Community Corner

Miss Michigan Begins Quest for Miss America Crown

Metro Detroit native Angela Venditti is scheduled to leave today for Las Vegas to compete in the Miss America Pageant.

After years of dreaming, and months of preparation, Miss Michigan 2012 Angela Venditti is beginning her journey to be crowned Miss America.

Venditti, of Shelby Township, was Miss St. Clair Shores when she was crowned Miss Michigan 2012 in June. Since the Miss Michigan Pageant in Muskegeon, Venditti has been preparing for the Miss America Pageant Jan. 12 at the Planet Hollywood Resort and Casino.

"It has been a whirlwind," said Venditti, who has traveled thousands of miles and covered nearly the entire state. "There has been a lot of planning for Miss America."

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Since the crown was placed on her head in June, the 24-year-old has been crossing the state in a Chevrolet Volt, speaking to audiences and representing the Miss America pageant to various groups and organizations, as well as participating in America's Thanksgiving Day Parade in Detroit.

She has spoken before 9,000 Boy Scouts at Michigan State University, but also smaller groups where she shares her platform "Above the Influence: Keeping Kids Drug Free."

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"No matter what group I am with, or who I am speaking with, when I ask who has been been affected by substance abuse, undoubtedly many hands go up," Venditti said.

Her platform will get a larger audience in the coming days as Venditti participates in the Miss America preliminary competition starting Tuesday and leading up to the Miss America Pageant Saturday, Jan. 12, which will be broadcast on ABC-TV.

This will be Venditti's third trip to the pageant — the first two times were as a spectator.

"It is going to be fun to be in it," she said, noting that previous contestants have been busy supplying her with tips.

"They have all said don't forget to have fun," she said. "It gets busy and it gets stressful, but have fun. It is quite an opportunity."

And how do you wish someone luck in the pageant?

You tell her "break a fingernail," Venditti said.

See also

  • New Miss Michigan USA Jaclyn Schultz Is a Birmingham Media Strategist


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