Miss Ohio 2010 Photos: Teen Rehearsal

CLICK HERE for pictures from rehearsal for tonight's Outstanding Teen pageant!

Miss Ohio 2010 Photos: Parade

There are photos from the Miss Ohio parade all over the interwebs! Here are some of my favorite parade looks:

[Above: Miss Ohio, Erica Gelhaus.

Below: Whitney Fricke, Ellen Bryan, Devon Stansbury, Nanciann Strosnider, Becky Minger, Rebekah Zoz, Katie Camp, Shannon O'Neill, Cecili Weber, Sophie Carter, Sarah Eash and Emily Werling.]

Sources:

Timothy R. Russell on Flickr

Mansfield News Journal

On Facebook: Bryce Bishop, Veronica Wende, Sarah Eash, Lorrie Worholic and Timothy R. Russell

Congrats to the New Mrs. Ohio America, Kimberly Yeager Miller

Kim Yeager is a memorably former Miss Ohio contestant, thanks to her unique talent, ventriloquism. This past weekend she was crowned Mrs. Ohio America; she will compete from Mrs. America in Tuscon this fall.

Mrs. Ohio America website

Kim's ventriloquism website

Miss America 2011 Contestants

I just found this fantastic rundown of state winners from this weekend!



ALABAMA
Winner - Ashley Davis - Prelim SS (NF 09)
1RU - Shellie Street - Prelim SS & Talent (T10 09, 3RU 08, NF 07)
2RU - Jaye Herrod (NF 09, NF 08, NF 07)
3RU - Taylor Yates - Prelim SS (NF 09)
4RU - Meredith Ervin - Prelim SS & Talent (T10 09, NF 08, NF 07)

DELAWARE
Winner - Kayla Martell - Prelim SS & Gown (T10 09, T10 08, T10 07, 4RU 06)
1RU - Steffi Holmes (T10 08)
2RU - Carly Economos (1RU 09, 2RU 08, DE OT 05)
3RU - Nicole Bosso - Prelim SS & Gown (DE USA 07)
4RU - Chelsea Betts - Prelim Talent (T10 09, DE OT 07)

HAWAII
Winner - Jalee Fuselier - Prelim SS (1RU 09, HI OT 05)
1RU - Caroline Chapman - T10 09, 1RU 08, NF 07
2RU - Lauren Cheape (2RU 09, T10 08)
3RU - Pono Fernandez - Prelim SS
4RU - Tioni Tam Sing - Prelim Talent (3RU 09)

IDAHO
Winner - Kylie Kofoed - Prelim Talent (2RU 09)
1RU - Genevieve Nutting (4RU 09, 2RU 08, ID OT 06)
2RU - Amanda Richey - Prelim SS (1RU 09, T10 06)
3RU - Rebecca Boyle (NF 09)
4RU - Megan Rowe (T11 09, 4RU 08, NF 07)

IOWA
Winner - Pauli Mayfield - Prelim Gown (2RU 09)
1RU - Elizabeth Davidson (3RU 09)
2RU - Jennifer Neal - Prelim SS & Gown (1RU 09, 2RU 08, 4RU 07)
3RU - Emily Slavens - Prelim Gown (NF 09, 4RU 08)
4RU - Gretchen Brueshoff (NF NJ 09) KANSAS
Winner - Lauren Werhan - Prelim Talent (4RU 09, 4RU 08)
1RU - Belinda Post - Prelim Gown (T10 09, NF 07, NF 06)
2RU - Cassi Reimer (NF 09, T10 08)
3RU - Alex Miller - Prelim SS & Gown (1RU 09, 2RU 08, 2RU 07)
4RU - Hillary Boyle - Prelim Talent

MISSOURI
Winner - Erika Hebron - Prelim Talent (T10 09, T10 OK 08, 4RU 07)
1RU - Erin Bagby - Prelim SS)
2RU - Kari Gai - Prelim SS & Talent (1RU 09, 1RU 08, NF 07, NF 06)
3RU - Sydney Friar - Prelim Talent (T10 09, NF 08, NF 07)
4RU - Mary Bauer (4RU 09, MO OT 07)

NORTH DAKOTA
Winner - Beth Dennison
1RU - Stephanie Tollefson (ND USA 08, NF 07, NF 06, NF 05)
2RU - Rosie Sauvageau
3RU - Stephanie Erickson
4RU - Jaci Stofferahn (1RU 09)

