Miss Illinois Blog
January 2012 | BLOG 6 | by Miss Illinois 2011 Hannah Smith
Hello Illinois!
I hope that this entry finds you all happy and well! This month of December and January was a complete whirlwind! I felt the last minute preparation and week of Miss America went by in the blink of an eye!! I feel so incredibly content and happy with my Miss America experience, and have so many wonderful individuals there with me every step of the way!
During the month of December, I was able to perform with my dance company in the Nutcracker Ballet! This was a perfect opportunity to practice my technique and performing skills in preparation for the Miss America stage.
The holiday season was very brief; I barely remembering it happening! It was a nice time, though, to spend time with all of the outstanding people God has placed in my life. The day before New Year’s Eve, The Miss Illinois Scholarship Association and my dance instructor, Beth Fowler hosted my Send-off Party! We had over 100 people in attendance! I was able to model my competition wardrobe, perform my talent, and enjoy the company of so many amazing people that drove hours to come say goodbye! This night was very emotional; it was a mix of anxiety for the trip I was about to embark on, and thankfulness for everyone who had out so much time in energy in preparing me to be my best, or simply be a friend and listening ear. Thank you so much for this wonderful event!
The next week, I had to put aside my fear of flying, and take off for Las Vegas, Nevada! The minute my 4 inch high heels hit the ground, I knew I was not in Illinois anymore. I was whisked away in a limo with official Miss America Security and was off to Planet Hollywood Resort and Casino!
The week of Miss America was full of countless memories! We were treated like princesses; wonderful sponsors giving gifts, beautiful rooms to stay in, VIP seating at The Phantom of the Opera, and so much more! This week was not all about glamour though; it was very physically draining as well! We were up as early as 6 am and would not return to our hotel rooms until sometimes 11 pm at night! We spent every day in production rehearsals (and I thought the Miss Illinois Pageant production rehearsals were long!) We practiced the dances and walk patterns over and over, but were well prepared for what we were expected to do for preliminary competition nights!
I am happy to say the all of the fantastic women that I competed with were genuine, real girls! We were all there to be the best that we can, and to show case what makes us all unique! The celebrity judges were extremely friendly! In my interview, it almost seemed like I was having a light-hearted conversation at lunch with friends! The Miss America hostesses and security commented on how our class of 2012 was one of the most respectful, humble groups they have ever had!
As the final night approached, it was very difficult to stay focused. I was able to receive an encouraging boost from those that came to see me in visitation after preliminaries (all of you are wonderful! Thank you so much for EVERYTHING you guys! ;)) I had to often remind myself of the prayer that I prayed the night of Miss Illinois and every night of Miss America preliminaries . . . . . . “Lord if this is meant to be, it will happen, and if not, you have something else in store for me. Let me go as far in this competition as it is for will for me to do so.” He was most definitely with me every time I stepped foot on the stage.
The televised night had come, and our nerves were at a high! Each time my name was called, first into the top 15, then the top 12, then the top 10, I was in COMPLETE and utter shock! I was so honored to be chosen out of 53 girls to show swim suit, evening gown, and perform my talent! I am happy to say that I did receive $7,000 in scholarship for making the top ten, making the total amount earned in scholarship with this year combined $20,500! Because of this year representing and being a part of this wonderful organization, I will be able to go to school nearly debt free! I am so very proud with this organization, and urge every young lady who is looking for a year full of scholarship opportunities and unforgettable experiences to compete!
I am pleased to say that our new Miss America, Laura Kaeppeler, is a beautiful young lady, inside and out, and will be a phenomenal representation of the class of 2012! From the beginning she was always genuine, polite, and full of grace and poise. I am so very happy for her, and am looking forward to seeing where this year takes her! Congratulations Laura! We are all so proud of you!
Until next time, Love,
Hannah Smith, Miss Illinois 2011
November 2011 | BLOG 5 | by Miss Illinois 2011 Hannah Smith
November
Hello Everyone!
