The Miss Florida USA & Miss Florida Teen USA

Magazine of April 1, 2009

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. Just another great weekend in paradise as The Road to Hollywood stopped in both Tampa and The Florida Keys this past weekend. Sorry to say I missed our friends in Tampa (the first time ever!) but we felt much better as we headed to Islamorada. This past few days has been all about our Miss Florida USA as she leave tomorrow (Thursday) for Miss USA. The reports start Monday as it’s time for our national championships!

This week we have a very busy World Pageant News as we make stops in Costa Rica, Norway, Slovack Republic, Thailand and Finland. In Miss Florida USA News we have results from Tampa and Islamorada as well as news you can use to attend Saturday Night’s Miss Miami Gardens USA. We also have a very busy weekend for our Class of 2010 with two appearances. Finally we announce our last two pageants of the year. Faces & Places returns on Friday with reports from “In the Audience”. GenArt keeps us fashion forward while our Movie of The Week has another 10 Minute Pageant awaiting our viewers. All the pageant news that fits to print on Thursdays and Fridays only at YOUR Miss Florida USA Ezine, the only Ezine in the pageant world!

Grant H. Gravitt, Jr.

Executive Producer

Miss Florida USA & Teen

» 02 Days until Miss Miami Gardens USA & Teen USA Pageants!

» 03 Days until Miss FL Keys USA & Teen USA Pageants!

PAGEANT NEWS FROM AROUND THE WORLD

» Miss Costa Rica Universe

Jessica Umaña Solís, a 21-year old student of Business Administration from Moravia, won the Miss Costa Rica 2009 title at an event held Friday at the Museo de los Niños theater in San José. The event was telecast live through Teletica, organizers of the pageant.

Umaña, who stands 1.75 m tall, was one of the favorites for the title. This was her second try at the crown -she had competed in Miss Costa Rica 2008-, but withdrew before the finals took place. She decided to try again, winning the title over 8 other contestants.

She will now represent Costa Rica at the Miss Universe 2009 pageant to take place in the Bahamas, Aug. 23. 1st and 2nd runner-ups were Nancy Montero from Heredia, and Natalia Alvarez from Desamparados, respectively.

Ms. Solis winning moment

» Froken Norge 2009 (Miss Norway Universe)

Sara Skjoldnes, a 17-year old student from Skien, was chosen Froken Norge

(Miss Norway) World, and 24-year old Eli Landa of Stavanger was

chosen Froken Norge Universe during an event held March 28th in Oslo.

» Miss Slovak Republic Universe 2009

Denisa Mendrejová, a 23-year old student of economics, was crowned

Miss Universe SR at an event held in Bratislava on Sunday. The 1.75m

beauty will represent the Slovak Republic at the Miss Universe 2009

pageant in the Bahamas next August.

» Miss Thailand Universe 2009

Chutima Durongdej, 23, was crowned Miss Thailand-Universe 2009 yesterday, March 28, 2009 at the Sofitel Centara Bangkok, in Bangkok Thailand. The new Miss Thailand-Universe was crowned by her predessesor Gavintra Photijak. Chutima will be expected to represent her country in Miss Universe 2009 in Nassau, The Bahamas on August 23, 2009.

First Runner-up was Rujinan Pansrithum , 19, and will represent Thailand in Miss Earth 2009. Second runners up: #12 Ratakorn Sathirabhut, 24; #16 Kedmolee Rojanapradit, 19; and #22 Chonthicha Subpaiboonlerd, 21. The new Miss Thailand Universe stands 176.5 cm.

Chutima Durongdej was crowned Miss Thailand Universe on Saturday night.

Miss Durongdej in evening wear

» Miss Austria Universe 2009

21-year old Anna Hammel, a student from Gmunden, was crowned Miss Austria 2009 at an event held at the American Chance Casino in Kleinhaugsdorf on Saturday, March 28th.

The 1.70 m beauty will represent Austria at the Miss World 2009 contest in Johannesburg, South Africa next December.

