If the first-ever Miss Illinois Caribbean pageant calls attention to the plight of the people of the Caribbean islands, especially in the months after devastating hurricanes struck the area, Deon Lopez will call it a success. Lopez, a Truman College student who lives in Evanston, lost seven family members and friends when hurricanes blew through her native Jamaica last September. She came up with the idea for the pageant as a way to "create ambassadors" who could travel around the state speaking about issues that impact the 34 island nations. Many people are unaware of their struggles, although an estimated 250,000 people of Caribbean ancestry live in the Chicago area, she said. "There is more to the Caribbean than white sand beaches and smoking reefer," she said. "There are issues that have to be addressed, like poor economics, lack of health care, HIV." Raising awareness of the islands' living conditions is something Lopez had sought to do even before the deadly hurricanes. The past president of City Colleges' student government, she helped organize events that raised more than $2,000 in donations and "two truckloads" of clothing, food and other supplies. Lopez, who has a 17-year-old daughter and 19-year-old son, actually did more to help countries like Grenada and Haiti than Jamaica because they had worse damage. But her country was hit hard. Her grandmother's home was destroyed, and the woman was killed. Although 95, her grandmother was vibrant and mentally sound, Lopez said. "Grandma was my heart," she said. Goal is 'army' of ambassadors The pageant also should call attention to other issues, such as the spread of AIDS, poverty and poor infrastructure. Each contestant will be judged on a platform they want to promote in events throughout the next year. While there also will be an optional swimsuit competition, Lopez said the proposed platform and community service will carry the most weight in picking a winner. The winner will receive a college scholarship and plane ticket to any country in the Caribbean. Although the pageant already has some sponsors, she and four other organizers are approaching embassies, consulates, corporations and foundations to help cover the costs. Contestant Sylvie Jermie, 21, a Haitian who lives on the North Side and attends Truman, said many people are still homeless following the hurricane that struck her homeland. "They have no place to live and they end up in the streets," she said. Lopez hopes to create enough ambassadors from this and future pageants that "sooner or later we'll have a whole army." The deadline to enter the September pageant, open to Illinois residents of Caribbean descent who attend or have been accepted by a university or college, is April 30. For more information, see www.missillinoiscaribbean.com or call (312)924-9460.