Miss Miami Tropic Scholarship Pageants October 26, 2008        Poolside during the photo shoot     The Road to Hollywood started the long journey this past weekend in South Florida as the 6th annual Miss Miami Tropic Scholarship Pageant. The event saw a highly competitive afternoon of pageantry with competition in three divisions, Miss USA division; Miss Teen USA division and Junior Miss division. The Miami Merchandise Mart’s Sheraton Hotel Grand Ballroom hosted the seventh annual pageant and carries on the tradition in Florida’s magic city. An enthusiastic crowd came to cheer on the six Miss USA and nine Miss Teen USA delegates and four in the Junior Miss Tropics division.          Miss Castillo during the opening production number       The sell out crowd was greeted with lunch in the fashion show setting and then the pageant was on! With the delegates introducing themselves to the audience and judges. After the openings it was time to introduce our Mistress of Ceremonies, Miss Puerto Rico 2004 Desiree Sardo along with reigning Miss Miami Tropic Stephanie Fernandez and Miss Miami Tropic Teen Danielle McCrimmon.          Ms. Rivera handles the interview question (left) Miss Villanueva introduces herself to the audience and judges (right)     The Miami Teen USA delegates Interview Competition was onstage with a random question from the ceremonial fish bowl. The swimsuit competitions featured swimwear provided by Lan Designs Swimwear. Then it was everyone’s favorite The Evening Gown Competition was up next. Fashion was on display as the delegate competed in gowns of their own choosing. In between was a swimsuit fashion shoot poolside and then a fashion show featuring unique designs with models of former titleholders and their mothers followed the Evening Gown Competition.            Miss Rivero (#10), Miss Ubieta (#12) and Ms. Villinueva (#14) in Swimwear       Miss Pierre (#8), Miss Escarra (#6) and Ms. Velasco (#20) in Evening Gowns of their own selection.     Then it was time for the specials award of the evening with the winners qualify for state, starting with the results of The Junior Miss Miami Tropics Teen (Teen USA) Division: The 3rd Runner-up is Jennifer Rios The 2nd Runner-up is Darcy Hernandez The 1st Runner-up is Valerie Trujillo Junior Miss Miami Tropics Teen (USA) 2009 is Daniela Lapata.       Then the final results for Miss Miami Tropics Teen (Teen USA) Division: Miss Photogenic – Gabriella Gonzalez The 3rd Runner-up is Nicole Villanueva The 2nd Runner-up is Amanda Ubieta The 1st Runner-up is Camille Rivero Miss Miami Tropics Teen (USA) 2009 is Melissa Ramirez After the first title of the evening was awarded it was time to feature the Miss Miami Topics (USA) results: The 3rd Runner-up is Nicole Villanueva The 2nd Runner-up is Judith Nigaglioni The 1st Runner-up is Christy Castillo Miss Miami Tropics (USA) 2009 is Erica Rivera!       The new Team Miami Tropic 2009     What a great evening of pageantry! Congratulations to Miss Lapata, Miss Ramirez and Ms. Ramirez who now go to state representing the Tropics of Miami. Congratulations also goes to the Miami Tropics Scholarship Pageant  team led by Executive Producer “Mrs. Rose” Martinez along with Pageant Director and daughter Desiree Sardo who ran one great show. Job well done! Now the Road To Hollywood takes a few weeks of before heading to Naples this upcoming November.