MISS MISSOURI CHALLENGES STUDENTS

Students must strive for respect, responsibility, courage and self-discipline, says Erin Phillips, Miss Missouri 1995.

Phillips on Monday spoke to 700 eighth- and ninth-graders at Cape Girardeau Central Junior High School.

Ninth-grader Travis Kaufman introduced Phillips to the students. "She puts a lot of emphasis on reading, education and self-esteem," Kaufman said. "She is a really good role model for students."

Phillips said she began competing in pageants five years ago to earn money for college. She competed four years before winning the crown, and credited perseverance and believing in herself to her success.

Phillips used the four large rhinestones on her crown to help illustrate her four-point message of respect, responsibility, courage and self-discipline.

Students should have respect for others and themselves, Phillips said. "You should treat others the way you want to be treated. If they aren't friendly to you, kill them with kindness."

She also stressed that students should respect their body by avoiding temptations such as alcohol and tobacco.

Courage is required to face the challenge of peer pressure that students deal with, Phillips said. "I challenge you to think about your decisions and how they will affect the rest of your life," she told the students. "Find the courage to say no to peer pressure."

Of self-discipline, Phillips said: "Everyone has a special talent. Whatever it is you should put all your energy into your special gift."

Phillips illustrated her special talent by demonstrating some tap-dancing steps. She told the students that if they worked hard at these steps they will continually improve.

She performed a tap routine to a medley of songs by Bette Midler. "You don't become good at something overnight," she said. "It takes hard work, dedicated practice and self-discipline."

Phillips said students should think first. "I want students to think about the consequences of their actions and the decisions they make today," she said, "and how they will affect the rest of their life. I also want to stress that it takes hard work to succeed and it doesn't happen overnight."

Gerald Richards, principal of the school, said he thought the program was well received. "Hopefully," he said, "Phillips' words will spark students to set goals and work toward them."

Phillips is working on her master's degree in public administration at the University of Missouri-Columbia. After graduation she hopes to work for a non-profit organization that specializes in children issues. Phillips' hometown is Mexico, Mo.

Her reign as Miss Missouri concludes in June.