In 2005, Dr. Todd A. Miller sought to revive the glory and pageantry of the Miss America
program in Illinois. As a veteran of the pageant systems in California and New York, Dr. Miller felt
there was a void waiting to be filled in Central Illinois. With a vision and a dream, he reintroduced
the Miss Vermilion County pageant in Danville, a grass roots pageant whose winner went on to
compete for the title of Miss Illinois. Six contestants came forward, and our first queen, Molly
Reeves of Danville, was crowned in February 2006 at the Danville Area Comunity College Bremer
Theater.
The pageant expanded to to eight counties in 2006-2007 and the name of the pageant changed
to reflect the growth. The pageant was now officially the Miss East Central Illinois program, and
was co-directed by Cindy McGuffee and Dr. Miller. Eight contestants competed in February of
2007 at the Danville High School auditorium. Special appearances by Miss Illinois 2006 Heidi
Ekstrom and American Idol finalist Jared Yates highlighted the event. The first Miss East Central
Illinois title was presented to Rebecca Laird of Flora.
In 2007-2008, the pageant expanded once again to cover a nine county region. A new executive
director, Tracie O'Neill, welcomed 16 contestants to the stage at Parkland College in Champaign.
This year the Miss Prairie Central title was added to accomodate the doubled number of
participants. Miss Illinois 2007 Ashley Hatfield was the evening's honored guest. Victoria
Davis was crowned Miss East Central Illinois while Chelsey Phelps was crowned Miss Prairie
Central. Two Outstanding Teens were also acknowledged: Gabrielle Borries as Miss East Central
Illinois Outstanding Teen and Bailee Rainwater as Miss Central Illinois Outstanding Teen. An
added highlight to the evening was the crowning of two Princesses from a group of seven
contestants- Teila Hicks in the 5-8 year age group and Mattie Spring from the 9-12 age group.