The shock industrial engineering junior Bethany Gerber has felt since winning Miss Kansas in 2009 still lingers in her voice.
She said she feels like the title hasn’t changed much for her, but that depends on the day. One thing that has changed is that her time now tends to be spent utilizing her new title.
“My parents work in the school district where I live,” Gerber said. “I’ve been contacting teachers and offering my services.”
Unlike Miss America, Miss USA pageant winners aren’t obligated to have a platform, but Gerber decided to create her own about the importance of health and fitness.
She said she has learned from her title about the impact she can have on her communities in both Kansas and Oklahoma.
“It’s definitely made me more interested in volunteering,” Gerber said. “I was in a sorority and that helps in becoming involved. I feel more responsible about how much of an impact I have and that I want to have on my community.”
Winning Miss Kansas has also made her more interested in the news. She said she tries to watch the local Kansas news, CNN and Good Morning America whenever possible.
“I’m more interested in the world outside of myself,” Gerber said.
Although she was born in Kansas, Gerber said she considers herself “Sooner born and Sooner bred.”
She came to OU because she liked what the university’s industrial engineering program had to offer.
“KU doesn’t have industrial engineering,” she said. “I found OU’s program more compatible with my personality. I was also ready for a new experience.”
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blakegriffin 2 years, 4 months ago
CONGRATS!