Sarah Hillware - "America's Miss District of Columbia 2012"

Updates!

2012-02-28T00:46:00.000-08:00

Over the past few weeks, I have been VERY busy in the DC community! I had the amazing opportunity today to attend a Black History Month event at one of my favorite DC community arts venues and restaurants, Busboys and Poets! There, I was able to meet an amazing panel of national and local activists, including Congresswoman Eleanor Holmes Norton of DC, a champion of civil rights, women's rights and DC statehood, as well as Congressman John Lewis of Georgia and Julian Bond. They were all incredible and it was such an honor to be in their presence - DC has so many great educational events! This one, like many, was free to attend!

Congresswoman Norton and I are pictured below:

Last week was DC Fashion Week, which featured numerous designers from all around the globe! I had the opportunity to attend 3 events that week, including the kick-off, the Eco Fashion Show, the show at the Ukraine Embassy and the finale at the Embassy of France! It was a GREAT show, produced by DC's fashion guru, Ean Williams! You had to see it to believe it. Many of the designs were so mind-blowing and fabulous and I met fashion professionals from all ends of the spectrum, from designers, to bloggers, to magazine editors, to models to photographers! If you missed it this year, you should make it a point to go in 2013.

Pictured at the reception at the Ukraine Embassy:

Pictured with DC Fashion Week founder/director/designer:

The week before DC Fashion Week was Crystal Couture, which was another amazing showcase, which was free and open to the public, and directed by Maggy Francois, an educator, fashionista, and all around Renaissance woman! I had the opportunity to serve as the DC Ambassador for the "Look Good. Do Good." campaign with Fashion Empowering Women and debuted my ambassadorship at this event. I had a chance to catch up with the wonderful NBC4 morning anchor, Angie Goff, who was hosting!

Pictured with Angie Goff, NBC4 morning anchor:

Pictured on the runway with Fashion Empowering Women's "Look Good. Do Good." campaign:

I was recently informed that a new indoor biking studio, Revolve Fitness, opened up near DC and I was contacted to come try out a class! It went super well and biking is an incredible way to stay fit! I had a great time with the instructor, and the co-owner. One of the owners is a GWU alum! It's always great to support local business!

Another highlight is that I am proud to announce that I was selected as a keynote speaker for the 2012 Global Issues Network Conference to be held March 16th, right here in DC!! My alma mater, The School Without Walls, is co-sponsoring the conference. I will be speaking about maternal health, education, HIV/AIDS, and the the youth voice, among other things - still writing my speech!

I can't believe it's been 6 weeks already since I was crowned America's Miss DC 2012!

My Year So Far

2012-01-29T18:49:00.000-08:00

Only two weeks after being crowned America's Miss DC 2012, and it has already proven to be one of the best and most productive things I have ever done in my entire life!

I have already made some great appearances in Washington, DC, signed a few autographs, and supported DC's talented teens in the DC Youth Poetry Slam Team at their event! I have had the chance to be interviewed by the At Home With Victoria show on BlogTalkRadio, which gets over 1 million hits per day, as well as by a few of my university's publications and other media sources to talk about my community service platform, "Knowledge Is Power: Empowering People to be Their Own Best Health Advocates," along with other upcoming projects and endeavors. I have also been made the DC Goodwill Ambassador for Sudan Sunrise, which facilitates efforts of Southern Sudanese in Southern Sudan to provide education, health care and community development. I will be helping out with their Manute Bol School-building project. I had the chance to show my support for various health and wellness-related organizations in the DC area at the NBC4 Health and Fitness Expo, visit Tyler Elementary School and The School Without Walls High School to speak to students, speak about philanthropy and the power of youth at the Children's Miracle Network check-signing ceremony at The George Washington University and speak to young women at Metro TeenAIDS!

I'm excited for the rest of my journey! “Focus on the journey, not the destination. Joy is found not in finishing an activity but in doing it.” -Greg Anderson

America's Miss DC 2012 - Crowning Moment!

