Crowning. I LOVE how Gary Collins stalls for time. "In my mind, I'm thinking 'What would Bert do?'" hahahaha good footage. (His stalling is even BETTER in 1989.) p.s. if you ask me, Honey Castro should have won, but eh, what can you do?
I just love SUSAN. I was in band with her at MERIDIAN HIGH SCHOOL. I still remember the night she was crowned MISS AMERICA. How proud she made us all feel. I still love watching her sing and walk the runway. I still have the same proud feeling.
I used to work with Susan at a small radio station in her hometown of Meridian. She was always so super nice and told me great stories of her year as Miss America. Suprising stuff. Her husband was named Jet and she always looked stunning even early in the morning with no makeup.
@loverboy7432 They really need to bring the sceptor back. That was a big part of the tradition, along with the long runway and a live person singing Miss America. It would be really wonderful to see all the traditions back on a big stage during the first major network telecast in years.
Absolutely YES to all of this. I have been thinking the same things for years. If they ever revamp the pageant and get it back on TV, I hope it gets all of its old glamour back. The There She Is serenade and the image of Miss America taking the runway while everyone onstage fades into the background is iconic.
Susan was one of THE most beautiful winners of all time. A real shame though the only double prelim winner that year, Miss Ohio, wasn't included in the Top 5.
Reading the comments about her father (and/or grandpa) being part of the KKK, makes me want to say: AND??? She is RESPONSIBLE for her Actions and her own life, whatever any family member did or does....HAS NOTHING TO DO WITH HER!
Actually Halle Berry was Miss Ohio-USA 1986 and 1st runner up in the Miss USA pageant (May of 1986). This pageant took place in Sept. of 1985 (7 or 8 months before).
What happened to the Miss American Septor? I have not seen it used in the last 7 or 8 years. That is another part of great tradition that has been washed. No wonder people don't get excited about the show. It has lost all its uniqueness and shine.
Susan Akin is the granddaughter of Bernard L. Akin, a conspirator in the murders of Chaney, Goodman, and Schwerner of 1964. The Meridian Star reported Akin's response to her grandfather's involvement, "That's something that doesn't involve me. I wasn't even born and can't be involved in this. And the people who have taken it out of context thinking they can drag me down, cannot and they're not." Akin openly opposed mixed marriages with the New York Press quoting her as saying, "I feel at this time intermixing could lead to more problems."
I don't remember her saying that but, I was in Japan when she was crowned. I went to high school with her. She was always a hard worker (majorette, and drum major) What many people don't know is that one of the three civil rights workers daughter was in the band at the same time also and they were very cool, The civil rights workers daughter was later honored by the president of the United States and that was featured in Ebony magazine. Spoken to Susan a few times over the years she's still a sweetheart!
Yes, it is ironic. However, preliminary awards vary based on how the groups are formed. I looked at the program from 1985 and Sue Ellen's group did not have many other top ten finalists.
Michigan and KY were in Ohio's group. Also a lot of the non finalists talent winners. I think OH didn't make top 5 because she really wasn't that pretty.
@@garydeblasio8810 not sure why i care but I think on the final night she was hurt by 1. poor talent performance. Not sure why she had an orchestra playing with her. completely, overpowered her. 2. i think the prelims are on youtube and you can see her hair and make up was softer and fresher. The stylists did her no favors on the big night.
They hide it on streaming stations and it’s over before you hear about it. The last one was in December .. it used to always be September in Atlantic City (where and when it belongs).
You kidding me w/your reply? This pageant gives out scholarships, for brains, college, talent. Yes, 3 minor one for prelim swimsuit each year. The %age of points that swimsuit & all related to this "outer beauty" you are upset about has been downgraded significantly over the years. It doesn't matter WHATSOEVER how pretty you are if you can't answer questions in a press interview or prove yourself in the prelim interview, which by the way is where a contestant is most likely to secure her win.
I still watch the show, but it's not what it used to be. It's more of a reality and beauty show, ruled by political correctness. How I long for the pageants of decades ago, spectacles I waited for every September. So sad how one of the greatest American institutions has changed.
Yes she is... If you do a search on RU-vid on Honey Castro Interview, you will find a video discussing her life which includes her Filipino heritage!!!
Miss South Carolina's 1st runner-up placement is a shocker. It's interesting to note former Miss America 1957 Marian McKnight Conway (from SOUTH CAROLINA!!) was among the judges. (Her obvious bias probably explains Sherri Thrift's unexpected finish.)
