The Bettendorf woman who was crowned the new Miss Iowa over the weekend is already promoting her platform of children’s literacy. Some say being able to read is almost as important as being able to breathe. 20-year-old Erin Smith joins both Iowa’s first lady and the nation’s first lady in working to boost the abilities of the young to read. Smith is a junior at Truman State University in Kirksville, Missouri, majoring in political science and pre-law. Smith hopes to enter politics someday as a state senator or representative.Smith will take the next school year off for public appearances as the new Miss Iowa, meaning, her summer plans have changed significantly as she’ll now spend her summer touring Iowa’s schools, hospitals, day cares, libraries and appearing at all sorts of events. She heads to Atlantic City in September where she’ll attempt to become the first Iowan to be crowned Miss America.
