By Meg Peters
Review Staff Writer
One Lake Orion alumni is using her beauty within for the benefit of others.
Some may have already seen her face if they watched Power Hour during the Piston’s game last Wednesday, where Cristi Fisher and other queens from the Miss Michigan U.S. Organization had one of their first public appearances. Contestants were interviewed by’Mark Champion and’Rick Mahorn for a community meet and greet, primarily to get their faces in the public. ?
A proud graduate of Lake Orion High School’s class of 2011, Cristi Fisher is competing for the prestigious title, Miss World America, for the 65th’edition of one of the oldest surviving major international beauty pageants, Miss World pageant.
She received the title Miss Michigan World 2015 at the Dart Auditorium in Lansing on March 22nd, and will go on to compete with other queens in Washington D.C. for Miss World America in July. So far 29 delegates from around the world have been confirmed for the Miss World pageant to be held this October in Indonesia. The current Miss World, Rolene Strauss of South Africa, will crown the world-wide beauty queen.
The pageant’s mission is ‘Beauty with a Purpose? utilizing a meaningful platform dealing with societal issues.
For Fisher, choosing a platform came naturally.
‘To improve the lives of homeless veterans,? she said. ‘My Grandpa was a World War II Veteran, and although he was fortunate enough to have to the support and resources to transition from war to home, some of his friends did not.?
Fisher won the Miss Michigan World title with a short speech explaining her platform avenue, participated in an interview and modeled in a swimsuit competition. For nationals, however, instead of the swimsuit competition Fisher will compete in a fitness competition, participate in media days, expand on her platform and perform a talent.
She has been dancing since the age of three, so of course she will be dancing.
‘I decided to become involved with pageant because a past dance director encouraged me to try it, and I’m so glad I did,? she said.
Her professional dancing career started at the age of 10 when she danced for the WNBA Detroit Shock, and she took her talents even further after graduating high school dancing for the Detroit Pistons for three years.
Fisher currently attends Michigan State University and is studying public relations, and expects to graduate in 2016.
Although she would have never thought to be involved in pageants, this experience has shown her a different part of life.
‘I am so excited to become more involved with the community in this way [reaching out to veterans] and my title is what gave me the push to do more with my passion for helping others,? she said. ‘I have already learned so much from this opportunity & I will continue to grow & learn every day.?
Her main goal is to work with the Detroit Veteran’s Center to improve the daily life of the veterans who have served her country.
Fisher vows to use her title to its fullest potential, and is both excited and nervous to compete at nationals.
‘I am so extremely grateful for all the love and support from my family, friends and the community,? she said.
Her parents, Lurene Fisher and John Fisher of Lake Orion, are beyond proud.
‘It could open up a lot of windows and doors and do some good stuff for her,? Lurene Fisher said. ‘It’s a really worthwhile pageant, something good comes out of it.?