I read somewhere that the ancient Babylonians held
the first pageants before the birth of Jesus Christ. I don't know if that is true...but I do know they are still alive and
well as we embark upon the 21st Century.
My mother tells me that I began enjoying pageants on television at the age
of 3. I don't really remember that, but I imagine that I was captivated by the glamour and the spectacle of the competition
as child. What captivates me now however is the talent, intellegence, integrity... and most important, the commitment to personal
growth and community (public) service displayed by the modern pageant contestant.
My first major pageant
experience was my trip to Atlantic City, NJ for the 75th Anniversary Miss America Pageant in 1995. It was there, that
I truly realized what pageantry is all about. A page devoted to that event (complete with photos) can be found here. I
have since been fortunate enough to attend Miss Teen-USA three times (2003, 2004 & 2007); Miss USA in 2004
& 2006-2008; and Miss California-USA/Teen-USA 2006; as well as Miss America in 2006-2008... This time in Las Vegas,
NV.... also in 2006, I reached my goal of attending MISS UNIVERSE -- My first international pageant (See links
to event pages)!...as well as a few local competitions in the Miss America system.
I am really enjoying my foray into the "pageant world."
I am so grateful to the may kind people I meet along the way! My main interest is in the Miss America and Miss Universe
pageant systems. *****
"The Best Pageant Website -- Hands Down!!!" --Keylee Sanders, Miss Teen-USA 1995
with Chrystle Stewart, Miss USA 2008
Click photo to see more from the event!
MISS USA 2008 FROM
PLANET HOLLYWOOD RESORT IN LAS VEGAS
TELECAST FRIDAY APRIL 11 on NBC Starring DONNY & MARIE OSMOND CONGRATS
TO CHRYSTLE STEWART OF TEXAS, MISS USA 2008. GOOD LUCK @ MISS UNIVERSE LIVE FROM VIETNAM SUNDAY, JULY 13 ON NBC! IT WAS
AWESOME--2 GREAT PARTIES; A WONDERFUL EVENT & MY PHOTO WITH RACHEL SMITH (MISS USA 2007) TAKEN AT MISS TEEN USA
EVEN ENDED UP IN THE PROGRAM BOOK WITH RACHEL'S MEMORIES...SO SWEET!!!!!!!!!
Imagine my surprise opening the fall issue of PAGEANTRY MAGAZINE, turning
to page 40 and seeing a photo of my dear friend, Tami Farrell, Miss Teen-USA 2003, and I, along with a lovely mention
of jhbonline.net
You are a treasured friend, Tami. I am so grateful to you for being
in my life.
MISS JAPAN, RIYO MORI CROWNED MISS UNIVERSEŽ 2007 DURING LIVE NBC TELECAST ON MAY 28TH
Mexico City, Mexico May 28, 2007 - This evening, during one of the year's most exciting live international television
events, a star-studded panel of judges chose Miss Japan, Riyo Mori, as MISS UNIVERSEŽ 2007.
Ms. Mori is 20 years-old and has been dancing since she was 4. She loves traveling the world and enjoys visiting
museums and watching musicals.
The judging panel for the 2007 Miss Universe Pageant included NBC's "Heroes" James Kyson Lee, NBC's "Deal or
No Deal" briefcase model Lindsay Clubine, Dallas Cowboys quarterback Tony Romo, rocker Dave Navarro, World and Olympic figure
skating champion Michelle Kwan, fashion designer Marc Bouwer, Novela Star Mauricio Islas, "Project Runway" judge and Elle
magazine fashion director Nina Garcia, and former Miss Universes Dayanara Torres (1993) and Christiane Martel (1953).
Final Results:
First Runner Up: Miss Brazil, Natalia Guimaraes will assume the duties of MISS UNIVERSE 2007
if the titleholder for some reason cannot fulfill her responsibilities.
Second Runner Up: Miss Venezuela,
Ly Jonaitis
Rest of Top Five: Miss Korea, Honey Lee; and Miss USA, Rachel Smith.
Rest
of Top Ten: Miss India, Puja Gupta; Miss Angola, Micaela Reis; Miss Tanzania, Flaviana Matata; Miss Nicaragua, Xiomara
Blandino; and Miss Mexico, Rosa Maria Ojeda Cuen.
Rest of Top Fifteen: Miss Thailand, Farung Yuthithum;
Miss Denmark, Zak lina; Sojic; Miss Slovenia, Tjasa Kokalj; Miss Ukraine, Lyudmyla Bikmullina; and Miss Czech Republic, Lucie
Hadasova.
Miss Photogenic Award: Miss Philippines, Anna Theresa Licaros. The general public voted
on www.nbc.com for the delegate who exemplifies beauty through the lens of a camera. She received a $1,000 cash prize and
a trophy from Rogaska Crystal.
Congeniality Award: Miss China, Ningning Zhang. This award reflects
the respect and admiration of the delegate's peers, who voted for her as the most congenial, charismatic and inspirational
participant. She also received a $1,000 cash prize and a trophy from Rogaska Crystal.
