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15/04/2021
Press staff reports Apr 15, 2021
Starting at the Sheraton Convention Center Hotel and making your way to Boardwalk Hall, there is still plenty of Miss America to see in Atlantic City
GLASSBORO — Rowan University students are sifting through 100 years worth of artifacts from the Miss America Organization to build a digital archive, the school announced Thursday.
“We’re excited Rowan is doing this, and we’re thrilled the university sees value in this project,” Shantel Krebs, chair of the board and interim president and CEO of the Miss America Organization, said in a statement. “This is New Jersey history.”
The Miss America Pageant, later the Miss America Competition, was held in Atlantic City from 1921 to 2004 and again from 2013 to 2018. The competition was held at Connecticut’s Mohegan Sun Casino in 2019 and will return there this year for its 100th anniversary.
For the Rowan project, items such as programs and photos will be scanned, while other artifacts, such as crowns, trophies and a scepter carried by winners, will be photographed. Scores of oil paintings and sketches of winners will be digitized under the guidance of Rowan art historians.
The idea is to allow scholars from around the world to access the collection and learn about Miss America.
“This collection will be an invaluable source for the study of American history, culture, women’s history, business history, media studies and many other topics,” said Nawal Ammar, dean of Rowan’s College of Humanities & Social Sciences.
The Miss America Organization has established a campaign to help fund the digitization project and preserve the artifacts. The organization will retain the physical artifacts.
The pageant was founded in 1921 as a gimmick to lengthen the summer tourist season by capitalizing on popular American ideals of female beauty.
By the 1950s, the competition had been transformed into a source of scholarships for contestants.
Controversy arose in 1968 when the competition was the site of the first major women’s liberation protest in the country, with nearly 400 protesters demonstrating on the Boardwalk.
Many also have objected to the program’s exclusion of women of color, with the first Black Miss America, Vanessa Williams, being crowned more than 60 years after the competition began.
Destiny Hall, a senior English and writing arts major working on the digitization, said it’s been eye-opening as she explores her own views of feminism.
“Part of being a feminist is allowing women to be whatever they want to be,” Hall said. “I have a complicated history with Miss America. In the beginning, I saw it as sexist. Now, I see it as a celebration of womanhood. Many of these women compete to further their careers.”
GALLERY: Look back at local pageants through the years
Contestants line up for the gown competition at the Miss Ocean City pageant on August 24, 1985. Press file photo.
Garden Pier pageant, in Atlantic City, undated. PRESS ARCHIVE
Miss Atlantic City 1989 Press file photo. Deborah Drane probably danced all night after winning the 1989 Miss Atlantic County Scholarship Pageant.
Drane, 22, who won the talent contest for singing "I Could Have Danced All Night," proudly accepted her crown.
Miss Atlantic City 1989 Rochelle Burt crowns Miss Atlantic City 1990 Pamela Measure. Press file photo.
Miss Atlantic City contestants on August 26, 1986. Back Row, left to right: Myrna Anderson, Deborah Herring, Pamela Curtis, Inei Akidel, Randi Gupton, Colleen Ramsey, Lee-Lee Warren, Debora Davis, Lessa Toscano. Front Row, left to right; Dana Jackson, Lee Anne Morell, Bonnie Beckham, Dorothy Crowl, Kim Pilgim, Marci Jenkins, Cheryl Adams
Melanie Lamanteer, Miss Cumberland County Junior Miss is flanked by her court. 3rd Runner up Randi Fishman, 1st Runner up Heidi Weiss and 2nd runner up Tiffany Casadia on Nov 16, 1987. Press file photo.
Melissa Thornton, Miss Ventnor 1990 crowned by Giulietta Consalus. Press file photo.
Crowning Moment - Peggy Jackson, Miss Atlantic County, crowns Maria DeVincenzo, Miss NAFEC 1973. The new queen will be NAFEC's entry in the Miss Atlantic County contest for 1973. Press file photo.
