"All you gotta do is ask"

We really look forward to hearing your news, out and about in pageant world.  A great mom sent this in about her daughter down in Florida!  Enjoy .....
 

"Fifteen year old Arianna Hamilton of Florida is a finalist in the Miss America's Outstanding Teens in Training Camp Contest.  The Teens in Training Camp is a program geared for girls between 13-17 years old interested in competing in the Miss America Outstanding Teen pageant system. The program offers training and workshops valued at $1000. The camp is August 16th-21st in Orlando, Florida.

Arianna needs help winning the contest. You may vote for Arianna by visiting the Pageantguy on Facebook.  The Final Contest  begins Monday, April 25, 2011  and ends on Saturday, April 30, 2011.

GO TO Facebook.com/thePageantGuy

1. Click the like button at the top of the page on the Pageant Guy's page on Facebook

2. Next click the Photos Album on the left. You will select the Teens in Training Camp Contestants Album at the top of the page.

3. look for her photo and click Like next to her Photo. Her picture is pink and black- Arianna Hamilton

4. That's it! "

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

Contrast !!

This is one of the best photos I've seen this week.  It's customary for the Mrs. America contestants to present the owner/general manager of the property where the pageant is being held with gifts.  I came across photos of Mr. Jim Justice, owner of the fabulous Greenbriar Resort and some Mrs. America 2011 delegates as they presented their gifts.   The contrast in their heights and sheer size is just so cute to me! 

 

 Mrs. Maryland America, April Henley Proudfoot

 

Mrs. Pennsylvania 2011, Erin Joy Landis 

Mrs. South Carolina, Niki Warternburg

Mrs. New Jersey 2011, Ceylone Booth Groomes

Mrs. West Virginia, Kayla Tilley

I mean, at 6 ' 7", it's a little difficult for most women to measure up to Mr. Justice, but these photos made me smile!  Enjoy your time at the resort ladies, it will definitely be an experience you won't soon forget.  Believe me, I know.  I had the same experience in Tuscon.

Whole World in Her Hands

Over the weekend, I had the pleasure of conducting an interview with Stephanie Hunt, the CEO/President of the new Ms. World International Pageant (MWI) and the reigning Ms. World International Nicole Palmer. 

I can't think of a better person than Stephanie to start a pageant of this kind.  The quintessential pageant veteran, she has captured not only the national Mrs. United States title while representing Michigan in 2007, but also the Mrs. Michigan America (2010), Mrs. Michigan Galaxy (2006) and Mrs. Michigan International (2005) titles.

 Ms. Hunt has billed this pageant system as "The Premiere Pageant for Women Over 35".   I hope you enjoy our interview........
 

How was the Ms. World International pageant developed?

Stephanie: Ms. World International was based on the concept originated by the Acclaimed TV modeling competition “She's Got the Look” for women 35 & older.  MWI is about today’s woman who is comfortable in her own shoes.  The woman who knows who she is and is not defined by labels.  We are about celebrating the Beauty, Elegance & Sophistication of today’s Mature Woman.  

 Raquel Riley, Mrs. MD America 2010 (4th from right) and finalists of "She's got the Look" - Season 2

 Editor's Note: Mrs. Maryland America (and 1st Runner-Up to Mrs. America 2010) Raquel Riley, was finalist in Season 2 of TV Land's "She's Got the Look"

Why is MWI focused on women 35 years of age and over?

Stephanie: Women of this age group are today’s movers & shakers.  MWI provides a platform to for these women to compete on the level of  sophistication and maturity that represent their station of life.  

How does this system differ from other pageant's you've competed in as an adult?  

Nicole: MWI allows me to be a mother, wife, educator, role model, and an International Beauty Queen.  The actual pageant categories allow for creativity, fun, and lets women show their flair for fashion.  My other pageant experiences were very standard, i.e.: photogenic, interview, swimsuit, and evening gown.  MWI is very out of the box with a fun flair.  Think Milan, Paris, runway, etc...

How does it feel to have been selected as the Inaugural Queen for this pageant system?  

Nicole: It feels amazing to be the Inaugural Queen for this system.  I never thought it would be me!  I am excited to represent married, single, divorced, etc... all women who are 35 years and older.  This pageant has so much in store for me as the Inaugural Queen, the delegates for the inaugural event, and the woman who is bestowed the honor of being crowned the very first Ms. World International.  I feel so honored!

