By Francis Scarcella
MILTON — Laura Elizabeth James, 17, of Milton, recently represented Pennsylvania in the Miss High School America 2010 pageant.
That’s correct. She represented the entire state.
James said she was told about the pageant by a friend and decided to submit an application.
“I filled out the forms and sent all my information in, and the next thing I knew, I was called to go compete,” she said. “I was honored to be the only one chosen from Pennsylvania.”
James made the five-day trip to Branson, Mo., where the pageant was held, and she competed in three phases: a five-minute interview with the judges, on stage in fashion and then in an evening gown competition.
James did not win the event. But she did win a $500 bracelet for being the top vote-getter on the pageant’s Web site, which polled fans about who they wanted to win the pageant.
James lived the dream of many high school girls and is thankful for the chance she received.
“I represented my school and my state. How great is that?” the Milton Hershey School student asked.
Miss High School Pennsylvania also talked about her involvement with the community.
“I love to do community service,” she said.
“I stay very active with sports and my academics, as well as making sure I have time to do what I can for the community.”
James plans to attend Lebanon Valley College and play field hockey there in the fall.
