Miss Addison more than a beauty pageant

ADDISON – Hairspray, makeup, glitter and long flowing gowns weren't the only things needed to win contestants a crown at the Miss Addison Pageant.

The competition was held at 7 p.m. on Wednesday at Addison Village Hall.

Eight young Addison ladies, ages 17 to 21, competed to receive the crown and a $2,000 scholarship. The first runner-up received a $1,000 scholarship and second got a $500 scholarship.

This year's winner was Aimee Gaspari, followed by first runner-up Giangela Stokes and second runner-up Sara Tomasello.

After submitting an application, the girls met with three judges to introduce themselves and get to know them. This year's judges were former Miss. Illinois and producer of the Mrs. Illinois pageant Julie Aceto, Community and Public Affairs Department member of Elmhurst College Barbara Sedlack and James Morducci of One Salon & Spa in Oakbrook.

Contestants walked the runway in two categories for a fashion show: A long evening gown category and a short evening dress category. During the fashion show, the contestants answered two questions in front of the judges. After the fashion show, they had to answer a series of 16 questions from judges to "judge the whole person."

"It's not just a beauty pageant," Zucchero said. "It's scholastic, presentation."

As winner, Gaspari did receive a crown. But more than that, she also becomes a representative of the Addison community. Gaspari will attend ribbon cuttings throughout the area, the Mayor's Community Charity Ball, the Columbus Day Parade to ride on the Addison float and the Memorial Day service.

Maybe best of all, she will get to judge the Addison by the Slice pizza contest.

"They do represent the community all year," Zucchero said. "I like it because it's just not about a pretty face. It's about the whole person."