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Miss America to honor late AP writer John Curran | The Associated Press | Nation | Washington Examiner

2011-10-29T14:49:07Z

The late Associated Press writer John Curran, a longtime chronicler of the Miss America pageant, will be honored by a scholarship in his name to be awarded to a non-finalist next year.

Curran died of a heart attack last month at his home in Vermont at age 54. He covered the pageant for more than a decade as the AP's Atlantic City correspondent.

"He wrote an awful lot of stories about us. We wanted to do something in his memory," said Art McMaster, president and CEO of the Miss America Organization.

The Curran scholarship will be awarded during a non-televised portion of the competition. It will go to a non-finalist studying journalism.

The pageant, which originated in Atlantic City and recently moved to Las Vegas, will be televised Jan. 14 on ABC.

Donations toward the scholarship can be sent to the Miss America Organization in Linwood, N.J. The organization said all of the money collected in Curran's name will be awarded as a scholarship.

Miss America to Host Miss Africa USA at Tadias Magazine

2011-10-29T14:48:16Z

Miss America 2010, Caressa Cameron, will host the 2011 Miss Africa USA Pageant. (Photo by Jim Carpenter/ Fredericksburg.com)"

Tadias Magazine
Events News

Published: Friday, October 28, 2011

New York (TADIAS) – As the countdown continues for the 2011 Miss Africa USA Pageant, organizers announced that Miss America 2010, Caressa Cameron, will host the event on November 13th in Silver Spring, Maryland.

Cameron, who was born and raised in Virginia, was crowned Miss America on January 30, 2010 after beating out 52 other contestants for the $50,000 scholarship. An aspiring singer and Miss America’s Talent Award winner in vocal pop, she has performed at noteworthy venues, including the historic Apollo Theatre in New York City as well as during the 2009 presidential inauguration festivities. She is the third Miss Virginia to win the national title.

This year’s contestant representing Ethiopia, 29-year-old Tsige Hussein, is also a Virginian. She is currently a nursing student at Northern Virginia Community College.

“Ms. Hussien was chosen out of several Ethiopian candidates,” Lady Kate Njeuma, CEO and Founder of Miss Africa USA, said in a recent interview with Tadias. “She stood out because of her confidence level and her passion for humanitarian work.”

Stars Join Miss USA for a Breast Cancer Benefit in Las Vegas « « THE JLU BLOG THE JLU BLOG

2011-10-29T14:47:18Z

Published on October 24th, 2011

LAS VEGAS – October 22, 2011- On October 21st Rain Cosmetics launched at Skins 6|2 Cosmetics inside The Cosmopolitan of Las Vegas with a breast cancer benefit hosted by Alyssa Campanella, Miss USA 2011.

Shanna Moakler, former Miss USA and reality television star was in attendance, along with Peepshow headliner and cancer survivor Cheaza Figueroa. Guests enjoyed hors d’oeuvres and bubbly from STK Las Vegas and makeup applications from Rain Cosmetics while they shopped for the cause.

“I’m a survivor, and the way that I became confidant and positive is by being a part of events like this,” said Figueroa. “It’s important to become a part of the community and to give back.”

The event raised awareness and funds for Susan G. Komen for the Cure of Southern Nevada® while celebrating the new relationship between the chic cosmetics line and the exclusive boutique.

Miss World 2011 - Visit to Stirling Castle and Gleneagles

2011-10-28T06:30:00Z

Beauty Pageant > Miss World >
* Miss World 2011 Coverage
* Miss World 2011 Contestants
* Miss World 2011 - Final for Sports Swimming Competition Video
* Miss World 2011 - Visit to Stirling Castle and Gleneagles
* Miss World 2011 - Dinner at Crieff Hydro
* Miss World 2011 Talent Semi-Finalists Announced
* Miss World 2011 Sports Fast Track Finalists
* Miss World 2011 Final has been announced, to be held in London,UK, Tuesday, November 8th

2011 Miss World Trip to Stirling Castle

2011 Miss World Contestants at Gleneagles Golf Course

The Miss World candidates have been having lots of fun in Scotland. The are all impressed with the Scottish culture, sightseeing and hospitality! Some beauty girls played some golf at Gleneagles in Scotland, a famous golf destination in the United Kingdom. while another group of girls visted the beautiful Stirling Castle.

