Darien Mayor Joseph Marchese and Miss Northen Suburbs Paige Hollendonner | Facebook / Paige Hollendonner
Darien Mayor Joseph Marchese and Miss Northen Suburbs Paige Hollendonner | Facebook / Paige Hollendonner
The Darien City Council recently recognized a local resident for the work she has done as part of her involvement with the Miss America Organization.
Paige Hollendonner, who has been in the organization since 2020 and is currently serving as Miss Northern Suburbs of Illinois, strives to bring awareness and funding to a social impact initiative called Hear My Hands which focuses on the importance of American Sign Language and its ability to foster communication.
“I'm really excited to begin this journey and continue my community service work here in Darien,” Hollendonner said at the Dec. 19 city council meeting. “Today I actually had the opportunity to visit Mark DeLay Elementary School and teach the entire second grade about sign language and the opportunities that young women will have in the Miss America Organization. So I'm just very honored to be here, and I appreciate the recognition.”
Hollendooner also posted about the experience on the Miss Northern Suburbs Facebook page, saying how grateful she was to be recognized by the council of her hometown of Darien and also visiting her old elementary school wearing her crown. She is excited to wear her Darien pin with pride as she continues to represent the community in the competition.
Hollendonner is competing for the title of Miss Illinois this June.
She has worked in many communities throughout the area and has won over $25,000 isn scholarships toward a bachelor’s degree.
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