MISS USA® ADOPTS A CLASSS FROM MIDDLE SCHOOL 35 IN BROOKLYN

Crystle Will Mentor the Students Throughout her Reign
to Instill Character Development 


 
New York, NY - June 5, 2008 – Paula M. Shugart, President, Miss Universe Organization and Deputy Mayor of Education and Community Development Dennis Walcott today announced that Crystle Stewart, MISS USA 2008 will be working with the Stephen Decatur Middle School (M.S. 35) in Brooklyn as a mentor to the incoming 8th grade class. The collaboration of Miss USA “adopting” the current 7th grade class at M.S. 35 came about from a meeting Crystle had with the Deputy Mayor to discuss opportunities where she would be able to help the children of New York City.
 
Hailing from Missouri City, Texas, Crystle won the title at the Miss USA pageant after years of hard work. Placing in runner-up positions at the Miss Texas USA competition several times over, Crystle took home the elusive title on her fifth attempt! Crystle has shown unwavering dedication in achieving her goal of becoming Miss USA and hopes to instill those same goals to the students of M.S. 35 by stressing what she refers to as “the three P’s”: Perseverance, Persistence and Patience.

“As a fourth generation educator and teacher, working with children is my passion,” said Stewart. “I am so grateful to the Deputy Mayor for facilitating this relationship. I am beyond ecstatic to know that I will be a part of the lives of these young men and women throughout my reign as Miss USA!”

Crystle will be traveling with the students on June 9th as they enjoy their class trip to Six Flags Great Adventure in New Jersey where they will be hosted by Six Flags Friends, the philanthropic arm of Six Flags and treated to an exciting day of “More Flags, More Fun!” The day is meant to be a bonding experience as well as an opportunity to reward the students for their completion of the academic school year.

“Having a mentor is crucial to a young person’s development,” said Deputy Mayor Walcott. “Crystle’s role as Miss USA, and as an entrepreneur, puts her in a unique position to work with children teaching them about responsibility and leadership. We are delighted with the role she has assumed at M.S. 35.”

Miss USA travels the nation as an advocate for breast and ovarian cancer awareness, education, research, and legislation.  The MISS UNIVERSE®, MISS USA® and MISS TEEN USA® Pageants are a Donald J. Trump and NBC Universal joint venture. Utilizing its nationwide grass roots infrastructure, the Miss Universe Organization is committed to increasing awareness of breast and ovarian cancers. By forging relationships with organizations committed to research and education, such as Susan G. Komen for the Cure and Gilda's Club, Miss USA is armed to educate women today.



MEDIA CONTACTS:

The Miss Universe Organization
Lark-Marie Antón
lanton@missuniverse.com
(212) 373-4982

Esther Swan
eswan@missuniverse.com
(212) 373-4870

Joyce Lee
jlee@missuniverse.com
(212) 373-4983


Rubenstein Public Relations
Dara Busch
dbusch@rubensteinpr.com
(212) 843-8079