After going through weeks of preparation, conquering the stress of competition, and walking away with the title, what should Miss Starr’s Mill do next?

She’s not going to Disney World, at least not as part of her duties.

According to drama teacher and Miss Starr’s Mill Pageant coordinator David Spearman, Miss Starr’s Mill’s official duties include speaking to rising 9th graders at Rising Starr Middle School about getting involved in high school activities. She also attends 9th grade orientation in the fall and gives tours to new students.

If any community organizations ask her to speak, she does, but should she do more?

Winning the pageant needs to mean more than a title and a crown. It should be elevated to a goodwill position that comes with responsibilities and duties.

Miss Starr’s Mill should make appearances not only at various school events, but she should be more visible in the community.

Miss Starr’s Mill should be able to use her title to reach out and make a difference. The question is what should she do?

“I would love to encourage students to help out in the community,” Miss Starr’s Mill 2013 Emma Wernecke said.

According to Wernecke she would like to set up fundraisers for organizations like the Real Life Center or Cure Childhood Cancer, an organization that she is currently involved in.

Why can’t Miss Starr’s Mill have a platform like Miss America?  According to missamerica.org, Miss America uses her title to promote her platform and create awareness for a variety of causes including homelessness, HIV/AIDS prevention, domestic violence, diabetes awareness, and character education.

Miss Starr’s Mill could speak to the school board, the county commissioners, or the city council to advocate for students on a variety of issues like healthier lunches, more elective choices, and the importance of extracurricular activities.

Starr’s Mill is a great school that deserves to be represented by a great role model like Miss Starr’s Mill.