Miss Southern Illinois 2013, Sherrie Gearheart
On Saturday August 11, 2012 I was crowned Miss Southern Illinois 2013 on the pageant's 50th anniversary held in Marion, IL. I have to say God is great. I feel this title was destined by God. I kid you not, I had less than 24 hours to prepare for this pageant. I received a facebook email stating the Southern Illinois MAO local pageant needed one more contestant to give away three crowns and they asked if I knew of anyone that could fill in. I then replied asking if it was an open prelim or closed prelim. The next morning, Thursday morning to be exact, I received the response email that said it was an open prelim which meant I could actually compete in it. Although I thought I was crazy for thinking such a thought, seeing as I was not prepared by a long shot, I still felt a nudge inside telling me to go.... this little voice saying, do it! I was quickly preparing for a photo shoot and was trying to run out the door to make it to the shoot but my mind kept racing toward pageant preparation and whether or not I could really pull this off or not. You see I had been traveling non stop for the past four months and lets be honest.... not in the best shape in my life. Yes I usually eat very healthy but the last 4 months I was enjoying myself. Why you might ask? Because I never indulge in unhealthy food so I told myself that since I was visiting family, going on so many work trips, etc that I might as well enjoy myself before I prepare for my Miss America local pageant which I thought would be in February. But of course God had a different plan. So back to the story, my minded roamed my apartment thinking of what I could possibly wear. I had to keep telling myself, Sherrie focus, you have a professional modeling photo shoot to get ready for and your photographer will be here any minute. So I ran out the door kind of in a whirlwind day dream. I briefly explained to my photographer the situation as we drove up to the shoot location in Racine, WI. During the entire shoot I kept thinking of the pageant during my mini breaks. Finally at lunch time I spoke to my photographer Gary Yallelus, in depth about the pageant. He told me to do it, to go for it! And so I took the leap of faith because I felt like God was telling me to go, it may sound silly but I just knew I was supposed to be there.... maybe not to win but to be there for the experience. I had to speak Jojo Sayson first since the pageant was set for 8pm on Saturday and I needed to shoot a commercial for his foundation on Sunday morning in Kankakee, IL!!! He told me to make a hard decision and that Project Michelangelo really needed me there for the commercial and that if I did the pageant I would surely miss the commercial shooting. Somehow in that moment I knew I could do both, I truly wasn't sure how but I put my full faith in God. I picked up my cell phone to call the state director and told her I would do the pageant and oh boy that I needed the paperwork right away! She quickly connected me with the prelim director who said he would send it to me right away. Well.... I arrived home about 6:30pm after tons of traffic which made the ride home soo long and tiring, but I had no time to waste. Right away I jumped into the pageant paperwork and in between mini breaks I pulled out possible pageant wardrobe. I decided to pull out a gown I had set aside for state a while back and an interview dress I set aside for state if I were to ever make it. I decided to wear the gown for the preliminary talent competition and the interview dress for this prelim instead of state. I practiced my opera song one time in front of one friend that visited briefly. I then pulled out a pageant swim suit from 2009 when I competed in MAO and I pulled out my state gown from MAO and it wouldn't zip up. I said a little prayer, "Dear God, please let this gown fit me on pageant night." I wrote my platform page within 30 minutes. This was easy for me. I live my platform every single day of my life. I of course prayed and prayed and asked God to give me His words so that I may properly express myself to the judges. I prayed for no typos too! I didn't have time to have friends or family to read my paperwork because the local director needed everything submitted that night. Talk about a rush of a lifetime! You may be thinking, oh it's just paperwork, c'mon! But if you know anything about a Miss America preliminary, you know how in depth this paperwork truly is and how important it is during the interview process. It was my resume that truly took a while because I had to follow the MAO resume protocol and answer intricate questions. The questions were easy for me.... I know what the biggest issue is facing our youth today, I work with youth all the time. I wasn't finished with the paperwork until 2am in the morning! Boy was I tired from a super long day that consisted of an in depth photo shoot, tons of traffic driving home, and pageant prep. The next morning I had a client and I could not cancel on her because she had a pageant that very evening/weekend, which by the way she ended up winning! So Friday morning I met with her and worked with her. I then ran out the door for a spray tan because Lord knows how pale I am!!!! Right before I ran out the door I packed for my entire trip to Southern Illinois in about 30 minutes. How I did this I have no idea. I kept praying and saying God please do not let me forget anything because I am going to be six hours away from home!!!!! I packed the entire car and jumped in on my way to my airbrush tan. On the way there I realized no one knew that I was competing except for 4 people I invited, all of which couldn't attend because of work and such last minute notice, not to mention it was six hours away so they didn't have time to move things around for that far of a trip. But my dad was with me so we had time to bond together and I felt that was the neatest thing in the world!!! He never goes to these things so when I packed up the car he goes, "Geez kid, I didn't realize you were going to take so much with you on this trip!" I said, "Welcome to my life! This is how it's been for the past five years!" lol. He laughed. It took us 7 hours of non stop driving to Southern Illinois and we finally arrived at the hotel at 11pm. I had to carry all of my luggage in myself since my dad is disabled and I didn't want his help in case he would hurt his back. At this point I was rather exhausted but told myself to trust in God. I finally fell asleep somewhere around say midnight or 1am. I was up at 6am preparing for everything. I was at the pageant at 8am and it didn't end till after 11pm at night. Talk about a long day!!! So what was it like?Morning consisted of a lot of waiting. I was the last contestant in my age group so imagine waiting that long! It can make a girl anxious but I was fairly confident. I walked into the interview room and I did well. :)
Then I had talent tech. While in interview, followed by my talent tech, I was missing the dance rehearsal. That means when talent tech was over that I didn't know any of the opening number dance!!! No one was willing to teach me and for a moment it was disheartening. I asked the instructor to go over it with me and she did once. I then put my faith in God. And trust me when I say, I am not a dancer, I am a singer!!!
