Miss America Kate Shindle took a lot of heat for her controversial AIDS prevention message. Still, as her reign enters its final week, Shindle has no regrets.
"I wouldn't have handled anything differently, especially with regards to the HIV-AIDS platform," she said Sunday. "Controversy is something that gets people talking, if nothing else. And one of the best methods we can employ to combat the AIDS epidemic is dialogue."The 21-year-old earned both praise and criticism for her blunt advocacy for condom distribution and needle exchanges to prevent AIDS.
Shindle managed to take the hits in stride.
"It's a choice between trying to please everybody and maybe saving someone's life," she said. "There's not much choice to be made there."
The pageant crowns a new Miss America on Saturday.
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ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
Birthdays: For Monday, Sept. 14
"Lone Ranger" Clayton Moore 84
Singer-actress Joey Heatherton 54
Actor Joe Penny 42
Actress Mary Crosby 39
Actress Faith Ford 34