THERE SHE IS ... MISS AMERICA FEELS AT HOME IN A CROWD

Leanza Cornett has appeared before millions of people as "The Little Mermaid," at Disney World in Orlando, Fla.

"I was Miss Mermaid for nine months," said Cornett, 21. "Those nine months were the best nine months of my life."

That was before Sept. 28, the night she was crowned Miss America 1993. Cornett is still appearing before large crowds in her new role.

"I'll be traveling about 20,000 miles a month for a year," said Cornett, who was in Cape Girardeau Tuesday. "I'll be talking to a lot of people throughout the U.S., in small communities and metropolitan areas."

She was in Cape Girardeau Tuesday to conduct a Home Furnishings Council seminar at Rust & Martin, 2502 Tanner Drive, before holding an autograph-signing session and appearing at a fund-raising event Tuesday night for the Salvation Army Building Fund.

The day before, she appeared in the small Kentucky community of London, located near Lexington. From Cape Girardeau, she heads for Los Angeles and over the next week, she has stops in Phoenix, Detroit and New York City, where she will appear in the Thanksgiving Day parade.

In between her busy schedule at Rust & Martin Tuesday, Cornett took time to talk with the news media.

"I entered the Miss America competition for scholarship reasons," she said. "I'm from a middle-class family and have been attending Rollins College at Jacksonville. My folks operate a restaurant and they couldn't really afford to send me to Rollins.

"I found an ad in a newspaper seeking singers and entertainers and have helped pay my way by doing this the past two years," she said.

When she returns to Rollins next fall, it will be with a $35,000 Miss America Scholarship.

"A lot of people are surprised to learn that millions of dollars are provided in Miss America scholarships each year," said Cornett.

"The first two months of being Miss America have been fun for me," she said. "I'm busy, but I do have some free time. I really didn't know what to expect. I get to speak out, like in this seminar today, and people listen. I think they realize quickly that I'm no bimbo."

She added that she has a number of goals during her year's reign as Miss America, and for her personal career.

"I want to be in show business," she said. "I want to finish my degree in communications, then work toward becoming involved in show business, especially the stage and Broadway."

Cornett has eight years of voice training and extensive professional theater training and experience, and has appeared with entertainer Michael Jackson and movie director Steven Spielberg. She has also performed as a member of a USO Troupe.

Cornett wants to stress AIDS awareness and "Just Say No to Drugs" programs during her year as Miss America.

"I've been active in both of these programs and will remain active in them," she said. "Hopefully, people will listen to me as Miss America."

"Aids Affects All" was Cornett's platform when she entered the Miss America competition.

"Aids has touched my life," she said. "One of my best friends contacted AIDS a year ago. No longer is the disease affecting `someone else.' As Miss America I will be adding my voice to the multi-cultural coalition of people sharing information and compassionate support."

Cornett adds that the causes of some diseases are unknown. "But, we know what causes AIDS. As I make my travels, I hope I can make some difference."

Cornett is a native Virginian, but moved to Jacksonville, Fla., with her parents, Richard and Patty Cornett, nine years ago. Her parents operate the "Gyro-Wrap" Restaurant in Jacksonville.

"I have some good days and some bad days," says Cornett. "But I call my parents every night."