AT Marketing/Pageant Prep by Amy

08/31/2026

I am the pageant director for the Covington Apple Fest Queen & Junior Miss Pageant.
My pageant was Saturday (two days ago.)
I take great pride in this hometown pageant and pour my heart and soul into it. I love getting to know the contestants and their families and build relationships with them. That’s what a professional and dedicated person should do when in this type of role.

I am not going to name names (she will know who she is) but when I am told (and yes this person witnessed it) that a lady at the pageant was making rude comments about contestants then the “momma bear” comes out in me.
Shame on her…especially since she herself was a contestant many times in pageants and now directs one!
As a director (and female) you are supposed to lift young women up, support and encourage them - especially when you, yourself, are in a mentoring role.
Some people should never be pageant directors. They do it for a “title” I guess. I hope every person who reads this thinks long and hard about what words come out of their mouths.

Photo of the amazing contestants with the 2025 Queen Alexis, 2025 Junior Miss Delilah & 2025 ISFA Queen, Jordyn Leininger ❤️🍎

08/22/2026

A few photos from last weekends Illinois Festival Pageants…be sure to check out their page to see photos of all of the contestants and winners!
This was my seventh consecutive year as mistress of ceremonies and each year this pageant continues to grow. Great job to Director, Melissa Hufford Muirheid and to every single contestant who participated
💙🎉👑

08/15/2026

Wishing the VERY best to all of the 47 contestants competing in the Illinois Festival Pageants this weekend! These ladies have all been working very hard.

A special SHOUTOUT to the director, Melissa Hufford Muirheid for the HOURS of work she puts into making this an amazing experience from these young ladies who travel from all over the state of Illinois to be here.

This is the 10th year for this pageant which is quite a milestone!

I am happy to once again be of assistance to Melissa as the emcee for the event.

Have a great weekend, ladies!

08/15/2026

Join us at the Decatur Civic Center for the 2026 Illinois Festival Pageants

✨ TOMORROW! ✨

Join us for the 2026 Illinois Festival Pageant on Sunday, August 16th at the Decatur Civic Center!

🎟️ $15 admission
🚪 Doors open at 1 PM
👑 Pageant begins at 2 PM
🅿️ Free parking
🌮 Fusion Fiesta food truck will be outside
👑 Visiting royalty receives FREE admission. Chaperones must purchase a $15 admission ticket

08/14/2026

TOMORROW is the deadline to enter!

08/12/2026

Wednesday morning thoughts

It’s never too late to reinvent yourself.
If you feel you are in a position where your job or an organization no longer brings you joy or is “sucking the life out of you” then it’s time to reevaluate.

We only have so much time on this earth so use that time as if today is your last day here.

08/09/2026

I hope Goldwater finds the perfect fit. This nursing home was formerly Colonial Manor where my own grandmother spent her final days before passing away at the hospital. They had a great reputation. Know a licensed Illinois nursing home administrator? Let them know about this position.

08/06/2026

🎉A big congratulations to sisters, Audrey and Lexie Cornelius!

These young ladies walked away as both placing as Audrey receiving 1st Runner-Up and Miss Photogenic in the Bond County Fair Queen Pageant and Lexie receiving 2nd Runner-Up and Miss Photogenic in the Junior Miss Bond County Pageant.

I am extremely proud of both of them! ⭐️🖤🎉

08/05/2026

If anyone is at the Miss Effingham County Fair Queen Pageant can you please post under this post any updates as they are avialable. Thank you. :)