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Harwood Heights teen is pageant finalist
Nicole Saineghi of Harwood Heights is a finalist in the Miss Illinois Teen USA Pageant. | Contributed photo
Updated: December 30, 2012 3:27PM
HARWOOD HEIGHTS — Nicole Saineghi is a finalist in the Miss Illinois Teen USA Pageant. She competed for the title Nov. 30 at the McCormick Place Hyatt.
Q: How long have you lived in Harwood Heights?
A: I’ve lived here since 2004. My step-dad has been here since 1983.
Q: What about Harwood Heights makes you proud?
A: The people are kind and friendly. We also have the best restaurants around.
Q: What is your favorite community event?
A: I used to enjoy going to the Red Ribbon Walk each October. I’m disappointed that they no longer have the walks. The community should unite to keep kids from doing drugs.
I always enjoy going to the Island in the City Festival. I go every year and meet up with people from grade school. The rides are fun and it is a great event that my friends and I look forward to every summer.
Q: What is your favorite restaurant in town?
A: My two favorite restaurants are Vince’s and Family Palace, and they both happen to be in Harwood Heights.
Q: If you were mayor for the day, what would you do?
A: According to Village Hall we have a balanced budget, so I would go to the police department, fire department, Public Works and everyone who works for the village and thank them for their contributions to making our community run smoothly and make sure that they feel appreciated. It is the people who make Harwood Heights a great place to live.
Q: What inspired you to compete in the Miss Illinois Teen USA pageant?
A: I like dressing up and getting glamorous and also meeting new people, so this seemed like the perfect opportunity for me.
Q: What are your future career/volunteering goals?
A: I want a career as a make-up artist. As a make-up artist, I want to create an organization to give make overs to women who have had a mastectomy or chemotherapy treatments to help give them their confidence back by showing them that they are still beautiful.
Q: What is your proudest moment or greatest achievement?
A: When I donated 10 inches of my hair to Locks of Love.
Q: What is your favorite movie?
A: “Limitless.”
Q: What’s on your iPod?
A: I have such a variety of music, from Justin Bieber to the Beatles.
Q: What’s your favorite vacation destination?
A: I enjoy all of my family vacations that have been to Florida, Wisconsin, Michigan, Washington D.C. and Arizona. I would love to go to Italy and experience my culture first-hand by seeing the architecture and landscapes, going to the museums, looking at all of the paintings and sculptures. Most of all, I would like to eat the authentic Italian food.
Q: Are you a summer or winter person?
A: A great advantage of living in Illinois is that we get to experience all of the seasons.
Q: What is your favorite Chicago sports team?
A: White Sox.
