Miss America PR

I love when I find these great press releases from Miss America in my inbox, but it would be really cool if they were a bit more timely…

MISS AMERICA CONTESTANTS RETURN TO FASHION SHOW’S RUNWAY FOR THIRD ANNUAL MEET AND GREET & GET SWEPT AWAY IN AN EVENING OF SOUND AND DANCE

Las Vegas, Nevada, January 20, 2008 – For the third year, the 52 Miss America contestants walked the runway at the Fashion Show Mall, the largest shopping destination on Las Vegas Boulevard. Lynn Hackerman Weidner, Miss New Jersey 1971, was master of ceremonies for the event, which was sponsored by the BEST Agency, a full-service Las Vegas-based entertainment and modeling agency.

After the contestants walked the clear, Plexiglass 80-foot long retractable runway with multimedia video screens playing, they met with fans to sign autographs and pose for photos.


That evening, the 52 contestants were treated to an extraordinary evening of entertainment - compliments of Planet Hollywood . Following the Fashion Show, the contestants were able to enjoy one of Las Vegas' hottest shows in town...STOMP OUT LOUD. After the show, the Stomp performers ended the evening taking with photos with the girls and were able to give our contestants a night to remember from this award-winning show.

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2008 Miss America Contestants Get a Relaxing Break at The Venetian

Las Vegas, Nevada, January 18, 2008 – Following the first day of rehearsals, all 52 contestants vying for the title of Miss America 2008 were treated to a relaxing gondola ride through The Grand Canal Shoppes at The Venetian. After enjoying a serenade by singing gondoliers and a scrumptious Dessert Reception compliments of The Venetian, the contestants disembarked to sign autographs, pose for photos and conduct interviews with the media.

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Pageant Press: Southern hospitality Vegas style

Do you ever wonder who the chaperones are at Miss America, and how they got the job? Well, like anything else, it's all about who you know.

Southern hospitality Vegas style

The Miss America pageant is about to geta dose of Southern hospitality.

Three Amory women are packing their bags and heading to Las Vegas to serve as hostesses for the 2008 Miss America Live event which is set for the fourth week in January, culminating with the crowning of a new titleholder on Jan. 26...

“I always dreamed of being in the Miss America pageant,” said Ellen Boyd. “But I never thought it would be backstage!”

Amory native and chairman of the Miss America board of directors, Sam Haskell, invited the trio to serve as hostesses. They will be the first hostesses for the event not from the Los Angeles or Atlantic City areas.

CLICK HERE to read the entire article by Chris Wilson.

Robin Meade: Reporting From Vegas!

Former Miss Ohio and CNN News Anchor Robin Meade is judging the Miss America pageant this weekend, and reporting on it as she goes!
Here’s her latest blog entry:

Monday, January 21, 2008

I’ve just been named the head judge! More on that later.

Now. My concern going into this as a judge…so many years after being here as a contestant is: will I have the stamina to give each contestant the same attention…whether she’s the 48th person I interview, or the 2nd?

And: will we pick a titleholder who is prepped and ready for the job? (The week after she wins…she’s a guest on news shows, talk shows, and meeting with congress members.)

Adding to the pressure: The Miss America folks have decided I’ll be the head judge.

Met the other judges. So far I’ve confused two of the male judges names…told another male judge “thank you for having us” thinking he was hosting us…and asked the female fitness trainer if she knew my doctor friend from ‘Celebrity Fit Club.’ “I’m on “The Biggest Loser”" she replied.

Oops.

I’ve done my homework on the contestants…looks like I should have done more on the other judges.

I especially love Jackie Joyner-Kersee. Besides the fact she’s a doll…she watches the show along with YOU!

‘What is the best way to make miss america more relevant to people your age?’

I noticed this was a question each Miss State was asked to answer on her resume. I asked the flight crew on my plane today “Is Miss America still relevent?” The male flight attendant blurted out no. A female flight attendant agreed saying today’s young audiences are more into reality stars…than pageant winners. But when I asked them what THEY thought made a good Miss America…no absence of answers.

The flight attendants chimed in again: someone elegant. Someone compassionate. Then the male flight attendant blurted out: “she’s gotta have great legs.”

Doesn’t that pretty much sum up some of the challenges here in choosing the new titleholder?

In an environment where celebs are born out of reality contests to see who can eat the most cockroaches in a sitting…..we’ve been assigned to find a special someone who can be the “it girl” for what I see as all the *classic reasons.*

She’s got to be elegant enough to fit the description….quick-witted enough to charm audiences…..smart enough to justify thousands in scholarships….yet beautiful enough that people don’t say incredulously: “THAT’S Miss America?”

That’s the pressure you feel as a judge.

Head judge.

CLICK HERE for a direct link to her blog; it’s also featured with photos on CNN.com. I don’t mean just any photos… click on the CNN link to see pictures of Robin as Miss Ohio 1993- complete with shoulder pads!

Pageant Press: Lipstick Sabotage

I guess it doesn’t just happen in Puerto Rico! You won’t believe this upsetting story:

Beauty queen's gown vandalized

A beauty pageant winner's expensive dress was vandalized during the event at the South Florida Fairgrounds Saturday.

A $3,400 dress belonging to Jessica Wittenbrink, 21, the eventual winner of this year's Miss South Florida Fair pageant, was discovered vandalized backstage in the middle of Saturday night's event, prompting a police inquiry and questions about the fair's handling of the situation.

In many ways, the point was rendered moot by virtue of Wittenbrink's victory, which came with up to $6,000 in cash and scholarship money and the opportunity to compete in the Miss Florida statewide pageant that feeds into Miss America.

The Palm Beach County Sheriff's Office, which has jurisdiction over the fairgrounds, said there was not enough ''conclusive evidence'' to name a suspect, be it one of the pageant contestants or someone from the outside.

