(Times must never change!)
I am home, rested, and alive! As I look back at my week in Hoopeston ("Huupstun") I feel so incredibly lucky to have so much support along the way. Now that I have had a few days to rest up, I feel like the luckiest little girl in the world. I cannot say thank you enough for the support felt from people who traveled to Illinois, as well as from all the way back in California.
Although I earned scholarships and gifts, the friendships and relationships I formed with so many people are priceless.
The very first day we arrived, our hosts were firm in letting us know that during this week in Hoopeston, we were to address ourselves as "Miss -State-". It was a funny feeling at first, but it was certainly enjoyed. In no way was this meant to diminish our current state titleholders, nor make them feel uneasy. Simply put, this town thrived off of the feeling that during their hometown celebration we were our state representatives and we were asked to respect their wishes. Now that I am home, I hang up my Miss California sash and proudly put back on my Miss Silicon Valley sash. This is going to be a fabulous year and I have so much to look forward to. Our beautiful Miss California, Kristy Cavinder, is going to dominate the Miss America stage, and I am looking forward to cheering her on from (my first ever attended) Miss America audience. Now I have friends from almost every state that I will meet in Vegas to cheer on "our girl" with. It is an absolute honor to return back to my state under such a beautiful, sincere, and talented representative. So thank you Kristy, for allowing me to have my fun for a week in Illinois and (kind of) sharing your title. Kristy sent me a wonderful letter of good luck and it sat next to my bed on my nightstand all week. It reminded me what we were all there for- to return next year and give it our all to hopefully someday become Miss California. Kristy's kind words were that extra reminder to stay humble and gracious the entire way.
As I am sure you are eager to know, so these were my final results:
- 2nd runner-up
- Friday Night Preliminary Talent Award
- Outstanding Overall Talent Award
I take great pride in so many awards and honors because I worked very hard for this past week, and it was nice to see a tangible reward for all of my preparations, especially because I know so many other girls prepared very hard themselves. The recognition is certainly appreciated and not for an instant taken for granted! The following information is not to boast what I earned, rather a special thank you to all who generously donated to my journey.
As Second Runner Up I received:
$200 Scholarship- Hoopeston Jaycees
$100 Cash- Hoopeston Regional Health Center
$50 Savings Bond- Harris Agency
$50 Savings Bond- Silver Brothers
$30 Cash- The Mane Place
Kathy Van Zeeland Clutch- Gift Baskets by Wilma (adorable, by the way!)
Custom made Sweetheart pin by Unger's Jewlery
As the Overall Talent Winner, I received:
$100 Scholarship- Hooopeston Jaycees
$50 Savings Bond- Houmes Quality Construction
Custom made Sweetheart pin by Unger's Jewlery
As Preliminary Talent Winner, I received:
$25 Cash- Hoopeston Regional Health Center
Thank you again, to all businesses and families who opened their hearts and arms to so many grateful young women. You will forever be in my heart.
Sunday, September 6, 2009
Sunday: Nursing Home & Autograph Signing
Sunday:After a wonderful morning spent at the Hoopeston Community Nursing Home, we headed off to lunch which was in the Nursing Home facility, at the Country Terrace. I had the privilege of meeting Pat Musk, the original lady whom the Pat Musk non-finalist talent award is awarded after. Mrs. Musk was once a wonderful organist, so it was quite an honor to get to meet her in person. I ate lunch with Polly, who actually lived in Hollywood for many years with her family. We had a nice chat about what California used to look like and how it has changed over the years.
I wanted to share a funny story with you- at least I think it is funny! While we were at the nursing home, we were singing songs for the residents. From God Bless America, to Amazing Grace, to America the Beautiful, we quickly began to run out of songs most of the girls knew! We slowly shifted into hymns, which fewer and fewer girls knew the words as time progressed. Eventually, I think most of us were pretty unsure of the tune we were singing and most girls started to lip sync and pretend like they knew the song. We were trying to keep a straight face and be professional because we were in front of a large crowd, but it became harder and harder to hide the fact we had no idea what to sing. Finally, someone spoke up and admitted that obviously we didn’t really know what we were doing, but it was apparent from the residents’ faces that they wanted an encore, so someone said, “well we might not know the names of these songs, but we know Christmas Carols (which happened to also be in the book)! So we proceeded to sing “Joy to the World”, “Oh Come All Ye Faithful,” and several other Christmas Carols! Who would have thought we would have had to depend on Christmas in September! But the residents seemed to really enjoy the music and we had some great laughs singing together!
