Bolingbrook Teen to Compete in Pageant

Photo courtesy of Ruby Ochoa. Celia Ochoa poses for a photo during 2014’s National American Miss Illinois pageant.

Bolingbrook resident Celia Ochoa, 17, likes the confidence pageants give her. Perhaps that’s why she’s signed up to be in her second one.

Ochoa is in the running to be named National American Miss Illinois. It’s her second time participating in the American Miss pageant. She was part of it last year and while everyone who participates receives an award, Ochoa received an additional one for selling the most tickets to the event.

Ochoa said she received a letter in the mail last year stating her eligibility to be part of the pageant.

“I told my mom and I said, “Yeah, let’s just go for it,” Ochoa said. “I’m really happy I did.”

There’s a $500 fee to enter the pageant, not including money spent on hair, makeup and clothing.

In addition to the general contest, pageant goers can also enter themselves into sub-categories. Ochoa is signed up for the photogenic and casual wear categories.

While Ochoa enjoys the confidence the pageants give her, she also values the friendships she’s made there.

“I’m really friendly and I like to make a lot of friends,” Ochoa said. “I’m still friends with the people I was in the pageant with last year.”

For this year, Ochoa said she’s more prepared. Last year she had no pageant experience whatsoever.

“I was competing with girls who had done it since they were little,” Ochoa said. “I was really nervous about that. But this year I feel like I know what to expect.”

The winner of the pageant will receive a $1,000 cash award, an official crown and banner, a bouquet of roses and air transportation to compete in the national pageant in California where she will receive a complimentary tour of Hollywood and two VIP tickets to Disneyland.

If she wins, Ochoa said she’ll put the money toward a car.

Ochoa is on the Bolingbrook High School student council and is a member of the National World Language Honors Society.

The National American Miss Illinois pageant will be held August 3 at the Pheasant Run Resort in St. Charles.

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