Miss America Inspires Basking Ridge Kids To Flaunt Differences

BASKING RIDGE, NJ — Miss America 2019 Nia Franklin stopped by Liberty Corner School on Thursday to inspire students to "flaunt" their differences.

Franklin along with its President and Founder of "Don’t Hide it, Flaunt It (DHIFI)" Meg Zucker went the Basking Ridge school to present a live "Flaunt It” program as part of its annual Kids Flaunt initiative.

Franklin and Zucker shared their personal stories of being different to the fourth and fifth graders at Liberty Corner School.

Zucker was born with ectrodactyly, a condition leaving her with shortened forearms, one finger on each hand and one toe on each foot. Two of her three children share her condition and after her oldest son was bullied on the playground by a group of fourth graders she was inspired to created this program.

The program's mission is to advance acceptance, understanding, tolerance and mutual respect for a person's blatant or invisible difference.

"Growing up… sometimes I felt I didn’t belong because of my skin color," says Franklin. "But my parents encouraged me to embrace my differences, to find my purpose, and to walk in my purpose through life."

The Basking Ridge "Flaunt It" program was sponsored by Basking Ridge parent and DHIFI Board Member Christina Bender. For more information on Kids Flaunt and other programs, visit donthideitflauntit.com.

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