February 2012
27 posts
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Former Miss USA talks addiction at Hanley Center fundraiser - Sun Sentinel →
articles.sun-sentinel.com
The Hanley Center Foundation celebrated its 17th annual Family Luncheon with honored guests, a silent auction, world-class horse jumping and fun activities for the children Feb. 12 at the Palm Beach International Equestrian Center. The event also marked the start of National Children of Alcoholics Week.
“The event is not only a great fundraiser [but] it also raises awareness on how the disease of addiction affects everyone in a family,” said Andrew Rothermel, executive vice president and chief operating officer for the Hanley Center and Caron Renaissance.
This year’s event featured Tara Conner, a public advocacy consultant for Caron Treatment Centers and former Miss USA 2006, who is celebrating five years in recovery.
Just want to add how proud I am of Tara for turning her life around in the way she has. She’s certainly proved her sceptics wrong and she’s an excellent role model for making the most of the opportunities that present themselves. Tara was the winner of the first Miss USA season I covered and five years on it’s great to see her so healthy, happy and successful.
Website update 26/2
Good news… 90% of my site should be up and running again! Any broken images etc should be fixed soon. Thanks for being patient :)
Sun Devil Beauty Queen Makes Pageantry More than Skin Deep →
ecollegetimes.com
Last fall, Erika Frantzve received a special gift. On her birthday, November 20, she was crowned Miss Arizona USA 2012.
But don’t let the misconceptions about pageants fool you – this beauty queen isn’t in it for the makeup and crown.
“It’s just a piece of metal,” Frantzve said. “I want to use the title to help do something big instead of just settling for having a crown in my room.”
Doing big things and helping others are two things Frantzve has a lot of experience with. She started a nonprofit organization, Everyday Heroes Like You, when she was 17 years old. The nonprofit helps promote small, local organizations that do the “grunt work” in the community, Frantzve said.
Frantzve’s mom always told her, “The greatest thing you can give anyone is your time.”
She stuck by that motto and has grown her organization from a local charity to a national one. There are now directors in Washington DC, Virginia, North Carolina, California and Texas.
Website status update...
Went to bed last night and my site was fine again… woke up and it’s wrecked! lol. Good news is it’s now being hosted by the new hosts, bad news is I’ve got to reupload everything & make sure it’s all in the right place.
Hoping everything should be right within the next day or so, fingers crossed!
Website is (temporarily, I hope!) down...
Since this morning I haven’t been able to access my website and whilst some people can, a look at my site stats indicate that most people have been having the same issue.
Influxhost, who used to host my site, responded to my enquiry with an extremely vague email “InfluxHost is closed. Please email sales@elixant.org for hosting opportunities as we have granted them permission to take over our client base. They will address any concerns you may have”. Given that elixant appears to have shut down in 2006, and Influxhost has been increasingly difficult to contact, I have made the difficult decision to preempt any response from them and change hosts.
Unfortunately I think this is going to involve completely reuploading my site from scratch so please bear with me, there are literally TENS OF THOUSANDS of pages! lol. First I have to wait for my domain to transfer, then it might take a day or so to get my files over. Hopefully everyone can be patient!
Wish me luck, this has me very, very nervous.
Miss Texas speaks about faith →
hbucollegian.com
Brittany Booker, with a Miss Texas sash draped across her blue dress, gracefully walked up to the podium to share how her faith has been a part of every aspect of her life.
Mark Denison, her lifelong pastor, introduced the 21-year-old Booker to the audience at the Feb. 15 Convocation. Denison, B.A./B.S. ’82, a current member of the board of trustees, said he was proud of what Booker has accomplished and added that she has worked hard for everything in her life.
“Booker has been an outstanding student both in high school and at the University of Houston,” said Denison, who now pastors at First Baptist Church of Conroe. “She has great character, and her passion for Christ has led her to where she is now.”
Originally from Friendswood, Booker graduated from Bay Area Christian Academy in League City, Texas. Majoring in human and health performances at the University of Houston, Booker is a member of the National Society of Collegiate Scholars as well as the Alpha Chi Omega sorority and plans to obtain an advanced degree from University of Texas Medical Branch to become a pediatric physical therapist.
"Women of substance" part 2....
Part two of my list of academic, personal & professional accomplishments of this year’s Miss USA contestants. Click here to read part one and find out why I think it’s important this stuff be broadcast during the pageant!
Nitaya Panemalaythong (Minnesota) - Born in a Thai refugee camp to a Laotian family, came to US as an infant. Works full time in an office while attending Normandale Community College. Proudest accomplishment is becoming a homeowner in 2010 - she and her brother in law support 10 family members living in that home!
Myverick Garcia (Mississippi) - Holds an Associate Degree in Liberal Arts from Jones County Junior College, currently a senior at University of Southern Mississippi studying for a B.S. in Biological Science. Hopes to become a dentist.
Katie Kearney (Missouri) - Junior at Saint Louis University where she is studying communications.
Autumn Muller (Montana) - Studied Education at Rocky Mountain College
Amy Spilker (Nebraska) - Studying at University of Nebraska-Lincoln.
