Miss America praises abstinence for youths, irritates officials

OAKBROOK TERRACE, Ill. -- Miss America Erika Harold is speaking out in favor of delaying sex until marriage, even though that irritates pageant officials.

"It's not that I'm trying to preach. I'm standing up for a lifestyle that I have chosen," Harold told dozens of Chicago-area students Saturday.

Miss America officials initially objected to Harold talking about abstinence because as Miss Illinois she campaigned for the national crown by speaking out against violence at schools. Last month, pageant officials agreed she could talk about abstinence, too.

Harold's talk in Oakbrook Terrace resonated with many of the students.

"Peer pressure is real, and it helps knowing there are people like her who share my views on abstinence," said Vanessa Allen, 17, a senior at Immaculate Heart of Mary High School in Westchester.

Harold also spoke about school violence and the importance of family.

The 22-year-old resident of Urbana had made speeches to schools for several years on behalf of Project Reality, a nonprofit organization that promotes abstinence. It was her platform each of the three times she sought the Miss Illinois title.

Youth violence platform

Like the other Miss Illinois contestants, however, Harold agreed to adopt a youth violence platform if she won the state pageant and advanced to Miss America.

"It's very important to her, and I applaud people with a strong belief," Miss America chief executive George Bauer said earlier this month. "However, it was not the platform she competed on."

Later Saturday, Harold traveled to Springfield to watch as her younger sister, Alexandra, completed her year as Miss Springfield by passing on the crown to this year's winner, Victoria Sue Whitlow, 20, of Springfield.

"I'm here to support my sister," Erika Harold said before the pageant began. "I'm very proud of her."

The older Harold did not wear a crown or sash but agreed to pose for pictures with spectators.