MRS. MN AMERICA PARTY - EDEN PRAIRIE, MN

My successor as Mrs. MN America Bessie Giannakakis threw a party at her home in Eden Prairie, MN for the 2008 contestants. It was nice seeing former titleholders and getting the chance to meet some of the ladies competing for the title. A good time was had by all!





Catching up with the Robin & Mark Duffney and my client Penny Godbout. Robin (far R) was Mrs. Minnesota America 1995, and Penny is competing in the 2008 Mrs. WI America pageant.







Some of the 2008 contestants with directors Carl & Faith Schway.










Former Mrs. MN Americas gather at the party (L to R): Kim Dorn '05, Faith Schway '85, Bessie Giannakakis '07, Mary Johnson '82, Robin Duffney '95, and me '06.











Posing with some of my clients (L to R): Wendi Russo, Denise Wood, me, and Penny Godbout

2008 MISS USA PAGEANT - LAS VEGAS, NV

We headed out to Las Vegas (again!) for the 2008 Miss USA pageant which was being held at the Planet Hollywood Resort & Casino. I’d just been there in January for the Miss America pageant, so it seems that is THE place to hold a pageant. I have to admit it is a GREAT venue and I love the fact that a shopping mall is attached to the hotel. That is my kind of place! :)

After arriving on Thursday, we checked into the hotel and freshened up before heading to the super fun Fashion Rocks the Universe event. Miss Universe Riyo Miori and Miss Teen USA Hilary Cruz were the featured guests, and tons of former Miss USA/Miss Teen USA state and national titleholders were also in attendance. It was great to connect with so many pageant people that I hadn’t seen in awhile, plus meet some new ones, including Caitlin Upton (Miss SC Teen USA 2007 who gave the infamous “Iraq and such as” final question answer). It was a verifiable “who’s who” of the pageant industry. Fashion Rocks was a fun, cutting edge event with the red carpet, fashion show, and mixer and I hope they do it again in 2009!





On the red carpet with (L to R): Robin Fleming (owner of La Casa Hermosa), Janice McQueen Ward (Mrs. IN Int’l ‘08/Mrs. United States ‘99), me, & Sarah Moses (owner of The Pageant Shop)



















A tale of two Sarahs! Sarah Moses (far R) and I chat with the darling Sarah Sprayberry - Miss MN Teen USA 2008 before the start of Fashion Rocks the Universe.






Sarah Moses (far L) and I show our support for two of the “Future Productions” titleholders, Elizabeth Hoffman (SD) and Danielle Scimeca (CO).










Running into the always elegant Suzy Bootz - Mrs. International 2006. Suzy is a class act and we competed together at Mrs. United States 2002.








Talking “pageants” with the delightful Tonya Ratliff - Mrs. Iowa U.S. 2008. Tonya was Mrs. International 2002 and was the outgoing queen when I competed at Mrs. International in 2003.






Minnesota Gals Rule! L to R: Kris Mohlin (one of my FAVORITE pageant people ever!), me, Sarah Moses, and Angeline Gard.






With Cara Georges (Miss Kansas USA 2007 & 2nd RU to Miss USA) and Dani Reeves (Miss Iowa USA 2007) backstage at Fashion Rocks the Universe.







With Caitlin Upton - Miss South Carolina Teen USA 2007 (she’s the one that had the infamous answer at Miss Teen USA). She actually was a very nice and well-spoken young lady!






Mrs. America reunion! It was so fun to reconnect w/ pageant sisters from the Mrs. America Class of 2006! L to R: Diane Tucker (Mrs. America/Mrs. World 2006, Victoria Broz (Mrs. NV America ‘06), and me (Mrs. MN America ’06)






The tall and short of it! Janice McQueen Ward (Mrs. IN Int’l 2008/Mrs. United States 1999) and I walked the red carpet at Fashion Rocks. FUN!





Friday was mostly spent shopping, followed by a fun dinner out at N9NE Steakhouse at the Palms with a great group of pageant cronies. For some reason, the VIP hostess approached us while we were waiting for our table, and took care of us for the rest of the night. It was fabulous because they really treated us like royalty (which of course we ARE, ha ha). We shared many laughs and it was a great to reconnect with old friends. Saturday was GORGEOUS so we decided to take advantage of the pool scene and catch some rays. Of course we couldn’t stay out too long because we had to get ready for the pageant and early telecast (if I remember correctly, we had to be in our seats around 4:30 or so to be ready to go on air at 5...which is 7 PM central standard time).







