The Miss Florida USA & Miss Florida Teen USA

Magazine of March 10th, 2005

Dear Miss Florida USA Family:

Welcome to another edition of YOUR Miss Florida USA & Miss Florida Teen USA Magazine YOUR information source for everything pageantry in the Sunshine State. It was so much fun to be involved with the first ever Miss Pembroke Pines USA Pageants this past weekend. Lot’s of new faces and fans to meet in this West Broward metropolis. Even Mayor Frank Ortis stayed around for the crowning and pictures afterwards. Just a great vibe as we slowly make Florida totally pageant crazy! Pictures and results today along with Faces & Places on Friday. This weekend were taking the weekend off as we rest for an upcoming pageant doubleheader

This weeks Ezine features a new www.PageantDiva.com Competition Article of The Week. PageantDiva interview expert Alexandra Roumain discusses the pageant application. Then we meet Miss Nebraska on The Road To Miss USA. Look for preliminary updates regarding Emerald Coast, Boca Raton and Space Coast USA Pageants. All the pageant news that fits to print updated every Thursday and Friday only at YOUR Miss Florida USA Ezine, the only Ezine in the pageant world!

Here’s to another week of great pageantry…..

Grant H. Gravitt, Jr.

Executive Producer

Miss Florida USA & Miss Florida Teen USA

8 Days until Miss Emerald Coast USA Pageant!

10 Days until Miss Orlando/Winter Park/City Beautiful USA Pageants!

PRELIMINARY PAGEANT NEWS

» Miss Pembroke Pines USA, March 5, 2005

The Road to Miss Florida USA ventured to West Broward as the inaugural Miss Pembroke Pines USA Pageants took place Saturday Night at The River of Grass Arts Park Theater. Produced by Halavin Productions and The Pembroke Pines Kiwanis Club four Miss USA and nine Miss Teen USA delegates competed for the two tiaras and the chance to represent this fast growing region at both Miss Florida USA and Miss Florida Teen USA.

The evening started with co-pageant director Angie Halavin introducing the hostess of the evening, Kristen Berset Miss Florida USA 2004. Up first it was the contestant introductions in their opening outfits. The Teen USA delegates hit the runway first as the crowd was very appreciative. Up next the Miss USA delegates greeted the judges and audience signaling the pageant was underway. It was clear that this was going to be a great pageant evening.

Miss Pembroke Pines Teen USA contestants greet the audience

The judges responsible for selecting the evening’s winner were then introduced. The Miss Pembroke Pines USA Judges included; Community activist Terry T. Sherman; Broward Community College Board of Trustee Member Cheryl Krauss; Public Relations Executive and former Air Force Major John Level II; Miss Florida USA 1998 Jamie Converse-Estrada: Congressional Aide Viviane Pereche: Singer/Dancer Sonja Keilly and corporate lawyer/pageant producer Lorraine Brennan O’Neil.

After the judges were announced it was back to the pageant. The swimsuit competition was first as the delegates wore one or two-piece suits of there own choosing. Then it was everybody’s favorite the evening gown competition. First the teen delegates and then the miss delegates all had the chance to show off their personal fashion sense. Then it was time to announce the top 5 in the teen division. All of these young ladies are now qualified to compete at state: Deborah St. Phil; Alicia Castellano; Christian Erickson; Nishah Francis & Vanessa Mechado.

Jennifer Olkinitsky competes in swimwear (left)

& Christian Erickson competes in the swimwear competition

Then the finalists returned onstage for one last chance to make an impression on the judges with the interview questions. Each delegate drew a question at random from her fellow contestants. Kristen Berset asked the questions and the delegates had to think on their feet to answer.

Now all was left was to announce the special prizes and the results for the Miss Pembroke Pines Teen USA division. Once again these winners are qualified for state: Miss Amity is Alicia Castellano; Miss Photogenic is Christian Erickson while The Spirit Award went to Vanessa Mechado.

Then the final announcements were:

4^th Runner Up is Deborah St. Phil:

3^rd Runner Up is Nishah Francis

2^nd Runner Up is Vanessa Mechado.

1^st Runner Up is Alicia Castellano

The New Miss Pembroke Pines Teen USA is Christian Erickson!

Miss Pembroke Pines Teen USA 2006

is Christian Ericksen!

After the crowning moments it was time for the miss contestants to take the stage. It’s time to announce the awards for Miss Pembroke Pines USA; Miss Amity Award goes to Danielle Hall while Miss Photogenic goes to Claudia Santiano. Then the final announcements were made:

3^rd Runner Up is Daniela Gallo.

2^nd Runner Up is Jennifer Olkinitsky.

1^st Runner Up is Danielle Hall.

The New Miss Pembroke Pines USA is Claudia Santiano!

