Miss North Central Florida USA &  Miss North Central Florida Teen USA April 21, 2007   The Road To Hollywood went North on I-75 into Gator Country for the second Miss North Central Florida USA & Miss North Central Florida Teen USA  Pageants. This year has a twist, the titles have been combined with the forth Miss Gainesville USA & Miss Gainesville Teen USA Pageants. Hosted by Miss Marion County USA 2008 Meghan Isom and Miss Marion County Teen USA 2008 Jaclyn Raulerson, both of whom were greeted by an enthusiastic audience at The Oak Hall Performing Arts Center!       Vida Sheffield answers Ms. Isom’s question.       The afternoon started with the six Miss North Central Florida Teen USA delegates introducing themselves in yellow outfits and were followed by the thirteen Miss North Central Florida USA delegates. The interviews began with self- introductions to the audience and judges along with a few words about their career or educational aspirations. Then it was answering questions directly from their biography cards as Miss Raulerson interviewed the Teen USA delegates while Ms. Isom interviewed the USA delegates.       Brittney Castles during her onstage question (left) Noelle Johnson introduces herself to the audience (right)     The judges responsible for the selection of Miss North Central Florida USA & Teen USA were Merissa Amkraut; concert violinist and former pageant titleholder; Michael Matthews; lawyer and film producer; Nathalie Pozo; Miss Florida USA alumin and news anchor on Gainesville’s WCJB ABC TV 20; Beth Ramsey, motivational speaker; and Rob Witzel; lead photographer for The Gainesville Sun.         Miss Nelson (Aqua) & Ms. Rhodes (Red) in swimwear of their own choosing         After the judges introductions it was time for the second phase of the competition, swimwear. The delegates competed in one or two-piece suits of their own choosing. Each competition ended with comparison judging for one last look at the delegates. Then it was everyone favorite, the evening gown competition showed the delegates flair for fashion.         Miss Love (green), Ms. Sheffield  (white) and Ms. Phelps (dark green) in the Evening Gown competition.     While the votes were being tabulated the audience was entertained by the vocal stylings of Miss Raulerson. Then the ceremonial envelope was handed to Ms. Isom to read the judges results. Up first were the special awards for the days:   Miss Amity as voted on by the delegates themselves goes to Tessa Love (NCFTUSA) and Natalie Green (NCFUSA) while the pageant photographers  awarded Chelsea Donovan Miss Photogenic and The Peoples Choice Award went to Brittney Castles.   Then Ms. Isom called to the front of the stage The Teen USA delegates to read the results for the title of Miss North Central Florida Teen USA: 2nd Runner Up is Courtney Herres 1st Runner Up is Lauren Harmon   Miss Gainesville Teen USA 2008 is Tessa Love! Miss North Central Florida Teen USA 2008 is Emily Nelson!       Miss Nelson’s crowning moment       The it was time for The Miss USA Divisions results: 4th Runner Up is Brittney Castles 3rd Runner Up is Megan Phelps 2nd Runner Up is Vida Sheffield 1st Runner Up is Chelsea Donovan The New Miss Gainesville USA 2008 is Nikki Rhodes The New Miss North Central Florida USA 2009 is Noelle Johnson!         Ms Johnson is Miss North Central Florida USA!       Big thanks go to the delegates and attendees as It was truly a great day of pageantry in Alachua County. Congratulations to Team Gainesville USA on their victories and entry to state in Hollywood. Also a big congratulations goes to Pageant Director Chelsee Atkins and her volunteer staff of Chelsse Productions on a great day of pageantry!        Team Gainesville USA!       The judges and Mrs. Atkins with the new titleholders       Team North Central Florida USA!   Up next is a trip south on I-95 for the first ever Miss Pompano Beach USA & Miss Pompano Beach Teen USA Pageants on Sunday. The Road to Hollywood is heating up in the last part of the season.        Ms. Pozo interviews Ms. Johnson for Gainesville’s ABC News     Rock on!