''Unless new information presents itself, the case is going to be inactive,'' said Sgt. Pete Palenzuela, a PBSO spokesman.

But the incident still brought a note of tabloid-worthy intrigue to an event that has traditionally been one of the fair's bright spots, a well-attended showcase for some of the region's most talented and ambitious young women.

Now that same showcase has a mark against it -- or rather, four red streaks of lipstick.

That was the visible sign of damage to the light-blue outfit that Wittenbrink wore as part of the evening-gown competition. [left]

Shadoe Stein, a contestant from Jupiter, said she learned something was awry when she headed backstage during the pageant. First, she found a sobbing Wittenbrink.

Then, she got the word: ''Somebody ruined Jessica's dress!'' Stein was told.

Efforts were made to steam-clean the gown, but to no avail. By evening's end, the 13 contestants were instructed to gather backstage, where they were met by police and pageant producer Kelly Wagner-Fason, according to those who were present.

Some connected to the pageant felt the situation could have been better handled. ''They were all corralled together and not given the benefit of the doubt,'' said Shannon Stein, Shadoe's mother.

Others noted that the backstage dressing area -- essentially one of the fair's restrooms converted for such a purpose -- could have been kept more secure, especially from bathroom-seeking fair patrons. That left the possibility that the damage to the dress may have not been sabotage, but simply a random act of vandalism.

But fair officials insist they there was little chance for non-contestants to find their way to the dressing area, since it was kept off-limits and staffed by fair officials.

''I'm fairly comfortable in saying there was no public back there,'' said South Florida Fair President Rick Vymlatil.

And what about the fact that there was a long delay -- almost 30 minutes -- in naming a winner after the competition's last event was completed? Could it have been a sign that judges were retabulating votes based on the dress mess, as some connected to the pageant suspect? Pageant director and South Florida Fair board trustee Dan Hrabko dismissed that idea, saying that delays can be caused by other factors, including the need for resolving a tie.

The above was written by Charles Passy of the Palm Beach Post. A similar article with a slightly different ending can be read here and yet another piece reported that she did compete in the lipstick stained dress..

Speculation that her win was based on sympathy is not surprising; but, it’s important to note that at that point the auditors would be tabulating the scores and the judges would be done. Also, here in Ohio we’ve all sat through our fair share of local pageants that take FOREVER to announce the results, due to the complicated scoring system.

Non-pageant folks often ask me if this type of thing really happens; I tell them in the cyber age the nastiness has moved to anonymous message boards. Luckily, in my seven years of competing I never experienced any of this in person. Hopefully it’s not making a comeback.

Videos from Vegas

Like many, I am a huge fan of Miss Washington, Elyse Umemoto… we’re Facebook friends and everything. ;) If she has an ounce of talent I think she’ll be a major contender at Miss America, because she manages to be charismatic and beautiful without falling into the usual pageant stereotypes. It probably helps that, like me, she’s a blogger and uploads tons of pictures to Facebook.

She has her supporters well trained because they have already uploaded several videos from Las Vegas to the Miss Washington website, including the one above. They’re low quality, but anything is better than the usual nothing we see from Miss America week! I couldn’t figure out which beauty was Roberta in video above, but maybe you can…

Fans of Miss Louisiana have also shared some photos, including the one on the left featuring our Miss, Roberta. [Click to enlarge.] FYI, Berta's roommate is Miss North Dakota, Ashley Young; scroll below for a list of all the roommates.



If any Ohioans in Vegas are reading this, my email is in the sidebar, and you know everyone would love you for an update or photo!

Miss America 2008 Roommates

This information was found on an unofficial message board,

but I trust its accuracy:

Mu Group
Kylie Williams, Florida and Hannah Kiefer, Virginia
Caleche Manos, Nevada and Dana Daunis, Connecticut
Jennifer Hudspeth, Minnesota and Amy Polumbo, New Jersey
Nicole Turner, Arizona and Rachel Brooks, Pennslyvania
Rachel Cole, Vermont and Shana Powell, Maryland
Kirsten Haglund, Michigan and Shayna Rudd, District of Columbia
Kimberly Morgan, Mississippi and Elyse Umemoto, Washington
Amanda Joseph, Louisiana and Jill Stevens, Utah
Kaitlynne Postel, Kentucky and Ashley Bauer, Nebraska

Alpha Group
Cari Leyva, Alaska and Brittany Dempsey, Delaware
Janeisha John, Virgin Islands and Kate Wismer, South Dakota
Summer Wyatt, West Virginia and Tara Allain, Maine
Lindsay Casmaer, Missouri and Molly Hazlett, Texas
Ashley Young, North Dakota and Roberta Camp, Ohio
Jennifer Marlowe, New Mexico and Leah Massee, Georgia
Elisabeth Baldanza, New York and Crystal Garrett, South Carolina
Christina Thompson, Wisconsin and Diana Reed, Iowa

Sigma Group
Jamie Langley, Alabama and Nicole Rash, Indiana
Grace Gore, Tennessee and Ashley Layfield, Hawaii
Rachel Barker, New Hampshire and Jessica Jacobs, North Carolina
Ashley Hatfield, Illinois and Katie Bailey, Arkansas
Valerie Amaral, Massachusetts and Kari Virding, Oregon
Jennifer McCafferty, Wyoming and Maggie Ireland, Colorado
Melissa Chaty, California and Alyssa George, Kansas
Makenna Smith, Oklahoma and Kristen Mantooth, Montana
Ashley Bickford, Rhode Island and Sadie Quigley, Idaho

Belated Congrats...

Congratulations to Ohio native and fellow blogger Laura Pennington, who placed 2nd Runner-up last weekend at Miss Capitol Region in Virginia where she attends college.







Also, check out Miss Scioto Valley Megan Wombacker on the left. No, she hasn't broken her contract by getting hitched, she's a cover model! Congrats Megan! Check out her blog for more.

