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About Oregon daily emerald. (Eugene, Or.) 1920-2012 | View Entire Issue (June 27, 2002)
COMMENTARY Pageant‘royals’work hard I am writing in response to Julie Lauderbaugh’s editorial enti tled “Rewarding achievement with celebrity,” (ODE, June 3). As a University sophomore and the Rose Festival Queen from 2000 01,1 was surprised by some of the inaccuracies in the information presented about the Rose Festival Court. Being a high school ambas sador is not only about “freezing their grades a month and a half prior to graduation, clothing them with sponsors’ digs and sticking them on a float with a crown.” In fact, not all high schools freeze grades and the ones that do understand that the court sched ule, which involves visiting retire ment homes, meeting with at-risk youth and volunteering in the community makes it difficult to attend classes. The “sponsors’ digs” which they wear are not to reward them or set them apart, but rather to provide similar and appropriate attire for 14 girls from different economic backgrounds. Because of this, none of the girls will feel singled out because of what they wear, or what they can or can’t af ford to buy. Lauderbaugh also failed to men tion the factor that persuaded me to participate in the Rose Festival, which is the $3,000 college schol arship that every ambassador re ceives upon selection. Indeed, Guest Commentary Amy Seely this scholarship made it possible for me to attend the University, and for that I am grateful. Personally, I take offense to the statement that “recognizing young women because of their philan thropic tendencies alone ... (is) old fashioned,” and that Portland’s way of honoring its young achiev ers is “outdated.” Why not reward young people for contributing their time to philanthropic pursuits? How is this different from a news channel’s “Athlete of the Week” or a high school’s valedictorian? Finally, I was disappointed with Lauderbaugh’s statement that hopefully “Queen Leela can dispel some of the stereotypes be queathed to her by previous pag eant winners.” As one of two Rose Festival queens currently attend ing the University and one of many past ambassadors, I would challenge Lauderbaugh to find a more diverse, intellectual, in volved, and successful group of young women on campus. Indeed, our five minutes of “celebrity” fame did little to de ter us from what we enjoy doing, nor was it the pinnacle of, or rea son for, our community service. Whether it’s as a member of Used all of your favorite Come up and get more. Stop by the ODE offices (Suite 300, EMU) L ,mSM. .ill# (itt all the ODE on the world wi Black Women of Achievement, a volunteer for the Special Olympics, a philanthropy chair for a greek organization, or any other extracurricular activity in which we are involved, we do it for ourselves and others; not for a title and crown. In closing, I am a Presidential Scholar with a 4.07 GPA who re cently organized a philanthropy that raised $2,000 for the Make-A Wish Foundation, and my creden tials are not the most impressive of the past “pageant winners” that I know. If by the past “stereotype” of Rose Festival ambassadors, Lauderbaugh means successful and philanthropically inclined young women, then I would say Queen Leela has big shoes to fill and that she has also been doing an excellent job. My question to Lauderbaugh is this: I know you may be cynical, but at least now will you please take us seriously? Amy Seely is a sophomore anthropology major. 014162 ■W1V1HAI1 Community Center for the Performing Arts 8th & Lincoln ■ Tonight m The Forgotten, The Escaped, Vims Nine, One Day War Punk Pock $8 door, 8:oo pm ■ Friday ■ Kawaida, AijunE the Guardians Hip-Hop Jazz Punk $6 door, 9:00 pm ■ July 5 ■ Electric Frankenstein, Pass Out Kin^, FitHiy Animals Punk Pock $10 advaace/door, 9:00 pm All Ages Welcome • 687-2746 Presents the 56th Annual Eugene Active 20-30 Club July 4th at Alton Baker Park Parking at Aut/en Stadium $2 ($1 with your Bi-Mart card) Admission: S3 tor Adults S2 for Kids 6-12 Free tor Kids 5 and under Event begins at 4pm Fireworks start at dusk (10p) VI li s i c/E( h)d/ B ee r Garden/ Kids & Family Games I Ikinks In ihcso lino n|siiimhs! ' - NW Natural* gfocfeotstcr-lktara For the month of June only ★★★★★★★★★★★★★-A 3 piercings For m ★★★★★★★★★★★★★-a With purchase of jewelry. Cannot be combined with any other offer. MR. CLEAN JEAN S COIN-OP LAUNDRY • Close to Campus • Clean Handicap Accessible Machines Serving the Area for 26 years 240 E. 17th (between High & Pearl) LOOKING FOR USED TEXTBOOKS? 768 East 1 3th (541) 345-1651 One block from the U of O campus Above Rainbow Optics on East 1 3th www.smithfamilybookstore.com We sell used books at 35-50% off the list price and most new books are discounted 1 0%
