Miss Florida USA Faces

Believe in yourself and follow your dreams -- that's the advice of Tara Elizabeth Conner, the Russell Springs, Ky., native who was crowned Miss USA 2006 in the organization's 55th annual pageant in Baltimore last Friday. Her hobbies are eclectic -- they include golf, skydiving and scrapbooking -- and she thinks American pop stars are too edgy to be role models for the young.

In a telephone interview from New York, she described herself as "really outgoing and very driven, a people person. Whenever I can help anybody out and maybe make their life a little better -- just give them comfort or advice -- I'm there. I'm like that with everyone."

A graduate of Russell County High School, Conner is 20 and a business student at Somerset College. She entered her first beauty pageant at 13, was crowned Miss Kentucky USA last November and beat out 50 other contestants to become Miss USA. She will compete for Miss Universe July 23 in Los Angeles.

She is the younger of two children born to John Conner and Brenda Johnson, both of Russell Springs. Her parents divorced, and her mother married Barren Johnson, also of Russell Springs.

Her brother, Josh, is in the U.S. Navy and stationed in Italy, which she says is high on her travel itinerary. "We're 18 months apart, and I haven't seen him in a year," she said. "When he calls, he tells me he misses me, and I tell him I miss him back." She talked about experiences that helped shape her personality and preparations for the Miss Universe pageant.

Q: Russell Springs has a population of about 2,500 and was probably fit to be tied after you won Miss USA. Did you have a big homecoming with a parade?

A: I will be having a homecoming, but now I'm living in New York and probably won't be going home until after the Miss Universe pageant.

You were in pageants as a girl. Were they steppingstones on your way to Miss Kentucky USA and Miss USA?

I started in pageants when I was 13. My first one was Miss Russell County Fair. I won Miss Kentucky Teen in 2002, then went to Miss Teen USA and got second runner-up. But if you want to compete in the Miss Kentucky (USA) pageant, you just have to get in touch with their representative. Anybody can compete.

You're excited about the Miss Universe pageant, I'm sure. How do you prepare for such a thing? What are the judging criteria? Do they play to your strong points?

It's the exact same as Miss USA -- interview, evening gown and swimsuit segments. It works the same, but instead of representing Kentucky, I'll be representing the nation.

To prepare, you work out, keep yourself healthy, and I might work with an interview coach. You have to be mentally prepared. I feel most comfortable on stage, but I like the interview segment because you get to show your personality, who you really are.

After winning Miss USA, you were quoted by The Associated Press, saying, "Throughout my life, hardships and different experiences have made me a very humbled, yet strong individual." What were you referring to?

My parents divorced when I was young, and being from a broken home I've learned a lot about taking care of myself, being family-oriented and staying strong.

You listed one of your hobbies as rappelling. You hang off mountain cliffs from a rope?

There's a place called Rockhouse Bottom in Russell County. It has a pretty big cliff with a nice free-fall to it.

Congratulations to Miss Pembroke Pines USA 2007 Lindsay Shockey and Miss Pembroke Pines Teen USA 2007 Alicia Castellano who were invited to attend the Florida Women of Achievement Reception held on week. This event was truly rarified air as such icons as Patricia Ireland, Elizabeht Plater-Zyberk, Donna Shalala; Sister Jean O’Laughlin (My former College President and dear friend!) & Dr. Grace Wang were a few of the Honorees.

The Florida Women of Achievement is a unique traveling, educational exhibition. The documentary is recognized as an important historic and artistic record that honors women leaders throughout Florida. Through the presentation of these positive role models, Florida Women of Achievement's purpose is to instill ideals as well as serve as an inspiration to those, especially young women and girls, who are striving to achieve their goals.

Thank you to Anne Freedman for this amazing invitation as this was a once in a lifetime evening. It’s events like these that make opportunities that make dreams come true!

