Posted on Aug 23, 2017
New Berlin Rotary, Rotary Club of New Berlin, what is new berlin rotary
Club president Pat McLaughlin, Morgan Creed, Rotarian Art Angove
 
Miss New Berlin a winner in many ways
 
There is a lot more to pageantry than the crowning evening, as we learned on Aug. 23 when Miss New Berlin, Morgan Creed, visited us.
 
The Miss America Pageant has been in existence for more than 100 years. In that time it has awarded more than $45 million in scholarships to women--the most of any organization, Morgan says.
 
Upon her selection as Miss New Berlin, Creed received two scholarships. One was for $2,000 to attend a Dale Carnegie training program. That was particularly enlightening, she says. Here she was, a 17-year-old high school student in a room full of CEOs in their 40s and 50s. But she found the training very enjoyable and useful.
 
Her platform pays homage to a good friend, Logan, who died of cancer. Logan suffered several bouts of remission and recurrence before finally passing away at age 18. "I really got to see what cancer did to him," she says. A good jokester, Logan also loved to skateboard. "I didn't want him to be remembered as the kid with cancer."
 
Creed is no stranger to illness. Though outwardly healthy looking, she has a disorder that makes the connective tissue in her body weak. There is no cure and no medicine to take for it. A dancer by training, she maintains a rigorous strength training program that keeps her toned. Though not diabetic, a naturally high blood sugar level forces her to watch her sugar intake. She takes a supplement to ease the effects of her disorder.
 
Spending time with Logan introduced Morgan to other young cancer patients at Children’s Hospital of Wisconsin in Wauwatosa. Creed realized that chemo treatments can be especially tough on a child's emotions. She created Morgan’s Miracle Mirror, a colorfully embellished hand mirror. When asked to look into the mirror, the kids often refer to themselves as bald or ugly. But after hearing about Morgan's journey and challenges, they realize that they are beautiful in a special way.
 
As is the case with Logan, Creed tries to show that these kids are more than just someone with cancer.
 
Though she often wears a tiara, Creed feels her crowning achievement was raising $2,500 for Children's Miracle Network, the most of any Miss America contestant. "I walked away with the honor of being called Miracle Maker of the year," she beams. "It means a lot to do something for Children's Hospital. They did so much for Logan."
 
Creed didn’t make the cut for the Miss Wisconsin pageant, but she’s not upset. Her next step is just around the corner. In October, Creed heads to Los Angeles to begin training at the American Musical and Dramatic Academy. It's a perfect venue, as dancing is her first love. Upon graduating, Creed would like to become a commercial dancer, and perhaps tour as a dancer. Long term, her heart is set on become an actress in TV shows.
 
Ever the supportive person, Creed will be in New Berlin on Feb. 3, 2018, to witness the next crowing moment for the Miss New Berlin pageant. Meantime, she will continue promoting her platform. "Logan's legacy is so important to me," she says. "[And] Children's Hospital is so important to me. Logan would want that."