2012-01-14T22:26:00.000-08:00

Today, at 1 pm, I was crowned America's Miss District of Columbia 2012!!! I am so excited to represent the capital of the United States of America. This is such a beautiful, diverse, dynamic, and exciting city, filled with intelligent, politically-savvy, poised, and accomplished people. I am grateful and elated to be its delegate to the national pageant in July. My family and friends were surrounding me when I was crowned and I felt like a truly lucky young woman today.

I can't wait to showcase the city that made me who I am this year and embark on a journey of community service, self-betterment, and endless learning! With the crown comes a responsibility that I am more than ready to take on! Thank you to everyone who has been there for me along the way - words can't describe how supported I feel.

I LOVE LIFE AND I LOVE DC!

Follow me on Twitter: AmericasMissDC

US Youth Delegate Initiative: Pushing Our Generation Forward

2011-11-07T17:26:00.000-08:00

Recently, 29 young, ambitious and outstanding students were selected out of hundreds of applicants represent the United States Youth Delegate Initiative (US-YDI) on Capitol Hill to establish the position of US Youth Delegate to the United Nations! I am one of them and am very energized about the work that we are undertaking. Read more about it below:

"The US-YDI strives to achieve its goal of creating the Youth Delegate position through the successful lobbying of the Senate, House, and the US Department of State. By unifying all the major youth organizations in the United States behind this cause, we are gathering enough support to convince all relevant stakeholders including the Obama administration that this position will greatly benefit both domestic and international youth involvement. By gathering the nation’s leading internationally minded youth into one movement, the US-YDI will have the capacity to support US Youth Delegates with policy advice, administrative assistance, and global insight to youth-related issues."
___________________________________

Many countries, including the United Kingdom, Australia, Norway, The Netherlands, and others, have a youth delegate position already, yet the United States has yet to establish a permanent position. You may ask why this position is important. Well, youth and young adults (roughly defined as anyone between the ages of 15 and 30) make up a fairly large percentage of the global population. Even more outstandingly, people under 30 make up half of the overall global population. As you may have heard, the 7th billionth babies were born about one week ago. To reiterate my point, approximately 3.5 billion people around the world are considered youth and young adults! This means that they need adequate representation. Everyone, regardless of age, deserves to be heard!

"Generation Y," or the children of the "Baby Boomer Generation" were born after 1981 and can offer a perspective that can be overlooked, especially on the policy level. For example, the Generation Y have pioneered pivotal changes that affect the way we check off ethnic groups on the census, the way we connect with each other, and the way we express ourselves. Terms such as "global citizenship," "volunteerism," and "being green" are in existence due to the growing awareness in which this generation has brought about through outspokenness and a desire for higher education.

A Generation Y member, Lia Totty, said this "Luckily this 'millennial' generation is completely aware of the power of one...especially because of technology, a lot of us are becoming entrepreneurs in college, oftentimes with a charitable or ethical mindset, because business should have been built that way to begin with. We're young, optimistic, with nothing better to do than make a difference."

It is up to the next generation to find the solutions to the most pressing issues facing us today: global poverty, cross-cultural miscommunication and misunderstanding, health disparities, unemployment, and so forth. What Generation Y needs to do that are tools, many of which are already at our disposal in some countries, such as social media, and access to policy-makers. What we also need is support from the previous generations.

I, personally believe that it is about time we invest in the future of the world, instead of trying to resist it. The future lies in the young and we need the support of the previous generation to push us forward, collectively, as a team of global, concerned, tuned-in, cooperative citizens.

