2008 MRS. AMERICA NATIONAL PAGEANT - TUCSON, AZ

Mrs. America 2008 was once again held in Tucson, AZ at the beautiful Loews Ventana Canyon Resort. I always enjoy coming back to Arizona because the landscape and terrain is just soooooo drastically different from what I'm used to in Minnesota. The year I competed (2006) was the first year to have the pageant held at this location, so it is great to come back and get to experience it as a spectator (and FAR less stressful, LOL). Although now that I am coaching, I get stressed for my girls instead of for myself! Ah, it never ends! I feel like a mother hen...

This year, I had two clients competing--Mrs. Minnesota America 2008 Wendi Russo and Mrs. Iowa America Laura Diers. I was able to attend the preliminary pageant and as always, there were some really beautiful women competing! Both ladies did a terrific job and I was so proud of each of them!

I am VERY proud to announce the Laura Diers won the national Fitness Award! Way to go Laura! I thought both girls would be in the Top 10, but alas it was not to be. The winner was a very deserving Mrs. North Carolina, Maureen McDonald. I was thrilled for Wendy & Fred Galle (state directors for North Carolina) as this was their first national winner and they are just super cool people who do a great job with their state pageant! Congrats to all!








Before Prelims with Mrs. America staff member Runya Simon. Runya is the best!














Swimsuit competition on Prelim Night














Evening Gown competition on Prelim Night












With the reigning Mrs. World Natalya Shmarenkova of Russia












Wendi's cheering section L to R: Robin Williams, Robin Duffney (Mrs. MN America 1995), Wendi's husband Corrado Russo, Wendi, me, and Cheryl Trainor (Happy Birthday Cheryl!)











Grabbing a bite to eat after Prelims









My roommate from Mrs. America Robin Mason (Mrs. GA) now lives in Arizona and drove in to meet up for dinner. She looks better than ever and it was really awesome to catch up with her. She's now a mama herself (she was pregnant at Mrs. America) to darling Evan! Here we are with MN & GA State Directors Carl & Faith Schway.










Gotta say HI to my girls Wendi and Laura before I head out to dinner and they head off to rehearsal. Looking good ladies!










Goofing around after dinner at Firebirds with some of the gals from the Class of 2006! L to R: Jodi Bernhardt (Mrs. MI 2006), Robin Mason (Mrs. GA 2006), me (Mrs. MN 2006), Victoria Broz (Mrs. NV 2006), and Jennifer Bradley (Mrs. NE 2006)









OK, a non-laughing photo now (but of course we have our pageant smiles on!)














We ran into the reigning Mrs. America Kelly McBee on our way out. Wow everyone is tall!













Running into the always lovely Dale Smith Thomas on the evening of Finals. This woman is AMAZING. If you ever get the chance to attend one of her lectures, GO!!!












Wendi's cheering section...












Robin Williams, Robin Duffney, and I holding up our "Go Wendi" signs












It was great to see Sheryl Ellison (Mrs. CA 2006) who was in attendance as well. She recently won Mrs. CA International 2009 and is now officially a triple crown holder...way to go Sheryl!














After the pageant with my client Laura Diers - Mrs. Iowa America 2008. I am so proud of Laura for winning the National Fitness Award! WAY TO GO!!!










L to R: Diane Tucker (Mrs. Arizona/Mrs. America/Mrs. World 2006), Natayla Shmarenkova (Mrs. World 2008), me (Mrs. MN America 2006), and Wendi Russo (Mrs. MN America 2008)













So proud of "my girls" after the pageant!















I love how totally happy Laura's expression is! No caption necessary!












Congratulating the newly crowned Mrs. America 2008 Maureen McDonald. She is gorgeous and was a very deserving winner!