The runner-ups were 18-year old Konstanze Heis (1st) and 22-year old Dejana Varadin (2nd). Misses Austria 2007 (Christine Reiler) and 2008 (Marina Schneider) were among the judges.

Miss Hammel is the new Miss Austria 2009

Career Opportunities for Pageant Contestants!

MISS FL USA NEWS!

» THE ROAD TO HOLLYWOOD

Miss Tampa USA & Teen USA

March 28, 2009

The Tampa Teen USA delegates as seen from the front row during the show opening

The first stop this weekend on “The Road to Hollywood” was for the tenth annual Miss Tampa USA & Teen USA Pageants at the Hazely Academy located in nearby Clearwater in their beautiful new complex. Two titles in the Miss USA and one title in the Miss Teen USA division were on the line. Tampa is one of the original six preliminary pageants in our state and is always highly competitive. Saturday evening’s competition saw three delegates competing for the Miss Teen USA title and eight delegates competing in the Miss USA division.

Our newest little sister was crowned Saturday night….

Then the delegates opened the pageant in white tops and jeans for the Miss USA delegates and for the Teen USA delegates pink tops and jeans of their own choosing. After introductions it was time to meet the hostesses for the evening, Arielle Rollyson - Miss Lakeland Teen USA 2010 and Jessica Ardrey - Miss Lakeland USA 2010. After they greeted the audience it was competition time.

Up first was the on-stage interview competition, this allowed both the judges and audience to gain insight into the contestants. The evening was then followed by the swimsuit preliminary competition. The delegates were presented in one or two-piece suits of their own choosing. Then it was everyone’s favorite competition, Evening Gowns. It was fashion on parade as the gowns in the pageant were fierce! This was one tough competition. To separate the judge’s choices the contestant then were put through a second round of onstage questions.

The Tampa Teen USA delegates in evening gowns of their own selection.

The Tampa Teen USA delegates in the Swimwear Competition.

Once the competition was completed it was time to announce the winners of the evening special awards, Amity - Lindsey Bolender, Photogenic - Christie Nowels (Teen USA) and Noelle Johnson (USA) then finally the Peoples Choice Award went to Paula Matos, these winners qualify for the state competition.

After the announcements it was time to announce the judge’s final

results starting with The Miss Tampa Teen USA division.

2^nd Runner Up – Mai-Lynn LaTrace

1^st Runner Up – Celeste Lewis

Miss Tampa Teen USA 2010 is Christie Nowels

Then with that competition over it was time for the final results for Miss Tampa USA 2010:

2^nd Runner Up is Stacie Sanders

1^st Runner Up is Paula Matos

Miss Clearwater USA 2010 is Noelle Johnson
Miss Tampa USA 2010 is Lindsey Bolender

The judges with their selections.

Congratulations to Pageant Director Brigittia Long and her outstanding group of volunteers on a great evening of pageantry! Kudos also to Miss Nowels, Ms. Johnson and Ms. Bolender as they return to Hollywood. The Road To Hollywood now heads to our southernmost stop on tour as I-75 connects with the overseas highway and the Miss Florida Keys USA & Teen USA Pageants Sunday afternoon. See everyone manana in the Conch Republic!

(Photos courtesy of Brigittia Long and Lindsey Bolender)

» Miss Florida Keys USA & Florida Keys Teen USA

Miss Thomas and Miss Talbott say their final good-byes as Ms.Clementi looks on…

The Road to Miss Florida USA returned to The Florida Keys for the fifth edition of Miss Florida Keys USA & Teen USA. Held at the beautiful Coral Shores Performing Arts Center four Miss USA and three Miss Teen USA delegates competed for the two tiaras and the chance to represent the states southernmost region at both Miss Florida USA and Miss Florida Teen USA.

Elise Manley introduces herself to the judges / Roxanne Hudson is

interviewed by Miss South Miami USA 2010 Megan Clementi

The competition started with the delegates introducing themselves in their red (USA) or white (Teen USA) cocktail dresses. They were introduced by the afternoon hosting team of Amanda Talbott (Miss Florida Keys USA 2009), Signe’ Thomas (Miss Homestead Teen USA) and Meagan Clemente (Miss South Miami USA 2009). The opening competition was the onstage interviews as the Teen USA delegates were up first followed next the Miss USA delegates as they answered questions drawn at random.

