With the Miss America Pageant now behind Savannah Cole, it's time for the reigning Miss Minnesota to get busy back home.
Cole, 19, the daughter of Rick and Deb Cole of Brainerd, spent more than a week in Atlantic City preparing for Sunday's Miss America Pageant. Cole was not picked as one of the 16 semifinalists for the pageant. Miss New York Kira Kazantsev was crowned the winner.
Rick and Deb Cole, in an email Monday, said, "We are so proud of Savannah and how she represented Minnesota here in Atlantic City. She will have a busy schedule back home making appearances representing the Miss Minnesota organization and as the official spokesperson for the Minnesota Epilepsy foundation.
"Regarding the live pageant on Sunday night, surprising is the first word that comes to mind. Many in the crowd were surprised at every turn of events. Several of the traditional favorites like California, Georgia, South Carolina did not make the Top 15. Preliminary talent winners like Pennsylvania and Kentucky did not make the Top 10."
Cole said the Miss Minnesota organization is planning an official welcome home celebration for Savannah Cole in early October.
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Former Miss Minnesota Rebecca Yeh, who was named fourth-runner up in last year's Miss America competition, said, "Savannah is an extremely impressive woman who stayed true to herself the entire competition. She's not your typical pageant girl and that's what I really love about her. She boldly breaks the mold with her unique talents, presence and style.
"There's a lot to learn from her. She is a Miss America in my eyes so Minnesota has a lot to look forward to in the next nine months. She is one person you will want to follow both during her reign and after."
Kathy Shellum, executive director of the Miss Minnesota Scholarship Pageant, also offered Savannah Cole praise.
“We are so proud of Savannah - she knocked her talent out of the park, was amazing all week long. Her smile never left her face. She had one of the coolest state outfits for the Miss America Boardwalk Parade (a Viking Warrior Princess). She represented Minnesota with class - we love her!” Shellum said in a email. “We are very excited to have her back home in Minnesota to continue her wonderful work the the Epilepsy Foundation of Minnesota as their spokesperson this year, and continue working with Children’s Miracle Network.”
Cole's platform, "Bringing it Out of the Shadow," is on epilepsy. Cole has a close friend who has epilepsy and who has had to deal with having many seizures while going to class. Cole wants to educate people about epilepsy on her friend's behalf.
Cole, who was involved in orchestra, choir and theater in high school, chose vocals as her talent. She sang "House of the Rising Sun," by The Animals.
Cole is studying physical therapy at North Dakota State University.
JENNIFER STOCKINGER may be reached at jennifer.stockinger@brainerddispatch.com or 855-5851. Follow on Twitter at www.twitter.com/jennewsgirl .