Check out below the photos gallery

The Beauty Show – Miss Kentucky Teen – Controversies

2011-10-27T20:00:56Z

Miss Kentucky Teen is the oldest major international beauty show. Founded in 1950 by Eric Morley, he, and now his wife, have created a popularly televised pageant, working alongside famous pageants to the likes Miss Universe and Miss Earth. His wife, Julia, Morley, is now the chairman of the organization. In 1959, BBC started broadcasting the competition, and Miss Kentucky Teen show became the highest rated program of year from the 1960s to the 1970s. In 1980s, the show adopted the slogan “Beauty with a Purpose” adding different competitions for personality as well as intelligence. Also during that time, the company was owned by Transworld Communications. Though shows are no longer broadcast on major networks, back in 1995, one channel did air the pageant.

Modern-Day Beauty Show

Years ago, this pageant began as a festival with a Bikini Contest. It honored new swimwear and people named the winner Miss Kentucky Teen. Now, this organization now manages the annual shows, and the competition grow year after year. Each year, some of the profits are donated to various children’s charities, truly giving meaning to “Beauty with a Purpose.”

Aside from the Miss Kentucky Teen crown, special awards like the Miss Photogenic award is given..(most commonly Venezuela receives this award, having received it 4 times!). Fast Track awards have also been incorporated since 2003, in addition to the main title. Fast Track awards include: Miss Talent, Miss Sports, Beauty with a Purpose, Top Model, People’s Choice, Personality, and Contestant’s Choice. Having all of these possible awards, makes it easy for contestants to win something, and gain a sense of accomplishment, even if they are not crowned the new Miss Kentucky Teen.

The Beauty Show Controversies

Every organization seems to have controversies if you dig deep enough. This pageant has had several including a female protester who threw flour bombs during the event in 1970. In 1973, the titleholder Marjorie Wallace forced to end her reign because she didn’t fulfill the rules of organization, and in 1974 Helen Morgan from UK was forced to resign when it was discovered that she was an unmarried mother. Again in 1976, several countries walked out in a boycott because the show included both Caucasian and African-something still controversial for the time. Gabriella Brum (1980) resigned, after posing naked for magazine, and in 1996 protests took place in Bangalore, ending India’s opportunities to host the contest in the future.

Regardless of the size and popularity of the competition, each system seems to have some drama. The Miss Kentucky Teen pageant, is international and well known for pageant experts, but not necessarily for novices. When changes occur within this organization over decades, whether it be because of inappropriate behavior of titleholders, or from protesters, it doesn’t make headline news. However, if you do a little research, you’d be surprised at what you might find!

This post was submitted by Courtney Charatsaris.

© courtney for The Pageant Planet, 2011. | Permalink | No comment | Add to del.icio.us
Post tags: beauty show, Eric Morley, Marjorie Wallace, miss kentucky teen

The Miss International Beauty Pageant Review

2011-10-28T19:00:00Z

After 8 years from inception in 1952, the Miss Universe Pageant moved from southern California to Miami, Florida making way for the creation of the Miss International Beauty Pageant. In 1960, the newest member of the pageant world found it’s home in Long Beach, California. Now held in Japan and China, the organization has made international strides.

The Competition of the Miss International Beauty Pageant

Much like the Miss Universe competition, Miss International contestants are required to compete in an interview, evening wear, swimsuit, and a national costume. The organization also prides itself on young women who are standing up and making a difference in their countries through an adopted platform. With a foundation rooted in creating powerful young women, the pageant prides itself not only on a beautiful appearance but a giving soul. This year, they will be crowning their 51st titleholder.

The History of the Miss International Beauty Pageant

Over sixty countries come from all over the world to take the coveted Miss International Beauty title. The first woman to take the title in 1960 was also the first time a Latin American woman took the first title of a competition. All other competitions report that all the first titleholders of the organization are from Scandinavian descent. In the Miss International Pageant Venezuala has had 6 titleholders take the crown with Colombia and the United States a close second with each having 3 wins. Africa remains the only continent to not have a winner, however, this could be their year.

