Rene Shelton has been a  licensed cosmetologist for the past 27 years. She is employed at Lush Hair & Company. She resides in Springfield with her husband of 45 years, Dug. They have two amazing sons, Joshua of Springfield and Chance of Hampton, Va. They are also blessed with 2 beautiful grandsons. Zane and Zachary.

Rene has been associated with the Miss America Organization since 2000 and was proud to be part of the Miss Land of Lincoln local when Erica Harrold won her local title going on to become Miss America 2003.Our program has also included 2 Miss Illinois and 2 Miss Illinois Teen's among numerous top 10 and top 5 finalist. Rene has been the executive director for the Miss Capital City/Miss Land of Lincoln locals as well as the Miss Independence local. 

"My main goal is to empower young women to achieve their greatest potential and dreams through community service, education and sisterhood. It's not about the crown but what you leave as a legacy when you remove the crown"!

As Chief Financial Officer of the American Lung Association, Laura Scott oversees the Association’s finance strategy and risk management.  In her role, she helps maximize Lung Association resources to achieve the financial goals of its strategic plan, while maintaining its position as a leader in financial transparency and efficiency.  She is responsible for enhancing financial effectiveness in partnership with the Association’s Executive Leadership Team and informing key stakeholders of financial status and investment plans.

Prior to joining the American Lung Association, Laura began her career in public accounting, with the firm of Sikich LLP.  She had over 10 years of assurance and consulting experience, managing audits of non-profit organizations and government agencies, and providing consulting services that assisted not-for-profits clients to maintain mission-centric outlooks partnered with organizational and infrastructure excellence.

Laura holds a bachelor’s degree in accountancy from the University of Illinois and is a member of the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants.  She lives in Springfield, Illinois with her husband, Troy, and is a proud mother of two children, Donovan and Liberty.

My name is Janet Hay-Collins. I currently reside in Girard, Illinois, with my husband of eight months and our Yorkie named Odie. I have a 19 year old son, Mitchell, whom I am extremely proud of. He's about to enter his second year of college, seeking a psychology degree at UIS in Springfield. I recently celebrated my 39th year work anniversary at Blue Cross Blue Shield of Illinois. I began my employment as a Typist 1, on yes, a typewriter! I literally grew up with this company, holding various positions all of which has led me to my current title of Director in the Provider Contact Center. I've had the privilege of having great leaders throughout my career, which is truly why I enjoy participating in the Miss Capital City program. Watching the next generation of leaders conquer their nerves and step onto the stage. These young ladies are destined to great things. Experiencing the Miss Capital City program will provide them with the experiences needed to accomplish their dreams. For that alone, I am honored to participate in this wonderful organization! 

Janelle Strite is an accomplished stylist and owner of Lush Hair & Company based in Springfield, Illinois, with a stunning 30 years of experience in the beauty industry. Her expertise spans beyond hairstyling; she is also a seasoned event planner with 20 years of experience, specializing in weddings and beauty trade shows. With a keen eye for detail and a flair for creativity, Janelle has successfully planned countless memorable events.
In addition to her work in beauty and event planning, Janelle has spent the last decade working as a general contractor, flipping houses with a focus on design and quality craftsmanship. Her ability to blend style, function, and aesthetics shines through in every project she undertakes.
When she's not working, you can find Janelle in her backyard, nurturing her garden. Her love for tropical plants has transformed her outdoor space into a vibrant oasis, reflecting her passion for nature and beauty.
Janelle is also a proud mother of two. Her daughter, Whitney, 22, is a graduate of SIU Carbondale with a degree in biomedical sciences and is currently pursuing a career as a physician assistant in Alabama. Her son, 27, works for the Missouri Department of Transportation. He is married to Tiffany, and they have three children—Jayce, Levi, and Madilynn—with another son on the way.