After dance rehearsal we had small break, I asked a few of the girls if they would help..... after a few declines I finally found a few girls that were willing to go over the steps. None of them were sure on the steps but I thought, well it's better than not practicing at all.
After running through the dance as much as we could I quickly drove to lunch to eat at a local restaurant in town. They messed up my order but boy was I grateful for any food!!! I ate what I could in record time and drove back to my hotel to warm up my vocals in 5 minutes. Then back in the car to return to the pageant venue.
Now I had 45 minutes for pageant prep, that meant hair and makeup, steaming my outfits, etc. Each of us contestants had to be ready about 5pm, fully ready to go while we watched the princess, preteen, and teen competitions. We were each exhausted, even the well rested girls were looking tired.
Then it was time for us to light up the stage. We were ushered downstairs to hurry and change. Next thing you know we were in position for the dance number that I had just learned a few hours earlier. I couldn't believe how well I did during the dance. Now, I am not saying it was perfect but wow... I was happy. I was off to a great start.
Next was swimsuit. I remember waiting in line as the last contestant to hit the stage in swimsuit. I did the best I could. I knew swimsuit was my weakest strength but I lit up the stage as best I could :)
Then it was time for talent. Ashley Hatfield was the emcee for the evening and she asked me how to pronounce the Italian operatic song that I was about to perform. I told her a few times and then I asked her if I could add one thing to my note card. I asked her if she could kindly add at the end of the song that I was singing this song in memory of my grandmother. You see, my joy of singing was very strongly connected to my grandmother. I used to sing for her all the time. I sang this operatic song for her so many times and one of the measures is completely dedicated to her. It's about her being my inspiration and driving force in life. I remember sharing this with her about a month before she passed away in 2009. She became teary eyed. So when I sang that song on August 11, 2012 I sang it for her. It's because of her that I am who I am today. My grandparents sacrificed so much for me and helped me so much and I will be forever grateful in my heart. I hope to be a wonderful grandmother like her one day. Ashley Hatfield, Miss Illinois 2007 and my role model since I was 17, told me she could indeed add to the note card that I was singing this song for my grandma. I heard Ashley announce me and read my song's intro. As I walked into place I thought of my grandma and my full inspiration behind the song.... which is rather personal and lengthy so I won't bore you :) I sang like I never sang before and I did it for her. As I walked off the dressers back stage were so sweet and they couldn't stop telling me how great I did and explained they were musically trained. I was teary eyed and completely in a different world. I miss my grandmother dearly and I miss my grandfather too. I hope they are proud :)
After the talent competition it was time for intermission and we were urged to change quickly. Now it was the moment of truth, would my even gown actually zip up all the way? I had shared my dilemma earlier in the day to the girls I was competing with. The dress wouldn't zip up and I asked if anyone had scissors. A girl was so kind to give me a pair and I cut out the boob pads built into the gown. And there you have it! It actually zipped up. Let me tell you, that was probably the tightest dress I have ever worn in my life but ya know what, it did the job, my prayer was answered, and I was very very grateful. We ended up standing and sitting in our gowns for sooo long before it was time for the evening gown competition. I couldn't even breathe. But I was so grateful that I just stayed focused and took mini inhalations. I found this rather hilarious and would chuckle every now and then. Then it was time.....I listened to the reigning queens give their farewell speeches. Emily Travis really touched my heart and as she gave advice to next year's queen I felt as if she were speaking to my heart. I could relate to her so much. I said a prayer to God and told him I would accept whatever he had in store for me. I told him I would trust in His plan and if I won Miss Southern Illinois that I would spend my year serving Him, my platform, and the MAO/MISA platforms. During the evening gown we finished with onstage question. They asked me, "Should you be crowned Miss Southern Illinois, how will you promote the title?" I passionately answered from my heart. Then we all waited for the tabulations. I had no idea if I would win or lose but I knew one thing was for certain, I would trust in God's plan. We were all called out on stage. 