Celebrating 19 Years as Barrington’s Signature Magazine
Celebrating 19 Years as Barrington’s Signature Magazine
The week of November 24, 2024, I represented Chicago in Orlando, Florida at the National American Miss National (NAM) Pageant. After completing 2023 as Miss Illinois, I had the honor to represent Chicago at one of the biggest events in pageantry. I competed in over 10 optional competitions and three required competitions. I had the opportunity to advocate for equitable education in front of hundreds of people, share information about my multimedia platform, “Jacey’s Journal,” and walk away as the First Runner-Up to the NAM title.
Along with this honor, I placed Top Five in spokesmodel, fitness, runway, correspondent, and talent, and won the Brand Ambassador award for my social media and am the new face of Ashley Rene’s Prom & Pageant brand for 2025. I will model and be in promotional materials. NAM grows confidence. As a 24-year-old who has been with this organization for over a decade, every time I compete, I become a better version of myself. The goal setting, coaching, and opportunity to take the stage and grab a microphone has shaped me into a confident woman. I am so thankful to my parents for supporting me in chasing my dreams!
I grew up in Barrington and traveled in my youth when I met my future husband, Karl, a mechanical engineer in the petroleum industry. After earning a B.S. in Finance at Arizona State University and an MBA from the University of Southern California, we settled in Singapore, then Australia—where our twins, Kyle and Alexis, were born. Faith and family are the most important parts of my life, adding the love of yoga, hiking, biking, and skiing that keep me centered. We then lived in The Woodlands, Texas, where Karl and I raised our family. A philosophy of curiosity and a promise led me to write my first memoir, “The Housekeeper’s Secret.” I grew fascinated by the mechanics of storytelling and the power it holds connecting family through the generations.
Here’s a portion of my essay about the book.
Lee entered our home like a quiet breeze, yet I felt her presence—a powerful force of nature. It was 1965, and I was just three years old, but I remember her arrival vividly. She carried a calmness that permeated the air as she walked into our home for the first time. But beneath that calm, even as a child, I sensed something unapproachable. As time passed, I was determined to find out why.
One autumn day in eighth grade, I was riding my bike to school when a speeding car slammed into me and launched me up into the air where I smashed through the driver’s windshield. For the next year the fog in my brain was thick, tangled, it nearly impossible to navigate. I struggled with basic tasks, even walking. I felt as if my brain was no longer mine. No one in my family knew what to do with this limited and struggling version of myself. Nor did my friends. Everyone was polite and patient until they grew bored or frustrated with my confusion and lack of focus. Everyone but Lee.
To learn more and the book and the author’s memoir writing, visit sandraschnakenburg.com
Before the pandemic, Barrington resident Jay Istvan was an enthusiastic member of a trivia team that met weekly at Flesk Brewing (now Sun Dial Brewing and Blending). “We had a great time. It was so much fun. I miss it,” he said.
Barrington resident Ray Kean expressed a similar sentiment about the game. He joined his fellow soccer team members at the Yankee Doodle Inn in Barrington for a rousing game of trivia. Via a network screen their opponents were from all over the country. “Each team was ranked. We enjoyed heckling each other. I do miss going out with the guys.”
Trivia nights occur sporadically at the Barrington Area Library, Park District, and private group events. In some lifestyle communities such as The Garlands and Lake Barrington Shores the game is popular. Yet open public-invited weekly games in the Barrington area are scarce. I wonder why. Trivia nights can increase revenues for bars and restaurants. And they do more than that.
After enjoying the game with a private group at the Wild Onion Brewery in Lake Barrington I did some research. I learned what many players of the game recognize: trivia nights have many benefits for the spirit and the brain. You learn new things. You build connections with people. You laugh. Team play encourages cooperation and good communication. You enjoy food and drinks. I thought I would be good at literature and history categories. In reality, I answered more questions correctly in the science and fashion categories. Go figure. The game is a lot of fun and no one should underestimate the power of fun.
To whet your appetite, see if you can answer these Barrington-based trivia questions. Correct answers can be found in this issue’s Letter From the Editor.
1. What was the most popular fiction title at the Barrington Area Library in 2024?
A. The Women
B. The Household
C. Fourth Wing
2. Thirty days into the 2024 school year how many students were enrolled in District 220 schools?
A. 4,154
B. 6,252
C. 7,988
3. In 2016 what species did the Barrington Area Conservation Trust launch a campaign to protect by restoring its habitat?
A. White tailed deer
B. Monarch butterfly
C. Bur Oak tree
4. How many villages does The Barrington Area Chamber of Commerce include in the Barrington Area?
A. 6
B. 9
C. 11
5. Which order would a pro at Good Shepherd Health & Fitness Center recommend as the most effective way to work out?
A. Cardio then strength training
B. Strength training then cardio
C. Doesn’t matter as long as you do both
Share this Story
