Published: January 27, 2008 09:27 pm      

Wyatt reflects on ‘once-in-a-lifetime’ Miss America experience

ATHENS — She sang her heart out and put her best foot forward, but it just wasn’t in the cards this year for Miss West Virginia Summer Wyatt. Miss Michigan Kirsten Haglung, 19, of Farmington Hills, Mich., a student at the University of Cincinnati, topped a field of 52 candidates to win the coveted Miss America crown.

The fast-paced, highly-produced show, broadcast Saturday night from the stage at the Planet Hollywood Resort & Casino in Las Vegas, Nev., was a marked departure from the format that was evident in previous shows during the pageant’s 87-year history. Wyatt, 21, of Athens, already an outspoken advocate on animal rights issues, said that the new format was “so game show-like” and lacked the prestige and glamour most people associate with the Miss America Pageant.

“To someone who started watching the Miss America pageants as a little girl, it didn’t even feel like Miss America to me,” she said Sunday night from an airport in Philadelphia, where she was waiting to make a connecting flight to Charleston. “I’m not just saying that because I wasn’t picked to be one of the top 15 contestants. Even the girls in the top 15 didn’t experience the glamour of a traditional Miss America pageant.”

Wyatt said that she and other contestants she spoke with resented being treated like a product, “instead of like the professional, talented, focused and educated women that they were,” she said. “If contestants are going to be treated like they’re on “American Idol,” young girls won’t want to go on to participate in the Miss America Pageant. The ambiance was wrong.”

Wyatt said that she got to meet some wonderful people during the pageant. “It was fun ... A real once-in-a-lifetime experience. The girls were amazing and Vegas was amazing,” she said. “It was sad when we all went our separate ways (Sunday) morning. I’ll probably never see a lot of those girls again.”

Haglung sang, “Over the Rainbow,” and topped pageant runner-up, Miss Indiana Nicole Elizabeth Rash to win the $50,000 scholarship and a year of travel that comes with the sash and crown. She will promote the pageant, her platform — to increase awareness of eating disorders — and the Children’s Miracle Network.”

“Naturally, we were disappointed after all the anticipation, but Summer has lots and lots of time left to be Miss West Virginia” Barbara Blake, Wyatt’s mother said. “She seemed to be doing so well all week long, we were hoping she would make it into the top 15.”

Wyatt said she is looking forward to an appearance on Feb. 14, in Charleston with country music superstar, George Strait. “I think I’m looking forward to that more than I was to the pageant,” Wyatt said.

“We’re proud of her,” Blake said.

– Contact Bill Archer at barcher@bdtonline.com