MISS FL USA NEWS!

» MISS GOLD COAST PAGEANTS INC. EXPANDS

We are announcing a new pageant for our younger South Floridians this year.

Newborns through age 13 years of age will have a chance to compete for savings bonds,

tickets to local and state pageants, and other special gifts in addition to crowns, banners, and

scepters. These winners will be treated royally all year as we work with various community

service projects and charities. The pageant will take place at the Kaplan Jewish Community

center in West Palm Beach on Sunday, January 22 beginning at 10 AM. Parents should

visit the website at http://www.missgoldcoastpageants.net/

On April 8^th 2006, we will have our second annual pageant and crown a Miss Palm Beach County USA in addition to Miss Gold Coast USA and two young ladies in their teens will get the opportunity to represent the Gold Coast and the county in Hollywood next October. Contestants are urged to sign up early to take advantage of the $350 pageant fee, which includes the accessory you will need for the opening dance. No interview suits will be needed since we will add onstage interviews for all contestants.

Our new website is http://www.missgoldcoastpageants.net/ Pictures from last year’s pageants have been posted as well as applications and other information. Please call the director, Glenda Byrd if you have any questions @561-252-2907.

» Miss Nature Coast USA & Miss Nature Coast Teen USA Deadline is Near!

Ladies:

A new Miss Florida USA and Miss Florida Teen USA preliminary is to held in Citrus County for the first time! Miss Nature Coast USA 2006 and Miss Nature Coast Teen USA 2006 will be crowned Saturday, January 7, 2006 at the Plantation Inn & Golf Resort in Crystal River, Florida.

Contestants and their guests will love the southern charm of the nature coast as boating, golfing, tennis, fine dining, and swimming are all within an arm's reach at the resort. Visit www.plantationinn.com.

The winner of each title will win fantastic prizes, along with an all-expenses paid trip to Hollywood, FL for a chance at the televised Miss Florida USA or Miss Florida Teen USA crown.

Shalyn (Barnes) Barker, director of the pageant, is looking forward to the launch of their web site as well as the crowning of the new queens. A veteran herself, Shalyn competed in the Miss USA system as a young woman and is looking forward to the other side of the fence. "I can't wait to offer my support to the new Miss Nature Coast USA and Miss Nature Coast Teen USA", she said.

For more information or to become a contestant, contact Mrs. Barker at 352.572.0647 or naturecoastpageants@yahoo.com.

Shalyn Barker
Victoria's School of Dance
20613 West Pennsylvania Avenue
Dunnellon, Florida 34432
352.489.6756
www.vsdance.com

» THE MISS HOLLYWOOD USA® 2007 AND MISS HOLLYWOOD TEEN USA® 2007 PAGEANTS

TO BE HELD THIS JANUARY 29 at THE HOLLYWOOD BEACH MARRIOTT

Hollywood, FL – Delegates from throughout the Greater Hollywood area will be competing to take home the coveted crowns of Miss Hollywood USA 2007 and Miss Hollywood Teen USA 2007 on Sunday, January 29, 2006, beginning at 5 p.m., at the new Hollywood Beach Marriott. This year’s Miss Hollywood USA pageant will be co-hosted by Miss Florida USA 2006, Cristin Duren and the reigning Miss Hollywood USA 2006, Lindsay Shockey. The winner of both the Miss and Miss Teen categories will go on to represent the great city of Hollywood at the Miss Florida USA 2007 and Miss Florida Teen USA 2007 pageants to be held next summer and fall. The pageant, which is independently produced by the Greater Hollywood Jaycees, is headed up by Pageant Director, Jules Meyer, Co-Pageant Director, Debra Gronvold and Delegate Coordinator, Denise Manos and a fabulous committee of Jaycee members.

“This pageant is a wonderful opportunity for a young lady to represent our beautiful city in a variety of community service events and activities. We are very proud of our current and past titleholders who continue to be role models for their peers and those in our community,” states Jules Meyer, Miss Hollywood USA 2007 Pageant Director.