Greetings from your very busy Miss Illinois! As January comes closer and closer, I cannot believe that I will be representing us on the Miss America stage! It seems like it was literally just yesterday that I was in absolute disbelief being crowned your Miss Illinois! My nerves are building up as we get closer to the big day!
The month of November started off with me getting over an awful virus. I hope that everyone is washing their hands and taking vitamin C! I took a brief rest to be rid of myself of germs, and then started again on my daily Miss Illinois duties! The month began with our wonderful personal development trainer, Gina McAndrew, inviting me to the Rainbows and Corks Gala event at Butterfield Country Club. It was an elegant evening to fund raise for Rainbows, an organization that drastically helps children dealing with losses. It was such an inspiring event to be a part of.
On November 8th, I traveled to our beautiful state capitol to speak on my platform to the Senate. I was so incredibly anxious, but as I began to speak to the Senate, the reality of the impact of my platform was very apparent. Meeting our state leaders reinforced the fact that as Miss Illinois, I have the opportunity to impact students and adults alike, as well as potentially save lives. Speaking as Miss Illinois 2011 at our state capitol will be a memory I will forever cherish.
Charities seemed to be the theme this month as I attended numerous fund raisers. The Miss Chicago Organization coordinated a wonderful fund raiser at Culver's (thank you ) , and New Life Clinic in Kankakee hosted a lunch! My favorite fund raising event was the Dancing with Arstarts show in Marion! I was able to put my talent of dance to use to perform for the Children's Miracle Network! Lawrence O'Neil was an incredible partner, and Cindy Hunt and Jane Ann Cruse coordinated a fun-packed show! Thank you so much Marion Artstarts! I hope to see all of you soon
Thanksgiving Day was absolutely incredible! My wonderful princess Jade, pre-teen Kayla, teen Summer and I were able to be a part of the Chicago Thanksgiving Day Parade! We met so many people, including Jesse White! It was so amazing to ride in a horse-drawn carriage with my "sisters" and wave to those on the streets of Chicago, as well as those watching on WGN! I had a wonderful time, and will have a great story to share for years to come Thank you so much to Kl and Lyle Daly and to Scott Biladeau for chaperoning us!
In between these wonderful events, I have been busy with training and mock interviews day in and day out! I am also pleased to say that the official talent tutu is complete!!!! A huge thank you to Randall Newsom for working 85 hours on my beautiful costume for Miss America! I am hoping that you all will see it on national television perhaps?
I hope that everyone has a wonderful and blessed holiday season! The holidays are all about starting traditions and making memories; I know that this holiday season will be one that I remember forever!
Happy Holidays Everyone!
October 2011 | BLOG 4 | by Miss Illinois 2011 Hannah Smith
October
Hello Everyone!
I hope that you are all having a happy and healthy harvest season! I have thoroughly enjoyed this lovely fall season thus far. I began the month of October by emceeing an event for the first time! I was so honored to be a part of the Suicide Prevention Awareness fashion show through Tiara Magazine! Sherrie Gearheart has accomplished so very much with “breaking the silence.” Congratulations to you Sherrie! Two days after this event, I was so very excited to finally receive the SPONSORED CAR!!!! Yes, that’s correct everyone, Mia the 2nd (Miss Illinois Association) has finally arrived! With how difficult the economy is right now, I am so incredibly thank you that Fox Valley Volkswagon Buick agreed to sponsor me with a beautiful 2012 VW Jetta! There was a lot of praying in this process, and it just goes to show that good things come to those that wait!
I have had such a terrific time this month training with Stephanie Piller! She has been so extremely generous with her thoughts and time preparing me to be the best I can be at Miss America! Stephanie is such a genuine person, and I am so honored to receive instruction and advice from a truly wonderful role model! Thank you Stephanie!
Halfway through the month, I was invited by Spencer, our Miss Illinois Media Representative, to go down to Marion to judge Southern Illinois Kids Got Talent. This was also a first for me, as I have never been in a judging position before! The talent in southern Illinois is incredible!! It was so very inspiring and moving to witness so many different age groups display their talents that night. Thank you so much for that opportunity Spencer! The day after the talent show, I was so happy to be reunited with my favorite Miss Illinois Outstanding teen and Outstanding Pre-Teen at the fall photo shoot in Chicago! Summer, Kayla and I all had such a fun time with the crew at the Water Tower Place! Thank you so much to Limelight Studios for the opportunity!
