I'm not going to lie to you.
This is typically something I'd poke a ridiculous amount of fun at.
Picture it: girl in a skimpy purple getup, twirling her batons, vying for a chance at a crown and that elbow-elbow-wrist-wrist wave.
But for the first time, I actually know a Miss America contestant. And she's anything but a ditz.
Miss Iowa Diana Reed -- who served as the Hawkeyes' Golden Girl dance twirler during football halftime performances from 2002-2007 -- graduated from the UI Tippie College of Business in 2007 with the highest academic grade-point average in her college's graduating class.
Last night, her skills and poise helped her win the preliminary talent show on the first night of competition at the 2008 Miss America contest at Planet Hollywood Resort & Casino in Las Vegas. A new Miss America will be crowned this Saturday night.
I remember interviewing Diana for a recruitment brochure during her freshman year. So bubbly, so eager to learn and grow, so passionate about life and all it has to offer. Tim recently photographed her for an ad scheduled to appear in the Miss America program and seemed impressed with her attitude as well as her other assets.*
He displays her thank-you note on his shelf, next to his array of award statues. (She's no Bill Clinton, but hey...)
For the first time in the 87-year history of Miss America, the public will have the opportunity to select one of the finalists. While the judges will pick their 15 finalists, America can vote online for a 16th pageant finalist (announced during the live finale).
To vote, visit this link.
Miss Iowa hasn't made it to the top 10 in years and has never been crowned Miss America. I think it's about time we change that.
* Edited to note Tim's shock and displeasure at this bit of what he considers rather shoddy and sensationalist reporting on my part.
This is typically something I'd poke a ridiculous amount of fun at.
Picture it: girl in a skimpy purple getup, twirling her batons, vying for a chance at a crown and that elbow-elbow-wrist-wrist wave.
But for the first time, I actually know a Miss America contestant. And she's anything but a ditz.
Miss Iowa Diana Reed -- who served as the Hawkeyes' Golden Girl dance twirler during football halftime performances from 2002-2007 -- graduated from the UI Tippie College of Business in 2007 with the highest academic grade-point average in her college's graduating class.
Last night, her skills and poise helped her win the preliminary talent show on the first night of competition at the 2008 Miss America contest at Planet Hollywood Resort & Casino in Las Vegas. A new Miss America will be crowned this Saturday night.
I remember interviewing Diana for a recruitment brochure during her freshman year. So bubbly, so eager to learn and grow, so passionate about life and all it has to offer. Tim recently photographed her for an ad scheduled to appear in the Miss America program and seemed impressed with her attitude as well as her other assets.*
He displays her thank-you note on his shelf, next to his array of award statues. (She's no Bill Clinton, but hey...)
For the first time in the 87-year history of Miss America, the public will have the opportunity to select one of the finalists. While the judges will pick their 15 finalists, America can vote online for a 16th pageant finalist (announced during the live finale).
To vote, visit this link.
Miss Iowa hasn't made it to the top 10 in years and has never been crowned Miss America. I think it's about time we change that.
* Edited to note Tim's shock and displeasure at this bit of what he considers rather shoddy and sensationalist reporting on my part.
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