Mundelein pageant kicks off celebration

As a kickoff to the annual Mundelein Day celebration, 33 young ladies will compete in the 2012 Mundelein Pageants.

The Miss Mundelein Pageant, with seven contestants, will be held at 7:30 p.m. Monday, June 25; followed by the Junior Miss Mundelein Pageant, with 13 contestants, at 7:30 p.m. Tuesday, June 26; and the Little Miss Mundelein Pageant, with 13 contestants, at 7 p.m. Wednesday, June 27. All three pageants will once again be held at the Mundelein High School’s main auditorium, at 1350 W. Hawley St., Mundelein. Admission for all three nights will be $4 for adults and $2 for children 12 and younger and senior citizens. The public is welcome.

“More than just a crown and sash, these pageants are really about young ladies being chosen to represent the village of Mundelein as they participate in many community activities throughout their reign,” Pageant Director Betty Hurmis said. “Being a part of our pageant system helps new contestants learn some useful skills through interviewing and public speaking. For those contestants who have been in pageants before, it helps them continue to polish those skills. In addition to having fun and making new friends, the Mundelein Pageants have been the traditional opening to the celebration of Mundelein’s Fourth of July Community Days for years.”

Mundelein’s own Mayor Kenneth Kessler will be on hand for the crowning of the new 2012 Mundelein Queens. The current 2011 Mundelein Queens — Miss Mundelein Kristen Orlowski, Junior Miss Mundelein Emily Hay and Little Miss Mundelein Natalie Biegel — will be on hand for their farewell presentation.