- Kudos to our South Florida titleholders who participated this past Saturday in “Aids Walk Fort Lauderdale”. Sarah Callahan (Broward Teen USA); Lindsay Shockey (Pembroke Pines USA); Angel Coleman (Oakland Park USA), Christian Ericksen (Oakland Park USA); Alicia Castellano (Pembroke Pines Teen USA); Chelsea Korka (West Broward USA) & Adrianna Pedrique (West Broward Teen USA) who walked the entire distance in honor of those who have lost the battle and the research that goes on to cure the disease. Along the way they met Carson Kressley of "Queer Eye For The Straight Guy". Great jobs ladies!

- Kudos to Congratulations to Gina Tognoni, Miss Rhode Island Teen USA 1991 and top 10 at Miss Teen USA, who won an Emmy Friday night for Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Daytime Drama Series for her role as "Dinah Marler” on “The Guiding Light." She is also known for her portrayal of Kelly Cramer on the soap opera One Life to Live from 1995 to 2001. Ms. Tognoni aclaimed notoriaty at the 1991 Miss Teen USA Pageant as the Miss Photogenic Winner and top fifteen semi-finalist. We love it when people achieve their dreams, way to go Gina!

in a Drama Series for her role in 'Guiding Light' at the 33rd annual Daytime

- Kudos to Miss Oakland Park Teen USA 2007 Christian Ericksen who represented the City of Oakland Park and the Florida USA system along with the Christian Family Coalition at Pro-Family Lobby Day in Tallahassee. Miss Ericksen spoke with House Representative Will Weatherford on several key family issues that Miss Ericksen supports. Who knows one day maybe she will be Senator Ericksen, we would vote for her!

Estee Mandel normally shops at trendy South Beach boutiques or high-end department stores like Saks Fifth Avenue and Neiman Marcus. A friend convinced her to check out the Metro 7 clothes set up in a temporary store this week on Ocean Drive. Mandel liked the camisoles and tank tops. She got them in hot pink, orange, white and burgundy.

But the Miami Beach resident was rendered speechless when she learned that Metro 7 is a line made by Wal-Mart. ''I'm in shock,'' said Mandel, 43, as she stood with her mouth agape. ``I would never, ever go there for clothes. Maybe for laundry detergent or cleaning supplies.''

Metro 7 is Wal-Mart's new line of women's clothes designed to appeal to fashionconscious consumers who have been shopping at places like Target, JCPenney and Old Navy. The clothes, which typically sell for $10 to $25, are now in about 860 Wal-Mart stores, including a heavy concentration in South Florida.

But if you want to build a fashion image, you've got to be where the cool, hip people go. That's why this week Metro 7 is in South Beach as part of a grass-roots marketing strategy to generate buzz for the brand.

''South Beach has an image of hot, young and fashionable,'' said Cynthia Cohen, president of Strategic Mindshare, a retail consulting firm based in Miami. ``If I put my brand in that environment, my brand gets those attributes.''

Located right on the sand at Ocean Drive and 11th Street, Wal-Mart has erected a giant air-conditioned white tent complete with live entertainment and appearances by Metro 7 spokesmodel and former Miss Universe Dayanara Torres.

NAME DOWNPLAYED. But the Wal-Mart name is downplayed so much that many customers don't even realize who owns Metro 7. The pop-up store is open through Saturday and all the money from sales will benefit The Buoniconti Fund to Cure Paralysis. ''Miami is one of the hottest markets in terms of trends,'' said Lucy Cindric, a Wal-Mart senior vice president and general merchandise manager for women's apparel. ``We always look to Miami in terms of fashion.''

SOBE RUNWAY: Spokesmodel Dayanara Torres shows off some foil printed Jeans, a sequin trimmed tank and a chiffon shrug.

is exhibiting the Metro 7 line of clothing that is offered only by Wal-Mart stores

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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!

The Picture of The Week acknowledges a weakness for beautiful women in tropical colors

in far away places. But who doesn’t? Thus this picture of the fourteen Miss Tahiti Pageant contestants gets checks

in all of the above categories then it’s obvious it time to say hello to our Tahitian friends as they received

the honored picture of the week. Bon voyage!