JALC sends three locals to vie for Miss Illinois

CARTERVILLE - The COVID-19 pandemic has forced changes to almost everything and the local scholarship pageants are no exception.

"The Miss Illinois, as with most events, went on hold last year due to COVID," said Karen Sala, who directs the pageants representing John A. Logan College.

Those titles, Miss Volunteer of John A. Logan College, Miss John A. Logan College, and John A. Logan's Outstanding Teen, all feed into the Miss Illinois pageant and then to Miss America.

However, Sala said that this year's pageant is a go.

"Although the format may be different out of necessity, the annual Illinois State Pageant will take place with the new Miss Illinois going to Miss America this fall," said Sala.

John A. Logan College will be represented by three contestants who were appointed to their titles.

"We've all had to suffer the consequences of the 2-year gap," said Sala. "Our girl from last year, Alexa Boese of Carterville, is attending college in Florida."

Sala said that Boese originally took a year off from her studies to complete her pageant duties but was unable to take a second year off, so she relinquished her title.

"That kind of thing has happened all over," she said. "We've all just done what was needed to send representatives."

Tara Kay Tanner of Johnston City is John A. Logan's Outstanding Teen.

"She would have been a holdover," said Sala, noting that this title is always appointed as JALC does not allow the crowning of a teen.

Ashton Gentry of West Frankfort, formerly of Carterville, was appointed Miss Volunteer of John A. Logan College.

"Ashton was our Miss John A. Logan two years ago," said Sala.

Rebekah Crouse of Herrin will represent JALC as Miss John A. Logan College.

The state pageant is scheduled for June 15-20.