The Titleholders of the Miss International Beauty Pageant

The Miss International Beauty pageant has been supported and staged by the International Council Association since 1969. The purpose of the association is to maintain peaceful relations between countries, while supporting charitable events throughout the world. The women who compete for this title are expected to uphold the same standards of this organization. With their 51st titleholder being crowned in less than a month, the competition will remain difficult with the amazing young women who believe so strongly in the betterment of this world.

This post was submitted by Bess Brooks.

© bessbrooks for The Pageant Planet, 2011. | Permalink | No comment | Add to del.icio.us
Post tags: beauty pageant, miss international, titleholders

Elisa Rister America's 30s Learns It's Great To Be Queen!

2011-10-27T17:43:00Z

In celebration of her recent win, in early in October Elisa Rister, America's 30 was able to have an amazing photo shoot at a beautiful Scottsdale, AZ mansion. Elisa had the opportunity to shoot with her long time friend and photographer Byron Medina and his wife/make-up artist Sylvia, taking advantage of the gorgeous location.

This amazing team did fashion images for her 2011 Beauties of America 30's title. Byron also helped Elisa with her headshots for the Beauties of America national pageant program book, his pictures awarded her her first photogenic award.

Thank you Byron Medina for updating Elisa's pictures. To view more of Byron's work visit his website http://www.byronmedina.com/.

Also congratulations to Elisa for getting signed to Arizona Model and Actor Management http://azmodelandactormanagement.com/ or visit there face book page for Elisa's featured profile. http://www.vimeo.com/30965872

Submitted by Elisa Rister, America's 30s

America's 30s Elisa Rister Gets a Special Ride For the Helldorado Days Festival

2011-10-27T17:37:00Z

Elisa Rister, America 30's traveled down to historic Tombstone, AZ, "the town too tough to die." Our own America 30's was in Tombstone to participate in the 82nd annual Helldorado Days Festival.

Helldorado is Tombstone's oldest festival celebrating its rip-roaring days of the 1880's. The festival started in 1929 and is sponsored by Helldorado, Inc. whose membership is composed of residents in Cochise County.

Helldorado is held every third weekend in October and consists of gunfight re-enactment shows, street entertainment, fashion shows and a family oriented carnival and annual parade. Elisa, America's 30 had the honor of participating in the annual parade, riding on her exciting half car and half motorcycle show stopper ride on loan by her good friend.

During the parade, Elisa was able to meet the 2011 Miss Helldorado Days Queen and her 1st runner-up, local business parade entries and entertainers.

Elisa and her family celebrate every year at Tombstone Helldorado Days festival, this trip was made more special by participating in the annual parade as 2011 Beauties of America 30's. The Rister family highly recommends this festival is you ever visit southern Arizona.

Thank you to the Tombstone Vigilantes organization and Tombstone City Council for having Elisa, America's 30s in Tombstone for the celebration this past weekend.

Submitted by Elisa Rister, America's 30s

Rock Around the Clock!

2011-10-18T23:47:00Z

Thank you to all the Crown Girls and Crown families for making the Fall Festival such a success! We won first prize in the float competition and could not have done it without all of you and your hard work. Keep tagging those pictures on Facebook!

Get ready for an exciting Fall competition schedule and don't forget to inform the Citrus office by tomorrow if you are competing this weekend. If you need to book a lesson, email LisaRevolution1@aol.com.

America's 40s Carolyn Ladd Meets Up With NW Queens at Mrs. Oregon America Pageat

2011-10-27T17:28:00Z

Beauties of America's 40s Carolyn Ladd attended the Mrs. Oregon America Pageant in Portland, Oregon and had a chance to catch up with many of her northwest friends. The pageant was held at the grand ballroom of the Marriott hotel. Eight ladies competed for the title of Mrs. Oregon America and the opportunity to compete at the Mrs. America Pageant. The contestants were judged in interview, swimsuit and evening gown. The winner was Erin Piibor, Mrs. Eugene.

Many pageant title holders from Oregon and Washington were in attendance, including the gorgeous lady who crowned Carolyn, 2010 America's 40s Tamara Wissbaum in picture #1.

Picture #2: Moniqa Keisling, Ms. Oregon American Co-Ed; Macy Bishop, Mrs. Willamette Valley International.

