Miss Florida USA Faces

Eleven months out of the year, elves don't get a lot of respect. They jingle down the street in their striped tights and bell-tipped shoes, trying to keep a low profile beneath their pointy hats, and constantly picked on by tall bullies. "Hey! Go back to your tree and make some cookies!" the people shout. Watch it, buster. These are toy-making elves, and they don't appreciate your insensitive comments.

A reindeer amongst elves! (left) Ms. Sax and family not only attended they also brought a convertible! (right)

Sunday it was time to show support of the little ones when Santa gave his helpers time off to enjoy their day in the sun at the 25^th annual Santa's Parade of the Elves at the Shops at Sunset Place in South Miami. Surrounded by beautiful holiday floats and skipping to the jovial beat of marching bands, our elves stood tall and spread holiday cheer. The little guys and girls were joined by Santa Claus himself as well as Miss Florida Teen USA 2008 Jillian Wunderlich; Miss South Miami 2008 Kelly Sax; Junior Miss Miami Tropics Kristen Sabina; Miss Miami Tropics Teen (USA) Danielle McCrimmon and Miss Miami Tropics (USA) Stefanie Fernandez. The day was perfect for a parade and so were the pictures!

Did You Know our Daytona Beach USA Team was out to set a weekend parade record? Well it certainly seemed like it as Miss Daytona Beach USA 2009 Emily Kuchar and Miss Volusia County USA 2009 Megan Clementi along with little sisters Miss Ormond Beach USA 2008 Halsey Kinne; Miss Deland USA 2008 Melissa Goldberg; Miss Port Orange USA 2008 Leah Bowman and Miss Daytona Beach USA 2008 Nicole Fornino as they were in Christmas Parades in Daytona Beach; Holly Hill; Deland and Port Orange this weekend. Throw in a beach clean up Saturday morning and we are hopping they haven’t sprained any wrists. Way to get involved and catch the holiday spirit ladies!

Mandy Schendel is making the most of her high-school years. The 17-year-old has added Miss Washington Teen USA 2008 to her already impressive résumé. A senior at Hazen High School in Renton, Schendel is the Associated Student Body president and was on the cheerleading squad her sophomore and junior year.

She also started her own national volunteer group when she was 11, The Difference Maker Organization, and is its chief executive officer. The group works to encourage young people to help their communities and rewards people who have made a significant difference. Schendel received the President's Call to Service Award in 2006 for her work with the organization.

When Schendel was 7, she got a flier in the mail about an upcoming pageant. She decided it would be fun to enter and took fourth place. She continued to compete almost every year in local and national pageants. In 2005, she was the first runner-up in the Miss Washington Teen USA competition and was voted Miss Congeniality. In 2006, she again competed for the teen crown and made it to the top 15.

This year, Schendel won the title and the opportunity to compete in the Miss Teen USA pageant this spring.

A: It was a fluke thing. We got an invitation, and I tried it and fell in love with what the organization stood for.

A: I love the idea that they encourage poise and presentation in young women, and they build confidence. It is also a really fun weekend.

A: Miss Teen Washington 2007 Shalane Larango. She has so much poise and elegance and was a great role model during her year holding the title.

Q: What have been the biggest challenges you have faced in competing in pageants?

A: The biggest fear is getting yourself ready for the swimsuit competition. The biggest challenge can be dealing with the stress. You have to be able to let go and really just enjoy yourself.

A: I love singing and have done it since I was very little. I'm in Divina Voce, an elite women's ensemble at Hazen.

A: I'd really like to go to the University of Washington for international relations and speech communications. The goal is to become a prosecuting attorney.

We have found a great host for all of our pictures before they are formally posted here on our home page starting on Monday. Visit http://virb.com/missfloridausa for pictures from Jillian’s parade appearance this past weekend in South Miami. Always trying to stay ahead of the communications curve here at Miss Florida USA.

» Kudos & Did You Knows

Kudos to our West Broward USA 2008Team of Sulema Sanchez and Michelle Chaban on their starring roles at the 9th annual Best Buddies Miami Gala this past Saturday night on exclusive Star Island. Not only did Pageant Director Barbara Ewald, Ms. Sanchez and Miss Chaban network with the elite of South Florida, they also enjoyed Ciarra live and have photo opportunities with our pageant elite to show for it. Way to be social diva’s Sulema and Michelle!

Miss West Broward USA 2008 Sulema Sanchez, Pageant Director Barbara Whitehead

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!

You know our Picture of The Week Committee have a huge weakness for a crowning photo. With so many viable candidates this week for our coveted title we went all the way to China for this photo of Chinas Zhang Zi Lin, celebrating after winning the Miss World beauty pageant contest in Sanya, Hainan island province. Sure it’s the local girl but what an exotic place and what a beautiful recipient of this weeks POTW honor. Enjoy!