by Samantha Dossena

With all the excitement that develops on the night of the Miss Idea contest, one can only help but wonder: what becomes of the winners of Miss Idea? We are extremely proud to announce that our very own Miss Idea 2003, Vincenza Carrieri-Russo, has just been crowned Miss Delaware USA 2008 and has occupied her free time towards achieving various accomplishments. Although she attempted to win this prestigious title since she was 15 years old, obtaining each year a better placement, she never gave up on her dreams, which demonstrates a tenacity that certainly distinguishes her from the average young person; this is what makes her an enviable role model. She definitely is, as she states, “proof that persistence pays off.” Her journey to the title was focused, but not too exclusive. She is an extremely busy and successful young woman who has accomplished in a short time what others may not even attain in a lifetime. At the time of the Miss Idea 2003 contest, for example, Vincenza was already taking an active part in decreasing childhood illiteracy rates. She co-founded the literacy organization Success Won't Wait in 2002. This organization focuses on collecting new or relatively new books so that they can be appropriately allocated to libraries and other establishments that are lacking reading materials. So far, over 100,000 books have been collected for this purpose, which is an amazing stride towards all children having the proper educational tools they need. It is truly wonderful knowing that one person is making such a great difference in this world. Her efforts to combat illiteracy brought her other recognitions and awards, culminating with the National Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis Award for Community Service. The city of Newark , DE , validated her achievements by declaring July 15^th, 2004 “Vincenza Carrieri-Russo Day,” and by bestowing upon her their Jefferson Award. The State of Delaware presented her with their Jefferson award and the Governor’s Outstanding Volunteer Award, while at the federal level she triumphed with the Daily Points of Light Award as the Nation’s Volunteer of the Day. Vincenza is a student at the University of Delaware , where she is majoring in English, and her career aspiration is to become a broadcast journalist. Her motto being “Better busy than bored,” she also plays classical piano, since she was ten, and has taught dance to children ages 3-13. Knowing all this, her victory in the Miss Delaware USA 2008 contest assumes an even more profound connotation. Vincenza is the quintessence of the hectic student who also finds time to strive for other objectives without losing the pace. She is a person who builds her success on day-by-day sacrifice and endurance, and we at L’Idea are proud to say that in 2003 she represented admirably the fundamental nature of our magazine’s volunteer work by appearing as our representative in many social and cultural events. Her conquest of the Miss Idea 2003 title and the subsequent experience with our organization has helped reinforce her determination to win the Miss Delaware USA title. Her new status will allow her to participate at the annual Miss USA pageant in Las Vegas and, therefore, have a chance to represent the United States at the 57^th annual Miss Universe pageant, which will take place in Nha Trang, Khanh Hoa , Vietnam this year. There were many similarities between her performance in the Miss Idea contest and the one that won her the crown as Miss Delaware USA 2008. She was embraced by our readers present at our event, because of her efforts to eradicate illiteracy in USA , as well as her elegance and poise, all of which made her the undisputed winner. The Miss Delaware pageant presented her with similar opportunities: in her Private Interview with the judges, she was able to present her involvement with her literacy organization, while the Evening Gown Competition demonstrated, once again, her personal style and elegance. Vincenza Carrieri-Russo entered Miss Delaware USA “because pageant competition provides contestants with crucial skills they will use for a lifetime – poise under pressure, successful interviewing techniques, goal setting, and perseverance;” it was her ultimate command over these factors that impressed the audience at Miss Idea 2003 and won her this title. Winning this celebrated pageant was an extended and challenging passage of life, which has inevitably taught her about mental resolve and social structure. Yet again, she has won a special place in our hearts, and now our very own Miss Idea 2003 is Miss Delaware USA 2008. Her participation in the Miss USA pageant on April 11^th will certainly make our extended family of readers excited in anticipation of her win. Our congratulations and our best wishes are with her: brava Vincenza!

IDEA MARZO 2008