Add caption

Picture #3: The reigning Mrs. Washington America Lisa Bluhm and some of the ladies who are competing for the title of Mrs. Washington America in November: Jessica Riggs, Mrs. Snohomish County; Tamara DePorter, Mrs. Seattle; LaReina DeLey, Mrs. Olympia.

Picture #4: With the new Mrs. Oregon America, Erin Piibor, a fitness instructor and mom of a toddler. Erin and her husband reside in Eugene Oregon.

Submitted by Carolyn Ladd, America's 40s

Official Dates for the National American Miss California Pageants

2011-10-25T20:47:00Z

The National American Miss California 2012 Dates are set in stone! Sign-ups are now officially open through our website, www.namiss.com. Returning girls, call our office to receive your promotional code to use when you register.

Stay tuned after the new year for our 2012 Open Call Schedule. Look forward to seeing you next year!

Miss California South 2012:
Princess, Ages 4-6: June 28-30
Jr. Pre-Teen, Ages 7-9: June 28-30
Pre-Teen, Ages 10-12: June 28-30
Jr. Teen, Ages 13-15: June 29 - July 1
Teen, Ages 16-18: June 29 - July 1

Miss California North 2012:
Princess, Ages 4-6: July 26-28
Jr. Pre-Teen, Ages 7-9: July 26-28
Pre-Teen, Ages 10-12: July 26-28
Jr. Teen, Ages 13-15: July 27-29
Teen, Ages 16-18: July 27-29

Miss United America & Miss Petite United America

2011-10-20T06:16:48Z

This weekend Austin, Texas will host the United America Pageant and Petite United America Pageant on Sunday October 23, 2011. Pageantry stars in media entertainment present at these double pageants include: Tim Kretschmann from PageantCast, Sherrie Gearheart from Tiara Magazine, and Kristina Rowe from www.splashandsparkle.com Together both the United America Pageant and Petite United American Pageant will have approximately 50 contestants vying for various titles. The Petite United America is a unique pageant system calling all contestants that are 5’6 and under. Petite is beautiful so why not give this pageant a try? You can learn more about both pageant systems by going to www.unitedamericapageant.com One of the most admirable things about the United America Pageant system is how dedicated the National Director is to her state and national queens. She updates everyone in her database of what every single queen in her system is doing. Below we included just a snippet of her National and State Newsletter so you may better understand what her system has to offer. After this weekend we will post the National Winners.

QUEENS NEWSLETTER – August, 2011

Hi to all,

First off, I want to Congratulate all of our new TEXAS UNITED AMERICA queens who competed in June. They are: JR. TEEN UA – Mary McFadden, TEEN UA – Lilliana Mancillas, MISS UA – Vivian Ta, MS. UA – Ethel Curtis, MRS. UA – Tarah Schuster, MS. LADY UA – Brandi McGruder-Coffer, MS. WOMAN UA – Candice Freeman, MS. CLASSIC UA – Kristina Rowe and MS. ELITE UA – Jain Hall. All of these ladies will now advance on to our UNITED AMERICA NATIONALS pageant Oct. 21-23, 2011 in Austin, Tx. at the Wyndham Hotel. We invite all of our pageant friends to come enjoy our pageant in the State Capitol and the “Live Music Capital of the World” – Austin! Our UNITED AMERICA NATIONAL queens were ALL in attendance at our state pageant in June and it was such a treat for us to have them here and to be a part of our program! They were a lot of support to everyone and of course, it’s always fun to recognize these wonderful women!

The queens have been very busy and I’d like to mention a few things they have done to share with you about what is important with our program – that is VOLUNTEERING! This is very special and what a wonderful feeling it is to be able to do this when we can. Billye Fietz- our MS. CLASSIC UA & MS. PETITE CLASSIC UA has been busy attending, hosting, being judge, MC, event planner for many various organizations and has managed to make several more quilts and get to spend time with her new Grand-daughter! Recently, several of the UNITED AMERICA queens were Visiting Royalty at a pageant in San Antonio and those represented were: Shawniqua Stokes – MRS. SAN ANTONIO UA, Lilliana Mancillas – MISS TEEN TEXAS UA, Alyson Bentley – MISS JR. TEEN SAN ANTONIO UA, Billye Fietz –MS. CLASSIC UA, Gabriella Cho – MISS TEEN SAN ANTONIO UA. It was fun seeing several former UA queens there as well in the competition. Recently Lilliana was invited to speak to several schools in the Corpus Christi, Tx. area to at-risk children. She was very well received and the local newspaper did a nice story with pictures of her while she was there. She also has helped out at CAMP-CAMP and this has been a rewarding experience for her!

