News: Miss America 2011 Teaches Vanity Lesson to Elementary School Kids

Miss American 2011: Teresa Scanlan

(Nov. 13, 2012) - Students at Frederick Douglass Elementary got a lesson in the dangers of vanity from a woman celebrated for her beauty earlier this month as Teresa Scanlan, Miss America 2011, read the book “Rainbow Fish” to the school’s three kindergarten classes and English Language Learner (ELL) students.

“Rainbow Fish” tells the tale of a fish with beautiful, shiny scales, who finds happiness only when he gives all but one of his scales to other fish so that they can shine too. “You have to be kind to other people to have them be kind to you,” Scanlan told the students as she completed the book.


The former Miss Nebraska is now a freshman at Patrick Henry College in Purcellville. When she was crowned at 18, Scanlan was the youngest Miss America in 74 years. After reading, Scanlan happily posed for pictures with students and shared some facts about her life. (She’s the middle child of seven.) And every student who came in contact with her got a Miss America smile and a wave.

After reading to Douglass’ youngest students, Scanlan accompanied Principal Tim Martino to the library to take part in the school’s mock election.

Her most impressive stop was in the music room where Scanlan, an accomplished pianist and recording artist, gave an impromptu demonstration of her skills. After starting with “Chopsticks,” she wove the tune into a very complicated demonstration of her keyboard skills.