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Tina Louise Thomas is a former Miss Pennsylvania (1973〔http://www.pageant-almanac.com/miss-america/parade/pennsylvania.php〕) and Miss America scholarship pageant national talent winner and runner-up (1974〔Miss America Pageant NBC TV Sept 8, 1973〕〔http://www.misspa.org/past.htm〕), as well as being an accomplished singer, musician, songwriter, writer and editor. Thomas was baptized Christina Hatzithomas in her father’s Greek Orthodox Church. (Hatzi is a preface to a family name given to descendants of ancestors baptized in the River Jordan). == Pageant Days == On June 25, 1973, shortly after winning the state's pageant title, Thomas was invited to speak to the Pennsylvania House of Representatives about her platform issues and she was, subsequently, honored by them with a Citation, commending her talent, beauty and academic achievements. She had earlier received a similar recognition from the Pennsylvania State Senate at the State Capitol Rotunda. Five days later, on June 30, Thomas was the official ribbon-cutter who opened the now world famous Hershey's Chocolate World.〔WITF TV, Harrisburg, PA, June 30, 1973〕 Thomas, who was accompanied by the Glenn Osser Orchestra, won the Preliminary Talent Award at the 47th Miss America pageant, held at Boardwalk Hall in Atlantic City, New Jersey, which was presented by Terry Meeuwsen,〔Miss America Pageant, NBC TV Sept 8, 1973〕 Miss America 1973, as well as at every pageant she entered on her journey to Atlantic City. Additionally, Thomas won the swimsuit competition in each of her local and state contests. Thomas's winning performance on the national stage showcased her vocal beauty when she sang the gospel masterpiece ''Take My Hand, Precious Lord'',〔Miss America pageant, NBC TV Sept 8, 1973〕 written in 1932 by Rev. Thomas A. Dorsey and arranged by Paul Mann, to a standing ovation. Rev. Dorsey, the "father of black gospel music," went on to write an article in ''Christian Life'' magazine "Jesus Took My Hand" (describing the experiences he went through prior to writing the song) where he mentioned her. He wrote, "And, it was the song that helped Tina Thomas, Miss Pennsylvania, win the Miss America talent competition."〔''Christian Life'' magazine, May 1975〕 Radio and TV personality Soupy Sales said that Thomas had been his choice for Miss America and complimented her beauty and talent on the show ''What's My Line''.〔What's My Line?, Sept 10, 1973〕 Additionally, legendary Paul Harvey praised Thomas's religious stance, as well as her talent, on his noon broadcast two days later, Sept 12, 1973. Early in her pageant days Thomas was sought after to assist in raising awareness and funds for various causes, including disadvantaged youth and retarded children, multiple sclerosis,〔WPVI TV Philadelphia, PA, April 29, 1973〕 the Salvation Army, Teen Challenge, the American Heart Association, the Arthritis Fund, and Easter Seals, where she appeared on telethons, radio and television shows and commercials, performed at concerts on their behalf, as well as led and participated in activities such as Bike Hikes. Throughout Thomas's pageant years, leading up to and including her run at Miss America, where she competed as the youngest contestant that year at the age of 18, her primary platform was against substance abuse. Her many actions were recognized when she became the recipient of the Red Rose City Outstanding Citizen Award on September 25, 1973 and was made an International Honorary Member of Beta Sigma Phi. The August 1974 issue of ''Christian Life'' magazine carried Thomas' personal written testimony under the banner heading "Beauty for the Lord," which was re-printed in May 1975 by ''Greek Youth Magazine'' for distribution in the U.S. and in Greece. 抄文引用元・出典: フリー百科事典『 ウィキペディア（Wikipedia）』 ■ウィキペディアで「Tina Louise Thomas」の詳細全文を読む スポンサード リンク
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