At the Miss America Pageant: Miss Kansas expecting the best

By Carol Bronson of the Tribune Staff - Pratt Tribune - 09/18/2003

Operating under a philosophy that has served her well, "prepare for the worst and expect the best," Miss Kansas Angelea Busby is finding competition at the Miss America Pageant somewhat less intense than she expected.

"I was surprised," she commented, about her private interview with judges last Sunday. "It was a very calm atmosphere."

The format is exactly the same as at the Miss Kansas Pageant, a 12-minute interview with a 45-second opening and closing. She had worked hard all summer to be more confident and professional, she commented. In particular, her host family, Bruce and Sue Givens, helped her slow her speed of conversation and to use her hands in a more focused, professional manner to illustrate a point.

For the evening wear competition Tuesday, Busby wore a turquoise gown that had been donated for the competition. Her father was able to escort her on stage, even with a broken leg. Her brother was backstage as well, "just in case," she said, although there seemed little doubt William would perform the traditional service.

Family support is important; they absorb the anxiety, she said, leaving her free to concentrate on the job she came to do. By the end of the week, 45 family members will be in Atlantic City to encourage her.

A new feature at the Miss America Pageant this year is a trial of a casual wear phase that could be incorporated into the national and state pageants. Contestants are asked to wear jeans or some other type of pants, suitable for wear on campus or to a concert. Busby wore jeans and a red leather jacket.

"I think it's going in a good direction to show a woman's personality," she commented.

On Wednesday night, Busby wore a turquoise velvet one-piece suit for the swimsuit competition. At an earlier photo shoot on the beach, contestants were a little worried, she commented - most competition suits are not designed to actually get wet.

The last preliminary events occur tonight. The only baton twirler in this year's pageant, she was forewarned by former twirlers of a slick stage, so has made an appropriate choice of footwear. She has been able to practice on the stage and has learned to strategically place the batons so they don't hit the lights on the ceiling. The stage is taller than that in the Pratt Community College sports arena, but not the "perfect world," outdoors or in a ballroom, Busby said.

Casting a shadow over this year's pageant is the threat of Hurricane Isabel, which made landfall in South Carolina this morning. Miss America Pageant officials are prepared to postpone Friday's Boardwalk parade and the pageant itself on Saturday if necessary, according to Associated Press stories. Officials expected to make an announcement about the parade by noon today.

Contestants have been told of contingency plans, Busby said, that include total evacuation, opening doors early on Saturday night to get pageant-watchers out of the weather, and providing for extra food and water in the event people cannot leave the area.

"I have no concerns," Busby said. "I'm safe here and I have a job to do."

The pageant will be broadcast live on ABC channels, beginning at 7 p.m. CDT Saturday.