Crowning of Ericka Dunlap, 2003-2004 Miss America
There She Is ...
By Tom Evelyn
ORLANDO, Sept. 22, 2003 -- Ericka Dunlap is used to getting attention. The University of Central Florida student has been competing in pageants since she was 6 years old and has an impressive list of wins: more than 1,100 trophies and 60 crowns.
But nothing could have prepared her for the whirlwind of publicity she’s been getting since being crowned Miss America on Saturday. Over several days, Dunlap will speak with hundreds of reporters and make appearances on dozens of national programs, including the "Today Show," "Live With Regis & Kelly" and the "Late Show" with David Letterman.
And that’s just the beginning of a year-long reign as Miss America that will take Dunlap across the country and give her many opportunities to talk to reporters, policymakers, community leaders and millions of citizens about her platform of "Celebrating Cultural Diversity and Inclusiveness."
At UCF on Monday, the campus was buzzing with the news of Dunlap’s crowning. The 21-year-old advertising and public relations senior from Orlando will take a year off from her studies but plans to appear at the university’s Homecoming festivities in October and other events throughout the year.
"At UCF our pride in Ericka began long before the Miss Florida and Miss America pageants," UCF President John Hitt said. "We were extremely proud of her academic success, her volunteering on campus and serving as a member of the President’s Leadership Council. Being crowned as Miss America was the icing on the cake for us, since it was national recognition for the poised, caring and intelligent young woman we have come to know."
"It was a surreal experience for us," said Veronica Livesay, who has worked with Dunlap and other UCF students who compete in pageants. Livesay accompanied Dunlap to the Miss America pageant in Atlantic City and watched with about 100 other supporters and friends as Dunlap was crowned. "We were all saying, ‘Somebody pinch us.’ She stepped up to the plate Saturday night. She knew what she needed to do and she did it. The competition was amazing."
Dunlap made history this summer when she became the first African-American woman to win the Miss Florida pageant.
"This is an amazing opportunity for me, not only because I’m the first black winner, but because I can be a role model for all minorities," Dunlap said after winning Miss Florida in June. "I really think that being at UCF has given me a chance to blossom as a person because of its diversity and opportunities to get involved."
Dunlap, who plans to go to law school and become a sports and entertainment attorney, is a member of the President’s Leadership Council at UCF. Members are selected for their excellence in leadership, scholarship and service to the university and the Orlando community and serve as ambassadors at special events for the university and the president’s office.
Dunlap’s scholastic honors include the National Coca-Cola Scholarship, the Metropolitan Urban League National Scholarship and the dean’s list. As Miss America, she will also receive $50,000 in scholarship aid.
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