FORMER MISS AMERICA URGES PURSUIT OF DREAMS

If Debbye Turner had listened to her friends and family she never would have been crowned Miss America 1990.

They told her she was too short, her talent (playing the marimbas) too odd, and she didn't have blonde hair or blue eyes. Others predicted that because she's a woman, Turner would never become a veterinarian. She proved them all wrong.

On Friday, Turner told youngsters at May Greene Elementary School that they too can set their own futures.

She earned her doctor of veterinary medicine three years ago, but she has not started a practice. Turner now operates her own company in St. Louis. She does motivational speaking for youngsters and adults.

Turner also speaks at schools, but she doesn't charge for the appearances, she said.

Before being crowned Miss American Sept. 16, 1990, Turner tried seven and a half years, 11 different times, in two different states for the title.

Through the years many people tried to discourage her, asking her to give up, telling her it wasn't worth the work and that she wouldn't make it.

"With each try I gave a little more of myself," she said. "I worked a little harder. If I had believed any of those people I would not be here today."

Turner brought her rhinestone studded crown, complete with wooden carrying case, to show the youngsters.

"No they're not real diamonds, they're real rhinestones," she said. "But this crown is worth more than diamonds to me. I worked for this crown, and nobody can take it away from me."

She urged the students to work for their own crown.

"It may not be a Miss America crown," she said. "It may be a high school diploma or a college degree or a teaching certificate or a law practice. But it will be your crown and no one will be able to take it away.

"There are a lot of different dreams in this room," Turner added. "It does not matter what you want to accomplish, you need an education."

"It doesn't matter what your parents do for a living. It doesn't matter what your friends think of you. What matters is what you think of yourself."

Turner grew up in Jonesboro, Ark. Her grandmother lives in Kennett, and Turner graduated from the University of Missouri-Columbia.

"I'm speaking to young people all over the country," she said following her presentation to students.

She cited an African axiom: "It takes a village to raise a child."

"I think we have gotten away from that," Turner said.

As a result, youngsters must face teen pregnancies, drug and alcohol abuse, and soaring school drop-out rates.

"I would like to urge the people of Cape Girardeau to take responsibility for all the children in the community," Turner said.