Miss Illinois Blog
I LOVE THIS JOB!
July 20, 2010 | BLOG #2 | by Miss Illinois 2010 Whiteny Thorpe Klinsky
Over the past month, there have been several moments when I stopped, took a deep breath, and thought to myself, "I love this job!" Every day feels like a new blessing from God, and with that, a new opportunity to reach out to others. And what a month it has been!
The last weekend in June, I made my first official appearance with Fisher-Swale-Nicholson Eye Center in Bourbonnais, where I tried on at least thirty pairs of sunglasses before choosing a gorgeous pair of Maui Jim sunglasses for myself. I also had the opportunity to ride in the parade with the Fisher-Swale-Nicholson team, and I am so thankful to them for having me – it was a blast! Throughout the weekend, I appeared at the Friendship Festival as well, and I was floored by the talent performances by the Teen and Junior Teen Idols. And of course, I thoroughly enjoyed going up in the construction lift with Elizabeth Henderson, Miss Central Valley 2010, and shooting the t-shirt air gun that was as tall as I am! I owe a big thank-you to Miss Pat Polk and Scott Billadeau for hosting me for the weekend.
I was so excited to spend time at Arlington Park on the third of July. Not only was it my first experience at the races, but I had the chance to be interviewed on the big screen and, at the end of the night, I saw the most spectacular fireworks of my life! The next day, I had the opportunity to attend the Itasca Fourth of July Festival with Joe Cantafio. It was wonderful to celebrate our independence with men and women who risk their lives in the military so that we can enjoy our freedoms here at home.
The next day, I returned to New Baden for my homecoming party. I was stunned by the number of people who attended, and I was surprised by the overall excitement of the town. The mayor of New Baden presented me with the key to the city, and I threw out the first pitch at the New Baden Legion baseball game. I am proud to announce that it was a strike! While I was home for the week, I was also invited to throw out the first pitch at the Trenton American Legion baseball game. On the field prior to the game, I was declared the Honorary Mayor for the day, July 7th was declared Whitney Thorpe-Klinsky Day, and I had the opportunity to co-sign a check from the city of Trenton to the city baseball and softball programs for ten thousand dollars.
I returned to Lake in the Hills for a few days, during which time Amalia and I had the chance to share lunch with Erin O'Connor, our beautiful Miss Illinois 2009! After five minutes of talking, it felt as though we were old friends, and I know all of the advice will be valuable over the course of my year.
Soon it was time to drive to Metropolis where I had my official photoshoot with Limelight Studio! Thank you to Lanna Horman of About Face for doing my makeup for the day, and thank you to Amy Higgins and Sheri Burnham of Limelight for the awesome session. Also, thank you to Michelle Holmes for providing all of the clothing for the photoshoot, for the styling, and for allowing me to stay at your home. I had such a wonderful experience, and I cannot wait to go back again!
This past weekend, I spent the day with the volunteers of Operation Support Our Troops Illinois for their big fundraiser, Rockin' for the Troops. I met so many inspirational veterans and current members of the armed forces, as well as families of deployed soldiers. I also went onstage during the Opening Ceremony and led the crowd in reciting the Pledge of Allegiance. The words of the Pledge have never resonated so strongly in my heart as when I heard the crowd of military members and families speaking them with me.
I have a busy week of appearances ahead of me, and I cannot wait to see what each might bring! I cannot wait to begin my school tour, which will be coming quite soon. For any information on booking me as Miss Illinois for speaking events, please contact Betsy McDaniel at bmcdaniel.appearances@gmail.com. I will end this entry with a quote that I try to live out each day: "Go confidently in the direction of your dreams. Live the life you have imagined." – Henry David Thoreau