Miss Florida USA Faces

Miss Florida Teen USA alumni Meghan Isom and Lauren Lacompte

are flanked by current titleholders in this year's state pageant

Two Pageants – One Weekend!

Two pageants in two time zones over one weekend! Throw in a major case of the Flu and these were some of the trials and tribulations of yours truly. Springs first visit was spent on the road in Panama City and Orlando. Luckily my camera was in fine shape and the enthusiasm of the Miss Florida USA family got me through it. Let's take a recap.

First Stop – Miss Emerald Coast USA

After my annual visit on the hill of our state capital this past Friday. It was a straight shot to Panama City Beach to visit the Leading Ladies of North Florida. Upon my arrival I was very impressed on what a beautiful city it is. Not to mention the world famous beaches that now seemed to be bordered an invasion of 40 story condominiums. It was also spring break time but I have to figure with the re-energizing of the city that that travel markets days are numbered. Look for big things to come pageant wise by this rapidly growing city.

Upon arrival at the Marina Civic Center it was great to see Brooke Francis (Miss Panhandle USA 2006); Kimberly Anderson (Miss Tallahassee USA 2006) and Alyx Reynolds (Miss Tallahassee Teen USA 2006) who all looked fantastic and were so excited to be all in training for this years state competitions. At the other end of the spectrum were reigning Miss Emerald Coast titleholders Kimberly Wright and Lauren Howell who were relieved to watch the others go through the competing! Upon a little prodding it seems that Laurens pageant career is undecided. Kimberly, who graduated high school this past January, is looking forward to a few years away from the stage before joining the Miss USA ranks.

Miss Gainesville USA 2005 Megan Henry and Alisha Duren before Saturday Nights Presentation Show (left)

Pageant buddies Lauren Howell and Kimberly Wright became close friends during their Emerald Coast reigns (center)

Miss Florida USA 03 Carrie Mewha and Emerald Coast Choreographer & performer Larry Thompson during rehearsals (right)

Also in the Panhandle to support this great pageant included Miss Florida USA 2003 Carrie Mewha (in spite of a hurt wrist) who handled co-hosting duties on the live broadcast. Look for Ms. Mewha to make her decision on her residency plans in the next few weeks but it seems that Orlando is in her future for the next five years. Also it was great seeing Megan Henry (FLUSA ‘03 3rd ru/t15 ’04) supporting her sister titleholders.

Kimberly Anderson (Miss Tallahassee USA 2006); Brooke Francis (Miss Panhandle USA 2006)

and Alyx Reynolds (Miss Tallahassee Teen USA 2006) at Friday Nights Rehearsals in Panama City.

Second Stop – Maitland

After a 4:30am alarm and 6 hour drive (oddly beautiful that early on a Sunday) it was our 3rd visit of the year to The Orlando North Hotel, this time to hand out a state record tying eight titles in one event. The venue was standing room only and the excitement was contagious as so many new faces were to be seen on the stage.

Preliminary Directors Jullie Bogart; Shannon Williams

and Charles Lee pose for the cameras.

The Miss Florida USA family that was in the house to support Michael and Franks pageant included visiting titleholders Miss Citrus Teen USA Annilie Hastey; Miss Tampa USA Nari Gil; Miss Clearwater USA Julianne Pruitt; First Coast Teen USA; Miss Clearwater Teen USA Tess Wilensky; Miss Citrus Teen Tatianna Schoepler; Miss Polk County USA; Lindsey Norris and Miss Orlando Teen USA 2005 Jaime Stramondo. As always our camera was in play so lets check out the pictures.

Kudos & Did You Knows

Congratulations Julie on landing

another television hosting role!

- Did You Know that Miss Florida USA 2001 Julie Donaldson adds another show to her list of hosting duties as 'Today in Real Estate,' A South Florida Real Estate weekly will Premiere Sunday, April 24, 2005 at 12 noon on WPLG 10 – ABC. Congratulations Julie!

- Kudos to our Miss Manatee County Teen USA Sara Long as she captained her very own Relay For Life team in support of The American Cancer Society. Thirty- degree weather didn’t damper their enthusiasm as the event raised $38,000.00 for cancer research. Great job Sara!

- Kudos to Megan Henry on her being cast on this year's version of ABC’s hit reality television show The Batchelor. Ms. Henry joins Miss Florida USA 2002 Shannon Ford as veterans of this viewer’s favorite. We will be pulling for you Megan!

Megan Henry hopes to land

The Bachelor on ABC!

Baton Rouge Leads in Quest for Miss Teen USA Pageant

BATON ROUGE, La. A top convention and tourism official says the nationally televised Miss Teen U-S-A Pageant scheduled for August likely will be held in Baton Rouge this year.

Paul Arrigo is president of the Baton Rouge Area Convention and Visitors Bureau. He told his agency's governing board that he expects to land the pageant, which could fill three-thousand hotel rooms during a traditionally slow time of the year.

At Arrigo's urging, the board voted to commit up to 300-thousand dollars to help bid on the pageant that's slated to be held August 8th. Arrigo says the pageant will provide national exposure for Baton Rouge. If the city lands the event, he says footage of the contestants at a variety of local sites, such as the Capitol, will be included in the pageant's broadcast.

This Week Ahead for Miss Florida USA

The weeks Road To Hollywood heads for the first of two straight weekends in Palm Beach County. This week its off to Dwyer High School for the inaugural Miss Palm Beach County USA Pageants. Reports next Friday only at Face & Places!

Alumni News Wanted!

If you know of any Miss Florida USA alumni in the news please drop us an email to feature them in future articles. Email all info to info@missfloridausa.com! Until next week here to good pageantry!

PICTURES OF THE WEEK!

Our Miss Universe Jennifer enjoys a dolphin encounter