http://www.usydi.org/

The Sarah Hillware Show: My International Online Radio Project

2011-09-09T11:11:00.001-07:00

After running for Miss District of Columbia and learning so much about the city I love, it dawned on me that living in the capital of the United States is a huge advantage. Not only do I live and study a few steps away from the White House, I am also surrounded my some of the smartest, most innovative, and passionate people in the country. As a person who likes to network and find new people to engage in intellectual conversation, I realized I could bring that to a larger stage. Recently, I partnered with NasJota Records, an international label that seeks to bridge the gap between Western and Eastern pop culture and also illuminate the power of youth in communities around the world. I brought the idea of having an online radio show to the table after appearing as a guest host on Jota TV. The owner and founder of the radio show suggested that I start something that would air once per week and that would be based in the District of Columbia. The idea is to keep it local, but to also bring global perspective. Since I am passionate about community improvement, I wanted to showcase innovative community service projects, small and medium-sized local NGOs and various awareness efforts. My lineup is now booked for the last week in September through October with people who are the founders and who hold positions in unique and successful nonprofit organizations that serve those who need it most. They have found economically-savvy ways to fund their projects, mobilized their communities, families and friends, and have gone above and beyond just talking the talk!

"The Sarah Hillware Show" will premiere online October 5th at 8 pm. The link to listen in is as follows: http://www.jotatv.com/

Miss DC 2011

2011-07-12T08:53:00.000-07:00

I had a GREAT night at the Miss DC 2011 Scholarship Pageant! I felt honored to be sharing the stage with such smart, talented and accomplished women! Thank you to the Miss District of Columbia Scholarship Program for awarding me with the "Spirit of Miss DC" award and thank you to everyone who showed me unrelenting support throughout this process! Life takes us to unexpected places, and sometimes sitting back and enjoying the ride is the best way to make the most of it all! I'm so blessed to be surrounded with such love and support in anything I do in life and look forward to more adventures to come.

Vote Me "Most Photogenic" in the Miss DC Pageant!

2011-07-05T21:49:00.000-07:00

Miss DC week has begun and it's down to the last few days before the pageant THIS Sunday, July 10th! My event at Ultrabar last weekend went super well thanks to Zack and everyone at Ultrabar who helped make it happen!

I can't wait to dazzle the Miss DC stage!

Please vote me "Most Photogenic" in the Miss DC pageant! $1 = 1 vote! Winner is recognized on the night of the pageant and proceeds benefit the Miss DC Organization. Thank you!

The link to vote for me is here!
http://missdc.com/homepage/2011-contestants/

NINE Days Until The Miss DC Pageant!

2011-07-01T07:44:00.000-07:00

There are only NINE more days left until the final show! That's right - the time is HERE and it's all coming together!

There are 2 things I really hope you will consider doing in these NINE days!

THEY ARE:

VOTE for me for the Miss Photogenic Award at the 2011 Miss DC Pageant!!!

http://missdc.com/homepage/2011-contestants/ (just click under my photo)
Please help spread the word!
$1 - 1 Vote!
Each dollar counts as one vote and helps our Miss DC program!!

Winner will be announced on stage at the pageant on July 10.

Come to the pageant!!! The link to buy tickets is here: http://tickets.arenastage.org/single/SelectSeating.aspx?p=13811

It really means a lot to see friendly, loving faces in the audience - so I hope you can make it! It will be a wonderful show that you don't want to miss!

Thanks for your well wishes and support! See you soon!

ROUND 2: Children's Miracle Network Hospitals Benefit Party!

2011-06-27T13:18:00.000-07:00

Sarah Hillware, a third-year global public health and pre-medical student at The George Washington University and a finalist in the 2011 Miss District of Columbia Scholarship Pageant, has teamed up with Panorama Productions, Ultrabar and the Student Intern Network to raise funds for Children's Miracle Network Hospitals (CMNH). This is the national philanthropy for Miss America and each contestant in a Miss America preliminary competition is required to raise a minimum of $100.00. Since April, Sarah has been conducting tours of Children's Hospital for fellow contestants, hosting fundraisers and shedding light on the work that Children's Miracle Network does to help alleviate the stresses of medical costs for families with sick children.

Being Involved on an International Scale - Embassy Visit

2011-06-23T12:53:00.000-07:00

Today's visit, on behalf of the International Peace Quest Institute (IPQI) with Dr. Hashim El-Tinay and His Excellency Dr. Emad Altohamy, Sudanese Ambassador to the US went quite well. We spoke about the importance of providing the "correct information to the people" in the US about African and Middle-Eastern affairs so that everyone, everywhere can make informed decisions about foreign policy.

