August 25, 2015 For More Information Contact: For Immediate Release Cheryl Dale (509) 853-3280 [email protected] TRUMP PROTÉGÉ, TARA CONNER, MISS USA 2006 HEADLINES BANQUET Tara Conner was crowned Miss USA in April of 2006. As Miss USA, Conner traveled the country working with various breast and ovarian cancer charities, the USO (United Service Organization), lending support to service men and women and she appeared on Lifetime’s Hit Show, “Project Runway”. Conner competed at the Miss Universe pageant in Los Angeles, where she placed 4th runner up, and made red carpet appearances at many special events. It all came crashing down in December of that year when the New York Daily News reported that Conner tested positive for cocaine. This story and others about drugs and alcohol abuse put enormous pressure on the Miss Universe organization to strip Conner of her crown. However, Donald Trump, then an owner of the Miss Universe property famously said, “I’ve always been a believer in second chances,” and Conner was not dethroned. He sent her to the Caron Treatment Center where she completed a course of treatment for substance use. Conner now represents the Caron Treatment Center as a Public Advocacy Consultant. After her very public struggle, Conner has spoken to audiences all over the United States as an advocate for those whose lives have been impacted by addiction. Conner will be the featured speaker at this year’s Merrill Scott Symposium Banquet, August 27, at 7:00pm in the Yakima Convention Center. The event is open to the public. For ticket information and reservations contact Cheryl Dale at 509-853-3280 or [email protected]. The Merrill Scott Symposium on Alcoholism and other Drug Dependencies is sponsored by the Sundown M Foundation. .