Special Cuties
PINE TWP, Allegheny County — A very special pageant on Monday evening showcased the talent and beauty of 10 courageous young people.
The 22 Quties Pageant featured 10 special needs contestants who sang, danced and generally charmed their way into the hearts of those who attended the event at North Way Christian Church in Wexford.
The pageant was the brain child of Tammy Rose, whose daughter, Alicia, has 22q deletion syndrome. The event was open to young adults of all special needs.
It was held to raise funds for the Dempster Family Foundation. Chicago Cubs pitcher Ryan Dempster and his wife started the foundation when their son was diagnosed with 22q deletion syndrome. The 22 Quties Pageant raised about $300 for the foundation.
The pageant featured an opening dance number performed by all 10 contestants.
Each contestant was announced individually and showcased mid-stage, where effervescent emcees Leigh and Erin Young gave a short biography of the contestant.
They were called out individually again in the formalwear portion of the pageant to answer a few questions from the panel of five judges.
“If you were president, what is one thing you would change?” a judge asked several contestants.
The reply of Chris Beardshall caused a loud eruption of applause and cheers from the audience.
“Make gas prices go down,” replied Chris.
The five-person band Out of the Units, which is made up of young adults with special needs, wowed the audience with three upbeat selections during the pageant.
“Look us up on YouTube!” shouted singer Helenka Foley, who also took the Best Public Speaker award in the pageant.
Cranberry Township resident Bernadette Lewis, whose son Bradley earned the Most Confident award, said the pageant gave contestants a chance to showcase their talent in the community and satisfy their desire to excel regardless of their limitations.
“They don't get a lot of opportunities to shine,” Lewis said.
Christine Moore, also of Cranberry Township, said her teenage daughter Elizabeth enjoyed the practices held for the show.
“She's excited to be with her friends and do something different,” Moore said.
The busy mom hopes the pageant will be held each year because it helps “Lizzie” and all the others with shyness issues.
“It's terrific,” Moore said.
The Rev. Darren Bowers, pastor of family ministry at North Way Christian Church, attended the pageant to see to any needs coordinators or contestants might have had during the show.Like most audience members, Bowers was taken with the talent and enthusiasm of the contestants.“This might be the only time they get to compete,” Bowers said.He said the church was pleased to host the event.“We were excited because it's a unique event and we feel strongly that it's important to include all people in special events,” Bowers said.He said the pageant helps the contestants step outside their comfort zones and do things they maybe thought they couldn't do. “If they simply had a good time and had smiles on their faces, it was a good event,” he said.The five judges smiled with admiration at the contestants as they approached the front of the stage one-by-one to answer their questions. Examples were: “What makes you happiest?” or “Who or what most inspires you?” or “What do you want to be when you grow up?”Judge Judi Spinelli, who doubles as a Seneca Valley Intermediate High School special education teacher, said the pageant would help contestants with social skills, self-advocacy and confidence.Judge Josie Badger of the North Hills, who was crowned Ms. Wheelchair America on Aug. 7 in Grand Rapids, Mich., served at the judge's table replete in her tiara and sash.“It's an exciting experience for individuals to present themselves and recognize their own strengths,” Badger said. “I know from experience it's nerve wracking.”Badger will appear in the Rose Bowl Parade in January in Pasadena, Calif. She said her crowning has allowed her to fulfill a lifelong dream.“It has given me the opportunity to represent other people with disabilities and advocate for them,” Badger said.The final portion of the 22 Quties pageant was the awards ceremony. Chris Beardshall and Bekka Cassidy were named Mr. and Ms. 22 Quties 2011. All eight of the remaining contestants received trophies in categories such as Best Eyes, Best Smile and Best Dancer.Michelle Breedlove-Sells, director of development for the Dempster Family Foundation, told the audience she is in the middle of a 4,000-mile trip in a Dempster Family Foundation bus to promote awareness of 22q deletion.She said the stop at the 22 Quties Pageant in Wexford and the obvious work done by Rose left her “overwhelmed.”“She is one of the most wonderful, delightful people I've met (on the tour,)” Breedlove-Sells said. “You people are so lucky to have her in your community.”Rose, who stood arm-in-arm with Breedlove-Sells after the winners were named, said the pageant will be held again next year, as will any other event that educates the public on 22q deletion. “We are trying to raise awareness with the Dempster Foundation, and we will continue to do that.”The syndrome is caused by a missing section of chromosome 22 and can result in a wide range of health problems.
