Miss America 2007 Lauren Nelson travels to Bedford County, Virginia for training with the Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force in pursuit of a major goal: 

Internet Safety for Children.

March 16, Bedford, Va.    Miss America 2007, Lauren Nelson, arrives in Bedford County, Virginia March 22 to assume her new role as a spokesperson for the Safe Surfin’ Foundation and the Internet Crimes Against Children Task Forces (ICAC). The Oklahoma native will be recognized as an honorary member of the Southern Virginia Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force (ICAC) after completing in-depth training in all aspects of Internet safety.

Nelson, who is 20, is the youngest Miss America in more than a decade and has chosen Internet safety for children as her personal platform. In addition to receiving training in Internet safety, she will film public service announcements for both the Safe Surfin’ Foundation and ICAC Task Forces which will be distributed nationwide.     

As a spokesperson for the Safe Surfin’ Foundation, Miss Nelson joins such luminaries as Shaquille O’Neal of the Miami Heat, (currently a reigning champion of the NBA), Diego Sanchez of the Ultimate Fighting Championship, movie and television star Erik Estrada, and professional football player Jake Grove of the Oakland Raiders. 

"The Southern Virginia ICAC Task Force is honored that the Miss America Organization chose our task force to educate Miss Nelson, Miss America 2007, on how to best keep our young people safe from the sexual predators who target children surfing the Internet,” notes Bedford County’s Sheriff Mike Brown. “Miss Nelson is to be congratulated on her efforts to educate our nation's youth and their parents about these dangers as well as what they can do to prevent children from becoming victims of Internet predators.” 

WHO: Miss America 2007, Lauren Nelson

WHAT: Ceremony honoring Miss America 2007, Lauren Nelson, and welcoming her as an honorary member of the Southern VA ICAC Task Force and the Bedford County Sheriff’s Office. Miss Nelson has also committed to being an official spokesperson for the Safe Surfin’ Foundation.

WHEN: Thursday, March 22, 2:00 pm. Media may set up beginning at 1:30 pm 

WHERE: Bedford County Courthouse, 123 Main Street, Circuit Court, Bedford Va. 2:00pm.

Note: media availability also at Liberty University in Lynchburg at 3:30 pm, following taping of PSAs.

Contact: Robin Sundquist
540-586-7715
rsundquist@bedfordsheriff.org