Vol. 17, No. 25	March 26, 1998

Miss Delaware USA has experience of lifetime

The 1998 pageant theme was the modern '90s woman, and the contestants were a cross section of today's women-with aspiring teachers, doctors, lawyers, businesswomen and actresses among the participants, she said.

It was the experience of a lifetime for the senior elementary and special education major from New Castle.

"We were treated like celebrities, took part in parades and motorcades, visited hospitals and other places, were guests at dinners every night in different restaurants and were showered with gifts-from commemorative bracelets to terrycloth robes with the Miss USA logo," she recalled.

Participating in the pageant required an 18-day commitment from Feb. 22 until March 11. Preliminary judging took place before the televised finals of the pageant on March 10, when the top 10 competed for the Miss USA title and the chance to participate in the Miss Universe Pageant.

"There was a swimsuit competition, an evening gown competition and personality interview to chose the top 10. But, everyone from all 50 states and Washington, D.C., participated in the pageant telecast, and we rehearsed for 14 hours some days on dance routines and for our appearances on the show. It was a positive and exciting experience, and I was prepared, did my best and felt like a winner," Davis recalled

The competition was then followed by a formal coronation ball, hosted by Donald Trump, and each state had a table. Davis was joined by her proud family, her director Fred Wright of Crown Productions in New Castle, Miss Teen Delaware USA Nicole Tomlin and other friends and well-wishers.

In addition to bright, beautiful and nice, "hardworking" also describes Miss Delaware USA, who has always wanted to be a teacher and now is focused on that goal. After student teaching next fall, she plans to graduate in January.

Davis attends UD full-time and is putting herself through the University through jobs and student loans. A graduate of Delcastle High School, she learned the skills to become a medical secretary and works part-time at Nephrology Associates.

As part of her special education requirements, she is in the classroom several hours a week at Brookside Elementary School. Weekends she makes appearances at charitable and civic events as part of her responsibilities as Miss Delaware USA.

"Because of the pageant, I have a lot of work, exams and hours to catch up on, but after spring break I hope things will be back to normal. My professors have been very understanding, which has been a big help, and I would not have missed the experience for anything," Davis said.

How did Davis get started on the pageant parade?

"I've been in two pageants. One of the incentives has been help with tuition, and also it's fun," Davis said.

"I won Miss Dover Mall Teen, which qualified me to enter the Miss Teen Delaware USA pageant in 1993, and I was a runner-up, which gave me $5,000 toward my tuition. When I won Miss Delaware USA, I won a year's tuition," she said.

One of Davis' goals as Miss Delaware USA is to motivate young learners. "I want to go into schools and talk to kids and tell them what I have learned-to be positive, to be yourself, to do your best and to know that your future is in your hands," she said.

-Sue Swyers Moncure