OKLAHOMA
Winner - Emoly West - Prelim SS & Talent (2RU 09, 4RU 08, NF 06, NF 05)
1RU - Betty Thompson (T10 09)
2RU - Alicia Clifton - Prelim Rookie & Overall Talent (OK OT 08)
3RU - Tiffany Tolbert - Prelim Talent (1RU 08, 1RU 07, T10 06)
4RU - Alex Eppler



*Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone*

Miss Ohio 2010 Photos: Fashion Show

Earlier today the Miss Ohio contestants signed the Ohio board, modeled some fun outfits and gave out autographs at the Richland mall. You can view two pictures of each contestant at Timothy R. Russell's Flickr account. CLICK HERE. Thanks Tim!

Here are some group shots:

[Above: Marisa Buchheit and Heidi Negron.
Below: Ellen Bryan and Tera Coleman.]

[Above: Katie Bowen and Meggie Wittman.
Below: Nanciann Strosnider and Shannon O'Neill.]

It looks like a few of the contestants were wearing themed outfits; can anyone explain why?

[Above: Becky Minger and Stephanie Beltz are working it out! Below: Were Elizabeth Wong and Meggie Wittman told to be Bohemian chic?]

[Below: Construction worker Barbie dolls, Cayla Hellwarth and Heather Waterman.]

Miss Ohio 2010 Photos: Festival & Intros

The Miss Ohio Festival is in full swing in downtown Mansfield! Timothy R. Russell was in attendance tonight; he is graciously sharing his photos on flickr and facebook!

[Above: Miss Ohio 2009, Erica Gelhaus.

Below left to right: Marisa Buchheit, Katie Bowen, Courtney Monk, Devon Stansbury,
Shannon O'Neill and Erica.]

[Above left to right: Cayla Hellwarth, Marisa Buchheit, Katie Bowen, Jacquelyn Nichols.
Below left to right: Katie Camp, Heather Wells, Heidi Negron, Ellen Bryan and Tera Coleman.]

Go to the link above for individual introduction shots.

Random Pageant Tip #6

Surviving Pageant Week

The Miss Ohio contestants are arriving in Mansfield tomorrow, so here are some last minute reminders about keeping your head up!

* Stay off the interwebs! No really, STAY OFF THE NET! I'm mainly talking about the anonymous message board, but also this blog. You are the action, so there's no need to go online to see what's going on. It's you! The few scraps of free time you have should be spent resting or looking at current event. Ask yourself, should Miss State need to see what anonymous fans or bloggers are saying about them while they're at Miss America? No! So neither should you at Miss Ohio. You should try to surround yourself with positivity! At the end of the day, call someone uplifting instead of running to the web.

* Don’t let anything intimidate you! Women who have been to Miss Ohio before will know each other and the volunteers. I remember feeling so lost and out-of-the-loop my first two years. Try to remember, none of that matters; the judges don't see what's happening behind the scenes, they just see your level of confidence! So the first few days, just introduce yourself, smile and that awkward, lonely feeling will be gone in no time.

* Just have fun on stage! As a non-dancer I loathed the production numbers. Trust me, I know how easy it is to dwell on, stress out and bitch about the dances, but it's not worth it! Try your hardest during practice, then forget about it. The judges don't care whether you get every step right, they just want to see personality and presence! Former Miss Ohio, Janelle Couts, said the judges told her they liked that she always looked like she was having fun on stage. She was a singer.

* The judges only know what you have shown them! Do not let your confidence dwindle because of things happening behind the scenes and don't worry about a difficult phase of competition yet to come.

* Manage your meltdown! My first year I had a mini meltdown before the parade. My amazing chaperon, Ginny, smiled and said, "I'm glad this happened today, now the rest of the week is free and clear!" She was right; EVERYONE will have their moment, meltdown, illness, issue, wardrobe malfunction, family feud, whatever... Just take a deep breathe and have a battle plan to get through it with class.

* You ARE hot! Pageant week is here, so it's time to love your body as it is. Just get naked! It’s the STATE pageant, there’s no time (or room) for modesty backstage. On Swimsuit day and Saturday, make sure you're not wearing anything that leaves odd marks on your skin. (IE: the lines tight jeans or hosiery make.) Do not try any new products during Miss Ohio week! Only use self tanners and face products that you already know work for you and your super hot body.

* Think "I love this moment" right before you walk on stage each time!