Catching some rays by the pool before the pageant!







The pageant itself was hosted by Donny & Marie Osmond and opened with a super high energy number to Rhianna’s “Umbrella.” Everything just screamed GLAMOUR with a capital G. Our Miss Minnesota USA Kaylee Unverzagt was the first one called into the Top 15 and we of course we super excited for her. The Top 15 then competed in Swimsuit , followed by the announcement of the Top 10. We were VERY surprised not to hear Kaylee’s name, as she looked fabulous. The Top 10 then competed in Evening Gown and after seeing that, I felt that it was Crystle Stewart’s (Miss Texas USA) all the way...and I was right! She just was “on” and was so obviously the winner in my book. Just an absolutely stunning Miss USA! It was fun running into pageant people during the show and there was just so much ENERGY!





Part of the Minnesota Contingency! L to R: superfun Sandy Thoele, Maddie Thoele - Miss MN Teen America 2008, Brie Anderson, me, and Sarah Moses





Sarah and I pose with the always stunning Barbara Peterson Burwell, Minnesota’s only Miss USA (she won in 1976).








Sarah Moses and I sneaking in a photo of the stage...we weren’t supposed to take pictures but everyone else was, so I did too. Lemming effect!








The final two...Crystle Stewart (Miss Texas) and Leah Laviano (Miss Mississippi)...although they were both gorgeous, I just knew Texas was going to win.








Running into Miss Hollywood (FL-USA) Kelly Saks...of course I had to have my photo taken with her!





I love those gals from Colorado! L to R: Raeann Duca (Mrs. CO America ‘00), Christine Sacha (Mrs. CO America ‘08), & Emily Stark (Mrs. CO America ‘02). For some reason, I have really hit it off with many of the CO queens--they’re a great bunch of women!






With the incomparable Sherri Hill, dress designer extraordinaire! Sherri designed my favorite-dress-of-all-time, my silver gown that I won Mrs. MN America in (and Kaylee won Miss MN USA in!)









The Minnesota gals again...L to R: Sonja Fisher (Happy Birthday girlfriend!), Angeline Gard, Kris Mohlin, and me.







Could Kaylee look any more beautiful? It is easy to see why she made Top 15! I still think she should have placed MUCH higher!








Running into the always lovely Diane Tucker, Mrs. America/Mrs. World 2006. She is one of the nicest people I have ever met. Much nicer than myself, ha ha!







After dinner, we were invited to the Miss USA After-Party at Prive nightclub, and it was SUPER fun. Upon walking in, the first person we saw was celebrity hairstylist Ken Paves, who was one of the Miss USA judges (he is Jessica Simpson’s hairstylist--you’ve seen him in US Weekly, etc). He was VERY gracious and we chatted with him for a bit and I really got a kick out of him. I also met interview coach extraordinaire Dohn Dye from Alabama, and had a great conversation with him. He sure knows his stuff! During the party, we ended up chatting with some of the Miss USA judges, first Joey Fatone (of NSYNC fame) and also Kelly Carlson (a native Minnesotan) of the hit show “Nip/Tuck.” Joey Fatone could not have been any nicer and he was pretty funny, too. As it turned out, Sarah Moses’s sister Bridget coached Kelly for Danceline in their high school days, so we enjoyed chatting about that. Katie Blair - Miss Teen USA 2006 (and star of “Pageant Place”) was also at the party and was SO MUCH FUN. She got us up into the VIP area and we really enjoyed hanging out with her.


I had a blast reuniting with my “Class of 2006” pageant sisters from the Mrs. America pageant, and enjoyed meeting Tracy Elliot - Mrs. Arizona America 2007. I love the fact that these friendships endure despite the fact that we all live so far apart. It was a great pageant and I can’t wait for 2009!






Sarah Moses and I chat with celebrity hairstylist Ken Paves.









Ken Paves surrounding by beauty queens! L to R: Victoria Broz (Mrs. NV America 2006), Ken, Diane Tucker (Mrs. America ‘06/Mrs. World ’07)








Chatting with actress (and native Minnesotan!) Kelly Carlson from the hit show “Nip/Tuck.”









