» Miss Florida Teen USA Going Away Party in Jasper:

Staff Writer: Suwannee Democrat

Victoria Ratliff, 2005 Miss Florida Teen USA, was excited but composed as she greeted guests during her Sending Off Party on Tuesday, July 19. To the delight of the guests, she modeled several outfits that she planned to wear at the 23rd Annual Miss Teen USA competition. Victoria and her family left for Baton Rouge, La., on Wednesday, July 20, for the preliminary events of the pageant. As Florida’s representative, she will join other delegates from each of the 50 United States and the District of Columbia. The pageant will be broadcast live on NBC at 9 pm ET on Monday, Aug. 8. The contestants will enjoy a schedule of fun filled events in the days before the pageant. Ratliff enjoys water parks and hopes they go to the Blue Bayou Water Park in Baton Rouge.

According to Ratliff this is the largest pageant in which she has competed, but she is not nervous ... yet. She enjoys the challenge of the competition but admits that the on-stage question causes her a few tense moments. Although each contestant submits a question, only the finalist's questions will be used. The finalists won't learn which question they will have to answer until the night of the pageant. Ratliff said that winning the Miss Teen USA competition would open more doors to her in the entertainment field, so that she can pursue a career writing and recording her own songs.

» Theft leaves pageant short of funds

By LINDA MAN The Kansas City Star

When the thief took all the money — about $13,000 — in a cash box, girls were left crying and officials were stunned. Now, officials with the Miss Missouri American Coed Pageants are trying to replace the $13,000 and raise an additional $10,000 for next year’s pageant. “There were a lot people who were crying and in shock,” said Jodie Roemer, director of the pageant for Missouri and Kansas. “I’m pretty frustrated about the whole thing.” The burglary was reported about 8:30 p.m. Saturday during a competition at the Clarion Hotel Sports Complex. Roemer said the cash box contained about $7,300 in award money. Also taken were gift certificates, cell phones and money tucked in envelopes. The room from which the money was taken was being used as an office and changing area. It had been locked, Roemer said, but so many people were entering and leaving that the room was left unsecured. The cash box was under a table, she said in an interview.

“In 22 years, the pageant has never had this happen before,” Roemer said. Roemer said news of the missing money spread by word of mouth among the contestants, and many parents were supportive. “A queen parent offered me $1,000,” Roemer said. “These are people who were paying to compete.

Pageant officials recall a suspicious-looking man who disappeared shortly before anyone noticed the money was missing. Officials think the man was an audience member. To offset the loss, the pageant is organizing a silent auction and dinner fund-raiser in September, Roemer said. Details haven’t been completed. Police were investigating. If you would like to assist please feel free to contact Mrs. Roemer (Miss Florida USA alumni Danielle Roemers mother at (816) 225-5634 or via email at mo@gocoed.com.

»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.

»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!

Question: What is the difference between a fiddle and a violin?

Ask Miss Missouri Teen USA that question as I would say she is playing the fiddle with a

local Baton Rouge Cajun Band at this year Miss Teen USA Pageant.

This picture of the week is music to our ears!

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