Dan DuVerney / Karen DeWert
.Michelle LaGroue
Naperville, Illinois
Age: 22

Parents: Robert and Elane LaGroue

Education:
2002 Graduate of North Central College Also:  Wheaton Academy

Platform Issue: Empowering Youth Against Violence

Employment: Professional model who was worked internationally, Dance teacher for the Miami (FL) Lighthouse for the Blind, ballet teacher in suburban Chicago, waitress at suburban Chicago coffee shop

Talent: Operatic Aria

Local Competition Sponsor: Miss Tinley Park Scholarship Program

State Competition Sponsor: Miss Illinois Scholarship Pageant, Inc., Oakbrook Terrace


AMBITION:
To utilize her dance/acting/vocal skills to become a performer on Broadway
while remaining an advocate for anti-violence efforts as well as eye screenings for children.  Michelle has worked as an advocate and reference person across the country in the hopes of helping educators and parents pinpoint vision problems.
"Children don't know what they're not seeing," says Michelle. "Parents need to look hard at why a child might be acting up in school, or acting OUT as they grow into their teenage years.  If learning isn't an option for them because they can't see correctly, young people start choosing other paths.  That behavior definitely connects to a downward spiral that can have a negative impact on their entire lives." 


MICHELLE IN THE NEWS: 
Chicago Chamber of Commerce Homepage (Domestic Violence Awareness Month)
Scroll down for an article from the Chicago Tribune (9/26/02)

More Links of Interest:
PHOTO GALLERY: Michelle take over the job at Erika's Homecoming



MISS ILLINOIS' MISSION: VIOLENCE PREVENTION
click here for a list of resources




Have YOU spotted Miss Illinois or contestant-news in YOUR local newspaper?  LET US KNOW & provide copy...you'll get a free autographed photo of the NEW MISS ILLINOIS!

CHICAGO TRIBUNE ARTICLE: 9-26-02
Coffee or tiara, Miss Illinois-to-be?
--------------------

By Patricia Trebe
Special to the Tribune

September 26, 2002

The tall, thin girl serving coffee to customers behind the counter of the Fat
Bean Coffeehouse in Naperville has been working there only since August, but
soon Michelle LaGroue, 22, will be leaving the shop and her new friends behind
for more responsibilities.

On Oct. 10, LaGroue, a Naperville resident, will be officially crowned Miss
Illinois, taking over for Erika Harold, who on Saturday was crowned Miss
America.

"Oh, my goodness, it is so exciting," said LaGroue.

But LaGroue had some soul-searching to do before she took on the title.

The graduate of Wheaton Academy and North Central College is an aspiring actress
who was to go to New York in December to hone her craft.

"That was something I had planned to do for seven years. I had a roommate who I
have been friends with for years. She had an apartment. Everything was lined up.
I was set," she said.

But that's on hold. LaGroue was performing during an AIDS benefit for Chicago
House in the Chicago Four Seasons Hotel when someone mentioned that Miss
Illinois had won the Miss America Pageant.

"No one knew I was the Miss Illinois runner-up when they told me. I just was so
shocked. I wasn't happy or sad. I was just shocked," she said. "Really, what are
the odds of this happening?"

Then LaGroue realized she had to make a decision. She will stay in Illinois and
travel to schools throughout the state to talk to young people about staying off
drugs and stopping violence.

"My first thought was, What am I going to do? It was a big decision, but I'm
sure now it's the right decision," she said.

Carol Radtke, president of the board of the Miss Illinois Scholarship Program,
said she understood what a hard choice LaGroue had to make.

"But she said, `I want to make a difference here.' And I think this young lady
can and will," Radtke said.

LaGroue also will give up several other positions in addition to her job at the
Fat Bean Coffeehouse. She is a ballet teacher at the Academy of Dance Arts in
Downers Grove and Dance West Ballet in Naperville and a model with the Elite
Modeling Agency.

In exchange, LaGroue will receive the free use of a car throughout her reign and
will be paid for personal appearances.

On Oct. 10, she and Harold will meet again at Harold's homecoming celebration
and LaGroue's crowning. The day is to start in Oakbrook Terrace, where the Miss
Illinois Scholarship Program is based. That evening a celebration will be held
in the Hard Rock Cafe in Chicago.



