As hard as the swimsuit competition looks on TV, the real work for Miss America contestants occurs when they're fully clothed and out in the community.
While each state representative does her part as a role model for young ladies everywhere, it’s not often when a Miss America contest affects real, printed-out-on-paper change.
It's more than a crown & sash.. It's what you DO w/ your title! Today bill #HB286 passed! We did it! @MissAmericaOrg pic.twitter.com/Tjz72WrVcs
— Ciera Pekarcik (@MissUtah2013) March 12, 2014
Miss Utah 2013 Ciera Pekarcik used her platform to help pass a new Utah law requiring sex abuse education to be included in the Utah school curriculum.
Ciera wasn't even the best-known person lobbying for the bill: Elizabeth Smart had already lobbied hard for it. Ciera, who was named Miss Congeniality last year, garnered the final votes it needed to pass the Utah state legislature.
No doubt the lessons learned in becoming Miss Utah helped Ciera in her noble endeavor. She knows the importance of hard work and smiling even if you don't like what you're doing. Both are key life values.
Ciera's initial career path wasn't wandering the state legislature and lobbying representatives. Rather, her stated career goal was to be a broadcast news lady. She never had trouble broadcasting herself before, as her talent in the competition was singing.
Most importantly, Ciera knows to how to win over a tough room. These aren't the droids you're looking for.
With Miss America Erica Harold running for Congress, we've seen beauty queens use their skills in the questions and answers portion of their pageants applied to a town hall setting. After helping get HB286 passed, maybe it's time for a career change?
As we saw in Florida and in Virginia, who says lobbyists can’t win elections?