I apologize for the tardiness of this post...after all, Mrs. International was over a month ago! I have just been CRAZY busy trying to get everything together for my new pageant coaching business, so I've been putting a lot of energy into that. My motto is "do it right or don't do it at all," so hopefully everything will come together SOON.
Enough about that. In July, I headed down to the Mrs. International Pageant in Skokie, IL to support my dear friend Donnell Rank, Mrs. MN Int'l 2007. It is always great to attend pageants because it is a wonderful opportunity to reconnect with old friends from across the country. I was able to see a number of my fellow contestants from 2003: Cindy Harwood (Mrs. AK), Rebecca Chandler (Mrs. AR), Lacey Mervine (Mrs. IN), Jodi Cessna (Mrs. PA), Mary Snipes-Phillips (Mrs. SC), and of course Michelle Fryatt (Mrs. NV/Mrs. International 2003). It was great to finally meet Lauri Rottmayer (OK State Director), who I've "known" via the internet but had never actually met in person. I really enjoyed seeing Suzy Bootz, the outgoing Mrs. International 2006. Suzy and I competed at Mrs. United States in 2002 and have stayed in touch ever since. Again, one of the many friendships I have made as a result of this hobby!
Some members of the "Class of 2003" reunite (L to R): Cindy Harwood (AK), me (MN), Jodi Cessna (PA), Rebecca Chandler (AR), and Mary Snipes-Phillips (SC)
L to R: With photographer "extraordinaire" Paula Preston and Mrs. MN Int'l State Director Allison Stavrakis before Prelims
Suzy Bootz (Mrs. Int'l 2006) and I catch up before Prelims start. Suzy and I competed together at Mrs. United States 2002 and have stayed in touch ever since. A great lady who did a great job this past year!
Friday night was Prelims, and the contestants looked great in turquoise cocktail dresses from Tony Bowls--these were the cutest opening number dresses I have seen in years in ANY Mrs. pageant system! Donnell did an awesome job and I was so proud of her. For those who don't know, Donnell and I met in 2003 when we were both contestants in the 2003 Mrs. MN Int'l pageant, and we've been close friends ever since. 
In fact, my favorite photo from when that year is not my crowning shots, but rather Donnell running from the far side of the stage with her arms outstretched to congratulate me (see photo to left). And when I say she ran from the far side of the stage, I really mean it--she was the furthest contestant from me, yet sprinted over to me before the crown was even placed on my head. I distinctly remember her saying "You won! You really did it!" and I KNEW that she really was happy for me, which meant the world to me. It just shows what true friendships were born out of that pageant, and what a CLASS ACT Donnell truly is. Love ya sista! :)
Donnell is escorted during preliminary Evening Gown competition by her husband Glen. You look awesome girlfriend!
The contestants all competed in Aerobicwear and Evening Gown, and the only preliminary award that was announced was the Photogenic Award, which went to a very deserving Mrs. New Mexico. In the past, the Prelim Award (Evening Gown & Aerobicwear) Winners were announced on Prelim Night, but this year they decided to announce them at the Coronation Party instead, which is a change I was VERY happy to see. I have just seen so many women get dejected after not winning a Preliminary Award and then they are not as "ON" for Finals Night. Plus, I feel like it is more suspenseful and encourages more people to go to the Afterparty, so it is a change I TOTALLY agree with. FYI, I'd like to point out that the eventual winner of the pageant (Mrs. CA) did not win ANY preliminary awards, which just goes to prove that you don't have to win any individual awards to win the pageant, but you DO have to score well in all categories!
MN Int'l State Director (my former director & dear friend) Allison Stavrakis and I congratulate Donnell on a job well done after Preliminary Competition.
Catching up with the lovely Robin Fleming (Mrs. Florida International 2007) after Prelims.
Friday & Saturday were full of shopping, and as usual I managed to get my fair share in. Anyone who knows me knows I LOVE LOVE LOVE to shop! My friend & client Wendi Russo (Mrs. Eden Prairie Int'l 2008) came down to watch the pageant, so I went to pick her up at the airport and we managed to squeeze in a few more hours of shopping before heading back to the hotel to get ready for the pageant. I was so excited to reunite with my fellow Mrs. America pageant "sister" Julie Rhinehart (Mrs. IL America 2006), and it was great to meet Janice McQueen-Ward (Mrs. United States 1999) and Amy Gregorio (Mrs. IL US 2007). I also was VERY excited Terrianne Small (Mrs. MD Int'l 2007) when she placed as 2nd runner-up! This was Terrianne's second time competing at Mrs. International...she and I were roommates when we competed together at Mrs. Int'l in 2003 (she was Mrs. Trinidad & Tobago, and I of course represented MN). We had a great time together and it was great to see her do so well. Unfortunately, Donnell did not make the Top 10 but she looked incredible and definitely should have been in there in MY opinion! Ah, pageants! Mrs. CA Rebekah Negrete was the eventual winner, and she truly shined on stage and I was not at all surprised to hear her name called as the new Mrs. International 2007. I COMPLETELY agreed with the choice and she will do a fabulous job this year. Donnell told me that Rebekah was well liked by the contestants so that is always nice to hear.
