MRS. INTERNATIONAL 2008 - SKOKIE, IL

It is hard to believe how quickly time flies! It seems like yesterday that I was here in Skokie for last year's Mrs. International pageant. However this year was different, as this time I wasn't just here to support Mrs. Minnesota International as a "former," but I was also here as her coach! It was so wonderful to see Leisha Gust - Mrs. MN International 2008 finally realizing her dream of competing on the national stage. Leisha did an AWESOME job and performed flawlessly. I love seeing so many pageant friends at these events...it is so fun to catch up with everyone and cheer on not only the Minnesota gals, but other competitors as well.






Here we are with our "Leishas on a Stick!" L to R: Donnell Rank (Mrs. MN Int'l 2007), me, Becky Ringen (Miss MN Int'l 2006), and Tamara Jett (Mrs. Hame Lake Int'l 2009)














Chatting before the preliminary pageant with my clients Mary Swenson (Miss Woodbury International 2009) and Tamara Jett (Mrs. Ham Lake International 2009) who came to support Leisha. It was Mary's 20th birthday weekend--Happy Birthday Mary!











A quick photo with clients Michelle Allen-Parker (Mrs. Davidson County International Tennessee 2009) and Tamara Jett (Mrs. Ham Lake International 2009). Two terrific and FUN women!













Very proud of my clients Leisha Gust - Mrs. Minnesota International 2009 and Jeannie Siegenthaler - Mrs. Wisconsin International 2009.










Catching up after prelims with (L to R): client Jeannie Siegenthaler (Mrs. WI Int'l), Barbara Frye (GA director), me, and Susan Jackson.











It was so fun to cheer on two of my "Mrs. America Class of 2006" pageant sisters, Shannen Woodside and Jessica Plante. Here I am pictured with Shannen...we had a great group that year and it is neat to see the sisterhood continue.











A group shot before the start of finals (L to R): Randa (Mrs. IL Int'l 2007), Donnell Rank (Mrs. MN Int'l 2007), Tamara Jett (Mrs. Ham Lake Int'l 2009), Tamara's sister Tara (she had the CUTEST dress and shoes!), make-up artist extraordinaire Brenda Torre, and me.











With the incomparable Gaspar Cruz. This man is the magic maker when it comes to hair and makeup! I HIGHLY recommend his services (and he is hilarious, too!).








With the darling Megan Herickhoff (Miss Teen MN Int'l 2008) and Tina Rosenthal (Miss MN Int'l 2008) who were there to support their sister queen Leisha. While I did not coach these two ladies, I think they are FABULOUS!!!











Laine Berry is crowned as the new Mrs. International 2008! Way to go Laine!











Congratulating my dear friend and client Leisha Gust on a wonderful showing at the Mrs. International pageant. Leisha is one of the most kind, loyal, and dedicated people I know--she has truly worked her platform for nearly 20 years and is an inspiration to all! I was honored to work with her and am sooooo proud of her!















Congratulating the new Mrs. International 2008 Laine Berry. What a well deserved win! Beautiful!















Skokie, IL was the place to be if you wanted to run into royalty past and present! It was great to see the lovely Dana Opsincs, who was Mrs. United States 2001. Dana is a really neat lady and it was great to catch up with her!













Saying hello to Tim Kretchmann of PageantCast










It was great to see Shannon Devine - Mrs. NC International 2008. We met when we were both judging the MN Vikings cheerleader auditions a few years ago and hit it off...this is one cool chick! :) Shannon is a triple crown state titleholder AND also a former Mrs. United States 2006! Dang, is she good or WHAT!?! :)











A group shot of Mrs. Internationals past and present...













Last but not least I got to catch up with Michelle Fryatt whom I competed with at Mrs. International 2003 (she won!) and also to meet Deanna Linz - Mrs. District of Columbia International (and 3rd RU to Laine Berry). Congrats Deanna! (I LOVED her gown!)