An Interview With Our Miss Florida USA Melissa Witek

After a year of hard work in pursuit of Miss USA our Miss Florida USA looked amazing onstage in Baltimore. This is one talented and driven person who is truly a role model for all of our states young women. What a performance our Melissa displayed this past Monday night! Although she fell just short of her goal it is amazing to report that of over 10,000 women who competed at all levels for the title, Melissa finished 4^th runner-up. So much work and effort was apparent on stage as she truly sparkled and represented our state so well! After a couple of days of rest and relaxation we spoke to Melissa about her Miss USA experience:

F&P: With a few days rest, how does it feel to do so well at Miss USA?

Melissa: It's still very surreal to me that I even competed for the title of Miss USA, let alone placed in the Top 5! As soon as I watch the tape of the show, I'm sure it will hit me. Thank you to everyone in Florida who cheered me on, and a special thank-you goes out to those who attended the pageant and contributed the loudest state cheering section EVER!

F&P: You looked amazing on the podium after the pageant, what were your thoughts?

Melissa: I had no idea that the Top 5 were required to make a speech when accepting our placement trophies! And since I was 4th runnerup, I had to go first. It's not easy to come up with something off the top of your head in front of 2,700 people and with "the Donald" standing right next to you! I know I said something, but it was such a whirlwind that I can't even remember the exact words that came out of my mouth. :)

F&P: Any opportunities resulting in your placement since you returned home?

Melissa: Since Monday night, I've received just over 500 emails in support of my success at Miss USA. I've also created some wonderful contacts in the modeling/acting industries, and will be signing with an agency in the near future.

Melissa receives her crystal award from Donald Trump.

F&P: Best memory of Miss USA 2005?

Melissa: It's a tie for the title of "My best memory from the Miss USA 2005 pageant." Obviously, the moment I was called into Top 5 will be etched into my brain forever! But I also enjoyed the cool events we attended in the weeks leading up to the pageant, most of all the flag football game at the Baltimore Ravens stadium. What normal person gets to catch a touchdown from an NFL quarterback on an NFL field?! I had a blast!

F&P: Tips for the next Miss Florida USA at nationals?

Melissa: Be yourself and stay focused. There will be times where your patience will be tested, but you must keep your eye on the goal and block out anything negative. Keep a smile and a warm heart. Be genuine and kind to everyone you meet. If you can do these things, you will take so much from the experience that it won't matter whether or not you take home the crown.

F&P: Spoken like a true winner! Melissa, the whole state is so proud of you and how you represented the career oriented women of Florida. So many wonderful things await our Miss Florida USA. We look forward to following you exciting career as you have truly made the pageant world stand-up and notice!

Marianne; Michael; Miss California Teen USA and Frank prior to the broadcast.

Memories of Miss USA

Looking back on a week in Baltimore at our national championship of pageantry it is very clear that what we are doing in Florida is very exciting. So many of Florida’s Pageantry Finest in attendance at the Hippodrome rooting on our Miss Florida USA Melissa Witek in her pursuit of the title. All during the week our camera was out 24/7 so I thought we would publish some of the pictures not up already on the Internet. Enjoy our final pictorial salute to Miss USA 2005 in Baltimore!

Mrs. Anter, Lia Anter and Lau Ren Merola at the coronation ball (left)

Florida and Georgia meet! (right)

Melissa basks in the sportlight after a job well done! (left)

Our Miss USA greets her audience at the coronation ball (right)

Marianne and Melissa share a moment after the pageant.

Top Ten Secrets to Winning The Miss USA Pageant

Presented By Miss USA Chelsea Cooley

As Seen on David Letterman

The new Miss USA, who is from North Carolina, appeared on the David Letterman show Wednesday night -- to read the show's well-known, Top 10 list.

Chelsea Cooley, 21, of Charlotte, was crowned Miss USA on Monday night. During the Top Ten list, Cooley made fun of winning the event.

Chelsea Cooley reads David Letterman's

Top Ten List

10. Choose an inexpensive evening gown--you'll have money left to bribe the judges.

9. Watch what Kirstie Alley eats--do the opposite.

8. Why put vaseline on your teeth? It's vase-licious!

7. Pretty much just be hotter than the other 50 girls.

6. Your vow to make liposuction more affordable.

5. Three words: tweeze, tweeze, tweeze.

4. Visualize your future--one year as Miss USA, ten years working boat shows.

3. Ignore distracting phone calls from Pat O'Brien.

2. Give Miss New York USA $500 to arrange "accidents" for your competitors.

1. Focus on your ultimate goal: an appearance on Jay Leno.

At the completion of her reading the list, Dave flings some waffles in the direction of Miss USA 2005, Chelsea Cooley of North Carolina. She is game; catching a few and flinging them back. Dave is charmed by the spunky Miss USA and continues to flirt the only way he knows . . with waffles!

Kudos & Did You Knows

- Kudos to The Leading Ladies Sam & Amanda for throwing a birthday party this past Sunday night for our Miss Florida USA Melissa! Complete with chocolate cake and candles it was truly a great salute for a fantastic representative of our state. Good party Sam & Amanda!

Melissa wishes for big things at her birthday party

Sunday night. Thanks Sam and Amanda!

- Kudos to pageant director Pam Bolter for emailing Vote Online for Melissa messages to over 5,000 new fans of Miss Florida USA! We are all one big pageant family, thanks Pam!

- Did You Know that the Miss Florida USA Pageant family has grown. Welcome to Preliminary Licensee Director Kelly Wagner who has joined the staff of Tel-Air Interests, Inc. (www.telairint.com) who is the license holder in Florida. She will work with the preliminary directors throughout our state and also be involved in the state pageant. Ms. Wagner has previously directed the Miss South Florida Fair Pageant and has competed and held several titles. You will also see Ms. Wagener at pageants throughout the state representing Miss Florida USA. Welcome to the family Kelly!

Miss Wagner with Miss Palm Beach County MAO 2005.

- Happy Birthday to both our Miss Florida USA Melissa Witek and pageant photographer Don Seidman who celebrated their special days on assignment in Baltimore. Happy birthday to you….

Don Seidman celebrates his birthday with the Miss USA family

and poses with our own Michael Galanes.

This Week Ahead for Miss Florida USA

The week’s “Road To Hollywood” resumes with the first ever Miss North Miami Beach USA and Miss North Miami Beach Teen USA Pageants Saturday afternoon at 3:00pm. As always results on Monday and in the audience reports on Friday’s only at Face & Places! Keeping you up to date on everything Miss Florida USA only at YOUR favorite competition website on the internet!

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!

PICTURE OF THE WEEK!

Kristen Berset, Miss Florida USA 2004 embraces Melissa Witek,

Miss Florida USA 2005 in congratulations over her fantastic result at Miss USA.

Miss Florida USA is truly an amazing sorority of sisterhood and pageantry. Enjoy the pix!