Wonderful Young ladies...

As I've mentioned in the past, I'm a volunteer in the Miss America organization. I've had the opportunity to know and work directly with many fantastic young women in this system. I'm going to drop some names here and list the titles they held recently...

Pamela Robertson Rutland ~ Miss JSU 1997
I got involved in the system because of my sister, Pam. I watched her compete and turn from a silly sorority girl to a purpose minded, articulate, young woman who paid for her Master's degree with scholarships she earned through competing.

Jana Sanderson McEachern ~ Miss Alabama 2000
My first (and only) trip to Miss America was in support of Jana. Jana and I went to the same church in Gadsden, College Heights Baptist. My brother, Matt, and Jana's older sister, Jill, were the same age. Our parents socialized together and I even had the opportunity to babysit
Jana on occasion. I won't ever forget Jana as a 17-year-old playing church softball for the first time! Jana made the Top 10 at Miss America that year and I met Kim Jolley, who turned my name over to the Miss Atlanta folks (I was living in Georgia at the time).

Brooke Anderson ~ Miss Atlanta 2001
Brooke was the winner of the Miss Atlanta pageant the year I was named to the board of directors. Brooke is now the entertainment correspondent for CNN.

Amy Mulkey ~ Miss Georgia 2002, Miss Atlanta 2002
Amy was a huge Georgia Bulldog fan and a wonderful representative of both Atlanta and the state of Georgia.

Shannon Camper Gryska ~ Miss Alabama 2004, Miss Colonial Mall Gadsden 2002
Shannon is one of my best friends in the world. Besides being a phenomenal singer and entertainer, she epitomizes what this system is about. She is dedicated, hard working, intelligent, and cares about the people around her. She will always be my Miss Alabama.

Jessica Wheeler ~ Miss Colonial Mall Gadsden 2003
Jessica is a beautiful, talented and intelligent young woman. Through her Operation Smile platform, she has helped numerous young people around the world obtain reconstructive facial surgery. Jessica was 1st RU to Miss Tennessee two years ago and last year made the Top Ten at the Miss Arkansas pageant. We're proud to have her back in Alabama.

Ericka Bennett ~ Miss Gadsden Area 2004
Ericka is another example of what the Miss America system should be about. She is a talented singer and cares most about her relationship with God. She is a living testament to her faith!

Kelly Hawkins ~ Miss Gadsden Area 2005
I probably learned the most about Miss America during my year with Kelly. Kelly and I came from different backgrounds - and I'm not talking about the rivalry between JSU and Troy - and were able to work together pretty well. Kelly is in law school right now and I can tell all of you politicians out there to watch out! This is one lady who knows what she wants and is willing to work to make it happen. Kelly was 1st RU to Miss Alabama 2005 and won the community service award. It would not surprise me in the least for Kelly to be elected Senator or
end-up in national politics.

Kristian Crowe ~ Miss Gadsden Area 2006
Kristian is another wonderful vocalist and really took control of her platform during our year. She is a student at Jacksonville State and hopes to pursue a career as a music educator.

Jamie Langley ~ Miss JSU 2006, Miss Painted Rock 2007
Jamie is a wonderful woman of faith and lives her testimony daily. She is part of a gospel group, The Langleys, consisting of her mom, dad, and family friend Tyson Hall. Jamie made the Top Ten at Miss Alabama and was a community service finalist for her work with the American Heart Association.

Others I know but haven't worked with directly
Katie Boyd ~ Miss Tombigbee 2007
Katie is an awesome young woman! She was 1st RU to Miss Alabama 2006 and is currently (and I mean today) competing in the National Sweetheart pageant. Katie is a working on a double major in Dance and Communicative Disorders at the University of Alabama. As a sophomore,
she was named a USA All-American. She's a member of numerous honor societies and has contributed more to her platform than any other local winner I've ever known. Katie's platform is to banish underage smoking!

Sunday Vanderver
Sunday is another young woman that I'm amazed to know. Like Kelly, Sunday is in law school and hopes for a career in politics. She is one of the most intelligent people I know! She's also talented, beautiful, and funny. I'm so grateful to be able to call her a friend. I expect her to one-day be the governor of Alabama!

There are many other wonderful, talented, young women dedicated to a cause and to better themselves. You can find out more at Miss America's Website.