PAGEANT NEWS FROM AROUND THE WORLD

» Oklahoman Crowned Miss America in Vegas

By JOHN CURRAN / The Associated Press

LAS VEGAS -- A 22-year-old aspiring teacher from Oklahoma was crowned Miss America on Saturday night, the first time the storied but struggling pageant was held outside Atlantic City, N.J. Jennifer Berry, a student at the University of Oklahoma, outlasted 51 other women to become Miss America 2006, earning a $30,000 college scholarship and a yearlong speaking tour in the process.

The 52 contestants share the stage at the start of the 2006 Miss America pageant

Miss Georgia Monica Pang was first runner-up and Miss Alabama Alexa Jones second runner-up. Miss Virginia Kristi Lauren Glakas and Miss District of Columbia Shannon Schambeau rounded out the top five. Miss Hawaii Malika Dudley won Miss Congeniality. Berry, an advocate for the prevention of drunken driving, wowed the judges by dancing ballet for her talent routine. She succeeds Miss America 2005 Deidre Downs, who ended up wearing the crown 16 months because this year's pageant was postponed by four months. An Atlantic City institution for 85 years, the pageant traded the Boardwalk for the Strip this year in a bid to revive interest. Without coverage from a major television network for the first time since 1954, it aired on Country Music Television. The pageant, which dabbled in reality TV-style gimmicks in recent years as it tried to lure viewers back, struck a more old-fashioned theme this time out, despite the move to Sin City.

Miss Virginia, Kristi Lauren Glakas,

is introduced

Video clips from old pageants were aired on the telecast, and two traditions that had been absent since the 1980s were revived: The women wore sashes naming their states and elected a Miss Congeniality. For problem-plagued Miss America, the proceedings at the Aladdin Resort & Casino were a high-stakes affair. Spurned by network television because of declining ratings, the pageant announced plans in August to move out of Atlantic City. Normally held in September, the event was postponed as organizers scrambled for a new TV outlet, ultimately settling on Country Music Television, a cable outlet with some 78 million subscribers.

The ten pageant finalists take the stage

Miss Oklahoma Jennifer Berry

performs during the talent segment

Women have paraded at the pageant _ wearing swimsuits and smiles _ since a 16-year-old girl from Washington, D.C., won an eight-way bathing beauty revue in 1921. The hokey seaside publicity stunt blossomed into an American icon, its Cinderella trappings and girl-next-door appeal becoming a television staple. But its luster has been fading for years, the result of fragmented viewership and its airing on Saturday nights, historically a date-night dead zone for television. The pageant was jettisoned by ABC after the 2004 crowning of Deidre Downs was watched by 9.8 million _ 500,000 fewer than tuned in the year before. The move literally pulled the runway out from under Miss America and led to a cascade of problems threatening its future.

Fans of Miss Oregon Lucy Fleck cheer her on at the start

of the 2006 Miss America pageant

Miss Oklahoma, Jennifer Berry, is crowned Miss America 2006

by outgoing Miss America 2005 Deidre Downs

The loss of revenue from the TV rights contributed to a $1.7 million deficit for the Miss America Organization, a nonprofit charity that runs the pageant. Gambling that a move from Atlantic City would help revive interest, pageant organizers cast their lot with Las Vegas, no stranger to pretty faces and glitzy stage shows.

Miss Oklahoma, Jennifer Berry, waves to the crowd after being

crowned Miss America 2006 at the 2006 Miss America pageant in Las Vegas

» 2006 Miss Chinese International Pageant

First runner-up Ginney Kanchanawat from Bangkok, winner Ina Lu from

Johannesburg and second runner-up Annabelle Kong from Kuala Lumpur (L-R)

pose after the Miss Chinese International Pageant 2006 beauty contest in Hong Kong Jan. 21.

Miss Chinese International Pageant 2006 first runner-up

Ginney Kanchanawat from Bangkok, Thailand

Miss Chinese International Pageant 2006 second runner-up

Annabelle Kong from Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia

Winner of Miss Chinese International Pageant 2006,

Ina Lu from Johannesburg, South Africa

Miss Lu’s winning moment!

MISS FL USA NEWS!

» MISS HOLLYWOOD USA® AND TEEN USA® PAGEANTS THIS SUNDAY!

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 located at 2501 North Ocean Drive in Hollywood. 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.

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.

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.. 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.

IF YOU GO:

WHAT: MISS HOLLYWOOD USA PAGEANTS

WHEN: 5:00pm Sunday January 29^th

WHERE: Hollywood Beach Marriott

2501 North Ocean Drive

Hollywood FL 33019

» Miss Sunset Place USA & Teen USA Seminar Day this Saturday!

We are having a free pageant seminar at Sunset Place in preparation for Miss Sunset Place USA & Teen USA this Saturday Jan. 28th at 3:00pm starting at the stage in front of Virgin Records. Then we will head up to LA Fitness for an interview seminar. It will be a blast. RSVP either via email or by calling 954 924-4949 it is not mandatory but suggested for those competing at Miss Sunset Place. If you are competing in another preliminary pageant you are invited as this event is a great way of learning pageantry the Miss Florida USA way!

We also have more news about the pageant. The opening number outfits will be all red for the Miss Sunset Place USA contestants and all white for the Miss Sunset Place Teen USA contestants in honor of Valentine's Day. On-stage interviews that will take place in the opening outfits and Swimsuits will be solid one piece.