Pageant Press: To The Rescue

Before a pageant contestant begins to fear forgetting her talent lyrics or slipping on the runway, she has to worry about her luggage making it to the pageant location! This year it happened to our reigning Miss America, as covered here.

TO THE RESCUE

Happens every year,it seems.

This time it was reigning Miss America Lauren Nelson whose luggage didn't arrive.

She found herself scrambling to find an outfit to wear for the red carpet at Barneys New York at the Palazzo grand opening.

She ran over to Fashion Show mall and picked out a blue dress and silver sandals at BCBG.

[Right: Miss America 2007 Lauren Nelson lost her luggage but found time to pick up a dress from BCBG before walking the red carpet at The Shoppes at the Palazzo for the grand opening of Barneys on Thursday. Photo by Duane Prokop/Review-Journal]

By midday Friday, Nelson's luggage still hadn't made it, putting in doubt her Friday photo shoot with the Review-Journal at the Palazzo.

So our Susan Stapleton, editor of the R-J's fashion section, image, dashed over to Saks Fifth Avenue at Fashion Show mall and borrowed five outfits and three pairs of shoes for Nelson.

Nelson picked out a gold Nanette Lepore dress and Jimmy Choo shoes for her image cover shot, which appears next Friday.

Jimmy Choos?!? How unfortunate for her! :)

Pageant Press: Miss SEO 2008, Kylie Johnson, is small-town girl with big ambition

PROFILE: Miss SEO 2008, Kylie Johnson, is small-town girl with big ambition

Her head might still be in the clouds after winning the Miss Southeastern Ohio pageant, but her feet are planted firmly on the ground. Twenty-year-old Kylie Johnson said she never thought she would have an opportunity to be in a pageant, let alone win one.

[Left: Muskingum College junior Kylie Johnson, 2008 Miss Southeastern Ohio. Photo By Michael Neilson/The Daily Jeffersonian]

"I'm a small-town country girl, I grew up on my grandpa's farm in Zanesville ... I never realized there was a pageant until I talked to Ashleigh Lemon, last year's Miss SEO," said Johnson. "We became friends and she asked me to be in the pageant with her. My first experience was in the 2006 Miss SEO pageant. I gained a lot of self-confidence in myself, developed poise and learned a lot, so, I decided to do it again this year (enter the pageant). The experience teaches you how to be professional. I applied everything I learned the year before and gave it my all."

...Her plans are to continue her education and eventually be a spokesperson for conservation on the international level.

Beauty, brains and a down-to-earth personality, you couldn't ask for anything more.

Sorry guys, she has a boyfriend.

CLICK HERE for the entire Daily Jeffersonian article by Judie Perkowski.

How to Get Started in Pageants Part II- Wardrobe Tips

I just sent an email to a potential new contestant who had a lot of questions, mostly about wardrobe. So I figured I may as well share some of it here too and add some photos for reference (click each thumbnail to enlarge). I realize much of this is vague, but it’s a place to start...

Here is what you need to get started:

* an evening gown
* a swimsuit (most do wear two pieces, but nothing’s worse than a girl who should be in a one piece… so wear what looks best on your body.)
* an interview suit or “outfit”
* a talent outfit
* a professional talent accompaniment (two minute max- try Musical Creations)
* a good headshot that actually looks like you
* a community service issue or “platform” that you already have experience with and a passion for
* $100 for the Children’s Miracle Network

Every local is different; some may require an additional outfit for the opening number, others just ask you wear your interview outfit or gown.

Miss America is changing right now and trying to get away from the pageant stereotype. I highly suggest you watch TLC’s show Miss America Reality Check. Although, the show emphasized what we’ve been told all along- wear garments that accentuate your best features in colors that compliment your skin tone and hair color. You don’t have to spend a ton of money or buy certain brands, especially when you’re just starting. Just make sure your gown is long enough; nothing screams inexperience more than when you can see a contestant’s shoes.

[Below: the winning gowns of Miss America 06 Jennifer Berry, Miss America 07 Lauren Nelson, Miss Ohio 06 Melanie Murphy and Miss Ohio 07 Roberta Camp.]

There are expensive “pageant swimsuit” sites I could give you, but you can also find good suits off the rack or online. Bright and/or dark, solid colors are best for almost everyone. The tricky part is finding bottoms that aren’t too skimpy, also try on multiple styles to figure out what looks best on you. IE: halter vs. bra top style… Wear strappy tan or clear stiletto heels; a thin heel is very important so you don’t “clunk” across the stage. Unless you’re wearing a black gown, you can often wear the same heels for swimsuit, gown and maybe even talent if you’re not dancing. When I did MAO, I’d have different shoes for everything, then I did Miss Ohio USA where you were required to use the same pair for the opening and swimsuit, and strongly encouraged to use them for gown too… I realized how much easier it was! Both in terms of packing and breaking in what you’re onstage in.

[Below: the winning swimsuits of Miss America 06 Jennifer Berry (in a suit sponsored by Speedo), Miss America 07 Lauren Nelson (in a suit sponsored by Venus), Miss Ohio 06 Melanie Murphy (in a designer pageant suit) and Miss Ohio 07 Roberta Camp (in a suit off-the-rack). * Take a close look at all their heels.]

























Interview is where things are really tricky. There is a push for Miss America to become much more contemporary, but in the interview room many women still wear stuffy, old suits… I personally love the trendy, yet businesslike looks you can find at stores like Bebe and Express, or you can find nice, safe suits at any department store. Remember, it’s 2008, women can wear pants! The important thing is that it fits well. A boxy, oversized blazer, or skirt that’s too tight make horrible first impressions.

[Above, Miss America 06 Jennifer Berry and Miss America 07 Lauren Nelson at appearances.]

