MRS. MISSOURI DOESN'T FIT NORMAL BEAUTY QUEEN IMAGE

Jean Ann Burke says she doesn't fit the idea many people have of a beauty queen. The newly crowned Mrs. Missouri is married to a minister, is the mother of three children and owner of two businesses.

"I used to think pageants were kind of a bimbo thing," Burke said. "That has changed dramatically."

Her perception changed when she learned what it takes to win.

She hopes her knowledge will carry her to victory at the national competition set for July 12-17 in Las Vegas. The national competition will be taped and televised.

"It's more than just looking beautiful or who has the most gorgeous body," Burke said. "It's about family and children and what you believe in. With the Mrs. system, our idea is to go out and share a part of our life experiences with our community and our state."

Burke was raised in Indiana, went to college, met her husband, earned a degree in music education and then married the Rev. William L. Burke. He is now minister at the First Church of the Nazarene in Cape Girardeau.

"We first traveled in the field of evangelism. He would speak and we sang together," Burke recalled.

For the past five years the Burkes have lived in Cape Girardeau. They have three children: Benjamin, 15, James, 8, and Suzanne, 4.

Burke teaches piano and voice lessons from her home. She also helps her husband at church and serves as director of the adult and teen choirs and the church accompanist.

She also owns a small business called "That's My Baby," handling original artist limited edition dolls.

"I always dreamed of being in a beauty pageant from the time I was a little girl," Burke said. "But I got married and thought those days were gone." Then she learned about the Mrs. pageant and decided to give it a try.

"I worked really hard at it this past year," she said. "I've been in training."

Part of the training included losing 50 pounds. She is 5 feet 9 inches tall. "I wasn't obese or anything, but after my third child I decided I needed to take a serious look at weight loss."

She hit the gym and began a low-fat diet.

Burke first competed last year and was second runnerup in the Mrs. Missouri contest. Last fall she won the Mrs. Southeast Missouri title at a pageant at the SEMO District Fair. When she was crowned Mrs. Missouri on April 30, it was her third pageant.

Burke said when she first told her husband she was entering the beauty pageant, "He thought I was losing my mind."

"Being a pastor's wife, it's a pretty non-traditional thing to try to do," she said.

But Burke said as Mrs. Missouri she will have opportunities to talk to people with different organizations and at schools. "I will have a chance to talk about my belief in traditional marriage and family values," Burke said. "And hopefully I can serve as a positive role model for women."

Her platform is based on encouraging adoption. The Burkes' son James is adopted. "There are so many children in our country who need families," she said.

Once her husband got over his initial shock, he has been supportive, she said. "They are all so proud. My husband was with me on stage when I was crowned Mrs. Missouri. My little girl too. I don't know how she got up there, but she came bounding down the runway to me."

Now she's in training for the national contest.

An interview with judges accounts for half the total score. "You need to be able to communicate well," Burke said. "And you need to be able to deal with all sorts of situations."

The swimsuit competition accounts for 25 percent of the score. "Unfortunately," Burke said. The evening gown competition accounts for the other 25 percent of the score.

Burke is also available for personal appearances at club meetings or schools. She speaks and sings. For information about scheduling an appearances, call 335-3677.