From The Bel Air Independence Day Committee, Inc:
The Bel Air Independence Day Committee, Inc., the non-profit all-volunteer group that produces the parade, fireworks and all other events in the Town of Bel Air each July 4th, proudly announces that Shanice Lewis, a native of Aberdeen, has been selected as Miss Bel Air Independence Day 2015.
The new Miss Bel Air—the fifth person to hold that title—is a graduate of Aberdeen High School, where she played saxophone in the marching band. Now a student at Harford Community College, her platform issue is “Students Against Destructive Decisions.” She hopes to become a Doctor of Osteopathy and open a natural health center. Her talent is music; she plays the saxophone and dances.
Shanice has held leadership roles in her choir and as a Theatrical Ministry Leader (Highway Holiness Church), as a Sunday School teacher (Restore Church), as a Senior Pharmacy Technician (Walgreens Pharmacy), and as a Yoga teacher (Boys and Girls Club). She holds a State Pharmacy Technician license, a National Pharmacy Technician license, is Certified Yoga Instructor, and is a Birth and Postpartum Doula.
“As the child of immigrants, I have truly learned what it means to chase a dream wholeheartedly, and to accept that your dreams may change along the way,” Lewis said. “My parents came to America from two separate countries at two different times, what they had in common was the desire to find a new life for themselves in this great nation. They found each other and provided a wonderfully full life for their five children and several other members of their families. It is that same determined spirit, that same stubborn-won’t back-down blood that runs through my veins and my only wish in this world is to make my parents as proud of me as I am of them.”
Shanice believes that the Miss America Organization provides young women the opportunity to thrive by simply indulging in their passions.
“Through this organization, I am able to provide a voice to the cause that I support, as well as other relevant issues,” she said. “I get not only financial assistance, but emotional assistance. I am given access to a group of other amazing young women, through which I am able to learn about causes and issues and lifestyles I would have otherwise never been exposed to. Together, we as young women can truly change the world when we stand as one and give each other support and love even with in the aspect of competition. I am honored by the opportunity to be a part of something so powerful.”
The title holder, familiarly known as “Miss Bel Air,” will serve as hostess and participant in one of the region’s largest 4th of July celebrations, taking place from dawn to night on Saturday, July 4, 2015, and will also help promote the event in the weeks leading up to the event.
Events on Independence Day include the flag-raising at 6:45 a.m. in front of Bel Air High School, the traditional Pancake Breakfast, the various family-friendly functions during the day, including the traditional competitive events, Uncle Sam Says, and the Watermelon Eating Contest. Finally, Miss Bel Air 2015 will lead the parade down Main Street in Bel Air at 6 p.m.
Miss Bel Air, representing Bel Air and the Bel Air Independence Day Committee, will compete for the title of Miss Maryland in late June, a part of the Miss America Pageant process.
George Thuroughgood says
The girl isn’t from Bel Air and is getting crowned Miss “Bel Air” Independence Day!!! Only
in Harford County. Makes no sense.
Just sayin' says
That’s only because you lack reading comprehension. Congratulations to this remarkable young lady!
Original Observer says
No, not only in Harford County. Having friends who have gone through the pageant cycles, especially in the Miss America Organization, I can tell you it’s regrettably common for young ladies to shop themselves around from pageant to pageant trying to find that one that will put them on the road to wherever it is the MAO is holding the next Miss America pageant. In a way, it’s just like playing professional sports: You don’t have to be from the locality to play for the local team. After all, isn’t Oriole outfielder Adam Jones from San Diego? I rest my case.
Entitled says
You say ladies, but are males not allowed to enter? It says “Miss” but what about males who think they are females?
SoulCrusher says
@Entitled – Then go ahead and run next year…..Don’t get your panties in bunch!
Sam Adams says
Agree. Miss Bel Air should be from Bel Air. But then again, the President of the United States is supposed to be from the US too and that no longer seems to be a requirement.
word on the street says
Sam Adams STFU, please.
Cdev says
Idiotic Bigot!!!! SMH!
Joe Belair says
Do yourself a favor and look up the definition of ‘bigot’, and then come back and show us how that fits.
Hint – it doesn’t.
Cdev says
Anyone espousing birtherisms at this point does so out of bigotry, to draw a or teller between it and the topic of the article is a not to thinly veiled racial problem the poster has. He is a Bigot.
Joe Belair says
You should have paid a little more attention in your Logic 101 course at school.
Keith Gabel says
Birtherism may not be a sign of bigotry, but it is a sign of something for worse – a general unwillingness to accept reality despite all evidence to the contrary.
SoulCrusher says
Agreed….
Cdev says
I disagree in that people who are still birthers are generally upset at having an African American president. White presidents with similar alledged birth scenarios as they espouse have not been subjected to this. I agree they are delusional but I also believe they are just a bigot. Of course we have candidates running in 2016 who are still espousing birtherisms!
Joe Belair says
Cdev, which white presidents are you referring to?
B says
This is probably the most idiotic post you have ever made CDev. Have you not see what Ted Cruz is going through with concerns about his citizenship? Is that racist as well to question whether he meets the constitutional requirement?
And by the way, the Clinton campaign started the questioning of Obamas citizenship. Is she racist too?
Cdev says
Ted Cruz has gone through nothing compared to what Obama, the State of Hawaii et al. was put through. BTW Rafeal Cruz, Ted’s Father…..BIG BIRTHER!
I agree their are some birthers who are paranoid delusional, some birthers only lent credence to it out of political gain although this crowd is disapating but the vast majority of Birthers can’t stomach a black president!!!!
Cdev says
Chester A Arthur
Aaron Cahall says
This has gotten completely off-topic. Further posts along these lines will be deleted.
Hedley Lamarr says
Sounds like a bunch of kackling Hens that are jealous that their little brat didn’t get picked.
Mumsi says
Congratulations and good luck on your future endevors.
ck1021 says
This young lady helped me with my prescription last week at Walgreens, and I remember thinking that she was so kind, helpful, and knowledgeable. I wanted to ask her if she wanted to be a pharmacist because she seemed to know so much! She left an impression on me. Congratulations Shanice!
Amazing says
Amazing how few people have commented on this young woman’s accomplishments. Reading through all the comments and seeing how people can turn just about anything into a political debate, can find ways to nitpick even the smallest of things. All the while, the article is about a young lady who has accomplished so much, is bright and ambitious, who is clearly a role model and an ideal person to represent our community. I can’t imagine anyone here not being proud to have someone like her as their daughter, sister, or friend.
If you think the world, our country, our county, or the times in which we live are so horrible, it is because you choose only to look at the most horrible things you can find, or you look at even the most wonderful of things through a horribly scratched and tainted lens.
Congratulations to Ms. Lewis, and best wishes in all future endeavors!
LazyDog says
What exactly has she accomplished? Holding a steady job and being from Aberdeen?
PUT HER IN CONGRESS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!