1st runner up was called. Then Miss Southern Sweetheart. Then Miss River to River. And then my role model since I was 17, Miss Illinois 2007, Ashley Hatfield, said, "From way up north, your golden girl, Miss Southern Illinois 2013 is Sherrie Gearheart!" I was so grateful, happy, and filled with emotion that it was unbelievable. And even though it has almost been a month since that crowning moment, I still feel as if I am dreaming. I am so grateful to God for granting me with this title, for allowing me to listen to Him and compete that weekend, and I promise to do my best this year. As crowning pictures happened I was able to meet with former Miss Southern Illinois crown keepers, chat with my beautiful director Judy Sims, thank my local director Jared Garrison, and share with Ashley Hatfield how big of an inspiration she has been to me for the last 5 years of my life. God really blessed me that night! He blesses me everyday but that night he really really blessed me and I will be forever grateful. My dad made his way to the stage and we laughed because we couldn't believe I did it in such short notice!! He was so happy and so proud of me! God is great!!!!
After crowning I did not want to take my crown off. In fact if I could sleep in it I would. hahaha :) I called my love first once I made it to the car. He explained to me that my dad had already told him. That's how excited my dad was for me!! I then called Jojo Sayson to share the news and to discuss tomorrow's commercial. He couldn't believe his ears! How did I win in such a short amount of prep time? Well one answer: God. He explained that I could arrive to the commercial site a little later. That meant I could actually get five hours of sleep that night! I was up bright and early and on the road. I ate along the way with my dad and then we arrived near Kankakee, IL to shoot the Project Michelangelo commercial. I couldn't believe that I was able to do both. I will be honest, I was exhausted beyond belief but that didn't stop me. Even my dad was able to join in on the commercial which was tons of fun and such a neat memory for us! Then Jojo and I had a meeting with an outstanding professor. We were interviewing her to possibly welcome her on board of Project Michelangelo's team of angels and heroes for every child. Then my dad and I had a long drive back home. About 10pm I arrived home and settled in around midnight. I was up at 7am for a Tiara Magazine photo shoot the very next day. My photographer and team of H&M and models arrived bright and early. Gary then insisted on taking a photo of me. Although I was exhausted beyond belief, I must say my smile was very very real. I am still so happy till this day. The photo I am referring to is at the top of the blog and I am wearing yellow. I quickly did tons of appearances with my title. I have included a few shots :)
Here is a short mini highlight of the month so far as Miss Southern Illinois: shot Project Michelangelo commercial; professional photoshoots with different photographers; spoke with Randall M. Hultgren, U.S. Representative from the 14th Congressional District of Illinois; participated in Eid party as Brand Ambassador for Bollywood Saree Rentals (see pink outfit picture above); met with musical genius to work on my talent song for state; walked in a South Asian fashion shows; visited Devon Ave in Chicago as the brand ambassador for BSR and was asked for tons of autographs; booked the venue for my 3rd annual charity fashion show; and so much more!
One other major highlight that actually happened before winning my title was appearing on the cover of Allezom International Magazine because the editor truly believes in my cause, Live Out Loud Charity. Thank you so much Andre Hill and Mozella Robinson. Allezom International Magazine is read in Europe, Canada, and USA. As a cover model I will expand the presence into China, Philippines, and over 140 countries as that is where my Tiara fan base is from. God is great. I love you all and I thank you so much for reading. I leave for the Philippines on Sept 12, 2012 until Sept 30, 2012. Please pray I have safe travels. This is a charity trip for Project Michelangelo. Also, winning Miss Southern Illinois 2013 means that I will compete for Miss Illinois 2013 to be held sometime next June/July at the Marion Cultural Civic Center in Marion, Illinois. I am so excited. I love you all. God bless! -
Sherrie Gearheart
Miss Southern Illinois 2013
Editor of Tiara Magazine
Executive Director of LOLC
VP of Project Michelangelo
www.tiaramag.net
www.liveoutloudcharity.org
www.projectmichelangelo.org