Below is an image of Lilliana Mancillas, she will compete for the Teen United America title this weekend. Photography by: Mary Olivarez

On July 4^th, 2011, we had many of our UA queens out and about across the state of Texas! In the Houston area, those queens who were at a special event sponsored by the Woodlands Convention Center and were recognized on their huge stage were: Shaune Stauffer – MS. UNITED AMERICA, Dominique LaRue – MS. HARRIS COUNTY WOMAN UA, Amber Glass – MISS TEEN HARRIS COUNTY, Tarah Schuster – MRS. TEXAS UA, Susan Brassard – MRS. MONTGOMERY CO. UA, Tammera Dana-MS. HOUSTON UA and Shanna Olsen – MS. PETITE UNITED AMERICA. It was a very exciting time for all the ladies.

Below is an image of Shaune Stauffer taken from the United America Pageant website

Our PETITE UNITED AMERICA AMBASSADOR – Lyndie Burris has recently moved from Tennessee to Florida where she continues to be involved with her singing. In fact, she has now formed an organization which helps local musicians and business who need entertainers for special events. She has been able to connect up musicians with business ventures and this is a good thing! Keep it up! Everyone can benefit from this! Several of our queens have made trips to the hospital over the summer but all are better now. They include Michelle Wegner – MRS. UNITED AMERICA, Kelly Brantley – MRS. HARRIS COUNTY UA, Tarah Schuster – MRS. TEXAS UA and Billye Fietz-MS. CLASSIC – PETITE CLASSIC UA.

Below is an image of all of the United America 2010 Queens

Congratulations to Shaune Stauffer – MS. UNITED AMERICA for being one of the TOP 5 finalist for the cover of Tiara Magazine! What an honor! There were Many considered and we are happy one of our UA queens was a part of this! Also on the cover of another magazine – Kien Thuc Magazine – was our own MISS TEXAS UA – Vivian Ta. Congratulations to you too! Vivian has also gotten an opportunity to model for Tyra Bank’s fashion website called Type F, www.typef.com and to model for Lifetime Fitness. She will also be involved with a photo shoot to be featured in dfw.com magazine’s “DFW’s 10 hottest people” – way to go! Look forward to seeing all of this!

Below is a photo of Vivian Ta by Mary Olivarez

Jain Hall – our MS. ELITE TEXAS UA, recently visited a retirement center and will be working with them in setting up fashion shows and entertainment for those who live there. She and Kristina also helped with the Queen for a Day event and Jain will be involved with a charity event on Sept. 17 were she will speak and also get to be part of the entertainment. Recently there was a charity event with the Cancer Association and a fashion show was done with wedding dresses – Shawniqua Stokes – MRS. SAN ANTONIO UA just happened to be modeling a beautiful wedding dress and was planning on wearing it the next day too, but as it turned out – the dress sold! Proceeds went to a great cause! Several of the San Antonio UA queens were involved in this fashion show. Cynthia Trinidad, owner of the San Antonio Roses dance team, won several special awards this summer! Way to go! Cynthia is our reigning MS. PETITE TEXAS UA. Cynthia is also responsible in helping with choreography for many of the pageants in the San Antonio area. Our date for our next PETITE UNITED AMERICA NATIONALS and the UNITED AMERICA NATIONALS pageant will be JUNE 23, 2012 – hope you can join us!

Hugs to all,

Miss Annette

Director “BE YOU – BE BEAUTIFUL”

www.UnitedAmericaPageant.com

www.PetiteUnitedAmerica.com

Minnesota Princess shares the year with her mom....another Minnesota Titleholder

2011-10-25T18:25:00Z

Some girls dream of growing up to become a "beauty queen." Some girls dream of growing to become a "mommy." For Wendi Russo....both came true. Wendi Russo who you may be familiar with as the on air host for ShopNBC, has been competing in pageants for the past few years and is currently a Mrs. Minnesota titleholder for a Mrs. pageant organization. So, it was no wonder that her daughter, Chloe would want to follow in mommy's footsteps!

