Historic notions of the beauty pageant are evolving, and local community pageants are becoming more complex, not simply judging contestants on the way they look.
The 11th annual Lake Forest Lake Bluff Community Pageant was held on Sunday at CROYA, 400 Hastings Road in Lake Forest.
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The Lake Forest Lake Bluff Pageant was hosted by Lake County Community Pageants, an organization responsible for hosting similar pageants from Zion to Waukegan to Mundelein and beyond.
Sunday’s area contestants, all Lake Forest and Lake Bluff residents, competed for the titles of Little Miss, Junior Miss, and Teen Miss.
“The new trend in pageants is less about hair and makeup and more about dedicating to a community cause and then developing a platform on social media that will support that community project,” Pageant co-director, Brooke Allen, said.
The Lake Forest – Lake Bluff Community Pageant wants to empower young women (ages 6-22) to serve their community, promote philanthropy, develop leadership skills, and serve as a role model in and around Lake Bluff and Lake Forest, according to their website.
Miss Lake County of Avon Township, 19-year-old Chi Denig, attended on Sunday and shared her platform, Reading Readiness, dedicated to youth literacy and ensuring children have access to books.
All Lake Forest Lake Bluff contestants participated in 5 categories — Daywear, Speech on a thematic focus, Formal wear, Achievements in school or in sports, and a Pop question.
Lake Forest Lake Bluff Pageant judge, Catherine Arneson says she has been a pageant judge and coach in Lake County for 10 years.
“These girls are learning life skills that will make them well-rounded individuals with poise and purpose, valued in the job market and in life,” Arneson said.
Karolina Kowal-Czerski of Lake Bluff says last year, when her daughter Klementine came to her with an interest in competing in Little Miss Lake Forest – Lake Bluff she had her reservations.
“My only reference was Jon Benét Ramsey, so I really resisted the idea of pageant life,” Kowal-Czerski said.
“This pageant had nothing to do with clothing size and everything to do with carrying yourself with grace and instilling confidence,” Kowal-Czerski added.
Sunday’s Pageant crowned Olivia Fosselman Little Miss Lake Forest-Lake Bluff 2025-2026 (Ages 6-9 yrs.), Jhanvi Venkatasalam Junior Miss Lake Forest-Lake Bluff 2025-2026 (Ages 10-12 yrs.), and Isabella Paulson Teen Miss Lake Forest-Lake Bluff 2025-2026 (Ages 13-15 yrs.).
Allen says, the Queens of the Lake Forest–Lake Bluff Community Pageant serve as positive role models and representatives of our community. They are expected to attend community events, support local organizations, and uphold the values of kindness, leadership, and service. Queens must wear their crown and sash at official appearances, maintain a professional and respectful presence, and act with integrity as ambassadors of the Pageant throughout their reign.
“Being a queen is not just about having a sash and a crown, but about helping others,” Isabella Paulson Teen Miss Lake Forest-Lake Bluff said.
Gina Grillo is a freelancer for Pioneer Press.