July 31 , 2012
» Miss Florida USA 2013 REVIEW IN PICTURES:
For the next few weeks we are reviewing our state championship of pageantry through the eye of our staff photographers. It was one fun and hectic week celebrating the seventy-five strong Class of 2013. From the Westin Diplomat Resort on Hollywood Beach to Bailey Concert Hall in Davie we were making memories. We continue the fun with a recap of Wednesday July 11th with a full day of rehearsals of the international broadcast. Under the direction of choreographer Vicki Davis the show was starting to take shape. After a hard day of rehearsals it was time to go from business to enjoyment.
At 5:00pm the ladies were headed to GG’s on the beautiful Intracoastal Waterway for seafood night at Miss Florida USA. The Hollywood Dining Series takes the delegates to three fantastic epicurean treats during pageant week as nobody eats as well as our delegates in all of pageantry! Then the day ended with the much anticipated Fun and Games night hosted by Jimmy Jam Productions. The evening lived up to its name as we played and danced the night away.
Next week it’s Press Photo Day Poolside as we made the national news thanks to the summer Florida heat. Then it was the Judges Interview Segment as it was time to begin the first phase of the competition. In between interview sessions the ladies were also treated to an amazing dinner hosted by The Westin Diplomat. That’s next Monday right here at Faces + Places only at www.MissFloridaUSA.com.
Ms. Lee, Ms. Day, Ms. Stephens and Ms. Stone enjoy the veranda at GG’s before dinner
Group shot on the outdoor patio
Ms. Raia; Ms. Gaybor, Ms. May and Ms. Jacobson take a table picture
The buffet line at GG’s
Ms. Eschbach, Ms. Hasselvander, Ms. Conley and Ms. Swoyer await the games
The traditional Hula Hoop Passage teaches team building
Team one gearing up for the sack race / Collin Medlin shows perfect form
The winning relay team
The evening ended with group dancing with glow sticks
» MISS FLORIDA USA FAMILY IN THE NEWS
Gainesville's
own Folakemi Osoba, who just returned from competing in the Miss Florida USA
Pageant, provided a behind-the-scenes look at the pageant. Although Folakemi
didn't win or even make it to the semi-finals, she said it was a great
experience. "It was a lot of fun," said Folakemi. "I enjoyed it
more than I thought I would and I met girls that I will keep in touch."
Her journey to the Miss Florida USA Pageant began with her winning the
Miss Capital City (Tallahassee) USA Pageant earlier in the year.
Folakemi, 21, (pronounced
Fa-la-kim-my) is also called "Kemi." She graduated from Eastside
High School and is the daughter of Minister Babajide Osoba and Minister Teresa
Osoba of Redeeming Faith and Anointing Church in southeast Gainesville. She is
majoring in public relations at Florida A&M University. For the 75
contestants in the Miss Florida USA Pageant, the pageant began when they
registered and received their roommate assignment at the Westin Diplomat Hotel
in Hollywood.
They then hit the ground
running, with a three-hour rehearsal the first evening, followed by all-day
rehearsals leading up to the pageant, which was held on July 14. During
rehearsals, the young women practiced their walking map, photo stops, swimming
and evening gown segments. The day before the pageant, each contestant had a
three- to four-minute interview with the judges. Rehearsals also included
practicing for the pageant's opening number, which included the contestants
dancing a jazz routine to "‘Let's Go" by pop singer Ne-Yo
featuring Calvin Harris. "Everything is choreographed to the T,"
said Folakemi. "For Saturday, everything had to be very precise."
She said the entire time at the pageant was very structured. She said
contestants were always chaperoned and were not allowed to have physical
contact with family, friends and/or coaches. During the evenings, the
contestants played team-building games, such as sack races.
Folakemi said she is glad for
the opportunity to participate in the Miss Florida USA Pageant. She said it
benefited her in may ways including making new friends, learning that she can
do anything she sets her mind to do and learning how to deal with
disappointment. Folakemi said she is very greatful for the outpouring of
support she received from the Gainesville community, her family church, Alpha
Kappa Alpha Sorority Inc. and others. She received $2,000 in donations.
"It made it all possible," Folakemi said. "The amount of
support I received from the community was amazing. It was more than I could
have imagined." Folakemi said her mother, Teresa Osoba, supported her
every step of the way. "I couldn't have done it without my mom,"
Folakemi said. "She has been there for me every step of the way."
Folakemi said she would like to compete in another pageant after she graduates
next spring from FAMU. "One of the things I wanted to do before I leave
this earth is to participate in a pageant," Folakemi said.
» KUDOS & DID YOU KNOWS
- Kudos to Miss Jacksonville Teen USA 2013 Elise Lobb who was a special guest of our nation’s finest in honor of a special day. Miss Lobb joined in the celebrating the Army's 237th Birthday with a few hundred of our brave and fearless soldier’s station on the first coast. We enjoy brining good cheer and supporting America’s true hero’s. Way to do great things with your title Elise!
- Did You Know our Miss Escambia County USA 2013 McKenna Lee was a guest of honor at Wednesday’s Pensacola Wahoo’s home game in Pensacola’s brand new beautiful baseball stadium on the Gulf of Mexico. Ms. Lee threw out the ceremonial first pitch then headed to the stands to sign autographs and take pictures with babies. This brand new stadium is the cornerstone of downtown development in our westernmost city and of course our Miss Florida USA representatives have to be at the trendiest places. Way to show off that throwing arm McKenna!
- Kudos to Miss Miami Teen USA 2013 Yarelya Truffin and Miss Brickell Teen USA 2013 Elybeth Villanueva as they were specials guest as The Magic City turned 116 on Saturday, and the city celebrated with a big party. Miami Mayor Tomas Regalado (pictured with Pageant Director Rose Martinez) and other city officials were on hand for the celebration, which included celebrity DJs, food tastings and the Brickell Art Walk. Miami was incorporated as a city in 1896 and is one of the few municipalities in the nation established by a woman. Julia Tuttle is known as the mother of Miami. Way to make the Magic City a little more Magical.
» THIS WEEKEND ON FLICKR
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 our new channel at http://www.flickr.com/missfloridausa/. We are always trying to stay ahead of the communications curve here at Miss Florida USA! This week it’s our August Season opener as we head to Ft. Walton Beach for our 5th edition of Miss Panhandle USA. Picture’s garden fresh only from your friends at Miss Florida USA the only camera on the island!
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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!
Every
now and then you get a winning reaction that is priceless. Last Saturday evening
in the Bahamas was one of those moments. Our POTW Committee saw this image
Sunday morning and the group didn’t even have to meet as it was unanimous. We
love this shot of Logan West, reacting to being crowned Miss Teen
USA 2012. She celebrated on stage after the crowning from Atlantis, Paradise
Island and Resort and were sure she will have the same reaction when she is
presented our prestigious Picture of the Week Award as we say congratulations to
Miss West.
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