The young ladies competing for the MIss title must be between the ages of 18-26 and between the ages of 14-18 for the Miss Teen title, depending on when their birth dates fall. The young ladies will be competing in three areas and all are judged equally. The three areas of competition include interview, swimsuit and evening gown. This year’s Opening Number is entitled “Pretty in Pink” where delegates will choose their favorite pink and white outfits and will have the opportunity to make self-introductions in front of the enthusiastic audience. In between the competition segments, the audience will be delighted by entertainment from local Hollywood performers.

The winner of both the Miss and Miss Teen categories will win a variety of wonderful prizes including their entrance fee paid to the state competition, personal training sessions, teeth whitening, custom jewelry, and of course, a sash and crown, among other incredible prizes donated by local Hollywood businesses. In addition to the Miss and Miss Teen titles, the delegates will be competing for the titles of Miss Congeniality, which is voted on by fellow delegates; Miss Hospitality, which is based on ticket and ad sales; Miss Photogenic, which is determined by our Official Pageant Photographer, John LaMarche; and the People’s Choice Award, which is voted on by the audience members.

This year’s pageant is generously supported by the Hollywood Beach Marriott and the Hollywood Beach Community Redevelopment Agency (Beach CRA). A photo shoot will be held on the beach and at the hotel in mid January, with the delegates visiting various beach locations along the way.

“It is a pleasure for the Hollywood Beach CRA to join forces with community-minded organizations such as the Greater Hollywood Jaycees,” said Beach CRA Executive Director Gil Martinez. “The pageants’ emphasis on the achievements and community spirit of our local youths make it a very worthwhile event, and one that will draw more attention to our extensive, ongoing revitalization efforts in the CRA District. We at the Beach CRA are thrilled that the pageants have chosen beautiful Hollywood Beach to hold their wonderful event and we’re excited that an even wider audience will be introduced to all this unique seaside community has to offer.”

Ticket prices to the pageant are $50 for VIP seating which includes a VIP reception immediately preceding the pageant and general admission tickets, which are $25 each and include a program book. Seating is limited. Tickets can be purchased by calling (954) 981-4378. Group discounts of 20 or more tickets are available. The Jaycees is an organization of young men and women, ages 18 through 40, which focuses on charitable involvement, social activities and developing business opportunities. The Jaycees offer young men and women an opportunity for further personal development and leadership. Major efforts are directed to finding solutions to problems within our communities. The Greater Hollywood Jaycees play an integral part in our community and take pride in developing tomorrow's leaders. This idea of providing "leadership training through community involvement" has been the basis of the Jaycees since the organization's beginning in 1920.

For more information on the Miss Hollywood USA 2007 Pageant and the Greater Hollywood Jaycees, please visit www.hollywoodjaycees.com or call (954) 981-4378.

» MISS WESTON USA POSTPONED TO MARCH:

In news just released before press time it looks like for several reasons Katy Palido International has postponed this years Miss Weston USA Pageant and Miss Weston Teen USA Pageant until this upcoming March. Once again stay tuned for the latest information on this pageant as we receive it.

