Photo: http://www.missamerica.org/

Did you know we crowned a new Miss America last Saturday night?  Yeah, me neither.  In fact, I didn’t find out until this morning at about 5:02.  Shame on me for being so out of touch, right?  Or maybe I (and many others) have a legitimate defense.  First of all - Packers game.  There was that.  But then there's this: what exactly is the importance of Miss America? 

That sounds callous as heck, but if ever we had the opportunity to learn her impact, it was this past 12 months when one of our own, Laura Kaeppeler, owned the crown.  12 months, and I still have no idea.

I know it’s a scholarship competition.  I know it’s got an interview portion, a talent portion, a lifestyle (swimsuit competition) segment, and then the evening wear deal…I think we all know how it works, but once she wins, then what? 

Perhaps I’m simply soured by the 738 pageants that seem to exist, but I just don’t get why we’re still putting this out there.  Don’t get me wrong, it’s great for the contestants to be involved in something that could net them money for education.  I am not railing on the contestants at all.  It’s out there.  Go get it!  Compete.  It’s great for the platforms that they can advance – Hagan’s is stopping child sexual abuse. 

Perhaps the question is better posed in this manner: is the Miss America crown still the position of power that it once was, or seemingly once was?