The Selma Times-Journal

Miss America 2005, Diedre Downs, was in town to give Selma youths a special treat Thursday afternoon.

Downs read a book to a gathering of children in the Selma-Dallas County Public Library. Then she participated in a crafts event where the children made their own crowns.

She was also there to promote her platform, Preventing Childhood Cancer.

The Wiregrass Hospice, in conjunction with the library, sponsored the event.

Before arriving at the library, Downs spoke during a luncheon at “Our House” on Dallas Avenue.

“She spoke with nurses and several community members,” said Beth Pearce of Wiregrass Hospice. “There was a large crowd – about 100 people. It’s a good way to promote her platform.”

Downs, a native of Birmingham, is an aspiring doctor.

In 2005, she joined Yolande Betbeze (1951) and Heather Whitestone (1995) as the only representatives from Alabama to win the annual pageant.