Ethics

For my ethics assignment, I decided to attend the Miss Pennsylvania event and see what she had to say about her experiences on the path to the Miss America pageant. Although it was slightly inspiring and she was actually more real than I had expected, the whole thing still seemed a bit off. It was quite awkward with very few people attending the event. It was even more awkward simply because people seemed more interested in the *Free Moe's food* than in her. The pageant is supposed to showcase the country's wonderful young women who aren't just beautiful, but also involved in their community, commit selfless acts, and are up to date with the world and have opinions about all of it. But what I came to find is that these girls don't appear to always do these types of things by choice - but, instead, they get involved with charities and tirelessly study the news and have coaches so that they qualify to participate in the pageant and have a chance at winning it. I'm sure the women do have some purity to their intentions with this pageant, but I find it strange to simply showcase a few women instead of all of the other human beings in the world that dedicate so much of their time to others because they truly want to and never expect some sort of reward for it.

Juliann Sheldon, the current Miss Pennsylvania, visited Point Park University in Pittsburgh, Pa. on Nov. 3, 2011. Sheldon joined former fellow classmates at the large spread of Moe's food before beginning the discussion about her pageant experiences.

Juliann Sheldon, this year's Miss Pennsylvania, poses for a photograph with friend Pam, who was Greater Ms. Pittsburgh, at Point Park University on Nov. 3, 2011. When crowned Miss Pennsylvania, she was told that "this is your moment - never forget it."

The Point Park University photography students shared a separate table from friends of Miss Pennsylvania, Juliann Sheldon on Nov. 3, 2011. Those in attendance talked among themselves while eating Moe's before Sheldon spoke to the whole group.

Juliann Sheldon, Miss Pennsylvania, visited Point Park University on Nov. 3, 2011 to share her tales about pageant experiences and her preparations for Miss America. Sheldon summarized her experiences with saying "It's a lot of work - more than you think."

Bob O'Gara, a communications professor at Point Park University, welcomes back his former student Juliann Sheldon, Miss Pennsylvania, on Nov. 3, 2011. Sheldon explained to her professor that "everything [she] learned is being put to the test right now."

Juliann Sheldon, Miss Pennsylvania, traveled back to her college in Pittsburgh, Pa. on Nov. 3, 2011. Fellow classmates and professors from Point Park University presented an AD/PR coffee mug to Sheldon as a reminder of where she began her future.