Mrs. America girls have got it goin’ on! L to R: Victoria Broz (Mrs. NV America ’06), Tracy Elliot (Mrs. AZ America ’07), Diane Tucker (Mrs. America ‘06/Mrs. World ’07), and me (Mrs. MN America ’06)






Meeting Joey Fatone of NSYNC. I REALLY REALLY REALLY wanted to do my “Bye Bye Bye” dance but luckily refrained from doing so. I’m not so sure he would have appreciated it!




Mrs. America Class of 2006 cutting it up on the dancefloor! L to R: Diane Tucker (Mrs. America ‘06/Mrs. World ’07), Victoria Broz (Mrs. NV America ’06), Patty Markos (Mrs. MD America ’06)), and me (Mrs. MN America ’06).






Chatting with the darling and FUN Katie Blair, Miss Teen USA 2006.

2008 MRS/MISS/TEEN MINNESOTA INTERNATIONAL PAGEANT - ST. CLOUD, MN

This year’s pageant was the culmination of months of hard work and preparation with my clients. I was honored to work with six Mrs. contestants, two Teens, and one Miss. We worked HARD but had a lot of fun throughout the process, and all that hard work paid off as my client Leisha Gust won the title of Mrs. Minnesota International 2008! Additionally, my clients won all of the Mrs preliminary awards (which I was thrilled with) and EVERYONE did a fabulous job. I could not have been more proud of my clients and the class and integrity of this pageant. It is always a top-notch event and I am honored to belong to the Minnesota International pageant family.


Friday night's festivities began with orientation followed by a pizza party. Saturday brought a full day of rehearsals, followed by Preliminaries that evening. I was SO PROUD of all my clients’ performances. It was so rewarding to finally see these ladies on stage after so many months of hard work and preparation. At the end of the preliminary competition, the my clients won the following awards:


Director's Award: Brooke Fultz (TEEN) & Natalie Hagemo (MRS)

Team Spirit (Overall Ticket Sales): Starla Reisner (MRS)

"Best Husband in a Supporting Role": Willie Jett (husband of Tamara Jett - Mrs. Ham Lake)






With the lovely Danni Epps (Miss MN Int’l 2007 - LEFT) and Giselle Ugarte (Miss Teen MN Int’l 2007 - RIGHT)







L to R: Catching up with Angela Haseman (Mrs. MN Int’l 2006) and dear friend Donnell Rank (Mrs. MN Int’l 2007) just before prelims.








Owner of The Pageant Shop Sarah Moses (far R) and I congratulate our teen client Delanie Neal (center) on a great preliminary performance!








L to R: Sarah Moses, me, State Director Allison Stavrakis, and my awesome mom Bonnie Henderson just before the start of the pageant.







With my 2008 clients after Prelims (clockwise from left): Natalie Hagemo, Denise Wellik-Peterson, Molly Nicholson, Brooke Fultz, Tamara Jett, Rosio Esparza, Delanie Neal, me, Leisha Gust, Starla Reisner. WAY TO GO LADIES!!!





Saying hi to long-time pageant buddies Jennifer Sanneman (Mrs. MN Int’l 2005 - LEFT) and the beautiful and funny Penny Wells (R). FYI, Penny does fabulous makeup!






With my gorgeous mom at the luncheon...can you believe she is 65-years-old? I hope I look half as good as she does when I’m her age!







With my Mrs. MN Int’l pageant “sisters” Donnell Rank (C) and Nancy Paradeise (L). We all started out together in 2003, then I crowned Nancy in ’04 and Donnell won in ’07. How cool is that?!?








What a great looking group of women! After the lunch with some of my clients.









L to R: Sarah Moses (owner of the Pageant Shop) and I so proud of our clients Delanie Neal and Leisha Gust.





I can’t even count how many photos I have with my dear friend Donnell Rank (it verges on the edge of ridiculous), but this was our LAST photo of us together while she still was Mrs. Minnesota International 2007 (this was taken right before the start of the pageant when she crowned her successor). We worked HARD together to help her win her title so this was the culmination of so much!



Sunday night's Final Competition began with the introduction of the contestants, followed by the announcement of some special awards. My clients were honored with the following:


Supermodel with Style: Delanie Neal (TEEN)

Congeniality: Starla Reisner (MRS)


The Top Eight semifinalists were announced in the Teen and Mrs division, and all preliminary scores were erased. The Teen and Mrs semifinalists answered an unrehearsed question of 30 seconds or less, while all of the Miss contestants followed suit. The Teen and Mrs contestants re-competed in Aerobicwear, Evening Gown, and Fun Fashion Wear (Teens only), while the Miss contestants gave an Evening Gown presentation.


