Ruby Vandevelde, the current Li’l Miss Kewanee, joined the Wake Up Tri-Counties to share her passion for service and community involvement. Since beginning her reign last July, Ruby has organized drives collecting 1,800 pounds of food for local pantries and food for the Kewanee Animal Shelter, working closely with other young titleholders. Ruby said her hero is Mitrese Smith, who was the Miss World Festival Queen in 2022, because Mitrese believes in her a lot, and she loves Mitrese very much. Attending Visitation Catholic School in third grade, she’s also active in art, sports, and school events. Ruby’s planning new projects for local charities and preparing to compete in the Li’l Miss Illinois pageant this July. She will attend the second annual Miss World Festival Tea Party on April 25, 2026. Her message to others: “Be yourself and never give up—you could be someone’s hero.”