Chloe, whose a spunky tot, choose the National American Miss Minnesota pageant as her first pageant experience, and captured the judges hearts by taking home the title of 2011 Miss MInnesota Princess.

Now Mom and Daughter are having a year of a lifetime, both traveling and making appearances together - becoming the ulitmate faces for mommy and me organizations and giving back across the country changing lives of girls of ALL ages!

Check out some of the stuff that the Russo girls have been up to.

Being featured and special guests at a mom.com event in minneapolis

Donating Books from the NAM community involvement competition to Marias Readindeedforkids.org. Maria is a 10 year old girl who has a goal of distributing 1 million book by the age of 18.

Selling raffle tickets, helping host, and making a special guest appearance at the Emerson Golfing fundraiser to benefit the Ronald McDonald House

Chloe hosted a local community, charity pageant and Wendi took part as judge

Both mom and daughter struted the catwalk, modeling for Mainstream Boutique at the Rudabega Festival in Wisconsin

Monica Lacovitch: Insightful Blog, Journey to the Runway

2011-10-19T18:56:33Z

We were so pleased with our Tiara Model, Monica Lacovitch’s blog that we decided to share it with all of our Tiara Fans. Her story from beauty queen to runway model gives some real life examples of what could go wrong during your big day. Monica was chosen as our show starter for the titleholders because of her grace, confidence, and attitude on the runway. Photos from Tiara Magazine’s charity fashion show below.

Live Out Loud Charity Fashion Show!!

By: Monica Lacovitch Shared by: Tiara Magazine

Finally, time to blog about the rest of the weekend after the NAMI walk!!! So I completed the NAMI walk and then me and the Snoopy dog had to head home so that I could start packing and getting ready for Part II of my, what I would like to call “Mental Health Weekend”. I mean it was, I did the walk in the morning and the rest of the weekend was the Live Out Loud Charity Function.

Live Out Loud Charity was founded by Sherrie Gearheart, a fellow queen friend who I admire so dearly, and was founded for the purpose of helping people who have depression/suicide issues. This organization is dear to her because she had struggled with depression as a teen and it became more real as she lost a childhood friend to suicide. This year was the 2nd annual Fashion Show celebrating life and giving people hope who think their life means nothing. It also gave a look into Sherrie’s story and the many venues she is using the organization to accomplish. It was such an honor to be a part of a show that benefits those who are just like me. I can’t wait to see the DVD of the show.

This was a super long weekend which started out with a motivational seminar by Jo Jo Sayson who does these seminars all over the country and all over the world. It was really uplifting the things he spoke on to help you see “the light” I felt better coming out than when I did when I came in and that’s all that mattered. Not that I was feeling super depressed but I had a lot on my mind and my anxiety had been pretty bad within the past 48 hours prior to my showing up.

Sunday started off to a rough start. I had to be up super early so I had time to get something to eat and my car wouldn’t start. I had to get a jump with cables I thought I did not have at 6am and it was freezing! They don’t call it the windy city for no reason!! Chicago was chilly that weekend during the night time hours. To my amazement when I go to McDonald’s for a bit and I go to get in my trunk for something there was a gray bag that had jumper cables in it. Why was I thinking I didn’t have jumper cables? I really should know my mom better than that. She does not let any vehicle of hers go without a set. (being a single parent teaches you a lot of things and one of them is independence to not always depend on a man for everything, I got that from my mama, lol) But this time I had to depend on this kind “man” who was working at the front desk of the hotel for a jump. After that it was waiting around for hair and make-up to be done. That was a majority of the day, well the first half. Honestly, I had only brought my evening gown, the red one, for a just in case deal. I was under the impression that titleholders/models had 2 outfits for the purpose of one for titleholder and one for model. Glad I went with my gut, lol Only problem is, it needed to be fixed with hook and eye replacement and a bigger flatter hook for the band on the inside. Good thing I brought those with me so in the midst of the craziness I was popping a squat with my dress, needle, thread, and the hooks and eyes to repair my gown. THANK GOD FOR BEING FROM A FAMILY OF CRAFTINESS AND SEWERS or I would have been screwed, lol Another thing to thank God for… PAGEANT MOMS, my dress was so wrinkled and needed to be pressed. Two women adopted me for the day and took care of the dress just in time for me to wear it. Love it!! Unfortunately, later on a girl stepped on it and ripped it. Good thing it was on the dress and not the train, so when I walked the train covered the ripped part of the gown. I know she was upset, and boy was I too, but getting all up in arms about it was not going to change the situation or make anybody feel any better. The bright side… well it wasn’t my dress I am wearing to nationals

