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Tara Dawn Holland | |
|---|---|
 Holland (left) visits Maurvene Williams, program officer in the Library of Congress, in 1997 | |
| Born | (1972-10-02)October 2, 1972 (age 52) Mobile, Alabama, U.S. |
| Alma mater | University of Missouri–Kansas City Florida State University |
| Title | Miss Flint Hills 1996 Miss Kansas 1996 Miss America 1997 |
| Predecessor | Shawntel Smith |
| Successor | Katherine Shindle |
| Spouse | |
| Children | 2 |
Tara Dawn Holland (born October 2, 1972) is an Americanbeauty pageant contestant, who wasMiss America 1997.
Holland attendedFlorida State University and was selected for membership inOmicron Delta Kappa in 1993. In December 2002, Holland graduatedsumma cum laude with hermaster's degree inmusic education from theUniversity of Missouri–Kansas City.
After six years as a localliteracyadvocate andtutor, she took her cause to the national spotlight when she was crowned Miss America 1997. She spent the year fighting for literacy education for people of all ages and backgrounds, as well as raising funds and motivating those involved in the cause. Since her year of service, she has continued to speak for local, state, and national organizations on this critical issue.
In addition to traveling as a speaker, Holland has enjoyed many opportunities to perform musically. She has been featured as a vocal soloist with theKansas City Symphony, theU.S. Air Force Band, and theNATO Band inItaly. She was also a featured vocalist in the nationally televisedBoston PopsFourth of July Celebration and theMacy's Thanksgiving Day Parade. In addition, she had the honor of singing at two of PresidentGeorge W. Bush'sinaugural events, including the Armory Ball, the largest official Inaugural Ball.
Holland has appeared on various media outlets, includingThe Tonight Show with Jay Leno,Late Night with Conan O'Brien,Live with Regis and Kathie Lee,Today,Fox News Sunday withTony Snow,Parade,People, andFocus on the Family radio show, among others. In addition to commercials,public service announcements, and her cameo role onThe Nanny, some of her other highlights are the 1997 Kansan of the Year, President Bush's Daily Point of Light #723, and the 1997 Kansas Woman of Achievement.
Holland and her husband, formerU.S. CongressmanJon Lynn Christensen, live inFranklin, Tennessee.[1] They have two daughters, Petra and Sela.
Holland is active with youth, both in her local community and as a nationalsexual abstinence speaker to tens of thousands of students per year. She also sings and speaks for women's groups, fundraisers, and churches.
The video of her receiving her crown was shown at the beginning of the 2006 film,Little Miss Sunshine.
| Awards and achievements | ||
|---|---|---|
| Preceded by | Miss America 1997 | Succeeded by |
| Preceded by Amy Keller | Miss Kansas 1996 | Succeeded by Jennifer Parks |
| Preceded by Heather Geery | National Sweetheart 1995 | Succeeded by Stacey Momeyer |
| International | |
|---|---|
| National | |
