Jillian Gruetzner
Miss Deaf Michigan 2007 - 2009
Jillian, a Michigan native, was born in 1989 to J. Karl Gruetzner (Deaf) and Rose Bonacci (CODA - Child of Deaf Adults). She has two sisters, one older - Rachel (hearing), and one younger - Karlee (Deaf). The family owns a Yorkie named Bluebonnet and resides in Farmington Hills, MI. Jillian was a part of the mainstream program in Bloomfield Hills from the 1st to 12th grade. She competed in the Deaf Academic Bowl as a member of the Lahser High School team for four years. Towards the end of her senior year, she transferred and graduated from Michigan School for the deaf with honors.
She is currently a college student and considering a major in either Education or Counseling. While her career path is yet to be decided, Jillian knows that she wants to be in a working position where she can help people. In addition to attending school, Jillian is keeping busy by working and volunteering. She already has secured a position with the Jr. Miss Deaf Michigan pageant committee as treasurer. This isn't the only pageant that Jillian is preparing herself for... she is going to compete in the Miss Deaf America pageant in New Orleans, LA during the NAD conference in July!
In her downtime, Jillian likes to socialize with friends, watch movies, and read novels. She cherishes her family and friends very much, and spends as much time as she can with them. Even though Jillian is a true homebody, she would like to travel and see some of the world in the future. Her goals in life are to obtain her BA/MA degrees, enlist and serve in the Peace Corps, write a novel, and be a contestant in Fear Factor!
A Pageant First
The first Miss Deaf Teen Michigan, Karlee Gruetzner and Mr. Deaf Teen Michigan, Ray McCall will compete in the Mr. and Miss Teen Deaf America Pageant at Model Secondary School for the Deaf in Washington, D.C. on March 5-8th.
New MDMPA Website
On April 6th, 2007 the Miss Deaf Michigan Pageant Association launched their new website design.
On our new site we've made it easy for you to access information. Site features include, color themed categories for Miss, Teen and Junior sections.
We've also added a Flash Image Gallery of all of our previous photo archives.
