The Lewandowskis are the first mother-daughter duo to each hold the Miss Illinois title. As Vivica prepares for the national competition, her mother said the experience has brought back memories from her own pageant journey.
"It has brought back some great memories for me. You see the buses when you walk into the hotel everything with Miss USA," Mandy Lewandowski said.
Vivica grew up around the pageant world, and her parents said the experience has helped build her confidence.
"The transformation. I've seen with my daughter when she started doing the pageants. I get emotional. It's incredible," said her father, Matthew Lewandowski.
At Barrington High School, Vivica was active in several groups, including dance. Her former dance teacher, Katie Zale, said she is proud to see her former student competing at the national level.
"It makes me so proud as a coach. Being able to see her progression from Barrington and all she was able to accomplish here and how going to a national level it fills me with a lot of joy," Zale said.
The first day of the pageant filled Vivica's schedule, and her mother said competing at Miss USA was a dream she had since childhood.
"I can remember Vivica when she was tiny and she would walk around with my crown on. It was so big it would be around her neck," Mandy Lewandowski said.
Regardless of the outcome, Vivica's family said they are proud of her accomplishments.
"Whatever happens this week we are proud of her. It's something they can never take away. Something she'll have the rest of her life just as my wife did," Matthew Lewandowski said.
Once the pageant concludes, Vivica plans to return to Arizona State University to complete her senior year.