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Show 1 'ilk I lilt- P. I I ill VIEWPOINT Aliss America reoressnts Vj&z w&mwTOwitcC change of pageant ideals The image of the Miss America Pageant being just a beauty pageant is slowly changing as was illustrated by Heather Whitestone, Miss America 1995, at Convocations Thursday. Whitestone, who is hearing impaired, addressed the issue of the Miss America Pageant becoming too focused on outward beauty by reaffirming that the pageant is in fact a scholarship pageant more than a beauty contest. Being the first disabled Miss America, Whitestone has set a precedent for future women who could wear the crown. When asked if she thought a woman who was facially disfigured might ever be selected as Miss America, she said that it could be a possibility because of the fact that the pageant is based on the strength and importance of the contestants platform, educational background and pride in America. Whitestone's crowning signified a number of growing trends within society trends that are also growing at Weber State University. That primary trend is the awareness of physical disabilities. This awareness has improved on campus over the years with the assistance of the students with disabilities senator. An emphasis week devoted to that population of the WSU studentbody provides the abled students an opportunity to participate in activities where, by being blind folded or put into a wheelchair for a day, they gain a greater appreciation for those who are disabled. Whitestone's platform has been "Anything is Possible," and she has proven that statement to be true by overcoming obstacles. One obstacle in preparing for the Miss America Pageant was people who didn't believe she could be selected for the year-long honor. She simply stated that she was glad she is deaf because she was spared from that gossip. As Miss America, Whitestone has also become a role model for young girls who desire to one day fill her shoes. Those young girls who are physically challenged now have a reason to believe that they, too, could be Miss America in spite of their disabilities. Those girls have a reassurance that the pageant is more than a beauty contest. ii.M rl:;i; hi K V . 11 I , 1. ; i m m W B S BI ft I 1ST H u I I I I I 3 O I U 1 kit II ."" &THE NEWEST ViRGS.,, tT5 CAOEPtEXUS SHCKER SHOCK" English la guage, logic lacking in principle (or is it principal?) The Signpost Recipient of the UPA General Excellence award Editor in chief Managing editor News desk Arts desk Sports desk Production Advertising Adviser Fax 626-7121 626-7105 626-7507 626-7105 626-7983 626-6358 626-6359 626-7120 626-7401 Editor in chief Jennifer King Managing editor Jared Page News editor Gary Hinds A&E editor Kimberly Carroll Sports editor Chris Peterson Asst. sports ed. Jaren Gibson Copy editor David Grover Features editor Rachel Trotter Campus affairs David Hill Photo editor Brian Nicholson Production mgr. Natalie Peay Ad designer Kristine Birt Ad mann er Douglas Perry Asst. ad irnnaqer Trent Walker Secretary Georgia Edwards Adviser P. Larry Stahle Publisher Dr. Randy Scott The Signpost is a student publication, written, edited and drafted by WoLr State University students. Opinions or positions voiced are not necessarily endorsed by '-hi university. The Signpost welcomes letters to the editor. Letters shcr t exceed 350 words. Letters must include name, address, telephone nurr r, relationship to staff and the signature of the writer. The Signpost reserves the right to edit for reasons of space and libel and also reserves the right to refuse to print any letter. Bring letters to the editorial office in UB 267 or mail to: The Signpost, Weber State University, Ogden, Utah 84408-2110. Attn: Hillary Lundgreen, editor In chief. The Signpost Phone numbers The Signpost is published Monday, Wednesday and Friday during Fall, Winter and Spring quarters. Subscription is S9 a quarter. The English language is a curious beast. Although one of the most widely spoken and read of languages, it seems as though logic was thrown to the wind at times throughout history as it de-veloped.With Spanish, every letter has its own distinct sound; and that sound is always pronounced the same way. The "a" is always pronounced "aah," while the "i" is always "eee." Never a change, and no exceptions to the rule. In other words, once a person has learned the Spanish alphabet, he or she can read any word. What a concept.English, on the other hand, has its own set of rules; they're not quite so simple. The "a" can be pronounced "aah, uh, aay," etc. The "i" sounds like "ih, eee, eye," etc. For example, the words crate, bait and weight areall pronounced the same. Hmm . . . here are some more tidbits of English logic. Take my friend, Sue, who prefers to be called Susie. Susie happens to work in a profession of, shall we say, questionable morals. Here's the catch: I can't very well call Susie a flusie. Neither Grove of Thought David Grover would it be correct to call Susie a flewsie (although Susie flew on a plane once.) What, pray tell, is Susie? Susie is actually a floosie. Do you think Susie will sue me? Which brings me to another point. Susie wore a plain dress when she flew on that plane. Then there's Jack. Jack threw a blue ball through his neighbor's window. Feeling full of rue, Jack apologized to the neighbor, not knowing what else to do. Now Jack's neighbor had a horse that would neigh and a donkey that would bray. Jack's neighbor trained the horse to pull a sleigh, but he could only get the donkey to eat hay. I wonder, did the thought of consistency ever enter into the minds of the inventors of the English language? I feel terrible for any poor soul trying to learn it. Speaking of learning, I have two friends who, in their freshman year """"" at Weber State University, loved to sluff class. It didn't matter to meuntil my slovenly friends wanted me to catch them up on all the notes. I refused because it's their problem they're not there. , . Another thing I could never figure out: When the head of my high school was charged with a felony and I wrote a story, should the headline have read, "Principle lacks principal," or "Principal lacks principle." And do you say, "Mom, close the door!" when she barges in on you in the shower? Then when she leaves, do you whisper to yourself, "Boy, that was a close call, she almost saw me naked?" How about when you 're in you r car driving to school? And we say third-world countries are backward. At least I know when reading Spanish that the words estupido and logico are always pronounced the way they look. I am grateful (or is it greatful) that I learned English as a child; I don't think I am intelligent enough to have had to figure it out in my adult years. 7 l 4 S n s i , M ri VI Zr & . ," VV tui SU & -11 ib?iiwk I've been to New York City six times and I still haven't seen the Statue of Liberty, and I'm Miss America. Miss America 1995, Heather Whitestone |
