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Erin O'Connor playing Juliet in a Bard in the Barn unrehearsed Shakespeare play.
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WIU Thespian Erin O'Connor Named Miss Illinois

June 22, 2009

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MACOMB, IL - - Erin O'Connor, a Western Illinois University theatre-acting major and dance minor, was crowned the 2009 Miss Illinois June 20 at the Miss Illinois Pageant in St. Charles. She will advance to the Miss America Pageant, which will be televised live on Jan. 30, 2010 on TLC.

O'Connor (Evergreen Park, IL) was crowned the 2009 Miss Macomb on March 30. Her platform, "Take Care: Skin Cancer Education and Prevention," is dear to her heart since her mother passed away from the disease. For her talent, O'Connor danced ballet on pointe.

On Monday before the state pageant, O'Connor was presented with a key to the City of Macomb for good luck.

An American Cancer Society volunteer, O'Connor was a team captain in a Spring 2009 Relay for Life event that raised $1,500 for cancer research. She also speaks to children at area schools about skin cancer prevention.

She has performed in University Theatre productions, unrehearsed Shakespeare plays through the theatre department and two major dance shows each year.

O'Connor is the fourth Western Illinois University student to be named Miss Macomb and then win Miss Illinois. It has been a decade since Western's Marching Leathernecks Band Baton Twirler Amanda Meadows was crowned Miss Illinois (1999). Previous WIU Miss Macomb to Miss Illinois winners were Nancy Beaty (1977) and Carolyn Paulus Woodman (1972). Macomb High School graduating senior Kristin Castillo won the Miss Illinois title in 2001.

Erin is the daughter of Terrence O'Connor of Evergreen Park and a graduate of Mother McAuley Liberal Arts High School.

Posted By: University Communications (U-Communications@wiu.edu)
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