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PRINCETON — Princeton native Brianna Legner is one of 26 girls competing in the Miss Illinois pageant this week in Marion.
Legner was Bureau County’s 2017 Fair queen. When she passed on her rein in 2018, she decided to continue competing for the Miss America Organization.
This past September, she was crowned Miss Central Illinois, which qualified her for the Miss Illinois competition. Whoever is crowned Miss Illinois will go on to compete for Miss America.
Legner said the organization is the No. 1 scholarship provider for women in the U.S., and her mother also competed in the system and she wanted to follow in her footsteps.
“Many aspects of the (pageant) competitions are important life lessons. Interviews I will have throughout my life. I will have to be able to speak to groups of audiences, as well as be informed about current topics,” she said.
“I believe that pageants help girls gain self confidence.”
Legner has been preparing for the Miss Illinois competition since the fall. She had to select a piano piece for her talent, update her wardrobe, practice her walk, stay informed about hot news topics, and continue working on her personal platform, which provides comfort to children who have gone through surgical repair for cleft palate.
Legner calls her platform “It’s More Than a Smile,” which brings awareness to the physical, social and mental concerns surrounding children with cleft palate.
Legner has teamed up with Carle Foundation Hospital’s cleft palate team at the University of Illinois to raise funds and provide care packages to children. To date, she’s raised $1,200 and provided 30 packages, which include a cleft bear, book and education information.
Legner is currently studying speech pathology at the University of Illinois. She is a 2016 Princeton High School graduate and is the daughter of Dan and Sue Legner.
During her rein as Bureau County Fair queen, she competed in the Illinois County Fair Queen pageant where she won the Best in Communication Skills Award.