Miss Tampa USA &  Miss Tampa Teen USA March 01, 2008     Our Teen USA delegates await the results       The Road to Hollywood returned to Tampa Bay for the eight time as this years edition of Miss Tampa USA and Teen USA featured something old and something new. The old was The Tampa Convention Center that hosted two other editions of Hillsborough’s championship. The new was director Brigetta Long and her crew from West Florida Productions as they presented a fun afternoon of pageantry.        Miss Smith in competition with Ms. Ratliff  interviewing her as Ms. Woodward looks on         The competition began with the four Miss USA and three Miss Teen USA delegates introducing themselves to the enthusiastic audience in blue jeans and white “Hollywood” tops. The competition then got started as our hostesses Victoria Ratliff (Tampa USA 2008) and Summer Woodward (Orange County USA 2008) presented the delegates in the swimsuit and evening gown competitions.        Ms. Garcia in the gown competition (left) Ms. Cuasey in swimwear of  her own choosing (center) & Ms. Metroka introduces herself in her Hollywood top     The delegates completed the afternoon in their evening gowns as a blind draw question awaited. The judges and audience then saw their ability to speak under pressure as each handled the task admirably. This year’s committee that selected the winner included Brian Jungling, Vice President of Operations The Harris Hotel Group; Cathy Jimenez, entrepreneur and philanthropist; and Lucas Duff, Director of Field Stone Management Company.             After a farewell speech by Ms. Ratliff it was time to bring onstage  The Miss Tampa Teen USA contestants were first up  as the results were read in this order: 2nd Runner Up is April Smith 1st Runner Up is Christie Nowels Our new Miss Tampa Teen USA 2009 is Brianna Lupo     Miss Lupo carries on the Tampa Teen USA tradition     Then it was time for the Miss Tampa USA delegates to return  to the stage. The results were: 3rd Runner Up Lalita Arjune 2nd Runner Up Carla Cuasey 1st Runner Up is Nicole Metroka The eighth Miss Tampa USA is Lees Daryanne Garcia         Final group shot of the day with Mrs. Long     Queens and 2009 Court       What a great visit to Tampa it was a fun and competitive afternoon of pageantry. Congratulations to Miss Lupo and Ms. Gracia on joining the class of 2009 and winning a pass to Hollywood. Also a big congratulation’s goes to Pageant Director Brigetta Long and her volunteer crew on a smooth and fun first pageant! Now the Road To Hollywood actually returns to Hollywood for the fifth annual hometown pageant. Looking forward to seeing my South Florida Pageant friends this upcoming weekend on Hollywood Beach.       Team Tampa USA 2009