Miss HispanoAmerica Illinois Pageant

I was honored to be asked to judge the Miss HispanoAmerica Illinois Pageant this past weekend. 
15 ladies vied for the prestigious title, to continue to the national and international pageant at the historic Apollo 2000 theater in Chicago, IL.  There were some amazing performances, dancing, desert table, and more all culminating to a successful first year for the pageant.

At the end, Yesenia Hernandez took the crown, most deservedly, and two special ladies claimed spots in the final four.  Sisters...one who wanted to compete, one not so sure, but did it for the sake of being on stage for their mother who is the final stages of breast cancer, and had always dreamed of seeing her girls on stage in this arena.  She always thought they were beautiful and wanted them to feel beautiful as well...they took the next two spots after Yesenia, and it was a moving tribute to the family.  What's really cool is that we never knew about this story until after the pageant! WOW!!!

My thanks to Victor and Al, directors of the pageant, for inviting me and believing in me to be considered "head judge", to Vicki and Derrick for putting on and helping in organizing a terrific event, to my fellow judges, for being strong, thoughtful, insightful people to pick such a great group of ladies, to the h/m team for doing hair for me, makeup and hair for others, as well as all the ladies competing, and to the entertainment for keeping things upbeat and rolling.

The rest of the weekend was spent shopping with Vicki and Andria, my two Miss Teen USA state titleholders (TX and NM), that are still lovely as ever both inside and out.  They are darling!  FYI...anyone who saw the Playboy Club on NBC got to see our Andria on prime time television!  She was one of the bunnies! And Vicki is now the new state director for Mrs. Colorado US!!!

Photos are from the pageant and from shopping...the girls were with me for my first UGGs purchase! I love and miss you!  

My thanks to the talented Steve Starr for my photo...and again to the H/M team for doing my hair for the event.  And yes, there is this weird photo of a lady bug cow on the side of the hotel across from Feast restaurant...if anyone knows what that's all about, we would love to know!  ;)

American Cancer Society Breast Cancer Walk - Lake County

I am deeply touched by the outreach and growth the American Cancer Society has created in Lake County...this year's walk for breast cancer was the biggest yet, and I was honored to be contacted by the Society to be a part of their event this year as emcee. 

I want to thank Katie Oshinski of ACS for calling me and allowing me to be a part of this again as a speaker ( not to mention putting together a top notch script), to Ann McNamara, VP of IL Division of Giving for coming to our Lake County event, to our top "givers" , Airica Steed and Brenda Roca of Condell Medical Center, and Sally Saraceno of Sysmex, and of course to our breast cancer survivor who spoke, Karen Sussman. Each played a huge roll in the event, not to mention it running so smoothly with our faithful DJ Chris Thelen.

We began the event in cold wind and rain, but by the end of the walk, the sun was peeking out and we had dancing galore!  Big thanks to everyone who came to walk and raise money for breast cancer through ACS.  Fun Fact: 95 cents of every dollar goes to funding research for cancer!!!

If you'd like to know how you can help support the Society's fight against cancer, or if you'd even like to be a part of the 2012 event, please see:

http://www.cancer.org
http://www.illinoiscancerhelp.org/

2 jackets +2 scarves (one thanks to ACS Boutique) + 2 thermal shirts = really good laugh, really great padding, and warmth!

I love these last two pictures.  You can see all the walkers in the distance on the gorgeous paths of Independence Grove.  And the last picture...sing it with me, now..."to the right, to the right, to the right..."  Still having fun after walking in the rain and cold wind! :)