[Right, the Miss Ohio 06 and 07 Top 5s prior to onstage question. *Again, note the use of tan heels instead of trying to match colors.]




Obviously you should watch Miss America next Saturday, and there are usually online photo albums that show what the nonfinalists wore and what all the national contestants wore for their interviews. You never want to replicate anyone, but you can get inspirations and gain an understanding of what is acceptable and what seems to be competitive.

[Below: the winning talent presentations of Miss America 06 Jennifer Berry, Miss America 07 Lauren Nelson, Miss Ohio 06 Melanie Murphy and Miss Ohio 07 Roberta Camp.]























If you find online stores that accept returns, you may get great deals. Or, if you’re willing to share your size, there are always current and former contestants looking to sell pieces of their wardrobe. Don’t count out your own friends or family; someone you know may have something you could borrow… maybe not an evening gown, but perhaps a fabulous swimsuit or great outfit that could work for interview.

There is a good amount of paperwork required, so contact the local you’re interested in with plenty of time to get the paperwork filled out, notarized and sent back in. The judges see your platform sheet and resume so make sure you have multiple people proof read them for sense and spelling errors, also make sure you’re wording and formatting efficiently so you can share the maximum amount of information.

Most importantly, be able to answer this- why did you enter this pageant?
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CLICK HERE for How to Get Started in Pageants (Part I)

It just won’t end…!

For those of you looking for a new talent selection, you could easily shave 30 seconds off of this, and it’s sure to be a crowd pleaser:

And to appeal to the sci-fi / comic book fans who say they don't like pageants (althought it was South Carolina, not North Carolina):

The Miss America Contestants Arrive in Vegas!

On the right, Miss Ohio, Roberta Camp, introduces herself in Las Vegas. CLICK HERE for a large album of tiny pictures.

THE MOST BEAUTIFUL GIRLS ON THE PLANET MAKE THEIR ARRIVAL AT PLANET HOLLYWOOD RESORT & CASINO!

Las Vegas, Nevada - On Thursday, January 17, 2008, friends and fans turned out to greet the 2008 Miss America contestants at Planet Hollywood on their first day in Las Vegas. The 52 Miss America hopefuls were welcomed to Las Vegas by Sam Haskell, III, Chairman of the Board and Art McMaster, president and CEO of the Miss America Organization, as well as Mike Mecca, president and CEO of Planet Hollywood and Rossi Ralenkotter, president and CEO of the Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority.

This is the third year the Miss America Pageant will be held in Las Vegas at the Theatre for the Performing Arts at Planet Hollywood Resort & Casino. This year it will air on TLC on Saturday, January 26, with a new name, “2008 Miss America Live!" and will be hosted by Mark Steines of Entertainment Tonight fame.

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MISS AMERICA CONTESTANTS 'FLIP' FOR IHOP PANCAKES

As they gear up for 2008 Miss America Live! on TLC on January 26, the 52 Miss America contestants - armed with forks and spatulas and donning aprons and their state sashes – gathered for a pancake breakfast in honor of Children’s Miracle Network, the national platform of the Miss America Organization.

The contestants raised awareness about IHOP’s National Pancake Day celebration, a nationwide fundraising effort that generates hundreds of thousands of dollars for Children’s Miracle Network programs at children’s hospitals throughout the United States. National Pancake Day will take place on February 12, 2008, when more than 1,300 IHOP restaurants nationwide will offer guests a free short stack of buttermilk pancakes in an effort to raise awareness and funds for Children’s Miracle Network and other local charities.

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2008 MISS AMERICA “QUALITY OF LIFE” FINALISTS ANNOUNCED

Las Vegas, Nevada – January 17, 2008 – This year’s Quality of Life finalists were announced today at the Planet Hollywood Resort & Casino in Las Vegas during the 2008 Miss America Live! Arrival Ceremony.

The nine finalists and their personal platform issues are:

Miss Alabama Jamie Langley: Cardiac Care – From the Heart

Miss Florida Kylie Williams: Realistic Support for our Troops

Miss Massachusetts Valerie Amaral: Encouraging Youth to Volunteer

Miss Minnesota Jennifer Hudspeth: The Missing Piece – Understanding Autism

Miss Nevada Caleche Manos: MADD

Miss North Carolina Jessica Jacobs: “Read to Me”

Miss Oklahoma Makenna Smith: Seatbelts Save Lives, What’s Holding You Back?

Miss Rhode Island Ashley Bickford: The kNOw HIV/AIDS Campaign

Miss Tennessee Grace Gore: Graceful Sounds “Bring Music to Their Ears.”

Quality of Life Awards were introduced in 1988 to recognize contestants who excel in their commitment to community service. In order to be considered for the Quality of Life Award, contestants must submit an application describing their involvement with Children's Miracle Network, the national platform of the Miss America Organization, and their own personal platform issue.

The winner of the Quality of Life Award will receive a $6,000 scholarship, the first runner-up will win a $4,000 scholarship, and the second runner-up will win a $2,000 scholarship. Winners will be announced at Planet Hollywood Resort & Casino on January 24 during the 11 a.m. (PST) press conference.

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THANK YOU FOR 40,000 HITS!

Lauren Nelson Wins $175,000 for the Miss America Program!

Tonight on "Are You Smarter Than a 5th Grader" Miss America, Lauren Nelson, earned $175,000! That's huge! I am surprised, but happy that her earnings do not go to CMN, but rather the Miss America Scholarship program.

The suit she wore was awful and has been seen on her before, but otherwise she looked stunning and exuded a wonderful personality.

Obviously, since she didn’t win the million she did get some questions wrong, but I don’t think she embarrassed herself too badly, which was a concern. Her losing question was, who said “Give me liberty or give me death?” The answer is Patrick Henry, which I’ll admit that I didn’t know. Nor did I know the solar system question that she missed; although I don’t think she should have had to use "a cheat" about the existence of both genders of lady bugs!

