» Three Pageants, Two Shoots and One Fashion Show - Mi Vida Loco!

What a crazy pageant week for the Miss Florida USA family it had been for this writer in particular. Well over 500 miles on the car along with two days of shooting for the Miss Florida USA telecast and one city commission meeting to boot, all of the pictures and reports in my pageant diary!

Saturday May 14

Miss Miami USA started the weekend’s pageant tripleheader as we ventured from Hollywood to The Miami International Airport as The Embassy Suites was just right off of the northeast runway! Congratulations to pageant director Don Steere and his new Miss Miami USA Rachel Rose and Miss Miami Teen USA Kendra Waller. Job well done!

Don Steere's Miss Miami USA team with their new titleholders

So great seeing so many alumni and pageant family, starting with Kim Decker (3^rd r/u 1998 FLUSA) and Angela Grant who Contestant Directed last year's Miss Florida USA. Ms. Decker is attending UCF and managing her family’s real estate ventures in Volusia County. She is also excited to be directing her first Miss Daytona Beach USA pageant this May 29^th. Ms. Grant is pursuing opportunities in the Big Apple and is moving to New York lager this month.

Also we caught up with Adell Healy-Enger (t15 2004 FLUSA) who is now a mortgage broker and real estate developer. Mrs. Enger is in the process of relocating from St. Petersburg to Orlando in the near future. Also on hand were our Miss Citrus Teen USA Annilee Hasty and Miss Boca Raton Teen USA Barbara Conte. One pageant down and three to go!

As we exit Miss Miami USA it’s a crossing the Everglades journey as we traveled on 8^th street (aka US-41) towards Marco Island. After waving to the alligators and dodging snake crossings it was the oasis that is Marco Island Awaiting. The Radisson Naples Resort was a beautiful setting as I arrived just in time for a group photo session with a majestic sunset in the background.

Joining pageant directors Marianne Oden and Katy Carson were the nineteen delegates who competed for the six titles that represented Southwest Florida. Melissa Witek, our Miss Florida USA, was the center of attention as the photographs matched the beautiful settings. Day one of our pageant odyssey ended with a seafood meal on the shores of The Gulf of Mexico.

Miss Citrus Teen USA and Miss Boca Raton Teen USA during the intermission (left)

The new Miss Treasure Coast titleholders with Cristian (Miss Pembroke Pines Teen USA) and Glenda Byrd (right)

Sunday May 15

It was an early start for a Sunday morning as the lobby of the Radisson greeted our Miss Southwest Florida delegates who were awaiting the Interview competition. The competition was a nice mixture of delegates we have seen on the Road to Hollywood and others who were new to pageantry and Miss Florida USA. Then it was onto rehearsals as the pageant was all coming together. But alas we had miles to go before we slept and reluctantly had to say goodbye. It was goodbye to our Southwest Florida friends and it was off to Vero Beach for the third pageant of the weekend.

The ladies await the interview judging Sunday morning

One more trip through the Everglades with the end destination The Treasure Coast for our first ever pageant in Vero Beach. What a beautiful location The Vero Beach Historic Center turned out to be. The pageant's venue took place in a 1926 building that was at the heart of historic Indian River County. Congratulations to Halavin Productions for their first ever Miss Treasure Coast USA Pageant. After the onstage pictures it was back on I-95 as we returned to Hollywood late Sunday night as it was time to plan two shoots in Hollywood the upcoming week.

Wednesday May 18

The day started with our Miss Florida USA Melissa Witek being a special guest at our host cities Hollywood Commission Meeting. Ms. Witek made the entire state proud as she thanked our gracious hosts for supporting our wonderful event. Then our mayor congratulated Ms. Witek on her outstanding efforts representing Florida and Hollywood at Miss USA. We have some pageant fans in our city government!

Melissa with City Manager Cameron Benson

The City of Hollywood Commision honored Melissa on Wednesday

After telling our mayor and commissioners her involvement in the community and philanthropically throughout the state, she then invited them to join her the following evening at Hollywood’s “Too Hot For Fashion” Charity Fundraiser that she would be hosting. The appearance concluded with a group picture of Hollywood’s Mayor, Commissioners and City Manager Cameron Benson who was on the judging panel that chose Ms. Witek.