* Don’t take the yelling personally. The staff at Miss Ohio have a lot to take care of and there will be moments of stress. Do not allow that tension to affect you. When you are reprimanded as a group for something like being late, messy or caty, don’t take it personally. Just make sure you are doing what you’re supposed to, follow the rules and don’t become intimidated or lose confidence when Sharon or the chaperons gets tough. That's the last thing they want.

* Remember the Golden Rule! Be positive, say thank you and treat everyone around you with respect. Most people working on pageant week, especially the chaperons and hostesses are volunteers, not your employees. Attitudes will be pushed to the limit but always try to take the high road; be the example. Act how you think Miss America should act.

* Tape photos of friends and family to the wall around your area in the dressing room.

* Honestly just be yourself! It’s so cliché, but true… and I don’t only mean in front of the judges, but also with the other contestants and volunteers. Don’t be polite to a fake degree to the chaperones, or overly enthusiastic at events; don’t participate in conversations or attitudes you don’t enjoy or naturally embody just to hang out with other contestants. Just be yourself and you’ll find other people that compliment you.

* No matter what happens, enjoy the journey! Whether you take the Miss Ohio crown home or not, you will take home a valuable new experience. You will have met new people, learned about yourself and you will grow from how you deal with the outcome, whatever it may be...

Random Pageant Tip #5

Treat Your Feet!

Miss Ohio week is tiring and you're going to feel it in your feet and legs first! Even if you wear heels a lot, it's different; so be sure you have comfy insoles and peppermint foot lotion for the end of the day.

I usually think titleholders should look a certain way all the time but when it comes to saving your feet, even I make an exception for some silly style during rehearsal: fuzzy, comfy socks under your heels! Sometimes you're stuck in your competition heels way too long during rehearsal! It's amazing how much comfort a pair of sucks under your heels can add, especially with acrylic stilettos. They can add cushion and help prevent blisters, just make sure they don't stretch the heels, specifically if they're sling backs or leather straps. If you feel stupid, just tell yourself you're a fashionable harajuku girl! :)

Here are a few other heel tips I know; add your own as a comment.

- It can be difficult and uncomfortable to shove your foot into acrylic heels but running a hot blow dryer over them for a few seconds softens the plastic and makes it much easier.

- To add traction to competition shoes so you don't slip on-stage, just scuff them up outside on the sidewalk.

- Use double-sided tape to keep sling-backs from slipping off and even to keep the shoe stuck to the bottom of your heel so it doesn't click while you walk.

New Look! What do you think?

After fussing with new backgrounds last night, I realized they don't show up when I view blogs that use them from my smart phone. The cute header does, but not the background... not so smart after all! This leads me to wonder, what do you use to view this blog?

Where do you most often view this blog?online survey

Same old blog, fun new background!

** Under Construction **

Thanks to some fellow bloggers, I finally got the courage to try a new template. I was afraid it would be difficult or that content would disappear, but the only hard part has been picking a design! Expect it to change over the next few days until I decide what I really like.

Miss Ohio 2010 Flight Facts (aka Abby's Insomnia!)

Flight Factoids!

4 of the 6 dancers ended up in the 3rd flight! Why is it that dancers at Miss Ohio always seem to do that? As for the other two dancers, one is contestant #1 and the other leads off the 2nd flight! Also, both instrumentalists are in Flight 2.

Fancy Your Flight?

Ashley Warholic is in the exact same position as last year, third from last in the 3rd flight! Likewise, Katie Bowen is again second to last in the 2nd flight.
Shannon O'Neill is also in the 2nd flight for a third year in a row, moving one position down from last year.
Becky Minger likes being first! She's first in the 3rd flight this year, was first in the 1st flight last year and was first in the 2nd flight in both '07 and '06. (She was in the middle of the second flight in '08.)
Kristy Moneysmith spent her first two years in the 3rd flight but is in the 1st flight this year; she's maintained last years second-to-last position.
Nanciann Strosnider has been in the 1st flight for two years in a row now, having been in the 3rd flight her first four years.
Courtney Monk is again in flight 2.
Heather Wells moved to the 3rd flight, after being sixth in the 1st flight for two years in a row.

Heather Waterman: three years, three flights.

And what were the position of our recent Miss Ohios?

