Letter to the Editor

Scott City's Summerfest needs changes

To the editor:

Scott City's Summerfest crowning is in need of changes. The most provocative, tongue-wagging dress always wins. The remarks made by the master of ceremonies show bias. Remarks such as "I knew you when you were a baby" and "I remember your mother in this contest" give those predetermined winners an edge over the contestants the MC doesn't personally know.

All the winners' questions were "Who do you admire most?" or "What do you want to be when you grow up?" These easy questions could have been answered by smiling 5-year-olds. Other contestants were asked more serious questions such as "What are your feelings on the Iraq war?" Why ask questions if no merit is given to the answers? The contestant who gave a meaningful, moving answer to the controversial war issue should be applauded, but she didn't place. One of the runners-up changed her question from "What are the characteristics of a good teacher?" to "Who is your favorite Scott City teacher? Why?" Consider the winner's question: "What qualities do you look for in a boyfriend?" She had a good answer, and she should. She is dating the son of one of the judges.

Please consider these facts so that I don't find myself ashamed of this small town fiasco yet another year.

ROBERTA KERLEY

Scott City