By Kelli DeWalt
While in class, it’s not unusual to size up everyone in the room. There’s the guy that hasn’t showered in days and the girl decked out from head-to- toe in designer clothing. In the front of the room, the professor that spits when he talks. But usually, you don’t spot a potential Miss America.
Last spring, University student Rachel Barker, a sophomore at the time, was gearing up for the Miss New Hampshire pageant.
In April, Barker was rewarded for her efforts. She was crowned Miss New Hampshire at Pinkerton Academy in Derry, New Hampshire.
Dancing since the age of four, Barker has also always had a love for singing and acting. She continued to fulfill her passion for dancing at the University by joining the Hofstra University Dance Team (HUDT).
Alysse Zecha, a sophomore business major and member of HUDT, remembers Barker as the first girl she became friends with on the team.
“She was so friendly and welcoming,” Zecha says. “She’s honestly the nicest person I’ve ever met.”
While Barker might have had her doubts about winning, Zecha never did. She recounts being at the dance team’s semi-formal in September of 2006 and referring to Barker as Miss New Hampshire 2007.
“Kristen Hill, her best friend, and I called it,” Zecha says. “We just knew.”
While most people weren’t shocked that she had won, some were surprised she entered in the first place, including Barker herself.
“Pageants were something I just fell into, it wasn’t something I worked towards my whole life,” says Barker.
Laura Millar, a junior music major at the University, attended high school with Barker.
“I was surprised because I didn’t know she was a pageant girl but I’m not surprised she won,” Millar says.
Victoria Geyer, a public relations professor, also didn’t realize Barker was participating.
“She stood out as being very poised, bright,” Geyer says. But at the same time, Geyer describes Barker as understated, because she was so quiet.
Barker didn’t start competing in pageants until she was 17. For her first competition she wore her sophomore year prom dress. The Miss New Hampshire pageant appealed to her because it was a great scholarship opportunity.
“[Pageants] showcase who I am as a person,” Barker said. “They showcase my talent as a dancer, my love for health and fitness and my love for public speaking.”
Besides displaying her passions, the Miss New Hampshire pageant has also allowed Barker to speak out on an issue very important to her. Her platform focuses on the importance of fine arts education in public schools.
“I believe every student should have the opportunity to be exposed to the arts,” Barker says. “It not only helps them have a connection with their school but it keeps them in school as well.”
She plans to accomplish her goal by bringing community and political awareness to this issue. Barker wants to urge politicians to support schools that do not have adequate funding for these programs.
“Fine arts teach individuals to reach within,” Barker says, “it instills creativity in youth which will help them be more effective leaders.”
Steve Hodgman, Barker’s family friend and high school drama and english teacher at Souhegan Coop High School, described Barker simply: “Try to picture the perfect student.”
Barker spent this summer performing her duties as Miss New Hampshire.
She began by traveling to honor the sponsors who have donated to the Miss New Hampshire program-a total of $74,000 worth of scholarships.
She has also been working with non-profit organizations such as The American Red Cross, Boy Scouts in America and the Children’s Hospital at Dartmouth.
Additionally, she’s been attending parades and choreographing young girls’ dance routines.
“Despite how busy she was this summer, she made time for us,” says Kristen Hill, a friend of Barker’s since eighth grade. “She’s very dedicated to her friends and goes out of her way to do stuff for us.”
At the end of September, Barker will be traveling to Washington D.C. to speak with Americans in the Arts to find better ways to support her platform.
Due to all of Barker’s duties as Miss New Hampshire, she’s taking a year off from attending the University. It was not a difficult decision after Barker spent the spring semester traveling back and forth from campus to home.
When she does return to the University, she’ll be completing her degree in public relations.
After graduation, Barker wants to work with an arts advocacy program or a non-profit for the arts.
In her spare time she can be found hanging out with her friends, exercising, watching movies and making arts and crafts.
On Jan. 26, 2008, Barker will represent New Hampshire in the Miss America Pageant. The pageant will broadcast live from Planet Hollywood in Las Vegas.
Rachel Barker (Rachel Barker)