Yes, Washington, DC is a politically-oriented city, but we can have a positive impact on the way people interact with each other on a local and global scale by simply giving eye contact, shaking hands and maintaining an open mind.

Warmly,

Sarah Hillware

My Platform and Community Service

2011-06-22T07:57:00.000-07:00

As a finalist in the Miss District of Columbia Scholarship Organization, I have two service projects that I've been working on.

One is for Children's Miracle Network Hospitals (CMNH). This is the national philanthropy for Miss America and each contestant is required to raise a minimum of $100.00. Since April, I have been conducting tours of Children's Hospital for fellow contestants, hosting fundraisers and hope to put on a talent show for the in-patient children before July. The description of CMNH is below:

We touch the lives of more children and their families than any other children’s charity. Whether they suffer from common childhood afflictions like asthma and broken bones, or fight bigger challenges like birth defects or cancer, Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals provide comfort, treatment and hope to millions of sick kids each year.

These kids aren’t in faraway countries or from opposite sides of the nations—they’re in your community. Funds raised in the local area, stay in the local area.

Every year, we identify a child with a remarkable medical story from each state. These “Champions” serve as the face for the millions of children treated at our hospitals every year. Our Champions and their families travel to Washington, D.C., and Orlando, Fla. each year to highlight the vital work of children’s hospitals.

The other is an organization I am using as my platform, called Health Leads DC that mobilizes student volunteers out of GWU and has students work in Children's National Medical Center to provide social services to underserved families. I've been working with this organization for almost 2 years and plan to use it as my community service initiative throughout my year as Miss DC, provided I win the title. The description is below:

Health Leads (formerly Project HEALTH) is a nonprofit organization that serves low-income children and families in need of basic resources to maintain a healthy household - such as food, adequate housing and utilities. Our mission is to break the link between poverty and poor health by mobilizing undergraduate volunteers to provide sustained public health interventions in partnership with urban medical centers, universities, and community organizations. This is a unique opportunity for students to partner with underserved families as they strive to improve their health outcomes amid the barriers and setbacks of everyday life. It is also an opportunity for students to work directly in a medical clinic with physicians and other clinicians to learn how they prioritize the needs of their vulnerable patients and advocate for them to have the resources they need to be healthy, both medically and socially.

Get Involved, Stay Involved - Why I Love Washington, DC

2011-06-22T07:42:00.000-07:00

I'm going on a visit to the Embassy of the Republic of Sudan at lunch tomorrow, attending a CSIS conversation on HIV/AIDS with Ambassador Goosby next week along with colleagues and participating in an event entitled "The Defense Department's Enduring Contributions to Global Health" featuring the former Surgeon General, among others. I love to stay involved and to be on the forefront of generating solutions to today's problems!

Washington, DC is truly a city of action! I would be so proud to showcase all it has to offer as Miss DC and encourage my peers to get involved and stay involved! That's how we move America in the right direction.

-Sarah Hillware

Only 19 Days Away!

2011-06-21T13:13:00.000-07:00

The big night is less than 3 weeks away! Tomorrow, all 16 finalists are meeting to have the competition wardrobe, talent and paperwork approved! Time flies! Thanks for the support, everyone! Please click on this link to buy tickets!

http://tickets.arenastage.org/single/psDetail.aspx?psn=13810

"Miss District of Columbia is a young woman with a purpose. She makes a difference in her city. She is bright, talented and well spoken. She is cause-oriented, politically astute and stylish. All of our Miss DC’s embody those qualities."

On July 10th, I can't wait to prove that I embody a compassionate, community-oriented, driven, fair-minded, well-rounded, modern-day American woman and that I'm ready to do the job of Miss DC.

TICKETS ARE OFFICIALLY ON SALE FOR THE MISS DC AMERICA 2011 SCHOLARSHIP PAGEANT

2011-06-13T04:26:00.000-07:00

The link is here: http://tickets.arenastage.org/single/psDetail.aspx?psn=13810

Please buy tickets for the entire family!!! It is a family event and will be a GREAT show! Trust me, I know!

