RAINIER BEACH – South Lake High School teacher and former Ms. South Seattle Plus America Makela Steward was recently crowned Ms. Washington Plus America.

Washington Plus America is the official state preliminary to the national Miss Plus America Pageant™. Steward will compete for the national title Ms. Plus America 2012 at the national competition in June in Memphis, TN.

If selected as Ms. Plus America, Steward says she hopes to use her sash and crown to reach far beyond her scope of teacher and enter communities that have been hard to reach for many educators.

Steward’s goal is to bring awareness to the importance of early childhood education; promote parent and community engagement of local schools; and encourage students to become better educational advocates for themselves.

Steward decided to participate in the Washington Plus America Pageant because she could not find a reason not to. Through life experiences she has learned that she is more than a pretty face, she is beautiful inside and out and wants to encourage other women to believe the same.

Steward believes she would make a great representative for women and girls because, “I have a natural gift to guide in a positive manner, encourage people to find their own path and make smart decisions.” Steward adds, “Society relates being plus size as a negative thing based on a person’s measurements. I believe everything about me is plus size including my heart, my commitment to helping those in need, my faith in God, my belief in a quality education for all, my love for children, and my measurements.”

Steward teaches high school language arts and is an Independent Educational Consultant. She has a Bachelors of Science in Education from Southern University and A&M College (Baton Rouge, LA) and Masters of Arts in Educational Administration and Supervision from the University of Phoenix.

She also devotes her time to a number of service organizations, including Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc., Northwest Black Pioneers, Hupernikao Youth Ministry, Mt. Calvary Christian Center, and National Urban Alliance. When Steward is not working or serving she is participating in her sorority activities, her church, cooking and singing. She is a proud foster mom and has raised her niece for the last five years.

Photo/Washington Plus America