Junkies simply LOVE Miss Sweetheart...
If you're one of the long time devoted followers of Pageant Junkies/Miss America Junkies, then I'm sure you're familiar with one of the smartest ideas in the history of pageantry, called Miss Sweetheart. But because we continue to gain more and more followers through all kinds of social media outlets, we don't want to assume everyone knows everything there is to know about Miss Sweetheart! So - if you've read one of our other posts on this specific pageant from years gone by, that's fine and dandy... You're about to get more of what you already love! :) But, if you're new to the whole "Junkies" thing and thereby aren't exactly sure why Junkies seem to always be fawning all over Miss Sweetheart - then you're in luck! Because we're about to give you our most compelling argument yet! :)
First - a little about Miss Sweetheart...
Miss Sweetheart is an 'invitation only' pageant... Held during the National Sweetcorn Festival... in the middle of the sprawling metropolis of Hoopeston, Illinois (population 5300). Presented by the Hoopeston Jaycees, the festival itself is part county-fair, part end-of-summer ritual, that draws over 200,000 people each year. Trust us - This place is Americana at its finest. :)
The 1st runner up from each state is officially invited to compete, but sometimes the 2nd, 3rd or 4th runner up attends instead (if the 1st runner up chooses not to attend, then the 2nd runner up is given the chance and so-on down the line). Like Miss America, the rule is, you can only attend Miss Sweetheart one time (it wasn't always this way - but it was recently changed) - and each area of competition is judged in the same way as it is for Miss America.
At this point you may be saying... "OK - now I understand what Sweetheart is... But I don't get it... Why is Sweetheart so special?"
Here Why...
Because Miss Sweetheart is for every girl whose name was not called.
Think about it. You're standing on stage at your state pageant, holding hands with another girl, knowing it could be you and your whole life is about to change... only to realize... it's not you... they chose someone else. And regardless of how proud you are of your accomplishment, it most cases, you really, really wish it could've been you.
And when you get together with 40+ other women from across the country who have experienced that exact same feeling, you're a little encouraged. And when you see the level of talent, poise, fitness and intelligence these 40+ other ladies bring to the stage, you're humbled. And when you suddenly realize that any of these ladies could've won their state and been an amazing representative at Miss America - that's when it dawns on you - that you're one of them! You --- the girl whose name was not called --- YOU are part of 'The Group' of girls who almost made it. And each of these ladies, know exactly how you feel.
Miss Sweetheart is a chance to meet women who were half-a-heartbeat away from winning their state and learn how MAO has changed their life too. So many contestants say their experience at Sweetheart is what gave them a new perspective on their journey towards Miss America. For some contestants, they participate in Sweetheart and get a better understanding of what it takes to compete at the highest level. Then, they go back to their home state, win their state, and then finally get the chance to walk the stage in Atlantic City! However for other ladies, once again, their name won't be called. That means, Miss Sweetheart was the closest they will ever come to competing at Miss America... And that's what makes Miss Sweetheart so special. :)
So there you have it! Miss Sweetheart truly is a "Mini Miss America" in the middle of a corn-field (LOL! Not quite - but almost!). This year - there are four state winners who were once Miss Sweetheart contestants... Colorado, Rhode Island, Wisconsin and Indiana (which proves not everyone who attends Sweetheart makes it to Miss America!)
We won't be offering prelim predictions for Miss Sweetheart - but we'll make sure we pass along all the prelim winners, etc. as the event takes place August 29th through August 31st. The judges were just announced last week (photo below courtesy of the National Sweetheart Pageant Facebook Page) and with FORTY-FIVE contestants (one of the larger groups!) - it looks like it's bound to be an amazing event! Can't wait to see who walks away with the crown this year - and which girls go on to become future Miss America contestants!!!
The full run-down of names and competition dates is below - collage courtesy of Miss A Unlimited - GOOD LUCK LADIES!!! WISHING EVERYONE AT MISS SWEETHEART an AMAZING WEEK!!! :)
Until Next Time -
Founding Junkie
*Update - We just learned this morning that West Virginia's Sweetheart Olivia Staubs had to withdraw from the competition. All other info is accurate at the time of this posting.
GROUP A
#1 MISSISSIPPI - LAURA LEE LEWIS
#2 IOWA - SERICA ROWLEY
#3 TEXAS - MADISON ADAMS
#4 NORTH DAKOTA - FAYE STROMBERG
#5 TENNESSEE - JACLYN TORRENTO
#6 WEST VIRGINIA - OLIVIA STAUBS
#7 ALABAMA - ELISABETH CHRAMER
#8 UTAH - ABBEY EYRE
#9 ALASKA - ZOEY GRENIER
#10 NEW HAMPSHIRE - HOLLY BLANCHARD
#11 PUERTO RICO - STEPHANIE RAMOS
GROUP B
#12 GEORGIA - TAYLOR VOYLES
#13 CONNECTICUT - ALEXANDRIA PUGLISI
#14 DIST OF COLUMBIA - AMELIA WOLF
#15 HAWAII - JEANNE KAPELA
#16 IDAHO - KALIE WRIGHT
#17 ILLINOIS AMANDA GOERLITZ
#18 KENTUCKY - CLAIRE BUTLER
#19 DELAWARE - BROOKE MITCHELL
#20 COLORADO - CHELSI ROSE
#21 VERMONT - ALAYNA WESTCOM
#22 MINNESOTA - RACHEL LATUFF
GROUP C
#23 NEW MEXICO - MARISSA LIVINGSTON
#24 NEVADA - BAILEY GUMM
#25 OKALHOMA - GEORGIA FRAZIER
#26 WYOMING - JULIA KENDRIX
#27 LOUISIANA - KELLY BERNARD
#28 ARIZONA - HANNAH MORGAN
#29 OREGON - AUDRI ROUSSEAU
#30 MAINE - KATHERINE RUSHLAU
#31 KANSAS - JENNIFER SALVA
#32 FLORIDA - CHLOE LUPO
#33 CALIFORNIA - ASHLEY OTT
GROUP D
#34 RHODE ISLAND - ALEXANDRA CURTIS
#35 INDIANA - MORGAN JACKSON
#36 VIRGINIA - ELIZABETH MARTIN
#37 ARKANSAS - BAILEY MOSES
#38 NEW YORK - JAMIE LYNN MACCHIA
#39 WASHINGTON - MEGAN LEIBOLD
#40 NEBRASKA - RACHEL FOEHLINGER
#41 MASSACHUSETTS - CHARLENA KENNEDY
#42 WISCONSIN - CHELSEY WASIELEWSKI
#43 SOUTH DAKOTA - JADE POSSAIL
#44 MARYLAND - EBONY SHERRILL
#45 NEW JERSEY - DEVON VANDERSLICE
Friday - Groups A and B compete in Lifestyle & Fitness and Evening Wear while Groups C and D perform Talent
Saturday - Groups A and B perform Talent while Groups C and D compete in Lifestyle & Fitness and Evening Wear
Sunday - Finals
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