Miss Illinois 2009 returns to her roots
Dave Kubicki
Issue date: 8/28/09 Section: News
Western Illinois University's very own Erin O'Connor, the new Miss Illinois 2009, former Miss Macomb, and the new Miss Macomb 2009, Jennifer Witkowski, will be the guests of honor in a celebratory procession and lunch that will take place in downtown Macomb's Chandler Park Friday at 11:30 a.m.
The event will highlight the town's appreciation for both O'Connor's and Witkowski's accomplishments. The procession will also honor past Miss Macomb and Miss Illinois contestants as well as an appearance by Miss Macomb Princess 2009, Sadee Anselment.
Arriving in style, O'Connor and Witkowski will be riding around Macomb's historic Square on a fire truck. They will be accompanied by not only the Macomb Police, but also Illinois State Police, McDonough County Sheriff's Department and Western's own Office of Public Safety.
An assortment of notables and public servants will attend the celebration, including state Senator John Sullivan, Representative Rich Myers and the executive director of the Miss Illinois Pageant, Amalia Schwerdtmann. The celebration will also exhibit singing performances from O'Connor, Witkowski and current Miss Capital City Pre-Teen, Ali Nicole Browning and conclude with O'Connor passing the torch to Witkowski.
A free lunch will be held for all those who come and show their support. The lunch will be served after the procession for an hour and includes free hamburgers, hot dogs, chips and a variety of drinks.
Miss Illinois and Miss Macomb will have autographed pictures available as well. There will also be a function honoring O'Connor and Witkowski on their accomplishments Friday evening from 6:30 p.m. until 9 p.m. at the Alumni House, which is open to the public.
The Miss Illinois Pageant took place in St. Charles, Ill., on Saturday, June 20, 2009. In the 50 years of the pageant, O'Connor is the fifth Miss Macomb to win the title of Miss Illinois, which is the most of any other community in the state.
"It is a great honor for the community of Macomb," said Nancy Foote, executive director of the Miss Macomb Pageant. "The community and local businesses really pull together every year to make the Miss Macomb Pageant a success. That's why it's really great to see Erin go so far and it goes to show our own hard work and involvement as a community."
Macomb boasts the best pageant in Illinois with as much as $11,150 worth of scholarships going to the contestants, as well as a $7,000 scholarship to the winner.
If you don't have class Friday morning, take a stroll to Chandler Park, enjoy the festivities and a free lunch and meet Macomb's very own Miss Illinois.
The event will highlight the town's appreciation for both O'Connor's and Witkowski's accomplishments. The procession will also honor past Miss Macomb and Miss Illinois contestants as well as an appearance by Miss Macomb Princess 2009, Sadee Anselment.
Arriving in style, O'Connor and Witkowski will be riding around Macomb's historic Square on a fire truck. They will be accompanied by not only the Macomb Police, but also Illinois State Police, McDonough County Sheriff's Department and Western's own Office of Public Safety.
An assortment of notables and public servants will attend the celebration, including state Senator John Sullivan, Representative Rich Myers and the executive director of the Miss Illinois Pageant, Amalia Schwerdtmann. The celebration will also exhibit singing performances from O'Connor, Witkowski and current Miss Capital City Pre-Teen, Ali Nicole Browning and conclude with O'Connor passing the torch to Witkowski.
A free lunch will be held for all those who come and show their support. The lunch will be served after the procession for an hour and includes free hamburgers, hot dogs, chips and a variety of drinks.
Miss Illinois and Miss Macomb will have autographed pictures available as well. There will also be a function honoring O'Connor and Witkowski on their accomplishments Friday evening from 6:30 p.m. until 9 p.m. at the Alumni House, which is open to the public.
The Miss Illinois Pageant took place in St. Charles, Ill., on Saturday, June 20, 2009. In the 50 years of the pageant, O'Connor is the fifth Miss Macomb to win the title of Miss Illinois, which is the most of any other community in the state.
"It is a great honor for the community of Macomb," said Nancy Foote, executive director of the Miss Macomb Pageant. "The community and local businesses really pull together every year to make the Miss Macomb Pageant a success. That's why it's really great to see Erin go so far and it goes to show our own hard work and involvement as a community."
Macomb boasts the best pageant in Illinois with as much as $11,150 worth of scholarships going to the contestants, as well as a $7,000 scholarship to the winner.
If you don't have class Friday morning, take a stroll to Chandler Park, enjoy the festivities and a free lunch and meet Macomb's very own Miss Illinois.
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