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 Rehearsals for the candidates have been held at the Family Life
Center in Mount Pulaski. Under the direction of co-directors Amy
Cherry and Deanne Mott and assistant directors Julie Cooper and
Bethany Rea, eleven contestants have been preparing for the various
components of the competition: The judges interview, an onstage pop
question, the swimsuit competition, and the evening gown
competition.
At their first rehearsal, contestants did an Instagram scavenger
hunt in groups as a way for the contestants to get to know one
another, and then had official photos taken by Michael Gowin
photography. That evening, they also chose a line up and received
contestant numbers. All three high schools in Logan County:
Hartsburg-Emden, Lincoln and Mount Pulaski, are represented by the
various contestants.
As candidates continued preparations, they worked on walking across
the stage, answering practice pop questions, and doing mock
interviews.
Mott says they map out the set up of the stage and have the
contestants practice walking across the gym to the spots they will
need to be for the various parts of the competition.
 During the Sunday, July 26th final rehearsal, the contestants each
practiced answering a different pop question. The night of the
pageant the candidates will be brought out on to the stage one at a
time as the others remain in a sound proof booth. They do not know
the question beforehand, and each will be asked the exact same
question, which they will have to answer on the spot as they.
Cherry and Mott posed various questions about such topics as what
their career aspirations are; how the pageant helps one develop as a
person; what the most important part of the competition is; whether
a college education is necessary to have a successful career; who
the most influential woman in Illinois is; what the most important
element in a family is; and what the responsibilities of a fair
queen are? The most unique questions they posed was, "If you could
be a tractor, what part would you choose to be and why?"
At the final rehearsal, the group also practices dance steps with a
choreographer for the opening number. This part is not judged, but
as the opening number, it is the first time the audience sees all
the contestants.
This year's dance routine is to the 50's song "One Fine Day," which
is the theme of the pageant.
The day of the event, contestants will have their actual interview
with the judges, which is worth 35% of the final score.
On the evening of the pageant, the contestants will give speeches to
demonstrate their communication skills, which accounts for 30% of
the score.
Next, will be a swimsuit competition to show their beauty and
physique, which account for 15% of the score.
The evening gown competition helps display their stage presence, and
accounts for 15% of the score.
Finally, the pop question exhibits their ability to answer a
question on the spot, accounting for the final 5% of the score.
The young women's lives are impacted by being Queen for years to
come as they learn to do interviews and to be in front of a crowd.
Mott also noted that what they learn translates well into their
future career since the interview and communication skills
components make up more than half their scores.
 This year's queen contestants are:
- Allison Bone, 17, Lincoln, daughter of Paul and Jennifer
Bone; attends Lincoln Community High School
- Molly Buse, 19, Beason, daughter of Bob and Kathy Buse;
graduate of Lincoln Community High School; attends Lincoln
College
- Abigail Cline, 18, Lincoln, daughter of Theresa Cline;
graduate of Lincoln Community High School; attends Purdue
University
- Lizzie Ford, 17, Elkhart, daughter of Kelby and Angie Ford;
attends Mount Pulaski High School
- Lizzi Herzog, 20, Lincoln, daughter of Christopher and
Gretchen Herzog; graduate of Lincoln Community High School and
Lincoln College; attends North Central College
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- May Hudspeth, 19, Lincoln, daughter of Phillip Hudspeth and
Lori Metelko; graduate of Lincoln Community High School; attends
Lincoln College
- Jessica Plummer, 18, Lincoln, daughter of Doreen Plummer and
Joseph Plummer; graduate of Lincoln Community High School;
attends Lincoln College
- Amber Siddens, 20, Lincoln, daughter of Nancy Siddens;
graduate of Lincoln Community High School; attended Midwest
College of Cosmetology
- Lindsey Strange, 19, Emden, daughter of Trisha Strange;
graduate of Hartsburg-Emden High School; attends Heartland
Community College
- Madelyn Thomas, 18, Hartsburg, daughter of Ross and Shelley
Thomas; graduate of Hartsburg-Emden High School; attends Lincoln
College
- Ashton Wakeman, 18, Mount Pulaski, daughter of Micah and
Laura Wakeman; graduate of Mount Pulaski High School; attends
Lincoln Christian University
Little Miss contestants are:
- Jaelyn Anderson, 7, Lincoln, daughter of Jamie Stephens
and Chris Anderson
- Myah Bowman, 7, Lincoln, daughter of Donnie and Amanda
Bowman
- Mia Clark, 7, Lincoln, daughter of Sarah Clark and Clint
Clark
- Aleaha Crane, 6, Lincoln, daughter of Jeremy and
Stefanie Crane
- Chloe Deilkes, 5, Lincoln, daughter of Andrew Deilkes
and Megan Deilkes
- Lydia Doolin, 5, Emden, daughter of Dan and Shannon
Doolin
- Araya Hurley, 7, Lincoln, daughter of Stephanie Hurley
- Kaeli Jones, 6, Lincoln, daughter of Rich and Jani Jones
- Eva Leonard, 5, Mt. Pulaski, daughter of Corey and Lisa
Leonard
- Isabella Miller, 8, Lincoln, daughter of Dale and Shelly
Miller
- Isabella Pollice, 6, Lincoln, daughter of Sal and Amanda
Pollice
- Preslee Sherren, 5, New Holland, daughter of Robert and
Alison Sherren
- Jessa Werner, 8, Beason, daughter of Brock and Hayley
Werner
- Ashten Wolf, 5, Beason, daughter of Heather Gaule and
Randy Wolf
- Madisen Wurth, 6, Beason, daughter of Lewis and Crystal
Wurth
The pageant will take place Tuesday, August 4 at 7:00
p.m. and no matter the results, the contestants have fun and
gain memories as they learn poise and communication in this
rewarding experience of a life-time.
[Angela Reiners]
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