MSU junior Cheryl Myers probably has the best \What I Did on My Summer Break" story - and she's got the crown to prove it.
Myers, 23, competed in and won the 1997-99 "Miss Deaf Michigan" contest, held June 14 at the Michigan School for the Deaf in Flint. Along with the requisite jeweled crown and satin sash, she also secured a $500 scholarship and the chance to compete in the national "Miss Deaf America" contest next July in San Antonio, Texas.
Myers' crown looks like any other rhinestone-encrusted tiara, save for one small jewel at the apex: A small silver hand signing the Americal Sign Language sign for "I love you." And while she's still getting used to wearing the crown itself, the title seems a perfect fit for Myers.
"I really enjoyed the experience," she said. "Whether I won or lost, I had a lot of fun just being in (the pageant). It was a very positive experience."
Myers entered the contest at the urging of a high school friend, although admittedly, she was uncertain at first. By the time the day of the pageant rolled around, she was completely immersed in the experience.
"It was fun to socialize with the other girls, four of whom I already knew from high school. We talked and talked for hours, and we didn't get much sleep," Myers said grinning sheepishly.
"Actually, I only got an hour's sleep before the actual show! We were all running around, afraid we'd lose our lines," she said.
"I didn't have time to even get nervous - it all went by so fast!"
Miss Deaf Michigan is open to all deaf young women between the ages of 17 and 28. Competition for the crown included a talent contest, a private interview with three judges, a stage interview, evening- and casual-wear modeling and a joint musical presentation by all five contestants. Myers said she most enjoyed the evening-wearcompetition, not only for what she got to wear, but for the chance to look at everyone else's gowns, too. Myers's dress was her favorite color, forest green.
For the talent portion, she showed a video highlighting her skills in tennis, track and field and ping pong. The most nerve-wracking portion of the program, Myers said, was the two-question, on-stage interview.
"I had to think hard before I answered," she said. "The first one was easier than the second. The first question was, 'What I would do if I won $15 million in the lottery?' That was pretty easy - I said I would use it for college, and invest the rest.
"In the second question, they asked what I would do if I won the crown. I said I would give presentations and give a positive message to deaf people. I would encourage them to be successful."
As it turns out, presentations are a large portion of Miss Deaf Michigan's responsibilities. Myers said she spent the remainder of summer giving as many speeches as she could before school started . On Sept. 27, she will help celebrate National Deaf Awareness Day at the Summit Mall in Pontiac, talking about her experiences.
So, has the crown changed her life that dramatically? Not really, she said. The oldest in a family of eight, she is the only girl and her brothers won't let a title or a pretty crown stand in their way.
"Most people are very courteous," Myers said, "but my brothers still treat me the same!"