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YORK VOWS TO EMPOWER YOUTH AS MISS HEART PAGEANT WINNER Sara York, a freshman at the University of Central Florida, won the ninth Miss Heart pageant. Now she looks to raise funds to help benefit children. S t o ry by S a m a n t h a C r a n d a l l
Charity, morals, and determination are often the first words that come to mind after hearing the phrase “beauty pageant.” However, for the local girls who competed in Miss Heart of Plant City, those three words are only the beginning. Plant City High School opened its doors to 17 of the area’s most wellrounded young ladies on Jan. 31, all of whom were hoping to take home
The winners at Miss Heart of Plant City are (from left to right) Caitlyn Kent, who was crowned Junior, Jaileen Borrero, who was crowned Tiny, Sara York, who won Miss Heart, and Kaylee Stallard, who was crowned Little. Photo by Billy Friend
not only the crown, but also the power to inspire from 2009’s show. The event, which was established in 2002, is primarily a scholarship pageant, as well as a preliminary to the Miss Florida Outstanding Teen pageant. If won, it can ultimately lead a young woman to a chance to compete in the famous Miss America competition. The Miss Heart pageant is broken down into categories, including Little Miss Heart, ages 5-9, Junior Miss Heart, ages 10-12, Miss Teen Heart, ages 13-17, and Miss Heart, ages 1824. Winners receive much-appreciated scholarship money provided by local businesses and companies. This year’s prizes were donated by the Red Rose Inn and Suites, Stingray Chevrolet, and Tractor World, Inc. Contestants, however, must raise funds of their own before becoming eligible to win any of the scholarships. Girls in this circuit, as well as across America, were challenged to accumulate $100 each for the Children’s Miracle Network, a nonprofit organization that works to improve the lives of America’s youth by providing medical care, life-saving research, and preventative education. This year’s Miss Heart titleholder, University of Central Florida freshman Sara York, will be challenged to raise an additional $150 for the organization. Before she competes at the 2009 Miss Florida pageant, York will not only be required to fundraise for children, but also to mentor and empower young girls, specifically, the Little Miss titleholders. As role model and ambassador for Plant City, it is York’s duty to help these children in achieving their personal and professional goals, as well as providing a forum in which they can use their talents and intelligence to make differences in the lives of others. To do so, York must be well-spoken and aware of issues facing her nation. This shouldn’t be a problem for her, as she received accolades from continued on page 18 >
16 • FOCUS Magazine plant city • february 15 – march 15, 2009