Competing for a dream

Bryn Chapman, a 21 year-old IU undergraduate, can add one more accomplishment to her resume, which already includes winning Miss Indiana 2003-04.\nChapman competed in the 2003 Miss America competition, placing in the top 10 Sept. 20 in Atlantic City, N.J. \nShe said the experience was a very busy, but enjoyable time.\n"I feel like a lot of people think being Miss America would be a glamour job," Chapman said. "It's not that easy. Typically 12-hour days with appearances around town, being visible to the public and media."\nThe weeks leading up to the final televised event were hectic, she said. \nThree weeks prior, the 51 contestants spent four days touring the city with last year's Miss America, Erica Herald, witnessing first hand the responsibilities the position carries. \nEach girl also had a chance to visit Washington, D.C. to attend senate receptions, hold personal meetings with congressional delegates from their respective states and raise $38,000 for the Children's Miracle Network, which benefited a D.C.-area children's hospital. \nCompetition then began six days before the televised event. The 51 participants were divided into groups of three. From Sept. 14 to 18, each group went in one day for their interviews, which held 40 percent of the weight in the competition scoring. Then all the preliminary events, such as evening gown, swim suit and talent began Sept. 16 to Sept. 18.\nThe judges had tallied the scores of all the contestants and had the top 15 decided by Sept. 20. The previous scores were then eliminated and the competition started again from scratch for the live show. \nThe contestants competed in casual-wear, the first year in the pageant's history to have such a category. The field was then narrowed to 10, when those winners re-competed in swimsuit and evening wear. \nThe top five then went against one another in talent competition, a round of on-stage questions regarding respective platforms and a quiz show to finish the event.\nChapman finished in the top 10 as Miss Florida, Ericka Dunlap, was eventually crowned this year's Miss America. \nHenna Burns, Chapman's mother, flew into Atlantic City with Chapman's family Sept. 16. Burns said the biggest thing she noticed was the extent to which the contestants were protected by security. \nEach girl was accompanied by a traveling companion who was with them at all times, unconditionally. Each contestant also had a hostess who would drive them to and from the hotel to rehearsals, appearances, interviews and wherever else their schedules took them. \n"One time six of the girls wanted to go shopping on their day off. Ten security officials had to go with them. Some of them were even FBI," Burns said. "The most impressive part was that all of these people were volunteers. No one got paid. Even the hotel rooms were donated."\nChapman's mother was also able to escort her to the stage for the evening gown competition, which she said was a highlight for both of them. \n"I was so happy to be up on stage with Bryn when she made top 10," Burns said. "But at the same time I wished that all the parents had been allowed to do the same. So many parents put in so much time and effort to support their daughters, and for those girls to accomplish as much as they did, they all certainly deserved to be up there."\nBy the end, Chapman said she found herself both physically and mentally exhausted. \n"Staying focused was definitely the most difficult thing to do," she said. "You're there for over two weeks with little sleep and a lot going on and always having to be 'on' in public and in front of the judges. It can really wear on you. The Jersey motto is 'Only the Strong Survive,' which was pretty apt."\nEven with the strain and pressure of competing for such a prestigious prize, Chapman said the contestants stayed amiable and supportive of one another throughout the event. \n"When you've got 51 different personalities, not everyone is going to be best friends," she said. "Everyone had their own clicks, but no one was ever mean or nasty to anyone else. We all worked very well together, to an extent that even surprised me. The production staff told us that we were one of the most cooperative and easy-to-work with groups in recent years."\nChapman said she was very pleased with the outcome, finding the experience to be extremely beneficial, both financially and intangibly. \n"Just for being in the competition every girl got $5,000 in scholarship money," Chapman said. "By making top 10 I got another $15,000 (in scholarships)." \nChapman said now she wants to bring her experience back to IU.\n"I've also decided that I want to continue to work with the (Miss America) organization because I've had such a positive experience," she said. "I'd like to do some judging once I'm eligible. I'd also like to see a local competition evolve in Bloomington. There is a Miss Purdue and a Miss Ball State that get to compete for Miss Indiana, but there's nothing for IU. Hopefully I can help establish something like that in Bloomington."\nChapman has taken the year off from attending IU in order to fulfill her position as Miss Indiana. Following her year of duty, she plans on returning to IU to finish her senior year and get her bachelors degree in music and vocal performance. \n-- Contact staff writer Mike Manetta at mwmanett@indiana.edu.