Several contestants plan to get MBAs, but almost everyone wants to use that degree to go into--prepare yourself!--a non-profit social service agency. It sounds good, and maybe they all mean it. But, dangle a six-figure salary, stock options, extensive perks, and a "golden parachute," and most of them will run over the Red Cross so fast it'll need blood transfusions.
Mixed into the career goals are some contestants who plan to be physicians, pharmacists, speech therapists, physical therapists, and others in the caring professions.
Miss America doesn't have to worry about a job or college for a year. Along with a paid chaperone, she will tour the country to sign autographs and give inspirational speeches about whatever her platform is--and, of course, to promote the Miss America Organization.
From the "toddlers and tiaras" stage to the stage at the Planet Hollywood Casino, beauty contestants are told how to look, act, and talk, even what to say or not say. The Miss America Organization--which makes the Mafia look like a second rate fraternity--doesn't tell contestants they must attend college. But, every one of the state winners plans to be a college graduate.
There is a definite bias against those who don't think attending college is important at this stage of their lives. And so, we don't see talented actors, singers, dancers, and musicians who are bypassing college to attend specialized non-degree-granting schools and enter their professions. We don't see contestants who, although beautiful and talented, are planning to be plumbers, electricians, or firefighter/paramedics. We don't see contestants who want to be gardeners, floral arrangers, or chefs. And, we most assuredly don't see women who are bypassing college to be part of major social movements.
[Walter Brasch, who attended several beauty pageants, although as a reporter and not as a contestant, is a social issues columnist and book author. His current book is Before the First Snow: Tales from the Revolution , available at www.amazon.com or www.greeleyandstone.com ]
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