Erica Gelhaus - Second to last in the 1st flight

Karissa Martin - Last in the 1st flight

Roberta Camp - Last in the 1st flight

Melanie Murphy - Second in the 2nd flight

Marlia Fontaine - Third from last in the 3rd flight

If you subscribe to Miss Ohio's Applause newsletter, check your inbox for the latest volume.

Also, follow Miss Ohio on Twitter: www.twitter.com/missohioprogram

Random Pageant Tip #4

Back by popular demand! Here's a packing list I posted last year; please comment if I've forgotten anything or if you know any specifics for this year. Random things I found most important are bold.

The State Pageant Packing List

The Obvious Competition Attire

Competition Evening Gown
Walk on gown(s)
YOUR CROWN
Talent Outfit/Costume
Swimsuit
Onstage Question Outfit (if different than interview)
Opening number outfit
Other production number outfit(s)
Interview outfit
Jewelry for each
Accessories (including hair stuff) for each
Shoes for each
Under garments for each, including... padding!

Other Miss Ohio Week Attire

Sign in/Miss Ohio Festival Outfit (shoes/jewelry)
Parade Outfit (shoes/jewelry/hat)
Shoe me your shoe?/Pursonality?/other crazy required craft project?
Outfit for Teen pageant (shoes/jewelry)
Dress to wear to Coronation Ball (could be outfit listed above)
Extra suit/outfit for luncheon(s)?
Pants/shorts/skirts of the designated color for rehearsal
Casual shoes for rehearsal
Accessories (belts/ jewelry/etc) to jazz up the rehearsal shirts
Socks, undies, appropriate under garments
Sweatshirt/hoodie/jacket/scarf as to not freeze to death in the always cold theatre

Tricks of the Trade

Safety Pins
Sewing Kit
Panty Hose
Breath Mints
Duct Tape/Packing Tape/"Hollywood Tape"/Double-sided Tape
Scissors
Power Strip/Extension cord
Corn starch/baby powder (you'd be surprised how sweaty your back gets under the hot lights, especially on talent night.)
Firm Grip/butt glue
Extra Mirrors
Aspirin/Ibuprofen/etc...
Spray on Tan/Bronzer/Extra Towel
Lotion
Thank you notes/pens/stamps
Robe & Slippers (a must have backstage during long breaks during the show.)
Sheet (to put on the floor at your station to catch dropped items and keep your feet and gowns clean)
Baby Wipes
Stain Remover
Hand Sanitizer
Pillow/Small Blanket for theatre
Copies of your paperwork
Cut of your talent music
Favorite mug/tea bag/throat spray (for singers)
Favorite [inset whatever dancers need here]
Headshots/something to contain them/Sharpie
iPod/MP3 player/headphones

Toiletries

Hair care: Straightener/Curling Iron/Hot Rollers/Blow dryer/Hair Spray/Comb/Brush/hair pins/accessories
MAKE-UP
Deodorant
Tweezers
Razor/Wax/Depilatory Cream
Skin Care: Face Wash/Toner/Moisturizer/Cremes/Mask/etc...
Sunscreen (especially for the parade!)
Make up Removers
Exfoliant/Body Scrubs
Shampoo/Conditioner/Body Wash/Loofah/etc... for host home
Travel size toiletries to leave at theatre
Dental floss/Toothbrush/Tooth Paste
Perfume/Body Spray
Body Lotion/Foot Creme/etc...
Feminine Products/Midol
Lashes/Lash glue
Q-Tips/Cotton Balls
Nail Glue/Fake Nails/Nail Polish/Nail Polish Remover
Medications/Contacts/Glasses/etc...

Random Stuff

Sunglasses
Camera/Batteries
Emergency Cash
Workout videos for host home/hand weights/etc...
Tote bag to carry back and forth to the theatre
Cell phone charger/iPod charger/etc...
Shoe inserts/Gel insoles
Pictures of friends and family/journal/bible/etc...
Favorite stuffed animal or pillow for host home
A small gift for your roommate, host and chaperon!

Miss Ohio usually provides

A steamer (the chaperons are AMAZING with steaming the gowns! Love them!)
Food (There's usually a nice assortment of fruit and snacks at the theatre, but bring your own if you're picky.)
Water bottles (In the past refillable bottles have been provided)

Random Pageant Tip #3

Totes and Tote-ables!

Everyone probably already knows the basics of pageant packing, like writing your name on everything, taking your own mirror and putting those valuable gowns in durable, zip-up garment bags, but state pageants take special consideration!

