Cover story

COVER STORY SHINING MOMENT

Sycamore teen to compete for Miss America’s Outstanding Teen title

By KATRINA J.E. MILTON

kmilton@shawmedia.com

SYCAMORE – Ten years ago, Kylie Ryder of Sycamore watched her dance coach Hannah Bohn compete for the Miss America title on TV.

Bohn, who was crowned Miss Illinois 2011, finished in the Top 10 of the 2012 Miss America competition. Ryder cheered her on wearing a sash and crown, dreaming of the day she would one day compete.

At the end of the month, Ryder is traveling to Orlando to compete in Miss America’s Outstanding Teen competition. Miss America’s Outstanding Teen is a scholarship pageant and a sister company to the Miss America organization. The pageant aims to “promote scholastic achievement, creative accomplishment, healthy living and community involvement for America’s teens.”

On June 18, Ryder was crowned Miss Illinois’ Outstanding Teen 2021 at the Marion Cultural and Civic Center in Marion. She also holds the title of Miss Windy City’s Outstanding Teen 2020.

Although Ryder only started competing in 2020, she is familiar with pageants. For the past seven or eight years, she has danced on stage as a guest performer for the Miss Illinois pageant during the competition’s final night.

Bohn helps choreograph the opening numbers and fitness routines for the Miss Illinois Scholarship Pageant every year.

She describes the competition as “almost like a job interview, with speaking on stage, an evening gown, fitness and talent portions.”

“There’s often pressure from society to look and be a certain way, and the Miss America competitions embody everyone’s unique abilities,” Bohn said. “It’s not what mold you can fit into, but what you can individually bring. … I graduated from Huntley High School and was a nerdy dancer from McHenry County, but I was Miss Illinois 2011. It goes to prove that it can happen to everyone, and it comes from embracing who you are and not trying to fit into a mold.”

Bohn said words can’t describe her emotions as she watches her dance student compete in pageants. Bohn and her husband will travel to Florida to watch the competition and to cheer Ryder on.

“Seeing her get up on stage and go for it is just incredible,” Bohn said. “Seeing her succeed and do this is phenomenal. She is one of the most hardworking, passionate and talented students I’ve ever had, and her success has meant so much to me.”

During the Miss America’s Outstanding Teen competition, every title holder has a platform they advocate for. Ryder’s is #drive4life, which focuses on the dangers of distracted driving.

“The competition is so much more than what you think, it’s more than hair and makeup and dresses,” Ryder said. “It’s a way to learn more about social issues, education and politics and get involved in your community. You also get to meet others, network and form friendships.”

Ryder credits and thanks her parents, Jeff and Jessica Ryder, dance coach Bohn, director Rachel Johnson and the community for her success.

“Growing up in Sycamore really helped me become the person I am today,” Ryder said. “Everyone is supportive of each other and the community, and it taught me how to care about others.”

Her mother, Jessica Ryder, said Miss America’s Outstanding Teen is “not a beauty pageant, it’s a scholarship competition.”

“The majority of what she’s judged on is talent and interview skills,” she said. “She’s been a dancer since she was 3 years old, so she’s been preparing for this her whole life. She also has been preparing for the interviews and was an anchor on Spartan TV.”

Her father, Jeff Ryder, said he couldn’t be more proud of his daughter.

“When she competed for the first time in February 2020, it was definitely out of her comfort zone,” he said. “It’s amazing how much she’s grown and how her skills have developed throughout this whole process. Before a year and a half ago, we’ve never had an experience like this. If your child has a dream or ambition, let them follow it. Do anything you can to encourage your kid, and you’ll be amazed at how far they’ll come and the achievements they’ll make.”

After the competition, Ryder plans on attending the University of Iowa, where she will study communications.

“I’m excited for the competition, and I’m looking forward to it,” she said. “I know I’m going to make friends and gain skills that will stay with me the rest of my life.”

Photos provided ABOVE: Hannah Bohn (left) was crowned Miss Illinois 2011. Her dance student, Kylie Ryder, was crowned Miss Illinois’ Outstanding Teen 2021 and is traveling at the end of the month to Orlando, where she will compete in Miss America’s Outstanding Teen competition. BELOW: Eightyear-old Kylie Ryder wears a sash and crown as she cheers for her dance coach Hannah Bohn during the 2012 Miss America competition.

