Miss America has undergone significant change in the past year, but that isn’t discouraging participants from investing in the program.
From scandal to harassment, MAO has been in the headlines recently. Last fall, Sam Haskell - who joined the program in 2005 - was forced out of his position after emails were leaked that showed him talking crudely about former Miss America’s. After his swift departure, the organization was taken over by many former Miss America’s who believed they would be better suited to move the program forward. But, current Miss Ball State, Victoria Ruble, says it hasn’t been that smooth of a transition.
“With the recent changes, it’s been sort of difficult to keep up with everything that’s been happening,” Ruble said.
Since Haskell’s departure, a total rebrand of the pageant was initiated. The new board eliminated the swimsuit segment and re-named the pageant Miss America 2.0, straying away from the beauty pageant stereotype and claiming to be more inclusive to women who want get involved.
While there may be drama at the national level, Miss Ball State director, Carol Kosisko, says it’s not affecting what’s going on right here.
“Ignore whatever is going on at the national level. Ignore that drama. It’s not impacting what we’re doing here. Whatever’s going on at Atlantic City is not going to change the mission of what we’re doing,” Kosisko said.
That mission is centered on Scholarship, Service, Style and Success which are the Four Points of the Miss America crown. That’s why Ruble is still optimistic about the future of Miss America.
“Miss America is someone that little girls, like myself, or even college-aged girls can look up to and aspire to be. Hopefully, America can see that, as well, and we can shine light on the benefits of the Miss America program,” Ruble said.
Even though Ruble’s year of service as Miss Ball State is coming to an end, she is committed to finishing up her year giving back to a program that has given her so much.
“I have made a goal to continue my service in the Muncie community, as well as my hometown in Fort Wayne. That means continuing to volunteer with the after-school programming at the Boys & Girls Club and Motivate our Minds and know that even though I’m not Miss America right now, I can still make an impact,” Ruble said.
It’s this opportunity to see young women develop that’s kept Kosisko volunteering with the program for 18 years now.
“I just love seeing the empowerment of the young ladies who compete, and I especially see it with the winners. I’m able to see how much they grow and all the skills they gain from the program; I’ve been hooked,” Kosisko said.
Miss Ball State will be held next semester in Pruis Hall and is open to any undergraduate or graduate student interested in competing. Interested participants can find more information about getting involved here.