Claudia Santiano's crowning moment

as Miss Pembroke Pines USA 2006!

The Halavin family with their new titleholders.

Congratulations to Miss Santiano and Miss Erickson as they represent Pembroke Pines at state. Also congratulations go to Halavin Productions and The Pembroke Pines Kiwanis for an outstanding pageant! Up next on The Road To Hollywood is a pageant doubleheader weekend March 18 –20. We venture all the way to Panama City and The Miss Emerald Coast USA Pageants and then quickly head to Orlando for Miss Orlando/Winter Park/City Beautiful Pageants. See you all over the state in two weekends!

The Judges congratulate their selections on stage.

» GOING AWAY TO MISS USA PARTY THIS MONDAY!

It’s a time honored tradition to say bon voyage to those traveling to great challenges….so with a great send off in mind we say good luck Melissa with a “Going Away To Miss USA” Party this upcoming March 14^th at 5:30pm on our soundstages at The Hollywood Production Center. The movers and shakers of Hollywood will be in attendance as well as members of our Miss Florida USA family. That’s where you come in! If you would like to attend this wonderful event please RSVP immediately to either telair@aol.com or call pageant director Rachel Uziel at 954 924-4949. We are going to send our Miss Florida USA to Baltimore in style and we hope you’re here!

PRELIMINARY PAGEANT UPDATES!

» MISS EMERALD COAST USA EXTENDS DEADLINE:

Important Announcement: We're extending registration for Miss Emerald Coast USA and Miss Emerald Coast Teen USA through this Saturday, March 12! As Miss Emerald Coast USA is televised, we are limited to a certain number of slots in the pageant; those slots are filling up FAST, so let us know if you would like us to reserve a space for you by calling us at 850-773-2795 or 850-321-3688 or simply email amanda@leadingladymagazine.com or sam@leadingladymagazine.com.

Complete information on the pageant program can be found at www.MissEmeraldCoastUSA.com. In fact, you can complete the entire registration process online if you wish to reserve your spot immediately. Or simply call us and we'll handle everything in person. We hope to see YOU in the SPOTLIGHT!

Miss Emerald Coast USA & Miss Emerald Coast Teen USA
www.MissEmeraldCoastUSA.com
March 19-20, 2005

» MISS NORTH MIAMI BEACH USA SEMINAR DAY MARCH 26^th:

The first ever opportunity for North Miami Dade residents is presenting a seminar day for all aspiring contestants. Miss North Miami Beach USA will offer an insiders look at what it takes to become the local titleholder and insight in what it takes to win Miss Florida USA. Join us Saturday March 26^th at The North Miami Beach Performing Arts Center for seminars, instruction and special guests. The event will take place from 1:00 – 3:00pm and will include special giveaways also. For more information or to RSVP call pageant director Rachel Uziel at (954) 924-4949 or email at telair@aol.com. The venue is located at 17051 NE 19^th Avenue, NMB 33162. This event is perfect for those who are either new to Miss USA or pageantry in general!

» MISS BOCA RATON USA NOW TAKING APPLICATIONS
Join us on May 7, 2005 at the Miss Boca Raton USA and Miss Boca Raton Teen USA pageants being held at FAU in Boca Raton. The pageant has many community sponsors, wonderful prizes. A Los Angeles Talent Agency will be receiving your photos for consideration of representation. The winners will have a lot of local, national and international exposure at different events held in Boca.

Our exclusive jeweler has made a beautiful custom crown necklace, only worn by Miss Boca Raton USA and Miss Boca Raton Teen USA. For more information, please call - 561-213-2097 or e-mail the director at jeannejose@aol.com.

» MARCH PRELIMINARY PAGEANT CALENDAR

A little reminder of what’s ahead this month as we continue Florida’s search for the new Miss Florida USA and Miss Florida Teen USA!

Preliminary Pageant Important Dates

March 18-19

Miss Emerald Coast USA Pageants

March 19-20

Miss Orlando/Winter Park/City Beautiful Pageants

March 19

Miss Gold Coast USA Seminar Day

March 26

Miss Palm Beach County USA Pageants

March 26

Miss North Miami Beach USA Seminar Day

March 26

Miss Gold Coast USA Seminar Day

April 02

Miss Gold Coast USA Pageants

April 02

Miss Space Coast USA Seminar Day

April 11

Miss USA Pageant – Baltimore – NBC 9:00pm EDT

April 16

Miss North Miami Beach USA

April 29 – 30

Miss Jacksonville/Gainesville USA Pageants

May 01

Miss Space Coast USA Pageant

» STATE PAGEANT CORNER / NEW MISS FLORIDA USA IMPORTANT DATES CALENDAR:

Finally we have put together a calendar with all of the important dates for this year’s Miss Florida USA Pageant. Look for it’s permanent home every week at YOUR Miss Florida USA Ezine.

