Pageant winner gives a response to critical letter

To the editor:

Anyone who attended the Scott City Summerfest pageant would have noticed that none of the three judges was my boyfriend's parent. I was well-prepared to answer the question about my feelings on Iraq, but I had no control over which question I received, nor did any of the other contestants. We were not judged just on what question we got, but how we presented the answer. The questions that didn't have anything to do with the war required a response that reflected personal feelings and beliefs. Also, the emcee never once made a remark about knowing me as a baby or my mother. In fact, I never see this woman at all unless it's at the Summerfest.

ABBIE COOK

Miss 2003 Summerfest

Scott City