A plus-sized winner of a Miss Alabama beauty contest, Sara Millikеn, has responded to online trolls who labeled her an “unhealthy embarrassment.” The 23-year-old was thrilled when she won the top prize in the National American Miss pageant, but her joy was short-lived as she faced a barrage of negative comments about her appearance.
“Even something that you type over a screen can have a lasting impression on people,” Millikеn told WKRG. “Even though I’m not at that point, it can lead people to do some very dark things to themselves.”
Millikеn’s response to the criticism highlights the impact of cyberbullying and the importance of kindness. Despite the negative comments, she remains determined to not let the harsh words hold her back as she prepares for the national final in Florida over Thanksgiving.
Among the cruel remarks, Blaine Tom Mieroughts wrote, “I thought it was a beauty pageant,” while Randy Hicks added, “Is that actually considered attractive in Alabama?” John Mason made a hurtful reference to the fast-food chain, saying, “This should have been (M)iss Jack in the Box winner.”
However, Millikеn also received support from many individuals. Tracie Stephens-Brooks praised her, saying, “To know is to love her. This young lady has a heart of gold and will give anyone in need a helping hand. A beautiful obese diva with style, sass, and a lot of class.” Samantha Thrash Duff expressed her pride, stating, “So proud of her! We watched her all weekend and prayed hard that she would come home with that title! She is an amazing, sweet young woman and is going to do great things!” David Junior added, “Great to finally not see some 100lb, blonde hair blue eyes who wants world peace win! Congrats to Alabama and this Queen!”
Millikеn’s victory was her third attempt at the contest, which aims to foster “positive self-image by enhancing natural beauty within.” She competed over Memorial Day Weekend, participating in interviews, volunteer work, and presentations. The pageant scores contestants based on “personality, confidence, and communication,” according to organizers.
The website for the contest states, “Braces, glasses, skin problems, varying heights, weights, and appearances are all a part of creating the special and unique individual that you are and that we want to celebrate.”
Although sh.ocked by the initial negative response, Millikеn has since received an outpouring of support from around the world, gaining 2,500 followers on Instagram and Facebook overnight.
She remains focused on spreading positivity. “I’ll be honest, it got to me for about five minutes,” she admitted. “Their words can hurt, even if it is online. I’ve always wanted to spread positivity, and this kind of put me in a position to do exactly that.”
Supporters have offered her everything from dresses to beauty products to help her in the next round of the competition. Millikеn emphasized the importance of kindness and noted that not everyone can easily shake off cyberbullying.
“No matter what your body looks likе, no matter where you come from, you can do anything you set your mind to,” Millikеn said following her victory. “I met so many amazing and accomplished women. That was definitely the best part.”
Hundreds of supporters have since flooded her inbox with offers of support, reinforcing the importance of community and positivity in the face of online negativity.
In the interest of the saint, please stop reversing into parking spaces!
Reversing into a parking space often seems like a good idea, but it also comes with some challenges. It can be difficult to judge the space required and maneuver safely, and there’s a chance you might miss something important in your reversing alerts, leading to potential accidents. Even with modern safety technology, reversing into tight spots can still be prone to error. Aside from the safety concerns, it can also be frustrating for other drivers to have to wait while you slowly back into a parking space, especially in crowded parking lots. In some places, reversing into a parking space is even prohibited due to the risks involved.
When reversing, drivers need to be extra aware of their surroundings, especially in high-traffic areas or busy parking lots. Without backup cameras or warning systems, maneuvering can be difficult. Newer cars may have cameras to help with this, but not all have these features.
Reversing into gaps can be dangerous because many drivers lack the skills to do so safely. Aside from battling with other vehicles and pedestrians, it’s also easy to miss obstacles. This can lead to serious accidents involving both drivers and pedestrians. Additionally, taking up more than one space when reversing is inconsiderate of other drivers, and in tight parking lots there may not be enough room behind you to maneuver safely. Even the most skilled reverse parkers often take longer than those who park upside down.
Ultimately, the potential risks and delays often outweigh the perceived benefits of backing into a space. Head-first into a parking space is generally safer and more convenient for everyone. It provides better visibility and minimizes the risk of collision or damage to vehicles. For larger vehicles or pickup trucks, backing into a spot can be particularly challenging due to the size and location of the spot relative to other vehicles.
In some areas, reversing is not permitted for safety reasons. Without visible brake lights when reversing, other drivers and pedestrians may not see you stop, increasing the risk of an accident. While reversing is possible in some winding parking lots, it is often a nuisance and a potential danger to those around you.
In summary, reversing into parking spaces can be risky and often not worth it. It can cause accidents, inconvenience other drivers and even result in parking tickets. For safety and convenience, it is best to park head first.
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