Elmhurst Dancer Wins Miss Illinois 2013

Elmhurst resident and York High School graduate Brittany Smith won the Miss Illinois 2013 pageant title on Saturday night, beating out 31 other challengers to the crown.

According to The Southern Illinoisan, Smith displayed her talent for Irish dancing and cited her own desired graduate-school studies when asked a question about the dearth of women in science and engineering fields.

Smith is a Purdue University graduate (B.Sc. in health and kinesiology, dance minor) and currently works as a medical assistant and member of the Chicago Rush dance team, according to the website for Miss Northern Suburbs, which Smith won to advance to the Miss Illinois finals.

“As a dancer and future health professional, Brittany hopes to motivate and inspire others to maintain healthy life styles, both mentally and physically,” her bio on the site reads.

Smith will next compete against 49 other state contestants at the Miss America 2014 pageant on Sept. 14, 2013.