Mrs. International Pageant Contestants

Mrs. Illinois International®

Monica Furlong - 4th Runner-Up

People's Choice Award

1. Which celebrity do you think you look like?
In a world where you can be anything, be kind. When we embrace and spread kindness and compassion towards others and ourselves, we experience positive mental and physical health. Peopleâ€™s stress levels are lowered, and it creates a positive and impactful ripple effect. The act of expressing graciousness to one another can make us more empathetic of other peopleâ€™s adversities.

2. Which do your prefer? Talking on the phone or texting?
Women empowerment and watching my teenage daughter blossom into an independent, productive, and inspirational young lady. Celebrating life, spreading kindness, our family, our faith and watching our family grow together in love brings more excitement about love than I could have ever even known how to pray for.

3. What’s something you only do when you get bored?
I strive to teach myself and others to live in the moment and be present. In a world full of pressure and high expectations, it is important that we display gratitude and respect for one another. My mom always reminds me, â€œDonâ€™t sweat the small stuff as life is too short.â€

4. Are you overly loyal to any clothing brands?
Five. Every day, I am surrounded by 3â€“5-year-old children as a preschool principal. I am so fortunate to see the love, imagination and innovation of such innocence and unbridled potential. Everyone could learn from how 5-year-olds live in the moment and bounce back from anything that life throws at them with laughter and enthusiasm.

5. What is the biggest risk you have ever taken?
Whether it is a concert, a game, volunteering, or movie night, we focus on keeping that spark alive by enjoying being present and together. We include a slow dance to our wedding song on every date night; it takes us back through the journey of our love and family. It stops time and brings us such gratitude for all God has blessed us with.