Cary-Grove Chamber celebrates young leaders with annual pageant
On Wednesday, May 21, 15 young women competed for the crown in the 2025 Miss Cary-Grove Business Leadership Pageant at Cary-Grove High School in Cary.
Congratulations to 2025 Miss Cary-Grove, Faye Hahnfeld, who was sponsored by Infinite Options Counseling.
Faye will receive a $3,000 scholarship for college. First runner-up, Simone Smith, sponsored by Martin Chevrolet, will receive a $1,000 scholarship.
Second runner-up, Anya Korczak, sponsored by Cynthia Anne’s Wine and Whiskey Bar, will be receiving a $750 scholarship.
India Parker, sponsored by Root Dental, was awarded both the titles of Miss Congeniality and Miss Photogenic. All the candidates did an incredible job representing our community and their business sponsors.
Many thanks to the event co-directors, Ellen McAlpine of Wintrust Mortgage, and Lanie Johnson of Cary-Grove Performing Arts Centre and Bish Creative.
Kathy Ewing of Music Connection Mobile DJ, Shannon Morreale of State Farm Insurance-Shannon Morreale Agency, and Beth Repta of Repta Residential served on the Miss Cary-Grove committee. The chamber would also like to thank and recognize our 2024 Miss Cary-Grove, Kaitlyn Maynor, for her outstanding reign as Miss Cary-Grove.
A special thank you to the candidate sponsors: Cary Firefighters Association. Complete Family Wellness, Cynthia Anne’s Wine and Whiskey Bar, Fairway Independent Mortgage, Galati’s Hideaway, Infinite Options Counseling, Kaidence Chiropractic & Wellness, Martin Chevrolet, Northern Illinois Foot & Ankle, NWS Home Advisors/@properties-Neil Williams, Outback Steakhouse, RedTail Golf Club, Root Dental, The Miranda Alt Team with Keller Williams Success, and Tropical Smoothie Café.
Thank you to our additional event sponsors and supporting businesses: 750 Cucina Rustica, Cary Area Public Library, Cary Park District, Gallo’s Pizza & Pasta, Gigi’s Playhouse McHenry County, Grand Victorian of Crystal Lake, Holy Cross Lutheran Church, Martina Mathisen, The Goddard School, Tina Holmes, TV Paint, Village of Cary, and the Village of Fox River Grove.
A very special thank you to Carrianne Photography-Carrianne Hornok for providing the pre-pageant photography, and Sharmila Taylor Photography for being the event photographer.
The candidates’ bouquets were provided by Periwinkle Florist, and Whispering Hills Garden & Landscape Center provided the stage flowers.
They also would like to thank all the Cary-Grove Chamber members that donated to the gift bags the candidates were presented with at the end of the evening: Advia. Bold+Bashful LLC, Breaking Bread, Brunch Café, Canlan Sports, Cary Ale House, Cary Area Public Library, Cary Dental Associates, Cary Travel Express, Cookies by Victoria, Edward Jones-Michael Coldwell, Fox River Grove Library, Janis Dental, Jersey Mike’s, Kaidence Chiropractic & Wellness, Mary Kay-Lisa Raupp, McDonald's of Cary & Fox River Grove, Nelson’s Jewelers, Refreshed Furnishings & Makers’ Market, Sage YMCA, Tasty Sushi, Texas Roadhouse, Volo Museum, and Wild Onion Brewery & Banquets.
The Cary-Grove Area Chamber of Commerce is a business organization of over 560 local business members and professionals, community and nonprofit groups and area leaders dedicated to a prosperous local economy and a high quality of life for area residents. The chamber provides programs and resources to help local businesses succeed and coordinates community events such as Cary Main Street Fest, Cary Cruise Nights, Halloween Walks and Merry Cary Holiday Parade and Festival. The Cary-Grove Chamber is located at 210 Crystal St., Suite A, in Cary, and has a full business resource center for community residents and local businesses.