Up next was the swimsuit competition 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.

Ms Velasco (white), Ms. Simeoni (blue)

and Ms. Manley (multi-colored) in the evening gown competition.

Miss Pierce (blue), Miss O’Connor (one piece blue)

and Ms. Allen during the Swimsuit Competition

Then all was left was to announce the special prizes and the results for the Miss Florida Keys USA pageant. The special awards were up first as our winners are qualified for state. The delegates voted Miss Amity to be a tie between Elisa Manley and Andrea Simeoni. While our staff photographers voted the Miss Photogenic award to Danielle Pierce.

At this point the Teen USA delegates were called to center stage as the results were named as:

1^st Runner Up is Rebecah O’Connoer

The New Miss Florida Keys Teen USA is Danielle Pierce!

Miss Pierce is called Miss Florida Keys Teen USA

as Ms. Talbott and Ms. Signe presents her tiara and sash

After the presentations it was time for the Miss USA announcements

to complete the competition:

1^st Runner Up is Sophia Allen

The New Miss Florida Keys USA is Frances Velasco!

Ms. Velasco and Miss Pierce are

Team Florida Keys USA 2010!

Congratulations to Ms. Velasco and Miss Pierce as they represent The Florida Keys region at state. Up next on The Road to Hollywood is a trip up I-95 as we head to North Miami Dade for Miss Miami Gardens USA & Teen USA next Saturday night!

» IF YOU GO:

WHAT: Miss Miami Gardens USA & Teen USA Pageant

WHEN: Saturday March 28, 2009

6:00pm

WHERE: The Henessey Center - Monsignor Pace High School

15600 NW 32nd Avenue
Miami, FL 33054

WHY: The second edition of Miami Gardens USA takes place this Saturday evening with a rare evening start. It should be a fun evening of pageantry as we select the representative from our newest city in Miami Dade County.

It's Miss Miami Gardens USA Weekend!

» THIS WEEKEND: Saturday April 4^th

Hollywood’s Marshmallow Drop

9:30am – 11:30am

For the fifth time we are heading to Hollywood West Park for one great morning of fun and chasing marshmallows! Let me explain; every Saturday before Easter in our host city of Hollywood thousands of children gather to find the lucky marshmallow. Now visualize over 10,000 marshmallows dropped from a Helicopter in a circle as the children await the siren. Then it’s a full out sprint to find 30 colored marshmallows (don’t eat the marshmallows!) that have prizes like bikes and Xbox Play stations

So much fun as we will have YouTube and television show stand-ups as well as handing out prizes to the lucky winners. Last year was a blast and this year should even be better. If you would like to participate email us at telair@aol.com or call the pageant office at 954 924-4949 in Hollywood. Call time is 10:00am and is produced by: Winn Dixie and Hollywood Parks, Recreation & Cultural Arts

This event is casual and will take place on a grassy field so flats would be a must. Sashes please! We will meet at Boulevard Heights Community Center
6770 Garfield St. (Map) Hollywood, FL 33024

Ms. Gallego gets a reminder “Don’t Eat the Marshmallows!”

» Sunday April 5^th

Embrace Girl Power Tea Party

2:00 – 5:00pm

Just firmed up the Tea Party at the Signature Grand on Sunday, April 5, 2009 from 2:00 pm - 4:30 pm. It's going to be quite beautiful I am so excited. I am attaching our events and activities schedule for the contestants for your review. Please share with your queens they are welcome to join us.

I would like to prepare a formal release and coordinate a few media interviews. Will you please firm up exactly which of your queens have confirmed their appearance and forward same to me at your earliest convenience. I will need their names and city's they represent to include in same as well as the exact count for the Tea that includes a three course lunch and a Pink Chocolate Fantasy Fountain with delectable dipping treats. All the contestants will be dressed in adorable full Disney Princess gowns. There are a total of 35 girls ages 4-12.