Miss Florida USA 2006 Important Dates

March 14

Melissa’s Going Away to Miss USA Party (Hollywood)

March 25

Miss Florida USA Arrives for Miss USA

March 31

Temple Solel Charity Fashion Show (Hollywood)

April 06

Miss USA Presentation Show (Baltimore)

April 11

Miss USA Pageant on NBC (from Baltimore)

April 22

Pre Tape Session #1

April 23

Miss Florida USA Seminar Day (Mandatory for Titleholders)

April 28

Broward Outreach “Too Hot For Fashion Show” (Hollywood)

May 14

Hollywood Beach Red, White & Bluegrass Taping

May 18

Expo Al Fresco Pre Tape Shoot (Hollywood)

May 21-23

Pre Tape Session #2

June 11-12

Pre Tape Session #3

July 2

Miss Florida USA @ FLMAO Reception

July 5^th

Miss Florida USA Registration Day

July 7^th

Press Photo Day/Interview Competition

July 8^th

Preliminary Presentation Show (Bailey Concert Hall)

July 9^th

Miss Florida USA Finals (Bailey Concert Hall)

August 7^th

Pageant University (Freshman Directors)

August 8^th

Annual Directors Meeting

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STATE PAGEANT ELIGIBILITY STATS

Miss Florida USA 2006

Delegates Entered: 17

Delegates Eligible: 59

Miss Florida Teen USA

Delegates Entered: 15

Delegates Eligible: 41

Every week more delegates become eligible to compete at state.

The season started with qualifiers from the past year. All of each pageants top15 qualify

along with Miss Amity & Miss Photogenic. Each preliminary pageant qualifies delegates

as “at large” status with their finalist, amity, photogenic and peoples choice awards.

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www.PAGEANTDIVA.com

Competition Article of The Week

Interviews With Alexandra

The Application, also known, as your Fact Sheet, or Data Sheet, is one of the most important documents you will complete as you enter a pageant. On this very important form, you must place all the information about yourself that you feel the judges should know; hobbies, sports, talent, education, career, etc. Typically, it is where most of your interview questions will come from.

read more

ROAD TO MISS USA

Getting to know Miss Nebraska USA

Creighton Student to Compete for Miss USA

Creighton University student and

Miss Nebraska USA 2005 Jana Murrell

will represent her home state in Baltimore

this April on NBC.

Creighton University physical therapy student Jana Murrell, 23, was crowned Miss Nebraska USA 2005 this past October to earn the right to move on to the Miss USA pageant. Murrell is a relative newcomer to pageants. Her first pageant was the 2002 Miss Nebraska USA pageant (held in 2001). She finished as the first runner-up. She entered the pageant again the next year, and was once more the first runner-up.

She took a year off before coming back this past year and again making it to the final pair. “It was nerve-wracking when it got down to the final two,” Murrell admitted. The third time proved a charm, however. Murrell is now taking a year off from her doctor of physical therapy studies to prepare for Miss USA and to fulfill her goodwill obligations as Miss Nebraska USA.

As Miss Nebraska USA, Murrell has already talked at local elementary schools and made appearances at community and charity events. “I try to promote the crown and the pageant and everything they stand for -- helping others, giving of your time to benefit others, improving society in some way, doing your part to make the world a better place and giving something of yourself,” Murrell said.

It’s a hectic schedule. But that’s nothing new for Murrell. This past semester, Murrell was busy in the classroom and completed a three-week clinical rotation at Lincoln Orthopedic Physical Therapy. She also held several part-time jobs -- an aerobics instructor at Gold’s Gym and Creighton’s Kiewit Fitness Center and an alarm technician for the Omaha Housing Authority. She also has served as a community health advocate at Creighton’s Cardiac Center, attending health fairs and giving talks on healthy lifestyles.

Murrell came to Creighton in 2000 as an undergraduate on a presidential diversity scholarship. After three years in Creighton’s exercise science program, Murrell began work on her doctorate in physical therapy. She hopes to use her degree to assist with the rehabilitation of patients who have suffered brain injuries, strokes or other neurological disorders.

“I really like that hands-on, one-on-one with a patient,” Murrell said. “To see the progress, to see someone walk or move again, is very rewarding.”

At school, Murrell kept quiet about her pageant experience. “I didn’t tell my classmates,” she said. Several of her friends learned she had won the title after reading it in the newspaper. Murrell has thoroughly enjoyed her pageant experiences -- from preparing for the events to meeting with the other contestants to participating in the traditional swimsuit, evening gown and interview competitions.

“I like that it gives me a goal, something to shoot for,” Murrell said. “I take care of myself a lot more. I always feel a lot better when I’m preparing for a pageant, because I’m really paying attention to myself, trying to make myself the best that I can be. And I like the challenge.”