MISS MISSOURI IN CAPE

A luncheon Tuesday sponsored by Americorps featured Miss Missouri Erin Phillips at Southeast Missouri State University.

About 60 people associated with Americorps, a national community service organization, heard Phillips say that people with her designation no longer reign as Miss Missouri.

"We are dedicated to a year of service as Miss Missouri," she said. "We have a responsibility to give to the community.

She said growing up she was associated with the 4-H program. The experience with that organization instilled the value of community service, she said.

"Like my experience with 4-H," Phillips said, "Americorps shows you how to get out there and how to get it done."

While in Cape Girardeau, Miss Missouri also visited the Salvation Army and Franklin and May Greene elementary schools, the local places were Americorps participants work.

Southeast President Bill Atchley made opening remarks at the luncheon, commenting on his pride and the pride participants in the program should have. "We are proud that you're part of it, and you should be proud to be part of it," he said.

Americorps is a national community service project that rewards people who work at designated projects in their community with money to further their education.

"Americorps is here to change negative things in the community," said Michael Harris, Americorps program manager.