Ferrisburgh Woman Earns Title Of Miss Vermont 2009
By Cookie Steponaitis
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Laura Hall was eighteen years old when she knew she wanted to hold the job of Miss Vermont. She had grown up with the Miss America program and had decided that the goals of the America Scholarship Organization mirrored her own personal lifestyle and goals. “I have always been a strong student,” Laura commented, “and I have been involved in countless ways with community service. I really wanted the chance to travel Vermont and work with others who support community, empowering teens, and making a difference.” This past weekend, at the Barre Opera House her goal became a reality when Laura was selected from a very talented field of competitors as Miss Vermont 2009.
Currently poised to enter her senior year at Assumption College in Worcester, Massachusetts with a major in Organizational Communication, twenty-one year old Laura is highly involved with student government and was recently elected the Senate Speaker for the college. Laura entered the competition with the goal of earning at least $1000.00 in scholarship money and achieved that milestone when she was presented the Scholarship for Community Service in the award ceremony. Laura’s platform issue is Youth Empowerment – Leaders of Today. Laura is openly committed to helping teens find activities they are passionate about at a young age and offering assistance in funding opportunities providing them the means for experiencing them. “I was very fortunate that as a child I was encouraged to try many different things and found a strong connection with dance. While I never competed with it, it fueled a passion in me to explore, practice and grow with dance. At present I am starting a non-profit organization called Create-a-Way that will work with other youth programs in the state to offer opportunities for exploring and finding confidence and centering themselves. The organization will also raise funds to cover fees and lessons for youth who need financial assistance.”
While the shock of Saturday night’s win is still wearing off, Laura is already scheduling appearances and speaks with excitement about traveling in her home state and sharing her passion for community and youth with other Vermonters. “I am an active listener,” she remarked, “and I want people I meet with to know the respect I have for them as individuals and their own life experiences and stories. I can not wait to travel to Las Vegas in January and meet the delegates from other states to share with them the unique nature and quality of life that is Vermont. This state thrives on community support and a helping hand approach to life. Healthy living, links to the environment and the small town feel are all a part of being a Vermonter and calling this state home.”
When asked what she did first following her win, Miss Vermont chuckled and candidly shared, “I headed for Al’s French Fries and had a cheeseburger and fries. It was heavenly.” During the first few hours of what she realizes will be an exciting and life changing year, Laura is brimming with ideas and enthusiasm about her job ahead. When asked if she could write her own job description for Miss Vermont, she replied quickly, “An individual who will communicate and listen to all residents of Vermont; who has a passion for their own platform and ideas but is willing to step outside their own comfort zone to learn and grow, an individual who is warm and committed to promoting the Miss America Scholarship Organization and who can share with anyone the blessings and uniqueness of Vermont and the people who call it home.” Hugging her Wheaten Terrier Tucker, Laura looked relaxed, happy and at the same time ready for the challenges ahead. The staff of the Valley Voice and all of Addison County congratulates Laura and know Miss Vermont 2009 is on the job and a wonderful representative for our state.