7-Year-Old 'Go-Getter' Raises Money For National Pageant

PLAINFIELD, IL — An extroverted 7-year-old from the Plainfield area is getting ready for the National American Miss Pageant in November. To prepare, Sophia Kiedro and her family are hosting a fundraising event at the new Juliet's Tavern in Joliet Aug. 11.

"She's been a go-getter and she's been working really hard trying to raise [money to go]," her mom, Patricia, told Patch. Fees for the pageant are near $1,000, she said, and on top of that are travel and food expenses that Sophia's helping pay for.

Sophia was originally invited to audition for National American Miss in 2020, but the pandemic through a wrench in those plans, postponing them to this year. At the recent state pageant in July, she ran for Illinois queen, winning fourth runner-up overall.

As part of the "queen's court," Sophia could be competing for a week in Florida starting Nov. 20 if she commits to the national competition. She'll be up against a few girls from each state at nationals, representing either Plainfield or Joliet, depending on other qualifiers, according to Patricia.

The Kierdros live in Plainfield, right the border with Joliet, and consider themselves part of Plainfield's community, Patricia said, but she's leaning toward signing to represent Joliet since that's where her husband works and where Sophia will be fundraising next week.

This pageant is Sophia's first, Patricia said, but she's used to performing in front of an audience, having been a competitive dancer at Vaughan Dance Academy since she was 4.

"[She] absolutely loves being on stage in front of a crowd and performing," Patricia said. "When we originally got this invitation to National American Miss for her to try out and become a state finalist, she really wanted to try it becomes she really loves being on stage."

While Sophia isn't prone to stage fright, Patricia said she tends to be quiet and doesn't like public speaking, so the competition is a way for her to get more used to it and become more confident, which is something the "all natural" pageant promotes.

At her upcoming Juliet's fundraiser — where 20 percent of the proceeds will go toward the girl's campaign, Patricia said Sophia will be walking around talking to guests about her pageant goals and where their money will be going.

"She's inviting anyone and everyone she knows to come eat there that night," Patricia said.

The fundraiser at Juliet's Tavern, 205 N. Chicago St., won't be Sophia's first either. She hosted a lemonade stand at her grandma's garage sale last month, and she held another one in her subdivision Sunday, where she raised about $300 in five hours, Patricia said.

Some people even drove by "handing donations out the window," Patricia said. They didn't want lemonade or baked goods and instead wanted to help Sophia out after hearing about her fundraising efforts on Facebook.

In the month she's been fundraising, Sophia made around $650, her mom said.

"I'm a little in shock she raised so much," Patricia said. "She's been working really hard to raise this money, but I think she really wants to make sure she's going."

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Throughout the process, Sophia has also had family friends help her, including a real estate agent and a photographer, and she loves interacting with people, Patricia said.

"At her age, it's kind of crazy how well she perceives good people in the world," she said.

Sophia's online bake sale is still running, and to order, those interested can message Patricia on Facebook.

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