Miss Alabama Caitlin Brunell's dad, NFL quarterback Mark Brunell, calls Miss America 'her Super Bowl'

By Mia Watkins

Miss Alabama 2014 Caitlin Brunell's journey to Miss America is a big deal, according to her dad.
"A lot people would say this is basically her Super Bowl, and they're right," he said. "This is the opportunity of a lifetime and a moment she's been hoping for since she was a little girl. Yeah, this is pretty exciting." He should know. He's Mark Brunell, a former NFL quarterback who has played for the Jacksonville Jaguars, New Orleans Saints and the New York Jets. He, along with Caitlin's mother, Stacy, and her three brothers, will head to Atlantic City next week to cheer Caitlin on in her bid for the Miss America crown. The pageant finale will air live on ABC Sunday, Sept. 14 at 8 p.m., preceded by "The Road To Miss America" at 7 p.m. "I'm very proud of all the work she's put into this," he said. "I mean, it has been for the last three years a dream come true for her to represent Alabama as Miss Alabama and now to go on to Miss America, she's wanted to be Miss America since she was twelve years old. We're about ten days out and she's really close to fulfilling her dream."

Brunell said he was overcome with emotion when his daughter was crowned Miss Alabama in June, calling it a "proud father moment." "It was her third go at it," he said. "She put so much time into it and was disappointed the first go-round. The second go-round, she was so close and she didn't quit. She wanted to be Miss Alabama. She didn't give up, she worked very hard and I was just so proud that she stuck to it." One thing that she didn't stick with is sports, despite coming from an athletic family, according to Brunell. He said Caitlin briefly dabbled in basketball and soccer, but ultimately chose dance. She went on to study dance at the University of Alabama and will also be displaying that talent during the pageant as she performs to the hit "Let It Go" from the hit Disney movie, "Frozen."

She still rooted for him and her athletically inclined brothers. Caitlin told AL.com in a previous interview that she never viewed her father as a professional athlete. "With my relationship with my father, that was just his job," she said. "My family and I never looked at my dad as 'Oh, he's in the NFL, he's a quarterback.' He was just my dad who went to work every day." "He also kept football and family very separate. This time, he said her family and friends will be the ones cheering her on.
"She's a special girl, she's touched a lot of people," he said. "I know a lot of family and friends that are cheering for her. This is an incredible opportunity. They're thinking about her and praying for her." Brunell said he's also proud of his daughter for being candid about some of the family's most difficult moments during her continuing reign as Miss Alabama, including a devastating house fire and a public bankruptcy. "Her story is our story," he said. "Families go through difficult times, and we have found that the things that we've gone through in our lives have made us closer as a family, have strengthened our faith, gave us perspective and helped us to understand really what's most important and that is family."

Brunell said that while next week will be exciting, it will also be trying-- adding that he will be a nervous wreck. "I've played in the Super Bowl. I've played in front of thousands of thousands of people at one time, it doesn't compare to when I'm watching my daughter in a pageant. Those are the moments in my life where I have gotten the most nervous. Nothing comes close."

Miss America contestants arrive in Atlantic City

ATLANTIC CITY(AP) — Miss America is back in Atlantic City, just in time to brighten the mood in this dazed gambling city licking its wounds from the closure of a third of its casinos. The 53 contestants met the public Wednesday afternoon on the Atlantic City Boardwalk. Entrants from all 50 states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands appeared at the traditional welcoming ceremony across from Boardwalk Hall.

Preliminary competition will begin next Tuesday. This is the second year that the pageant, which began in Atlantic City, has returned to its roots after six years in Las Vegas. The ceremony came hours after the first of 5,000 casino workers who lost their jobs over the holiday weekend began filing for unemployment, health insurance and food stamps. The Showboast and Revel shut down over the weekend; Trump Plaza, next door to Boardwalk Hall, where the winner will be crowned Sept. 14, is shutting down two days after that. And the Atlantic Club closed in January. All told, about 8,000 workers will have lost their jobs.

