It would be understandable if the kids attending Prison Fellowship’s Champion Sports Camp in Pompano Beach, Florida, felt they had nothing in common with the young woman addressing them Wednesday afternoon. She was, after all, the reigning Miss America, and most of the camp participants came from at-risk families, with at least one parent behind bars.
But Laura Kaeppeler is not your typical Miss America. Kaeppeler herself knows the pain and frustration of having a parent incarcerated – her father served time in prison while she was in high school.
“I grew up with an alcoholic dad who was never in my life,” Kaeppeler told camp attendees. “I felt I’d accomplish nothing in life because of something out of my control.
“[But] I’m a firm believer that everything in life happens for a reason. If you work hard, believe in yourself, dream big, I stand before you to say it really can come true.”
During her appearance at the camp, Kaeppeler was awarded Prison Fellowship’s inaugural Star of Victory Award, which honors children of prisoners or ex-prisoners whose achievements give hope and encouragement to others.
“Having been a child of an incarcerated parent, having had a father go to prison while I was still a teenager, I know what it’s like to be in those shoes and not have a support system or support group like Prison Fellowship,” said Kaeppeler. She encouraged those in attendance to determine their own future.
Her comments appeared to ring true with the camp participants. “The speech made me think; it made sense,” said 14 year-old Jeffery Charlotte. “I’m trying to stay away from that track. I can make a better choice.”
Reporters from the South Florida Sun-Sentinel and Miami Herald were in attendance at Wendesday’s event, and have written excellent stories about the camp. The Sun-Sentinel piece includes a video interview with Miss Kaeppeler. Prison Fellowship’s press release on the Star of Victory award is available here.
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