J. Douglas Gaylon receives an autograph from 1988 Miss America Kaye Lani Rae Rafko

1998 Greater Greensboro Open Honorary Chairman J. Douglas Gaylon receives an autograph from 1988 Miss America Kaye Lani Rae Rafko. She was the first Registered Nurse to win the Miss America title. Michigan's Kaye Lani Rae Rafko was named Miss America 1988 and she elected to spend much of her tenure promoting the nursing and hospice care. Her work drew national attention. Her actions were so positively received by the public, that the pageant began an official "platform" through which future titleholders could become role models for public service. Her example of public service later became an official platform requirement for all contestants two years later.