The official competition was over and anticipation was in the air as the runner-ups and winners were announced. I was SO pleased to have one of my teen clients Delanie Neal place as 2nd runner-up...this was her first “platform based” pageant and she was terrific. I strongly felt that my other teen client Brooke Fultz would place in the Top 8 but alas that was not to be. I expect GREAT things out of Brooke in the future. Both teens were an absolute delight to work with.


My client Leisha Gust won the Mrs. title and the Preliminary Aerobicwear Award. Here is how the rest of my clients fared:


MRS:

LEISHA GUST: WINNER Mrs. Minnesota Int’l 2008, Best in Aerobicwear Award

NATALIE HAGEMO: Top 8, Best in Interview Award, Director’s Award, Mrs. People’s Choice Winner

TAMARA JETT: 3rd Runner-up

MOLLY NICHOLSON: Top 8, Best in Evening Gown Award

STARLA REISNER: Mrs. Congeniality, Most Ticket Sales Award

DENISE WELLIK-PETERSON performed beautifully and looked incredible. Awesome!


TEENS:

BROOKE FULTZ: Teen Director’s Award Winner and Teen People’s Choice Award Winner

DELANIE NEAL: 2nd RU, Supermodel with Style Award Winner


MISS:

ROSIO ESPARZA looked amazing





With the new 2008 MN Int’l queens (L to R): the DARLING Megan Herickhoff (Teen), my client Leisha Gust (Mrs), and Tina Rosenthal (Miss)





Posing with the “former” Minnesota International Pageant queens. This group is getting pretty big w/the addition of the Teens and Miss ladies!





Catching up with some of my favorite pageant ladies---this is a GREAT group of women! (L to R): Sonja Fisher (we competed together at Mrs. MN Int’l 2003), Kris Mohlin (awesome mock interview judge & makeup artist!), me, former client Sarah Tichich (I coached her for Mrs. MN US ‘07 after we competed together @ Mrs. MN America ’06), and my client Wendi Russo.





Sarah Moses and I are SO PROUD of our client and friend Leisha Gust for winning the title of Mrs. Minnesota International 2008! HOORAY!






We can’t wipe the smiles off our faces! Leisha is not just my client, she is a great friend. We first met as fellow contestants in the 2003 Mrs. MN Int’l pageant (along with Nancy Paradeise & Donnell Rank, who also went on to win the title in ’04 & ’07 respectively). Leisha came to me for coaching a year ago because she felt like she was in a “pageant rut.” We honed her skills, changed a few things, and REALLY worked on her interview and letting her true self shine...and it worked! I am SOOOOO PROUD OF HER!






Celebrating with clients Denise Wellik-Peterson (L) and Natalie Hagemo (R) at the Coronation Party








Chatting after the pageant with my teen client Brooke Fultz. She is a sweetheart!










Where would I be without the support of my incredible mom Bonnie Henderson?








With two incredible teenagers, my client Delanie Neal (L) and the gorgeous Sarah Sprayberry - Miss Minnesota Teen USA 2008.









My client Delanie Neal and I showing off her plaques for winning the “Supermodel with Style” award and also placing as 2nd runner-up! YAY!






With two out of the three Preliminary Award winners, my clients Molly Nicholson (who placed in the Top 8 and won Best in Gown) and Natalie Hagemo (Top 8 finalist and Best in Interview winner). Way to go ladies!




Congratulating my client Tamara Jett on a job well done. Talk about going waaaaay back...Tamara and I competed together at the 1990 Miss U.S. Teen national pageant in Atlanta! She was Miss MN U.S. Teen and I was Miss WI U.S. Teen. Who would have thought we’d meet again one day?!? THIS is why I love pageantry!





Changed into our “comfy clothes” for the “formers and staff” party in Allison’s suite after the Coronation Party with the lovely (and now former!) Miss MN Int’ 2007 Danni Epps. She is a class act all the way! Beautiful AND smart!


It was an incredible night with incredible ladies, and I am so proud of each and every one of them. The outgoing queens did an wonderful job with their farewells, and as usual, Allison Stavrakis did and OUTSTANDING job with the pageant. Congrats to all and see you next year!