A Lincoln-Way East High School student has been crowned Miss Illinois Teen USA 2009.
Stacie Juris, a senior at Lincoln-Way East High School, was crowned Miss Illinois Teen on Dec. 7 in Chicago.
It was a dream come true for the Tinley Park teen who grew up watching pageants on television.
“I remember seeing these beautiful girls who were so confident and so well-spoken,” said Juris, who would tune in to the Miss America pageant each year. “They were someone I always looked up to.”
She entered her first pageant two years ago, but fell short of making the top 15.
The following year, she was named first runner-up at the Miss Illinois Teen USA pageant.
“At that point, I was happy and didn’t want to do anymore (pageants),” she said.
But then, as the deadline to enter the 2009 pageant approached, Juris reconsidered.
“It was my last year to compete in the Miss Illinois Teen USA pageant,” she said, “and I figured why not give it one more shot.”
She began eating healthier and exercising more six weeks prior to the pageant and enlisted the help of coach who worked with Juris on her stage presence and interview questions.
“She was a lot of help,” said Juris.
At the pageant, Juris tried not to get her hopes up too high. She was pleased when she made it to the top five and thought she could go home happy with whatever happened.
But then, as the contest narrowed to two, her attitude changed.
“I just wanted to win at that point,” she said.
When the announced called the name of first runner-up Victoria Login, 16, of Long Grove, Juris froze.
“I was shocked,” she said.
A panel of seven judges rated the delegates on personality and their appearance in swimsuits and evening gowns to choose the winner from 18 semi-finalists out of a field of 121 teen contestants from across the state. The final five fielded questions from the judges during the final judging portion of the competition.
As the new Miss Illinois Teen USA, Juris was awarded a $28,500 college scholarship to Lincoln College, a $14,000 scholarship to Vandercook College of Music, a personal appearance contract, a cash prize, a $1,000 cash wardrobe for the national Teen USA competition, jewelry, an evening gown, cocktail dress and appearance suit for winning Illinois’ top teen honors.
She will represent Illinois in the 2009 Miss Teen USA Pageant to be held later next year and attempt to become the second Miss Teen USA from Illinois. The only previous Miss Teen USA titleholder from Illinois was Cherise Haugen of Sleepy Hollow in 1984.
In the meantime, Juris will begin making regular appearances as Miss Illinois Teen USA and increase awareness of mentorship programs in Illinois, such as the “Best Buddies” Program.
She expects to make at least two public appearances a month.
“She’s going to have an exciting year,” said Juris’ mother, Kathy Juris. “I am so excited for her.”
It didn’t take long for classmates of Juris to learn of her success at the Miss Illinois Teen USA pageant.
“When I came back Tuesday (a few days after the pageant) everyone seemed to already know,” said Juris.
In college, Juris plans to prepare for a career in entertainment television broadcasting.
“I want to be the female version of Ryan Seacrest,” she said, referring to the host of American Idol and E! News. “He does so many cool things.”
Submitted by Lincoln-Way School District 210.