AUTOGRAPH SIGNING
The autograph session only lasted one hour, but it felt like so much more! People stood in line (some for quite a while) to get our autographs. Some girls brought their own autograph pads to hand out along with signing the program books. Mary McCaman so graciously donated custom "Miss California's 2009 Sweetheart" autograph pads and they most certainly came in handy! My hand definitely started to cramp, but it was worth every signature! I was so glad I had them because people would light up when they saw I had pictures to give them as a souvenier. It made me laugh when people would come up asking for multiple autographs… “Could I get one for my daughter, and my sister, and my mom, and my cousin?”
This autographing session was a reminder of how much of an impact this festival makes on this small town, but also to the families and friends of contestants who traveled so far to support 'their girl'. People were gracious enough to share their stories about how they come to watch every year- some have watched since they had been children and have grown up watching the National Sweetheart Pageant.
I also enjoyed meeting my new friends’ families. It is nice to see how much support is out there for each of us. Best yet, I was able to look out and see all of Team California sitting in the audience smiling back at me. I know it had been a long journey for them, and the nights were long, too; so to glance over every now and then, and notice that their smiles never faded made me feel so loved and so special. Little girls were so excited to ask me questions and reach out and just touch me. My favorite questions of the day?... "Do you live in a castle?" , "What is your favorite ice cream?", "can I touch you?", "Do you know my sister? Her name is Laura. She is 26.", "are you old?" (I think that was supposed to be how old are you perhaps?)
My beautiful new friends; Miss Mississippi Danielle Smith, Miss Georgia Courtney Herndon, Me, and Miss Maryland, Mary King.
Part of the autograph line
Part of Team California: Stephanie, Bob, and Mary...
My new friend Megan, who I met at the school the day before..
Signing a photo for a fan- my mom!
All smiles with my new buddy, Michael Nash, (AKA Miss Canada) board member for the Miss Indiana Pageant.
Long line of Misses signing away!
Meeting new friends
A special thank you to Team California for all of their support and love!
As we stood backstage, the top 5 gathered in a circle and held hands and we had a moment together to reflect back on our amazing week. Shannon, Mary, Devin, and Allison can confirm this next statement; all of our eyes were teary as we watched our fellow contestants switch sashes and give high fives at the end of the runway during the final parade of contestants to conclude the show. In fact, Mary and I were bending over trying not to let our mascara tears drip on our gowns. I couldn’t believe that in just a few short hours I would be heading for the airport and coming back to California. But at that point, all that mattered was that in just one short week, we made some friendships that will last a lifetime. I believe that it is when we least expect it, and we stop looking, that the best friends are made. We often find soul mates in fellow competitors- girls who we can relate to, whom share the same ambitions, similar dreams, and are on the same track as us- unfortunately, who often happen to live thousands of miles away. There are several girls who make me strive to become Miss California even more, so that I could hopefully share my Miss America experience with them next year.
Miss Minnesota Sweetheart Natalie Davis and I
Miss Mississippi Sweetheart Danielle Smith and I
I'm the luckiest girl in the whole world to have Stephanie Schutt as my ED
My new soul mate Inga Miss NY Sweetheart
Saturday, September 5, 2009
Saturday Competition
Tonight I had evening wear, on stage question, and swimsuit. Although I did not win a swimsuit preliminary tonight, (they only award swimsuit and talent) I was very happy with my performance and I am simply glad the competition was over! I wanted to congratulate tonight’s prelim winners, Miss Nebraska, Devin, for swimsuit, and Miss Oregon Cassandra Tolman, and Miss North Carolina Lisa Mace, for tying in talent. Miss Oregon sang the Operatic selection, "Nessum Dorma" and she gave me chills. Miss North Carolina is an amazing tapper, and tapped to the song, "It Don't Mean a Thing". As a matter of fact, ALL of the girls did a great job, and I am proud of everyone! We are almost done girls! I appreciate every moment and I am taking it all in! I need some rest, so I am off to bed, but I hope you enjoyed my update!