Sax soloist featured at children’s concert

THE MIDWEEK

The DeKalb Municipal Band will present its annual Children’s Concert at 7:30 p.m. Tuesday, July 27, at the Dee Palmer Band Shell in Hopkins Park, 1403 Sycamore Road in DeKalb. The band is under the direction of Kirk Lundbeck.

This year’s concert will be “A Musical Trip Around the Band,” giving those future musicians an opportunity to explore the various instrumental sections that make up a band. Musical selections to showcase the different instruments on the journey include “Clarinet Candy” (clarinets), “The Four Horsemen” (horns), “Bugler’s Holiday” (trumpets), “Shout’n Liza” (trombones), “Them Basses” (bass instruments), as well as the flute and percussion sections.

The band’s own Roger Ackert will step forward from the saxophone section to perform “Star Dust.”

Ackert, the band’s principal alto saxophone, has a bachelor’s degree in music from the Oberlin Conservatory, a master’s degree in performance and composition from Northern Illinois University, and a music degree from the U.S. Navy School of Music. He is skilled in the woodwinds family, with emphasis on the clarinet, saxophone and oboe.

Ackert’s first performance on saxophone was at the age of 12 on the “Totem Club” on WTTW in Chicago. He joined the Musicians Union at the age of 16 and performed in park district concerts and the opening ceremonies of the first two McCormick Places with the Armand Hand Band, was principal clarinet in the Nordic Philharmonic at North Park College, co-principal carinet in the Lake Forest Symphony and The Beloit Symphony and principal clarinet in the Rockford Symphony Orchestra.

On saxophone, Ackert performed in backup bands for major acts at the Metro Center, such as The Pointer Sis-

Photo provided

Roger Ackert

ters, Dionne Warwick, Bob Hope, George Burns and Lynda Carter. Ackert has performed in many other combo groups all over the Midwest, and in theater orchestras including Stage Coach Players. He has been on tours with Mike Embrey productions and is lead alto saxophone with the Shananigans Big Band. Ackert has performed with the Kishwaukee Concert Band, which premiered his composition “The Fall of Baghdad” as he conducted.

Ackert has performed with the DeKalb Municipal Band since 1963.

Additional musical selections on the program include “Thundercrest,” “The Barber of Seville,” “On The Trail (Grand Canyon Suite),” “Harry’s Wondrous World,” “Fandango” and “The Gallant Seventh.”

Admission is free; bench seating is available or bring a lawn chair or blanket. Guests are asked to follow CDC guidelines regarding places where people congregate, by social distancing 6 feet apart and wearing a mask when this is not possible.

For more information about the band or to donate to “Help the Band Play On,” visit www.dekalbmunicipalband.com. Visit the band’s Facebook page for up-tothe-minute happenings and to learn of any weather cancellations.

BRIEFS

Midsummer Showdown Cruise Night revs up July 24

SANDWICH – The Somonauk Education Foundation will present the Midsummer Showdown Cruise Night at 2 p.m. Saturday, July 24, at the Sandwich Fairgrounds.

Activities will include food, a beer garden, live music, dash plaques and truck pulls at 5 p.m.

All special interest cars, trucks, tractors and motorcycles are welcome.

Admission is $5 per carload. Proceeds benefit the Somonauk Education Foundation.

No outside alcohol is allowed at the fairgrounds.

For more information, call Kevin Zollars at 815-712-8398.

INBODEN’S MARKET

Gourmet Meats and Specialty Food Store 1106 N. 1st, DeKalb 815-756-5852

New Temporary Hours: Tues–Sat 8am–7pm; Closed Sun Visit Us At WWW.MEATPLACE.COM For Valuable Coupons BEEF BUNDLE #1

47 Lbs., Boneless, Trimmed, Take-Home Weight

Contains: 14 - New York Strip Steaks, OR 14 Rib-Eye Steaks (or a combination of the two), 14 - Top Sirloin Butt Steaks, 4 - Rolled Sirloin Roasts (4 to 4 1/2 Lbs. Avg.) 10 Lbs. Ground Chuck Cut, freezer-wrapped, flash-frozen to your family’s specifications.