» 2007 Miss Florida USA Preliminary Season Schedule

UPDATED 12/15/05

Jan 6-7:Miss Nature Coast USA & Teen USA Pageants

Jan 13-15:Miss Daytona Beach USA & Teen USA Pageants

Jan 14-15: Miss Tampa/Clearwater/St. Pete USA & Teen USA Pageants

Jan 27-29 Miss Sarasota/Manatee County USA & Teen USA Pageants

Jan 29:Miss Hollywood USA & Teen USA Pageants

Feb 4: Miss Tallahassee USA & Teen USA Pageants

Feb 4-5:Miss Citrus USA & Teen USA Pageants

Feb 11: Miss Polk County USA/Miss Lake Buena Vista USA & Teen USA Pageants

Feb 11: Miss Sunset Place USA & Teen USA Pageants

Feb 18-19:Miss First Coast USA & Teen USA Pageants

March 18:Miss Southwest Florida USA & Teen USA Pageants

March TBD: Miss Weston USA & Teen USA Pageants

April 2:Miss West Broward USA & Teen USA Pageants

April 8: Miss Gold Coast USA & Miss Palm Beach County USA & Teen Pageants

April 23: Miss Treasure Coast USA & Teen USA Pageants

May 6:Miss Boca Raton USA & Teen USA Pageants

May 7:Miss Homestead USA & Teen USA Pageants

May 14: Miss Tourism Super Pageant

TBD Miss Jacksonville USA & Teen USA Pageants

TBD Miss Miami USA & Teen USA Pageants

TBD Miss Emerald Coast USA & Teen USA Pageants

TBD Miss Orlando USA & Teen USA Pageants

TBD Miss City Beautiful USA & Teen USA Pageant

TBD Miss North Miami Dade USA & Teen USA

MISS FLORIDA TEEN USA TV LISTINGS:

MIAMI/FT LAUDERDALE	WSVN-FOX Channel 7	TBD
NAPLES/FT MEYERS	WINK-CBS Channel 11	TBD
TAMPA/ST PETE/CLEARWATER	WMOR-IND Channel 32	Saturday, December 30, 2005 10:30PM
ORLANDO/DAYTONA BEACH	WRDQ-IND Channel 27	Saturday, February 18, 2006 1PM
TALLAHASSEE	WTLS (Ch. 24, UPN) WTLH FOX Channel 49	TBD
PANAMA CITY	WJHG-TV Ch. 7 NBC	Sunday, December 31, 2005 10:30PM
PENSACOLA/MOBILE	WFGX-WB Channel 35	Saturday, January 7 8PM
OCALA/GAINESVILLE	WGFL-CBS Channel 53	TBD
JACKSONVILLE	WAWS FOX Channel 47	TBD
WEST PALM BEACH	WTCN-WB Ch. 15	Sunday, December 18 3PM
STUART/FT PIERCE	WTCN-WB Channel 15	Sunday, December 18 3PM
VENICE	W56CN-IND Channel 56	Saturday, December 30, 2005 10:30PM
PORT RICHEY	W46BQ-IND Channel 46	Saturday, December 30, 2005 10:30PM
SEMINOLE	WMOR-LP Channel 63	Saturday, December 30, 2005 10:30PM

» Pageant winner recovering from surgery

Miss Indiana-USA had to have one of her ribs removed to eliminate a blood clot / By John Tuohy

Miss Indiana-USA expects to be released today from an Indianapolis hospital after surgeons earlier this week removed one of her ribs to eliminate a blood clot. Bridget Marie Bobel, 25, an assistant marketing manager at Castleton Square Mall, checked into St. Vincent Hospital on Monday when she noticed purplish swelling on her right arm. Physicians determined she was suffering from a rare form of Paget-Schroetter syndrome that causes a blood clot beneath the collarbone. Surgeons removed the obstruction in the vein, then removed a rib that was contributing to the blockage, she said. "They said I was very lucky that I caught it," Bobel said from her hospital room Friday.

Bobel, a native of Peru, Ind., and a 2002 Ball State University graduate, was crowned Miss Indiana-USA on Nov. 6 in Merrillville, from among 52 contestants. Bobel said she has lived in Indianapolis for three years and has worked at the mall for more than a year. She is scheduled to compete in April in the Miss USA pageant in Baltimore. She will compete in Miss USA preliminary judging April 14, her 26th birthday, and in the pageant April 21. Bobel said she expects it will takes six weeks before she fully recovers. "It feels like an elephant kicked me in the chest," she said. "I need to stay off my feet and avoid physical activity before continuing my workouts."

