About MISS DUQUOIN PAGEANT/RACHEL MARKS
The Miss Du Quoin Pageant began in 1951, in conjunction as a fundraising effort with the Du Quoin Lions Club Fall Celebration. Miss Du Quoin would solicit businesses and individuals in town to gain "votes" in the form of monetary donations. The contestant with the most "votes" would be crowned the new Miss Du Quoin! The very first Miss Du Quoin was Shirley (Boner) Cucchi. After Shirley, each year a new Miss Du Quoin was selected until 1980.
After a 40 year hiatus, pageant director, Rachel Marks, a Du Quoin native herself, brought back the pageant as a way for the high school girls to earn scholarship money to continue into higher education after graduation. The pageant chose its first Miss Du Quoin in January of 2020, and will celebrate it's 5-year anniversary, when Miss Du Quoin 2024 will be selected in December of 2023. Our current queen, McKinley Rider, can be seen around Du Quoin this year in various capacities as a public servant to the city and to its incredible community members! She is always available for appearances, various activities, and to attend any events to help with the enrichment of the city of Du Quoin.