It has been a great honor to represent Samford University as Miss Samford 2008 and now the state of Alabama as Miss Alabama 2008. These opportunities have opened so many doors for me, especially in the area of community service, which is an integral part of the Miss America Organization.
The theologian, musician, philosopher, and physician, Albert Schweitzer, once said, “I don't know what your destiny will be, but one thing I do know: the only ones among you who will be really happy are those who have sought and found how to serve.” I have two passions: music and supporting the miracles of modern medicine. Several years ago, I prayed for a way to use the gift of music for the service of others. My prayers have been answered in so many special ways.
Rooted in my belief that we are many parts of one body of Christ is the idea that we each have unique gifts we are called to bring together to make a difference in the lives of others. Working with my brother, I created a benefit CD for St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital of some of our favorite piano pieces we had played. We worked together throughout our high school years to promote the organization and are blessed to have raised more than $4,000.00 for pediatric research through CD sales.
I realized that becoming Miss Samford was an opportunity to reach out to more people and do more with my platform, entitled Music For a Cure. Miss Samford serves as a representative of her university, a role model for students in her community, and a young woman dedicated to the service of others. It brought so much joy to my life to be a source of encouragement to so many people in the community. One of the most meaningful accomplishments of my life occurred as a result of wearing the Miss Samford crown. I hosted a benefit concert for St. Jude’s in Samford’s beautiful Brock Recital Hall last April. I was so honored to have in attendance a representative from St. Jude’s, as well as the Hassinger family, who shared their experiences at St. Jude’s with the audience at the event. It was a blessing that my grandfather and piano teacher for twelve years, as well as a professor at Samford University for nearly 43 years, Dr. Witold Turkiewicz, returned to perform. He and several members of my family performed, along with me, to raise $12,677.00 for St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital. It is truly an honor to be a part of an organization that works to improve the lives of thousands of children worldwide.
It’s amazing how much I have grown through participation in the Miss Alabama program. I look back and see how my life changed the instant I was crowned Miss Alabama. I am so fortunate to be the recipient of over $17,000.00 in scholarship money to help me continue my education into medical school. I thank God each and every day for the opportunity to represent all people from all walks of life throughout the state of Alabama this year. My prayer each morning is that I will touch someone’s life today. Miss Alabama serves as a servant of the state: a role model for her peers and students across the state, a source of motivation and encouragement to everyone she meets, a spokesperson for the program, and a goodwill ambassador for the newly adopted national platform of the Miss America Organization, Children’s Miracle Network, as well as her personal platform. I have spent my year traveling throughout Alabama speaking to students, service clubs and organizations, and churches, emceeing and entertaining preliminaries to the Miss Alabama 2009 Pageant, participating in charity fashion shows, parades, holiday celebrations, ribbon-cutting ceremonies, and fundraising events, promoting the program and its wonderful sponsors, preparing for Miss America, and furthering my platform. In August, I met other Miss America contestants and supported Miss Alabama’s Outstanding Teen, Haley Ates, in Orlando. I also spent three weeks in Los Angeles filming a reality show to increase funding and support for the Miss America Organization, so that the young women who compete in the future may experience the program’s full potential.
My platform has been expanded to include Children’s Miracle Network supporting the Children’s Hospital of Birmingham. I have made visits to the precious children there, participated in a CMN Radiothon, spoke at Make A Difference Day, signed autographs at Children’s Hospital’s Red Carpet Day, and rode a Harley for the Teddy Bear Ride, all benefiting Children’s Hospital. I will be hosting another concert benefiting CMN and the Children’s Hospital of Birmingham on December 7th on Samford’s campus at Brock Recital Hall at 6:30 p.m. I hope to surpass the amount of money raised last April, and to make this year another step in my lifelong commitment to helping children live their beautiful blessings of life.
I am so blessed and so fortunate to reach out to so many people while furthering my education and future. Albert Schweitzer’s words have proven to be true in my life. Fulfillment and happiness for me comes not from what I can accomplish, but from what I can do to better the lives of others.
It’s important for people to realize that this program is not about the person crowned Miss Alabama, but about the many young women whose futures are made brighter as a result of competing in the Miss Alabama Program. I congratulate each new titleholder and encourage her to take every opportunity presented to her during her year of service. Her life will be blessed beyond measure. I have been praying for her, even before she was crowned. I pray that she has the heart of a servant and willingly displays a spirit of volunteerism throughout her community. Embrace this experience with compassion, determination, and confidence in your ability to touch the lives of others. God bless you!
With a Grateful Heart,
Amanda Tapley
Miss Alabama 2008
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