"Break a leg" is a common phrase to wish good luck to those headed on stage. But for Ball State student Lori Brokaw, a Miss Indiana contestant, "break an arm" would be more appropriate.
Despite an accident in a hotel exercise facility where a television fell on the contestant's arm, breaking her wrist in two places last Sunday morning, Brokaw finished second runner-up Saturday night at the 62nd annual Miss Indiana Pageant at Indiana State University.
"At first I was in total shock," Brokaw said. "The first thing I thought was, 'Did I just break the TV?'"
Brokaw was left with a decision after being rushed to the emergency room. She could either have a cast put on, which is what the doctor's recommended, and be unable to participate in the competition, or deal with the pain, wear a brace and carry on.
Brokaw's talent is playing the piano, and, in spite of her injury, she played and advanced to the preliminaries with no problem.
"I worked so hard to get here, " Brokaw said. "I wasn't going to let this get in my way."
Jan Mertl, Brokaw's local pageant director, said she was proud of Brokaw for going on.
"She has been working since November of last year for this competition," Mertl said. "She came to win."
Part of the competition was an impromptu question and answer session. The questions were chosen spontaneously, and the contestants were judged on how well they answered on the spot.
Brokaw's question could not have been more suitable.
She was asked what was going through her mind as she walked down the ramp for the first time Sunday morning.
She responded with a pause and smile.
"I was thinking I was in a lot of pain," Brokaw said. "I broke my wrist. Will I be able to do this? I am at the Miss Indiana Pageant and I'll give it all I've got."
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