Hannah Smith first captured the crown of Miss Huntley in 2009. Then the Huntley High School graduate won Miss McHenry County, and eventually Miss Windy City. On July 2, Smith was named Miss Illinois 2011.

Tomorrow, Smith steps into the national spotlight as she competes during a live television broadcast for the title of Miss America 2012. The 91st Miss America Pageant airs at 8 p.m. central time on ABC Channel 7, according to ABC.

The final competition for the week is being held in the Theater for Performing Arts at the Planet Hollywood Resort and Casino in Las Vegas, according to the Miss America Pageant website.

Miss America contestants from throughout the United States have been competing the past three days in preliminary round competitions. Each also completed a 10-minute interview with the judges.

So far, Miss Wisconsin and Miss Oklahoma each won talent rounds on Tuesday and Wednesday night, according to the pageant website. Miss Texas and Miss Utah won the Lifestyle and Fitness categories. Winners from Thursday’s preliminary competitions were not yet available.

Smith, who talked with Patch last month just prior to leaving for Las Vegas, is a ballet dancer and will perform Dance en Pointe during the talent competition. She has chosen distracted driving, such as texting and cell phone use, for her platform.

A junior at Northern Illinois University, Smith said she is seeking a bachelor’s degree in dance performance and business. She has worked as a dance instructor for five years at the Beth Fowler School of Dance in St. Charles.

Good Luck Hannah!

Related stories: Getting to know Hannah Smith and

Huntley’s Miss Illinois Prepares for Miss America Pageant