Karin Hartz crowned Miss Columbus Day on October 12, 1987. Press file photo.
Mrs. New Jersey contestants rehearse their opening number on April 3, 1992. Press file photo.
16 contestants line the stage at Millville High School to await the decision of the judges for the title of Miss Cumberland County on March 18 1985. Press file photo.
Junior Miss Contestants at Wheaton Village on January 18, 1989. Press file photo.
Miss Ocean County 1984 Pageant. L to R: Miss Ocean County 1984 Kori Dawkins, Jennifer Letch 1985 and Miss New Jersey 1984 Patricia Laterra. Press file photo.
The 10 contestants stand before the judges during the evening gown competition at the Miss Cumberland County Pageant on March 16, 1987. Press file phtoo.
Miss Columbus Day pageant on Oct. 12, 1985. Press file photo.
Miss Columbus Day Pageant on Oct. 10, 1982. Press file photo.
Miss Ventnor Pageant. Rosanna Eva Maria Consalvo, 1984 an Miss Ventnor Allison Anderson, Age 17. August 16, 1984. Press file photo.
Former Miss Atlantic County queens. Left to right: Mary McGinnis, 1979; Angela Albani, 1974; Holly uhrmann, 1976; Betsy Apel, 1956; Julie Danley, 1984; Becky Gast, 1979; Arlene Walsh, 1960. Press file photo.
Christine Lyons Miss Seashore 1987 and Meri Rivers Miss Seashore 1986 on April 26, 1987. Press file photo.
Contestants line up for the bathing suit competition in the "Miss Ocean City" pageant on August 26, 1985. Press file photo.
Gabrielle Kaminski, 14, of Mays Landing, performs a dance for her talent in the Teen Miss Eastern Shore and Miss Atlantic Shores Pageant on Sunday. Sunday, July 22. ERIN GRUGAN / Staff Photographer
After storming through hair, makeup, and a costume change, the contestants of the Miss Teen pageant are united on stage for a group number to open the show. Sunday, July 22. ERIN GRUGAN / Staff Photographer
Miss Pleasantville 2010 Darlene Justiniano, right, ties the sash around Miss Pleasantville 2011 Amanda E. Martinez, 16, after being crowned April 16, during the Miss Pleasantville 2011 Scholarship Pageant at Pleasantville High School. Photo by Stefanie Campolo
Shown from left are the contestants of the Miss Pleasantville 2011 Scholarship Pageant: Frankie Nero, 17, Kendall K. Washington, 16, Jusmath Zamor, 18, and Amanda E. Martinez, 16, all of Pleasantville. Martinez won the most awards, winning first place in the swimsuit, talent (also tied with Nero), evening gown, platform, and overall categories, while also taking the crown for Miss Pleasantville 2011. Photo by Stefanie Campolo
The Miss New Jersey competition officially kicked off at the Ocean City Music Pier 2017 will be crowned. Erin Grugan / Staff Photographer
On Friday Aug. 20, 2010 Ocean City held its Little Miss Pageant on the Music Pier. One of the girls pictured here is Lindsey Boehning age 10 of Ocean City. Larry Berman
Miss Atlantic County Avery Wythe and Miss Columbus Day Julia Magill accept their crowns Saturday night in Margate. Both will vie for Miss New Jersey in the Miss America system. Suzanne Marino / Staff Writer Miss Atlantic County Avery Wythe and Miss Columbus Day Julia Magill accept their crowns Saturday night in Margate. Both will vie for Miss New Jersey in the Miss America system. Suzanne Marino / Staff Writer Avery Wythe is crowned Miss Atlantic County by Olivia Michael Saturday in Margate. Suzanne Marino Avery Wythe is crowned Miss Atlantic County by Olivia Michael Saturday in Margate. Suzanne Marino Proud Mama, Patti Wythe snaps a selfie with her daughter, the new Miss Atlantic County, Avery Wythe. Suzanne Marino Proud Mama, Patti Wythe snaps a selfie