	February 2000

Having Fun Judging Miss Wheelchair Maryland/DC 2000 Pageant

By Gregg Donaldson

As the 20th century drew to a close in November, I had the honor of being one of the judges for the Ms. Wheelchair Maryland/DC 2000 Pageant. I was asked by Robert Watson, who became Executive Director of the Pageant in the Fall. He is also the Executive Director of Dateable, a social organization for people with and without disabilities.

I was one of four judges. The other judges were David Baquis, Mary Mitchell, and Beth Clogston, We judged the contestants on their platforms speeches, personal interviews, how the four Ms. Wheelchair contestants, and a Junior Miss interacted in group and social settings and their composure, using a numerical point system. The competition was held over a weekend, at the Doubletree Hotel, in Rockville, Maryland. Most of the judging was done on Saturday, with a Gala dinner and the crowning on Sunday. All the judges agreed, "it was fun to do but was a tough job!"

The contestants were:

Scherrone Dunhamn, of Arlington, Virginia.

Scherrone ran on the platform of: Promoting the Education of people with disabilities. Education leads to skills, and skills leads to employment. She said: "I am choosing teachers as my target audience, because teachers need to have higher expectations of their students with disabilities. Higher expectations of individuals has a positive effect in the lives in terms of future success in school, in employment, and in relationships."

She continued by saying, "If teachers can instill a world view of equality of future endeavors among students, then students with disabilities will not have the skills to obtain, sustain and grow in a career of choice, but they will also be able to enjoy the benefits that comes from working. Other than parents, teachers have the responsibility of preparing children for adulthood."

Margaret "Muffi" Lavigne, of Rockville, Maryland.

Muffi ran on the platform of Service Dog Awareness. She said, "I utilize a Standard Schnauzer, named Rudy, as my service dog. He is a vital and integral part of my life. He is as important to me, if not more so, than my power wheelchair, because while my wheelchair allows me to go from point A to point B and back, Rudy is a source of unconditional love, 24 hours, 7 hours a week."

Beryl Neurman, of Bethesda, Maryland.

Beryl ran on the platform of disability pride and partnership. She said, "I believe that if people with disabilities are encouraged to pursue every opportunity to succeed in their lives as a matter of pride about who they are, they will become their own best advocates. In addition, people with disabilities also should work together members of the non-disabled community to create positive change in society such as eroding the attitudinal and other barriers which still confront people with disabilities in their daily lives."

Michele Mulligan, of Washington D.C., a full time student at Gallaudet University.

Michele ran on the platform of making playgrounds accessible for children with disabilities. She said:

"I would talk to audiences of parents of disabled children, special-needs educators, caregivers, child-care professionals, political leaders, and people who work for public parks. The United States is desperate to design special playgrounds for disabled children, especially those in wheelchairs at all public parks. There are thousands of playgrounds at public parks that are inaccessible to disabled children. There are two main factors why playgrounds at public parks should meet the needs of disabled children. First, physical well being is a must for disabled children. Second, self esteem, self confidence, and self concepts are significant to disabled children. I will make sure that my opinions and my ideas will help wake up the United States, that it is time to design a public playground that will meet the needs of children of all kinds."

Ms. Tenika Washington, the winner of Miss Wheelchair Maryland, Junior Miss, is from New Carrollton, Maryland.

Her platform is, "to speak to teenagers her age 16, and younger about 'how much we have in common with other teens,' not the differences." As she puts it, "we are equal and the same." She also wants to create a better understanding, among teens of how we (teens with disabilities), feel. One of her goals is to get her driver's license. Last year's Junior Miss Charlene Lewis, handed the crown to Tenika.

I hope I have given you a taste of the judges hard decisions. The results are as follows:

Margaret "Muffi" Lavigne was 1st runner up, Beryl Neurman was 2nd runner up and Michele Mulligan was 3rd runner up, and Scherrone Dunhamn, being crowned Ms. Wheelchair Maryland/DC 2000.

Schrrone told TT, "how much she is looking forward to getting her message out to teacher organizations and community boards about Education and people with disabilities, as well as telling people about Miss Wheelchair," she added.

She will also compete in the National Miss Wheelchair competition in Florida, in August.

For more information on the Ms. Maryland/DC Wheelchair and Miss Junior Wheelchair Pageant, (Don't let the name fool you, The pageant is open to all young ladies across the Metro region).

Contact either Mr. Robert Watson or Ms. Diana Stewart
35 Wisconsin Circle, Suite 205
Chevy Chase, Maryland 20815
Telephone: 301-657-3283.

D.
Scherrone Dunhamn, Ms. Wheelchair Maryland/DC 2000 (L) with Ms. Wheelchair Maryland 1999, Diana Stewart (R).

D.
Contestants in the Ms. Wheelchair Maryland Contest.

D.
Winner Scherrone Dunhamn, Ms. Wheelchair Maryland/DC 2000

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