More Miss America Tune In Alerts

Tune In Alert
Friday, January 18

FOX and Friends - 8:50am ET
Fox News Channel - check local listings
Miss America 2007 Lauren Nelson will appear on FOX and Friends live via satellite from Las Vegas as she prepares to crown a new Miss America.

Then switch over to ABC to watch...


Live! with Regis & Kelly - 9:00am ET
ABC - check local listings
Michael Urie, host of Miss America: Reality Check will chat with Regis and Kelly about his experiences with the 52 contestants and what it was like to film Miss America: Reality Check

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Autograph Signing at Miss America

AUTOGRAPH SIGNING EVENT PLANNED AT THE MISS AMERICA PAGEANT

(LAS VEGAS, NEVADA) Caitlin Brunell, Miss America's Outstanding Teen will be part of an autograph signing event at the Planet Hollywood Resort and Casino featuring the 2007 Miss America's Outstanding Teen titleholders on Thursday, January 24, 2008.

The Miss America's Outstanding Teen Autograph Signing Event will be held at the Miss America Trade Show from 10:30am -12:00pm. More than 30 titleholders from the 2007 competition will be passing out their official photos. It is open to the public.

Caitlin Brunell, Miss America’s Outstanding Teen was crowned in August, 2007 in Orlando, Florida and has been traveling the country promoting her non-profit organization, "Caitlin's Closet." The charity collects and distributes party, homecoming and prom apparel to young women in need.

Representing the Commonwealth of Virginia, Caitlin Brunell was awarded more than $30,000 in college scholarships by the Miss America's Outstanding Teen program. This not-for-profit program has made available more than $2 million in college scholarships nationally to young women from 13 to 17 years of age and is considered the "little sister" to the Miss America Scholarship Organization. For more information, go to www.MAOTeen.org.

For information on Planet Hollywood Resort & Casino, please visit www.planethollywood.com.

For a Collectible Program Book or DVD of the 2007 Competition, visit www.MAOTeenStore.com.

Send Roberta Your Well-Wishes!

The following was sent out today by Terri, Miss Ohio's business manager:

Hi Everyone,

As I'm sure you all know that Roberta is about to leave for Las Vegas to compete for Miss America! She leaves this Thursday and the finals competition is on Saturday, Jan. 26th. It's great for people to send her notes of encouragement so I wanted to get all of you her address so you can send her something!

Cards and letters are great - and if you send her any packages of gifts make sure it is something small because remember - she has to get it back home :)

Her address in Vegas is:

Roberta Camp, Miss Ohio
c/o Planet Hollywood Resort & Casino
3667 Las Vegas Blvd. South
Las Vegas, NV 89109

Remember to allow plenty of time for delivery!

Also couple other things - don't forget to continue voting on the TLC website!

And make sure if you can't make it to Las Vegas that you tune in on Saturday, Jan. 26th at 8pm on TLC!

Thanks,
Terri

Today I was surprised to find myself as a topic on Ohio’s pageant message board. Someone wanted to know “how I pay my bills;” rather invasive verbage! As I explained here, I was supposed to go to IMTA back in July [broken clavicle] and it’s been hard to find a “good job” in the interim 5 months, knowing Ohio is not where my true career is. I appriciate those who reponded that it's really no one's business, especially when it's worded in such a way; but if you really want to know, I do keep my bio on here updated. Thanks for your curiosity… I think…

Ohio Pageant News and Miss America PR

OHIO PAGEANT NEWS:

Vote for Miss Ohio!
Hopefully the Miss America judges will love Miss Ohio, Roberta Camp, but just in case... CLICK HERE to vote to possibly make her "America's Pick" and the 16th semifinalist. It literally took me 20 seconds to fill in my birthday, email and zip code in order to vote for her. Good luck Roberta!

Caitlin’s Closet Challenge

If you would like to help Ohio in Caitlin’s Closet Challenge, send dresses to Drena McCurdy's dress shop, Theresa Ann's 20 Industrial Dr # 20A Lexington, Ohio 44904. Note, Drena is leaving for Vegas January 20th, so get them in the mail today, and mark them accordingly. (What is Caitlin's Closet Challenge? CLICK HERE)

Help Miss Ohio Reach her CMN Goal!

CLICK HERE to help Roberta reach her $1,000 CMN donation for Miss America.

PAGEANTS SEEKING CONTESTANTS:

America’s Dream Queen

Last fall in St. Mary's I was crowned the "Great American Dream Queen;" this coming November the pageant will have a slightly different name and is seeking contestants from across the nation!

Phases of competition: Talent, Aerobic Wear, Evening Gown and Onstage Question

Ages 27-60

$1,000 to first place winner
$400 entry fee includes lodging and meals

Contestants may be married, single or divorced.

To be held at the Lima Civic Center; Now seeking contestants call Leslie Townsend at 419.852.0950

*** This is a national competition. ***

Ohio's International Pageant

Applications are now being accepted for Ohio's Miss International pageant title (age 19-29).

The State Pageant will take place March 13-16 at the historic Secrest Auditorium in charming downtown Zanesville, Ohio… centrally located along I-70. Submit your application today, along with a $50 deposit to secure your local title. We will accept the first 30 most qualified young women into the Miss International pageant. Applications are available online at www.ohiointernational.com. Contact us today with questions, and allow us to help make your dreams a reality!

The information I received was obviously targeted toward Miss; but I assume they're also looking for Teen (age 13-18) and Mrs. (age 21-56) contestants.

Miss Lexington Pageant scheduled April 26

The 31st Miss Lexington Pageant, sponsored by the Lexington Women's Club, will be April 26.

