Debra Dene Barnes

Debra Dene Barnes
Born (1947-09-06) September 6, 1947
Moran, Kansas
Other names Debra Dene Miles
Alma mater Kansas State College of Pittsburg
Occupation Associate professor of piano studies
Title Miss America 1968
Predecessor Jane Jayroe
Successor Judith Ford
Spouse(s)
Mitchell Miles (m. 1969)

Bill Snodgrass
Children 2

Debra Dene Barnes, (married as Debra Snodgrass) (born September 6, 1947 in Moran, Allen County Kansas) was crowned Miss America in 1968.[1][2]

Early life and education

Barnes was raised in Moran, Kansas.[3] Upon graduation from high school, she attended the Kansas State College of Pittsburg in Pittsburg, Kansas (now Pittsburg State University) and majored in music.

Pageantry

After winning the Miss Kansas pageant, she competed in the Miss America pageant. A talented pianist, she played the theme from "Born Free" as her talent entry. During her farewell address at the 1968 pageant, her speech was interrupted by protesters from New York Radical Women, who unfurled a bed sheet from the balcony that said "Women's Liberation" and began to shout "Women's Liberation!" and "No more Miss America!" as part of the Miss America protest. They were quickly removed by police but drew coverage by newspapers from across the United States.[4]

Career

As a former Miss America, she has performed in 41 states and 3 foreign countries, on network television, numerous cable stations, and still maintains an active performance schedule. Since graduating from KSTC in Pittsburg, Kansas she has performed two concertos with the university orchestra and Gershwin’s “Rhapsody in Blue”, with the Carthage Symphonic Band.

Barnes is currently associate professor of piano studies, elementary music, and staff accompanist at Missouri Southern State University in Joplin, Missouri. She has over 35 years of piano teaching experience, in both private instruction and “class piano” format. Barnes is the worship leader at Faith Life Worship Center in Carthage, Missouri, where she has served for many years.[5] Barnes won the Wadill Chamber Music Competition held at Pittsburg State University in March 2007. She performed Chopin's Concerto No. 2 in F Minor with the Southeast Kansas Symphony in April 2008.

Personal life

Barnes married college sweetheart, Mitchell Miles, in 1969.[6] The couple has two daughters.[6] She later married Bill Snodgrass.

References

  1. ↑ "Miss America Titleholders". Archived from the original on March 31, 2005. Retrieved February 3, 2012.
  2. ↑ Associated Press (1967-09-10). "Kansas Beauty is Miss America". Tuscaloosa News. p. 1.
  3. ↑ https://digitalcommons.pittstate.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?referer=https://www.google.com/&httpsredir=1&article=1001&context=fa
  4. ↑ Greenfieldboyce, Nell (September 5, 2008). "Pageant Protest Sparked Bra-Burning Myth". NPR. Retrieved 6 February 2012.
  5. ↑ http://www.allencountyhistory.com/barnes.html
  6. 1 2 Tauber, Michelle; Neill, Mike; Russell, Lisa; Fowler, Joanne; Dam, Julie; Tresniowski, Alex; Miller, Samantha; Dougherty, Steve; Yu, Ting (October 16, 2000). "American Beauties: 80 Years". People.
Awards and achievements
Preceded by
Jane Jayroe		 Miss America
1968		 Succeeded by
Judith Ford
Preceded by
Betty Louise Fox		 Miss Kansas
1967		 Succeeded by
Kandee Kae Kline


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