Bobel's sister, Betsy Maureen Bobel-Opyt, who lives in Fort Myers, Fla., was crowned Miss Indiana in 2000 in an annual Miss Indiana event unrelated to Miss Indiana-USA. Bobel-Opyt went on to compete in that year's Miss America pageant in Atlantic City, N.J.

REIGNING QUEEN: Bridget Marie Bobel, 25,

a native of Peru, won the annual Miss Indiana-USA contest

on Nov. 6 in Merrillville. - Photo provided by Miss Indiana USA

» Miss Massachusetts: more than glitz and glory
By Jeanne M. Rideout/ correspondent

Winning the 2006 Miss Massachusetts USA title means more to Braintree's Tiffany Kelly than the glitz and glamour that goes along with the pageant. Tiffany, 18, a 2005 graduate of Thayer Academy, sees her achievement as an opportunity to raise awareness for charitable efforts that are dear to her heart. "As Miss Massachusetts USA, her role as titleholder is to act as a spokesperson and do outreach for different charities," said Tiffany's mother, Gloria Banco-Kelly, a Spanish teacher at Thayer. The Jimmy Fund and Make A Wish Foundation are two organizations Tiffany hopes to work with that are close to her heart. Tiffany also hopes to become involved with South Shore organizations such as the DeVanna Center and DOVE. She will go on to compete for the Miss USA title.

Tiffany is studying Movement Science in her freshman year at Wenham's Gordon College, a top Christian college. Her goal is to become a chiropractor. "I have always wanted to help people, so I am very attracted to the healing power of this profession," Tiffany said. As she moves forward toward achieving her dreams, Tiffany credits the solid education she received in Braintree elementary school and at Thayer Academy for giving her wings, according to her mother. "Morrison Elementary School really prepared her well. She had great teachers there," Kelly said. "Miss Massachusetts USA promotes many charities in society. Literacy is a really big issue. Tiffany looks forward to going back to Morrison to visit her teachers and commend them for the big influence they had on her life. She hopes to be a reader at the school."

At the Thayer Academy middle school, Tiffany learned the organization skills and study skills that became a solid foundation for high school at Thayer. During her high school years, Tiffany expanded her knowledge and honed her writing skills. "Thayer fostered her love of science. Tiffany knew she wanted to go into the medical and science field, and they fostered that love," Kelly said. During her high school years, Tiffany was chosen for the Presidential Classroom in Washington D.C., attending the leadership program during spring break in her junior year. Other honors included being chosen as a member of "Who's Who Among America's High School Students" for 2005 and being chosen as the second runner up to Miss Massachusetts Teen in 2003. "Tiffany did Miss Teen USA just for fun and for the experience. The whole idea means something to her. It was a meaningful endeavor," Kelly said.

Through church and service organizations, Tiffany traveled to eight countries. Receiving a scholarship to visit the Vatican provided an inspirational experience. Tiffany's older sister Amanda, who is currently at Brandeis University, also received a scholarship. "It was very much an honor," Kelly said. Tiffany also spent two summers in southern Spain studying Spanish. Through a nondenominational church organization, Tiffany did ministries in the United Kingdom and South Africa, where her group used music and skits to help other teens learn how to make safe choices in dating relationships. Other Thayer activities included drama, chorus, community council, gymnastics, lacrosse, and track. Three years in a row, Tiffany captained the school's Walk for Alzheimer Disease.

As her senior project at Thayer, Tiffany did an internship at Milton Chiropractic in Needham. The experience turned into a summer job. Tiffany just received another honor. She was chosen for inclusion in the "Manchester Who's Who Among Executive Professional Women 2005-2006." At the end of the runway as she competes for the Miss USA title, Tiffany sees so much more than a bouquet of roses and a glittering tiara. She sees increased opportunities to help others. "A lot of people think it's about the glitter and the glory. That part is really glamorous, but what matters to me is that Tiffany is a beautiful person inside," Kelly said.

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