This month, I was able to visit with a few familiar places in my home town area. One of my most rewarding appearances was being able to speak on distracted driving to Huntley High School, which is where I graduated from. It was truly a memorable moment being able to speak to students, which included my younger brother Connor! I also attended a Children’s Miracle Network Fundraiser at my former place of work, the Algonquin Red Robin! It was so nice to be able to visit with all of my co-workers that had not seen me since before the pageant!
Other events that I enjoyed this month also included being a part of Red Ribbon Week in Rockford. Thank you to Mr. Paul Perroni for all that you do! He has hosted Miss Illinois since 1991 and continues to do a wonderful job every year with expanding the drug prevention program. I was also able to meet with Mr. Dave Oloffson in Peoria at the Illinois Principal Association Convention. Here, I was not only able to exhibit the excellent partnership we have with State Farm Insurance, but Mr. Oloffson was thoughtful enough to allow this to be an opportunity for us to network with so many different principals across our state. We were able to meet with school officials and explain to them the need for there to be a focus on safe driving. I met so many wonderful educators, and we have already received requests for the Distracted Driving presentation at their schools!
Perhaps the most exciting event that was started this month was our adopting of a platoon! After Amalia coordinated this opportunity, KL was generous enough to organize healthy feet and Halloween themed care packages to send to our brave soldiers overseas! It is so wonderful that Summer, Kayla and I can not only have an impact in our state, but also to those risking their lives preserving our freedom overseas. After sending the packages, we were all very moved when we received a thank you letter from the platoon.
I am so very proud to be representing such a terrific organization. The reason I love this pageant system so very much, is the fact that it produces true servant leaders that make a difference with their titles. I am so very fortunate to be in a position where I can promote safe driving habits and potentially save lives, assist troops fighting for our nation, and simply help to put a smile on someone’s face. I am looking forward to being able to represent our state!
Until next month,
Hannah Smith, Miss Illinois 2011
September 2011 | BLOG 3 | by Miss Illinois 2011 Hannah Smith
Back to School
Hello Everyone!
I hope that everyone is having a smooth and excellent transition into the lovely fall season! There is nothing more enjoyable than experiencing the beautiful nature of the leaves changing all around us! Along with the change of weather, we also have found ourselves entering the 2011/2012 school year. As part of my contract as Miss Illinois, I am required to take the year off of school. I originally thought that this meant that I wouldn't experience the normal routine that I have had for 15 years of my life of attending every day classes. However, I have found myself even more involved in high schools, middle schools, and elementary schools as I speak on Character Counts, Distracted Driving, and Mentoring With Bullying and Body Image.
I started out this month by traveling down to Hoopston, IL with our Miss Illinois' Outstanding Teen director, Scott Billadeau, to support our lovely first runner up, Megan Ervin. Megan did an outstanding job representing our state! She is such a beautiful girl inside and out. We are all so very proud of you Megan! I was also able to visit Kankakee at the boat race and Labor Day parade! That weekend was a perfect way to kick-off the month of September.
There were some terrific Children's Miracle Network fund raisers coordinated for this month as well. Glen Schwerdtmann and Zach Bohn were nice enough to take time out of their busy schedules to set up a golf fund raiser at Pinecrest in Huntley. There were many generous golfers there to spend the day, as well as a guest appearance from our extraordinary Miss Illinois' Outstanding Pre-Teen, Kayla Sallenger. The guests were all entertained after a long day of golfing by her powerful rendition of "Rolling in the Deep" by Adele. I suggest that you all obtain a copy of her autograph before she wins American Idol one day! Thank you Glen and Zach for putting together a wonderful day that raised $1200 for CMN! My darling Miss Illinois' Princess, Jade Parr and her family, also were kind enough to put together a raiser at a Culvers in their hometown of Geneseo. It was so nice to see my princess again and to witness the generosity of the people of Geneseo. Thank you Parr family!