The pageant is Sunday, July 10th, 2011 at 7 o'clock pm EST.

GET EXCITED!!! I can't wait to see you in the audience!!!

Children's National Medical Center Tour with Fellow Contestants

2011-06-09T08:56:00.000-07:00

Since I volunteer at a Children's National Medical Center clinic in DC, I thought it would be a good idea for each one of us to get a sense of where our Children's Miracle Network fund raising efforts are actually going and who they're helping!

It always brightens the childrens' day to have visitors since they're stuck in a hospital for most of the time. We got a chance to tour the in-patient ward, to see the artwork from the children and hear success stories.

It's always good to remind myself that the pageant is about much more than winning, but about giving back to the community that I love.

Warm Regards,

Sarah Hillware

My Talk with the Mayor on Education Issues in DC

2011-06-08T13:22:00.000-07:00

As a Washingtonian, I have always been and continue to be heavily involved in the issues that face this city. One of the most pertinent issues is the large education disparity in the city. Statistically speaking, a low number of students meet the national standards for math and reading, the most basic, but very key subjects students need to master in order to succeed. This is true within the elementary and secondary education systems in the District.

Not too long ago, I had the opportunity to speak with Mayor Fenty, while he was running for a second term, and ask him a few questions about what he will do to make sure that the individual schools that are thriving and could serve as role models for the rest of the DC Public School System would not be underfunded, understaffed and ultimately starved. I received an answer that was both vague and incomplete.

Every leader has the right to not know the answer sometimes. However, I do believe that leaders should be able to discuss these issues openly so that we are able to find the root of the problem, which is that many are afraid to speak up.

5 More Weeks Left Until the Miss DC America 2011 Pageant!

2011-06-05T13:10:00.000-07:00

It's crunch time!

The past few weeks, I've been practicing self-presentation at the Miss DC mock interviews, getting in tip top shape, working with a wonderful designer on my evening gown, practicing my spoken word poetry for the talent portion, doing community service by serving as team leader for MEDLIFE, fund raising for Children's Miracle Network, and improving myself as a person overall.

Miss DC America preparation is a serious commitment and I can't wait to show my friends, family and the judges what I've been up to on July 10th at Arena Stage!

Many of you have expressed an interest in going to the pageant. The tickets are on sale with Ticket Master. Please contact me at sarah.hillware@gmail.com for details! I look forward to seeing you there and sharing my journey with you all!

Warm Regards,

Sarah

Children's Miracle Network Benefit Party - June 13th

2011-05-27T09:31:00.000-07:00

"Have a Blast, Save a Life"

As you may or may not know, the official charity for the Miss America Organization is Children's Miracle Network (CMN). As a finalist in the Miss DC America 2011 Scholarship Pageant, I will be hosting events throughout the summer months in order to raise funds and create awareness about the national philanthropy and why it is so important to support local hospitals in caring for sick children.

My first event will be hosted at Dirty Martini Restaurant on Connecticut Avenue in Washington, DC on June 13th from 5:30 to 8:30 pm. Appetizers will be served and drinks are discounted. The suggested donation for the evening is $10 and 100% of your donations will go towards Children's Miracle Network.

I hope to see you there! Thanks for your support!

Who I Am - What I Feel I Owe to the DC Community & Why

2011-05-19T14:47:00.000-07:00

During my childhood, I moved around quite a bit, going from New York City to Slidell, Louisiana, then, finally here, to Washington, DC.

Growing up into who I am today has not been an easy journey, but I've had so much support and gained so much indispensable wisdom to help others, that I would not trade it to be re-born with an easier upbringing.

