Learn All About Miss Illinois—We Sure Did
By Margaret Lyons in Miscellaneous on Oct 20, 2004 9:27PM
Hey, today is the Day of National Concern about Young People and Gun Violence. Eee, we forgot to sound out our DoNCaYPaGV cards—boy is our face red! Oh, we're sassy, but we're against gun violence. Students across our fair nation took the pledge today, and according to a press release, Lisa Madigan, Arnie Duncan, and Miss Illinois Michelle LaGroue were on hand to celebrate with a rally. Boo, guns! Yay, Miss Illinois!
Why, the phrase "Miss Illinois Michelle LaGroue" has a weird ring to it. Almost like we've heard it before. Oh, we totally have because Michelle was Miss Illinois in 2002, also. Whaaat? Yup. Michelle was first runner up in 2002—and we think we all know what that means! That means that in the even that Miss Illinois can no longer perform her functions, then Michelle would have to step in!—and Miss Illinois 2002 Erika Harold was crowned Miss America. Apparently, you can't be both Miss America and Miss Your State, so Michelle took over when Erika moved up. Michelle didn't want to share the wealth or something, so she entered again in 2004 and this time won the whole shebang. Oh, again with the sass; Michelle probably just wanted a chance to go to the Miss America pageant. Sadly, Miss Illinois (and Miss Chicago btw) didn't crack the top 10. That's a picture of Miss Illinois 1933 Lillian Kroner, who was disqualified the night of the Miss America pageant for not actually living in Illinois. Make your own Alan Keyes joke...now.
Which brings us to the Awesomest Thing We Found On The Internet Today. You ready? Why, it's the Former Miss Illinois Photo Gallery! Yaaay. Illinois is the proud home of five, count 'em, five Miss Americas: Lois Delander (1927), Judi Ford (1969) (that's Judi in the blue), Marjorie Vincent (1991), Kate Shindle (1998), and the afore mentioned Erika Harold (2003). Ah, Lincoln would be proud. Also, Miss IL 1989 looks a little familiar..,oh, we barely recognized you without your sex scandal, Jeri Ryan. Cough, prude, cough. Our favorite is 1956's Tillie Jean Micheletto because her picture is, for what seems to be no reason, a jillion times better quality than everyone else's.
Also, check it: ABC will no longer be the TV home of the Miss America pageant.