The National Sweetheart Pageant is a competition held annually in Hoopeston, Illinois for first runners-up in Miss America state pageants. It is a very popular and successful pageant that has been held on an annual basis since the 1940s, and many of its winners have gone on to compete in the Miss America contest with great success.
Every year our runner up represents us at the National Sweetheart. Jen Corey represented us at this year's pageant.
Jen is currently a Senior at American University, majoring in Music with a concentration in vocal performance. She is an advocate for music education in public schools and an intern in the Placido Domingo Intern/Apprentice Program at the Washington National Opera in the Education Department. There she is working on bringing opera and music to school children in the DC Metro Area. Jen is planning on pursuing a career in opera performance.
A message from the Executive Director
This August prior to heading to the Republican Convention I headed to Hoopeston (pronounced Hupston) to the "Sweet Corn Festival" to see Jen Corey compete in the Miss National Sweetheart Competition. I would not have missed the unique experience. This was my first time at the competition and it was truly worth the "schlep" from Washington, D.C.. Ironically, it was upon landing at the airport (in Indianapolis, not Hoopeston) that I learned of, another former beauty pageant contestant, Sarah Palin's selection as the VP running mate. It sent my Blackberry buzzing with voicemail messages and a barrage of e-mails from friends ensued. Interesting coincidence!
Diving through miles and miles of roads flanked by corn fields, through America's heartland to Hoopeston, Illinois I arrived at the Hoopeston Civic Center. Jen Corey, presented a spectacular performance throughout the pageant. We were thrilled to have had Jen represent us and she demonstrated depth, maturity and amazing talent at every turn. Jen is a fine example of what our program does for young women. We are proud of Jen who will also attend the Miss America competition along with her Sweetheart "sisters" to support Kate Marie as she competes for Miss America.
