This spring, TheMash is giving one Chicago-area teen the chance to go to prom at no cost. We’ll pay for her outfit, but there’s a catch—you, our readers, get to vote on what she will wear.
But first, you get to pick who will be our queen. We received more than 100 entries, and we’ve narrowed our search to four finalists.
Who will win? You decide. From now until 9 a.m. on March 15, text, e-mail or go online to vote.
To help you choose, we asked our finalists for a little information about themselves. We’re also sharing a few lines from their application essays that won us over.
Let the race for PROMathon queen begin!
Joanna Izydorczyk
Senior, Chicago Academy
What her essay said: “I have a hard time picking out dresses and shoes because I don’t have a normal body type. ... I’m also very short. ... If I were to be your prom queen, I would be able to show people that I won, even though I’m not perfect.”
Tell us something really random: I sleep with a stuffed cow. His name is Moo Bear.
If I had a band name, our name would be: The Coco Puffs
My dream prom date is ... my current boyfriend.
My proudest moment was ... When I was in the 5th grade, I won a spelling bee. I won second place, an 8th grader won first place. I went against the best spellers in the whole school.
Things that make me smile: Love, my best friends, my boyfriend, my family, cows, lions, wolves, Taylor Lautner, reading, movies, summer, spring and being happy.
Anything else we should know? I’m 4’11” and I smile a lot.
Want Joanna to be our queen? Text JOANNA to 31286. Or, e-mail JOANNA (subject line: PROM) to themash@tribune.com. You can also vote online at themash.com or on our Facebook wall at facebook.com/mashchicago.
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Robyn Killingsworth
Senior, Bolingbrook
What her essay said: “I want to represent for all the girls with big dreams who may possibly have an obstacle holding them back. I want to show them that dreams do come true.”
Tell us something really random: My bowling teammates voted me most likely to rip my jeans in practice. It actually happened! Duct tape came in handy that day.
If I had a band name, our name would be: The McLovinz, because I love the movie “Superbad” and McLovin is one of my favorite
characters. My dream prom date is ... the New Boyz, one for each arm.
My celebrity frenemy is ... Angelina Jolie, because she makes great movies, she is beautiful and she gives a lot to charity. But she stole Brad Pitt from Jennifer Aniston.
My favorite word is ... “swagg,” because people tell me all the time that I got a little swagg, meaning the unique style, appearance and way I present myself.
Anything else we should know? I want to major in public relations when I attend college. I want to plan weddings and parties for celebrities and big corporations. I am currently a three-sport athlete, but volleyball is my true love.
Want Robyn to be our queen? Text ROBYN to 31286. Or, e-mail ROBYN (subject line: PROM) to themash@tribune.com. You can also vote online at themash.com or on our Facebook wall at facebook.com/mashchicago.
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Marlene Sanchez
Senior, Prosser
What her essay said: “As a student in Prosser’s culinary arts program, wearing the chef coat hinders my ability to show off my unique fashion sense. ... I have been dreaming about going to prom and shedding my chef coat for at least one night.”
My dream prom date is ... Edward Scissorhands. (Let’s hope he doesn’t cut up my dress!)
My celebrity frenemy is ... Cookie Monster. Love the cookies, hate the crumbs he leaves behind.
My proudest moment was ... being given the position of the sous chef in my culinary arts class. (The sous chef is second in command in the kitchen.)
Things that make me smile: The last school bell on a Friday afternoon. Seeing that there are no dishes to wash in my culinary arts class. Good Internet connection. Hearing the ring tone when my boyfriend calls me.
If my friend was down, I’d make them laugh by ... treating them to a hazelnut iced coffee at Dunkin’ Donuts.
Anything else we should know? I met my Lithuanian boyfriend on a social networking site. Even though we go to different schools in Chicago, we make the effort to see each other at least once a week. We have been together for seven months.
Want Marlene to be our queen? Text MARLENE to 31286. Or, e-mail MARLENE (subject line: PROM) to themash@tribune.com. You can also vote online at themash.com or on our Facebook wall at facebook.com/mashchicago.
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Cherie Wong
Senior, Lane Tech
What her essay said: “I would just like a chance to feel confident and pretty at least once in my life, and I would like prom to be that night. This might be the last time I will ever get to dress up for an event in life besides my wedding day.”
What sucks: Carrying heavy backpacks, slipping on ice and being sore for a week and being too short to wear jeans without having to hem them.
What rocks: Fashion, grilled cheese sandwiches, Tumblr, “Skins,” figure skating, acoustic Lady GaGa performances, movies, “True Blood,” the movie “Angus, Thongs and Perfect Snogging” and leather motorcycle jackets
My dream prom date is ... Logan Lerman.
My celebrity frenemy is ... Emma Watson, because I totally want to raid her closet but at the same time be jealous of said closet.
My proudest moment was ... getting into fashion school, which has been a dream of mine since I was a kid.
Anything else we should know? I read way too much celebrity gossip.
Want Cherie to be our queen? Text CHERIE to 31286. Or, e-mail CHERIE (subject line: PROM) to themash@tribune.com. You can also vote online at themash.com or on our Facebook wall at facebook.com/mashchicago.
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PROMathon schedule of events
March 4-15 (9 a.m.)
Vote for your favorite PROMathon queen finalist. The candidate with the most votes by 9 a.m. Monday, March 15, goes to prom for free.
March 21
Our PROMathon winner is revealed. Look for our special prom edition inside the Chicago Tribune.
March 24
Miss the Sunday issue of TheMash? No worries. The winner will also be announced in our regular Thursday edition in schools.
April 8-12
Vote for one of three dresses. Our queen will wear the gown with the most votes to the dance.
April 15-19
Vote for the PROMathon queen’s shoes and accessories.
April 21-26
Choose our queen’s hairstyle.
April 29
See the PROMathon queen’s final look in TheMash.