The tip is to have a tote bag to take some items back and forth everyday and also think about what other items you should pack double.

At Miss Ohio you sort of have two home-bases: your host home and your spot in the theatre dressing room. There are some items you might always need at both places, so you may as well have double instead of lugging it back and forth or risking forgetting it. IE: I always kept a travel sized toothbrush and tooth paste in my "pageant tool box." Of course, the judges can't possibly smell your breath or see how clean your teeth are, but it just made me feel better. Another example is lotion; it would be a catastrophe to forget that at your host home on swimsuit night, so a separate bottle never left my pageant stuff.

Everyone is different, so think about what YOU are going to need most, where you're going to need it, and whether it can be travel size vs. full size.

Then there are the things you simply have to take back and forth from the theatre every day, like your make up or your iPod. Don't count on your purse doing this job. Every day will be different and you never know what else you'll have on board, like reading material or an extra pair of shoes and a sweater... Choose a designated tote bag.

When I competed at Miss Ohio USA they actually gave us tote bags and all we could take to the theatre was one garmet bag and whatever fit in that tote. I don't think Miss Ohio has any such rules about what you carry around; however, in recent years I have heard there are rules about what sort of container you can leave at the theatre. I don't think plastic drawers were allowed last year. Some contestants will have more room than others and you won't know your space situation until you get to Mansfield and move into the theatre. Try to deal with the container rules and the unknown as best as your can and pack for the theatre in the most organized way possible!

Some contestants like to put everything for each phase of competition together in a bag or box (shoes, jewelry, undergarments). I've seen contestants have pictures of their entire outfit so the chaperon can easily look at it to see what goes together. I used clear fishing tackle boxes for my jewelry, then wrote on the lid with what outfit that piece was to be worn. The more organized you are and the better you communicate with your chaperon, the easier your quick changes will go during the competition!

On last random packing tip, I found that address labels are really great way to mark some items! Just make sure it can't be easily peeled off if it's something valuable!

Leave a comment if you know the container rules for Mansfield this year or to share your best pageant packing tip!

Pageant Poll: The Truth About Miss America and ABC

Early articles about Miss America's new three year deal with ABC did not include any financial details but sources have now revealed that the network isn't paying; the pageant is!

ABC is welcoming Miss America back, but on its own terms.

The network will not be paying a licensing fee to air the pageant when it airs next Jan. 15 as part of a new three-year deal, as some have reported. Instead, the network will be paid in a time-buy arrangement by the pageant, an individual inside ABC told TheWrap.

No terms of the deal were announced beyond the number of years.

The pageant will air on a Saturday night -- television's lowest viewing night of the week, when ABC, like the other broadcast networks, has been airing repeats -- rather than preempting first-run programming on another night.

Still, it's a win for pageant officials, who saw cable network TLC choose not to renew the pageant after it aired in the final year of its agreement in January.

...ABC entertainment president Steve McPherson said a few months back, "Beauty pageants never evolved. They never reinvented themselves. They just got stale. We're out of that business."

But when Miss America officials came calling after being dropped by TLC, the network had a change of heart, primarily because it is a no-lose situation.

...The Miss America Organization will maintain and oversee the creative direction of the pageant, Art McMaster, president and CEO, said in announcing the deal. It will be produced by Tall Pony Productions, with Anthony Eaton and Lauren Harris as executive producers.

Click here for the entire column by John Consoli.

What does it all mean? Miss America will be on ABC in the same way an infomercial is on TV. They've paid for the block of time. Normally a network pays a licensing agreement and then has control of the production and gets the all the revenue from advertisers. Instead, Miss America has paid to be on ABC; as stated above, the pageant gets "creative control" and it's my understanding they'll select, sell and get all the money from commercials. I read rumors that MAO Chairman, Sam Haskell paid the fee himself, but that is unsubstantiated.

This news has gotten mixed reviews from pageant fans. What do you think? Vote and leave comments below.

What do you think of Miss America's time buy-out with ABC?online surveys

Breaking Pageant News: Miss America Returns to ABC!

Miss America Caressa Cameron and MAO Chairman Sam Haskell will be on Fox & Friends at 8 a.m. this morning for a "special announcement," but I think the cat's already out of the bag...