Some pictures from NIGHT 2 PRELIMINARIES:
State Introductions 
Answering Scott's question 
Saturday, September 5, 2009
Show Me Your Shoes!
Parade Day!
Me in my "Minnie Mouse" Influenced Parade outfit!
Today seemed like it went by extremely fast. It is funny that when on vacation how quickly time passes by, and that became evident tonight. But nonetheless, today was such a fun day!
We woke up (yet again!) very early, but (yet again!) we enjoyed a delicious breakfast before the parade sponsored by the Jr. Women's Club at the United Methodist Church right next to downtown Main Street. I have never been in such a large parade before! The Illinois Corvette Club sponsored us and we each had our OWN Corvette and driver! Are you ready for this? We had police escorts with lights and sirens. I confess- I loved it.
Jack and Judy were such good sports. Jack wore the Minnie Mouse ears! I was concerned my drivers might not exactly go for the idea of wearing ears and gloves, but it all worked out exactly like it was supposed to.
For a town of less than 6,000 people, there sure were a lot of people there! The little kids were so cute. They would scream, “Jenna, Jenna, Jenna!” and then as soon as I would look and wave, they would bury their smiles into their hands and shrug their shoulders and twist around.
The Miss America pageant had a “Show us your shoes!” tradition. One of the parade traditions is for the contestants to wear shoes decorated to commemorate their home states. As they go by in classic Cadillacs, for insurance, the parade watchers yell out "show me your shoes!" There are varying reports of the origin of the parade tradition; most claim that it dates way back to the early days of the pageants when the sailors stationed in Atlantic City would yell it so that the women would raise their shoes and the sailors would then get a glimpse at their legs. Obviously that is a very different time than now... other’s reported that a drag queen named Tinsel Garland would dress as Dorothy from the film The Wizard of Oz and crash the Miss America Boardwalk Parade. The crowd would yell “Show us your shoes!” and Garland would reveal her ruby slippers. Whichever true, the Miss America “Show us your shoes!” Parade tradition ended when the pageant moved to Las Vegas in 2006, however, Hoopeston has kept the tradition very much alive.
Besides drawing thousands and the contestants from across the states, Puerto Rico, and D.C. in classic convertibles, there were high school marching bands, floats, Disney characters, celebrities like Ronald McDonald, local queens and their courts, and much, much more. The whole day felt very 1950s to me- a time when culture was very different; I could not help but feel longing for a slower, simpler time.
After the parade, the contestants got to pass by our panel of judges. All of a sudden, we turned the final corner and I heard a pandemonium of cheers, “Hiiiii Jenna! JENNA, Jeeeeeenna, JENNA! Hi, Hi Hi!!! Woooooo!!!! Woo, woo, woo!” All of our judges were lined up in lawn chairs arms waving furiously in the air. I beamed and squealed with delight back.
Sweetheart Class of 2009 Show Me Your Shoes Parade Girls
Waving to the crowd from my hot Corvette
It was a HUGE turnout with thousands and thousands of screaming fans!
The beginning of the parade with the marshals
With my "drivers" and my ED Stephanie Schutt 
LUNCH AT HOOPESTON FIRE DEPARTMENT
After the parade, we had lunch at the level 4 fire station. This means that the fire station has a response time of 5 minutes or less. This was extremely impressive, especially because ALL of the men are volunteers. How incredible and inspiring.
Posing with The Boys!
West Coast Girls!
All of the Troops. (I am on the top row)
Quick pose by the Fire Engine.
