Next week, Miss America, Caressa Cameron, will be in Richmond for the 9th Annual “LemonAid,” the annual event of Children’s Miracle Network. Hard to believe it was only six months ago that the Virginia Commonwealth University student was crowned. Since then, Caressa has logged nearly 100,000 miles of travel, bringing her Virginia charm and commitment to public health to the nation. And on July 15, Nutzy, the Official Mascot of the Richmond Squirrels, might get even more wound up: Caressa’s representatives say she’ll sing the National Anthem at a game on July 15. Urban Views Weekly caught up with Caressa to see how she’s enjoying her reign. www.childrensmiraclenetwork.net
Now that you’ve been Miss America for six months, how are you enjoying your role and duties?
Being Miss America is such a great job! It is everything that I imagined and then some. This year I have the privilege of being a role model, being the Goodwill Ambassador for the Children’s Miracle Network and promoting my personal platform of HIV/AIDS when given the chance. It is a lot of hard work but I love it!
What are your plans for Independence Day?
Well, I’ll still be traveling 20,000 miles a month around the country on my tour as Miss America, so I will be participating in numerous events and activities. Most notably, I will be visiting a few of the State Pageants, participating in the Welcome America Parade in Philadelphia on July 4th, visiting Children’s Hospitals, and participating in Miss America’s Outstanding Teen pageant activities in August. It will be a busy summer!
Have you been to Richmond at any point during your reign? When will you return?
I visited Richmond to perform the National Anthem at the Richmond Raceway and also for a celebrity maestro event at the Richmond Symphony. I will return mid July to visit a children’s hospital.
What is the most memorable thing you’ve done these past few months?
The most memorable moment for me this year was receiving the Whitman Walker Clinic-Partner for Life Award, for my work surrounding HIV/AIDS. I have been volunteering and raising awareness about HIV/AIDS for eight years now. The Whitman Walker Clinic does so much and I have partnered with them on many things, to have them recognize my work was surreal. Everything that I do in regards to my platform is on behalf of the memory of my uncle as well as friends that I hold dear. I hope to continue to do all I can in the fight against HIV/AIDS.
Have you been able to take any time off?
Not yet! I’ll have a few days soon.
How is your family and church keeping in touch with you?
Text messages, phone calls, and thank God for Skype!
9th Annual Anthem LemonAid
On Sunday, July 18 at Children’s Miracle Network Richmond, join children and businesses all over central Virginia to “put the
squeeze” on pediatric cancer! Participants will set up lemonade stands to raise money for cancer treatment and research for their local Children’s Miracle Network hospitals. You’ll get a LemonAid kit complete with lemonade, cups, pitcher and more. You pick the location for your stand. Sign up online at www.anthemlemonaid.com to host a stand and help “put the squeeze”
on childhood cancer! Info 228-5929