with her daughter, the new Miss Atlantic County, Avery Wythe. Suzanne Marino Former Miss Columbus Day contestants in 1981 are Suzette Charles, who was Miss America 1984 and Beth Maccagnano Holtzman, the Mayor of Ventnor and the recipient of the 2017 Christopher Columbus Distinguished Service Award. Suzanne Marino Former Miss Columbus Day contestants in 1981 are Suzette Charles, who was Miss America 1984 and Beth Maccagnano Holtzman, the Mayor of Ventnor and the recipient of the 2017 Christopher Columbus Distinguished Service Award. Suzanne Marino The contestants in the Miss Columbus Day and Miss Atlantic County Pageant hold hands as they await the word from the judges who would win the crown. From left is Amanda Martinez, Ashley Kulikowski, Danielle Barger, Avery Wythe, Taylor Merinuk, Hailey Guildin, Tiffani Britton, Amanda Peacock and Julia Magill. Suzanne Marino The contestants in the Miss Columbus Day and Miss Atlantic County Pageant hold hands as they await the word from the judges who would win the crown. From left is Amanda Martinez, Ashley Kulikowski, Danielle Barger, A
Miss Atlantic City 2013 Tiana Cannon (left) is crowned by Miss Atlantic City 2012 Aliyah Montague. Sunday June 30 2013 Miss Atlantic City Pageant 2013 at Dante Hall, Atlantic City. (The Press of Atlantic City / Ben Fogletto)
On Friday Aug. 20, 2010 Ocean City held its Little Miss Pageant on the Music Pier. Some of the girls performing a dance for us. Larry Berman
Miss New Jersey 2016 contestants perform during the final night of the Miss New Jersey Pageant at the Ocean City music pier Saturday, June 18, 2016. (The Press of Atlantic City / Edward Lea Staff Photographer
Thursday, June 2-- After the Ms. New Jersey Senior America Pageant at Harrah's Resort Atlantic City, several of the contestants pose for picture. Shown from left are Kay Vigue, of Pleasantville, who won second runner up, Phyllis Burton, of Whiting, Sylvia Silano, of Brick, Leah J. Whelan, of Southampton, who won first runner up, Carole L. Lelli, of Ocean City, who won third runner up, Desiree Nigrelli, of Atlantic City, who was crowned Ms. New Jersey Senior America 2011, Lawaner Wilkins Sykes, of Trenton, Patricia Genovese, of Dover, who won fourth runner up, Mary Ann Andreus, of Linwood, and Brenda J. Christian, of Matawan. Photo by Stefanie Campolo
Miss Seashore Line 2016 Brenna Weick, 22 of Mantua the new Miss New Jersey 2016 during Miss New Jersey Pageant at the Ocean City music pier Saturday, June 18, 2016. (The Press of Atlantic City / Edward Lea Staff Photographer
Miss New Jersey Lindsey Giannini waves to the crowd during the final night of the Miss New Jersey Pageant at the Ocean City music pier Saturday, June 18, 2016. (The Press of Atlantic City / Edward Lea Staff Photographer)
Ms. New Jersey Senior America contestants wait for the pageant winner announcement, Thursday June 5, 2014, at Harrah's Resort Atlantic City. Michael Ein
Contestant Keely DeMarco, 11, of Ocean City, sings a Taylor Swift song during the Little Miss Ocean City pageant, Friday, Aug. 16, 2013 in Ocean City. Sean M. Fitzgerald
The Poise and Composure part of the Little Miss ocean City pageant, Friday, Aug. 16, 2013 in Ocean City. Sean M. Fitzgerald
The mayor helps Miss Atlantic City Jennifer Jaramillo unlock the ocean in front of the Hilton on May 28, 2000. PRESS ARCHIVES
The official unlocking of the ocean by Atlantic City Mayor James Whelan and Miss Atlantic City, Stephanie Piatt starts the summer season on the Atlantic City beach, Saturday 5/23/98. MICHAEL EIN
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