Publications & Sites 
Libertyville crowns 3 new queens
Dressed in her "business suit", Miss Libertyville contestant April Dejon, 16, shows her speech and communication skills. | Rob Dicker~Sun-Times Media
Article Extras
Updated: July 22, 2012 6:09AM
Libertyville has its new queens for 2012.
Kadre Kappes, 18, was crowned Miss Libertyville at the Libertyville pageants in Cook Park on June 14. Allison Nelson, 13, took the Junior Miss crown and Emily McLean, 8, was named Little Miss.
Eleven girls competed in this year’s pageants, two in the Miss Libertyville category, six for Junior Miss and three for Little Miss, according to pageant director Bunny Otrembiak. “They were darling girls, inside and out,” said Otrembiak. “All of them tried to do their best. You would have thought this was a professional production based on the performance of these young ladies.”
Kappes is daughter of Paul and Chris Kappes of Libertyville. She recently graduated from Carmel High School in Mundelein and will attend Indiana University in the fall.
“It was very exciting,” said Kappes at being named Miss Libertyville. “The best part was seeing all my family and friends there. It was a fun night.”
Kappes said this was the first year she has competed in the Libertyille pageants. “I think I’ve learned a lot of valuable life skills and I think I gained a lot of confidence from the experience,” she said.
Nelson is daughter of Mary and Michael Nelson of Libertyville. She will be an eight-grader at Highland Middle School in the fall.
‘I was ecstatic’
“I was ecstatic,” said Nelson. “It was the last year I could compete (for Junior Miss) because of my age bracket. I was so excited when my name was called.”
Nelson also won the Little Miss pageant in 2005. She plans to eventually compete for Miss Libertyville and would like to win all three crowns.
“I’m just thrilled to be able to represent my community again,” she said. “I loved being Little Miss so I think it will be a really fun experience.”
McLean attends Butterfield School and is daughter of Karen and David McLean. McLean said this is the second year she has competed for Little Miss and was “very excited” to win.
The girls were judged in a variety of categories including interviewing and speech skills, as well as a casual wear and evening competition. There was a swimsuit competition for Miss Libertyville contestants only.
The winners of the pageants received gift boxes with a variety of gift certificates, gift cards and other items donated by local businesses. Pageant contestants have the option to compete in the Lake County Fair pageants in July.
The pageants kicked off the first day of the annual Libertyville Days Festival, which ran from June 14-17 in downtown Libertyville.
