Damsel In Training: Miss Florida Teen USA

Damsel In Training: Miss Florida Teen USA

Who: Kayla Collier, 18
Why She's Damselicious: The reformed tanorexic held a news conference yesterday (with her pageant sash in tow) to talk about legislation that would ban minors from using indoor tanning beds, either by restricting access to salons or by requiring a note from a parent or doctor.

If passed, the new law would be one of the strictest in the nation, according to ABC News. Wisconsin bans teens 16 and under from using tanning beds, "though a handful of others — California, New York and New Jersey among them — ban the under-14 crowd. At least 29 states have some regulations governing tanning by minors."

Kayla's concern about UV exposure isn't just a pageant platform—she's a skin cancer survivor. Her bronzing habit started at age 15 as an antidote to harsh stage lights, which supposedly make pale people look icky. But the same year she got hopped up on radiation, Kayla found a growth on her back. It's been sunblock and shade ever since.

This pale-and-proud Damsel has had her own run-in with melanoma (she's never been a sun-seeker--blame it on genetics), and fully supports the tanning bed ban for minors. We advocate treating a vice like tanning the same way we treat cigarettes. But more than that, education is key.

How do you take your rays (sunblocked with a side of large-brimmed hat or filter free)? And what do you think of the proposed ban? —No. 26

[Photo: Kayla Collier, Miss Florida Teen USA, left, along with Sen. Eleanor Sobel, D-Hollywood, hold a news conference (AP)]

http://damsel.typepad.com/damsel/2009/03/damsel-in-training-miss-florida-teen-usa.html

Tanning danger concerns Miss Florida

*Kristin Wright

TAMPA - Florida is one of 17 states considering laws that would restrict indoor tanning among teenagers.

State lawmakers are considering a bill that would make it illegal for teens under 16 to use tanning beds, even if they have parental consent.

Senator Eleanor Sobel proposed the bill.

“There is no doubt that ultraviolet radiation causes skin cancer,” Senator Sobel said Wednesday.

Miss Teen Florida Kayla Collier lobbied in Tallahassee in support of the proposed legislation. She was diagnosed with melanoma at age 16.

“Now, of course, I will never be able to find out if tanning beds were the cause that I had from getting cancer. However, it has been proven that tanning beds do cause cancer,” said Collier, who is now 18.

The group Florida Indoor Tanning Salon Owners disputes Sobel’s claim that tanning beds emit ultra-violet rays 100 times stronger than the sun.

The owner of Soho Tan Spas in Tampa is glad lawmakers are concerned about young people, but he feels moderation is the key. He also wonders if the bill really makes sense.

“You can’t stop them going outside. You can’t stop from them from going to the pool or beach or tanning anywhere,” said Robert Shanstrom.

17-year-old Rosie Posada uses the tanning bed before school dances. She and her mother Irene Rodriguez don’t believe the bill is a good idea.

“I think that if a parent consents to it, then it’s their choice,” said Posada.

Rodriguez says she thinks it’s fine for teens under 16 to use tanning beds, as long as their parents know.

“I think with moderation it should be allowed, as long as the parent is aware that they’re going,” she said.

Tampa Dermatology’s Dr. Paul Rose says it’s true that cases of skin cancers are up.

“Unfortunately, more and more. In particular, we’re seeing more and more children with skin cancers and serious skin cancers,” he explained, adding that in Florida, we live in a climate with tremendous U.V. exposure as it is.

“To start that process at such a young age doesn’t really help because then you’re ingraining into the person the idea that it’s okay to do this and, I hate to say this, they become almost addicted to the idea that they have to be tan,” said Rose.

While Shanstrom believes 15 is a little too young to visit the tanning salon, he thinks Sobel’s bill infringes upon rights.

“In the United States, one of the reasons why we live here is so that people can make their own choices,” he said.

The bill would also require parents of 16 and 17 year olds to give consent in person, before their teenagers could use a tanning bed.

The proposal still faces votes in two more committees, before it can move on to the full Senate.

http://www.myfoxtampabay.com/dpp/news/local/hillsborough/Teen_tanning_bill_032509

Mardi Gras Gala to support the Epilepsy Foundation Eastern PA

Mardi Gras 2009 King, Stephen W. Wouch with Miss Pennsylvania Teen USA, Alexis Jahnke, and Miss Pennsylvania USA, Lindsey Nelsen


http://www.phillychitchat.com/2009/03/mardi-gras-gala-to-support-epilepsy.html

Miss Delaware Teen USA

Kelsey Miller, Miss Delaware Teen USA, in a St Patricks Day Parade in Wilmington.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/shamrockah/3359140722/

Ohio Classroom visit

http://misskohanski.blogspot.com/2009/03/miss-teen-ohio.html

Kelsey Stevens, Miss Teen Ohio came to read to our class today! We had so much fun! She read a wonderful story about the joy of reading.

Iowa Variety Club telethon

Miss Iowa Teen Allyson Hovda was a guest appearance at the Iowa Variety Club held February 14 & 15 at the Convention Center downtown Des Moines.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/34807251@N03/3329345235/