TVSquad

I'd be somewhat interested in finding out why the women are so interested in this contest. Why is it so important? What does it mean if you lose? What do you *really* think will be the benefit of winning? Are you an empty, vapid shell of a person desperately trying to fill the void by calling attention to yourself in some misguided quest for approval?
Convince me it isn't a pathetic popularity contest and I would find that fascinating.

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I don't know anything about the pageant, but who are the extra two contestants? I would think there would be 50 and not 52.

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#1 The direct prizes are Scholarships $50K to the winner. http://missamerica.org/scholarships/recipients-2007.asp

Add to that it is a pretty good jumpstart (or at least used to be) to a career.

How, in your mind, is it any different that a college football player trading on his physical skill?

#2 I think it is PR and Pacific Islands to maybe just Guam.

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Eh, still sounds boring, but hey at least you get to look at chicks for a few hours still. I stopped watching it since I was a kid. I guess if TLC is going to "help us LEARN about the lives of girls that want to be Miss America" then it would be okay to have it on TLC. They should do a reality show on the ones that get drunk, do drugs, and kiss girls but still get a second chance from The Trump.

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I think it should just end. There is no need for it in today's world.

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"How, in your mind, is it any different that a college football player trading on his physical skill?"

At least sports players _do_ something. All the Miss America trials besides the swimsuit competition are there to detract focus from the swimsuit competition. If they could get away with it they'd have nothing but the Hot Girls Standing Around Naked competition and get to the heart of the matter.
In my experience this is nothing more than judging who is prettiest and reinforcing the idea that women are nothing but possessions whose thoughts confuse them and get in the way.

"The direct prizes are Scholarships $50K to the winner."

How much does it cost for one of these women to get this far?

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Hmm, a lot of people in the past have ranted that these are a collection of the more "less intelligent" young women. I can picture the tag line already... "Miss America Pageant on The Learning Channel, 'Have your children learn so they don't rely on looks' " meh, something like that.

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I was am a former Miss Georgia 1968. I can't tell you the motivation of all the contestants, but I entered to have the opportunity to represent my beloved hometown and to pay for my college education. I won the talent competition in a gown I purchased at Filene's basement in Boston for $15 and my competition gown cost a whooping $100! In those days, having the opportunity to represent your state was comparable to a man playing in the Super Bowl. I was booked for incredibly interesting appearances 6 days per week in 27 of our states. The variety was wonderful and educational. One day I might be with the Governor and the next day a group of little Girls Scouts. I had opportunities to introduce the C5A for Lockheed in Washington D.C., host the Pillsbury Bake Off with Art Linkletter, raise over $100,000 for the March of Dimes with Leonard Nimoy, host John Wayne when he filmed the Green Berets in Georgia, sing for a future U.S. President, host the International Rotarians in Honolulu, Hawaii, participate in a Presidential Inauguration, had a float designed for me to ride in the Rose Bowl Parade in Pasadena, California where we had the joy to meet Bob Hope, offer the commencement address at my college, etc. etc. How many venues offer such wonderful opportunities for a young women in her early 20's. That year created so many extraordinary new friends all over the country and a powerful network that still touches my life today. For those who really don't know very much about pageants, perhaps they should do a little research before making fun of them. The Miss America Pageant has financed the education of physicians, judges, lawyers, business owners, teachers, super Moms, actors, and certainly amazing community advocates. Perhaps this positive side of the pageant fails to make the press, but these fantastic young women have certainly gone on to make our nation a better place in which to live.

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I was am a former Miss Georgia 1968. I can't tell you the motivation of all the contestants, but I entered to have the opportunity to represent my beloved hometown and to pay for my college education. I won the talent competition in a gown I purchased at Filene's basement in Boston for $15 and my competition gown cost a whooping $100! In those days, having the opportunity to represent your state was comparable to a man playing in the Super Bowl. I was booked for incredibly interesting appearances 6 days per week in 27 of our states. The variety was wonderful and educational. One day I might be with the Governor and the next day a group of little Girls Scouts. I had opportunities to introduce the C5A for Lockheed in Washington D.C., host the Pillsbury Bake Off with Art Linkletter, raise over $100,000 for the March of Dimes with Leonard Nimoy, host John Wayne when he filmed the Green Berets in Georgia, sing for a future U.S. President, host the International Rotarians in Honolulu, Hawaii, participate in a Presidential Inauguration, had a float designed for me to ride in the Rose Bowl Parade in Pasadena, California where we had the joy to meet Bob Hope, give the Commencement Address for my college, etc. etc. How many venues offer such wonderful opportunities for a young women in her early 20's. That year created so many extraordinary new friends all over the country and a powerful network that still touches my life today. For those who really don't know very much about pageants, perhaps they should do a little research before making fun of them. The Miss America Pageant has financed the education of physicians, judges, lawyers, business owners, teachers, super Moms, actors, and certainly amazing community advocates. Perhaps this positive side of the pageant fails to make the press, but these fantastic young women have certainly gone on to make our nation a better place in which to live.

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The pageant provides scholarships to these young women. Some say they are brainless? Deidre Downs, Miss America 2005 is getting her Ph.D, Jennifer Berry completed her Bachelors in Education and wants to be a school teacher. Instead of bashing do some research. I would like for you to show me young people.. women who are commited to their community and manage to maintain excellent speaking skills, grades and don;t get into trouble. Most of these women are going to be far more successful than most of you ever will! WHY? Because of the confidence, speaking skills, and social graces that Miss A helps to give them. Can you name 1 other organization that can do that AND pay for college??

I am a former titleholder and paid only $500 for my entire wardrobe in 2003. In 5 years I earned well over $75,000 in scholarships to college. because of Miss A I NEVER took out a student loan and managed to earn a Bachelors and Masters degree. I am still a public speaker and have been named a national representative of a non profit organization.. all by the age of 28. Miss A girls have no brains? I beg to differ! We are smart, talented, beautiful women who serve our community.. oh and we look fantastic in swimsuits! Find me one woman who has NOT competed in Miss A who can say all of that!

In regards to loosing... you sill win money, and learn to be poised and gracious under fire! It really sets you up for life.. frankly nobody ever wins everything all of the time!

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