Miss Florida USA Faces

Monday was a great day for a photo shoot! Promptly at 12:00 noon our Miss Florida USA Jenna Edwards had her call for the annual Photography by Lasky sessions. On the agenda were several shots for her composite plus the official crown and banner photo for autographs and our website. After a Pollo Tropical Lunch (of course!) it was off to work as the team of Mr. Lasky with Make Up by Sharon made sure everything was perfect.

With a professional working model like our Ms. Edwards and an artist like Mr. Lasky it was clear that this would be one great photo session! Then voila it seemed like only minutes that several looks and moods were shot and represented. As Mr. Laksy said “She is a great subject for the camera” and we couldn’t agree more. Today we provide the behind the scenes photos but look for her pictures from this session on our website very soon!

Miss Hawai'i USA 2002 Juliet Lighter is ready to turn in her pageant gowns and high heels for workout wear and running shoes. Lighter, a model who has entered a handful of pageants over the past six years, wants to switch gears and focus her energy on fitness."I definitely want to get into heavy training, as far as competing more in marathons and triathlons," the Kane'ohe resident said. "Maybe entering more surfing competitions."

Her first major challenges: training for the Dec. 10 Honolulu Marathon, then for the Ironman Triathlon World Championship in October next year in Kailua, Kona — "an ultimate goal," Lighter said. Lighter's newfound ambitions stem from turning the "big 3-0" in January. “When I turned 29, my body started changing," Lighter said. "I decided I need to start eating right and I need to start working out."

A family history of cancer and diabetes also was a big motivator for Lighter, who added that she wants to set an example for her younger cousins. "It was like my whole perspective on life changed," she said. Her fitness goals won't be just a short-term phase, she emphasized: "When I'm in my 40s or 50s, I want to feel like I'm in my 20s or 30s."

Lighter squeezes her workout routines between going to school and working as a freelance event coordinator, cable-show co-host and international model, among other things. "My workouts are priority," Lighter said. "I always hear people say, 'I don't have time to work out' ... but if it means that much to you, you make time for it."

Lighter's new passion for health and fitness is part of her mission to reinvent herself. While she's proud of her pageant accomplishments (which helped her pay for college) — winning the Miss West O'ahu 2000 title, earning fourth runner-up in Miss Hawai'i 2000 — Lighter isn't just a pretty face. "There's a lot more to me than what people just see," she said. "It's the worst when people stereotype you: 'She's a beauty queen, so she must not be smart or she must not have a good personality.' "

Lighter said she wants people to get to know her past her appearance: She's a strong Christian who cherishes her family and friends, and is in graduate school earning straight A’s. After completing her master's degree in communications from Hawai'i Pacific University, Lighter wants to start an event planning company, and produce and host her own television show.

She also aspires to establish a charity program, "New Start," geared toward helping women who were victims of domestic violence, through self-esteem classes, career workshops and other resources. "That ideally would be my ultimate goal," said Lighter, whose inspiration for the program came from her own experience of being in an abusive relationship. To reach all her goals, Lighter said she believes it all comes down to being healthy and fit. "When you feel good about yourself, everything else seems to fall into place," she said.

It hasn't been a good year for Shanna Moakler. First, her split from Travis Barker. Now, she's been eliminated from "Dancing with the Stars." Moakler and her dancing partner, Jesse DeSoto, had gotten a decent score from the judges Tuesday night. But it wasn't enough to keep them for a third week.

Miss Venezuela Lidymar Jonaitis (L), who is representing the country in the next Miss Universe beauty pageant, and Miss Venezuela Claudia Suarez, who is participating in the Miss World beauty pageant, pose for the media in Caracas

Fulani women from the Wodaabe sub tribe partake in a beauty pageant during the annual Cure Salee (salt cure) festival in Ingall, Niger, September 16, 2006. The nomad tribes in Niger (Tuareg and Fulani) gather for one week in the Niger side of Sahara because of the rich salt deposits and to rest, fatten their animals, give them the 'salt cure' and enjoy music, dance, and camel racing.

» 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!

This edition of Pageantry Picture of The Week we found quite arresting as inmate Angela Valoyes celebrates after winning the 'Miss Congeniality' pageant at the Buen Pastor medium-security female prison in Bogota, Colombia, Thursday, Sept. 21, 2006. Beauty pageants are very popular in Colombia and have taken place in female prisons in Colombia on and off for the past 20 years. But this is the first time one of their contestants ever has had the honor of Picture of The Week. We say its time for a pardon! Hope you enjoy…