Jaclyn Nesheiwat Stapp, right, a former Miss New York and Umatilla native,who is rocker Scott Stapp’s wife, signs copies of her autobiographical children’s book, “Wacky Jacky, the True Story of an Unlikely Beauty Queen,” during an appearance at Umatilla Elementary School. Students from left are Stormy Jones, Beau Mashburn, Ty Britt, Raul Rincon, Dylan Stiefeld and Savannah Richmond. (Photo by Lori Carter/Correspondent / May 10, 2011) |
UMATILLA — Home sweet home.
Jaclyn Nesheiwat Stapp, 30, visited Umatilla Elementary School last week to share her recent book “Wacky Jacky: The True Story of an Unlikely Beauty Queen” with 680 students. Stapp hopes to raise awareness about childhood bullying with the book.
The school she once attended and the community she grew up in welcomed her with open arms.
Stapp — who has won many titles including Miss New York USA, Mrs. Florida America and Mrs. America first runnerup — spoke to two groups of children, read passages from her book, took questions and signed copies.
“It was very, very heartwarming and an exciting moment to see all the kids and be so warmly welcomed back home,” she said. “Being raised in a little, unique town contributed to my morals and values.”
Stapp, a 1998 graduate of Umatilla High School who now lives in Boca Raton, brought along her husband, Scott Stapp, singer, songwriter and voice of the rock band Creed, to show him and their three children where she came from.
“I’m so proud of her,” Scott Stapp said. “She has such a heart for this. She’s very passionate about it. She supported me through my endeavors. Now I can be there for her.”
In honor of her visit, Peter Tarby, acting mayor and City Council president, proclaimed it Jaclyn Nesheiwat Stapp day. “It seemed only fitting,” Tarby said.
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