to compete for the Miss Chicago’s Outstanding Teen title, hoping to meet likeminded young women and serve the community in my new city. My experience as Miss Chicago’s Outstanding Teen 2020 has met and exceeded those hopes. Just before the world seemed to shut down, I was able to participate in the Chicago Dance Marathon to raise money for the Children’s Miracle Network and meet several other titleholders. Even though the coronavirus pandemic began less than a month after I was crowned, these past two years have been full of amazing memories.

Because of the unprecedented times during which I began my year of service, I represented teens from the city of Chicago for not one, but nearly two years. I spent that time encouraging those who were eligible to get out and vote, promoting hygiene, handwashing, and covid-19 safety, and uplifting youth, on top of speaking about my platform, Early Detection and a Cure for Prostate Cancer.

Serving as Miss Chicago’s Outstanding Teen during a time when we were encouraged to stay home was not without its challenges, so I had to get creative to reach my community. I spoke on a panel with an African American woman urologist on BlackDoctor.org about prostate cancer testing and awareness, live, in front of thousands of viewers online. This experience was impactful for my community especially because African American men are disproportionately affected by the disease. At just 14 years old, I spoke confidently and candidly about the disease, in hopes that others would feel comfortable discussing it openly. In order to promote my platform among my peers, I created a video series on prostate cancer awareness on my YouTube channel, Lemonerdy.

In this series, I share tips on prostate cancer prevention and how kids can help their parents and loved ones stay healthy through exercise, stress management, and healthy eating. I was also able to be of service to my community beyond my platform, partnering with a local teen to host a virtual prom, and leading an online workshop for elementary school students on how to manage returning to school during the pandemic. This year was the first year that Miss Chicago and Miss Chicago’s Outstanding teen were both African American, and we participated in the historic Bud Billiken parade, the largest African American parade in the country. I met amazing young people and community leaders, and gave my first impromptu interview!

Miss Chicago's Outstanding Teen 2020

Eden Wilson

I had an awesome time at the Miss Illinois’ Outstanding Teen competition where I got to meet my incredible sister queens. The weekend was full of laughs, excitement, and friendship. Thank you to Ms. Whitehead and the Catalyst Circle Rock School for not only allowing me use their amazing performing arts facility, The Kehrein Center for the Arts, to practice my talent, but also welcoming me into the Catalyst Circle Rock family. The invitation to perform at their National Junior Honor Society induction ceremony and graduation was so very special to me.

Thank you to my mom for guiding me and keeping me on track, my dad for making sure that I had what I needed and starring in my videos, and my brothers for helping me raise money and cheering me on. I want to give special thanks to all of my family members, aunties, uncles, cousins, and friends for supporting me from all over the country. It is because of you all that I won the Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals Miracle Maker Award during the Miss Chicago’s Outstanding Teen Competition, and the Fundraising Award at Miss Illinois Outstanding Teen. Thank you Kes the Band for letting me use your song to bring Trinidadian culture to the Miss Illinois’ Outstanding Teen stage.

Thank you Jason and Lacy for supporting me and guiding me through my journey to the Miss Illinois’ Outstanding Teen competition. It’s been a tough year, and Jason took the time to help me develop my interview skills by gathering judges and giving great feedback. Thank you Imani, Miss Chicago’s Outstanding Teen 2019 and Miss Illinois’ Outstanding Teen 2020, for being a great mentor and talking to me about all things Miss Chicago. Thank you Monica, Miss Chicago 2020, for being an example of style and service. Last, but certainly not least, I want to thank God for all the blessings he’s given me throughout these past two years.

The Miss Chicago organization has helped me become a more poised, professional, and serviceoriented young woman. As the youngest ever Miss Chicago’s Outstanding Teen, I hope other little girls will look at me and see that it is never too early to embrace style, scholarship, success, and service.

FOR THE LAST TIME, I AM YOUR 2020 MISS CHICAGO'S OUTSTANDING TEEN, EDEN ROYAL-SINCLAIR WILSON.

The inimitable world class concert pianist and powerhouse activational speaker Is CEO of Jade Media Global which specializes In 360˚ personal development and strategic transformational change.

Jade Smalls Simmons and Jade Media Global are wishing a groundbreaking year to all of the 2022 competitors and titleholders.

Pray big, believe boldly and stay expectant!

Interview & Communication | Beauty & Wardrobe Consultation | Walking/Modeling | Platform Development | Branding & Marketing | Mental Conditioning | Application Review | Health & Wellness

christineboll.com

Makalyn

Good luck, Makalyn!

We're so proud of you!

Love, Justin & Jonathan

Makalyn We're so proud to call you an alumnus Auburn University! Good luck, Makalyn, and War Eagle!

Chicago Auburn Club

Prachi Good Luck,

Mom, dad and Yash!!

Good Luck! Believe in yourself You can do it! Try your best Stay calm Remember the Giant Cookie!

Love, Your Family

Alyssa

Good luck Kendra on all your adventures!

Your friends at JumboFastpitch.com

Be Bold in your beliefs, Brave in your journey & Brilliant in your decisions. Good Luck!

Love, Mom

THANK YOU Dear Candidates, Volunteers, Family and Friends, On behalf of the Miss Chicago Scholarship Organization we are pleased to welcome you to the City of Chicago and The Mayfair Theater for the 100th Anniversary Miss Chicago Competition. For 100 years, we have celebrated the young women of our great city and selected delegates to represent Chicago at the Miss Illinois Competition in Marion, and ultimately Miss America.

This year, Miss and Teen candidates will showcase their talents and share their commitment to community service with our judges and audience. The level of commitment and courage these candidates have demonstrated already has been astounding. We feel confident that we will be sending six amazing ladies to the State Competition in June as: Miss Chicago, Miss Windy City, Miss Gold Coast, Miss Cook County, Miss Chicago's Outstanding Teen, and Miss Windy City's Outstanding Teen.

We wish to express our sincerest thanks to our many Sponsors and Donors for their dedication to making our program a success. We are now in a place where we can offer our titleholders so much despite losing a year due to the Pandemic. We would also like to thank our volunteers who make this program possible and dedicate their time and energy to the future female leaders of Chicago.

To the titleholder families, we have enjoyed working with your daughters and sharing in their experiences at their state competitions and beyond. Getting to know each of them and their families has been a pleasure, and we will cherish the memories that we have made even if it was almost all over Zoom.

To Monica, Megan, Allison, Hannah, Eden, and Kylie - thank you for your commitment to the Miss Chicago Organization. You shined through the hardest of times. We look forward to seeing your next steps and how you all grow into the future. It's truly been an honor to work with each of you.

To the 2022 candidates, we hope that you all leave this competition having experienced all that our program has to offer. You will make lifelong friends and gain skills that you can take with you as you establish your careers and families. Most importantly, take a moment to embrace all you have accomplished to get you to this point and be proud of yourselves.

Sincerely, Lacy Crawford Jason Pica II Executive Directors