The Miss Florida USA & Miss Florida Teen USA

Magazine of March 17th, 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. Another great week of pageantry is in store for the fans of our pageant. Not two but over ten young women will have won passes to state this weekend. Four titles are up for grabs in Maitland as Miss Orlando/City Beautiful/Winter Park and Central Florida USA and Teen USA titles will be awarded Sunday afternoon. Then in the panhandle the only live televised preliminary pageant in the Miss USA system will originate from Panama City Sunday night. Look for pictures and stories starting Monday!

This week's Ezine features a new www.PageantDiva.com Competition Article of The Week, this edition is Public Speaking with Jamie who gives great tips for all of us. We also have news from Gold Coast & North Miami Beach USA Pageants. Faces & Places this week takes you to Tel-Air’s Going Away To Miss USA Party this past Monday. We also feature Miss Michigan USA on this weeks Road To Miss USA. 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

1 Day until Miss Emerald Coast USA Pageant!

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

PRELIMINARY PAGEANT NEWS FROM AROUND THE WORLD

» MISS AMERICA MOVING TO WEST PALM BEACH?

If the deals fall just so West Palm Beach might just sweet-talk the Miss America Pageant right out of the arms of Atlantic City. California-based Mandalay Entertainment and Dick Clark Productions have quietly expressed interest in securing rights to produce the pageant. Just as quietly, both firms have put out feelers to see whether West Palm would be interested in hosting the event.

"I think where they are is that they have to secure rights to produce the event, and part of that is figuring out a venue," Mayor Lois Frankel said. Partners since 1921, Atlantic City, N.J., and the Miss America Pageant are virtually synonymous. But the bloom is off the rose.

At one point, a CEO of the Miss America Organization declared that the pageant's love affair with Atlantic City was over — unless the city forked over $1 million. He resigned before any split could be made official. The pageant has endured its own difficulties. ABC booted the pageant from its lineup this year, citing a steady drop in viewership. Some major sponsors had left already. A group of former Miss Americas recently demanded more input on the contest.

In a crowning blow, Trump announced this month that he was interested in buying the pageant. Trump already shares ownership of the rival Miss USA and Miss Universe pageants with NBC. If Trump succeeds, it's likely the Miss America Pageant would stay in Atlantic City, where Trump casinos hold court. But if Mandalay or one of its subsidiaries secures rights to produce the pageant, a change in venue likely would follow.

This could be in West Palm Beach next year

if Dick Clark has his way.

While acknowledging Trump's interest, the Miss America Organization doesn't seem to be looking for corporate suitors. On its own, sources say, the organization is not considering moving from Atlantic City to West Palm Beach — or anywhere else. Still, many believe that changes are inevitable.

While the Miss America show has lost viewers, Miss USA viewership has grown, in part because of promotions such as contestants appearing on Fear Factor, the NBC program that leads into the Miss USA pageant. Fear Factor's menu of challenges frequently involves mud and ingesting live insects — something no Miss America would ever attempt, said Mary Hilliard-McMillan, director of marketing for the Miss Universe Organization. "Their contestants are on such a pedestal, I don't think people can really relate to them," she said.

Media analyst Larry Gerbrandt agrees, but he says it's too soon to write off the pageant. "The value of the pageant is not necessarily in what it is currently, but in what it could become," he said. "The notion of beauty pageants is probably a little retro, but on the other hand, what if Miss America is the ultimate makeover show? It's really, on a state-by-state basis, the hunt for the American Beauty Idol."

Of course, "there are a lot of pieces that need to come together" before the pageant could be tweaked, much less land in West Palm Beach, said Brent Borland, managing director of Incentric, a West Palm-based firm that is involved with Mandalay in another joint venture. It was Incentric that introduced Mandalay to West Palm Beach. That, in turn, produced a round of talks between East Coast and West.

"To say we have commitments would be going too far," Borland said. "Everything is still up in the air," added a spokesman for Dick Clark Productions. Chuck Elderd, commissioner of the Palm Beach County Film and Television Commission, described the talks as professional and serious — even if they are tentative. "It's not unlike a sports franchise looking around seeing what its options are," he said. "There's a long way to go from there to here."

» Pageant Queen Awaits Verdict In Murder Trial

Associated Press, Wednesday, March 16, 2005

SAVANNAH, Ga., March 15 -- Former beauty queen Sharron Nicole Redmond felt threatened and "absolutely had a right" to shoot her two-timing boyfriend, her attorney argued Tuesday before jurors began deliberating in the murder trial.

Summations in the week-long trial focused on the central issue in the case: whether Redmond intentionally shot boyfriend Kevin Shorter and whether she fired in self-defense. Redmond, 23, admitted firing a single shot at Shorter during an argument outside the home of another woman he was dating, four months after she was crowned Miss Savannah 2003. She says Shorter threatened to kill her and she feared he was reaching for a gun in his car.

"All Nikki wanted was to scare him, to buy her some time to get away from him," defense attorney Michael Schiavone told jurors in his closing argument. "She absolutely had a right to shoot him. Her fear was reasonable." Prosecutors argued that Redmond could have fled rather than fired.

Jurors had not reached a verdict Tuesday when they broke for the night. Redmond would face an automatic life sentence if convicted.