We had to say thank you to the man on the end for washing our dishes (he was the rookie of the gang, thus earned the privilege of washing all of the dishes!) These men are all volunteers.
After lunch at the firestation we had a few hours of free time, so we came back home and I packed and rested a bit for that night. Monica had a great dinner prepared and we munched on salads, this delicious fruit concoction with whipped cream and a lot of different fruits, vegetables and dips, and a lot of other foods. Monica must have known we had swimsuit that night! We stopped at Dairy Queen for a Blizzard, and I got one to eat after the show! How can you resist Dairy Queen... it's like all these years I've been alive I've wished that I could go to a place and just order whatever I want. Well, they say be careful what you wish for, because it just might come true... and it did. There was every reason not to eat it, but every reason to want to.
With Harold Simpson, the owner of Dairy Queen and my roommates: From left to right: Alex Miller (KS), Me (CA) Harold, Kristina Janolo (FL), Sarina Turnbull (NM)
Eating a DELICIOUS Blizzard. And yes. Yes, this was on my swimsuit night.
Saturday, September 5, 2009
Friday Night Preliminary
You’ll make mistakes; we all do but trust yourself and think for you.
Greetings from 'Huupstun'
We are all so tired by this point and I do not have access to internet that will accommodate updating pictures, so I am sorry I have not been able to update more photos! I am grateful enough to have wireless internet, but it takes about 15 minutes to load my blog every time I update!
First of all, I won a preliminary talent award! It was the most exciting moment ever and was extra special for a few reasons:
1) The look on my "teams" faces:
Stephanie looked like she might faint, Mary laughed and screamed, Ryan and Tricia, my paparazzi's whipped out the camera's to snap my reaction, my mom was screaming her head off, as Lee gleamed with pride, probably thinking, "oh my, what have I got myself into?" and then there were a few more people that I had not expected to be there!
2) I had some big surprises: Bob Arnhym surprised me and showed up to support me (that little devil, I even talked to him the night before and had no idea!) I had not seen him the ENTIRE show and noticed him when we finally came out at the very end of the show about 20 seconds before I won preliminary talent) My first ED's from Miss Stanislaus, Ron and Kay Williams, showed up from Texas (who I noticed after I won the award). I couldn't believe they all came so far to visit me. Truthfully, however, I am actually glad I did not see anyone until AFTER the night was over because I started crying like a baby when I noticed everyone. I am looking forward to seeing the video because I am sure you will be able to watch my jaw DROP in disbelief when I noticed them. I am so blessed and so loved- I cannot say thank you enough. Not only did I have these big surprises, but to recognize how much time, effort, and resources Mary, Stephanie, The Woods, and my mom and Lee poured into this moment humbled me.
3) The talent was so incredible- just incredible. My night began with my good friend, Miss Deleware, who is an incredible vocalist, and I closed the show. It is quite an honor to know that of all these amazing young women, I was awarded the top talent score. It is an honor that I will always be grateful for. I can go home happy!
Please enjoy a few pictures:
"Revolutionary"
Playing with all my heart
Preliminary Talent Winner!
Friday was a very eventful day!
We woke up and had breakfast sponsored by the Hoopeston Lions Club. One thing is for certain: we are not starving around here! We were split up into several groups and we visited various local area grade schools. I was paired with Miss Indiana, Miss Arizona, Miss Ohio, Miss Pennsylvania, Miss Kansas, Miss Florida, Miss Mississippi, Miss New York, Miss New Mexico, Miss Tennessee, Miss Kentucky, and Miss DC.
We had the opportunity to perform our talent, and as soon as I saw a piano, my hand shot up with excitement! I was ready to pounce on any opportunity to perform and practice my talent before preliminaries that evening! Miss NY and Miss PA also performed for the eager audience.
We did a question and answer session after we were done performing, and in all honesty I was asked some extremely difficult questions. (Thanks Kansas for screening them, too! ;)
One student asked me, "How do you make sounds on the piano?" and another student asked me "Why is your song called 'Revolutionary Etude' mean?" Followed with "why do they call it an 'Etude'?"