 Ms. World International 2011 with the North Carolina State University mascot.

In the year to come, what will make Ms. World International stand out in pageantry?

Stephanie: Along with a prize package that rivals the top pageants in the industry, it is the only system celebrating women 35 & over!  MWI has thrown a monkey wrench in traditional pageantry by changing the rules & providing a new twist in pageant competition.

Do you think that the pageant location of Puerto Rico will deter some women from competing?

Stephanie: Absolutely not.  Puerto Rico is the Beauty Queen capital, where the pageant contestant is truly QUEEN.  The island of Puerto Rico is beautiful, and as a US commonwealth, it makes for easy travel as there are no passport requirement for US citizens. Puerto Rico adores pageants and has opened their arms wide to embrace the Ms. World International Organization.  We are drawing quite a bit of excitement over there already.       

What advice would you give to anyone thinking about competing in next year's pageant? 

Nicole: I would say that if you want a pageant where you can be yourself, share your sense of style and fun, and is unlike any other event, then MWI is the pageant for you. A trip to Puerto Rico for the live event isn't so bad either!  I would also tell them to put their thoughts of traditional pageantry aside and go with it!  Step out of the box and have some fun!  Be yourself and smile!

  

Who are some of the notable pageant names associated with Ms. World International?

•  Sheila Strassburg, award winning film Master Hair Stylist & Make-up Artits
• Dr. Ayoub Sayeg, award winning Plastic Surgeon & International pageant judge.
• Norieta Stephanos,  Owner - Crowning Closet & Pageant Fashions expert
• Judy Cole, Pageant University
• A & P Digital International, Beauty and Event videographers/photographers
• Nola Summer, PR expert
• Michelle Butler, Personal Trainer & Nutritionist
• Naomi Horne, MWI Vice President & website designer   

Is there anything else you’d like to share about the Ms. World International pageant?

Stephanie: We are truly excited and proud about what we have created here at MWI.  It has been a dream come true to be at the helm of a pageant system such as this.  I wanted to bring back the integrity of old school pageantry with a modern style & flare. 

I want to thank Stephanie and Nicole for taking time out of their busy schedules to answer my questions!  I for one am very excited to see what the Ms. World International pageant has in store for us.  With delegate selection set to begin tomorrow, March 31st - we won't have long to wait to begin noticing this pageant system nationwide.

 

 

What a "difference" a Crown Makes

I was doing my weekly review of pageant news and came across this wonderful highlight, in Turn for the Judges, about an organization that is making a positive difference in the lives of children through pageantry

The Miss Next Level Youth Pageant was created to allow the opportunity to participate in pageantry for some young ladies who might otherwise not be able to do to finances.  This wonderful pageant will take place at Grace Norton Rogers School in East Windsor, New Jersey on Saturday, June 4, 2011. 


Contestants between the ages of 8 and 18 will have the opportunity to compete for the title in areas of creative wear, interview and evening gown. Many gowns are being donated by Caitlin's Closet as well as queens from the State of New Jersey.  Entry fee is only $100.00 and the first 10 contestants to sign up will receive sponsorship.

Evelyn McCleod of East Windsor, and the reigning America's Mrs. 2010 and former Mrs. New Jersey United States 2008, is the director of the pageant.  She believes "Pageantry is an important aspect of preparing our children to achieve full potential as they learn valuble interview skills, how to carry themselves and good grooming habits."

So far the pageant prize package includes: Free entry into the New Jersey American Coed Pageant, a  Gift Certificate to Red Carpet Prom, a subscription to "Pageantry Magazine", a participation trophy, Hemingway Jewelry.

From it's website - "Next Level Youth, a New Jersey non-profit corporation, was founded in 2006 upon the principles of youth education and development. We are a dedicated and concerned group of parents and professionals, who have collectively taken responsibility to guarantee that our childrens' futures are full of promise and opportunity. In addition to working with the children, we reach out to include family, friends and concerned community members in this growth process as it is within the scope of our objectives to develop a nurturing environment for all to learn and grow."

To make a donation to the Miss Next Level Youth Pageant or to donate wardrobe items, please contact Eugene Lambert, NYL Founder, for further information.