LEWISBURG — When Casey Bryant’s baton twirling coach was diagnosed with breast and colon cancers more than eight years ago, she wanted to do more than send cards and flowers.
Bryant, 20, began speaking and fundraising for the American Cancer Society at Relay for Life events at home in Linthicum, Md., and then as a student at Bucknell University.
Now, she’s taking to the stage to spread awareness — the pageant stage.
The Bucknell senior entered the 2009 Miss Central Pennsylvania Scholarship Pageant with a platform of promoting the American Cancer Society and Relay events to compete against 10 other participants.
Though a pageant newcomer, Bryant won and was crowned with the title of Miss Greater Juniata Valley.
She will move on to the Miss Pennsylvania Pageant in June to compete against about 25 other contestants; that winner proceeds to the Miss America Pageant.
“I never saw myself doing this,” said Bryant, who performed a twirling routine to the song “Diamonds are a Girl’s Best Friend.”
“Then I thought, ‘what a great way to get out in the community and show that students are doing good things and the ways to get involved.’ ”
As a member of the American Cancer Society’s national board, Bryant coordinates monthly conference calls for college chapters of Relay for Life across the country and publishes an online newsletter.
For the past three years, she has organized the Relay event at Bucknell where she is a political science, Latin American studies and Spanish triple major.
Bryant, who performs twirling routines at Bucknell sporting events and is a national champion twirler, first considered the pageant when her twirling partner joked she should participate. Though she is not from Pennsylvania, attending college here qualified her to enter.
She said she was hesitant at first, “but once you start, you want to do a good job.”
Bryant headed to Lewistown for a weekend in early November for the pageant, which consisted of a panel interview and evening gown, swim suit, talent and Q & A portions of the actual pageant.
To Bryant’s surprise, the process was heavily interview-focused, rather than solely emphasizing contestants’ looks as pageants often seem to do, she said.
“They asked a lot about the election and whether states voted the way I thought they’d go,” she said of her initial 10-minute-long interview in front of a panel of judges.
Judges also quizzed her on insurance legislation involving the American Cancer Society during the interview, and asked about her work with the organization during the pageant Q & A portion.
John R. Metzger, executive director of the pageant, said Bryant stood out not just for her twirling talent.
“Probably the biggest differential there was her interview was so good,” he said.
Though Bryant felt prepared for the pageant after competing in twirling competitions also requiring performing and interviewing, she was surprised when she won.
“It happens but it’s not really common,” Metzger said of Bryant winning the first pageant she entered.
Bryant quipped about how new she was to pageants, saying, “I even went on wrong side of stage and tripped in my dress when I was getting my crown.”
As a title holder, Bryant will make appearances at local parades, ribbon cuttings, schools and Relay for Life events. She advances to the Miss Pennsylvania Pageant in Pittsburgh in June, keeping in mind the influence her twirling coach had on her efforts to spread awareness of the American Cancer Society.
“She thinks it’s the coolest thing,” Bryant said. “She’s excited to come to the state pageant.”
Life
Related Photos
-
Robert Inglis
Pageant contestant has a purpose
- Life
-
-
Valley experts differ on ideas for job creation
SUNBURY — When President Barack Obama gives his jobs speech Thursday night before Congress and a nation facing a 9.1 unemployment rate, he should act to lower the minimum wage and taxes, target government investments wisely, spend on long-lasting projects, or cut spending, reduce regulations and trim the size of Washington, Valley experts suggested.
-
Carbs under control
Parents with a child who has Type 1 diabetes sometimes find it difficult to let go of the important responsibility to constantly check insulin levels. Just ask Doreen Giordani, of Sunbury.
-
After the pounds come off
Bariatric surgery offers those who are 100-plus-pounds overweight a viable option for reclaiming their lives, a physician at Geisinger Medical Center noted.
-
Accreditation awarded to hospital
Sunbury Community Hospital has earned The Joint Commission’s Gold Seal of Approval for accreditation by demonstrating compliance with The Joint Commission’s national standards for health care and safety in hospitals.
-
16 years old and still growing
The more things change the more they stay the same. That's what Dr. Michael Ryan, director of pediatrics at Janet Weis Children's Hospital, in Danville, said, as he discussed the 16 year anniversary of the facility.
-
Americans turn to technology to control impulses
NEW YORK — Dan Nainan can't trust himself to work at his computer without clicking on distractions, so he uses an Internet-blocking program to shut down his Web access twice a day. "I'm sorry, but try as I might, I could never, ever do this on my own," said the New York City comedian who's struggling to finish a book. "I wish I could, but I just don't have the discipline."
-
Some babyproofing basics for the new year
Babies and toddlers are curious creatures. Something captures their attention — a stuffed animal, a shiny object or a noisy rattle — and they're going after it. Just make sure they aren't chasing a teddy bear on top of a dresser, the blade of a knife or a pill bottle.
-
Texts, Web really do allow Santa to be everywhere
PHILADELPHIA — He sees you when you're sleeping, he knows when you're awake, and he knows how many followers you have on Twitter.
-
In tough economy, Santas are suffering
ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. — Craig McTavish — a.k.a. Santa — has the beard. He has the belly. He even has a few tricks up his sleeve, like pulling up to parties on his Harley-Davidson in full Kris Kringle garb. But there's one thing he doesn't have: work.
-
Soften the impact
The cold weather and snow are here, which means winter recreation enthusiasts should be armed with ways to protect themselves from traumatic head and brain injuries that are typical for the season.
- More Life Headlines
-