Now try explaining THAT to a auditorium full of 2nd graders! Great preparation for future interviews!
After the school tours, we went back to the Civic Center to have a full dress rehearsal with the Production Crew, and we had dinner with our host family. Monica had a DELICIOUS meal (too delicious, in fact) of tacos, salad, beans, and lots of vegetables and fruit, of course! I laughed after I ate a HUGE double-decker taco with homemade salsa and chips. It was delicious down to the very last bite!
Friday, September 4, 2009
OPENING PRODUCTION NUMBER
Swinging to the beat during our production number
Miss Colorado and I were last to announce ourselves during the parade of contestants, so we were able to walk off stage together!
Production "I Love This Town"
Swinging to the beat during our production number
Miss Colorado and I were last to announce ourselves during the parade of contestants, so we were able to walk off stage together!
Production "I Love This Town"
Wednesday, September 2, 2009
Wednesday: BBQs, Ice Cream Socials, and PAM!
Sweetheart class of 2009: It was 7 AM and REALLLLLLY COLD...
Today was a busy day! We left our house at 6:45 AM (keep in mind this meant leaving at 4:45 AM California time!) and we had breakfast at McDonald's. My family and friends can verify that I never eat McDonalds. In fact, this may have been a first for me! We were allowed to order whatever we wanted. I was so impressed with Hoopeston McDonald's level of organization and speed! I was even requested to sign an autograph! A little girl apparently asked, “Is Miss California here?” It made my day!
We were whisked off to Con Agra, where we toured the ONLY factory in the United States that produces Pam Cooking Spray! It was wonderful and I wish I could give more details, but we all signed confidentiality agreements saying we wouldn’t talk about it. Nonetheless, who would have thought Hoopeston (Huupstun) would be the one place in the world where Pam is made?!
We went back to rehearsals and ran through the production and arrangement of top 10. After rehearsals we went to a “Pump” (this is a new term to me) for lunch. BJ’s Pump has SUCH delicious food, so if you are ever in the area I highly suggest going to get a “pickle lettuce” burger (California terms, I now know this means a burger with pickles and lettuce, not some exotic food item of pickled lettuce.)
Later we went shopping and I discovered Wilma’s- every pageant girls dream shop! It’s a store behind Bob and Wilma’s house and it has jewelry, everything rhinestoned and crowns galore, crown bags, purses, sunglasses, MAO logo items, and so much more. I splurged on sunglasses and a pretty pair of earrings. I justified my spending as supporting a local business :)
The sign outside of Bob and Wilma's house!
We later went to Wellington Park where we had a BBQ and Ice Cream Social. It was a wonderful day but I was so glad to get some free time before the big day tomorrow- Interviews! I had a great chat with several of the Lions Club members, and I finally got the chance to hang out with my host family and my little brother and sister, Leevi and Natalee!
Playing in the field with the girls!
Making silly faces.
Walking into the corn!
On a beautiful hill with Miss NY and Miss Oregon
My wonderful host family, Billy, Monica, Leevi, and Natalee.
Today was a busy day! We left our house at 6:45 AM (keep in mind this meant leaving at 4:45 AM California time!) and we had breakfast at McDonald's. My family and friends can verify that I never eat McDonalds. In fact, this may have been a first for me! We were allowed to order whatever we wanted. I was so impressed with Hoopeston McDonald's level of organization and speed! I was even requested to sign an autograph! A little girl apparently asked, “Is Miss California here?” It made my day!
We were whisked off to Con Agra, where we toured the ONLY factory in the United States that produces Pam Cooking Spray! It was wonderful and I wish I could give more details, but we all signed confidentiality agreements saying we wouldn’t talk about it. Nonetheless, who would have thought Hoopeston (Huupstun) would be the one place in the world where Pam is made?!