I spent one of what will be one of my most memorable events as Miss Illinois on September 11th at Humboldt Park in Chicago. On this day, I was able to meet a variety of esteemed individuals including Congresswoman Tammy Duckworth, the owner of the Cubs, and Mayor Rahm Emanuel. I was able to discuss ballet with the mayor as I found out that he too was a ballet dancer with the Joffrey Ballet! I also sang the National Anthem to open the ceremony. Before this day, I had never sang a solo in front of a crowd. It was very nerve-wracking, but with much practice and prayer I was able to sing confidently in front of the audience and numerous news crews. I did receive many compliments so it turned out to be a success! Thank you so much to our board president, KL Robertson Daly and Alderman Nick Sposato for planning an unforgettable day!
I have highly enjoyed the time that I have spent thus far speaking at schools. The elementary school children have been so excited to learn about the six pillars of Character Counts! It is so nice to see that such a young audience can be passionate about treating each other the way that they would like to be treated in return. In middle schools and junior high schools, I have spoken on my personal platform of Mentoring with Bullying and Body Image. It is so very crucial that this age group can hear the message of this topic before they enter into high school. My presentation of Distracted Driving has particularly been impactful. I thought it would have been a challenge to capture the attention of this audience, but combining my presentation with the Arrends family and the generous grant from State Farm Insurance, I am able to change teenagers and adults perspective on safety behind the wheel. Students and teachers have both approached me after the presentation to inform me that they will never again reach for their phones while driving. There is nothing more gratifying than to know that I am utilizing my year of service in a way to potentially save lives.
Besides the busy school schedule, I am training night and day for Miss America! Thank you so very much to all of the volunteers who take time out of their busy lives to help prepare me to be the best that I can to represent our great state in this once in a lifetime opportunity!
Until next time,
Hannah Smith, Miss Illinois 2011
August 2011 | BLOG 2 | by Miss Illinois 2011 Hannah Smith
And I Get Paid for This??
Hello everyone! Where has this summer gone? It seems like it was just yesterday that I was driving with the windows down enjoying the beginning of the summer weather, and now we find ourselves entering into the month of September! Although this past month flew by, it was very enjoyable.
The month began on the first with my 20th birthday! Thank you so much to everyone for the warm wishes! You all helped to make my birthday so special. I was able to visit my old stomping grounds at the Miss McHenry County Fair pageant! It was inspiring to see all of the young ladies compete for a title that I am so blessed to have as a part of my history. That same week, I attended our lovely Miss Illinois’ Outstanding Teen, Summer Robbins’ sendoff party! It was a wonderful evening that Scott coordinated! From there, I had the privilege to go stay the weekend at the Khachaturian residence. For those of you who haven’t had the opportunity to meet this family, I can confidently say that they are one of the most welcoming, generous, hospitable people that I have had the pleasure to encounter! From the evening I arrived, they made me feel like a part of the family. The weekend was full of unforgettable events; from learning how to golf in 4-inch wedges, taking my first trip to a drive-in movie, attending the dance-a-thon for the Children’s Miracle Network that Grace coordinated (which raised $505!!!!), and simply sitting in the living room scrutinizing the difference between my Chicago accent versus their central Illinois ones; this is a weekend that will remain in my memory always! Thank you so much Khachaturian’s!!
Prior to the Miss America’s Outstanding Teen Pageant in Orlando, I spent the month appearing at my first Honor Flight event, meeting with and speaking on my platform of distracted driving, selecting jewelry from our sponsor, Jewels by Parklane (Thank you!!!) and attending fund raising for the Children’s Miracle Network!! Thank you so very much to Lovena Hunter and Amalia Schwerdtmann for coordinating the Niko’s, Buffalo Wild Wings and Culver’s fund raisers! It means so much to have the extraordinary help in helping to reach my goal of $10,000!
