CLICK HERE for the results of the two pageants I judged this weekend.
Monday, July 16, 2007
Paul, you will be missed!
I am really sad to report that the website Miss Ohio News has been discontinued because Paul Krajnyak will no longer be the official Miss Ohio photographer. This is certainly a loss for the program because Paul and his son were a joy to work with at Miss Ohio and he has given generously to the program and individual contestants.
Many are upset to see him go, but it’s an understandable and necessary decision for him. Technology has changed the profession of photography. The event and backstage pictures the contestants take, photos by local newspapers and the pictures taken by countless audience members (myself included) are all shared on the internet. Therefore, I can’t image that it’s lucrative for a professional photographer to take week off to be in Mansfield.
Paul was the third official photographer in five years, so obviously something isn’t working. It will be interesting to see what Miss Ohio does next year.
Many are upset to see him go, but it’s an understandable and necessary decision for him. Technology has changed the profession of photography. The event and backstage pictures the contestants take, photos by local newspapers and the pictures taken by countless audience members (myself included) are all shared on the internet. Therefore, I can’t image that it’s lucrative for a professional photographer to take week off to be in Mansfield.
Paul was the third official photographer in five years, so obviously something isn’t working. It will be interesting to see what Miss Ohio does next year.
Friday, July 13, 2007
Thursday, July 12, 2007
Miss New Jersey Keeps Her Crown
CLICK HERE for a TMZ.com video of the Miss New Jersey board's statement.
CLICK HERE for the article "There She Still Is: Miss New Jersey" from the Philadelphia Inquirer.
Okay, my brief opinion is that the photos are certainly not tasteful and she’ll not do well at Miss America, but I agree with the board's decision; they did not warrant her loosing her crown.
As someone who holds degree in Theatre I am annoyed with her excuse that “I’m a theatre student, my friends and I do silly things…” When she first said that it made me think perhaps the pictures included scenes of death or disturbing use of weapons, since lots of actors take combat classes. Rather, these pictures depict moments of normalcy, nevermind major.
The fact is that if the photos are shocking to you… then I think you must be living under a rock! I know, I know, some of my readers just muttered, “but does that make it right, Abby?” Before you get mad at me, check out the opinions of NBC fans (from the Today show link in the post below) versus pageant fans. What I’m observing is an unfortunate disconnect between the general public's perceptions and expectations and that of devoted pageant fans.
Comments from NBC viewers:
Wow, if we are now judging this wonderful girl by those innocent funloving photo's we are in bad shape as a society. On one hand we look for any sick news on stars and their lives, watch videos and movies with much more nudity rated PG 13 I would say based on this her photos they are G rated general audience and have should have no affect on her live. Really pagents should get a handle on what they think about life. –Sherry, Sarasota Florida
I am very upset about this subject. We are all human. I am a 57-year-old grandmother, businesswoman and a minister in my relegion. My comment is those who are overseeing the decision of yea or nay for Miss New Jersey, sould look to their own "party times" at a young age. My reaction to the photos was "how silly". Friends and parties. The American Dream for college students of today. They are not in bad taste as far as a black mark for this young woman and I do not believe young people think that. My belief is that those who are behind this blackmail incident should be hung, not Miss NH. With peace to all, Lynn Kent, Warren, RI
As a parent of two college grads, I know that "good kids" have their crazy side. My daughter is on facebook, and they both have myspace accounts. A lot of those pictures can be racy....but, we were ALL that way, outgoing, silly, and a little crazy when we were 18-22. , and those of us in our 40's were raised in a much more conservative environment. TV and pop culture is laden with criminal and promiscuous innuendos, yet we think our "role models" should be stoic wall flowers who have never stepped out of line. It is sad that Miss N.J. felt she had to apologize for being a traditional college student. She reminds me of my daughter and almost every other college student I've met. I hope she takes the crown! Good Luck Amy! -A.E. Knapp, Springfield, Ohio
I think this is all just rediculous. Nobody should be put under such constraints as to have to be imbarrassed for having fun with friends and enjoying harmless private moments cought in photos. She shouldn't be ashamed of putting little pumpkins in front of her chest... how many young ladies haven't put objects near their breasts to make them look bigger for fun? Making these pageant girls look impossibly innocent and perfect makes all of the other girls out there feel like something is wrong with them for being silly and enjoying a sense of humor.... nothing is further from the truth! God gave us a sense of humor in order to deal with life! Use it... officials! She is obviously a well spoken, intelligent and happy young lady who will be extremely successful in life. Let her be an example to all girls out there, or stunt her ability to inspire and help girls to be all they can by pushing this silly issue further. -Amy, St. Petersburg, FL
While it's crazy that Amy had to do it at all, I think it was a great move for her to reveal the photos. To me, they were of a young, fun-loving girl doing what 95% of young women do. Leave her alone. And may the pathetic person who sent the photos in find a real life to live instead of trying to destroy someone else's. The lesson here shouldn't be that she should curb her enthusiasm for silliness and fun, but to be aware that anything posted on the internet is accessible to people. -Jen, Chicago, IL
I just watched the segment where Amy revealed her phots on Myspace with my 82 year old mother. We found them to be as Amy said,"Silly.", but not pornographic at all! How ironic that Amy is now the victim of something she has spoken out against! Amy is abviously a very outgoing, vivacious, talented young woman with a super caring, warm personality. This is the work of a jealous woman, not a guy. He would never take the time to do all this work. Hang in there Amy! Something good will come out of this! Stand up for waht you believe! -Suzy Wells, Fort Collins, Colorado
About you’re so called newsworthy story of Miss New Jersey releases blackmail photos. Refer to part b: of the definition below. News - material reported in a newspaper or news periodical or on a newscast b : matter that is newsworthy If this happens everyday is it really newsworthy? This is just another publicity stunt that the media has fallen for. You’ve just put someone in the spotlight and given them the publicity that they wanted, for absolutely doing nothing. You got your story but have proven to have lost your media integrity? -Joseph Thaler, Columbus OH
I think this entire situation has been blown out of proportion and I applaud Amy for showing the pictures and taking a stand. She has done nothing wrong and I don't think she should even be embarassed. She should embrace the fact that she can have a good time and has the courage to stand up to the person who is blackmailing her. Other women who enter these pageants should learn from this that it is ok to have fun and be a normal young female as long as it isn't taken to an extreme. They know the difference between the two and we should all forget about this situation and move on to more important things in our lives and so should Amy. I'm sorry she has been put through this and I hope she can get back to her life soon. -Darcy Warren, Richmond, VA
I am stunned and appalled what Mss New Jersey is being put through. BUT NOT BY THE PHOTOS, BUT BY THE MISS AMERICA AND MISS NEW JERSEY COMMITTEE. I have seen my own childrens photos (age 20 and 24), and what I see is the same as I see in Amy Polumbo's pictures. They are having fun, the same we had when we were in our 20's. I remember similar and innocent fun with girl friends and guy friends. But only in my memory as it was't as easy then to capture on film. So Amy stay true to yourself and your beliefs. Good Luck! You will make a great Miss America!! -L. MacKinnon, North Kingstown, RI
I hate to suggest that Ms. NJ is orchestrating this to get the publicity in her quest for Ms America, but the possibility crossed my mind. Obviously the pictures are meaningless, but she made it to the national networks with the story. We, the general public, can be such suckers for stuff like this, that it is easy to imagine someone taking advantage of it. Sorry, just my thoughts. -Ernie Hyde, Westford, MA
And here are snippets from a discussion on an anonymous Miss America message board:
As a MAO contestant, I wouldn't want anyone like this representing my state. It may be "normal" for a college girl, but I think we should pick women with more integrity. I wouldn't be caught dead doing something like that.
There is NOTHING wrong with any of these photos!!! What is she supposed to be Miss PURITAN AMERICA.??? Miss Bible Beater Christian America???? Miss Completely Unrealistic College Student America??? She has her clothes on for goodness sakes. She is just being silly. You people need to get a grip. This is why Miss America practically finished, b/c of all you people with ridiculous double standards for your own lives, and daughters lives, and the lives of titleholders.
i remember a photo posted on the miss usa boards that ended up on here of some contestant horsing around with other girls at a baby shower. that photo was nothing. this boyfriend photo ranks right up there with the katie rees photos as far as i am concerned. if the girl thought this photo was suitable for the website of a miss america contestant at any level, she doesn't belong in this system. Where wre the local board members and the field director during her reign as miss local in nj? they should be responsible for the quality of contestant they foist on the Miss state organizations.
Silly pictures. That'a all they are. I bet most of the contestants have similar ones (or worse). Newsflash: This is commomplace for college kids. They're just having fun.
They may just be having fun, but I wouldnt want this girl to be a role model for my child. Her crown should be gone. She has poor judgement, no class, and has completely no credibility.
First of all, let's face reality, she will never win in January because the current Miss America's platform is internet safety. I do not think the same platform will be repeated 2 years in a row. The only repeat platform that I can think of off of the top of my head has been AIDS & HIV awareness & prevention...1993 Leanza & 1998 Kate...5 years apart and LOTS happened during that 5 year time period that changed the face of the disease. 2nd, the picture of her boyfriend with her breast firmly in his mouth, although some may consider "hot", and it is kinda...I consider myself extremely liberal, however, I think she should resign...If the boyfriend is doing thisin front of a camera, just imagine the 'goings on' off camera...."For she may turn out to be....the skank of all New Jersey..."
You have no business to know what is going on off the camera!!!! Are Miss America contestants not allowed to have SEX with their boyfriends? Are you joking me? Are you saying she is a SLUT just because her boyfriend took a silly picture with her out one night. There is NOTHING pornographic about that photo. Sure, its not in great taste, but its nothing to take away a crown for...I can't believe some of you people and I have NOTHING to do with this girl or NJ.
No, the photo is not pronographic, as they are both fully clothed....but they are engaged in a pornographic ACT. If she had no top on, it WOULD be considered porn. Listen, I understand that young people are going to have sex, and to think that because they are running for an MAO title, they wouldn't...well, that kind of thinking is antiquated. Young people have sex, period. I think why everyone is so touchy is because of the whole Miss America "role-model" thing...this is certainly not the kind of thing you'd be proud of showing to someone...regardless of how innocent, or how playful. she sghouldn't be embarrassed that she does things like this...but she SHOULD be embarrassed to be stupid enough to photograph them, and then put them up on her own website.
I do think that anyone who is going to represent their state and possible the Miss America organization needs to be a MATURE, SENSIBLE young woman. This NJ girl is neither. She said herself she's "silly" and she obviously has not one ounce of sense. These pictures are really horrible. If my daughter had her boyfriend chewing on her breast, I would be mortified at what I had raised. Normal college student my rear!
So...what you are saying is that Vanessa Williams wasn't "Miss America Material" because of her past photos?? Seems to me that everyone thought she WAS the Miss America to end all Miss America's before the info came out. This, like most things associated with Miss America, is HYPOCRITICAL. We'll love you to death, and hype you as the second coming...until we find out that you're not Polly Purebread. Then, we'll turn on you, and do everything but burn you at the damned stake.
I don't think we are expecting these girls to be perfect. But the whole idea is to represent America. Not to make us look like a bunch of whores! I'm sorry but as a college student myself, I am not that dumb and oh my gosh you aren't going to believe it...........Popular, fun and a virgin with a serious boyfriend! Gasp! It is about respecting yourself and I apparently a lot of you out there do not. what a shame.
As someone who holds degree in Theatre I am annoyed with her excuse that “I’m a theatre student, my friends and I do silly things…” When she first said that it made me think perhaps the pictures included scenes of death or disturbing use of weapons, since lots of actors take combat classes. Rather, these pictures depict moments of normalcy, nevermind major.
The fact is that if the photos are shocking to you… then I think you must be living under a rock! I know, I know, some of my readers just muttered, “but does that make it right, Abby?” Before you get mad at me, check out the opinions of NBC fans (from the Today show link in the post below) versus pageant fans. What I’m observing is an unfortunate disconnect between the general public's perceptions and expectations and that of devoted pageant fans.
Comments from NBC viewers:
Wow, if we are now judging this wonderful girl by those innocent funloving photo's we are in bad shape as a society. On one hand we look for any sick news on stars and their lives, watch videos and movies with much more nudity rated PG 13 I would say based on this her photos they are G rated general audience and have should have no affect on her live. Really pagents should get a handle on what they think about life. –Sherry, Sarasota Florida
I am very upset about this subject. We are all human. I am a 57-year-old grandmother, businesswoman and a minister in my relegion. My comment is those who are overseeing the decision of yea or nay for Miss New Jersey, sould look to their own "party times" at a young age. My reaction to the photos was "how silly". Friends and parties. The American Dream for college students of today. They are not in bad taste as far as a black mark for this young woman and I do not believe young people think that. My belief is that those who are behind this blackmail incident should be hung, not Miss NH. With peace to all, Lynn Kent, Warren, RI
As a parent of two college grads, I know that "good kids" have their crazy side. My daughter is on facebook, and they both have myspace accounts. A lot of those pictures can be racy....but, we were ALL that way, outgoing, silly, and a little crazy when we were 18-22. , and those of us in our 40's were raised in a much more conservative environment. TV and pop culture is laden with criminal and promiscuous innuendos, yet we think our "role models" should be stoic wall flowers who have never stepped out of line. It is sad that Miss N.J. felt she had to apologize for being a traditional college student. She reminds me of my daughter and almost every other college student I've met. I hope she takes the crown! Good Luck Amy! -A.E. Knapp, Springfield, Ohio
I think this is all just rediculous. Nobody should be put under such constraints as to have to be imbarrassed for having fun with friends and enjoying harmless private moments cought in photos. She shouldn't be ashamed of putting little pumpkins in front of her chest... how many young ladies haven't put objects near their breasts to make them look bigger for fun? Making these pageant girls look impossibly innocent and perfect makes all of the other girls out there feel like something is wrong with them for being silly and enjoying a sense of humor.... nothing is further from the truth! God gave us a sense of humor in order to deal with life! Use it... officials! She is obviously a well spoken, intelligent and happy young lady who will be extremely successful in life. Let her be an example to all girls out there, or stunt her ability to inspire and help girls to be all they can by pushing this silly issue further. -Amy, St. Petersburg, FL
While it's crazy that Amy had to do it at all, I think it was a great move for her to reveal the photos. To me, they were of a young, fun-loving girl doing what 95% of young women do. Leave her alone. And may the pathetic person who sent the photos in find a real life to live instead of trying to destroy someone else's. The lesson here shouldn't be that she should curb her enthusiasm for silliness and fun, but to be aware that anything posted on the internet is accessible to people. -Jen, Chicago, IL
I just watched the segment where Amy revealed her phots on Myspace with my 82 year old mother. We found them to be as Amy said,"Silly.", but not pornographic at all! How ironic that Amy is now the victim of something she has spoken out against! Amy is abviously a very outgoing, vivacious, talented young woman with a super caring, warm personality. This is the work of a jealous woman, not a guy. He would never take the time to do all this work. Hang in there Amy! Something good will come out of this! Stand up for waht you believe! -Suzy Wells, Fort Collins, Colorado
About you’re so called newsworthy story of Miss New Jersey releases blackmail photos. Refer to part b: of the definition below. News - material reported in a newspaper or news periodical or on a newscast b : matter that is newsworthy If this happens everyday is it really newsworthy? This is just another publicity stunt that the media has fallen for. You’ve just put someone in the spotlight and given them the publicity that they wanted, for absolutely doing nothing. You got your story but have proven to have lost your media integrity? -Joseph Thaler, Columbus OH
I think this entire situation has been blown out of proportion and I applaud Amy for showing the pictures and taking a stand. She has done nothing wrong and I don't think she should even be embarassed. She should embrace the fact that she can have a good time and has the courage to stand up to the person who is blackmailing her. Other women who enter these pageants should learn from this that it is ok to have fun and be a normal young female as long as it isn't taken to an extreme. They know the difference between the two and we should all forget about this situation and move on to more important things in our lives and so should Amy. I'm sorry she has been put through this and I hope she can get back to her life soon. -Darcy Warren, Richmond, VA
I am stunned and appalled what Mss New Jersey is being put through. BUT NOT BY THE PHOTOS, BUT BY THE MISS AMERICA AND MISS NEW JERSEY COMMITTEE. I have seen my own childrens photos (age 20 and 24), and what I see is the same as I see in Amy Polumbo's pictures. They are having fun, the same we had when we were in our 20's. I remember similar and innocent fun with girl friends and guy friends. But only in my memory as it was't as easy then to capture on film. So Amy stay true to yourself and your beliefs. Good Luck! You will make a great Miss America!! -L. MacKinnon, North Kingstown, RI
I hate to suggest that Ms. NJ is orchestrating this to get the publicity in her quest for Ms America, but the possibility crossed my mind. Obviously the pictures are meaningless, but she made it to the national networks with the story. We, the general public, can be such suckers for stuff like this, that it is easy to imagine someone taking advantage of it. Sorry, just my thoughts. -Ernie Hyde, Westford, MA
And here are snippets from a discussion on an anonymous Miss America message board:
As a MAO contestant, I wouldn't want anyone like this representing my state. It may be "normal" for a college girl, but I think we should pick women with more integrity. I wouldn't be caught dead doing something like that.
There is NOTHING wrong with any of these photos!!! What is she supposed to be Miss PURITAN AMERICA.??? Miss Bible Beater Christian America???? Miss Completely Unrealistic College Student America??? She has her clothes on for goodness sakes. She is just being silly. You people need to get a grip. This is why Miss America practically finished, b/c of all you people with ridiculous double standards for your own lives, and daughters lives, and the lives of titleholders.
i remember a photo posted on the miss usa boards that ended up on here of some contestant horsing around with other girls at a baby shower. that photo was nothing. this boyfriend photo ranks right up there with the katie rees photos as far as i am concerned. if the girl thought this photo was suitable for the website of a miss america contestant at any level, she doesn't belong in this system. Where wre the local board members and the field director during her reign as miss local in nj? they should be responsible for the quality of contestant they foist on the Miss state organizations.
Silly pictures. That'a all they are. I bet most of the contestants have similar ones (or worse). Newsflash: This is commomplace for college kids. They're just having fun.
They may just be having fun, but I wouldnt want this girl to be a role model for my child. Her crown should be gone. She has poor judgement, no class, and has completely no credibility.
First of all, let's face reality, she will never win in January because the current Miss America's platform is internet safety. I do not think the same platform will be repeated 2 years in a row. The only repeat platform that I can think of off of the top of my head has been AIDS & HIV awareness & prevention...1993 Leanza & 1998 Kate...5 years apart and LOTS happened during that 5 year time period that changed the face of the disease. 2nd, the picture of her boyfriend with her breast firmly in his mouth, although some may consider "hot", and it is kinda...I consider myself extremely liberal, however, I think she should resign...If the boyfriend is doing thisin front of a camera, just imagine the 'goings on' off camera...."For she may turn out to be....the skank of all New Jersey..."
You have no business to know what is going on off the camera!!!! Are Miss America contestants not allowed to have SEX with their boyfriends? Are you joking me? Are you saying she is a SLUT just because her boyfriend took a silly picture with her out one night. There is NOTHING pornographic about that photo. Sure, its not in great taste, but its nothing to take away a crown for...I can't believe some of you people and I have NOTHING to do with this girl or NJ.
No, the photo is not pronographic, as they are both fully clothed....but they are engaged in a pornographic ACT. If she had no top on, it WOULD be considered porn. Listen, I understand that young people are going to have sex, and to think that because they are running for an MAO title, they wouldn't...well, that kind of thinking is antiquated. Young people have sex, period. I think why everyone is so touchy is because of the whole Miss America "role-model" thing...this is certainly not the kind of thing you'd be proud of showing to someone...regardless of how innocent, or how playful. she sghouldn't be embarrassed that she does things like this...but she SHOULD be embarrassed to be stupid enough to photograph them, and then put them up on her own website.
I do think that anyone who is going to represent their state and possible the Miss America organization needs to be a MATURE, SENSIBLE young woman. This NJ girl is neither. She said herself she's "silly" and she obviously has not one ounce of sense. These pictures are really horrible. If my daughter had her boyfriend chewing on her breast, I would be mortified at what I had raised. Normal college student my rear!
So...what you are saying is that Vanessa Williams wasn't "Miss America Material" because of her past photos?? Seems to me that everyone thought she WAS the Miss America to end all Miss America's before the info came out. This, like most things associated with Miss America, is HYPOCRITICAL. We'll love you to death, and hype you as the second coming...until we find out that you're not Polly Purebread. Then, we'll turn on you, and do everything but burn you at the damned stake.
I don't think we are expecting these girls to be perfect. But the whole idea is to represent America. Not to make us look like a bunch of whores! I'm sorry but as a college student myself, I am not that dumb and oh my gosh you aren't going to believe it...........Popular, fun and a virgin with a serious boyfriend! Gasp! It is about respecting yourself and I apparently a lot of you out there do not. what a shame.
Miss New Jersey Releases her “Questionable” Photos on the Today Show
While I was at a FOX Toledo gig this morning the pageant world was erupting with the release of Miss New Jersey’s blackmail photos. Here’s a YouTube clip:
For the entire video and Today show fan comment page, CLICK HERE.
Later today the Miss New Jersey board will anounce whether or not they will take Amy's crown away.
For the entire video and Today show fan comment page, CLICK HERE.
Later today the Miss New Jersey board will anounce whether or not they will take Amy's crown away.
Anonymous Announcements
I’m in the middle of a very busy week, so thankfully anonymous strangers on some message boards are doing my job for me! Check out the latest…
From the Miss Ohio Message Board:
Miss Lake Erie to award 2 Crowns!
The Miss Lake Erie Scholarship Program is happy to announce the addition of MISS NORTHERN OHIO!! Both crowns, along with the first MISS LAKE ERIE OUTSTANDING TEEN crown, will be handed out on Saturday, August 18th in the auditorium of Lexington High School in Lexington, Ohio.
We are hoping to hand out over $3000 in scholarships this year and our newly crowned MISS LAKE ERIE and MISS NORTHERN OHIO, will each receive $1000 scholarships.We will also award scholarships to our 1st, 2nd and 3rd runners-up, as well as $100 scholarships for talent, interview, swimsuit and spirit. We are thrilled to announce that all contestants who do not place in our top 5 will also receive a $50 scholarship.
This year’s pageant entitled “She’s a Lady” will feature Miss Lake Erie 2003 Bryn Hough, Miss Lake Erie 2005 and Miss Ohio 2005 Marlia Fontaine, Miss Lake Erie 2006 Leslie Ondrey, as well as Miss Ohio featured dancer David Dunn. Emcee for the evening is WMFD TV's Briggite Coles.
Applications are being accepted for the first 20 Miss contestants and first 20 Teen contestants until July 23rd. If you are interested in competing, please contact us at misslakeerie@hotmail.com. We look forward to hearing from you!!
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Upcoming Pageants and contestants per the CMN page
Miss Lake Festival July 23, 2007: Maria Broering, Lisa Canary, Hannah Ford, Shelby Gates-Reichard, Bethany Hosbach, Elizabeth McGhee, Amanda McKee, Sandra Miller, Megan Perkeybile, Sarah Pierstorff, Heather Waterman, Katie Westgerdes
Miss Greater Cleveland July 28, 2007: Amy Allen, Andrea Andryscik, Brittany Davis, Krystle Formosa, Kristen Haas, Zephylia Khooblall, Brittany Lipinsky, Laura Pennington, Heather Wells, Megan Wombacker
Miss Ohio Valley July 28, 2007: Nicole Fortunato, Jessica Harr, Brandi Herceg, Ashley Pesta, Megan Presley
Miss West Central Ohio July 28, 2007: Chelsey Beer, Andrea Borkowski, Victoria Miller, Kristy Moneysmith, Shannon O'Neill, Kelly Jo Zink
Miss Lake Erie August 18, 2007: Karissa Martin, Kasey Wilson
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This next post is from the Miss America board; it's directed at state titleholder, but I think it's great and applicable to all contestants.
Advice for new state titleholders - from someone who's been there...
The following is a compilation of advice I received and implemented, advice I received and failed to follow, and ideas that I had throughout my own year.
1. Find a children’s book related to your platform. I’ve found this to be the best way to begin a presentation to a group of kids – and you can take it anywhere!
2. Speak to adult groups. You or your business manager/booking agent should call every Rotary Club (or similar organization) in the state.
3. Make yourself marketable. It’s a word we hear very often, and some get sick of it, but it’s necessary. What makes you different? What makes your message important – important enough that people will PAY for you to share it? How can you reach varied and diverse audiences?
4. Journal. Your thoughts, your feelings, your goals. By writing them down, you make them tangible and you empower yourself to do something about them.
5. Make sure that expectations between you and your handlers are clearly defined – on both ends. What do they expect from you? What do you expect from them? (Think big-picture AND small detail.)
6. Find out now what you’ll need to do next summer to receive your scholarship money. Get it in writing. You don’t want any surprises after you’ve crowned your successor.
7. Read “The Art of Possibility,” by Benjamin Zander & Rosamund Stone Zander and “7 Habits of Highly Effective People,” by Stephen Covey. Implement at least one principle from each book.
8. Document everything… and this means the sentimental things and the legal stuff. Take pictures or videos of every appearance you possibly can, and keep programs and memorabilia. Maybe you’ll throw it away once your year is over, but it’s nice to be able to look back on it. Keep track of receipts, contracts, and mileage. You’ll need these when you do your taxes. Also, keep track of your appearances – what you liked about it, what you would change, what you thought was effective and not effective. This is helpful not only for planning your future appearances but also for those who will follow you.
9. Look into an economic hardship deferment for your student loans. Most of you aren’t going to be making a huge salary, and it can be difficult to find ways to make ends meet. You’ll still have to pay eventually, and interest will still capitalize, but at least you can reduce your monthly expenses for the next year.
10. Meet (face-to-face) as many other state titleholders as you can. This means attending the Teen pageant in Orlando, going to other state pageants (if possible… I realize the season’s almost over), or arranging a weekend with the other girls in your region. Your state director should be able to get in touch with the neighboring states.
11. Get into swimsuit shape NOW. (And no, that is not a demand to starve yourself.)
12. Blog. And blog regularly. (And please, while you’re at it, use proper grammar and spelling.)
13. Be realistic about your strengths, weaknesses, and limitations. Don’t commit to doing something if you know you won’t have time to give it your best.
14. Be flexible.
15. Be optimistic.
16. Be the kind of person you would want to see win Miss America. True story: the night before Miss America finals, I made a list of all the contestants. I crossed off the ones I didn’t think deserved the title, and then I circled those who I would be proud to call Miss America. I’m happy to say I circled the eventual winner (but many of the top 10 were people I had crossed out). Moral of the story? Don’t be the girl someone else wants to cross off her list.
17. Take everything you read on this board with a grain of salt. Also, ground yourself from reading the boards every now and then. It's fun to stay up on the news, but it can also become an addiction.
18. Recognize that the year will have its ups and downs. Nevertheless, cherish every moment.
Any other has-beens want to add their two cents?
Here's what a former state teen titleholder added:
Personal thank you notes will get your farther than you might think.
Never burn your bridges, or complain- constructive critism is one thing, complaining is another.
Always have extra bobbi pins. You'll never know when you might never know when you might need them.
Water proof mascara on hot, muggy days is a must.
Smile. At everyone, just make sure its genuine.
Support your little sister (MAOTeen). As a former state MAOTeen, I can say i felt left behind and left out. She didn't make an effort, she wasn't kind and warm, she wasn't the mentor she was supposed to be to a 17 year old girl. I wanted someone to look up to. At almost 20 years old and contemplating competing for my Miss State title, I know if I win, I want to be there for my "little sister."
Pack a low carb, high protein, power bar. No one likes a cranky, hungry title holder!
Bring a token of friendship, a small gift, a bath set, something, with you to Miss A to give to your roomie :) if you've never met, it's a great ice breaker.
Have fun, enjoy you're year! You have no idea how quickly it will fly by!
From the Miss Ohio Message Board:
Miss Lake Erie to award 2 Crowns!
The Miss Lake Erie Scholarship Program is happy to announce the addition of MISS NORTHERN OHIO!! Both crowns, along with the first MISS LAKE ERIE OUTSTANDING TEEN crown, will be handed out on Saturday, August 18th in the auditorium of Lexington High School in Lexington, Ohio.
We are hoping to hand out over $3000 in scholarships this year and our newly crowned MISS LAKE ERIE and MISS NORTHERN OHIO, will each receive $1000 scholarships.We will also award scholarships to our 1st, 2nd and 3rd runners-up, as well as $100 scholarships for talent, interview, swimsuit and spirit. We are thrilled to announce that all contestants who do not place in our top 5 will also receive a $50 scholarship.
This year’s pageant entitled “She’s a Lady” will feature Miss Lake Erie 2003 Bryn Hough, Miss Lake Erie 2005 and Miss Ohio 2005 Marlia Fontaine, Miss Lake Erie 2006 Leslie Ondrey, as well as Miss Ohio featured dancer David Dunn. Emcee for the evening is WMFD TV's Briggite Coles.
Applications are being accepted for the first 20 Miss contestants and first 20 Teen contestants until July 23rd. If you are interested in competing, please contact us at misslakeerie@hotmail.com. We look forward to hearing from you!!
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Upcoming Pageants and contestants per the CMN page
Miss Lake Festival July 23, 2007: Maria Broering, Lisa Canary, Hannah Ford, Shelby Gates-Reichard, Bethany Hosbach, Elizabeth McGhee, Amanda McKee, Sandra Miller, Megan Perkeybile, Sarah Pierstorff, Heather Waterman, Katie Westgerdes
Miss Greater Cleveland July 28, 2007: Amy Allen, Andrea Andryscik, Brittany Davis, Krystle Formosa, Kristen Haas, Zephylia Khooblall, Brittany Lipinsky, Laura Pennington, Heather Wells, Megan Wombacker
Miss Ohio Valley July 28, 2007: Nicole Fortunato, Jessica Harr, Brandi Herceg, Ashley Pesta, Megan Presley
Miss West Central Ohio July 28, 2007: Chelsey Beer, Andrea Borkowski, Victoria Miller, Kristy Moneysmith, Shannon O'Neill, Kelly Jo Zink
Miss Lake Erie August 18, 2007: Karissa Martin, Kasey Wilson
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This next post is from the Miss America board; it's directed at state titleholder, but I think it's great and applicable to all contestants.
Advice for new state titleholders - from someone who's been there...
The following is a compilation of advice I received and implemented, advice I received and failed to follow, and ideas that I had throughout my own year.
1. Find a children’s book related to your platform. I’ve found this to be the best way to begin a presentation to a group of kids – and you can take it anywhere!
2. Speak to adult groups. You or your business manager/booking agent should call every Rotary Club (or similar organization) in the state.
3. Make yourself marketable. It’s a word we hear very often, and some get sick of it, but it’s necessary. What makes you different? What makes your message important – important enough that people will PAY for you to share it? How can you reach varied and diverse audiences?
4. Journal. Your thoughts, your feelings, your goals. By writing them down, you make them tangible and you empower yourself to do something about them.
5. Make sure that expectations between you and your handlers are clearly defined – on both ends. What do they expect from you? What do you expect from them? (Think big-picture AND small detail.)
6. Find out now what you’ll need to do next summer to receive your scholarship money. Get it in writing. You don’t want any surprises after you’ve crowned your successor.
7. Read “The Art of Possibility,” by Benjamin Zander & Rosamund Stone Zander and “7 Habits of Highly Effective People,” by Stephen Covey. Implement at least one principle from each book.
8. Document everything… and this means the sentimental things and the legal stuff. Take pictures or videos of every appearance you possibly can, and keep programs and memorabilia. Maybe you’ll throw it away once your year is over, but it’s nice to be able to look back on it. Keep track of receipts, contracts, and mileage. You’ll need these when you do your taxes. Also, keep track of your appearances – what you liked about it, what you would change, what you thought was effective and not effective. This is helpful not only for planning your future appearances but also for those who will follow you.
9. Look into an economic hardship deferment for your student loans. Most of you aren’t going to be making a huge salary, and it can be difficult to find ways to make ends meet. You’ll still have to pay eventually, and interest will still capitalize, but at least you can reduce your monthly expenses for the next year.
10. Meet (face-to-face) as many other state titleholders as you can. This means attending the Teen pageant in Orlando, going to other state pageants (if possible… I realize the season’s almost over), or arranging a weekend with the other girls in your region. Your state director should be able to get in touch with the neighboring states.
11. Get into swimsuit shape NOW. (And no, that is not a demand to starve yourself.)
12. Blog. And blog regularly. (And please, while you’re at it, use proper grammar and spelling.)
13. Be realistic about your strengths, weaknesses, and limitations. Don’t commit to doing something if you know you won’t have time to give it your best.
14. Be flexible.
15. Be optimistic.
16. Be the kind of person you would want to see win Miss America. True story: the night before Miss America finals, I made a list of all the contestants. I crossed off the ones I didn’t think deserved the title, and then I circled those who I would be proud to call Miss America. I’m happy to say I circled the eventual winner (but many of the top 10 were people I had crossed out). Moral of the story? Don’t be the girl someone else wants to cross off her list.
17. Take everything you read on this board with a grain of salt. Also, ground yourself from reading the boards every now and then. It's fun to stay up on the news, but it can also become an addiction.
18. Recognize that the year will have its ups and downs. Nevertheless, cherish every moment.
Any other has-beens want to add their two cents?
Here's what a former state teen titleholder added:
Personal thank you notes will get your farther than you might think.
Never burn your bridges, or complain- constructive critism is one thing, complaining is another.
Always have extra bobbi pins. You'll never know when you might never know when you might need them.
Water proof mascara on hot, muggy days is a must.
Smile. At everyone, just make sure its genuine.
Support your little sister (MAOTeen). As a former state MAOTeen, I can say i felt left behind and left out. She didn't make an effort, she wasn't kind and warm, she wasn't the mentor she was supposed to be to a 17 year old girl. I wanted someone to look up to. At almost 20 years old and contemplating competing for my Miss State title, I know if I win, I want to be there for my "little sister."
Pack a low carb, high protein, power bar. No one likes a cranky, hungry title holder!
Bring a token of friendship, a small gift, a bath set, something, with you to Miss A to give to your roomie :) if you've never met, it's a great ice breaker.
Have fun, enjoy you're year! You have no idea how quickly it will fly by!
Monday, July 9, 2007
More on the Miss New Jersey Blackmail Scandal
CLICK HERE for a video clip and article from Amy Polumbo's interview this morning on NBC's Today with Matt Lauer.
Here are some quotations from the interview:
Here are some quotations from the interview:
The packages contained photos that the 22-year-old beauty believes were taken from a password-protected page she maintains for family and friends on Facebook...
“How racy could [the photos] be?” Lauer asked Polumbo. “How damaging could they be?”
“They’re not bad,” she said. “I’m a normal college girl.”
“These are not sexual photos? These are not pornographic photos in any way?” Lauer asked.
“No,” Polumbo said. “I’m not doing anything illegal. No nudity...”
“So then here’s my confusion,” Lauer followed up. “How can you blackmail someone with photos that would OK for your family to see? ... Why not release the photos and move on?”
“It is still being investigated,” Polumbo said.
In other recent news, the runners-up were questioned about their potential involvement. Rumor has it that fans were not pleased when Polumbo was crowned and some were “shocked” because she is extremely new to the pageant system. (Polumbo won her first preliminary pageant and then the state title on her first try; Miss America will be only her third pageant.) CLICK HERE for a Newsday article with quotations from First Runner-up Ronica Licciardello.
Further, Polumbo's attorney has stated that the images are not the issue, but rather the captions under them are "troubling." When you upload photos to Facebook you have the option to add your own caption, and then your friends can comment on the picture…
My question is, were the questionable captions added by Polumbo when she uploaded the photos, or are they the work of the blackmailer? I also want to clarify something else about Facebook; Matt Lauer noted a few times that the photos were okay for friends and family to view. However, by family I’ll bet she means siblings and cousins of her age. I’ve never known anyone’s parent or grandparents to be on Facebook! :) In my last post about this topic I said I believed that the photos “weren’t that bad;” I just wanted to point out that nor are they likely as innocent as the word “family” makes them seem.
Matt Lauer was rather confused by the dichotomy of the situation, but I would have thought most pageant folks would have understood. However, at this point, more and more anonymous fans are beginning to think it’s a publicity stunt. People are really turning against her because she went on the Today Show and she’ll be on the O’Reilly Factor tonight at 8 p.m. (Ugh! I work for a local FOX station, but hate FOX News.)
I think I am so interested in this story because I have always had a problem with juggling the “moral” expectations of being a pageant contestant in comparison to what is acceptable behavior for both pageant officials and contestant’s peers. More on this later…
Pageant Press: Like Pageant, Miss America office leaves Atlantic City
The Miss America pageant has already left this seaside resort, and now its headquarters is following suit. Beginning Monday, the offices of the Miss America Organization will be located in an office park in Linwood, about six miles west of the city the pageant helped put on the map.
Memorabilia such as gowns, shoes and scepters are still on display in the Sheraton, a hotel spokesman said. And the Miss America Rose Walk on Michigan Avenue, which adds each new winner's name to a display, will stay put.
CLICK HERE for the entire Newsday.com article.
CLICK HERE for the official Miss America Press Release.
Friday, July 6, 2007
Pageant Press: Miss New Jersey Blackmailed for Private Photos
CLICK HERE for news articles.
Okay, let me start by explaining how this may have happened, as I know many of my readers are parents and EDs who probably don’t have Facebook or MySpace accounts…
First, you can not fault this girl for having such an account because everybody, and I do mean 99.9999% of high school and college-age students belong to a networking site. Such sites can be extremely useful. I don’t know as much about MySpace, but I am an avid Facebook user.
How It Works
Okay, let me start by explaining how this may have happened, as I know many of my readers are parents and EDs who probably don’t have Facebook or MySpace accounts…
First, you can not fault this girl for having such an account because everybody, and I do mean 99.9999% of high school and college-age students belong to a networking site. Such sites can be extremely useful. I don’t know as much about MySpace, but I am an avid Facebook user.
How It Works
Basically on either site anyone can create a free user profile, which can include as much or as little information about yourself as you choose. It can be all true, or a fake name with made-up information. Once you set up an account you begin getting “friends;” sometimes they’re people you know in “real life,” sometime they’re only acquaintances and other times you have no idea who a person is or why they’ve even requested to be your “friend!” It’s up to you to confirm or decline a friend request.
Your friends can view your information, photos, videos and whatever else you include in your profile. That’s how I get a lot of great pageant photos; I am friends with lots of contestants who I have never actually met, but because we’re friends on Facebook I can see and save the photos they post.
I will admit, I include photos on Facebook that would not be appropriate to include on this blog, such as fun, funny or more personal photos. I have seen photos of my fellow pageant contestants that I was surprised by, including things like sexy Halloween costumes, or drinking.
It is important to note, you can upload a photo of yourself to your account, or if someone else uploads a photo they may “tag” you. That means you are digitally identified in the photo; when you are “tagged” Facebook sends you a message. You can always untag yourself so the photo isn’t linked to your profile, but you can’t necessarily get someone to take a photo down. Furthermore, there could also be photos that you don’t know about out there on the internet that someone took.
Thus, it is hugely important for pageant women today to be careful. Even if you are of-age it is never a good idea to have a photo taken with alcohol in your hand. Photos can be taken completely out of context; what may have been an innocent joke among friends could look like scandalous and inappropriate behavior to someone outside of the situation.
My Take
If I had to guess, the Miss New Jersey photos in question probably include alcohol. I have never seen topless or total nudity or other drug use in Facebook photo albums.
Some pageant fans discussing this issue on the Miss America message board are wondering if it’s a publicity stunt. I highly doubt that, the pay-off in this case will not be worth it. For the most part though, fans are being very supportive.
What’s disappointing to me is that Miss New Jersey’s platform is Internet Safety! Amy Polumbo no longer has a profile on Facebook, so the question becomes, how long has she been competing, had that platform and when did she terminate her Facebook account? If she was competing with that platform while questionable photos were on her Facebook account, then her credibility as a Miss State is ruined. On the other hand, I suppose it is entirely possible that someone saved these photos prior to her deleting them and competing. It’s also entirely possible that these photos are no-big-deal. Some pageant fans are also suggesting she should just show the pictures and beat the blackmailers to the punch.
The verdict is still out on whether she’s a hypocrite when it comes to her platform; what is impressive is that she seems to be maturely and courageously handling this. Awhile back my mom received a phone call from someone claiming to have photos of me “taken at a station party.” They were not directly threatening, but rather assured my mom that they were not putting the pictures on the internet, thus alluding that they were somehow harmful . They gave my mom a phone number, but when we tried to call it back, it was disconnected. I knew with absolute certainty that negative FOX Toledo pictures do not exist, rather they were trying to scare my family.
It is an extremely frightening situation given today’s technology; photoshop can make the innocent guilty. I spoke with another Miss Ohio contestant who said she and a couple other Miss Ohio contestants had received similar phone calls and it is being documented and looked into. Since I've aged-out I had not expected the call was pageant related; while it was a relief to know the origin and that I was not the only one, it is appalling that someone is targeting women whose reputation and behavior needs to be kept extremely clean. Miss New Jersey is maintaining that the photos are "not that bad" and they probably aren't.
There has been a long-running debate about the moral conduct of pageant women in comparison to their peers and the internet has made it even more difficult for pageant contestants. One moment of being a "normal college student" could ruin your dreams of being Miss America. What we can learn from the current Miss New Jersey scandal is that first, it’s important to speak up as soon as a threat is made and second, pageant women need to be extremely conscious of what they put on the internet.
Thursday, July 5, 2007
Tune in to Hear Miss Ohio on the RIOT!
Tomorrow morning at 8 a.m. Roberta will be on Radio U 88.7 FM. The RIOT is the morning crew of this Westerville radio station.
There is a “listen” feature on the website, so those of us not in the Columbus area should also be able to tune in. CLICK HERE!
There is a “listen” feature on the website, so those of us not in the Columbus area should also be able to tune in. CLICK HERE!
Tuesday, July 3, 2007
Any Given Pageant Day…
In order to survive as a pageant contestant you must realize one very important truth- discontinuity is the only continuity of pageants! On a different day with just one judge on the panel being different, a different winner would probably emerge from the same group of contestants! Taken from the football movie Any Given Sunday, we jokingly say “any given pageant day…”
So, with this truth in mind, I’ve copied some statistics that someone anonymously posted on a Miss America message board. Here is how the First Runners-up of the 2006 state pageants have done this year:
So, with this truth in mind, I’ve copied some statistics that someone anonymously posted on a Miss America message board. Here is how the First Runners-up of the 2006 state pageants have done this year:
Indiana: NICOLE RASH – 2007 Miss Indiana
Massachusetts: VALERIE AMARAL – 2007 Miss Massachusetts
Montana: KRISTEN MANTOOTH – 2007 Miss Montana
Nebraska: ASHLEY BAUER – 2007 Miss Nebraska
North Dakota: ASHLEY YOUNG – 2007 Miss North Dakota
Oklahoma: LINDSEY MILLER – Reigning Miss Oklahoma
Colorado: KRYSTAL SPURR – 2007 1st RU
Georgia: KELLY BRADSHAW – 2007 1st RU
Michigan: GINA VALO – 2007 1st RU
Tennessee: AINSLEY REAGAN – 2007 1st RU
Vermont: MAGGIE REVILLA – 2007 1st RU
Louisiana: BLAIR ABENE – 2007 2nd RU
Rhode Island: FRANCESCA SIMONE – 2007 2nd RU
Alabama: KATIE BOYD – 2007 3rd RU
New Hampshire: KRISTIN FINN – 2007 3rd RU
Idaho: ERIN WEBSTER – 2007 4TH RU
Florida: MEGAN CLEMENTI – 2007 Top 10
Kansas: ALEXANDRA BLASI – 2007 Top 10
Missouri: ERIN BELL – 2007 Top 10
Pennsylvania: ALYCIA McCULLOUGH – 2007 Top 10
Illinois: JULIANNE LUCIK – 2007 NonFinalist
Ohio: BECKY MINGER – 2007 NonFinalist
Virginia: LAUREN COLLIER – 2007 NonFinalist
District-of-Columbia: CHELSEA RODGERS – TBA
Kentucky: ASHLEY MILLER – TBA
Nevada: CALECHE MANOR – TBA
Texas: MOLLY HAZLETT – TBA
Washington: ELYSE UMEMOTO – TBA
Did Not Compete:
Alaska: RACHEL WARBELOW
Arizona: DANIELLE LEE
Arkansas: STEPHANIE DeCLERK
California: ANGEL BLUE (Competing in Nevada this year)
Connecticut: KARA MITCHELL
Delaware: AMBER KNIGHT
Hawaii: ANGELA EVERHART
Iowa: ALICIA WHITE
Maine: KATELYN PARKER
Maryland: LAURA KELLY
Minnesota: PAMELA CHAMPAN
Mississippi: LACEY COFIELD
New Jersey: JAMIE MAGLIETTA
New Mexico: MONICA MITCHELL
New York: STEPHANIE QUIMBY
North Carolina: ANDREA DUKE
Oregon: CC BARBER
South Carolina: ANGELA WALKER
South Dakota: KARIE PALLANSCH
Utah: CARLY TOOKE
Virgin Islands: LA'STARR WATLEY
West Virginia: GABRIELLE COLUMBO
Wisconsin: CAITLIN MORRALL (Reigning Miss Wisconsin USA; Top 15 finalist at Miss USA)
Wyoming: KRISTIE SWANSON
Again, this was posted anonymously and I don’t have the time to double check the accuracy. I am fairly confident this list is correct and I find it extremely interesting. It proves you just never know what may happen.
If you can withstand the emotional heartache of “any given pageant” you may eventually come out ahead. For example, Miss Texas USA, Crystal Stewart, was finally crowned this weekend on her SIXTH TRY!
Sunday, July 1, 2007
Pageant Press: Miss Ohio to dedicate year to duty
She's taking a year away from school and work, but Roberta Camp said being Miss Ohio 2007 makes it all worth it... "I just want to give 100 percent to the Miss Ohio program this year," Camp said. "Last year's Miss Ohio, Melanie Murphy, made about 280 appearances and I want to try to make 300."
"I've really been doing a lot of planning and organizing," she said. "I've also been living on my mom's couch for the past week and a half. I'm going to be moving back in with her for the year. She's a great support and helps me out a lot."
"This week I will be visiting with sponsors and just getting the word out about the Miss Ohio program," she said. "It's a wonderful organization. It's provided me with over $16,000 in scholarships and gives nearly $50 million every year around the country. It has a long tradition of helping women reach their goals."
Camp said one of the things she is looking forward to the most is attending the National Character Counts! conference in Anaheim, Calif. Camp was certified with the organization last June and said she hopes to become a national Character Counts! spokesperson. Her Miss Ohio platform is "Change our World: Build Character."
"Building character is something I really believe in," she said. "It's something I don't think everyone is always aware of and should be."
CLICK HERE for the complete Jamie Kinton article from the Telegraph Forum. Photo by Jason J. Molyet.
In personal news, Loren has the week off, so we're taking a few road trips! :) Right now we're loading the dogs up and visiting my parents... after that, who knows! Please excuse whatever blogging hiatus may, or may not occur.
In personal news, Loren has the week off, so we're taking a few road trips! :) Right now we're loading the dogs up and visiting my parents... after that, who knows! Please excuse whatever blogging hiatus may, or may not occur.
Friday, June 29, 2007
More Miss Ohio Photos- My Adventures in Mansfield
Every year while I was at Miss Ohio trapped in a freezing cold, dark, fog-filled theatre for a week, my parents, EDs and boyfriend would be out enjoying central Ohio. They took trips to Amish country, had morning coffee at some biker restaurant called Mr. T.’s, went shopping and there was even some horseback riding that my mom would just as soon forget… So, this year I told them I wanted to experience what I had only ever seen photos of.
Sunday morning after the Miss Ohio finale we met my former chaperone, Ginny, for brunch; I was able to have supper with my former hosts Brenda and Terry before the pageant Saturday night and it was so great to see all three of them! After brunch Loren, Mom and Dad and I headed to the Kingwood Center.
Sunday morning after the Miss Ohio finale we met my former chaperone, Ginny, for brunch; I was able to have supper with my former hosts Brenda and Terry before the pageant Saturday night and it was so great to see all three of them! After brunch Loren, Mom and Dad and I headed to the Kingwood Center.
Kingwood is a glorious estate with gardens, greenhouses and a beautiful mansion. It’s located on a main intersection and while I had driven by it hundreds of times, I had no idea what an expanse of beauty lay beyond the brick and wrought iron fence.
I could not believe that in five years of going to Mansfield I had never been there, and furthermore, why are the contestants not photographed there? It would be perfect! (This is nothing against Paul, considering he is the third photographer in five years. I understand logistics would be difficult, but check out these pictures and you’ll see what I mean.)
Below are a ton of photos from our lovely Father’s Day at Kingwood.
CLICK EACH TO ENLARGE.
I could not believe that in five years of going to Mansfield I had never been there, and furthermore, why are the contestants not photographed there? It would be perfect! (This is nothing against Paul, considering he is the third photographer in five years. I understand logistics would be difficult, but check out these pictures and you’ll see what I mean.)
Below are a ton of photos from our lovely Father’s Day at Kingwood.
CLICK EACH TO ENLARGE.
Wednesday, June 27, 2007
National Pageant News
Right now the big news is the continued crowning of state titleholders, but I have noticed a few other bits of national pageant news…
First, Miss USA, Rachel Smith, met with President Bush on June 22nd. A photo caption I found said “Washington, UNITED STATES: US President George W. Bush (R) greets Rachel Smith (L), Miss USA 2007, after she introduced him during an event celebrating Black Music Month in the East Room at the White House in Washington, DC, 22 June 2007.”
Also, check out this YouTube video promoting a hearing aid and featuring former Miss America, Deidre Downs.
No one seems to have known that Deidre had a hearing problem, nor did anyone notice that she wore a hearing aid during her reign. Most contestants use personal issues like this as their platform, so it is very interesting and surprising that this was not known. Some are suggesting that she did not want to be compared to Miss America 1995, Heather Whitestone, who was also from Alabama and had a much more sever hearing impairment. Many are asserting that they “like her more” now that they have learned she overcame this and did not use it as her platform.
Finally, Donald Trump, the owner of the Miss Universe organization, is talking about making reality show stars of the three pageant beauties that he houses in New York City.
CLICK HERE for the complete Variety.com article by Steven Zeitchik.
First, Miss USA, Rachel Smith, met with President Bush on June 22nd. A photo caption I found said “Washington, UNITED STATES: US President George W. Bush (R) greets Rachel Smith (L), Miss USA 2007, after she introduced him during an event celebrating Black Music Month in the East Room at the White House in Washington, DC, 22 June 2007.”Also, check out this YouTube video promoting a hearing aid and featuring former Miss America, Deidre Downs.
No one seems to have known that Deidre had a hearing problem, nor did anyone notice that she wore a hearing aid during her reign. Most contestants use personal issues like this as their platform, so it is very interesting and surprising that this was not known. Some are suggesting that she did not want to be compared to Miss America 1995, Heather Whitestone, who was also from Alabama and had a much more sever hearing impairment. Many are asserting that they “like her more” now that they have learned she overcame this and did not use it as her platform.
Finally, Donald Trump, the owner of the Miss Universe organization, is talking about making reality show stars of the three pageant beauties that he houses in New York City.
Half-hour series "Pageant Place" will see Miss Universe, Miss USA and Miss Teen USA living in the same New York apartment... Former Miss USA Tara Conner, who became the subject of controversy after reports of her partying surfaced last year, will also star, serving as a kind of den mother and chaperone to the women... At four-month intervals, one of the pageant winners moves out and a new one moves in; the first season will feature the transition from Blair to the new Miss Teen USA.... Project grows out of the various beauty pageants Trump owns with NBC, which has a first-look deal on any potential series. "Pageant Place" was set up at VH1 before migrating to MTV.... NBC recently extended the contract for the Miss USA and Miss Universe pageants for three more seasons.
CLICK HERE for the complete Variety.com article by Steven Zeitchik.
Tuesday, June 26, 2007
State Titleholders at the State Special Olympics!
This past weekend Miss Ohio, Roberta Camp, was in Columbus at the state Special Olympics. In the above photo she is with Keri (Fussell) Schmelmer, a former Ohio USA contestant and reigning Mrs. Ohio United States. The photo is from Kari’s blog; CLICK HERE a short description of what she and Berta did at the event. Sunday, June 24, 2007
Vote for Jessica!
Congratulations Miss West Central Ohio, Jessica Barrett, for being a Top 5 finalists for Fourpoints Magazine's Cover Model contest! Follow the link below and vote for her!
The second fourpoints Make Me A Cover Model Contest is drawing to a close. We received an overwhelming response from beautiful, talented, intelligent young women across the country. It wasn't easy, but the fourpoints staff has managed to select a Top Five. Now, it's your turn to make a few decisions! Click on the Cover Model button on the right side of the screen and vote for your favorite Top Five Make Me A Cover Model Finalist! Or you can just click right here http://www.fourpointsmagazine.com/covermodel/vote.asp We've provided their cover photo and a small bio, now you provide us with who you'd like to see on the cover of the next fourpoints!
Jessica Barrett is a pre-med student who recently competed in the Miss Ohio pageant as Miss West Central Ohio. Jessica enjoys singing, tutoring, and volunteering. Jessica's platform is organ donation.
Congratulations Katelyn Koval, Top 10 at Miss Pennsylvania!
Last year Katelyn competed at Miss Ohio as Miss Open City; last night she placed in the Top 10 at Miss Pennsylvania as Miss Allegheny Valley! (She is able to compete in both states because she is from Ohio, but currently attends Point Park University in Pennsylvania.)Thursday, June 21, 2007
Oh For The Love…!
On the Miss Ohio message board, under the same post in which I was called out for wrongly taking photos at the finale, someone wrote:
I’m not going to respond directly to this poster on the message board because A. after only two replies I said I was done responding on that thread, because… B. I don’t want to be a part of fostering negative conversations on that volatile forum when we have a new Miss Ohio we should instead be supporting.
I will, however, respond here, because this is my blog, with which I can do whatever I want! :)
A few things are running through my mind… the first of which is, "seen and not heard?!?!" What? Am I a child? And forgive me for not being humble, but yes, I think I have earned my place to share my educated opinion.
I don’t exactly understand why someone is so sick of little ol’ me… Someone else agreed to the derogatory posting, saying “Abby, butt out!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!” But I don’t know where exactly I butted in any more than anyone else. I can’t force anyone to log on and read this blog; I assume those who don’t like me or what I post here don’t make this site a regular internet visit.. and that’s fine by me. Other than this, I went to a few pageants this year and recently signed my name to a few posts on a message board…
I gave away my last crown this past fall, and attended three other closed locals (which are “local” to me) as well as the always exciting sweetheart pageant. So I guess I was at a quarter of the pageants, but most other “pageant regulars” were not at those closed locals and I’m not going to apologize for attending to support the program, my friends and in a couple cases, my former titles. It’s not like I’m inundating the system as an emcee and/or entertainer… although those are two things I can do (wink * wink).
Perhaps they’re sick of seeing my name because I actually signed it a whopping three times in one week on a message board that is almost exclusively anonymous. The reality is, it’s probably the same 20 or 30 people who consistently post on the board, it’s just that name-signing is a rarity.
Never mind why someone felt the need to say they’re sick of me, I’m more bothered by the idea that I “CONTINUOUSLY try to live vicariously through Miss Ohio.” That doesn’t even make sense considering this is the first year I haven’t vied to be Miss Ohio! (And I'll likely try the Ohio USA system again if I'm around this fall.)
As I mentioned at the start of Miss Ohio week, because I competed for so long, this first year of not competing came with many emotions. Now that I am aged out there is a certain amount of relief to not have to be “pageant perfect.” On the other hand, I am sad to no longer be with my Miss Ohio friends and family for a week in Mansfield and it is frustrating to look back and think about what I would have done differently in order to be more successful. I will admit that my continued involvement as a news source with this blog has served as a coping mechanism. But I completely disagree with the idea that I am, or have ever tried to live vicariously through the reigning Miss Ohio.
This program has become a norm in my life and that of my parents and close friends. I am not living vicariously; I am living my life and this program happens to have become a big part of it. I know several contestants; I’ve even helped some and lent clothing. I suppose in a few years when I don’t know the contestants I may become distant from the program, or Loren and I may start a local; while I was still competing we talked about being EDs and even what we might call our program. Eric and Linda Wagener would like me to help with their program, and I have agreed IF I am still in this area. I want to stay involved, but hopefully my career takes me out of Toledo.
To call me a bad wanna-be journalist would be more accurate, but living vicariously I am not. In my defense, someone else on the message board noted that former contestants who do not continue to participate are criticized, yet my presence has garnered me the same negativity. That’s the thing about message boards, it’s a place for everyone to post their opinions, and you can never make everyone happy… Oh well.
“Besides myself and about 100 other people-who wishes Abby would just be seen and not heard? Actually I'm growing tired of seeing her. Abby-you are a lovely girl but I think the fact that you CONTINUOUSLY try to live vicariously through Miss Ohio is becoming tiresome for the rest of us. But I did love the great pics.”
I’m not going to respond directly to this poster on the message board because A. after only two replies I said I was done responding on that thread, because… B. I don’t want to be a part of fostering negative conversations on that volatile forum when we have a new Miss Ohio we should instead be supporting.
I will, however, respond here, because this is my blog, with which I can do whatever I want! :)
A few things are running through my mind… the first of which is, "seen and not heard?!?!" What? Am I a child? And forgive me for not being humble, but yes, I think I have earned my place to share my educated opinion.
I don’t exactly understand why someone is so sick of little ol’ me… Someone else agreed to the derogatory posting, saying “Abby, butt out!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!” But I don’t know where exactly I butted in any more than anyone else. I can’t force anyone to log on and read this blog; I assume those who don’t like me or what I post here don’t make this site a regular internet visit.. and that’s fine by me. Other than this, I went to a few pageants this year and recently signed my name to a few posts on a message board…
I gave away my last crown this past fall, and attended three other closed locals (which are “local” to me) as well as the always exciting sweetheart pageant. So I guess I was at a quarter of the pageants, but most other “pageant regulars” were not at those closed locals and I’m not going to apologize for attending to support the program, my friends and in a couple cases, my former titles. It’s not like I’m inundating the system as an emcee and/or entertainer… although those are two things I can do (wink * wink).
Perhaps they’re sick of seeing my name because I actually signed it a whopping three times in one week on a message board that is almost exclusively anonymous. The reality is, it’s probably the same 20 or 30 people who consistently post on the board, it’s just that name-signing is a rarity.
Never mind why someone felt the need to say they’re sick of me, I’m more bothered by the idea that I “CONTINUOUSLY try to live vicariously through Miss Ohio.” That doesn’t even make sense considering this is the first year I haven’t vied to be Miss Ohio! (And I'll likely try the Ohio USA system again if I'm around this fall.)
As I mentioned at the start of Miss Ohio week, because I competed for so long, this first year of not competing came with many emotions. Now that I am aged out there is a certain amount of relief to not have to be “pageant perfect.” On the other hand, I am sad to no longer be with my Miss Ohio friends and family for a week in Mansfield and it is frustrating to look back and think about what I would have done differently in order to be more successful. I will admit that my continued involvement as a news source with this blog has served as a coping mechanism. But I completely disagree with the idea that I am, or have ever tried to live vicariously through the reigning Miss Ohio.
This program has become a norm in my life and that of my parents and close friends. I am not living vicariously; I am living my life and this program happens to have become a big part of it. I know several contestants; I’ve even helped some and lent clothing. I suppose in a few years when I don’t know the contestants I may become distant from the program, or Loren and I may start a local; while I was still competing we talked about being EDs and even what we might call our program. Eric and Linda Wagener would like me to help with their program, and I have agreed IF I am still in this area. I want to stay involved, but hopefully my career takes me out of Toledo.
To call me a bad wanna-be journalist would be more accurate, but living vicariously I am not. In my defense, someone else on the message board noted that former contestants who do not continue to participate are criticized, yet my presence has garnered me the same negativity. That’s the thing about message boards, it’s a place for everyone to post their opinions, and you can never make everyone happy… Oh well.
Wednesday, June 20, 2007
Roberta's Year Begins with the Special Olympics!
After a few days of what I hope included rest and relaxation, and what I assume involved life reorganization, our new Miss Ohio, Roberta Camp begins her duties this Friday!
Friday, June 22nd she will be at a Special Olympic event at 5 p.m. signing autographs. Roberta will be right at home, as the event is on the campus of her Ohio State University in Columbus.
CLICK HERE`for more about the Special Olympics.
Friday, June 22nd she will be at a Special Olympic event at 5 p.m. signing autographs. Roberta will be right at home, as the event is on the campus of her Ohio State University in Columbus.CLICK HERE`for more about the Special Olympics.
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