I moved to Washington, DC, as a teen, with my mother and two younger siblings in 2005. The move came as a complete shock for me, but it was something that needed to be done to better our family, so, we sacrificed our lives in the south and did it! We moved to a bright and vibrant city with much more to offer than I could ever fathom at the time. After challenges in almost all aspects of life, I was more resilient and had come upon the brink of learning who I was- an intellectual, focused, goal-oriented, make-the-best-out-of-anything, go-getter, introvert-turned-extrovert, compassionate, justice-demanding, outspoken public-speaker and a poet. Being in Washington, DC has enabled me to see both sides of the social, economic and educational spectrum and how they are all connected. I have discovered my passions for the non-profit sector, international affairs, public health,the arts, education and public speaking. Now, I am able to understand and relate to people from everywhere, from various backgrounds and upbringings and have more of a fair-minded, independent point of view.

Living in Washington, DC, I have performed at Arena Stage, the Kennedy Center, the Atlas Theater and other famous places through a youth performing arts group called City at Peace, been involved with poetry performance groups (and still am) and have met some of the most influential people in the world! In DC, I have developed the following mindset, "Just go for it." The DC community has provided me with so many resources and ways to get involved and better myself. That is more than I could ever ask from a community. I consider the entire metropolitan area my community. In the dictionary, the words: society, association, brotherhood are all used to describe community.

I believe that a community gives back to the residents what they put in. I've given my heart to DC and in return, it has molded me into who I wanted to be with an education like no other, job experiences, mentors, friends, experiences... you name it.

This, my friends, is why I owe the DC community! I hope to be able to give back to it as much as possible in any way that I can.

Sarah Hillware
Miss DC America 2011 Scholarship Pageant Finalist

Empowering Women As Leaders - What Miss DC Represents

2011-05-16T23:30:00.000-07:00

Although my official platform is Health Leads DC and the idea of better health through social innovation and volunteerism, I also have another goal that I want to reach, in order to maximize my journey as a Miss DC finalist. That goal is to reach as many young people as I can, especially young women, to raise their voices, speak their minds, and get INVOLVED on the political scene.

Today, I was inspired by a young girl of 16, Amy Myers, whom I read about in an article. She wrote a letter to Michele Bachmann criticizing her of misrepresenting her historical facts and suggested that it was an embarrassment to women everywhere who are on a quest to be taken seriously in the political arena! In her letter, she asked for a healthy debate on the US Constitution. Above all else, this is a model for the kind of boldness and initiative I believe young people, women and PEOPLE everywhere should take to bump up the status quo a few notches! (Read a copy of the letter here: http://news.yahoo.com/s/yblog_thelookout/high-schooler-challenges-michelle-bachmann-to-constitution-showdown)

That's what the Miss DC Scholarship Organization is about. It is about well-rounded, beyond dynamic women inspiring others to be themselves and use their unique qualities and well-above-average achievements to help better their communities. This 16 year old girl is now running for class president and shooting down comments, such as, "make me a sandwich" that the boys in her class utter about her boldness and audacity!

So, I say this to not only women or young people, but to people everywhere I go: "If you want something, go get it. Period."

Sincerely,
Sarah Hillware, Miss DC America Finalist

The Actual Pageant Date - July 10th, 2011!

2011-05-13T13:27:00.000-07:00

Where will the pageant be held?

The Arena Stage in Southwest, DC

Finals are on Sunday, July 10, 2011, 6:30 p.m.
The Arena Stage
1101 6th St, SW
Washington, DC 20024

How can you buy tickets?

www.ticketmaster.com

Tickets: $40.00

Finals are on Sunday, July 10, 2011, 6:30 p.m.
The Arena Stage
1101 6th St, SW
Washington, DC 20024

How is the pageant judged?

Criteria for Interview: 25%

Each contestant participates in an individual 10-minute press
conference-style interview with our panel of judges. There are
typically 5 to 7 judges on a panel. Contestants are questioned on
their background as presented on their fact sheet, their educational
and career goals, their opinions on current events and social issues,
and their interests, hobbies and extracurricular activities. Scoring
is based on overall communication skills, including personality,
intelligence, validated opinions, emotional control, overall first
impression and personal appearance, and whether the contestant
possesses the overall qualities and attributes of a Miss America. No
props, notes, portfolios, etc. may be brought into the interview room.
You will stand at a podium, which you are free to use if you wish.
The interview begins immediately when you stand behind or near the
podium with no opening statement by the contestant. The interview
continues until the 9:30 timing mark at which point the contestant has
the option of a 30-second closing statement. If you have no closing
statement, the interview ends.