Miss Savannah Sharon Nicole Redmond, right, talks with her attorney Michael Schiavone at the defense table during proceedings in her murder trial, Wednesday, March 9, 2005, in Savannah, Ga. Redmond, 23, faces an automatic life sentence if convicted for slaying her boyfriend Kevin Shorter four months after she was crowned Miss Savannah 2003. Redmond admits shooting Shorter at the home of another woman he was dating, but says she fired because she had been threatened with death. (AP Photo/John Carrington, Pool)

PRELIMINARY PAGEANT UPDATES!

» EMERALD COAST USA NEWS: TICKET SALES

Family and friends can purchase tickets to the Saturday and Sunday night shows at www.Ticketmaster.com or at the Marina Civic Center box office in Panama City. On Ticketmaster, tell them to search for "Miss Emerald Coast USA" or just call the Marina Civic Center box office at (850)763-4696 and tell them you're interested in Miss Emerald Coast tickets.

» PAGEANT SCHEDULE!

Saturday, March 19, 2005

One-on-one Interviews with judges

12:00 PM - 1:30 PM

Preliminary Competition (No cameras of any kind will be allowed in the theatre.)

7:00 PM - 9:00 PM

The only scored competition of the evening will be on-stage interview. EVERY delegate will compete in on-stage interview and this score will carry over to Sunday. The rest of the Saturday night show will be for rehearsal and “first-viewing” by the judges.

Welcome Party! After the Preliminary Competition - at Calypso Beach Cafe!

Sunday, March 20, 2005 (No cameras of any kind will be allowed in the theatre.)

Final Pageant

7:00 PM - 9:00 PM

CORONATION PARTY!! After the pageant upstairs at the Marina Civic Center!!

» MISS ORLANDO USA SUPER PAGEANT

For the first time ever, two great preliminary pageants are occurring on the same weekend! Over fifty delegates will compete for the Citrus/City Beautiful co-production pageant this Sunday starting at 1:00pm at the Orlando North Hotel in Maitland right off of I-4. The interview competition takes place on Saturday night with the finals on Sunday afternoon. I look forward to seeing the entire state this weekend at our two super events!

» MISS GOLD COAST USA EXTENDS DEADLINE

The second seminar day for Miss Gold Coast contestants will be Saturday, March 19th from 10 am to noon at the Safe Schools Institute in Boca Raton. Training in evening gown selection and pageant prep will be on the agenda. New contestants have until March 26th to register for the April 2nd pageant. Please visit www.missgoldcoastpageants.com or call the director, Glenda Byrd at 252-2907.

» 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!

» 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 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.

Next Pageants: Miss Emerald Coast USA March 18-20

& Miss Orlando/Magic City USA March 19 & 20.

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www.PAGEANTDIVA.com

Competition Article of The Week

PUBLIC SPEAKING WITH JAMIE

Last time, we went over the general structure of a basic 5-7 minute speech. Composing a speech is quite simple…how you present your speech is what is going to set you in a class of your own.

How do you do this? Practice, Practice, Practice! 'One way to feel at ease in Public Speaking, besides practicing; is to start developing your "presentation personality".' Just like in pageantry, the way you carry yourself and present yourself to the audience is what really counts. You can develop your presentation personality in many different ways. read more

ROAD TO MISS USA

MISS MICHIGAN USA

AS A GOING AWAY PARTY

By ANN ZANIEWSKI

Of The Daily Oakland Press

Miss Michigan Crystal Hayes will walk across a stage in front of millions next month. On Saturday, she was in Bloomfield Hills, signing autographs and soaking up good luck wishes at a party celebrating her upcoming trip to the Miss USA pageant in Baltimore. "It's fun to see her fulfill her dreams," said her dad, David Hayes, smiling as he watched his daughter mingle in the walk-out basement at the home of Randolph Fawkes, a friend of Hayes' manager.

Crowned Miss Michigan in September on her 20th birthday, Hayes grew up on her family's 100-head cattle farm in the small Upper Peninsula town of Rock. "I've done everything from digging ditches to working with the animals," she said. She now lives in Northville, where she had to cut back her work as a stylist at Salon Marzejon to one day a week to focus on Miss USA. She's preparing with a team that includes a walking coach and a communications consultant.

Sen. Nancy Cassis, Michigan presents a special award

to Miss Michigan USA Crystal Hayes.

Wearing an ivory blazer to match the clusters of pearls that dangled from her ears, Hayes said she has wanted to be a pageant queen since childhood. Her crystal crown topped with star shapes sat on a black stool in the home's tall foyer. Next to it was her picture plastered on blue poster board scribbled with supportive messages. Down a winding staircase, guests sipped punch at a bar or chatted with Hayes as she juggled hugs from relatives. Among roughly 100 attendees were Miss Michigan Teen Catherine Laurion and Rebekah Decker-Koss, Miss Michigan 2002.

"I'm just excited for her," Decker-Koss said. "I think she'll do really well." Upstairs, executive chef Michael Trombley and his team of two prepared miniature dessert cakes, Gorgonzola mousse, smoked salmon and wild mushroom bouches. Outside, two valets parked cars. Fawkes said he and his wife, Helene, were happy to be hosts. "You can only enjoy a house so much by yourself," he said. "It's good to share it with other people, too."