Half way through the month, I was able have the privilege of being a guest at the 2011 Macy’s Glamorama! Alison White, a former Miss Delaware, was generous enough to invite me to this event which included a performance at the Chicago Theatre by Cee lo Green and the Far East Movement!! The VIP after party took place on the 7th floor of Macy’s! It felt like I was on a movie set! It was an incredible evening that I will never forget and as Glen Schwerdtmann would say, I thought to myself “It’s good to be me!” I spent a week down in Orlando, Florida to cheer on Summer in the Miss America’s Outstanding Teen Pageant! She did a phenomenal job and was the recipient of the onstage question/evening gown award, as well as the non-finalist interview award! Congratulations to the most outstanding teen I know! We are so incredibly proud of you Summer! I cannot wait to spend the rest of the year with you! While down in Florida, I was able to meet the 52 other contestants that I will join at the Miss America Pageant in January! I was able to bond with all of the young ladies as we shot a promotional video at Disney World, attended a fund raiser, and simply enjoyed the hot Florida sun by the pool. What an incredible group of young women! I cannot wait to reunite with them all in January! I am looking forward to this upcoming school season as I am anticipating my Distracted Driving and many other presentations! Good bye to an unforgettable summer, hello to a brand new fall season!
Until next time,
Hannah Smith, Miss Illinois 2011
July 2011 | BLOG 1 | by Miss Illinois 2011 Hannah Smith
Hello Everyone!
It's Hannah Smith, Miss Illinois 2011! I often have to pinch myself when making that exclamation. I have been asked numerous times if the realness of the title has set in. Let me answer this question for everyone who may wonder . . . . . . No it has not!
Throughout my 17 years of watching the Miss America pageant with my family, I had always wondered and hope if I would ever have the opportunity to represent our great state of Illinois. I am truly honored and blessed that this once in a lifetime opportunity has been bestowed upon me. It seems like it was months ago that I was joined by the other beautiful, talented contestants when in reality it was just weeks before today. I truly met some outstanding young women all unique and beautiful in their own way.
So far my travels have included the Heart of the Marine Foundation with Joe Cantafio, The Lt. Dan Band, Support the Troops Concert where I met countless men and women who have and are serving our country, Centegra Health Fair where I met hundreds of little girls with miniature crowns on their heads! I have been at the Drury Inn in Marion, IL and meeting our wonderful sponsors as well as assisting with the Grand Opening of the Art Starts House. Congratulations to Jane Ann Cruse and Cindy Hunt. What a wonderful opportunity for the community! From there, we move to Bloomington, Normal to meet with Bonnie Arends whose twin sons were in a critical car collision. One son passed away and the other is mentally incapacitated. My platform is Distracted Driving…FOCUS and have already met with Pete Oglesby of State Farm Insurance. I will be speaking this year on the dangers of Distracted Driving and Character Counts throughout the state of Illinois.
The purpose of the Miss America Organization was very relevant that incredible week as we contestants were able to use the most valuable part of ourselves; our voices. We all have platforms that we're passionate about, we all have our opinions, and we all have our unique personalities. It wasn't until the night of the pageant that I realized that that is the gift that the Miss America Organization has given us young women. I am looking forward to seeing the success that these ladies will accomplish in years to come.
This past month has been a complete whirlwind! Amalia and I have been completing what seems to be an endless amount of paperwork for Miss America in January! Along with this, I have been meeting my "people" and making appearances. A sincere thank you to Whitney Thorpe-Klinsky who is also going to play a huge part in my year of service. It is wonderful to have a Miss Illinois sister by my side!
The people that I speak of are the array of consultants and coaches whose main goal is to make me "the best Hannah Smith I can be." The time and dedication that they have put into me just this first month has been tremendous and greatly appreciated.
My schedule has already been filled with meeting the Board of Directors, various individuals who will be part of my Preparation Team for Miss America. I am amazed at how many people are involved in this process.
The phenomenal sponsors have been incredibly generous! If I have learned one thing so far this month, it is how dedicated the sponsors, volunteers, and this organization has and will continue to be to the young ladies in this program. I am entirely looking forward to this year as my journey of Miss Illinois 2011!
Until next time, Love your Miss Illinois 2011,
Hannah Smith