La Salle girl crowned Illinois State Sunburst Queen

McKella Martin of La Salle won her age group of 7 to 10 year olds at the State Sunburst Beauty Pageant this past weekend and was crowned Illinois State Sunburst Queen.

By receiving this honor, Martin was selected to represent the state of Illinois in the International Sunburst Beauty Pageant.

According to her mother Christy Martin, 7-year-old McKella has been competing in these pageants since she was 4.

“It’s really hard to win queen and we’ve been doing it, like I said for a few years, and this is the first time that she won queen,” Christy said. “Out of the whole state of Illinois, she won from La Salle, our little town.”

McKella doesn’t just participate in pageants as she also is a wrestler and practices jiu jitsu at Rodriquez Brazilian Jiu Jitsu at the Peru Mall.

She is an award-winning ATV and motorbike racer, a softball player, participates in swimming lessons and is a cheerleader.

The International Sunburst Beauty Pageant will take place in Orlando, Fla. from July 29 through Aug. 1.

Sponsors are currently needed for McKella to be able to participate in the event. Sponsors have the ability to be recognized alongside McKella and help her compete at the national level while representing La Salle and the Illinois Valley.

Any sponsor can consider the expense as an advertising expense that can also be tax deductible. Sponsors must be turned in by June 20 in order to be accepted.

Anyone who is interested in sponsoring McKella can contact Christy at 815-993-0127 for more information on how they can help this event come together.