Miss Apple Blossom Festival 2008

Platform Statement:

Name: Madison Leigh VanDuyne
Title: Miss Apple Blossom Festival

Building Stronger Communities Through Citizenship and Respect

A survey of 36,000 high school students conducted by the non-profit Josephson Institute in 2006, as part of the National Character Counts program indicated that one out of five students believed that “People who are willing to lie, cheat or break the rules are more likely to succeed than people who do not.”

This is a sad commentary on the future workforce of America. The lack of personal ethics and the “soft-skills” needed by industry has reached such heights that the incorporation of character education has become a necessity in our schools. The pillars of Character Counts are identified in elementary, middle and high schools and builds on the principals of trustworthiness, respect, caring, responsibility, citizenship and fairness. While each of these pillars are important, I assert that the key to all aspects of character development is respect and citizenship. My personal platform is “Building Stronger Communities Through Citizenship and Respect.”

I believe that school curriculum cannot be expected to be the sole source of changing the ethical values of America’s youth. As a nation we must all step forward to help our youth develop their own sense of self-worth and personal integrity. Media, community leaders and positive reinforcements are needed to reach this goal.

The Miss America Organization’s anti-bullying initiative is essential to the pillar of “Respect.” My goal is to continue working with already established networks of schools, guidance professionals and media to continue to emphasize this concept with school aged children and youth.

To accomplish these goals, I speak on the topic that all relationships should start with respect. Respect must be demonstrated so that youth will learn not only to treat others with respect, but also to treat themselves with respect. All individuals must learn to be tolerant of differences and to respect the cultural diversity of our country. They should be taught not to threaten, hit or hurt others. Healthy respectful relationships in school can increase a student’s ability to learn.

For success with any program, students must find relevance in the activities they are given. As a strong advocate for community service I would use the network established by the media, schools and the MAO to help students understand the importance of good citizenship. Using these resources, I would help students recognize the importance of cooperation, getting involved with their community affairs, and the importance of volunteering, staying informed, voting, obeying laws and protecting the environment.

The hundreds of hours that I add yearly to my platform of community service, coupled with the recognition of the “Service” point of the Miss America crown would demonstrate the goals and commitment that our organization has towards reversing the current trends of apathy, self-indulgence and declining national pride. As a representative of the Miss America organization, and a citizen of this nation, I feel that it is my duty and a source of fulfillment to reach these goals.

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