So it is Fashion show time and everyone looked great! Some very interesting looks. Very creative designers we had that were area designers. Who is the show starter for the title holders?? You guessed it and boy was I nervous, well, I think it was more of I did not know what to expect when I went out there. I start out and all I see are flashes from cameras. Many rounds of applause. It was awesome. I had bedhead, crazy make-up for my designer and I was dressed in my title attire. Very interesting but it was so much fun. I was really tired though, as there were it least 100 models, male and female. Tight spaces, everyone changing in the same area, trying to get things on and off quickly then waiting for cues. It was a real experience. There were even Indian Designers who had just beautiful colored designs with sparkles everywhere. I was thinking WOW!! The dancers always went in front of their line with a dance. That was awesome from what I could see from the back. Like I said, the DVD will be something to see!! Two of the ladies, Betsy and Michelle, were there from the MJL Foundation and were right in the front row! I could hear them saying my name. It was awesome! A true runway for a purpose and I loved it!

Five hours later of show, it was time to go home. I had work the next day at 8:30 a.m. I got home around 3 or so since I ended up getting lost. I mean, I took the right way home, just not the quickest like the way I had come. The upside was that I didn’t have to pay all of those tolls on the way back. Downside, it was like an extra 45 minutes added on my trip. UGH!!! Boy did I sleep and it felt great. I had another week of appearances and things to do. Catching up on sleep has been a task.

Everyone wanted to know details and how it went? Well here it is almost 2 weeks later, lol That just goes to show how busy I have been between work and platforms. Being a titleholder is more than what some people think it is. It takes dedication and hard work if you truly believe in your platform and the purpose. You may hear me say omg, I had to be here there and everywhere, but at the end of the day I wouldn’t change any of it for the world and it all goes for a great cause!! GO NAMI!! GO LIVE OUT LOUD CHARITY!!!!

Dove Movement for Self-Esteem

2011-10-24T02:08:00Z

Growing up, Friday nights were always family nights which might have involved either grocery shopping, watching our favorite TV Show (Night Rider), playing board games or attending a high school game. Either way, we were always together and having fun. So it was heartwarming for me to be part of a very special event involving mom's and daughter's this past Friday night.

Over 150 girls registered to take part in the first event to empower girls in Charlotte to grow up with positive self-esteem and the confidence to be beautiful. So many beautiful young ladies full of hope and excitement! This free event extends throughout the weekend and Friday was just the beginning. Each attendee received a bingo card so they could visit five different self-esteem stations. My role was polishing nails at the "Hope" station. I loved it. And, I signed "Mrs. Int'l" on the bingo card which the girls thought was cool.

I am still in awe of the numerous smiles and excitement my crown brings to others. Before the event started, I took a ride in the elevator to the lobby to help distributing name tags and as soon as the elevator doors opened there were 4 little girls standing there who had been talking and giggling and they just stopped and staired. (That scene in Monsters Inc where the squeeky toy gets picked up by their "leader," the claw - that was the look in their eye.) So I quickly bent down to their level and started talking with them and let them touch the crown. I still get the question,"Do you have magical powers," so I think that means I'll have to learn a couple magic tricks that kids would think is cool?

Looking ahead, I'll be at Day 2 of the Dove event and then heading to Talladega to spend race day with Joey Retherford's mother and family. More pictures to come!

Janet Bolin

Checking in with Miss Wisconsin Preteen Cover Girl, Rebecca Dowe....

2011-10-20T21:09:00Z

Miss Wisconsin Preteen Cover Girl 2011, Rebecca Dowe, recently shared with us, here at the NAM HQ some of the things she has been up to since becoming official royalty.

