Date: 5/25/2023
Tags: "City Matters", Community
On Sunday, May 21, I had the pleasure of attending the Chamber of Commerce Annual Darien Dash. While I am not a participant in the race, I had an opportunity to meet the participants, provide them with a brief “send-off” speech, and then ride in the Pace car as we navigate the race route.
This year, I had the special privilege of introducing Darien’s “Miss Northern Suburbs” Paige Hollendonner who will be competing this June in the “Miss Illinois Scholarship Program” in Marion, Illinois. I met Paige back in December when she joined us for our Darien Historical Society Tree Lighting Ceremony, and have assisted her in her quest to provide community service to such groups as the Darien Lions, Darien Chamber and the Darien Woman’s Club. Paige has been more than willing to serve our Darien Community, and she is a young woman who clearly knows that we each have a responsibility to give back to a community that serves to enrich our lives.
Paige will spend one week competing against twenty-five young women, who like herself have the dream of being named Miss Illinois. She will compete in an extended interview process, talent presentation (she will sign language Katy Perry’s “Fireworks”) and participate in an evening gown competition. When you discuss all of this with her, she comes across as a very confident young woman, and that confidence is contagious.
As she prepares for her competition downstate, we wish her well, and we want her to know that Darien is extremely proud of her, and win or lose, we will welcome her back to Darien saying “thank you” for representing our community and for your past and future service. Best Wishes Paige!!!