Miss Tennessee Jamie Watkins visited with U.S. Secretary of Education Rod Paige today at the U.S. Department of Education to discuss her interest in education issues and her view of the importance of music education in our nation's schools. Before becoming Miss Tennessee, Watkins completed her studies to become a music education teacher.

On June 21, during a brief on-stage interview the night Jamie was crowned Miss Tennessee she was asked to pick three people whom she would take to dinner. She named singer Gloria Estefan, actor Brad Pitt and Secretary Paige. Today's meeting was arranged as a result.

"I appreciate Jamie's commitment to helping students understand the importance and value of music education and applaud her for her willingness to use her popularity to publicize the need to keep music in our schools," Secretary Paige said.

"Having just graduated from college and receiving my teaching certificate, I find myself somewhat optimistic, believing I can change the world one second-grader at a time. As a product of public education, I am a walking testimony to the benefits of the arts in the core curriculum. The opportunity for conversation with Rod Paige may, perhaps, inaugurate as well as conceptualize my mission of Keeping Music in Our Schools," Miss Watkins said following her meeting with Secretary Paige.

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