NEVER Forget

This week's blog is dedicated to all those affected by the 9-11-01 tragedies.  The victims, the families, the survivors, the first responders, the military and the numerous citizens who helped their fellow man in any capacity!  Our prayers are continually with those who still suffer and remember the horrible events! 

I still remember hearing the news and trying to get home from my office on 18th & K Streets NW Washington, DC - two blocks from the White House.   At that point, there was no way that any American couldn't be affected - some how.  For 51 beautiful women, it was very trying - worrying about their families and loved ones. 



In September 2001, the Mrs. America pageant was taking place in Honolulu, Hawaii.  One of the contestants was the infamous - now famous, Omarosa Manigault {Stallworth} who competed as Mrs. District of Columbia.

Always a pageant girl,  Omarosa with good friend and Mrs. Galaxy 2008, Darlene Deeben

The winner of that pageant, Nicole Brink of Indiana Mrs. America 2001) went on to win the title of Mrs. World 2002!  

Take THAT world!  You can knock us down, but you'll never count us out!  U-S-A, WE'LL NEVER FORGET

Truly INTERNATIONAL

Nothing is more gratifying than seeing a title holder live up to her full potential.  I had to the opportunity to do that over the past two months as I watched Miss International Ciji Dodds and her circle of pageant friends and supporters prepare for her trip to Haiti. 

For the next week, Ciji will be hosted by the reigning Miss Haiti Universe Anedie Azael, the founder of Peace. Love. International - an organization she founded to bring betterment to her home country, especially following the devastating 2010 earthquake that destroyed parts of the Carribbean nation.  Miss Azael has promised to show Ciji the Haiti we DON'T see!!!

A dynamic view from Club Indigo in Haiti

Ciji has spent a lot time over the last 60 days requesting and securing donations of pencils, pens, crayons, books, construction paper and other supplies which she will gift to children in orphanages and schools during her one week visit.

Not only will she visit and gift children, she will be a part of a larger delegation including several 2011 Miss Universe contestants: Miss Guatemala, Miss Brazil, Miss Peru, Miss Mexico, Miss Singapore, Miss Netherlands, Miss Ireland, Miss Jamaica, Miss Denmark, Miss New Zealand and Miss Paraguay.

 Shakira Martin, Miss Jamaica Universe 2011

  Alejandra Barillas, Miss Guatemala Universe 2011

They will participate in many activities including helping to select the new Miss Tourism North and Mr. & Miss Carrefour.  I am sure she will have plenty of pictures and videos to share upon her return.

As Miss International, Ciji has promoted the platfrom - "Fighting Illiteracy Begins With Your First Book" throughout the country.  It is TRULY a pleasure to see her take it INTERNATIONALLY!!!

Tampa Bay, Cape Caneveral, South Beach......Florida Wins!!!!!

Congratulations April Lufriu, (Mrs. Florida) the new Mrs. America 2011

 
She is a former Mrs. Florida Scholarship (2008), was 4th runner up to Mrs. Florida United States 2006 as well as 1st runner up to MISS FLORIDA USA 1995.

 

The Tampa Bay Online recently covered April in a great article:

With a husband, two children, a marble and granite business, her work as a dental hygienist, model and volunteering for The Foundation Fighting Blindness, April Lufriu is a very busy woman.
And she could be even busier next month, if she wins the Mrs. America crown.

Lufriu, 41, is gearing up to compete at the April 14 pageant in West Virginia against 51 other contestants. The winner will go to the Mrs. World competition.

Lufriu says she competed in a few pageants in the past, but never won a crown. She got "the itch" to try for the Mrs. Florida title because she wanted to use the crown to raise awareness about the visually impaired.  Read more