Miss America Betty Cantrell reflects on her role, what she misses about home
WARNER ROBINS -- Miss America Betty Cantrell bowed her bejeweled head in a moment of silence for victims of the Paris terrorist attacks.
A dozen other beauty queens she met in Atlantic City, New Jersey, did the same Saturday afternoon before a private lunch at the Hilton Garden Hotel in Warner Robins.
Cantrell sent out an Instagram message earlier in the day inviting people across the world to join her tribute for those suffering.
She harnesses the power of social media to send positive messages through a haze of negativity.
"I think the main problem is kids getting involved with something like a group like ISIS because they don't know any better because of social media outlets. They're attacking through social media now because that's where kids are active," Cantrell said. "Insecure children will move towards something like that because they feel it's something that's strong, something they can be a part of."
Just miles from the farm where she grew up in the heart of Georgia's peach country, the magnitude of her iconic role does not escape her.
"I want to give them an outlet that is something that is good to be a part of, like the Miss America Organization. Also getting out and serving," she said. "Kids getting out and furthering their education, getting involved in their communities, will keep them out of trouble."
Her platform of Healthy Children, Strong America is paramount in every appearance, even when it's difficult sticking with her regimen on her 24/7 schedule, traveling about 20,000 miles a week.
Saturday's menu featured chicken salad, pineapple, cantaloupe and chocolate mousse decorated with ripples of raspberry sauce and chocolate chips.
"Don't you ruin my masterpiece," hotel culinary specialist Josee Kendrick told one of the servers taking in the dessert trays.
The sweets were a hit, said Jessica Knopf, a server who wore a little plastic tiara atop her head as she waited tables.
"More cheesecake was gone than chicken salad," Knopf said of the dirty plates headed back to the kitchen.
Cantrell's healthy lifestyle, ingrained since birth by her physical therapist parents, who are also nutritionists, has its challenges on the road.
"It's been tough, I'm not going to lie," said Cantrell, who talked to children at numerous schools and Boys & Girls Clubs to try to lift Georgia from being the second most obese state in the nation.
"I really just have to watch what I'm eating as much as I can. It's hard because a lot of times the job requires going out to eat with clients or a group that might hire Miss America for an appearance," she said. "It's really just all about eating things in moderation and that's what I talk about that with my platform. You can have unhealthy things as long as you keep it under control."
But it is the cross-country travel that is the essence of the new job she's had for two months.
With a fresh supply of Joseph Ribkoff clothing every couple of weeks, her wardrobe is shipped from the Miss America Organization office in Atlantic City to wherever she is.
"I choose what I wear every day out of the clothes they send me," said Cantrell, who visited Ribkoff's Canadian showrooms in Calgary, Montreal and Toronto to try on a few things and let them know what makes her feel "confident and stylish."
On special occasions like Friday's homecoming in Columbus, Cantrell ordered a two-piece Sherri Hill gown with a mermaid skirt of pink roses.
As she came through the hotel lobby Saturday, five little girls were lined up on chairs to get a glimpse of Cantrell.
"I wish I were that pretty," said 10-year-old Arianna Davis as the Miss America entourage hurriedly passed.
As Cantrell's guests ate, the girls sipped Sprite in the lobby.
"I really want to see Miss America," 5-year-old Ally Maloney said in between sips on the straw.
As the lunch was wrapping up, the youngsters got their wish and posed with Miss America who was sitting with the beauty queens.
When asked how it went, "Good," the girls said giggling. "They were pretty."
The hotel staff made sure they made a picture or two with their hometown heroine.
Manager Leilani Martinez said it was a pleasure hosting Miss America.
"Miss Georgia brought pride to Warner Robins and it makes us known out there. It gives us goose bumps," said Martinez who makes sure guests know this is Miss America's hometown.
It will likely be a while before Cantrell is home again, due to her hectic schedule.
"I've learned that America is the greatest country and I'm so happy to represent an organization that represents the best of women in this country," Cantrell said. "I've seen so many different new places and met so many new people and I've learned we're all very different. There's different accents and cultures and different ways of living, but we're all Americans."
For most of the next 10 months, she might battle a bout of homesickness.
"I miss sleeping in. I miss sleeping in my own bed," she said. "Hotel beds can be very lonely and different than your own bed that you know, and you crawl into every night, and I do miss that. And I miss being able to wash my clothes and I definitely miss my family and my friends and my boyfriend."
But while she's gone, she'll be spreading the message she's learned on the way to the crown.
"If you have a dream, you can do it and that's exactly what I did. I never knew that I was capable of being Miss America until I put everything I had into it. It can take you far, as long as you have faith in yourself."
To contact writer Liz Fabian, call 744-4303 and follow her on Twitter@liz_lines.
This story was originally published November 14, 2015 at 8:39 PM with the headline "Miss America Betty Cantrell reflects on her role, what she misses about home ."