$398.50

BEEF BUNDLE #2

47 Lbs., Boneless, Trimmed, Take-Home Weight

Contains: Rolled Rump Roasts, Swiss Steaks, Rolled Eye of Round Roasts, Round Steaks, Chuck Eye Steaks, Rolled Boston Roasts, Stew Beef, Boneless Chuck Eye Roasts, Ground Chuck Cut, freezer-wrapped, flash-frozen to your family’s specifications.

$259.50

80-82 Lbs.,

Trimmed, Take-Home Weight PORK BUNDLE

Contains: Pork Loin: Choice of Pork Chops, Country Ribs, (Roasts or a variety of ea). Smoked Ham: Choice of Ham Roasts, Ham Steaks, (or a combination of ea). Pork Shoulder: Boneless Roasts or Pork Steaks or a combination of each Bacon: Approximately 10 lbs., Thick or Thin Sliced. Sausage: Mildly seasoned, approximately 10 lbs. Spare Ribs: One rack Cut, freezer-wrapped, flash-frozen to your family’s specifications.

$288.50

CHICKEN BUNDLE

46 Lbs., Take-Home Weight

Contains: 20 lbs. of Boneless Skinless Marinated Chicken Breasts – Pick any 2 flavors: Italian, Southwest, Butter Garlic, Tequila Lime, Lemon Rosemary, Honey BBQ. 8 Stuffed Chicken Breasts – Choice of Wild Rice, Florentine or Cordon Bleu. 5 lbs. of Marinated Chicken Taco Meat. 10 Poultry Burgers – Chicken Bacon Ranch Burgers or Raspberry Chipotle Turkey Burgers. 10 lbs of Whole or Cut-Up Chicken. Cut, freezer-wrapped, flash-frozen to your family’s specifications.

$179.50

Photo provided Scanned copy of 1889 New Year’s dinner menu, hosted by Isaac Ellwood’s brother Chauncey. Courses included Nebraska Antelope, Squirrel Pot Pie, and Fromage de Brie. Courtesy of Ellwood House Museum.

Ellwood House presents ‘Handwritten History’

THE MIDWEEK

DeKALB – On Thursday, Aug. 5, at noon, join the Ellwood House and DeKalb County History Center for “Handwritten History,” a free lecture by Audrey King, the Ellwood House Museum’s curator of education and interpretation.

Three-dimensional objects often take center stage in museum exhibits, but letters, legal documents, and other texts can be some of the most helpful resources for understanding the past.

During this one-hour presentation, King will share the process of transcribing and caring for documents in the collection, uncover some of the stories revealed in these documents, and highlight volunteer opportunities in the collections space.

“Documents are special because you often hear about people’s lives in their own words,” King said in a news release. “Sometimes the information was meant to be shared, and sometimes you get a peek into a very personal side. Paired with objects, and with other sides of the same story, you can start to unfold a more complete picture.”

The presentation is part of Brown Bag Lunch/Local Lore, the museums’ series of free monthly lectures.

“Handwritten History” will be held in-person in the Ellwood House Museum’s Visitor Center. To register, contact Audrey King at 815- 756-4609 or king@ellwoodhouse.org.

Brown Bag Lunch/Local Lore is supported by the Mary E. Stevens Concert and Lecture Fund. The Ellwood House Museum is located at 420 Linden Place in DeKalb.

BRIEFS

Demmer, Keicher to host employment readiness webinar

DeKALB – State Reps. Tom Demmer, R-Dixon, and Jeff Keicher, R-Sycamore, will host a free virtual Employment Readiness Webinar presented by Kishwaukee College from 9:30 to 11:30 a.m. Wednesday, July 28.

The webinar will focus on job search strategies and tips on how to prepare for and succeed in a virtual interview. Local employers including Ideal Industries and Ferrara Candy Co. will share information about their companies and current employment opportunities. Participants will be able to interact with employment experts during the question-and-answer session following the presentation.

Registration is required and there is a limit of 500 participants. Register online at tomdemmer.org or repkeicher.com.

For questions, call Demmer’s office at 815-561-3690 or Keicher’s office at 815748-3494.