Bethany keeping good company
By Timothy Hurley
Advertiser Staff Writer
Bethany Hamilton is keeping some impressive company these days: President Bush, Pope John Paul II, Oprah Winfrey ...
Advertiser library photo • Nov. 18, 2003
Hamilton, the 13-year-old surfer who lost her left arm in an Oct. 31 shark attack, yesterday was named among the "Ten Best-Mannered People of 2003" by the National League of Junior Cotillions. She has also been named one of 10 finalists for Beliefnet's "Most Inspiring Person of the Year Award" for 2003.
Bethany Hamilton is No. 5 on a list of best-mannered people, and a finalist for "Most Inspiring Person of the Year."
"American Idol" runner-up Clay Aiken topped the 12th annual list by the North Carolina-based National League of Junior Cotillions, an etiquette and social training program for young people, with chapters in more than 25 states.
The Kaua'i teenager was tabbed No. 5 on the list "for the manner in which she handled the adversity of a shark attack."
Others in the top five were talk show host Oprah Winfrey; retired Army Gen. Tommy Franks, the former Central Command chief; and Atlanta Falcons quarterback Michael Vick. The rest of the top 10: NBC news anchor Tom Brokaw, first lady Laura Bush, actor Mel Gibson, National Security Adviser Condoleezza Rice and British Prime Minister Tony Blair.
Up for Beliefnet's "Most Inspiring Person of the Year Award," Hamilton joins a list of nominees that includes President Bush, Pope John Paul II, Nobel Peace Prize winner Shirin Ebadi, Boston Archbishop Sean O'Malley and gay Episcopal Bishop Gene Robinson.
The nominees are profiled by Beliefnet, a "multifaith e-community," on its Web site at www.beliefnet.com. You can cast your own vote for the most inspiring, and an independently selected winner will be announced the first week of January.
Meanwhile, Hamilton is keeping busy — and staying in the spotlight. Last week she made several media appearances in New York, including for shows on MTV, Fox News and CNN.
Hamilton had planned to give a surfing demonstration this week at the Billabong Pro women's surf contest at Honolua, Maui, but that didn't work out. Instead, she is flying to California for the opening of Rip Curl's new flagship store in Santa Monica tomorrow.
The event is being described by Rip Curl, a Hamilton sponsor, as a star-studded gala featuring athletes, musicians, entertainers, artists and Hollywood celebrities.
Hamilton will be the guest of honor, with charitable donations going to the "Friends of Bethany Hamilton Foundation."
Reach Timothy Hurley at (808) 244-4880 or thurley@honoluluadvertiser.com.
