03/24/2025
March 24, 2025
The Miss Illinois Scholarship Organization, Inc. - Nancy Foote Memorial Scholarship was established in 2016 as a lasting memorial to the work and dedication of Nancy Foote, who passed away on March 24, 2016. Nancy was Co-Executive Director (with husband Bob) of the Miss Macomb Scholarship Pageant for 57 years (1960 – 2016) and held various positions on the state level with the Miss Illinois Scholarship Pageant. Following Nancy’s death, Bob retired as Executive Director of the Miss Macomb Scholarship Pageant, but continued his service to the Miss America program as a member of the Miss Illinois Scholarship Organization (MISO), Inc. Board of Directors up until his passing on April 1, 2023.
The $2,000 scholarship ($1,000 scholarship until 2019) will be awarded annually at the Miss Illinois Scholarship Pageant to the finalist with the highest interview score. The inaugural Miss Illinois Scholarship Organization, Inc. - Nancy Foote Memorial Scholarship was awarded on June 18, 2016 at the Miss Illinois Scholarship Pageant in Marion, Illinois. The inaugural scholarship resulted in a tie and was decided by the family that both contestants be awarded a $1,000 scholarship each.
Winners of the Miss Illinois Scholarship Organization, Inc. - Nancy Foote Memorial Scholarship are:
Miss Blackhawk Valley 2016, Jaryn Franklin - $1,000 Scholarship
Miss Chicago 2016, Kristen One - $1,000 Scholarship
Miss Springfield 2017, Summer Robbins - $1,000 Scholarship
Miss Heartland 2018, Breana Bagley - $1,000 Scholarship
Miss Chicago 2019, Megan Magee - $2,000 Scholarship
Miss Southern Illinois 2020-2021, Janna Harner - $2,000 Scholarship
Miss Mississippi Crown 2022, Annie Kamps - $2,000 Scholarship
In 2023, the scholarship was renamed the Miss Illinois Scholarship Organization, Inc. – Bob and Nancy Foote Memorial Scholarship to honor both Bob and Nancy Foote. Winners of the Miss Illinois Scholarship Organization, Inc. – Bob and Nancy Foote Memorial Scholarship are:
Miss Quad Cities 2023, Jessica Tilton -$2,000 Scholarship
Miss Kankakee 2024, Jennifer Mancini - $2,000 Scholarship
We are honored that Bob and Nancy’s memory and dedication to scholarships for young women will live on through this award. We are hoping to have this scholarship continue for years to come so your donations are greatly appreciated. Memorial Contributions (made payable to: SICF / MISO, Inc. – Bob and Nancy Foote Memorial Scholarship) may be mailed to:
MISO, Inc. – Bob and Nancy Foote Memorial Scholarship
726 Auburn Drive
Macomb, Illinois 61455
These donations are held in a scholarship fund at Southern Illinois Community Foundation (SICF) where all of the Miss Illinois Scholarship Organization, Inc. scholarships are held. All donations ensure Bob and Nancy’s passion to help young women gain scholarships for college will be a lasting legacy.
Thank you,
The Foote Family
Miss Illinois Scholarship Organization, Inc. – Bob and Nancy Foote Memorial Scholarship