High school girls who live in the Lexington Local Schools district can sign up in the high school office. For more information, call Executive Director Drena McCurdy at 419-884-1992 or 419-884-2915.

The Miss Lexington Forum will be at 2 p.m. Sunday at Eastern Elementary School, 155 Castor Road. Attendance is mandatory for all contestants. "We welcome and encourage parents to attend. This will give you the opportunity to ask questions and obtain all necessary forms for the pageant," McCurdy said.

PRESS RELEASES FROM MISS AMERICA:

Join Former and Present Miss Americas for a Special Luncheon at Neiman Marcus on Thursday, January 24 in Las Vegas

Neiman Marcus of Las Vegas will be hosting our much loved Miss Americas along with Miss America 2007 Lauren Nelson and Miss America’s Outstanding Teen, Caitlin Brunnell. This extraordinary event will be held on Thursday, January 24 at 12:15pm at the exclusive Mariposa Restaurant (second level, Neiman Marcus). Tickets can be purchased at the door, but space is limited so please call to make your reservation today. There will also be a raffle for fabulous baskets, one of which will have two tickets to the 2008 Miss America Pageant.

The cost for this event is $150.00, which will benefit the Miss America Scholarship Program. Your payment is tax deductable and all checks should be made out to The Miss America Scholarship Organization/CFNJ (payable at door).

Phyllis George, Miss America 1971 and Lynn Hackerman Weidner, Miss New Jersey 1971, will once again host this special luncheon. Please join us for this unique event and help us to raise money for the Miss America Scholarship Program.

To book your reservations, call 702-697-7368 by January 20.

The Miss America Organization is one of the nation’s leading achievement programs and the world’s largest provider of scholarship assistance for young women. For more information please visit www.missamerica.org. Thank you for your support.

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TUNE IN ALERT - FOX
ARE YOU SMARTER THAN A 5TH GRADER?
THURSDAY, JANUARY 17 (8:00-9:00 PM ET/PT)

Miss America 2007 Lauren Nelson Makes Celebrity Appearance on FOX's ARE YOU SMARTER THAN A 5th GRADER? on January 17 when Lauren will earn cash for the MAO Scholarship Fund

A special celebrity edition of Fox’s Are You Smarter Than a 5th Grader? is set to hit TV screens on January 17 8:00-9:00PM ET/PT. Celebrity contestants this season have included Clay Aiken and Kellie Pickler (both of American Idol fame), Regis Philbin (Live with Regis and Kelly), TV personality Billy Bush, skateboarder Tony Hawk, and this week, Miss America 2007 Lauren Nelson.

The hit game show, Are You Smarter Than a 5th Grader?, hosted by Jeff Foxworthy, is a game show that tests an adult’s knowledge against - you guessed it - a 5th grader’s. Contestants are asked questions in subjects from math to social studies to art, with the questions ranging from first to fifth grade-level. Watch as Lauren earns cash for the Miss America Scholarship Fund, which makes available more than $45 million in cash and scholarship assistance at the state, local and national levels, helping young women all across the country to reach their dreams and goals.

Tune in this Thursday, January 17, to see Miss America 2007 Lauren Nelson on Are You Smarter Than a 5th Grader? on FOX.

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Miss America Ringtone and Wallpaper Features Bert Parks legendary song “There She Is”

With the new Miss America ringtone, fans of the 87-year tradition can experience the thrill of a Miss America crowning moment every time their cellular phone rings. “There She Is, Miss America,” as performed by longtime master of ceremonies Bert Parks is now available as a ringtone exclusively through select mobile carriers.

“The release of the new ringtone coincides with the build-up of excitement surrounding the countdown to Miss America Live!, which will air live on TLC from Planet Hollywood Resort & Casino in Las Vegas on Saturday, January 26, 2008,” stated Art McMaster, President and CEO of the Miss America Organization.

For just $2.49 you can download the classic Miss America theme song, “There She Is, Miss America” as a ringtone for your mobile phone. Download the ring tone today so that all the ‘Miss Americas’ in your life can have this classic song play every time they call your phone. Text the word MISS to 74466 to download the “There She Is, Miss America” ringtone. Charge will be added to your cell phone bill.

For only $1.99 you can download the official Miss America Crown as wallpaper for your mobile phone. Customize your mobile phone screen with this iconic symbol that is sort after by many, but worn by only a few. Text the word CROWN to 74466 to download the Miss America as wallpaper for your mobile phone. Charge will be added to your cell phone bill.

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Note, the RSVP deadline has past for this event, so this is just an FYI of what’s going on…

Robin Leach to Host Miss America Evening of Dreams Gala Event At Planet Hollywood Resort & Casino

On Friday, January 25, The Miss America Evening of Dreams Gala will be held at Planet Hollywood Resort & Casino. This exclusive gala event with all 52 Miss America contestants will take place the night before Miss America Live! and benefits Children’s Miracle Network and the Miss America Scholarship Fund. Our special Host for the evening will be the always fabulous “Luxe Life” bon vivant, Robin Leach, along with Miss America 2007 Lauren Nelson.

A red carpet arrival with the contestants, the Mayor of Las Vegas and other dignitaries, guests will be swept into a magical evening of entertainment and gourmet dining. Miss America 2007 Lauren Nelson will also perform and the special entertainment for the evening will be a live concert performance by Destino, the new “popera” tenor sensation.

Location: Planet Hollywood Resort & CasinoLas Vegas, Nevada
Time: 7:00 p.m.
Cost: $1,000/plate
Dress: Black Tie (optional)

Your $1,000 donation will benefit Children’s Miracle Network, which helps kids in children’s hospitals throughout North America, and the Miss America Scholarship Fund. Included in the cost of your donation is a VIP ticket, with preferred orchestra level seating, to the 2008 Miss America Live! event on Saturday, January 26.You may also sponsor the Evening of Dreams for $5,000. This will include placement of your corporate identity on stage and in the event program. Space is extremely limited. To reserve your place as one of only 200 guests, please fill out the reservation form and submit your donation today.

