Who will wear the crown?
I recently told you about the Miss America 2008 pageant and that I'll be one of the 7 judges along with Robin Meade, Sarah Ivens, Trace Ayala, Jason La Padura, Jackie Joyner-Kersee and Kim Lyons...  You may find this surprising if you've paid attention to the pageant over the years... and you may even think you have an idea of what the program is all about... lots of makeup and big hair? Think again.The Miss America Organization has done some major overhauling and is now redefining who the new Miss America really is... a relatable "it girl" who can connect with today's modern woman. The heavy emphasis on outer beauty alone is long gone and replaced with the importance of selecting someone who's committed to making positive changes in the world at large. It's not a "beauty" pageant anymore but rather an empowering outlet for women and a search for a contemporary role model and community leader... Someone who can really represent her generation and can make great contributions to society and the world at large. And I'm truly honored to help select this American icon.In fact I'm writing to you from fabulous Las Vegas, where I'm in the midst of interviewing the contestants and getting to know each of them... What their cause is, what they stand for and what they really believe in. The reason I can really get behind this program is because I'm so committed to helping people, and it's truly an honor for me to help select one woman who can do the same... And in a big way. The Miss America Organization is one of the nation's leading achievement programs and the world's largest provider of scholarship assistance for young women. Get this, last year the Miss America Organization and its state and local organizations made available over $45 million in cash and scholarship assistance, helping young women nationwide to achieve their dreams and goals. Not too shabby...I'm really pleased with the refreshing new direction of this program, and I'm looking forward to this Saturday, January 26th, when the new Miss America is chosen LIVE on TLC. I really hope you'll be able to tune in at 8:00 PM Eastern to see for yourself just how different and improved the program now is. To your continued wealth and happiness, Labels: media, miss america |
You ask "Who will wear the crown?"
The crown belongs to all the women in America; the women who silently live their lives in an empowered fashion making the lives of those around them better for having touched them.
The crown belongs to all the women who commit themselves in each moment to live from a better place than they did the moment before inspiring all they meet.
The crown belongs to all the women who tirelessly and selflessly give of their hearts so that the world is made better and brighter for them having lived another day.
The crown belongs to all the women who are homeless and hungry on the streets of this country pushing around little carts laden with all their belongings trying to stay warm in the dead of winter.
The crown belongs to everyone of us. (So bring it home so that I may try it on!)
Judge well and choose from your heart; "it-ness" comes and goes, only unconditional selfless Love can make a true difference in the World.
Judging 101 courtesy of Amy.
Sent with Love and Joy!
Amy
So glad to see you following your bliss of helping others attain their dreams and goals in yet another way!
Great choice with Miss Michigan! Her parents and I have some very dear mutual friends!
The last time Miss Michigan wore the National crown was 20 years ago. Kaye Lani Raye Rafko caused a stir with her talent-a Tahitian folk dance-because we saw her navel! How scandalous! Her first week as the new icon, she went to Capitol Hill to appear in front of Congress. It was her dedication to the nursing profession that made the Miss America Organization institute a new requisite for all contestants - a platform. This girl didn't go to Disney World! The changes she brought about were done so by just following her dreams and being herself. How do I know all this "trivia" about her? She is from my small hometown. I think she personifies what you teach!
If it weren't for the Miss America Pageant system, Kaye Lani would never have been able to do what she has done for the nursing profession. Watching her journey through the 14 pageants she entered to win Miss Michigan awarded her the scholarships she used to go through college. What's wrong with that? She changed many a mind in my area on what this is all about.
Again, I say Bravo to you for helping others achieve thier dreams.
Tom "There's my buddy!" Rimer