The December/January issue of fourpoints magazine is hitting mailboxes this week! We are pleased to announce that Miss America 1981 Susan Powell is gracing the cover of this issue. Inside the magazine, you can read all about Susan's own Miss America experience, her thoughts on the judging process, and how her year of service has affected her career.

Here's a sneak peek:

This year, the local pageant that started Susan Powell’s pageant career celebrates 50 years of service. Susan will attend the pageant in Elk City, Oklahoma, her hometown, and help the community celebrate this milestone. After all, there’s quite a lot to celebrate. Without this local franchise, Susan may not have made her way to the national stage or the Miss America crown.

"I got into pageants because I was really pursuing singing,” says Susan. “It seemed like a logical step for me. My first pageant was in 1977 and there were 8 contestants. I won, and I had no idea there was a state pageant. Once I found out about it, I wanted to be in the Top 10.  I made 2nd runner-up that year and was able to pay for 3 full years of tuition at a private university with the scholarships I won.”

After that very auspicious beginning in pageantry, Susan took some time to focus on her studies. During her sophomore year, Susan competed but never won a local. During her junior year, Susan says she get serious about competing.

“I took it one step at a time,” she says. “I wanted to win—you have to want it. The judges can tell if you really want to win.”

 Subscribe to fourpoints to read the entire article and all the other great information in the December/January issue!