A pair of Galesburg girls took the top two places in the Li’l Miss Illinois pageant Sunday.
Kynleigh Fox, the daughter of Stacy Dunham, and Lia Barraza Sloan, the daughter of Leno and Sabrina Barraza, both competed in the Miss Illinois Youth Program along with other contestants for the title of Li’l Miss Illinois.
Fox was crowned 2024 Li’l Miss Illinois and Lia Barraza Sloan took the position of 1st runner-up. The Miss Illinois Youth Program in conjunction with the Miss Iowa Youth Program held a joint pageant Sunday in Muscatine, Iowa. Both the Iowa and Illinois Programs are modeled off of the Miss America Program with contestants competing in interview, on stage question, talent, outfit of choice and party dress.
The competition is open to contestants residing in each respective state ages 6 through 9 for the title of Li’l Miss and ages 10 through 13 for the title of Junior Miss. The programs fully prepare the contestants to go on to compete in each respective states’ Miss Teen and Miss competition.
Together the two programs were able to award over $10,000 in scholarships to the contestants. Fox received a $750 scholarship with her title of Li’l Miss Illinois as well as an additional $100 scholarship for receiving the Top Interview award. Barraza Sloan received a $400 scholarship for being 1st runner up as well as two $100 awards for Overall Top Vocal Performance and the Li’l Miss Community Service award.
All contestants are awarded a title and asked to make appearances and complete community service work throughout the year prior to the July competition.
