The ALS Association: Amanda Watson Raises ALS Awareness as Miss North Carolina

Amanda Watson Raising Awareness
About ALS as Miss North Carolina

by Gary Wosk, Staff Writer

Named Miss North Carolina on June 21, 2008, Amanda Lauren Watson has been busy hop-scotching the nation and raising awareness about ALS on behalf of The ALS Association, her official platform and something she has been doing for quite some time.

The Association looks forward to working with Watson, whose grandfather and great-grandfather passed away from ALS, every step of the way to and beyond Las Vegas where in January she will compete for the title of Miss America.

“Amanda is one of those rare, precious jewels who is always sparkling with enthusiasm,” said Gary A. Leo, the president and CEO of The Association. “She will reign in our hearts forever as someone who truly cares about finding a cure for Lou Gehrig’s Disease. We wish her the very best in every quest in her life.”

Watson, who is a rising senior at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, is used to a frantic pace. She used her titles of 2006 Miss National Sweetheart and Miss Garner North Carolina in 2007 and 2008 to raise awareness for ALS. She even gave a speech and sang in 2006 at the candlelight vigil held as part of The Association’s National Advocacy Day and Public Policy Conference, which is held every May in Washington, D.C.

After her latest triumph in Raleigh, N.C., Watson addressed the North Carolina House and Senate and spoke to the media about finding a cure for ALS as well as her involvement with the Jim “Catfish” Hunter Chapter of The Association.

“I cannot begin to put into words how proud we are of her,” said Jerry Dawson, the president and CEO of the Jim “Catfish” Hunter Chapter of The Association about Watson. “She has attended countless Walks, she and her dad held a golf tournament and she has given personal testimony to members of Congress.”

Amanda strives to exemplify her favorite quote: “Use what talents you possess. The woods would grow silent if no birds sang except those that sang best!” which was written by American author Henry Van Dyke.