There She Is....
We went to a lovely dinner at church last night, but I ended up staying awake way too long because (yeah, I'll admit it....) I wanted to stay up to watch the Miss America pageant. I'm not a pageant fan in general, but I do have a bit of a soft spot for Miss America, because twenty years ago (has it really been 20 years?!?!?), one of my high school girlfriends, Kay Lani Rae Rafko, from little ole' Monroe Michigan, brought home the title of Miss America.
I can't tell you how surreal it was to have a friend win a contest like that. It was only a few years before she became Miss Michigan and then Miss American, Kay Lani was a tall, awkward high school girl double dating with me and my Napoleon Dynamite lookalike boyfriend, Bobby. Bizarre.
I have long lost track of Kay Lani, and I'm sure she doesn't remember me, but I sure remember her. I know she's done a lot for the promotion of the nursing profession and is a big advocate of hospice care. Her term as Miss America in 1988 was the first to really promote the idea of Miss Americas promoting a cause to better the world. I have no doubt that she's done that.
Last night another Miss Michigan, Kirsten Haglund, won the crown. Ironically, Kirsten is also a local Cincinnatian, as she's currently a vocal performance major at the Cincinnati Conservatory of Music at the University of Cincinnati. I thought it was fitting.
Im sure she remembers you! What a great story thanks for sharing
Posted by: Robin | January 27, 2008 at 02:29 PM
oh how cool....
I knew a Miss Teen Kansas over 20 years ago... does that count?
Posted by: Sara E | January 28, 2008 at 12:04 PM
oh how cool....
I knew a Miss Teen Kansas over 20 years ago... does that count?
Posted by: Sara E | January 28, 2008 at 12:04 PM
OF course she would remember you!!!! Who wouldn't? And holy HECK! You double-dated with Kay Lani Ray Rafko of the hula dancing pageant fame!?!!! I totally remember where I was when she won - in Redford Twp. at my aunt's house. I was so glad that I stayed up to watch that night. And it just doesn't seem like it's been twenty years - no way!
Posted by: susan opel | January 28, 2008 at 03:24 PM
that's such a awesome memory....I am still in lil ole' monroe michigan, and was lucky enough to meet Kay lani..just a few weeks ago....she does seem like an awesome woman...
Posted by: Cflattop | January 28, 2008 at 09:15 PM