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Sara Keedy, West Virginia, crowned new Ms. Wheelchair USA
Published: August 3, 2011
CUYAHOGA FALLS, Ohio – With more than 300 in the audience at Cuyahoga Falls High Auditorium Saturday, July 23 and thousands viewing live on U-stream, Twitter, and Facebook, 19-year old Sara Keedy from Wheeling W. Virginia was crowned the new Ms. Wheelchair USA.
Keedy’s platform of accessibility and awareness on college campuses was a highlight of the competition.
“I’ve been doing this for more than 15 years,” producer Lowery Lockard said, “I’ve never not been able to pick a few favorites…this year was a first! These women were absolutely amazing! All of them inspirational in their own way,” she said.
Keedy is a sophomore at W. Liberty College in Wheeling, a campus she explains that is still in the growing stages where students with disabilities are concerned.
“There are many buildings that I can’t get into at all, even the ADA representative has an office on the second floor of a building with no elevator,” she said. “The good news is that as West Liberty has now become a state university, they are anxious to hear about how they can improve the campus to accommodate more students with disabilities. I know that there are many smaller, and even larger campuses, across the country, facing the same challenges. I hope throughout my year I can assist them,” Keedy said.
In an enchanted garden setting and escorted by Cuyahoga Falls firemen Chris Martin, Kevin Roarty, Jim Messenger, Mike Stanec and Rob Turley, contestants competed in a platform speech competition, evening wear and on-stage interview sessions. Those scores were added to scores from a private and round robin interview competition held Friday, July 22, at the Staybridge Suites Hotel in Stow.
The top four finalists were Ms. Wheelchair Ohio, Dianna Warren who also received The Dane Foundation’s Quality of Life Award for her community service and the Press Award for a video presentation she entered.
Second runner-up, Ms. Florida Melissa Ann Walsh spoke about her experiences with underage drinking, (her drinking resulted in a crash that caused her to become a quadriplegic); fourth runner-up Tawyna Taylor was Ms. Wheelchair Minnesota, and first runner-up Karen Swartz from Missouri almost followed in her predecessor’s footsteps. Last year’s Ms. Wheelchair USA Phaedra Olsen hailed from Missouri. Olsen was on hand for all the festivities and participated in the Mistress of Ceremony duties along with WONE’s morning show host Christi Nichols.
Ms. California Arley Mujuica received the Mona Johansson Spirit Award named after Cuyahoga Falls resident and former contestant who passed away two years ago. Patricia Gregory, Ms. Wheelchair North Carolina was also awarded the Exhibit Award for her exhibit displaying her military service and experience with post traumatic stress disorder.
The pageant had many firsts this year including the addition of Media Central that operated throughout the week on many social media streams. Throughout the live competition, Media Central communicated with viewers, tweeters, and FaceBook friends and relayed their comments to the contestants and live audience throughout the show. The show is still available for viewing on U-Stream as well as upcoming broadcasts on local Time Warner Cable networks.
This year’s competition was presented by The Dane Foundation, CareStar, Mobility Works, Staybridge Suites Hotel in Stow and Summit DD.
The Ms. Wheelchair USA program is dedicated to celebrating the abilities and successful accomplishments of women with disabilities. This nationally televised, competition promises exciting activities, family fun, friendly competitions and is designed to showcase the successful stories of women who have overcome obstacles and are uniquely contributing to our society. There is no age limit (contestants must be at least 18) or marital status requirement to compete.