As my time as Miss Arc Broward 2024 comes to an end, I am so thankful to Arc Broward.
Winning the Miss Arc Broward pageant has meant that I could advocate for people like me, who have hidden disabilities and silent diseases.
Hidden disabilities get overlooked because you can’t see them. Raising awareness helps people get the care they need.
One of my favorite parts of the pageant has been the cheer squads. Their love and support gave me and other contestants the confidence to be on stage and led me to where I am today.
The Miss Arc Broward Pageant helps girls with disabilities and gives us a chance to show what we can do.
Anyone can form a cheer squad and make plans to be in the audience at this year’s pageant on May 18 at The Parker in Fort Lauderdale.
You will make a difference in the lives of girls like me. Thank you for believing in us.
Kayla Mills, Hollywood
The writer was chosen Miss ARC Broward in 2024.
For protests in new places
I am happy to see numerous venues where “We, the people” are taking our message to the street because a lot of things are amiss right now that need redress by our elected representatives in Congress.
Obviously, many of our representatives appear to owe more fealty to Trump than to the people they represent. So I would like to suggest a change of venue for future demonstrations: right in front of the representatives’ homes. Perhaps that would get their attention.
Bill Helsabeck, Pompano Beach
Tiny sharp pieces of America
As Americans, we are so splintered.
Being splintered is more than just a difference of opinion. It’s the sharp edges of our different perspectives at this moment. Propaganda and disinformation have divided us into tiny sharp pieces that no longer fit together.
Some people are desperately trying to excuse elected leaders’ behavior as a moment in time. They’re listening to news sources that comfort and assure them that they’re not the ones being targeted, and that the economy will be fine in the long term.
This government defies court orders. The president doesn’t care about democracy or the rule of law. Congress is busy looking for its spine.
Yes, we do have to reduce the deficit — but not with a chainsaw.
Many people won’t really understand the full impact of tariffs and other destructive policies (i.e., cutting staff at the Social Security Administration) until it affects them personally.
Diane Johnson, Boca Raton
Reason to be outraged
Constitutional rights are guaranteed to all who reside in the U.S., whether they are legal or undocumented.
U.S. District Judge James “Jeb” Boasberg has challenged Trump’s deportations as illegal.
Not all Venezuelans are gang members to be sent to live in horrendous, inhuman prison conditions. Many had no record of gang membership.
All decent Americans should be outraged by this. Who’s next?
Marty Weisberg, Tamarac
A deportation question
To any U.S. Department of Justice attorney fighting to prevent a court from rescuing an immigrant whose arrest and deportation was admittedly a mistake, I have just one question.
Is this why you went to law school?
Marc Rohr, Plantation
The writer is Professor of Law Emeritus, Shepard Broad College of Law, NSU.
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