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Regional NUR1 nwes 1 ricKAku avenon o WMHMday, July 24, IMS Papt 11 . . . It takes more than beauty to capture these titles By Joe Agnew Herald staff writer A woman seeking to hold the title of Miss America or Miss Illinois must meet certain criteria. She must obviously be a female, but also a high school graduate and between the ages of 17 and 26. She cannot have a marriage in her present or past; nor possess any closet skeletons that might damage her image. But to be a winner of one of these titles, it also takes talent, brains and beauty, and a definite flair for professionalism and public relations. Both titles carry with them a seemingly endless schedule of appear­ ances, ranging from political inaugurations to shopping center openings. Elgin played host to two beauties recently, Miss America Charlene Wells, and Ruth Booker, the former Miss Illinois. Both displayed the sense of style and savvy judges apparently look for when seeking a representative for their state or nation. Besides having much in common in the area of beauty and brains, they both have the uncanny ability to ingratiate themselves to anyone they talk to. Wells, 20, of Salt Lake City, Utah, breezed through a press conference at an Elgin hotel before going to Hemmens to rehearse for the pageant. During rehearsals, she showed a self-assuredness that probably im- • . ? pressed judges who gave her the Miss America title, and which she has probably fine-tuned during her reign. She first sang along to some recorded music, but stopped after a minute, obviously confident she could do the song when her time came. She then motioned the music director to go on to the next one. The song, "Out Here on My Own," from "Fame" set the mood as Wells appeared in the spotlight. She expertly ran through the song then confidently walked towards the bacK stage, announcing aloud, "Now we'll try the piano." She rehearsed her piece flawlessly, then left the stage. Her total time couldn't have taken any more than 15 minutes, yet people watching could tell there, was no way this young woman would not be prepared when called. Wells admitted during her press conference that she had never expected to become a "glamour girl." While growing up, she said, "I was always a tom-boy, and everybody, called me Chuck. That's obvious­ ly far from what I am now." During her reign, Wells said she has learned to be, and is still working on improving her flexibility, admitting that she's learned not to get upset when she's thrown off schedule. "Real life's just not that way," she said. She said that technically, she is limited to four hours of appearances per day, but that does not include traveling time or press conferences. When those thjngs are included, she said her days can last as long as 12 hours. Wells said one of the highlights of her reign has been attending President Ronald Reagan's inaugural ball last January, and getting to meet him. She said she was also thrilled during visits to Paraguay, where she was born, and to Argentina, where her family lived for a time. During her visits, she was able to meet the presidents of both countries, and performed for them on the Latin American Harp while singing in Spanish, which she did for the Miss America competition. Wells plans to return to Brigham Young University this fall to pursue a degree in communications, and would like to use that degree to start a career in sports broadcasting. She said she would also consider studying for an MBA at Harvard. Without her crown, Ruth Booker, the former Miss Illinois, blended in with the chaperones and other curious onlookers as she watched rehearsals for the 1985 Miss Illinois Pageant. And before handing that crown to Karen Marie Moncrieff earlier this month, Booker said she enjoyed her role as Illinois queen, and as a "big sister" of sorts to the 38 contestants during the recent compe­ tition, where she was on hand to provide advise and moral support. "The girts are anxious, so I'm here to give them some first-hand advice," Booker said. That advice included tips on what they should expect from all phases of the competition, and what qualities she thought the judges would be looking for. Booker said she could relate to many of the girls' anxieties, noting that the jump from local to state competition is a big one, and that a lot more is expected of them. The 22-year old former Miss Chicago said there is a common miscon­ ception by contestants that if they are the among the first interviewed, they will have an advantage because the judges won't be prepared. "Believe me, they are," she said. She said "99 percent" of the questions asked of her last year by the five-judge panel concerned politics, noting that the first question asked of her during last year's competition was her opinion on the Rev. Jesse Jackson's involvement in the Middle East. She was also asked to name the first woman to serve on the Supreme Court, as well as the names of the first black and woman astronauts. Booker's tips for giving a successful interview were to study the national headlines and form opinions about current events. "I tell them to speak their minds and not to give a pat answer." she said."That's how the judges get to know you. "That made it easier." she added."At that point, they became human beings, and I stopped seeing them as intimidating giants. After that, the interview flowed nicely." During her reign. Booker said she traveled throughout Illinois and the U.S., doing some performing, modeling and telethons. Now that she has relinquished her crown. Booker plans to get married and "settle down." She also plans to return to school at DePaul University and study for her CPA. Although Booker was also the first black Miss Illinois, she contends the press made a "big whoopla" over it. She prefers to discuss what being Miss Illinois has done for her personally. "It has taught me a lot. and expanded my horizons," she said. RufhBMktr CkarlNt WbIIs Good Shepherd Auxiliary awards four scholarships k The Auxiliary of Good Shepherd fiospital has awarded four Scholarships to full-time s&utaBts pursuing capers in the^medical« profession. The recipients, Jane Stoutenburg, John Bochnick, Heidi Thompson and Jon Laakso, each received $1,000 scholarships. A six-year Barrington resident, Stoutenburg holds a bachelor of science degree in biology and a bachelor of arts in medical technology from Augustana. Cur­ rently pursuing a nursing degree at Elgin Community College, Stoutenburg is also a certified paramedic who volunteers with the Lake County and Robbins Rescue Squads. Bochnick, 23, is a medical stu­ dent a the Pritzker School of Medicine at the University of Chicago. A graduate of Dundee High School, he hopes to go into neurological research. Thompson, 24, a senior at Nor­ thern Illinois University, is a graduate of Lake Zurich High School, a dean's list student and a member of Omicron Nu National Honor Society for health and nutrition students. Majoring in dietetics, nutrition and food science, Thompson is spending her summer taking a course at the College of Lake County, volunteer­ ing at Good Shepherd Hospital, working full-time and competing in marathon races. Thompson is a Hawthorne Woods resident. Laakso is a Barrington resident and former VolunTeen at Good Shepherd. He is also studying at the University of Chicago's School of Medicine. A solid value for your dining room. 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