Miss Florida USA Faces

LEXINGTON, SC (WIS) - Until one famous answer, Lexington's Caitlin Upton was a favorite to become Miss Teen USA. It was her moment, then, "All of a sudden, I was asked this random question I was not expecting. I was in such shock."

Caitlin's dad, Bill Upton, says, "When the lady read the question, we were thinking, what was that?" And her mom Carol says, "She simply had a panic attack, which could happen to anyone." With that answer, the Miss Teen USA title was out of reach, and she finished third runner-up.

Then came the Internet and media onslaught. Carol says, "First it seemed like a tsunami was hitting our little family and changed us forever. It was overwhelming." More than 15 million people logged onto YouTube to watch and laugh at her fumbled performance. Broadcast, print and talk TV all wanted her interview. Bill says, "I felt like a Hollywood agent."

She agreed with NBC's Today Show, hoping to redeem herself. This time, she would not lose. Caitlin says, "I'm not the girl who answered that question in a silly way. I'm a strong independent woman who knows what she wants in life."

Now for the first time since the pageant, the Upton's agreed to an exclusive interview with WIS News 10's Hannah Horne. On one hand they want the publicity to go away, but on the other, it's a chance to show their true family. Bill says, "You take your worst 30 seconds and put it on TV and you'll be judged very poorly." Carol also asks for some understanding, "I would like for people to judge my daughter on more than a question, and one answer. There's so much more to her than that."

Eighteen-year-old Caitlin, played for Lexington High's state finals' soccer team. She loves animals and volunteers with Project Pet. And she's making the best of the publicity, "If I had answered that question right and happened to win, I'd never been given the opportunities." Those opportunities include appearing on MTV's music video awards show, and a pending modeling contract in New York City. Caitlin says, "My lifelong dream has been to travel the world and pursue my modeling career. Randomly, that has offered me that opportunity."

Carol says, "She's learned some hard lessons and gained more than she's lost." Hannah asked Caitlin if she thinks pageants, especially nationally televised, put too much pressure on young women her age. She said accepting that challenge makes you stronger in the long run, and to quote her, makes you not scared of life.

During our recent Miss Florida Teen USA Pre Tape Weekend we thought it would be fun to give a camera to our contestants to see their view of our state championship. So for the first time ever we present a contestants perspective of last Sunday’s Hollywood Beach Day. Think of it as a weekend edition of our www.YouTube.com/MissFloridaUSA Channel Movie of The Week!

» Kudos & Did You Knows

- Kudos to Team Halavin members Alyssa Rivera, Miss Homestead/FL Keys Teen USA, Jamila Jones, Miss Pembroke Pines Teen USA, Shayra Medal, Miss Oakland Park Teen USA, Rossana Pujol, Miss South East FL Teen USA and Lindsay Shockey, Miss Broward County USA this past Friday as they participated ass a group in a fashion show benefiting the Cystic Fibrosis organization. Way to hit the runway and a do a good thing ladies!

- Kudos to Rossana Pujol, Miss South East Florida Teen USA who has founded a not for profit organization called The Last Supper. She kicked off her efforts this past weekend as she assisted the homeless at The Miami Rescue Mission this past Saturday. Way to help those who can’t help themselves Rossana!

- Kudos to Michelle Chaban, Miss West Broward Teen USA who made an appearance at the Ronald McDonald House in Fort Lauderdale this past Sunday. She worked with the Coral Springs Jaycees serving dinner to family staying there. Way to do a great thing for your community Michelle!

» Beauty, brains and will to serve – local teens Walk for the Way

NAPLES-FL. Samantha Misener, Miss Naples Teen USA 2008 and Emily Provenza, Miss Collier County Teen USA 2008 will serve as Grand Marshals of the United Way of Collier County Annual “Walk for the Way” on September 29^th at North Collier Regional Park.

Other Grand Marshals will be Sarah Augusthy from WINK TV and Carlos Zapata from D’Latinos TV and Azteca America.

The two teens, who will represent Naples and Collier County at the upcoming televised Miss Florida Teen USA pageant on October 7^th, will also put together a team of children and teen walkers and will lead the walk themselves.

“It is a great privilege to become such young marshals and especially for this very important event,” said 16-year-old Misener. “United Way of Collier County makes a difference in our communities and being a part of such a relevant project is an honor but also an eye-opener to what we can really offer as young leaders.”

The Walk for the Way is an “up-to-2-mile” family walk organized by United Way of Collier County that aims to raise awareness of the different needs in the area. It also raises funds to support the 24 social service agencies that serve more than 100,000 Collier County residents.

“We are inviting children, teenagers, parents and entire families to join our team,” stated Provenza, 17. “This is an opportunity for the community to make a statement that says we are ready to give back and give forward and that it is never too early to start walking the path of community service.”

The walk will start at 9 a.m. but registration begins promptly at 7:30 a.m. To contribute and join to the team visit www.MissNaplesUSA.com or call 239-200-4342.

We have found a great host for all of our pictures before they are formally posted here on our home page. Visit http://virb.com/missfloridausa as we have posted over 150 photos from this past pre-tape weekend. We will also post all timely pictures there after preliminary pageants and special appearances. Always trying to stay ahead of the communications cure here at 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!

This was a light week of pageantry around the world here at the home offices of POTW. So the committee went into our past library of fun shots from our recent Miss Florida Teen USA Pretaping. We found this picture of our reigning titleholder, Annilie Hastey; that perfectly captured her beauty along with her personality. Maybe it was her look, maybe it was the balloons, but either way here is our Picture of The Week!

» Kudos & Did You Knows

» Beauty, brains and will to serve – local teens Walk for the Way