Phhoto of Miss America 2015 by Jennifer Grambs. All rights reserved.
I didn't expect to run into Miss America.
It was press day at the New York Times Travel Show. I was there wandering around the Javits Center looking for the next article idea to pitch to my editor. I figured there had to be a travel story somewhere that would grab my attention.
Sure, I knew in advance that Miss America 2015, Kira Kazantsev, would make an appearance. But I thought there would be bells and whistles to draw attention to her and keep the crowds at bay. My press badge would get me up near the front of the long line. But I was prepared for chaos.
Here's a truism: No matter how anyone feels about the Miss America pageant, everyone wants a look at what some say is the American ideal.
Suddenly, there she was. Miss America. No loud music. Not one trumpet. Not a bell or a whistle. Just Miss America and me.
At first, I thought the fresh-faced young woman a few steps away in the Atlantic City-ish booth was simply a fan in anticipation of a beauty queen's arrival.
But wait! She's wearing a crown. A pretty twenty-something with artful nail polish, extremely cool footwear and a black dress that screams New York City doesn't usually top off her outfit with a circle of could-they-be-real-diamonds.
It hit me like a thunderbolt. I was standing there with Miss America.
And despite her lovely looks worthy of a winner, I couldn't take my eyes off that crown.
This was a travel show, for goodness' sake, so I positively had to chat with her about well, travel; specifically road-tripping, my specialty. Yes, she loves to camp, spent parts of her childhood in woodland settings and remembers wonderful family bonding time centered around tenting excursions.
This is a very agreeable Miss America. I bet she likes to hike, too.
As the booth began to fill up, we talked about her favorite outdoor experiences and gear. A crowd of mostly women has lined up to meet and greet an American icon. Time for me to fade away.
I step back to photograph this historic moment.
It's the crown that I see so clearly through my camera lens. Yes, it sparkles plenty. I'm drawn to its design, the crystal-studded points of light that encourage me to look up, up, up. My focus moves skyward. I'm feeling kind of regal myself.
I try to imagine how that glittering crown transforms Miss America every time she wears it. Taller? Lovelier? More graceful? Centered? When she takes it off, does that quest for perfection stay with her?
You wonder why I'm writing about Miss America's crown here in a ballet blog? Think about it as you dance.
copyright:jgrambs
XXX
x
It was press day at the New York Times Travel Show. I was there wandering around the Javits Center looking for the next article idea to pitch to my editor. I figured there had to be a travel story somewhere that would grab my attention.
Sure, I knew in advance that Miss America 2015, Kira Kazantsev, would make an appearance. But I thought there would be bells and whistles to draw attention to her and keep the crowds at bay. My press badge would get me up near the front of the long line. But I was prepared for chaos.
Here's a truism: No matter how anyone feels about the Miss America pageant, everyone wants a look at what some say is the American ideal.
Suddenly, there she was. Miss America. No loud music. Not one trumpet. Not a bell or a whistle. Just Miss America and me.
At first, I thought the fresh-faced young woman a few steps away in the Atlantic City-ish booth was simply a fan in anticipation of a beauty queen's arrival.
But wait! She's wearing a crown. A pretty twenty-something with artful nail polish, extremely cool footwear and a black dress that screams New York City doesn't usually top off her outfit with a circle of could-they-be-real-diamonds.
It hit me like a thunderbolt. I was standing there with Miss America.
And despite her lovely looks worthy of a winner, I couldn't take my eyes off that crown.
This was a travel show, for goodness' sake, so I positively had to chat with her about well, travel; specifically road-tripping, my specialty. Yes, she loves to camp, spent parts of her childhood in woodland settings and remembers wonderful family bonding time centered around tenting excursions.
This is a very agreeable Miss America. I bet she likes to hike, too.
As the booth began to fill up, we talked about her favorite outdoor experiences and gear. A crowd of mostly women has lined up to meet and greet an American icon. Time for me to fade away.
I step back to photograph this historic moment.
It's the crown that I see so clearly through my camera lens. Yes, it sparkles plenty. I'm drawn to its design, the crystal-studded points of light that encourage me to look up, up, up. My focus moves skyward. I'm feeling kind of regal myself.
I try to imagine how that glittering crown transforms Miss America every time she wears it. Taller? Lovelier? More graceful? Centered? When she takes it off, does that quest for perfection stay with her?
You wonder why I'm writing about Miss America's crown here in a ballet blog? Think about it as you dance.
copyright:jgrambs
XXX
x