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 Views,
Reviews, and Interviews
by Dianne R. Davis
diannerd@aol.com
Photos by Burt and Dianne Davis
Miss
America Pageant Is More than Just a Show - Pageant Unites and Reunites
Past, present, & Future
Another Miss America Pageant has been broadcast from its current home in
Las Vegas. Viewers get to meet the contestants and watch them compete
for the coveted crown. But there is much more to the process- and to the
contestants – than we get to see in a few hours of telecasting.
When you watch the yearly Miss America pageant, you are viewing not just
the present, but the past and the future as well. Each year’s pageant is
a reunion and meet and greet for former Miss Americas, a group of
award-winning outstanding women who were the past – the past Miss
Americas, but who are also the present and future movers and shakers,
women who continue to make a positive difference in their worlds. Past
Miss Americas have gone on to distinguished careers in all areas of
American life.
And with the addition of the Miss America Outstanding Teen, it
represents the future too.
Heather French Henry Miss America 2000 - The Past and Future
I had the opportunity to visit with Heather French Henry, Miss America
2000. Heather is a lovely articulate woman and represents the Miss
America organization well. In addition, like many of us, she has had
challenges and tragedy in her life and has moved forward and tried to
help those around her. Her platform was raising awareness of the plight
of homeless veterans.
Heather French Henry Miss America 2000
I asked Heather what brought her to Las Vegas and back to the pageant.
“The fans. They love seeing the former Miss Americas. And we love to see
each other. We’ve been in each other’s weddings and visited each other.
A lot of people don’t realize what a family it truly is.”
Since being crowned Miss America 2000, Heather has made significant life
changes. She and spouse Steve Henry, a physician and former Lt. Governor
of Kentucky, have two daughters, Harper, 6, and Taylor, 4. I wondered if
she would she allow, permit, or encourage her girls to enter pageants?
“I would encourage them to enter the Miss America system through the
Miss America Outstanding Teen (MAOT) program, our version of the Junior
Miss. I asked what advice she would give other mothers regarding the
Miss America or other competitions. “I would encourage them to look
deeply into the Miss America. But also look to the interests of their
daughters, see what they want to do and are they having fun doing it.
Help them to become independent women who set goals and learn to achieve
them.”
As for her own daughters, “I want them to see their mom had dreams, set
goals, and worked to see them come to fruition.
In addition to the establishment of the MAOT program, there have been
other changes.
“I am fortunate to have been in Atlantic City with its lovely stage and
convention hall and all of its history. But I am also aware that Las
Vegas was the needed next step. It’s a fun place, easy to get to, with
something for everyone. It’s a change for the better. We’ve also been
able to increase our scholarship awards. I received $35,000 in
scholarship. Now, the winner receives $50,000. The opportunities for
contestants have improved. Changes like cruises and the reality show
have given them more exposure and more experience. They also have longer
to prepare for the final competition.”
Heather is grateful for the exposure she has had because it has enabled
her to educate people about her platform. Her dad is a disabled Vietnam
veteran who suffered from substance abuse. Heather remembers visiting
the VA hospital when she was just four years old. And she saw first hand
the homeless veterans and their particular needs.
Her exposure during and after her reign have enabled her to focus
attention on the needs of veterans, from housing to medical care. More
information can be found at
www.heathersveterans.org .
Caitlin Brunell – The Future
Caitlin Brunell of Great Falls, Virginia won the title of “Miss
America’s Outstanding Teen (MAOT) last August. It’s hard to believe that
this poised young woman is only 15. I asked her to take me on a journey
to this moment.
Caitlin Brunell of Great Falls, Virginia won the title of “Miss
America’s Outstanding Teen
“I was dancing when I was three,” she told me. “I love performing and
doing dance recitals.” She was in her first pageant at age 10. “It was
great. I loved it. I was third runner-up.” Later, she heard abut the
Miss American Outstanding Teen. As top winner she received $30,000 in
scholarship for her future education. “We do everything the Miss America
pageant does except the swimsuit competition. Instead, it’s physical
fitness.”
What about the questions they ask the contestants? Oh yes, she told me.
They have to answer questions, but here’s how it works. Each girl puts
in a question and they draw for the one they must answer. So the
questions come from the girls themselves.
www.Caitlinscloset.org
Like the Miss America contestants, the Miss America Outstanding Teens
have platforms. “Caitlin’s Closet” provides dresses for girls who can’t
afford them for proms, homecoming events, and other special occasions.
“I collect dresses from family and friends. At one high school function,
she collected more than 80 dresses. She now has seven shops that attach
tags to new dresses stating that if the dress is returned and donated to
Caitlin’s Closet, the buyer will receive money off her next purchase.
More information can be found at
www.Caitlinscloset.org or at
www.MAOT.org .
Following her crowning, Caitlin was “taken by Lewis and Rodney, two of
the best security people that ever walked the earth to do my first press
conference.” She had breakfast a little later. “ It was really a late
dinner, but because it was past midnight, they called it breakfast. It
was kind of like an after party.” She said.
The pageant was in August. In September, Caitlin was back in school.
“Pageant officials basically told me that my school and family came
first and that after that came my MAOT activities which I did on
weekends.
In fact, according to Dianne Sarchet, Caitlin’s sometime traveling
companion, “MAOT writes every principal to tell them when a girl is
competing and what is involved and to solicit permission from the
school. They all say yes.”
I asked Caitlin what she enjoys most about being Miss America
Outstanding Teen. “I get to travel and visit schools and talk to kids
about being themselves. I tell them to find out who they are.”
What advice would Caitlin give to young girls and their families?
“First, if you become involved in pageants or anything, do it for
yourself. Be yourself. When I sign cards, I write ‘Dream Big’. Girls can
do anything. They can make their dreams come true like I did.
And her dreams for the future? “I hope to someday be crowned Miss
America. I want to graduate from college, have a successful career and a
family. I asked her wave an imaginary magic wand and go ten years into
the future. “Where will you be and what will you be doing?” I asked.
“I’ll be living in New York and performing on Broadway.” She replied
without hesitation.
I told Caitlin to save me a ticket. I believe this is a young woman will
reach her goals.
Dianne R. Davis with Caitlin Brunell
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