Adams County women competing for crowns at Miss Illinois

MARION – Miss Quincy Emma Hildebrand (left) and Miss Quincy’s Outstanding Teen Shelby Rose (right) are competing for the prestigious titles of Miss Illinois and Miss Illinois’ Outstanding Teen this week in Marion, Illinois. Hildebrand and Rose were crowned Miss Quincy and Miss Quincy’s Outstanding Teen in January 2020 at Quincy Community Theatre. Due to COVID-19, the 2020 Miss Illinois was postponed. 

Hildebrand is the 22-year-old daughter of Phil and Lori Hildebrand of Mendon. She graduated from Monmouth College in 2020 and is currently attending Notre Dame Law School. Hildebrand has interned for the White House, Governor’s Office of Constituent Affairs, Jil Tracy for Senator, and Illinois 47^th Senate District. She plans to practice law in Quincy and run for public office in Illinois. Hildebrand’s most recent accomplishment was being accepted into the Air Force JAG Corps Graduate Law Program. “Being accepted into the Air Force JAG Corps is truly beyond my dreams,” Hildebrand said. “I am proud, not just because of the competitiveness and difficulty of the JAG Corps, but because I knew what I wanted and I went for it, even though it seemed impossible and was out of my comfort zone.”

At Miss Illinois, Hildebrand will compete in talent, interview, evening wear, on-stage question, and social impact statement. Her talent is vocal. Hildebrand’s social impact initiative is “Empower the People: Civic Education for All.” She focuses on inspiring people to be more involved as voters and active citizens, presenting civic lessons to students, and encouraging informed and productive political rhetoric. The winner of Miss Illinois will be announced the evening of Saturday, June 19, 2021. Miss Illinois 2021 will travel the state representing the organization and will compete for the title of Miss America.

Rose is the 17-year-old daughter of Mark and Melissa Rose of Quincy. This fall, she will be a senior at Quincy Senior High School. 

Rose will compete in active wear, evening gown, on-stage question, interview and talent at the Miss Illinois’ Outstanding Teen competition. Her talent is contemporary dance. Rose’s social impact initiative is “Fostering Hope,” which specializes in bringing community members and organizations together to produce a positive experience for children and families involved in foster care. “Fostering Hope” started as a single fundraiser and now has grown into three campaigns, raising over $15,000. These fundraisers provide foster children Christmas gifts, backpacks filled with school supplies, and duffel bags filled with items such as a toothbrush, toothpaste, comb, and blanket. “I am so excited to go to Miss Illinois’ Outstanding Teen to share my story and be a voice for foster families and children,” Rose said. “My goal as Miss Illinois’ Outstanding Teen is to talk with legislators about improving foster care for children in the system.”

The winner of Miss Illinois’ Outstanding Teen will be chosen the evening of June 18, 2021. She will go on to compete for the title of Miss America’s Outstanding Teen this summer in Orlando, Florida.

For more information, visit www.missillinois.org.