We went back to rehearsals and ran through the production and arrangement of top 10. After rehearsals we went to a “Pump” (this is a new term to me) for lunch. BJ’s Pump has SUCH delicious food, so if you are ever in the area I highly suggest going to get a “pickle lettuce” burger (California terms, I now know this means a burger with pickles and lettuce, not some exotic food item of pickled lettuce.)
Later we went shopping and I discovered Wilma’s- every pageant girls dream shop! It’s a store behind Bob and Wilma’s house and it has jewelry, everything rhinestoned and crowns galore, crown bags, purses, sunglasses, MAO logo items, and so much more. I splurged on sunglasses and a pretty pair of earrings. I justified my spending as supporting a local business :)
The sign outside of Bob and Wilma's house!
We later went to Wellington Park where we had a BBQ and Ice Cream Social. It was a wonderful day but I was so glad to get some free time before the big day tomorrow- Interviews! I had a great chat with several of the Lions Club members, and I finally got the chance to hang out with my host family and my little brother and sister, Leevi and Natalee!
Playing in the field with the girls!
Making silly faces.
Walking into the corn!
On a beautiful hill with Miss NY and Miss Oregon
My wonderful host family, Billy, Monica, Leevi, and Natalee.
Tuesday, September 1, 2009
Day 1: PM
Today was an extremely long and exhausting but fun day. I arrived at 11 AM in Indianapolis and we sat in a holding area until everyone arrived which was around 5 or 5:30 PM. (I was so tired so I’m not exactly sure). We made the trek to Hoopeston (pronounced Huup-ston) which flew by as a group of us chatted the entire way. It was fun to talk about our wonderful state titleholders and I had a chance to brag on Kristy a bit. We had dinner and an orientation where we learned what was going on during the week. We also were given our state sashes, which was fun to wear into the drugstore on the way home! I am staying with Florida in the master bedroom and NM and KS have the two other rooms. Fortunately, we have wireless internet so I should be able to update this week. However, I am exhausted so I am going to sleep before this time change kills me! Until next time…
Corn Fields and Tractor Time
Here are a few more pictures from the Webber's Farm!
Playing in the HUGE tractor!
The man who kept me from killing everyone while driving the tractor!
Driving the tractor!
I'm pretty sure Miss NY and I were the only ones engaged in this lecture of how corn grows through the process of Photosynthesis, and how legumes are created. That's what Pre-Med does to you.
Hanging out by the combine.
Playing in the HUGE tractor!
The man who kept me from killing everyone while driving the tractor!
Driving the tractor!
I'm pretty sure Miss NY and I were the only ones engaged in this lecture of how corn grows through the process of Photosynthesis, and how legumes are created. That's what Pre-Med does to you.
Hanging out by the combine.
California, Corn, Crowns, and Camaraderie!
Welcome to Huupeston! yes that's what I said! Huu-p-ston. Sweet corn pickin' and tractor drivin'!
Today was one of the most interesting days I have ever had during a pageant! We had a busy busy schedule. We started off the day by going to breakfast sponsored by the Hoopeston Chamber of Commerce. They served three types of omelets, the most delicious potato casserole, fruit, and muffins. I always laugh to myself when I see girls hardly eating anything or being really strict on their diets because I think of Bob Arnhym giving us the annual lecture our first day about keeping our energy up for competition week; “I hate to say it but you missed the train a long time ago if you haven’t started watching your weight yet!” It isn’t time to scarf down anything you see, but enjoy your time at least! I love, Love, LOVE all of my roommates. Our chaperon is Lisa and she is so much fun. We have a great time in the car. She picks us up in the morning, and takes us home at night, runs us on errands if we need and is in charge of us while we are here basically. She monitors phones, cameras (not allowed beyond the stage and in the dressing rooms)for the fabulous four.
We toured Hoopeston Foods, which cans, labels, and distributes millions of cans of various beans. They are a private labeling company, so it was really neat to get to see the “insider’s point of view”! They got a group boo from green California because they don’t recycle, but I had to forgive them because the place really was organized and in very good shape. It was so cool to see all the beans falling down conveyor belts and chili slopping into the cans. We had to wear hard hats, ear plugs, sneakers, and hair nets. It was such a fun experience. We weren’t allowed to take cameras in, so unfortunately I don’t have pictures of the inside, but believe me when I say I have plenty of us taste testing all the various beans after the tour was over and us jumping around in our construction attire. The internet is rather slow here, so it takes too long to upload pictures. Maybe tomorrow? They gave us samples to take home too!