Jade Kelsall (Nevada) - Has worked as a nightclub hostess at Prive in Planet Hollywood and XS. Chosen as US ambassador of British fashion chain Top Shop.
Ryanne Harms (New Hampshire) - Graduate (with honours) of University of New Hampshire with a degree in psychology and concentration in pre-med (2011). Plans to attend graduate school and get her MBA in health administration.
Michelle Leonardo (New Jersey) - Studying Bachelor of Science in Journalism at Suffolk University (Boston).
Jessica Martin (New Mexico) - Senior at New Mexico State University majoring in Business and Marketing, with a minor in Sports Marketing
Johanna Sambucini (New York) - Graduated cum laude with a B.S. in business administration with a marketing concentration and a minor in psychology from Wagner College (2009) - made Deans List every semester. Now completing her Masters Degree in Business Administration.
Sydney Perry (North Carolina) - Senior majoring in marine biology at UNC Wilmington.
Jaci Stofferahn (North Dakota) - Completing her business marketing degree at Western Governor’s University. Has interned for former Senator Byron Dorgan and Senator Kent Conrad.
Audrey Bolte (North Carolina) - Studies at St Andrews College in North Carolina where she is majoring in business administration and minoring in equine studies.
Lauren Lundeen (Oklahoma) - Sophomore at the University of Oklahoma majoring in modern dance.
Alaina Bergsma (Oregon) - Senior at University of Oregon where she is obtaining a degree in Business Administration focusing on Sports Marketing with a minor in Economics. Captain of the volleyball team.
Sheena Monnin (Pennsylvania) - Holds a Bachelors Degree in Human Service and a Masters Degree in Psychology. Would like to earn a PhD in theology.
Olivia Culpo (Rhode Island) - Sophomore at Boston University and has been placed on the Dean’s List every semester. Accomplished cellist - has won seats in the Boston Symphony Hall in Boston, Carnegie Hall in New York City and on a tour of England in 2010. Performs with the Boston University Accompanietta.
Erika Powell (South Carolina) - Vocal Performance graduate of Furman University. In 2007, she was engaged for Lyrique en Mer/Festival de Belle Ile, the largest Opera Festival in Western France. Was most recently seen in The New York Philharmonic’s 2011 production of Janáček’s The Cunning Little Vixen. Has also performed in London. Has appeared on television shows like “Ugly Betty,” “White Collar,” “Royal Pains,” “The Good Wife”.
Taylor Neisen (South Dakota) - Student at Black Hills State University studying exercise sciences. Signed with Ford Models.
Jessica Hibler (Tennessee) - Senior at Middle Tennessee State University studying broadcast journalism.
Brooke Daniels (Texas) - Student at the University of Houston, majoring in Human and Health Performance.
Kendyl Bell - Holds Bachelors Degree in Communications from Brigham Young University. Works with the municipal government in Utah as the Community Outreach Manager for Republic Services. Given the Volunteer of the Year Award by the national American Lung Association in 2008 for her Asthma education program Blue Balloon Day that raised over $50,000 and reached 33,000 students. Has participated in volunteering expeditions in Zambia & Peru.
Jamie Dragon (Vermont) - Owner of and stylist at Lush Boutique.
Catherine Muldoon (Virginia) - Holds Bachelors of Arts degree from New York University (2007) & Doctor of Dental Medicine degree from the University of Pennsylvania (2011). Works as a cosmetic dentist. Has participated in humanitarian dental missions to in Nicaragua and Costa Rica.
Christina Clarke (Washington) - Holds Associates in Arts & Sciences from Bellevue College and is currently majoring in Psychology. Has completed her Dispensing Optician Apprenticeship.
Andrea Rogers (West Virginia) - Studying towards her Masters degree in Marketing Communications at West Virginia University. Is a Special Education Teacher at Berkeley County Schools.
Emily Guerin (Wisconsin) - Started a stock trading business at the age of twenty, and has traveled all across the US with that business.
Holly Allen (Wyoming) - Degree in Business and Marketing with honors from California State University, Chico. Has worked with Fortune 500 companies nationwide, staffing their tech departments. Is currently attending NYFA in LA.
These "beauty" queens have substance!
Update - read part 2 here.
One of the most irritating stereotypes I find people have about pageant girls, and in particular Miss USA contestants, is they are beautiful girls but lacking in brainpower. As anyone who gets to know them knows this couldn’t be farther from the truth.
Here’s a quick rundown of the academic backgrounds, current employment and other achievements of the Miss USA 2012 contestants. This is part 1, expect part 2 tomorrow. As you can see these are accomplished woman who have achieved success across a broad variety of fields and who deserve to be recognised for this, as well as their looks!
Katherine Webb (Alabama) - Bachelor of Science degree in Business Management and Administration from Auburn University (2011). Training director at Chick-fil-a in Columbus, GA and professional model.
Jessica Kazmierczak (Alaska) - Senior majoring in psychology with a minor in communications at University of Alaska-Anchorage. Was a summer intern to the late U.S. Sen. Ted Stevens.
