Barry McNamara  |  Published January 08, 2020

Meet Miss Quincy

Emma Hildebrand second Scot in a row to be crowned Miss Quincy.

MONMOUTH, Ill. – For the second year in a row, the winner of the Miss Quincy (Ill.) title has a Monmouth College connection.

Emma Hildebrand ’20 of Mendon, Ill., was crowned Miss Quincy at the city’s 72nd annual pageant on Jan. 4. Her title came a year after Monmouth graduate Jessica Fox ’17 received the honor.

MISS QUINCY SCOTS: Emma Hildebrand '21, left, at the Jan. 4 Miss Quincy pageant with last year's ... MISS QUINCY SCOTS: Emma Hildebrand ’21, left, at the Jan. 4 Miss Quincy pageant with last year's winner, Jessica Fox ’17.Like Fox, Hildebrand was a multiple winner at the pageant, taking, as Fox did, the Platform Promise award for showing the most passion about her platform, which is focused on promoting civic knowledge and engagement throughout the community.

“With the help of the political science department at Monmouth College, I’ve been able to host pre-election informational events as well as start political groups on campus,” said Hildebrand, who has organized Monmouth’s Young Republicans group, as well as a non-partisan political discussion group. “My endeavors in Quincy and Adams County will be inspired by this great experience I’ve gained. I am partnering with State Sen. Jil Tracy to advocate for my initiative, host events and speak to groups around Quincy about the importance of a quality civic education.”

As part of her initiative, the political science major hopes to hold voter registration drives, help brief area residents on ballot content, and talk at schools to children of all ages.

“We are coming into an era when political polarization is at its height,” said Hildebrand, who spent the past summer in Washington, D.C., as an intern at the White House, working in the Office of Political Affairs. “Education has the power to bond people together and to bring our nation back to common ground.”

At the pageant, Hildebrand also wowed judges with her rendition of “For Good” from the Broadway musical Wicked.

“Nothing makes me happier than being able to serve my community, and I am incredibly grateful to have the opportunity to do so this year as Miss Quincy,” she said.

Fox was present at the pageant to hand over the crown.

“I want my successor to focus on impacting, influencing or informing the people they’re around,” Fox told Quincy television station WGEM. “People think the Miss Quincy scholarship pageant is all about beauty but, in reality, you get a $3,000 scholarship and thousands of dollars from community sponsors.”

In June, Hildebrand will compete against around 20 other titleholders at the Miss Illinois pageant in Marion, Ill. The winner of the Miss Illinois pageant will go on to compete for the title of Miss America.

Back to News & Events

Did you know?

  • <aside class="factoid-item"><div class="factoid-item-text"><p> We offer a certified Peace Corps Preparation program that gives Peace Corps bound graduates a leg up in the application process.</p></div><div class="factoid-item-links"><ul><li class="lw_related_page"><a href="/academics/peace-corps-prep/" target="_blank">Peace Corps Prep</a></li></ul></div></aside>
  • <aside class="factoid-item"><div class="factoid-item-text"><p><strong>Monmouth College is the birthplace of the women’s fraternity movement. Pi Beta Phi, the first such collegiate women’s organization, was founded at Monmouth in 1867. It was followed three years later by Kappa Kappa Gamma. The two pioneering organizations today boast a total of 275 active chapters nationwide.</strong></p></div><div class="factoid-item-links"><ul><li class="lw_related_page"><a href="/student-life/sororities-fraternities/" target="_blank">Sororities & Fraternities</a></li></ul></div></aside>
  • <aside class="factoid-item"><div class="factoid-item-text"><p> Monmouth College has an active Pipe & Drum Band. Each year on Scholar’s Day in April the bagpipers wake students up at 6:00 a.m. by playing in the residence halls!</p></div><div class="factoid-item-links"><ul><li class="lw_related_page"><a href="/academics/music/pipe-band/" target="_blank">Pipe Band</a></li></ul></div></aside>
  • <aside class="factoid-item"><div class="factoid-item-text"><p> Monmouth College is proudly test optional. Applicants may choose whether or to submit SAT or ACT scores for admission and scholarship consideration. </p></div><div class="factoid-item-links"><ul><li class="lw_related_page"><a href="/admission/apply/test-optional/" target="_blank">Test Optional</a></li></ul></div></aside>
  • <aside class="factoid-item"><div class="factoid-item-text"><p> We’re no stranger to winning. Last year the Fighting Scots won Midwest Conference championships in Football, Women’s Soccer, Women’s Basketball and Men’s Track and Field. </p></div><div class="factoid-item-links"><ul><li class="lw_related_urls"><a href="https://monmouthscots.com/" target="_blank">Fighting Scots</a></li></ul></div></aside>
  • <aside class="factoid-item"><div class="factoid-item-text"><p> Monmouth College offers several international trips each year during 2-week Scots Terms in January and May. Recently students have traveled to Botswana, Greece, Scotland, Japan, and more. </p></div><div class="factoid-item-links"><ul><li class="lw_related_urls"><a href="https://monmouthcollege.edu/offices/global-engagement/" target="_blank">Scots Term</a></li></ul></div></aside>
  • <aside class="factoid-item"><div class="factoid-item-text"><p> Monmouth College covers the cost for all current students to get a U.S. passport. Unlock access to over 198 different countries! We’ll even help with the paperwork :)</p></div><div class="factoid-item-links"><ul><li class="lw_related_page"><a href="/academics/study-abroad/" target="_blank">Study Abroad</a></li></ul></div></aside>
  • <aside class="factoid-item"><div class="factoid-item-text"><p> 98% of Monmouth graduates were employed or enrolled in graduate school within six months of graduation.</p></div><div class="factoid-item-links"><ul><li class="lw_related_page"><a href="/wackerle-center/career-services/" target="_blank">Career Preparation</a></li></ul></div></aside>
  • <aside class="factoid-item"><div class="factoid-item-text"><p> Monmouth College has an educational garden and 6.7 acre farm. Students grow and harvest fruits and vegetables to sell at the local farmer’s market. </p></div><div class="factoid-item-links"><ul><li class="lw_related_urls"><a href="https://monmouthcollege.edu/academics/only-at-monmouth/educational-garden-farm/" target="_blank">Garden & Farm</a></li></ul></div></aside>
  • <aside class="factoid-item"><div class="factoid-item-text"><p> Monmouth College offers unique academic minors in Global Public Health and Global Food Security for students who want to use their education to address global challenges. </p></div><div class="factoid-item-links"><ul><li class="lw_related_page"><a href="/academics/global-public-health/" target="_blank">Global Public Health</a></li><li class="lw_related_page"><a href="/academics/global-food-security/" target="_blank">Global Food Security</a></li></ul></div></aside>
  • <aside class="factoid-item"><div class="factoid-item-text"><p> 99% of Monmouth students received some type of scholarship or financial assistance.</p></div><div class="factoid-item-links"><ul><li class="lw_related_page"><a href="/offices/student-financial-planning/types-of-aid/scholarships/" target="_blank">Scholarships</a></li></ul></div></aside>