More than 70 percent of students play a role in cyberbullying, whether they be the bully, the victim or a witness, according to the National Center for Education Statistics. For Miss West Central Ohio, Elissa McCracken, the number is too high, and she is using her platform to fight it.

Elissa was a victim of cyberbullying in middle school, an experience that shook her confidence and made her doubt her ability to compete in pageants. But now that she has overcome the terrors of cyberbullying, she is promoting her platform throughout her home state.

"I have devoted myself to the commitment that I would help others avoid the intimidation, humiliation, and embarrassment that I endured," Elissa said.

Elissa is traveling throughout Ohio to promote her platform and attend cyberbullying workshops. At a recent event, she addressed educators, mental health professionals, and law enforcement personnel. The event was called "Cyberbullying 101," and was sponsored by the Ohio Attorney General, Mike DeWine.

"Several attendees requested my contact information, and I am very excited about the possibilities such networking can provide me for spreading my important message to help other young people," Elissa said.

Elissa's platform, "Stop Cyberbullying," is being received by a wider audience thanks to her public service announcements. She recorded the announcements for the Attorney General's Office, and they will be broadcast, one on radio, and one on television, throughout the state.

Elissa is in her third year of pharmacy school at Ohio Northern University. She plans to continue spreading the message of anit-cyberbullying in the near future and for years to come.

"I plan on attending the conferences and workshops to which I was invited, participate in webinars devoted to continued education about safety online, and continue my diligent pursuit of spread the important message of my anit-cyberbullying platform message," Elissa said.

Source: Leslie Townsend

Kenn Berry passed away quietly, and peacefully today in a Salt Lake City health care facility. He was 90 years old last month.

There will be no memorial services. He will be cremated, and his ashes thrown into the Atlantic Ocean at his request–symbolic of his many journeys here and when he served in the Queens Navy.

Messages of condolence can be This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it ,or mailed to her at:

Mrs. Ann Hobson
10774 Navarro Way
South Jordan, Utah 84095

As a young man Kenn attended his first Miss America pageant in the 1940s. His interest was from his sister competing in a pageant in England. Over the years he made many friends. He judged Miss Staten Island 1984, and other local pageants invited him later.



 A few years later he judged Miss NY State.

"He was a supporter and an advocate to our program, and we should give him praise and thanks for being that true believer," said Miss America 1948 Bebe Waring with fond remembrance.

After judging NY He was invited to be on the NYS board as a field director. Over the years he judged Miss Pageants in dozens of local and state pageants. 



His sister lived in Utah, and while visiting her years ago, he inquired about Utah pageants. He made a connection at Atlantic City, and was asked to judge Miss Utah in 1984, which chose Sharlene Wells.

He said she was the best interview he ever heard, and predicted she would do well in Atlantic City. He gloated when Miss Utah was announced Miss America 1985.



 He was a constant presence in Atlantic City for fifty years. He left Manhattan a few years ago due to health reasons. Kenn was born in England ninety years ago. He immigrated to USA after serving in the British Navy.

Source: Jim Smith, Executive Director for Miss Staten Island Pageant.

Now pageant enthusiasts can enjoy the sweet sounds of a former Miss on Just In Time, a compilation of show tunes and favorites of Miss America 1981, Susan Powell.

"Music gives voice and language to express our souls in ways that words and speech just can't do. it's a language all its own," she says.

Just In Time is "elegant," and will bring listeners into a world of fresh musical translations using only voice and piano–played by Philip Fortenberry. To listen to the music is to be in the same room as the musicians.

Susan plays piano as well, although she says it is a hobby done "when no one is listening." She also went to college on a partial trumpet scholarship, and played it in the September-October performance of Guys and Dolls as Sarah Brown in the Mission Band.

Susan recorded Just In Time at the end of last year, and it is available for purchase on her website. 

Today, fourpoints sat down with producer Tony Eaton to talk about what we can expect from the 2012 telecast!

Are there any changes to the telecast this year? Is it important to make changes to the show every year?

Well, the girls change every year. This year they are a really bright group and they are all dedicated to making this telecast a 21st century production.

Can you tell us what kind of changes we can expect?

 Well, yes and no. I can say that the opening number is different. We shot six different locations in Las Vegas: La Reve, Hoover Damn, Ghost Bar, Fremont Street, Bellagio, Cosmopolitan, and the Wynn. Las Vegas is a photogenic and colorful city.

Are there any surprises during the telecast?

There is one element of the show that is truly live television. It will unfold for everyone at the same time. I hope it works out.

What kind of manpower goes into this telecast?

We have a 6 month start time. We have 50 stage crew members, 60 tv crew members, 13 cameras, tons of trucks plus 100 MAO volunteers behind the scenes.