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Hello from, and goodbye to LA…

I have had an amazing week in Los Angeles at IMTA, but in a few hours I’ll be on a plane back to Ohio…

Although I drug my laptop along with me, I didn’t have the time to justify the expense of internet access at my hotel… It was also important to stay in the hotel to meet people, so only today have I been able to sneak across the street to free wi-fi at the Los Angeles Public Library.

In short, I was awarded for four of the seven events I competed in this week and I received 12 callbacks (five shy of being in the “Most Sough After” female talent category). I won “I’m ready for my close-up” which was a really fun event in which you get five to ten minutes to choose one of seven lines and then deliver it to both a live audience and into a camera that projected on large screens in the main ballroom. I selected, “There’s something I’ve been wanting to tell you… You’re not very pretty and you’re not very bright…” But I delivered it as if I was speaking to a child. Mean, I know, but it was hilarious. Someone later told me that it was delivered by a mother in a recent princess movie; I had no idea. I was Second Runner-up in the Sitcom competition and “Top 10” in Singing and Cold Read.

I was able to meet with two friends who live out here, and I attended seminars which gave very valuable insight. I made some amazing connections and now is when the work really starts, by following up with those contacts and deciding with whom it is the best to move forward in my career.

In other wonderful news, I received an email that I did become a certified speaker at last weekend’s training in Dayton for the Making it Count program, for both the “College Search” and “Career and College” presentations! I already have three high school assemblies on my schedule for January in Ohio and Michigan.

It has been an extremely exhausting ten days! They say national pageants are basically an endurance race; my experience even at the state level has given me the ability to get through all this much better than others.

Speaking of pageants, I am anxious to get home to my DVR to see Miss America Reality Check and catch up on the tragedy that is Crowned.

Thank you again for all your support! As they say in LA, that’s a wrap…

Miss America Judges Announced

2008 Miss America judging panel announced

Click above to read to bios of Ohio's Robin Mead, Biggest Loser trainer Kim Lyons, Olympic Gold medalist Jackie Joyner-Kersee and four other accomplished individuals.

The "What's up with Abby" post you've been waiting for...

I’M NOT LEAVING HOME FOR THE NEXT FOUR DAYS!!!

On Monday the seventh I’m flying to Los Angeles for IMTA, a week of auditions and workshops with managers and agents. I was supposed to go to IMTA in NYC back in July, but totaled my car and broke my collarbone just days before, thus postponing the trip.

However, being an ultra-safe homebody is not an option! I’ll be driving to Dayton this weekend for three days of training with Monster’s Making It Count Program. (Unfortunately that means I won’t immediately be writing about "Reality Check" and can not attend Roberta's send-off.)

Many pageant fans question if former contestants actually continue their platform work; in my case, I may be getting paid for it! Making It Count presents high school and college students with the same type of useful information and encouragement that BGSU’s Springboard program (my pageant platform) does. In my audition video I spoke about my experiences with Springboard and am now one of 250 candidate driving and flying to Dayton from across the nation. For the training I am required to memorize two of the program’s 40 minute presentations! 80% of the candidates will become certified contract speaker; depending on area, interest and availability most speakers delivery 15 to 20 presentations per academic semester.

“Depending on area” is a huge variable for me! Armed with my theatre degree, I am anxious to start my career, but many areas of my life are settled in Toledo, making my future very scary! My hope is that IMTA can in some ways ease the transition.

What is IMTA? Well, it’s a little like a pageant, and a little like a Forensics tournament- at least that’s what I’m telling myself!
IMTA’s website explains:

The International Modeling and Talent Association, or IMTA, is a professional organization of the finest and most successful modeling and talent training centers in the world…. IMTA produces a week of modeling, acting, singing and dancing competitions in New York and Los Angeles… Hundreds of fashion and talent agents, personal managers, casting directors, network representatives and music producers judge IMTA Competitions while searching for new models, actors, singers and dancers…

IMTA lays claim to stars including Eva Longoria, Katie Holmes, Ashton Kutcher, Seann William Scott, Jessica Biel, Elijah Wood and tons of models.

You can’t directly go to IMTA; you have to go through a school that is a member. I’m going with Toledo’s Starbound NYC, where I’ve been teaching youth acting classes.

The week long convention includes competitions as well as workshops, seminars and awards ceremonies. It’s like a Forensics tournament in that you’re competing in multiple types of events; five of the fifteen competitions offered are included in your registration, but you can compete in as many as you want for additional fees. I’ll be doing a monologue, commercial, sitcome scene, cold read, singing and a few others.


It is my understanding that it’s a relatively tiring and hectic week; that’s where my pageant experience comes into play! I am quite used to having to look my best and remind myself of my lifelong dreams and preparation, despite the immediate desire to be in a familiar place with familiar faces, where you can sleep! Also like a pageant, you are scored and awards are given. Pageantry Magazine has published several articles about the event, mainly following the modeling competitions. Click here, here and here for a few of their articles.

But much like BGSU’s Forensics team, it isn’t about the awards as much as doing it right and doing it with heart. The owner of Starbound is most interested in getting you signed; who cares about an award if no one wants to represent you!? In fact we won’t even be sticking around an extra day to go to the final long, boring ceremony.

By “signed” I mean finding an agent and/or manager who wants to represent you. This can happen three ways- high scores from your events could be noticed, an agent judging you in a specific event could like you, or by mingling in the lobby and working hard to constantly networking.