For program news and updates visit us on line at www.embracegirlpower.org

Mentoring it what the day is all about!

» PAGEANT UPDATES:

Miss Florida USA Final Weekend Doubleheader:

Miss Southwest Florida USA & Miss Volusia County USA Pageants

In a first of its kind we are doing a final weekend Miss Florida USA Preliminary Pageant Doubleheader May 30^th and 31^th in Charlotte and Volusia Counties. That’s right, two preliminary pageants, two days, and our four final titles! The first stop is at The Charlotte Harbor Event & Conference Center (the site of our Miss Florida Teen USA from 1999 – 2003) for a combination Miss Southwest Florida/Charlotte County USA & Teen USA twin title pageant. The festivities start with contestant registration at 1:00pm followed by a 4:00pm show start.

Then Sunday it’s a trip on I-4 East for the tenth annual Miss Daytona Beach/Volusia USA & Teen USA Pageants. We are awaiting confirmation from a site to be announced in the next day or so! Both pageants are open to all of those statewide. For more information feel free to contact pageant director Grant Gravitt, Jr. at telair@aol.com or more traditionally by phone at (954) 924-4949. Look for seminar days to be announced in the next few weeks to prepare you for your pageant experience.

Miss Florida USA returns to the Southwest Coast...

...and Daytona Beach this May!

» Job Opportunity! Looking for Titleholders

Recently we were made aware of great employment opportunities for our titleholders. In the “new economy” everyone is looking for ways to improve their income and here is a great chance to start a very rewarding and financially lucrative career!

IST Management Services, Inc. is the fastest growing, privately held Management Company in the U.S. The company provides total office solutions including the management of copy, mail, imaging, supply, records, reception, desktop publishing, shipping & receiving and other administrative services for companies. And they have had great success matching titleholders from around the country with employers.

If this sounds of interest to you, kindly respond via email to telair@aol.com or via phone to (954) 924-4949. I would be happy to set up an appointment with our IST friends. Just another way we try to help our Miss Florida USA Family!

Turn your interview skills into a profession!


 This week’s Miss Florida USA Channel Movie returns us to Tavernier in the

Florida Keys for a 10 Minute Pageant. Hosted by Miss Coral Gables USA Alexandra

Montessino it was one fun day of pageantry that was caught by our cameras!

Hope you enjoy our Miss Florida USA Movie of the Week.

Click here for more YouTube Movies!

Copenhagen Fashion Week:

Three Newbies to Watch

Copenhagen's been the "it" Nordic fashion week for a few years now, and this season the mini-metropolis proved that it's still up to providing us with exciting new talent. After four very gray, rainy days of shows (does the sun ever shine here!?), we thought there were three standout newbies we'd bring your attention to--they're definitely worth knowing, even on this side of the Atlantic.

Barbara i Gongini
This was only her second show at CFW, but this sensationalist succeeded in wining everyone over with her whimsical but wearable line of sheer knitwear and vulumous coverups. We imagine her knit leggings are a dream to wear, and her layered wraparounds and oversized cardigans are a perfect way to look polished on the streets of NY, even if you're just running down to get your morning latte.

Bibi Ghost
In addition to her awesome name, this gal's definitely got it going on in the design department, too. All about simple, wearable garb, this young designer offered up a second collection full of silk lbd's, high-waisted trousers, and flowy tops. This is a designer who understands how clothes should move, and the whole collection came across as super graceful, feminine, and pared down, without being the slightest bit dull.

Visbol de Arce
These recent design school graduated cooked up a dramatic second collection full of sculptural dresses, an interesting foam collar leotard (perhaps better for the stylist on set, than the fashionista in soho), and some seriously tight trousers that might just be easier to paint on. A very 3-d collection, Visbol is able to stray away from the very mainstream, high-street looks that a lot of Copenhagen designers show, and we're totally appreciative of this bold effort. They're sure to produce some great things in the season to come.

- Natalia Rachlin

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