If you have any questions please feel free to either call myself or pageant director Mary Lou Gravitt or email. We also would like to invite all of our Miss Florida USA preliminary pageant contestants who might like a little assistance before their local competitions. Look forward to seeing everyone on Saturday!

Grant Gravitt, Jr.

Executive Producer

Address:

5701 Sunset Drive, Suite 100
South Miami, FL 33143

The Shops at Sunset Place is located at the intersection of US 1

and Red Road/SW 57th Avenue in South Miami, Florida.

From North: I-95 turns into US1 – South Dixie Highway

Follow 5.6 Miles and Mall will be on South Side of Street

Miss Sunset Place USA Day Schedule

Time	Content	Speaker
3:00pm	Welcome/Introductions	Grant Gravitt Jr. Executive Producer
3:15pm	On Stage Modeling Tips	Daphne Angulo Pageant Coach
3:30pm	Selecting The Perfect Gown & Swimwear	Mary Lou Gravitt Pageant Director Daphne Angulo Pageant Instructor
3:45pm	Fitness in Pageantry	LA Fitness Instructor
4:00pm	Interviews The Miss Florida USA Way!	Mary Lou Gravitt Pageant Producer Rachel Uziel Contestant Coordinator
4:15pm	*Intermission/Meet & Greet*
4:30pm	Success in Public Speaking & Interviews	Anne Friedman SPEAK OUT®
5:15pm	My Year As Miss Florida Teen USA	Anastagia Pierre Miss Florida Teen USA
5:30pm	Raffle Prizes & Good Night!

» 2007 Miss Florida USA Preliminary Season Schedule

UPDATED 1/19/05

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

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

Jan 29: Miss Hollywood 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 Miss Sarasota/Manatee County USA & Teen USA Pageants

Feb 18: Miss Jacksonville USA & Teen USA Pageants

Feb 24: Miss Tallahassee USA & Teen USA Pageants

March 3: Miss Pembroke Pine USA & Miss Pembroke Pines Teen USA

March 5: Miss City Beautiful/Orlando USA & Teen USA Pageant

March 12: Miss Orange County/Central Florida USA & Teen USA

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 North Miami Dade USA & Teen USA Pageants

TBD  Miss Gainesville USA & Teen USA Pageants

TBD Miss Plant City USA & Teen USA Pageants

MISS FLORIDA TEEN USA TV LISTINGS:

ORLANDO/DAYTONA BEACH

WRDQ-IND

Channel 27

Saturday, February 18, 2006

1PM

JACKSONVILLE

WAWS FOX

Channel 47

TBD

» Miss Louisiana USA & Teen USA Winners Crowned
by Jason Brown

The state has a two new ambassadors after judges crowned a new Miss Louisiana USA and Miss Louisiana Teen USA Sunday night.

A packed audience at the Heymann Performing Arts Center eagerly watched as judges crowned Christina Cuenca of Arabi the 2006 Miss Louisiana USA and Kelsey Lawson of Denham Springs the 2006 Miss Louisiana Teen USA.

Cuenca beat out 44 other competitors for the honor and replaces Candice Stewart, the 2005 Miss Louisiana. Cuenca now will compete in the Miss USA competition.

Miss Arabi, Christina Cuenca, right, is announced as the new Miss Louisiana. Nancy Randall, left, is announced as first runner up Sunday at the Heymann Center in Lafayette

» Pageant win follows huge loss
by Jason Brown

After living through six years of pageantry competition and surviving a hurricane that claimed everything she knew and loved, Christina Cuenca of Arabi was crowned 2006 Miss Louisiana USA on Sunday night. "I feel like I'm going to have to go to the hospital. It feels like I'm having a heart attack," Cuenca said jokingly shortly after the ceremonies

Along with Cuenca, judges chose Kelsey Lawson of Denham Springs as the new 2006 Miss Louisiana Teen USA. The Miss Louisiana USA and Miss Louisiana Teen USA ceremony was held at the Heymann Performing Arts Center, where a packed house watched as judges eliminated dozens of women and girls down to a final five in each competition. The two-day event began with 120 contestants.

The separate announcements brought tears to both Cuenca's and Lawson's eyes and were met by cheerful applause from an excited crowd. Cuenca now will compete in the Miss USA pageant, and Lawson will compete in the Miss Teen USA pageant.

After three years of pageants, Lawson said she had a single goal in mind for after the ceremonies.

"I'm going to eat cheese fries and a big old steak from Outback as soon as I can," she said.

Cuenca replaces Candice Stewart, who was 2005 Miss Louisiana, and beat out 45 other contestants for the honor. Lawson beat out 77 competitors and replaced Morgan Maulden, 2005 Miss Louisiana Teen USA.

"It's weird," Cuenca said, "because there was a split second where I felt this calm and I was like, 'It's me' and I wasn't sure if I should cry, laugh, jump up and down or do a somersault. So many emotions just exploded. It's amazing."

Both Cuenca and her mother, Sue, felt that her new role as ambassador for Louisiana will be a hard but worthwhile task. Both lost everything in Hurricane Katrina, which devastated both their home in St. Bernard Parish and their lives.

"I think I have the hardest job that any Miss Louisiana has ever had, and I'm prepared to do it. We need to make it known that Louisiana is still here, and that's my job" she said.

"I'm so excited," Sue Cuenca said. "It's been six years and she's tried every year and she figured this would be her last year before she aged out."

"This is going to bring so much happiness to our family and to St. Bernard Parish," Sue Cuenca said.

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