Lia, Britton, Yazmin and Laura awaiting Expo Alfresco

Our Miss Florida USA’s second appearance of the day was at the 10^th annual Expo Alfresco, Hollywood’s ultimate food festival and tabletop business expo. We had nine delegates enjoying the traditional outdoor festival that took place on Harrison Street downtown. Joining the event were Lindsay Shockey (Hollywood USA), Amanda Zitzman (Jacksonville USA), Lia Anter (South Florida USA), Britten Simon (Seminole County USA), Yasmin Navvaro (Carnavale USA), Johanna Torres (North Miami Beach USA), Megan Brooks, Ashley Shannons (Boca Raton USA) and Laura Lombardo (Broward County Fair).

Ashley and Megan await the food while Melissa is on camera in front of some of the events booths

The television cameras caught the activities for our viewing audience and the ladies had the opportunity to sample the gourmet goodies of our host city. The delegates had a blast as they made new friends and had some outstanding photo opportunities.

Thursday May 19

The pageant marathon has reached it’s final day as “It’s Never Too Hot For Fashion” has the ladies making their fifth annual fundraising fashion show in support of our local charities. For the third year the event has raised funds for The Broward Outreach Center, which is the support assistance program for our local homeless. The day started at 2:00pm with fittings, makeup and hair. Then it was rehearsals and final alterations before the event began.

The evening started off with a VIP reception that leads to the evening of Fashion. This years delegates included: Amanda Zitzman (Jacksonville USA), Lia Anter (South Florida USA), Britten Simon (Seminole County USA), Johanna Torres (North Miami Beach USA), Megan Brooks, Ashley Shannon’s (Boca Raton USA), Rachel Rose (Miss Miami USA) and Laura Lombardo (Broward County Fair) for the Miss USA division and Savannah Stephens (Miss Seminole Teen USA), Marsha Nangkall (at large) and Brittany Houle (Miss Gold Coast Teen USA).

Our cast of super models!

The final group shot of the night

This year's men of Hollywood included City Manager Cameron Benson along with Westin Diplomat’s General Manager Mark Kulkulski, Assistant City Manager of Hollywood Rick Lemack; State Representative Ken Gottlieb and City of Hollywood Commissioners Beam Furr, Sal Oliveri and Keith Wasserstrom. It was truly a who’s who of Hollywood. Congratulations to event chair Tai Vaz (Try My Thai) as the event raised over $30,000 for such a good cause! Kudos to everyone involved!

»Kudos & Did You Knows:

- Kudos to Miss Florida Teen USA 2005 Victoria Ratliff on her graduation from high school this past Friday from Hamilton County High School. Look for a big summer following graduation as the family vacation takes them to Baton Rough, Louisiana for the Miss Teen USA Pageant this August. Congratulation Victoria.

- Kudos to Amber Garrod, Palm Beach County Teen USA, as she made an appearance Saturday, May 14th, at the Palm Beach Kennel Club's "Night of the Stars" Race. She was out on the track supporting the Greyhound Pets of America! Good job Amber!

Wonderful job from the Palm Beach County

titleholders for Greyhound Pet Adoption.

» Miss Florida USA at Ron Jon Surf Shop in Cocoa Beach

Ron Jon Surf Shop in Cocoa Beach is hosting an autograph signing by Ms. Witek who is originally from Brevard County and lives in Cocoa Beach. Witek was born in Rockledge in 1981, attending St. Mary's grade school and Melbourne Central Catholic High School. After graduating from The University of Florida, Ms. Witek returned to The Space Coast to run her granite company. Meet Ms. Witek and receive a signed autograph!

Saturday May. 28: 2 p.m.

Ron Jon Surf Shop
4151 N. Atlantic Ave. (Map It)
Cocoa Beach, FL

»Pageant News Wanted!

Are you a titleholder or at large delegate who is making appearances or doing good things in the community? We would love to tell all of the Miss Florida USA Family your story. Send pictures and updates to telair@aol.com as we feature everything Miss Florida USA on Friday’s at Faces & Places.

»This Week Ahead for Miss Florida USA

The week’s “Road To Hollywood" stays in South Florida for Miss West Broward USA and Miss Homestead/Florida Keys USA Pageant. All the results and pictures 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!

We caught our ladies doing “The Electric Slide”

Wednesday night at Expo Alfreseco…enjoy!