Miss Illinois 2002
MICHELLE LAGROUE
A visit by Miss Illinois could make ALL the difference at your event!
Michelle is spending her year of service speaking to young children about making positive choices, and to older students & groups about violence prevention.
Michelle is also a professional singer and is available for emceeing opportunities, civic meetings, town festivals, motivational engagements, and speaking at schools just to name a few ideas. 
To Book Michelle Call 1-877-MISS-ILL
CLICK HERE to view photos from some of Michelle's appearances
Miss Illinois 2002
MICHELLE LAGROUE
A visit by Miss Illinois could make ALL the difference at your event!
Michelle is spending her year of service speaking to young children about making positive choices, and to older students & groups about violence prevention.
Michelle is also a professional singer and is available for emceeing opportunities, civic meetings, town festivals, motivational engagements, and speaking at schools just to name a few ideas. 
To Book Michelle Call 1-877-MISS-ILL
CLICK HERE to view photos from some of Michelle's appearances
.Michelle LaGroue
Naperville, Illinois
Age: 22

Parents: Robert and Elane LaGroue

Education:
2002 Graduate of North Central College Also:  Wheaton Academy

Platform Issue: Empowering Youth Against Violence

Employment: Professional model who was worked internationally, Dance teacher for the Miami (FL) Lighthouse for the Blind, ballet teacher in suburban Chicago, waitress at suburban Chicago coffee shop

Talent: Operatic Aria

Local Competition Sponsor: Miss Tinley Park Scholarship Program

State Competition Sponsor: Miss Illinois Scholarship Pageant, Inc., Oakbrook Terrace


AMBITION:
To utilize her dance/acting/vocal skills to become a performer on Broadway
while remaining an advocate for anti-violence efforts as well as eye screenings for children.  Michelle has worked as an advocate and reference person across the country in the hopes of helping educators and parents pinpoint vision problems.
"Children don't know what they're not seeing," says Michelle. "Parents need to look hard at why a child might be acting up in school, or acting OUT as they grow into their teenage years.  If learning isn't an option for them because they can't see correctly, young people start choosing other paths.  That behavior definitely connects to a downward spiral that can have a negative impact on their entire lives." 


MICHELLE IN THE NEWS: 
Chicago Chamber of Commerce Homepage (Domestic Violence Awareness Month)
Scroll down for an article from the Chicago Tribune (9/26/02)

More Links of Interest:
PHOTO GALLERY: Michelle take over the job at Erika's Homecoming



MISS ILLINOIS' MISSION: VIOLENCE PREVENTION
click here for a list of resources




Have YOU spotted Miss Illinois or contestant-news in YOUR local newspaper?  LET US KNOW & provide copy...you'll get a free autographed photo of the NEW MISS ILLINOIS!

CHICAGO TRIBUNE ARTICLE: 9-26-02
Coffee or tiara, Miss Illinois-to-be?
--------------------

By Patricia Trebe
Special to the Tribune

September 26, 2002

The tall, thin girl serving coffee to customers behind the counter of the Fat
Bean Coffeehouse in Naperville has been working there only since August, but
soon Michelle LaGroue, 22, will be leaving the shop and her new friends behind
for more responsibilities.

On Oct. 10, LaGroue, a Naperville resident, will be officially crowned Miss
Illinois, taking over for Erika Harold, who on Saturday was crowned Miss
America.

"Oh, my goodness, it is so exciting," said LaGroue.

But LaGroue had some soul-searching to do before she took on the title.

The graduate of Wheaton Academy and North Central College is an aspiring actress
who was to go to New York in December to hone her craft.

"That was something I had planned to do for seven years. I had a roommate who I
have been friends with for years. She had an apartment. Everything was lined up.
I was set," she said.

But that's on hold. LaGroue was performing during an AIDS benefit for Chicago
House in the Chicago Four Seasons Hotel when someone mentioned that Miss
Illinois had won the Miss America Pageant.

"No one knew I was the Miss Illinois runner-up when they told me. I just was so
shocked. I wasn't happy or sad. I was just shocked," she said. "Really, what are
the odds of this happening?"

Then LaGroue realized she had to make a decision. She will stay in Illinois and
travel to schools throughout the state to talk to young people about staying off
drugs and stopping violence.

"My first thought was, What am I going to do? It was a big decision, but I'm
sure now it's the right decision," she said.

Carol Radtke, president of the board of the Miss Illinois Scholarship Program,
said she understood what a hard choice LaGroue had to make.

"But she said, `I want to make a difference here.' And I think this young lady
can and will," Radtke said.

LaGroue also will give up several other positions in addition to her job at the
Fat Bean Coffeehouse. She is a ballet teacher at the Academy of Dance Arts in
Downers Grove and Dance West Ballet in Naperville and a model with the Elite
Modeling Agency.

In exchange, LaGroue will receive the free use of a car throughout her reign and
will be paid for personal appearances.

On Oct. 10, she and Harold will meet again at Harold's homecoming celebration
and LaGroue's crowning. The day is to start in Oakbrook Terrace, where the Miss
Illinois Scholarship Program is based. That evening a celebration will be held
in the Hard Rock Cafe in Chicago.



Michelle in November at Davenport Elementary in Eureka.
Thanks SO MUCH to the students and staff for all the cards and gifts.
You are truly special.
Dan DuVerney / Karen DeWert