Miss America will return to network television, thanks to a three year contract with ABC! The 2011 pageant will air next January 15th. Here are a couple breaking news articles:

Miss America back on network TV in 3-year ABC deal

By Oskar Garcia

Associated Press

LAS VEGAS — Miss America is getting back to network television in time for her 90th birthday.

The beauty pageant has signed a three-year deal with ABC, with plans to air next year's competition live on Jan. 15, pageant officials said.

"It's a wonderful deal," Sam Haskell, chairman of the Miss America Organization, told The Associated Press. "It's much better than any deal that we've had in the last five years."

Haskell declined to discuss specifics of the agreement.

Miss America has not aired on network television since 2004, when ABC dropped the pageant after record-low ratings. Since then, it has aired on cable, twice on CMT and three times on TLC.

This year's pageant — won by Miss Virginia Caressa Cameron — topped cable television excluding movies with 4.5 million viewers the night it aired. That was about 1 million more viewers for the pageant than in 2009.

But Miss America found itself without a TV deal in March after cable network TLC declined to pick up a three-year option, opting instead to seek a two-year deal for less money.

Haskell said the latest ABC deal brings the pageant full circle from 2004.

"We were given a chance to re-brand, to keep what was traditional but make ourselves more today, and I think we've done that," he said. "We're now back with a lot of strength and back to show everyone that Miss America is the American tradition. It's a pop icon."

No final deal has been made yet on the location of the pageant, said Haskell and Art McMaster, chief executive of the Miss America Organization. The national competition was held this year at the Planet Hollywood Resort & Casino on the Las Vegas Strip.

McMaster said plans for next year's pageant include an attempt to bring together as many former Miss America winners together as possible in celebration of the pageant's history. About 60 are still alive.

The pageant was founded in Atlantic City, N.J., in 1921 as a bathing beauty revue.

Haskell said Miss America 2011 would also reflect renewed efforts to distance the competition from Miss USA, the rival, headline-grabbing pageant owned in a joint venture by Donald Trump and NBC.

"No little girl walks around saying, 'I want to be Miss USA when I grow up.' She says, 'I want to be Miss America,'" Haskell said.

***

ABC gets back with Miss America

Three-year deal for beauty pageant

By Michael Schneider

Variety

ABC has rescued the Miss America Pageant.

Under a three-year deal, the event returns to the Alphabet net in January. Pact reps a return to broadcast TV for the pageant, which moved to cable after ABC dropped it in 2005 due to low ratings.

...ABC's decision to bring back the pageant comes as the networks continue to experience ratings growth for big events -- including the Super Bowl, Oscars, Grammys and Emmys. Some of that success has been attributed to the growth of social networking.

...As part of the setup, Tall Pony Prods. ("Radio Music Awards," "Fashion Rocks") is on board to handle the live telecast. Anthony Eaton and Lauren Harris are exec producers.

NBC carried Miss America for 30 years, but dumped the pageant in 1997 as it struck a partnership instead with Donald Trump and rival Miss USA.

ABC then took over the event in 1997, only to see ratings for the pageant drop nearly 50% over the course of nine years -- finally opting not to renew after Miss America 2005 was crowned in late 2004. Miss America found itself on hard times after that, moving to niche-oriented cablers. First stop was country music outlet CMT, where it hit rock bottom in 2007 -- averaging just 2.4 million viewers. TLC ran the pageant over the past three years, bringing the aud up to 4.5 million this past year.

..."For the organization to thrive, we need young girls to continue to grow up to want to be Miss America," said Haskell, whose wife, Mary Donnelly Haskell, was once Miss Mississippi. Haskell works pro bono for the Miss America org.

..."Our girls require community service and must have a talent," he said. "There's also a requirement to be in college. And we make sure that every single one of our women leave with scholarship money."

Click the headline to read the entire Variety article.

Random Pageant Tip #2

Gifting!

With only a month until Miss Ohio, I know right now contestants are going crazy trying to find the perfect earrings and making mad dashes to get alterations! But while you're out there searching the world for the perfect shade and highest heel, keep your eyes open for a little something to show appreciation for the people with whom you spend Miss Ohio week.

I hate to add to the bill for pageant week, but the reality is that a lot of gift giving happens in Mansfield, so I'm just trying to save new contestants that embarrassing empty-handed moment.

The tip is that contestants should have a little something for your hostess, chaperone and roommate; and parents and EDs should give their contestants some material encouragement too!

