Published: May 18, 2008 12:25 am         

Teacher is contestant

Erin Muir, an English teacher who was recently crowned Miss Mason Dixon, plans to use her title to promote literacy.

“My platform is reading to improve tomorrow’s youth,” said the 23-old teacher, who will compete in the Miss Maryland pageant in Hagerstown on June 20.

Muir, who has taught at the Allegany County Center for Career and Technical Education for two years, decided to entered the world of pageants because of the positive image it promotes and the scholarship money.

“It promotes talented, successful, career-driven women,” said Muir, who is working on a master’s degree in education with a concentration in interdisciplinary studies.

Principal Deborah Bittinger is proud of Muir’s accomplishments.

“We’re proud to have Erin as an English teacher and especially proud that she’s using reading and literacy as her platform,” Bittinger said. “She’s a very positive role model for her students.”

Muir and the other contestants will spend a week in Hagerstown before the competition. She will sing for the talent portion of the competition. The winner of the Miss Maryland crown will advance to the Miss America competition, which will be held in January .

In her spare time, Muir enjoys reading and the outdoors and fishing.

Muir resides in Cumberland. She received her bachelor’s degree from Frostburg State University in 2006. She is the daughter of James and Ruth Muir of Midland.

Contact Jennifer Raley at jraley@times-news.com.