A new reign begins as Miss Illinois 2010 crowned
Miss Illinois 2010 was crowned in a sparkling and tear-filled ceremony Saturday night at the Norris Cultural Arts Center in St. Charles.
Whitney Thorpe-Klinsky, a 22-year-old Illinois Wesleyan University graduate from New Baden, received $10,000 in academic scholarships and a bid for the Miss America pageant in Las Vegas in January. The new Miss Illinois was crowned by her predecessor, Erin O'Connor, and will begin her reign immediately,
"I think the next girl has a long year ahead of her," O'Connor said, "but if she stays true to who she is, she'll be just fine."
Saturday's ceremony was the culmination of three days of competition which showcased the 24 contestants in four categories - swimwear, evening wear, talent and onstage interview. The interview accounts for 35 percent of each contestant's total score, the talent show 30 percent, evening wear 15 percent, swimwear 15 percent and onstage presence 5 percent.
Each contestant also brings a personal platform to the table, a cause or ideal she plans to promote as Miss Illinois. Thorpe-Klinsky's platform is Breast Cancer: Prevent, Promote, Provide.
"Being Miss Illinois is the biggest opportunity of my life," she said. "This is the first step in a huge journey; and I can't wait to see what's going to happen."
Though Thorpe-Klinsky took the crown, several local contestants also competed, including Miss Northern Suburbs, Corina Hardwood; Miss Mundelein, Kaitlyn Millner; Miss Cook County, Imani Josey; and Miss Western Suburbs, Debbie Dobbins. Hardwood, Josey and Dobbins made it to the competition's top 10. Hardwood also took second runner-up, a $1,500 academic scholarship and received the People's Choice Award.
Hardwood competed in the Miss Illinois competition last year, before being diagnosed with leukemia. Now in remission, she brought a year of learning and growth to this year's pageant.
"(Being diagnosed with leukemia) really gave me the opportunity to think why I want this," she said. "This competition has helped me turn something so challenging into a positive. And I did everything I could to be my best."