Contestant removed from pageant due to her non-U.S. citizenship
By Rob Golub, The Journal Times, Racine County

RACINE -- The Miss Racine pageant has asked one of its 14 contestants to withdraw from the competition because she is not a U.S. citizen.

An e-mail to The Journal Times, from a friend of another candidate, prompted questions to pageant coordinator Therese Van Ryne about citizenship requirements.

After consulting Miss America pageant officials, Van Ryne learned her contestants must be U.S. citizens. As a result, Van Ryne asked Jaclyn Foster, a 17-year-old citizen of Canada, to withdraw from the competition.

Miss Racine 2003 will be selected and crowned Nov. 16 in a ceremony at St. Catherine's High School.

Foster will not participate.

"I don't know whether to say I'm frustrated or disappointed," said Jaclyn, a senior at The Prairie School. "I put in so much time and money and energy. I was having so much fun."

Jaclyn said she had asked Van Ryne about citizenship and was assured it would not be a problem.

Jaclyn said she borrowed a costume, spent $150 on an interview suit and shoes, and attended three-hour practice sessions each Sunday for about six weeks. She and other contestants reviewed their talents, learned pageant walking, and gave mock interviews.

All contestants must learn about a platform for on-stage interviews. Jaclyn's platform was "fighting obesity in children through physical education." She also learned a lyrical jazz dance solo.

"I was ready to do this and then I can't anymore," Jaclyn said.

Van Ryne said she very much regrets the error. "This is the first time I've encountered the issue of U.S. citizenship," she said. "It has obviously been a huge learning experience for me. I'm saddened that Jaclyn won't be able to participate this year."

The winner of the Miss Racine pageant goes on to compete in the Miss Wisconsin pageant, which selects someone for the Miss America pageant. It's why the contestants must be citizens, said John Schultz, co-executive director of Miss Wisconsin.

"It's because it's Miss America," he said. "You wouldn't want someone Miss America who wasn't American."

Van Ryne had thought a noncitizen could win for Miss Racine if she intended to become a citizen before the Miss Wisconsin competition. But Schultz said Miss Racine must be a U.S. citizen the moment she wins.

Jaclyn hopes to apply for citizenship in May when a waiting period runs out. She has lived in Racine for about six years.

"I think she's got a terrific talent and she is a terrific communicator," Van Ryne said. "I strongly encouraged her and will continue to encourage her to apply again and participate with the program when she is a U.S citizen."

"I erred on the side of inclusiveness. I made a mistake and wanted to include her in this group of people."