Being crowned Miss Ball State University may sound glamorous, but the truth is it's a job. Immediately after being crowned that job begins. The winner embarks on a year of service to the Muncie community and to the university.
This year long journey began for Miss Ball State 2003 Lindsey Helmer nearly a week ago when she was crowned by last year's winner Jennie Keller.
| How many women compete? |
| - More than 10,000 women compete at the local level for scholarships and opportunities annually. |
| - More than 1,100 ambitious local winners compete at the state level. |
| - 51 are known forever in their state and compete for the job of Miss America. |
| - One becomes the legend traveling 20,000 miles each month. |
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| To be a contestant: |
| - Between ages of 17 and 24. |
| - Be a U.S. citizen. |
| - Meet residency requirements for competing in a certain town or state. |
| - Meet character criteria as set forth |
| by the Miss America Organization. |
| - Be in reasonably good health to meet |
| the job requirements. |
| - Be able to meet the time commitment and job responsibilities as set forth by the local program in which you compete. |
Helmer has been a contestant in the Miss America Program for approximately a year. After being named second runner-up in Miss Ball State 2002 she began participating in other Miss Indiana locals across the state.
To prepare for the contest she spent countless hours choosing her wardrobe, working out, implementing her platform and attending rehearsals. She claims to devote some time each day for preparation.
"Wardrobe and talent selection are very important because it portrays who you really are," says Helmer.
Miss Ball State is a preliminary to the Miss America Program, which is the largest scholarship provider for women in the world. By competing in the program Helmer has earned enough scholarship money to pay for two years of her education at Ball State.
There are four phases of competition: interview, talent, swimsuit and evening gown. Interview is the most important aspect because it's worth the most points. It focuses on community service and commitment to a platform issue.
The Miss America Organization adopted the platform concept in 1989. Each contestant must have a platform because once the titleholder is selected she must use her stature to address community service organizations, business and civic leaders, the media and others regarding her platform.
Helmer works with Habitat for Humanity. As Miss Ball State she will participate in speaking engagements and charitable events to generate awareness for that organization. Her main goal is to implement student involvement in a program she developed Pennies for Habitat. She realizes that college students can't afford to donate large sums of money so she encourages them to give what they can. She meets weekly with Muncie's Habitat for Humanity and volunteers on Saturdays during special projects put on by the organization.
"The Miss Ball State Program is so important because it's part of the Miss America Organization," says Anthony Williams, director of the Miss Ball State Program. "It gives young women an opportunity to show off the presence, poise and most importantly the talents. It was great to have 18 young women who each had exceptional talents. Each one of the young women who participated gave me one of the greatest experiences of my life."
Young women compete for various reasons. Lindsey Walker, a contestant in this year's pageant, claims she gained fundraising experience, interview techniques, public speaking skills, the opportunity to perform in front of a crowd and new friends. Walker placed in the top ten and was the winner of the Benefice Award.
"I basically compete because of the talent portion of the competition," says Helmer. "I have a passion for singing and I love to be on the stage and performing."
That love has been apart of her life since high school. For the contest provided her rendition of River Deep Mountain High.
"I selected the song because it's very upbeat," says Helmer. " I am known for singing ballads and I wanted to do something different. I wanted to challenge myself."
Behind every winner is a supportive unit. Helmer's include her family and friends. "They have already got a bus to travel to Miss Indiana," says Helmer. "They are working on constructing posters and buttons. They are really excited."
Helmer will vie for the Miss Indiana title in June. She is looking forward to the competition in Terre Haute and hopes to gain some knowledge about herself.
"I'm not sure what to expect, but I will do my best.
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