Throughout college I had a mentality that entertainment hopefuls were supposed to do it the "hard way" by living off popcorn while you knocked on lots and lots of doors trying to get an agent to see you and hopefully, eventually, catching your big break! At this point in my life though, it does not made sense for me to move to NYC or LA without a lead or ounce of security. While it is costly to attend IMTA, I figure that same amount of money would be gone in a month or two of living expenses, while making only a fraction of the contacts by trying to do it on my own. Agents and managers at IMTA will also help take the guess work out of it by letting you know in which city you’d do the best.

Starbound has a high signing rate, and if you have multiple interest the owner will help you figure out which representative is best for you. The obvious question is, will I be moving away right after IMTA? No, not necessarily. It would be amazing if a casting director said “I want you in my movie, now!” But that’s not as likely, especially considering the current writers strike. It is my understanding that most people sign with their agent from home in the weeks following IMTA. You can travel to auditions once you’re signed, but clearly you’re able to audition more if you live in the market you’re pursuing.

People also ask if Loren is going with me to IMTA; no, unlike a pageant the competitions are closed. I did check into it, and there’s not enough free time to make the trip a vacation. In most cases having someone with you distracts the competitor and keeps them from valuable networking and the guest is alone most of the time.

Although my accident gave me an extra 5 months to continue preparing for IMTA, I can’t believe it’s here! It’s complicated by my preperations for Making It Count; I have spent the past week and a half memorizing their scripts and I feel I've confused my priorities by focusing less on IMTA, but I have to pursue every opportunity that comes my way. That has been the hardest part of my life since graduating- trying to balance my current life in Ohio with my hopeful future in the entertainment industry. It is difficult to commit to things, and try to find a good job here with the looming reality that the career I really want is elsewhere.

But how awful that I would use the term "looming." My career goals are exciting, and they're dreams I have honestly had since I was a very little girl, but as I grow older the realities of realizing them grow harsher. Never mind the negative talk… after next week I can breath a sigh of pride that I finally took a major step toward the place my head and heart have always been!

Here are the theatrical headshots I’ll be using (I’m actually not sure which two of the three Starbound’s owner decided to submit) as well as my demo reel, which you may have already seen on YouTube.

Demo Reel Part 1- Photos
Demo Reel Part 2- Commercials
Demo Reel Part 3- Live spots
Demo Reel Part 4- Singing

Miss America Will Have 16 Finalists.. and yet another format!

MISS AMERICA: AMERICA'S CHOICE
America Votes for 16th Finalist!

This year, America has the opportunity to select a surprise 16th pageant finalist with Miss America: America's Choice, an online competition that allows viewers to vote for their favorite Miss America contestant.

Fans can vote by visiting www.tlc.com/missamerica beginning Friday, January 4, following the first episode of Miss America: Reality Check through Saturday, January 26 (3AM EST).

The contestant with the most votes, who is not already included as a Top 15 finalist, will be chosen as "America's Choice," and be revealed during the MISS AMERICA LIVE! finale on Saturday, January 26 8:00PM ET live/PT tape-delayed.

The following was supposedly sent out to State Directors:

We are pleased to announce the Final Show Rundown for 2008 Miss America Live! As you will see, there have been some changes made to accommodate our 2-hour time frame.

2008 Miss America Live! Show Rundown

Top 16 - Swimsuits*
Top 10 - Evening wear
Top 8 - Talent
Top 8 – Questions

After the on-stage questions, the 4th - 1st runners up will be announced, followed by the announcement of Miss America 2008!

While we know, many of you were excited about Top 10 Talents, please remember that for the last few years we have only been able to show 5 talents - and in 2005 only 2 talents - during the live event. Our Executive Producer of the show, Tony Eaton, tried his best to showcase all ten talents, but he simply was unable to make it happen with this year's show format. And while we would have loved to see 10 of our contestants perform their talents live, because of time constraints the list had to be cut down to 8.

*This year, America has the opportunity to select a surprise 16th pageant finalist with Miss America: America's Choice, and online competition that allows viewers to vote for their favorite Miss America contestant. Fans can vote by visiting www.tlc.com/missamerica beginning Friday, January 4, following the first episode of Miss America: Reality Check through Saturday, January 26 (3AM EST). The contestant with the most votes, who is not already included as a Top 15 finalist, will be chosen as "America's Choice," and be reveled during the MISS AMERICA LIVE! finale on Saturday, January 26 8:00PM ET live/PT tape-delayed.

CLICK HERE for the original 2008 format, which included a cut to 12, then Top 10 Talent presentations.

Off With Her... Crown?

TLC and it's "Reality Check" have made it quite clear they want the Miss America contestants to lose the big hair, sequins, heavy makeup... and the crown? That's what the rumor mill is saying! Is there any truth to this speculation? Check out the following "evidence" then share your opinion in the poll below.

The image above can be seen on the Reality Check website, as well as promotional print ads, television commercials and even posters at malls and movie theatres.

The following article is from the New York Post:

LOSE THE TIARA
MISS AMERICA HOPEFULS GET A 'REALITY CHECK'
By ROBERT RORKE

Michael Urie has gone from playing a mean queen on "Ugly Betty" to mingling with real beauty queens on "Miss America: Reality Check."

"They're going to make Miss America hip, cool and stylish and I get to help the girls along," Urie says.

CLICK HERE for the complete article.

Click here for a direct link to the poll if the one above doesn't work.

I really can't see this rumor being true... It would be very anticlimactic if she isn't crowned. Fans have pointed out that even decidedly trendier pageant systems still use crowns. Not to mention that Academy Award winners receive an Oscar, Olympic champions have a metal placed around their necks and winning horses are adorned with a wreath of roses.

I defiantly do not like pageants that include a cape, scepter and ultimately have the winner sit on a thrown… I can even live without a sash, but if you don’t put a crown on someone’s head, it just isn’t a pageant!

So, are we reading too much into the image above, and is the articles title just a coincidence? As I keep saying about everything with Miss America this year… Only time will tell!

I Can't Believe It's 2008!!!