Erika Frantzve (Arizona) - Senior majoring in political science & international relations at University of Arizona, will graduate with honors. Established Everyday Heroes Like You charity at age 17 which runs two programmes, Johnny’s locker which stocks lockers full of toys, activities etc at hospitals, shelters and protective facilities & PAWS for a CAUSE which raises funds for animal shelters & humane societies. (http://www.everydayheroeslikeyou.com/). Former NCAA Women’s Basketball Athlete for Regis University (Denver).
Kelsey Dow (Arkansas) - Senior majoring in communication disorders at Arkansas State University-Jonesboro. Works with children in a medical-related field.
Natalie Pack (California) - Third year biology/pre med student at UC-Irvine, hopes to attend medical school.
Marybel Gonzalez (Colorado) - B.A. in International Relations and a minor in Spanish Literature from Pomona College (2009). Won Paul and Evelyn Ritchner Award for Undergraduate Research on Women’s Rights. Currently pursuing graduate studies. Part of Breakthrough Collaborative, an organization dedicated to preparing inner city students for a college bound path which involved serving as a math teacher and a mentor for a class of 7th grade students.
Marie-Lynn Piscitelli (Connecticut) - BS in Business Administration & Accounting from The University of Connecticut School of Business (2006), Masters in Taxation from Bentley University (2009). Has worked as a senior tax accountant for Deloitte, now owns & runs her own makeup business.
Krista Clausen (Delaware) - Freshman studying Special Education at the University of Delaware
Monique Thompkins (DC) - Graduate of University of the Arts (Philadelphia) majoring in Dance. Won Student Leader of the Year Award & founded a service charity which won Organization of the Year at the university. Currently working in Federal Law Enforcement as an Investigative Research Specialist for the Department of Health and Human Services.
Karina Brez (Florida) - Graduate of Dreyfoos School of the Arts, works in her family’s business as a certified gemologist.
Jazz Wilkins (Georgia) - Full-time nursing student at Georgia State University, has attended Clemson University.
Brandie Cazimero (Hawaii) - Flight attendant for Hawaiian Airlines.
Erna Palic (Idaho) - Currently attending Boise State University majoring in Psychology. Moved to US from Bosnia Herzegovina at age 12, speaks four languages.
Ashley Hooks (Illinois) - Bachelor of Arts in Urban Planning from University of Illinois (2008) where she was a Presidential Scholar. Community organizer with Citizen Action of New York after graduation. Managed her father’s successful re-election campaign for Cook County Circuit Court judicial position in 2010. Currently an employee of State of Illinois Central Management Services.
Megan Myrehn (Indiana) - Senior at DePauw University in where she is a Management Fellow, economics major and Spanish minor. Has worked as a global marketing intern at Eli Lilly.
Rebecca Hodge (Iowa) - Senior majoring in Elementary Education at University of Iowa College of Education.
Gentry Miller (Kansas) - High School Valedictorian. Graduate of University of Kansas School of Business (2010) majoring in business marketing, with a minor in communication studies. Worked for Eli Lilly.
Amanda Mertz (Kentucky) - Graduate of Galen College of Nursing, works as a registered nurse.
Erin Edmiston (Louisiana) - Senior studying General Studies with a focus in communications at University of Louisiana
Rani Williamson (Maine) - Graduate of University of Southern Maine with a Communication degree (2011). Works as an e-commerce/social media specialist at a marketing firm in Manhattan.
Nana Meriwether (Maryland) - Bachelor’s degree in Political Science with a focus on international relations from UCLA. Studied as a post baccalaureate pre-medical student at USC. Has played volleyball for Duke and UCLA. At graduation was a 2 Time All American NCAA athlete, CVU player of the year and broke 3 national NCAA Women’s Volleyball records. First NCAA women’s volleyball player to simultaneously lead the nation in two statistical categories. Lead her team to an NCAA Final Four appearance in 2006. Following graduation played professionally in Puerto Rico then trained for the 2008 Olympics. Is co-founder, director and chairman of The Meriwether Foundation, an international nonprofit operating in 5 countries in Southern Africa supporting and sustaining AIDS/HIV orphanages, schools, rural clinics, and community and agricultural projects.
Natalie Pietrzak (Massachusetts) - Master’s degree in marketing from the University of Massachusetts at Amherst’s Isenberg School of Management. Works as event design sales manager at Art of the Event in Greater Boston.
Kristen Danyal (Michigan) - Will graduate in May from the University of Detroit Mercy with a business degree with an emphasis on marketing
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Fun Fact!
A family is more likely to have a son compete in the Super Bowl than to have a daughter compete in the Miss USA pageant.
Well, no other way to say this. I feel pretty fucking special. I competed at the 2007 Miss USA pageant as Miss New York. You’re welcome familia. ;)
Geneva girl wins Miss Illinois Teen USA, to represent state →
kcchronicle.com
Alexandra Plotz is not a veteran of the pageant circuit. She never participated in events that are featured on shows such as “Toddler’s and Tiaras.”
Her family did watch pageants on TV, but she didn’t grow up wishing and hoping – like many girls do – that one day she, too, could walk across the stage.
After not making the cut in her first attempt, Alexandra, 17, won the 2012 Miss Illinois Teen USA Pageant in November.
