Twenty-year-old Abby Foster, a Danville native and 2015 graduate of Oakwood High School, was crowned as Miss Illinois on Saturday night. Foster was competing as Miss East Central in the contest and now advances to the Miss America pageant to be held in Atlantic City on September 10. The event will be broadcast by the American Broadcasting Company (ABC). Miss America 2017 Savvy Shields from Arkansas will officially crown her successor.
Abby was Miss Vermilion County Fair in 2015 and Miss Illinois Fair Queen in 2016.
"It was so surreal," said Foster. "When they called my name, my mind went blank. I just thought 'wow' — these people just changed my life. I cannot wait to go to Miss America." Foster, who competed as Miss East Central, performed a lyrical dance to ‘’Rise Up’’ as her talent. She received her crown wearing a long; red evening gown. With the crown she wins $10,000 in scholarships.
"Preparations for Miss America start right away," said Ashley Hatfield, executive director of the Miss Illinois Scholarship Organization and Miss Illinois 2007. "It's an exciting, competitive and intense week, but one that is incredibly rewarding too.