Criteria for Talent: 35%
Contestants perform a 90-second routine of their own choosing.
Talent performances that run over 90 seconds will be disqualified.
Possible talents include singing, dancing, gymnastics, instrumental
music, dramatic or comedy monologues, baton twirling, and
ventriloquism. Other talents that can be performed solo on a stage
are also possible. Contestants are not allowed to read sheet music
or scripts on stage. No live accompanists are permitted. Other rules
for talent presentations may apply, and contestants are responsible
for knowing and understanding copyright regulations that pertain to
their performance. Phone or e-mail us if you have a question about
your talent presentation. Scoring is based on a contestant's skill and
personality, interpretive ability, technical skill level, ability to entertain,
stage presence and the totality of all elements, including costume,
props, voice, use of body and choreography.

Criteria for Swimsuit: 15%
Each contestant briefly appears on stage in a two-piece

swimsuit (from the Crowning Touch) and footwear of her own
choosing. Swimsuits must be approved prior to competition by the
Executive Director of the pageant. Scoring is based on overall first
impression, statement of physical fitness and health, overall physique
which is pleasing to a contestant’s height, weight and bone structure,
walk, posture and grace, sense of confidence and presence on stage.
We will be strongly recommending that Miss District of Columbia
2011 wear a two-piece swimsuit at the Miss America Pageant.

Criteria for Evening Wear/Gown: 20%
Each contestant appears on stage in an outfit of her own
choosing, representative of what she would wear to a formal "after
five" social event. Pant suits, cocktail dresses and evening gowns are
all appropriate for this phase of the competition. Scoring is based on
overall first impression, sense of confidence, personality and stage
presence, walk and posture, appropriateness of attire and sense of
attractiveness.

Criteria for On-Stage Question: 5%
Each contestant will be asked two (2) questions on stage
during the pageant finals. The first question could be related to the
contestant’s platform or anything relevant to her fact sheet. The
second question will be about DC. Scoring is based on overall
communication skills, including personality, intelligence, validated
opinions, emotional control, overall first impression and personal
appearance, and whether the contestant possesses the overall
qualities and attributes of a Miss America.

Warm Regards,

Sarah

Why Am I am Ideal Candidate?

2011-05-13T12:32:00.000-07:00

"Miss DC is the right combination of beauty, brains and talent, with equal parts of hipness, glamor, and an urban sensibility mixed in."

Miss DC strives to make a difference in her community, promote her platform and work as hard as she can to make sure that she embodies the positive aspects of what the District of Columbia has to offer.

I believe that "We are here to add what we can to life, not get what we can from life" -William Osler

Dynamic, creative, dedicated, innovative and eclectic, I have always been a leader amongst peers. I am an enthusiast for human rights and fair politics. I am also well-rounded and well-versed in the arts and sciences. Born both left and right-handed, I've always had a passion for merging and harmonizing the logical and the creative. I am fair-minded, a trait in me that has molded my life and career path. It makes sense that I would run for Miss DC America because I have a wealth of experience in the non-profit sector in DC, especially with regard to health, education and volunteerism. I firmly believe in thinking locally to act globally and am a strong advocate for community simply because of the power it has in society. Outspoken and bold, I share my global message of human rights, collaboration, awareness and unity through writing and performing poetry. I am an academic, currently pursuing a degree that will prepare me to work in the global public health field as a medical doctor and a provider of solutions to the problems we face today such as HIV/AIDS, maternal health, children's health, food, water and housing quality and above all; education. I have a vision that seeks to sever the connections among poverty, equality and health disparities.

How Can You Support?

By supporting Children's Miracle Network, my charity! Click on the link (https://missamericaforkids.org/m.aspx?i=246884159A9EA47+B) or paste it in your browser and you're good to go!

By coming to the pageant on July 10th! More details later!

By visiting and following my pageant blog: http://sarahformissdc.blogspot.com

THANK YOU!