Miss Illinois Talks Cheeky

CheekyChicago.com got to sit down with Miss Illinois, Katie Lorenzo, right before she heads on out to Vegas this weekend to compete in the Miss America pageant. This down-to-earth Midwestern girl dishes about volunteerism, our amazing city and ice cream and French fries. Sounds pretty Cheeky to us.

Cheeky: What’s a typical day like in the life of Miss Illinois?

KL: First of all, no day is typical – my business manager, Jason, is responsible for my schedule. He books everything for me and I can view the calendar online. Taking a look back at the week before Christmas, I was doing a tour of the Chicago Public Schools. So, the day would start out at 9 a.m. – I’d do one school presentation, about 30-45 minutes long, answer student questions, then rush off to the next school. Three of the days, I did four schools a day! Sometimes I’ll go see the seamstress to get my gown ready for Miss America or, at night, I’ll go to a charity event. No day is typical!

Cheeky: Where are you from in Illinois?

KL: Lincoln Park. I love it because I’m walking distance to the beach and I love running along Lakeshore Drive.

Cheeky: Holding the kind of platform that you do, how are you helping other women?

KL: As Miss Illinois, I’m responsible for three platforms. The first is my national platform, where I work with the Children’s Miracle Network – I also do a lot of stuff with Children’s Memorial Hospital since I live down the street! The second platform is my state platform, where I work with Character Counts! I go to school assemblies – elementary through high schools – almost every day doing presentations on character. My personal platform is volunteerism. This platform consists of more women’s issues, such as breast cancer awareness, different women’s groups in the area and women’s assistance. With younger girls, I’ve done round table discussions about what character means specifically and how they can be leaders around their peers and with other women.

Cheeky: When did you know you wanted to be in pageants?

KL: Being miss America has been a dream I’ve had since I was seven-years-old. I started in pageants my senior year of high school and was able to earn scholarship dollars for college.

Cheeky: If you become Miss America on January 24^th, what is the very first thing that you’ll do?

KL: First thing I’ll do is ask for a hot fudge sundae and French fries because I haven’t been able to eat them for a while!

Then the day after the Pageant, Miss America flies to New York and starts her press tour. Historically, she has always been on Regis and Kelly.

Cheeky: What’s the best place you’ve been to in your travels as Miss Illinois?

KL: Most of my travel as Miss Illinois has been within Illinois. With the Miss America organization, I went to Orlando for the Teen Pageant, I went to Los Angeles to film a reality show and I went to Vegas for the Pageant. I love Los Angeles! I didn’t think I was going to because everyone talks about how the Midwest hospitality can’t be beat. Well, the weather there really can’t be beat! I do consider myself a Midwestern girl. I still think Chicago is the best city in the nation.

Cheeky: Where did you grow up?

KL: I grew up in a suburb of Detroit. I moved to Chicago to get my Masters in business administration from Loyola University. I’ve been here for two and a half years and I’ve found a great career in Hispanic marketing. This is now my home. You can’t choose where you were born, but you can choose where you live.

Cheeky: What’s your favorite Chicago restaurant?

KL: For fine dining, I love the Signature Room. In Lincoln Park, I’m going to have to go with Café Ba Ba Reeba. Or maybe Noodles in the Pot – I go there all the time.

Cheeky: What’s your favorite winter-time activity?

KL: Staying inside and watching TV – preferably LOST.

Cheeky: Isn’t that a scary show?

KL: I’m just on the edge of my seat…it’s a thriller for me.

Cheeky: What’s your favorite Chicago landmark?

KL: I just love Wacker Drive along the River. I love Lake Michigan; I’m all about the beach. Our sports teams in general are pretty great – I have to say I’m non-partisan!

Whether a Cubs or a Sox fan, all of us here in Chicago are rooting for Miss Illinois to go all the way this Saturday at the Miss America pageant at 7 p.m. on TLC.