RELIVE LAST YEARS EXCITING EVENT:
Congrats Tara (4th runner-up) and also to Zuleyka Rivera Mendoza of Puerto Rico, Miss Universe 2006!
Thank you all for a wonderful Miss Universe experience! It was more than I could've ever imagined. The ball
was a blast. I even briefly encountered Mr.Trump; as well as Wendy Fitzwilliam, Brook Lee, Shandi Finnessey & Tami Farrell.
As TV draws go, it's no longer a contest--Miss Universe has Miss America beat by several cup sizes.
Sunday's Miss Universe 2006 beautiful-humanitarian-people pageant was watched by 9.65 million, according to Nielsen Media
Research--more than triple the audience for Miss America's most recent crowning.
Congrats, Dottie on being named Miss Congeniality @ MISS USA
2006: We love you!!!!!!!!!
Hi! This is Dottie Cannon - I met you and your mom at
the 2004 Miss USA pageant in Los Angeles, CA. I was there with my friend, Jessica Billings, all the way from Minnesota. We
sat by you during the Preliminary competition - how much fun was that?!?!
I wanted to let you know that I still love
receiving your updates. Also, I decided to compete in the Miss USA pageant this year (again!) and I won! I am so excited about
this opportunity and cannot wait for Nationals - hopefully I will see you there! You are probably at the Miss America competition
now, so enjoy and have fun!
Have a great day and I hope you are enjoying the new year!
Take care, Dottie
Cannon Miss MN USA 2006 :)
Post-National Comments from Dottie:
Subject: RE: Hi John! Sent: Monday, May 15, 2006 8:47
PM
John,
It was wonderful to
see you and your mom at the pageant - long time no see! Please tell your mom it was great to see her - she looks the same.
I was honored to be named Miss Congeniality too! It was disappointing that I did not place higher, but the experience was
still eye-opening.
Miss California-USA 2006, Tamiko Nash
who competed as Miss North Los Angeles-USA
Congrats on being named 1st Runner up to MISS USA...We're
so proud of you!
Dec. 20, 2006
Tamiko Nash, Miss USA 2006 first runner-up
Quote
"If I were in the same situation, I would want a second chance. I would want the benefit of the doubt and
to give everyone a chance to know the person I really am."
Tamiko Nash, Miss California USA 2006, runner-up in Miss USA pageant
...with Susan Powell, Miss America 1981 (Oklahoma)
With Miss Universe 1980, Shawn Weatherly
Miss California-USA 2006, Tamiko Nash
who competed as Miss North Los Angeles-USA
Miss California-Teen USA 2006, Jessica Powell
who was Miss Barstow-Teen USA
(L to R) My Mom, Joann Baker; Jessica Billings; Dottie Cannon (Miss Minnesota-USA 2006) @ MISS USA 2004 in Los Angeles.
Photos courtesy of Dottie Cannon
COMMENTS ABOUT THIS SITE:
Hello John-
I was happy to see your email. I actually wrote back to you right after the Miss California
USA pageant, and the emails came back as undeliverable. I hope this makes it to you.
After I got your original
email, I went to your website and I must say, you are quite an inspiration.
I hope all is well.
Sincerely, Paula
Shugart (President of The Miss Universe Organization) ________________________________
John, I loved the picture from the 75th pageant on your website. It definitely brought
back a lot of memories. I'm looking forward to seeing more on your website. Good luck with the site, and I'll keep checking
back. --Amber Medlin Miss Virginia (America) 1995 ****
Natalie Glebova of Toronto,
moments after being
crowned Miss Universe (AP Photo)
Dear John,
Thank you so much for the most kind e-mail! I'm so sorry for the delay
in writing back, but please rest assured that I really appreciate the time you took to write, and for your best wishes
for Canada, Natalie and even myself.
Thanks so much again. I'm definitely looking forward to seeing the Miss
Universe crown on Natalie's head at appearances over the next year.
Best wishes and thanks! Jimmy Steele (Miss
Canada "Universe/World Organizations")
*Advisor to Natalie Glebova, Miss Universe 2005
P.S. I just got the wonderful card today -- my boss gave it to me from the office -- and it was so absolutely
sweet of you! THANK YOU SO MUCH!!!!!!!! ---
"(JHB ONLINE IS...) THE BEST PAGEANT WEBSITE--
HANDS DOWN!!!"
--Keylee Sanders, Miss Teen USA 1995
Sent: Thu,
12 Jul 2007 1:21 pm Subject: Re: A Hallmark E-Card from Chelsea.Cooley
I will continue to keep you and your lovely
mother in my prayers. You know, I have been so blessed to meet such wonderful people as a result from being Miss USA;
as you are one of my favorites! You always put a smile on my face and have such a warm gift of touching the lives of
everyone you meet.
I am working on going to Miss Teen USA
and I hope I can see you there! Please say hello to your mom for me!!
Love,
Chelsea Cooley, Miss USA 2005
*********
Just received this from Chelsea Cooley,
Miss USA 2005, check it out: