Congratulations to the New Miss America's Outstanding Teen, Caitlin Brunell of Virginia!

MAOT 2007: Virginia
1st Runner-up: Utah
2nd Runner-up: Pennsylvania
3rd Runner-up: Louisiana
4th Runner-up: Kentucky

Miss America's Outstanding Teen: Top 10

Louisiana *Talent prelim winner

Oklahoma

Wisconsin *Fitness prelim winner

Utah *Fitness prelim winner

Florida

Pennsylvania *Gown prelim winner

Mississippi

Virginia *Gown prelim winner

Kentucky

Indiana

Proving that winning a preliminary doesn't necessarily mean anything,
these teens didn't make the Top 10:

Fitness winner, Tennessee
Gown AND Talent winner, Illinois
Talent winner, Delaware

Breaking Pageant News: Miss America's Date and Location

Our new Miss America (hopefully Roberta) will be crowned January 26, 2008 at the Planet Hollywood (formerly Aladdin) Hotel in Las Vegas. There is supposedly a three year contract with a TV network that has yet to be announced. It's rumored to be the CW!

Exciting New Developments!

I’m really excited about some new features I’m working on for this blog! I’m waiting to post them until after the Outstanding Teen Pageant is over, so everything can have it’s due time at the top of the page…

First, I’ve emailed a questionnaire/interview to all the new titleholders; I plan to write a journalistic article about each of the women headed to Miss Ohio this year. For now I’m playing catch-up since there were so many women recently crowned, but as the season progresses I plan to write something as each new titleholder is crowned. I have yet to think of a catchy title for these features. Any ideas?

Also, I’ll be posting a “Pageant Poll of the Week!” I’m so excited about this, I’ve already created several polls, but I think it will be best to evenly spread them out. This idea came to me after I was once again asked by a new contestant which pageants to enter. I gladly gave my opinion, but it’s just that- my opinion. I never competed in half the locals Ohio currently has, so I decided to find a way to get a wider consensus. In the middle of creating my fifth or sixth poll, I realized my subconscious probably influenced the idea since I recently watched and blogged about the new poll-based game show The Power of 10. Oh well, even if the idea isn’t very original, I hope it will be fun and informative.
Here are the polls I’ve already created:

Which Miss Ohio local pageant gives the best scholarship money?
Which Miss Ohio local program shows the most support at Miss Ohio?
Which Miss Ohio local program prepares their contestant best for Miss Ohio?
Which Miss Ohio local pageant has the best non-scholarship prize package?
Which Miss Ohio local pageant offers the best accommodations (food and dressing room) for their local contestants?
For contestants and former contestants only: What is the NUMBER ONE thing you consider(ed) when selecting which pageant(s) to enter?
For contestants and former contestants only: What is the LAST/least important thing you consider(ed) when selecting which pageant(s) to enter?
For contestants only: How are you raising your donations for CMN?
For contestants only: How has the CMN donation effected how much you compete this year?
For contestants only: How do you really feel about the CMN donations?
For contestants only: How do you really feel about the CMN partnership?
For non-contestants: How do you feel about the required CMN donations?
For non-contestants: How do you feel about the CMN partnership?
What was your favorite production number at Miss Ohio this year?
Where should Miss America be held?
What is Miss America?
What cable network would you most like to see Miss America broadcast on?
Titleholder's outfits rarely satisfy the masses, so IF a store would sponsor Miss America or Miss Ohio's appearance wardrobe, which store would you pick?
Based on your experience, where do you find the best competition swimsuits?
What style swimsuit shoe do you think looks best?
What is the best tanning method you have found?
For contestants and formers only: What is your NUMBER ONE diet/fitness regimen a few days before a pageant?
For contestants and formers only: What is the NUMBER ONE food do you look forward to and treat yourself to after a pageant?
As a pageant enthusiast, how much do you rely on the web to get pageant information?
What is your preferred scoring breakdown for the Miss America system?
What is your preferred breakdown of Miss America Finalists?
How do you feel about contestants MySpace and Facebook accounts?
Which phase of competition is your favorite to watch?
For contestants and former contestants only: which phase of competition is/was your favorite to compete in?
Should Miss New Jersey, Amy Polumbo’s crown been taken away for her Facebook pictures?
Should Donald Trump have “fired” Miss USA 2006, Tara Conner, for her admitted alcoholism and partying?
What's your favorite pageant-related movie?
WHO ARE YOU?

Leave a comment if you have an idea for other poll topics.

Check Out the MAO Teen's in Tony Bowls Gowns

CLICK HERE

Miss America's Outstanding Teen: Preliminary Night Three

Tonight in Orlando the preliminary competition concluded; a new Teen will be crowned Saturday night. Miss Illinois Outstanding Teen was the only double prelim winner, securing both Evening Gown and Talent awards. Impressively, the Talent awards were spread across varying types of presentations; a ballerina won the first night, followed by baton twirling and tonight’s winner sang the country hit “Broken Wing.” Similar diversity was seen in the winner Fitness outfits with tennis, boxing and basketball being represented. I only wish a variety would have been rewarded in Evening Gown, but instead all the winning gowns looked like cotton candy.

Of course, my well-wishes go out to Ashley Miller, Miss Ohio’s Outstanding Teen! Hopefully she will rise to the top on Saturday night. If anyone knows what she sang, what sport she represented in Fitness wear or what her gown looked like, do email me or leave a comment!

Miss America's Outstanding Teen: Preliminary Night Two

Official Press Release

A New Place to Find Pageant Interview Questions

I don’t normally get very excited about game shows, but I have anxiously awaited the new show Power of 10 hosted by Drew Carey. I’m pretty disappointed; it’s not as engaging as I thought it would be and I don’t like the audience prompting, graphics or logistics, but it does pose some great pageant interview question! Just omit the “What percentage of Americans think…” and you get some intriguing queries.

Here are some questions from tonights episode:

Should the police be able to search your home or car if they suspect you have illegal drugs?
Should a ten year old have a cell phone?
Do you believe you are living the American dream?
Do you think fat jokes in movies are funny?
Would you clone yourself if you could?
Do you think it’s appropriate for mothers to breast feed in public?
Would you be happier if your child grew up to be a lawyer or a doctor?
What would you rather watch on TV, a presidential debate or a hotdog eating contest?
Do you think cats are smarter than dogs?
Is it acceptable to break up with someone via email?

Miss America’s Outstanding Teen: Preliminary Night One

Last night Miss America's Outstanding Teen competition began in Orlando. Ohio is being represented by Ashley Miller, a vocalist and Teenage Abstinence advocate. She competed at the state level as Miss Portsmouth’s Outstanding Teen; CLICK HERE for her official headshot and bio and HERE to view her crowning moment. Last night Ashley competed in Evening Gown; tonight she’ll answer an Onstage Question and model Sportswear and on Friday she will perform her Talent. Best of luck to her!


Last night teens from Louisiana, Wisconsin and Pennsylvania won the first preliminary awards. CLICK HERE for the official Press Release, although the photo below is more informative.

I have to admit, I’m already disappointed! I learned the results last night on the national message board, but a press release with the winners wasn’t on the official website until around 8:30 this morning. The pathetically humorous part is that when I looked at 7 a.m. there was a release announcing the beginning of preliminaries- a release that was not there last night when the message boards were already reporting the winners! I just can’t understand why the official website wouldn’t try to be the leader in information distribution! The internet is all pageant fans really have, yet fans and amateurs like me do a better job than “the officials.”

While I’m ranting… I have to say, I am so sick of the white, teen, poof-ball dresses! Yes, Miss Pennsylvania's Outstanding Teen, Elena LaQuatra, looked beautiful last night, but this dress is so overdone. Check it out below on Katie Blair, Miss Teen USA [left] and Nina Davuluri [right] of Michigan, who wore a similar style last year when she was named First Runner-up at Miss America’s Outstanding Teen.

Sorry... I guess I'm in a bad mood since my annoying animals woke me up at 5 a.m.!

Could Jill be the Next Face of FOX Toledo?

Recently FOX Toledo held three open auditions to find a new Face of FOX Toledo… Can you believe it’s been a year already?! Last year the first Face, Leah, was a judge in every phase of the competition, so I am devastated that I haven’t been able to be a part of it thus far due to my car accident. Like everyone else, I have only seen the short audition clips featured online.

Upon checking out the video of the last open audition, I noticed a familiar face. Remember Jill Burkholder, Miss Northwestern Ohio 2003? Check her out HERE (in the top left video). While Jill is the only pageant woman that I noticed in the videos, I wouldn't be surprised if others auditioned.

Finalist will be notified by tomorrow and posted on the web probably by Friday or Monday. Hopefully I will be able to be a part of the second and third rounds of competition. If Jill, or anyone else I know makes it, I would of course judge impartially. The new Face will be announced around Labor Day and I’ll do everything with them for their first four to six weeks, just like Leah did with me.

Pageant Pictures!

Miss North Coast

[Above left to right: Laura Pennington, 2nd RU Katie Bowen, Miss North Coast Kristen Haas, Non-Finalist Talent winner Krystle Formosa, 1st RU Jenna Wilson and Jackie Adams.
Below: Kristen being crowned by Andrea.]

Left: Swimsuit winner Jenna Wilson at Miss Ohio '06 and Non-Finalist Talent winner Krystle Formosa at Miss North Coast.

Right: Miss North Coast Kristen Haas in Talent and On-stage Question.

Special thanks to Laura Pennington; these photos came from her Facebook. Check out the following blogs for more info and pictures:

Amy Allen
Allie Krucek
Laura Pennington

Miss West Central Ohio

After Miss West Central Ohio last weekend it was difficult to find photos from the pageant, but here are a few sent to me thanks to the contestants.

Above: Miss West Central Ohio Shannon O'Neill being crowned by Jessica Barrett. On the left: 1st RU Victoria Miller.

Congratulations to the New Miss North Coast, Kristen Haas!

Tonight in Brunswick Kristen Haas won her third Miss Ohio local title, Miss North Coast! Kristen is a dancer who advocates womens heart heath. [Photo on left taken last year after I crowned Kristen Miss Maumee Valley.]

1st Runner-up: Jenna Wilson

2nd Runner-up: Katie Bowen

Swimsuit: Jenna Wilson

Non-finalist Talent: Krystle Formosa

Please leave me a comment with other results... like Talent, Interview or a complete contestant list.

Best of Luck to the Miss North Coast Program!

Tonight at the Brunswick High School Performing Arts Center the lovely Andrea Andryscik will crown a new Miss North Coast. At Miss Ohio (for her first time) she placed in the Top 10 and has already secured a new title, Miss Greater Cleveland.

According to the CMN pages, the following women will compete:

Jacquelyn Adams recently graduated high school and will be attending the University of Dayton to pursue Physical Theatre. She is an accomplished twirler; she began competing last year in Miss Ohio locals and was named Third Runner-up to Miss Ohio Teen International this spring. I am unsure what her platform is.





Katie Bowen is a student at Ohio Northern University. I think her talent will be playing the flute, but don’t hold me to that! I am also unsure of her platform, but she is involved with Habitat for Humanity and has coached Special Olympics volleyball. This is her first MAO pageant, but she was the Brunswick Old Fashion Days Queen and Jr. Miss Ohio finalist.




Kristen Haas is the reigning Miss Maumee Valley and former Miss Chillicothe. She is a Dance Performance and Exercise Specialist major at Bowling Green State University. Go Falcons! In the past she has performed energetic lyrical dances, but she instead wowed the crowed with ballet en point this year at Miss Ohio. Her platform is Preventing Heart Disease in Women.



Krystle Formosa is a vocalist who attends Kent State University and has competed in several pageants, yet I don't know her platform or college major.

Laura Pennington recently returned stateside after studying abroad at the University of Reading in England. She is an Economics and Political Science major at Randolph College. Laura is a tap dancer and reigning Miss Ohio American Coed. Her platform is Breaking the Silence: Domestic Violence Awareness and Prevention. I’ve been reading Laura’s Blog for a while, but had forgotten to link it here.



Jenna Wilson was my last roommate at Miss Ohio (and such a sweetheart), as she held the title Miss Southeastern Ohio 2006. She studies Communications and Vocal Performance at Ohio University. She is a vocalist with her own CD to raise proceeds for her platform, The March of Dimes.




[Contestant photos from their CMN pages.]

Miss Ohio Prelims by Date

Miss Ohio has a new website that is aesthetically more pleasing, but it no longer lists the local prelims by date, which was a very helpful feature. (To be clear, the site does list them alphabetically.) Someone mentioned this on the message board, so since I'm stuck at home, disabled and without a car, I thought I'd go through them and compile a list of the remaining pageants by dates (and it actually didn't take long):

Aug. 4- North Coast
Aug. 18- Lake Erie and Northern Ohio (and Lake Erie Teen)

Sept. 1- Miss Miami Valley (and Miami Valley Teen)

Oct. 7- North East Ohio (formerly Miss Stark County)
Oct.13- Clayland
Oct. 27- Portsmouth and Scioto Valley (and Portsmouth Teen)

Nov. 4- Miss Maumee Valley and Miss All-American City
(This date is not yet on the web, but I think this is what Wageners told me. I believe they’re also giving a Teen title.)
Nov. 10- Northwestern Ohio

Feb. 2- Maple City

March 29- Hamilton (closed)

No dates are listed yet for the following:

Central Ohio
Greater Dayton
Mansfield
Buckeye State/ Heart of Ohio (closed)

Other pageants:

Aug. 4- Marion Popcorn Festival
Aug. 7 - 11- Miss America's Outstanding Teen
Aug. 12- Henry County Tomatoe Pageant
Aug. 16- 19- Beauties of America
Aug. 17- 19- Miss Ohio America Coed Pageant
Aug. 31- Sept. 1- National Sweetheart Pageant
Nov. 17 - 25- National American Miss
Nov. 29- Dec. 1- Miss Ohio USA

From Painful to Bazaar...

Okay, all I’m stating are the facts...
This is the giant bruise on the side of my left knee.
What do you see?

[Note, I’ve already been told that depending on the brightness and angle of your computer screen, it may be hard to see.]

Loren said the underside of my dash (which covers the steering column) is actually broken from the impact of my legs; it’s amazing that I didn’t break them and shatter my knees!

Miss America Update

Miss America, Lauren Nelson, has been quite busy lately.

Earlier this week she was interviewed on CNN and ABC News Now, talking about Internet Safety. She is the national spokesperson for Symantec, a leader in internet security.
CLICK HERE for a video.

This past weekend she sang the National Anthem at ArenaBowl XXII.

Last week Lauren spoke on behalf of Internet Safety at the National Governors Associaltions meeting in Traverse City, Michigan, in Washington D.C. on Capital Hill, and in Philadelphia at the American Legislative Exchange Council's National Forum.

Miss America has also joined forces with the Southwest Dairy Farmers. “As an advocate for children, Miss America 2007 Lauren Nelson puts a new spin on her work this year by teaming up and hitting the road with the Southwest Dairy Farmers to help promote healthy nutrition.”

Earlier this month Lauren was on the Home Shopping Network and The Weather Channel; watch for her on The Golf Channel the second week in August.


In June Lauren held a National Teen Summit on Internet Safety and she appeared on FOX and Friends. She also performed the National Anthem at the United States Grand Prix in Indianapolis. Amidst attending state pageants, she was also a guest at the Army Ball in Los Angeles.

For more on these events, and others, click on the “news” tab at www.missamerica.com.
She also keeps a blog; CLICK HERE to check it out.

Pageant Photos from this Weekend!

Scroll below for photos from all three pageants and click to enlarge most of them.

For starters, here are the headshots each of the women put on their CMN donations webpages.






















I totally forgot I could get good pictures there… I’m telling you, these meds are making me really “fuzzy.” Let me be the first to say, Zephylia and Shannon look a lot alike, in these pictures at least.

Miss Greater Cleveland and Miss Open City













Above left, Miss Open City Zephylia Khooblall; right, Miss Greater Cleveland, Andrea Andryscik.

The top two photos are from the Miss Greater Cleveland website, which was updated impressively quick, and the others are from Amy Allen and Megan Wombacker's[right] Facebook accounts. Also check out Elyse's blog for more.

Miss Ohio Valley

The photos above are by Paul Krajnyak; visit Miss Ohio News for more.

These three photos are from Brandi's Facebook. Above left, the new Miss Ohio Valley Brandi Herceg with former, Carissa Cook; above right, Brandi with outgoing Miss Allison West. On the left, Brandi with pageant director Lisa Poole.

Miss West Central Ohio

All I can find from Miss West Central Ohio are these cool pre-pageant dressing room shots from the Lima News. Please email me if you have crowning or competition pictures!