A dream come true/Lincoln-Way East student named Miss Teen Illinois

by Colleen Sheehan
December 15, 2008 Stacy Juris, of Lincoln-Way East has watched every Miss America pageant on TV since she was 10 years old and finally decided that she wanted to participate in pageants at 15. Now, at 18 and recently titled Miss Teen Illinois, she is grateful for all the life skills she has gained from the pageants. "I always watched the pageants so I decided to do some research on the computer," Juris explained. "I found the right Web site, filled out the forms and a few weeks later they said I made it as a contestant." Juris, who competed against 121 contestants, said she was hooked after the first pageant. "After doing it the first year I made a lot of friends that I still talk to," she said. "I also learned a lot of life skills that you learn are helpful everyday." Pageant contestants in the Miss Teen Illinois contest (a part of the Miss Universe Contest) are judged on their interview with judges, the swimsuit portion and the evening gown portion. Juris said she was taught communication skills by learning interview tips while preparing for the contest. She also said she gained lots of confidence as she walked on a stage of hundreds. "I always liked being on stage but I always get a little nervous before going on stage," she explained. "But before I get on stage I get nervous but it all goes away once I walk on stage because it's fun." She said cheerleading and dance has helped her confidence and her love for being on stage. The Lincoln-Way East student also attributes her confidence to her high school. "Lincoln-Way East is a great school," she said. "It's a school where students have the most opportunities to do anything. I'm thankful for that since I am in cheerleading at school." Last year, Juris took runner up as Miss Teen Illinois, but she said she was not expecting to become Miss Teen Illinois this year at the Hyatt Regency McCormick Place in Chicago. "I was shocked to make the top five," she laughed. "Once they named the runner up it took me a second to realize I was the winner. I was beside myself." As Miss Teen Illinois, Juris is expected to appear at events and work with a variety of charities. She said she is looking forward to working with Best Buddies, an organization for underprivileged children. "A lot of girls in the Miss USA contest have talked about working with Best Buddies so I think I'll really like that," she said. Since Juris is 18, she would have to compete in the Miss Illinois contest next year if she decided to continue competing, but she said she plans to take some time off from the pageant business after this year. "I may come back after a year or two, but I want to wait and focus on school next year," she explained. As runner up last year she won a $22,000 scholarship to Lincoln College in Normal, Ill. "I may go there for two years and transfer," said Juris, who plans to major in Broadcasting. As this year's Miss Illinois Teen USA, she was awarded a $28,500 scholarship to Lincoln College again, a $14,000 scholarship to Vandercook College of Music, a personal appearance contract, a cash prize, $1,000 cash wardrobe for the national Teen USA competition, jewelry, and evening gown, cocktail dress and appearance suit for winning Illinois' top teen honors. The next step of the pageant process is representing Illinois in the Miss Teen USA in August. http://www.frankfortstation.com/Articles-c-2008-12-15-188989.112113_A_dream_come_true.html