For a third consecutive year, Princeton students have been featured in Glamour magazine's Top 10 College Women contest. The current issue of Glamour spotlights winner Jessica Melore '03 and honorable mention Brittany Blockman '03 alongside top-achievers from across the country.
"I just felt really honored [to win]," Melore said.
Glamour recognized Melore for her "survivor" spirit and dedication to promoting handicap awareness and organ donation.
After surviving a nearly fatal heart attack and having her leg amputated, Melore began speaking publicly about her experience. She has appeared on Dateline NBC, ABC Nightly News, Hard Copy, Extra, Telemundo and Good Morning America.
Blockman, who made the top thirteen, was recognized as "The Healer," for her work on a documentary at Maitri, an AIDS hospice in San Franciso.
"I applied because I was inspired by some of the outstanding females in the Princeton community who have been honored in previous years," she said. Melore joins past winners Lillian Pierce '02 and Julia Indrani Pal-Chaudhuri '01. "They were all three really wonderful young women," Laux-Bachand said.
Since its inception, the contest has had 10 winners from the University. Founded in 1957 as the "Best-Dressed College Girls" contest, the present-day contest is designed to identify college juniors who excel in their community contributions, academic dedication and personal goals.
"[The '50's] was not the era of 'let's pay attention to women's brains,'" Laux-Bachand said. "[Now] looks aren't taken into consideration. I look at all the applications, and all the young women that age are beautiful. They are smart, vibrant, beautiful."
Glamour flew the ten winners to New York during the first weekend of Septemeber and organized four days of events designed to inspire and encourage them to continue contributing to society. The girls met with top women professionals, attended an awards luncheon at Conde Nast, toured the U.N. building, shopped in Soho, went clubbing and spent a day at a spa.
Blockman noted the contrast between the contest and other features in this month's issue — which included Style Tips for Real Hips, and Men's Top 10 Sex Wants.
"It is ironic that a contest having nothing to do with makeup, sex, and fashion was presented by Glamour magazine," Blockman said.
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