Miss Illinois

Heidi Ekstrom

What is your hometown like?
Mundelein is a diverse town of 30,000 people that sits on the edge of the Chicago suburbs. In our town, you can find influences from the big city and yet still find farm land in the outskirts of town.

What were you like when you were a child?
I was very creative from an early age, and I loved the arts, especially drawing. I once spent days drawing and creating a life size Candy Land game that I set up all around my house.

Who is the most influential person in your life?
My mother has instilled in me values, morals and the importance of family and faith. She teaches by example and has taught me how to be a strong woman, without losing my compassion and femininity.

What is one thing about you that people you meet may not immediately realize?
Because I have a sweet demeanor, many people may not realize I can be very steadfast in my views when I truly believe in something.

What was one defining moment in your life?
When my younger sister Gretel died at age 6, it taught me to value life, to be thankful for every day and to never take anything for granted. These are lessons that I will carry with me the rest of my life.

What was one defining moment in your life?
One of the best aspects of being involved in pageants is the life skills I have gained. Throughout my journey I have learned public speaking, networking, interpersonal skills and how to best promote a cause.

What was one defining moment in your life?
One of my primary goals is to increase participation in the Miss America Organization by teaching the younger generation the value of becoming involved. I will also work to help children with disabilities and show the true character of the Miss America Organization by stepping off the stage and into the lives of those whom society has wrongly deemed as less valuable.