Hostesses & Chaperons

It is imperative to give both your hostess and chaperon a little something. These ladies are amazing! They open their homes, share their families and are literally your closest supporters all week. I was lucky that my parents helped me with my gifts and they were from all of us. New contestants should ask their roommate if they had the same ladies last year; if so, she might know what they like. Think about a gift that reflects you, your hometown, college, platform or talent. IE: David Carruth is nationally-known for his "Garden Smiles" pottery but his shop is in northwestern Ohio, near me, so that's what we gave one year. Candles are always a really safe bet or a gift card to a restaurant in Mansfield. Hostesses and chaperons, leave a comment and tell us what some of your favorite gifts have been!

Roommates

This is easy, just grab something you'd want! A candle, new lip gloss, etc... The next time you buy yourself something cute and cheap, get two.

None of these gifts needs to be expensive. $5 a piece and a fun trinket from Pier One would suffice. I know time is a precious commodity but the point is to be as thoughtful as you have time to be right now!

EDs and Parents

These people also deserve a world of appreciation for what they do. But they understand what craziness Miss Ohio week is and the gift giving between ED and titleholder usually happens at the local pageant when you give up your crown.

***

And for the contestants...

If a contestant is lucky the people around her will do little things all week long to keep her spirits up. Some EDs give little gifts after each prelim. When I was a contestant I counted on the lotions and body washes to get me through fall semester! (Bath and Bodyworks is great because you can exchange scents without a receipt.) I think useful things are the best; to this day I still use the bathtub pillow and hair towel from my Lorain County crew! I was so lucky that my Mom is the queen of little notes and nicknacks! She would pack me a gift bag full of things labeled for each day of Miss Ohio week. No matter what stress or drama the day gave me, I knew there was something waiting to put a smile on my face each night! I can't emphasis enough that it doesn't have to cost much! It was stuff like cute note pads or toiletries or silly trinkets that I know came from Big Lots! :) The words of encouragement were what really mattered.

The families and friends of new contestants should realize that everything you give, must be packed up and taken home! I liked having fresh flowers in my room, but fans need to talk to each other and make sure the contestants bedroom doesn't turn into a funeral home, on top of the fact they're very hard to transport. Think small, but super supportive!

Not-So-Live Blog: Miss USA 2010 Official Results!

Miss USA: Michigan
So, I guess since the on-stage question means nothing, maybe Prejean should have won last year...!

1st Runner-up: Oklahoma

2nd Runner-up: Virginia

And now Loren's saying "WHATTT?!"

3rd Runner-up: Colorado

4th Runner-up: Maine

WWHHATTTT!?!?!?! I'm stunned; that makes no sense.

Not-So-Live Blog: Miss USA 2010: Our Guesses

My prediction

Miss USA: Maine

1st Runner-up: Virginia

2nd Runner-up: Oklahoma

3rd Runner-up: Michigan

4th Runner-up: Colorado

Loren's prediction

Miss USA: Virginia

1st Runner-up: "Tall girl" aka Maine

2nd Runner-up: Colorado

3rd Runner-up: Michigan

4th Runner-up: Oklahoma

Wow! Kristen Dalton looks stunning during her final walk, but I wish she was wearing her crown!

Not-So-Live Blog: Miss USA 2010 Judges On-stage Question

Oklahoma

Oscar Nunez asked about Arizona's new immigration policy and if it should be a state or federal law. While Loren thinks she "tap danced down the middle" I think she actually answered the question and was well spoken.

Michigan

Tara Conner asked if she believes insurance companies should cover birth control pills. Michigan says yes, it's just like any other drug. Loren immediately defended her saying, "it wasn't that bad." I think she'll fit right in at Miss Universe with her "Hi Mom" comment but I'm not so sure what an O.B.Gen is? lol! She's gorgeous but I think she's completely blown it with the way she speaks.

Colorado

Johnny Weir asked if social networking sites should be regulated by the government. Cha - cha - choppppy! That was horrible!

Virginia

Paula Deen asked if BP should be solely responsible for cleaning up and paying for the oil spill in the gulf. She sort of talked in circles but she's very charming and so darn cute!

Maine

Melania Trump asked how she felt about the sexy Fadil photoshoot the contestants participated in. I think that just sealed it! That question was a gimme as long as the contestant who got it supported the organization. I think she'll be the winner!

The on-stage question really does change your mind! Michigan was a huge disappointment while I take back my mean comments about Virginia and I think Maine has it in the bag!