Posing with Miss Georgia in our fun construction hats!
Miss New York and I sampling the delicious beans!
Miss Georgia, Miss Maryland, Miss Conneticut, Miss Kansas, myselt, and Miss New Mexico posing before our tour began (no cameras allowed!)
Miss New York and Bob the Cob! One of my funny memories of the trip: at the local school, “And Miss New York can do a great impersonation of the Statue of Liberty!”… “thanks, Jenna.”
We left to tour a local farm which belongs to the Webber family. They gave us a very interesting demonstration of how corn grows and why the plant looks like it does. He kept saying he was probably boring us but I was on top of the photosynthesis conversations and how pollination works. We even drove tractors! HUGE tractors! I felt like I was in a movie with so much corn around. They produce 8% of all corn sold to Tostidos which goes into their chips, so eat up and save a farm!
We went back to the Civic Center for lunch sponsored by the Rotary Club and then did talent run-throughs. It is actually quite an honor to be in a room full of incredibly talented, beautiful, and ambitious young women. We have so much fun and spent the entire afternoon laughing and having a good time. We ended the day with rehearsals. 41 contestants in 2 nights of prelims--- quite intense. And the theater is so cold. We thought we had it bad in the Saroyan, but this was no comparison! I can’t believe we only got here yesterday. I’m pretty sure it was about 10 days ago. I am off to be and in need of organizing for the day because if we forget something, we are out of luck because we are too far away to drive back and get it! It is fun coming back to the house and chatting with Billy and Monica and their two children because they are so sweet and just so welcoming.
Please stay tuned and I promise to soon give more details!
All my love,
Jenna
Saturday, July 11, 2009
Well, the time has come and I know a *little* more about the sweetheart pageant.
The pageant will be held September 4th, 5th, and 6th (Friday --> Sunday) in Hoopeston, Illinois! If you need any additional information, please feel free to contact me at (209) 735-0300 or jmharvey@ucdavis.edu. I don't expect to have a big cheering section as it IS a few thousand miles away and all!
I found this really great article and I liked what it said, so I am sharing my favorite parts:
Perhaps no major American pageant is so little known to the public as National Sweetheart, but few pageants are so deserving of attention. It's a durable success story, founded on the unselfishness of one small town.
The friendly farming community of Hoopeston, Illinois, has been the home of the National Sweetcorn Festival since early in the 20th century. For the first few decades of this annual September extravaganza, the highlight was the Miss National Sweetcorn Pageant, for local girls. But in the 1940s, the concept changed. The town decided to invite first runners-up from Miss America state preliminaries to compete, and it changed the pageant's name to Miss National Sweetheart. A state's second runner-up could participate if the first runner-up declined.
It was an inspired idea. Being a runner-up is a uniquely uncertain feeling, somewhere between pride and disappointment. Hoopeston, so far from the bright lights of Atlantic City, offered these accomplished young women more honors, more opportunities and more scholarship money.
National Sweetheart is Miss America's charming country cousin, but the two pageants have no official connection. Unlike Miss America, the contest in Hoopeston spends little money on publicity. And it makes few demands on winners, beside having them preside over the festival.
The town doesn't even require winners to come back and crown their successors. Sometimes, Miss National Sweetheart wins her state crown the next year, and she's already competing at the Miss America Pageant by the time her reign ends. So Miss Hoopeston crowns the new winner. Several Miss Americas and numerous state titleholders have been Sweetheart winners.
If you're ever in Hoopeston, and you're a person who likes to talk about the positive side of pageantry, remember to thank the local folks for what they're doing. And don't forget to sample their sweetcorn.
Apparently, California has never won, so my eyes are on the big prize!
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