Reuniting with my "pageant sister" from Mrs. America 2006, Julie Rhinehart (Mrs. IL-America 2006). Julie and I spent two weeks in Tucson together last summer when we competed for Mrs. America. Julie is one of the nicest people I have ever met!
The Blonde Ambition Tour! L to R: Amy Gregorio (Mrs. IL US 2007...LOVE her dress!), Janice McQueen-Ward (Mrs. United States 1999 & 1st RU to Mrs. CA Int'l 2007 and 2008), Wendi Russo (Mrs. Eden Prairie Int'l 2008), and me. It was fun meeting Amy & Janice--they are both stunning AND funny!
The new Mrs. International 2007 is...Rebekah Negrete of California! CONGRATULATIONS!
Mrs. Minnesota's old and new support their pageant sisters! L to R: Jennifer Sanneman (Mrs. MN Int'l 2005), Donnell Rank (Mrs. MN Int'l 2007), Cheri Kennedy, me (Mrs. MN Int'l 2003), and Angela Haseman (Mrs. MN Int'l 2006). FYI, Angela is expecting Baby #3 in November! She looks great!
After the pageant, we attended the Coronation Party and there was plenty of conversation, laughs, and dancing. It was a fun time but getting up that next morning at 4:45 AM was not NEARLY as fun. I can't wait to see everyone next year! Congrats to all!
The "Golden Girls" (L to R): Kellie Deese (Mrs. KY Int'l 2007), Terrianne Small (Mrs. MD Int'l 2007 & 2nd RU to Mrs. Int'l 2007), and me. Terrianne was my roommate when we competed at Mrs. Int'l in 2003! What a great reunion!
Reuniting with pageant friends (L to R): Bernee Thurow (Arkansas State Director), Michelle Fryatt (Mrs. International 2003), Rebecca Chandler (Mrs. AR Int'l 2003), and me.
L to R: With Leisha Gust (Mrs. Burnsville Int'l 2008) and Wendi Russo (Mrs. Eden Prairie Int'l 2008) at the Coronation Party. Leisha and I also met in 2003 when we were contestants together, and she was 1st RU to Mrs. MN Int'l in 2006 & 2007!
Wendi Russo (Mrs. Eden Prairie Int'l 2008) and I say hello to Mary Richardson (Exec. Director of the Mrs. International Pageant) at the Coronation Party.
Sunday, July 22, 2007
MRS. INTERNATIONAL 2007 - CHICAGO, IL
Saturday, July 14, 2007
MN INT'L PAGEANTS SEND-OFF PARTY - NORTH OAKS, MN
Sarah Moses (owner of The Pageant Shop by Michael's and one of my very best friends) and I hosted a Send-Off Party for the Minnesota International titleholders at my house. Luckily the weather cooperated and it was a picture perfect day so some of the kids in attendance were able to enjoy the pool. I'm lucky I even made it to the party because I nearly locked myself out of my car when I went to pick up the balloons. That nearly sent me into panic mode because I had less than an hour to get home, get showered, and be ready for everyone to arrive. But by the grace of God, one door managed to be open (I still don't understand how that happened--luck was on my side).
It was great to see so many Minnesota pageant people getting together to send these three ladies off to Nationals in style. Friends and family of Donnell Rank (Mrs. MN Int'l 2007), Danielle Epps (Miss MN Int'l 2007), and Giselle Ugarte (Miss Teen MN Int'l 2007) gathered to enjoy some great conversation and food while of course giving our good luck wishes to the queens. Donnell modeled her gown from The Pageant Shop for us (the other two girls had their gowns at the alterations shop) and of course looked FABULOUS (FYI, "fabulous" is one of our favorite words in the pageant circle!). Toward the end of the festivities, the ladies opened up the many trinkets and gifts given to them, which was fun to watch (lots of crowned-themed items!). It was a great party and a great way to send these ladies off! GO MINNESOTA!
Kim Dorn (Mrs. MN America 2005) and her adorable baby girl Kayla stop by the party to say hello!
L to R: Sarah Moses (co-host & owner of The Pageant Shop by Michael's), Bessie Giannakakis (Mrs. MN America 2007), Donnell Rank (Mrs. MN Int'l 2007), and me
Party goers enjoying a beautiful summer afternoon.
Donnell models her national competition gown from The Pageant Shop with proud owner Sarah Moses looking on.
Current and former Mrs. MN International queens at the party (L to R): Donnell Rank (2007), Angela Haseman (2005), Nancy Paradeise (2004), and me (2003). FYI, Angela is pregnant and due in mid-November...congrats!
Giselle, Danni, and Donnell opening their many gifts during the party.
Donnell and I pose with photographer extraordinaire Paula Preston (far L) and Terri Handrahan (far R), who is a long time pageant volunteer and the Mrs. MN Charity Coordinator.
