Miss America Title Holders Deliver Smiles to Beaumont Children's Hospital

Title holders from the Miss America organization, including 14-year-old Julia Smith of Sterling Heights, Miss Michigan Teen, made some special fans' days last week. Smith and others spent some time with patients at Beaumont Children's Hospital in Royal Oak.


Smith was joined by Miss River Raisin Festival, Nicole Miller, 19, and Miss Lighthouse Coast, Lauren Allen, 24. The trio posed for photos, signed autographs and let patients try on their crowns.

"We're here to visit with the kids and put smiles on faces. And pass out goodies!" Smith said.

"I loved it," said Brooke Nelson, 23, of Clawson. 

Nelson, a former Royal Oak High School student, was born with ataxia-telangiectasia, a rare childhood disease characterized by neurological problems, particularly abnormalities of balance. She has been coming to Beaumont for 18 years.

A favorite of the nursing staff, Nelson hammed it up with the title holders for photos.

"Brooke is a super model," said Marie Baker, a nurse at Beaumont. "She's always up for photos and fun."