Above & Below, Rebecca and Fox 6 News Milwaukee sports reporter, Tom Pipines(photographed with Rebecca, above), were both the special quests at the Mequon-Thiensvile Optimimst Club's annual event. During her guest appearance, Rebecca enjoyed selling "oz-opoly" games (a version of the Monopoly game, but with local Ozaukee County businesses). The money raised will help fund the Honor Flights for WWII veterans.

Above and Below, Rebecca spends lots of of her spare time making cards for Operation Write Home, which sends cards to the military serving overseas. Unlike, most military card making organization, this one is a little different. The men in the Military receive these cards free of charge and then can use them to send to loved ones back home. So far, Rebecca has made hundreds and isn't going to stop!

We love seeing what YOUR doing to make a difference in your community! Thanks for sharing, Rebecca!

National American Miss contestant Jessica Hibler crowned Miss Tennessee USA 2012!

2011-10-20T12:29:42Z

A veteran of Tennessee pageantry earned the ultimate state crown Saturday night.

Jessica Hibler now wears the title of Miss Tennessee USA 2012, according to Miss USA 2011 Alyssa Campanella.

Hibler will represent Tennessee at the Miss USA 2012 pageant in Las Vegas. The final night of the pageant will be broadcast live on the NBC television network.

In 2005, Hibler was named Most Promising Model and was first runner-up in the Casual Wear category at Tennessee’s National American Miss Competition in the junior teen division.

She represented Middle Tennessee State University at the 2008 Miss Tennessee pageant.

In 2009, she was second runner-up at the Miss Tennessee USA pageant.

In 2010, she was fourth runner-up at the Miss Tennessee USA pageant.

In addition to her 2012 crown, Hibler received scholarship money and will benefit from training and wardrobe for the Miss USA pageant.

Continue reading on Examiner.com Jessica Hibler crowned Miss Tennessee USA 2012 – National pageant | Examiner.com http://www.examiner.com/pageant-in-national/jessica-hibler-crowned-miss-tennessee-usa-2012#ixzz1bK8vHRpC

VA and MD Int'l Pageant

2011-10-19T12:49:00Z

It was a nice change to be sitting at the judges table as I judged the Pre-Teen and Jr. Teen Virginia International the other weekend! Pageant weekend was so exciting and I had an absolute blast meeting all the contestants! It was tough not to crown every single one of the outstanding young ladies!

I also got to catch up with Rebecca Crosen-Mrs. Virginia International 2011, Sandra Bryan-Grier-Mrs. Maryland International 2011, Deshauna Barber-Miss Virginia International 2011, Margo Huffman-Miss Teen Maryland International 2011, and my sister queen, Ciji Dodds-Miss International 2011 and former Miss Maryland International 2011. Needless to say, there was a lot of royalty!

"Crown Crazy!"

As Ciji and I were posing to take a photo, our crowns "clanked" together! It caused us to break out in laughter!

Mrs., Miss, Teen & Pre-Teen Virginia International 2011!

One of the best things about wearing a crown is being able to use it as on open door to reach out to others. These two little girls were so full of energy and it was a blessing to be able to meet new friends. As soon as I handed her my autographed photo, she started dancing around the hallway! I love my job!

DeShawn Shepard, VA and MD International pageants director, did an amazing job with the pageant; she truly treated me like “royalty”!

Congrats and best wishes to the new 2012 Virginia and Maryland queens!

Jurnee Carr

Featured – for a cause!

2011-10-21T17:32:12Z

Today, my Carbon Cops Club was featured on the home page of the very awesome DoSomething.org.
If you have never registered or searched for a project here – DO IT. We are approchaing National Volunteer Service Day (Saturday) no better time than the presence to start making a difference that lasts forever.

We're Here! Wish You Were too!

2011-10-06T01:44:00Z

After checking in, we hit the pools and boats. Then we wandered around Disney before dinner at Chef Mickey's with his whole gang. I had pillow cases embroidered and we had characters sign them with fabric pens. It was worth the effort! We then closed out the evening watching fireworks. The hotel laid out desserts,drinks, and such and piped in the music from the show to the balconies for us.