Miss Florida USA Faces

Our Miss Florida USA 2008 Jessica Rafalowski made her first official appearance the past week as she judged the 50^th annual Miss Seminole Princess Pageant. The Florida Seminole Tribe, under the direction of Wanda Bowers, presents an amazing week of native culture and pageantry that culminates in the awarding of the titles in the Jr. Seminole Princess and Miss Florida Seminole Divisions.

But this week at the world class Seminole Hard Rock Resort and Casino has been a traditional great event in the year of Miss Florida USA. Ms. Rafalowski was immersed in the culture that is The Seminoles. She went airboat riding, toured museums and really got to know the eight delegates competing. From Thursday to Sunday she was always on the go and having the time of her life.

Saturday night was the final competition evening at The Seminole Tribe of Florida’s Performing Art Center. All of the delegates competed in native wear; interview competition and art or culture performance. Our Miss Florida USA joined the judging panel that included Ponca We Victors, Miss Indian Nations 2006; Meagan Young, Miss Indian World 2007; Dale Oldhorn, Crow historic preservation officer and Steve Reevis, Native Actor (Fargo, The Longest Yard).

The event culminated in the awarding of the new titles to Jennifer Chalfant (Miss Seminole Florida 2008) and Amelia Nunez (Jr. Seminole Princess 2007). We also congratulate Brittany Yescas (Miss Florida Seminole Princess 2006) and Tiana Garcia-Sanders (Junior Miss Florida Seminole Princes 2006) on their inspiring year of service. Also a big thank you goes to the numerous members of the Seminole Tribe and Pageant Committee on making us feel so welcomed!

Little Miss Pembroke Pines USA was also in the house! (left) Sonny Nevaquaya Comanche Master Flutist

Ponca We Victors, Miss Indian Nations 2006; Meagan Young, Miss Indian World 2007 & Ms. Rafalowski

» Kudos & Did You Knows

- Kudos to Miss City Beautiful Teen USA 2008 Jeane Almulla who self published her new book "Footsteps to Confidence" ….which teaches empowerment and to be proud of who they are…it’s a guide to help them become leaders not followers. Miss Almulla is promoting her book statewide through Citrus Council of Girl Scouts programs and is working with her Orange County Mayor office to proclaim a Girl Power Day in Central Florda..Grouming Tomorrow's Leaders. For further info or to order a copy, pls visit www.jeanealmulla.com-- part of the proceeds are donated back to Girl Scouts of Citrus Council. Sounds like to first steps to greatness Jeane!

- Kudos to Leah Bowman Miss Port Orange Teen USA 2007 who spent the month of July on a surfing trip in Costa Rica, while there she had opportunities to spread some international good will and spend time encouraging children to read! She taught several classes with the local students and brushed up on her Spanish along the way. Great job spreading international good will Leah!

Reading to the children in Spanish and English and encouraging them to read back to her.

We will add new pictures daily for the next few weeks from The Miss Florida USA 2008 Pageant exclusively at http://virb.com/1022102202612798. Today we added our production camera pictures from opening day! So many pictures, so much storage space! Only from Miss Florida USA.

» PICTURES & STORIES WANTED!

If you enjoy reading the stories of our Miss Florida USA Family and want us to know what great things are happening either during or after you reign please email us at telair@aol.com. We love touting our sorority of outstanding Florida women. Please send us a paragraph (or two) on your appearances, awards or community service and include pictures. We want you to have all of the support of this great lifestyle we call Miss Florida USA!

» 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!

Our Picture of The Week Committee, while taking a much needed vacation through the fjords of Norway stumbled upon this beautiful picture of Japan's Riyo Mori, Miss Universe 2007, at a news conference in Jakarta. Mori is in Indonesia for a tour visit and put the perfect touch on this picture with a beautiful cherry tree in the background. Voila you have a recipe for our Picture of The Week!