WALB (Albany, GA) Anchor Heidi Paxson is going to compete in the Miss Georgia USA in November.

“I’ve had a lot of really good friends that have done pageants or their sisters have done pageants, and since I’m in TV, I’ve done their makeup and I’ve been a cheerleader for years and years. So I thought it would be fun to put myself out there. I applied online and I heard back in April,” Paxson said.

Paxson told her station, “I have a coach. We met yesterday. We only had a couple of sessions and so far it really has been like therapy. Just trying to be the most authentic version of myself. And honestly, I’ve never really had an outside person that I’ve had to explain my life to. So we’re developing a message that is shortened down to two minutes rather than a 20-minute story. My messaging connects a lot with mental health and encouraging others to be aware of symptoms, and seek help if they need it.”

The story posted on the Gray station’s website, concludes with “For businesses interested in sponsoring Paxson in the pageant, email heidi.paxson@walb.com”

So, Gray is okay with an Anchor using the station to try and drum up sponsors for her beauty pageant run?

Can other employees go on the air to ask businesses to sponsor their ventures?

Ethics be damned.