Weekly Report 2-7

Crystle Stewart

Makes History as First African American National Director of the Miss USA and Miss Teen USA Pageants

By d-mars.com News Provider

rystle Stewart has made major strides since being crowned Miss USA in 2008 and long proven that she is more than a pretty face. In a span of a little over a decade, the Missouri Citynative has gone on to establish a successful career as an actress, model, entrepreneur, and now, the president and national director of the Miss USA and Miss Teen USA pageants.

Stewart recently announced her new role in an interview with Good Morning America . The historic move marks the first time an African American woman or person of color has served in that role in the pageant system's 68-year history.

"I am ecstatic about my new role as the president and national director of the Miss USA and Miss Teen USA pageants and look forward to showing American households the power of pageantry," shared Stewart.

Working on the deal for more than a year in conjunction with the Miss Universe Organization, according to an Instagram post by Paula Shugart, president of the organization, Stewart acquired the licensing for both pageants last summer. She was able to informally announce her new role to pageant directors at the close of the 2020 Miss USA and Miss Teen USA pageant competition.

The multi-faceted Stewart describes her vision for the Miss USA and Miss Teen USA pageants as #pageantry re-imagined. She is poised to take pageantry in a new direction that provides a "platform where young women can amplify their voice, show off their healthy lifestyle, and learn life skills all while strut-

ting in a fabulous evening gown and high heels." Her family celebrates her newest venture, including

EDUCATION & CAREER

her mother, Cynthia Stewart, who commends her daughter's tireless work. "This journey keeps getting miraculously incredible. God is definitely ordering Crystle's steps, and I thank Him daily," said the retired school administrator.

No stranger to making historic moves, Stewart assumed leadership of the Miss Houston USA pageant in 2018 upon relocating from Los Angeles after appearing in Tyler Perry's For Better or Worse, Close to Home , and later making her big screen debut in a lead role in Acrimony. The talented actress received a star on the Walk of Fame at Perry's Atlanta-based film studio in 2019.

Stewart's enterprising spirit also led to the launch of MISS Academy, a training ground for young women and teens seeking to compete in pageants, or enhance their self-confidence and poise which align with her goals to empower and inspire young women through the power of pageantry.

Stewart never imagined that she would one day own the license of the Miss USA and Miss Teen USA pageant and play a leadership role in the pageant system that she competed in, and is excited to "showcase the beauty, intelligence, and fierceness of today's generation of American young women" as she executes her vision and transforms pageantry for a new generation.

For more information or to set up an interview, email Crystleassist@themissbrand.com.

Content provided by: Diane Tezeno, Savvy Productions

Keeping the Lights on for Afterschool Programs

By d-mars.com News Provider

Afterschool programs help students succeed in school and in life and provide invaluable support to communities. As we’ve seen this year, these programs play an especially important role when students, families, and communities are struggling.

Programs across the country have stepped up in the pandemic, providing virtual educational activities, delivering meals and enrichment kits, helping families bridge the digital divide, connecting people to social services, and continuing in-person care for the children of essential workers and first responders.

Unfortunately, a large majority of afterschool programs that were open in the fall of 2020 report they are straining to meet the needs of the students and families they have long supported. National surveys of parents and afterschool providers conducted by Edge Research for the Afterschool Alliance, a nonprofit awareness and advocacy group, find that programs and parents are challenged by virtual learning; program budgets are inadequate to address new safety protocols and students’ emerging needs; and students

from low-income families are now less likely than others to have access to afterschool programs.

To underscore the value of afterschool programs and the need to invest in them, the Afterschool Alliance recently organized the 21st annual “Lights On Afterschool,” the only national rally for afterschool. It took place throughout the fall and included local, state, and national events – many of them virtual this year – showcasing the skills students hone and talents they develop at their afterschool programs. From virtual STEM fairs and art contests to car caravans and letter-writing to isolated nursing home residents, events focused on

academics, civic engagement, STEM education, social and emotional wellbeing, bullying prevention, mental and physical health, and more.

“The strength and resilience afterschool programs demonstrated in 2020 was remarkable. Despite scarce resources, programs found ways to help students through what has been, for many families, the hardest of times,” says Jodi Grant, executive director of the Afterschool Alliance. “However, there aren’t nearly enough afterschool programs to meet the need, especially now, with so many schools functioning virtually and with school schedules changing without warning. We need to invest much more in afterschool and summer learning programs.”

To learn more about the Afterschool Alliance and “Lights On Afterschool,” which will next be held on October 28, 2021, visit aftershoolalliance.org.

“In normal times, afterschool programs help students succeed by keeping them safe, inspiring them to learn, and by supporting working parents,” says Grant. “During a pandemic, the support they provide is even more essential.”

Source: StatePoint

Photo credit: MISS Academy by Crystle Stewart