"I look at Miss America as the jewel in the crown of Atlantic City," said Sam Haskell, CEO of the Miss America Organization. "My heart breaks for the people losing their jobs. But I am confident that the economic boost Miss America brings to Atlantic City will create some calm to sooth the disappointment of these closures." John Palmieri, executive director of the Casino Reinvestment Development Authority, said at the ceremony that Miss America should generate about $30 million worth of economic activity in the region.

Fresh off a visit to the White House a day earlier, where they met with some of President Barack Obama's advisers, the contestants crossed the Boardwalk and walked onto a stage where they signed a map of their home state, introduced themselves and detailed their career plans. Among the would-be Miss Americas are aspiring doctors, veterinarians, meteorologists, broadcast journalists, music therapists and a future sports agent. As usual, Miss New Jersey got the loudest cheers from the hometown crowd. Cierra Kaler-Jones said she's excited to represent her state, given her family ties to Atlantic City. "As the child of two casino workers," she said, "it is historic for me to be participating in this."

A Letter From Texas State Guard Soldier to Miss Texas USA

By Capt. Esperanza Meza

LAREDO, Texas – As members of the Texas State Guard, soldiers take an oath to serve Texas and often sacrifice a great deal to do so. For TXSG Sgt. Lauren Guzman, she wears two hats for Texas – her ACU patterned patrol cap and a crown. Guzman was crowned Miss Texas USA 2014 on Sept. 1, 2013, representing the Lone Star State and serving the citizens of Texas as both Sgt. Guzman and as Miss Texas all year.

"In the community, being a role model with high standards is expected when being in and out of uniform," Guzman said, speaking of the TXSG contributing to her success in the pageants. "The TXSG taught me to be on time for events, meetings, and how to network, but it also takes a lot of discipline, commitment and self-motivation when there is no monetary compensation involved."
Guzman is currently assigned to 1st Regiment, TXSG, in the operations section in San Antonio and served with the regiment's Quick Reaction Team before it disbanded. “We've given her the latitude to attend required Miss Texas USA functions without penalty or adverse perception for not being able to attend scheduled unit training assemblies,” stated State Guard Col. Vincent Carag, 1st Regiment commander. "We, the Soldiers of the 1st Regiment, stand behind her efforts 100 percent."

Guzman agreed, stating the troops and command, her “extended second family,” have been very supportive. Guzman joined the TXSG in 2007 and holds a bachelor’s degree in forensic science from St. Mary’s University, which she earned while serving in the Guard and is looking to the future. As her reign comes to an end, she is considering several career options and looking to attend Officer Candidate School. "She was a soldier before she became Miss Texas USA, and I could tell she was a ‘squared away soldier' when I first came on board," said 1st Regiment Command Sgt. Maj. Mario Zuniga, giving accolades to Guzman. "As a leader, she is a coach and mentor and is not afraid to get dirty or ask questions," he said, "and when she won Miss Texas USA, both the colonel and I thought she'd be a great spokesperson and recruiter for the TXSG."

A pageant veteran, Guzman started in 2005, where she won the Miss Laredo Top Model Pageant. In 2006, she was first runner-up in the Miss Laredo Teen USA but claimed the title in 2008. Persevering, she competed for Miss Texas USA, being third runner-up in 2011, first runner-up in 2012 and fourth runner-up in 2013 before winning the title in 2014. Guzman followed her father’s and grandfather's footsteps into the TXSG. Both served several years with 1st Regiment; her father, a major in the medical corps, and her grandfather, an education professor posthumously promoted to the rank of lieutenant colonel. Guzman looks to her family for inspiration to do well and set an example for others.

“My mom has always been there and pushed me to do well while I also try to do right to be a role model for my sister,” she said. As Miss Texas USA, Guzman traveled throughout the state and nation addressing issues such as breast and ovarian cancer awareness, attended charity events, parades and visited hospitals and schools to help educate children regarding the dangers of drugs and the importance of education. She also volunteers with numerous nonprofit organizations on top of her work with the Guard. As Guzman relinquishes her crown to the next Miss Texas USA, she leaves us with this advice: "If you have a goal, push for it and ask yourself why you want it,” said Guzman. “Keep your head up till you achieve what you want and accomplish it. I kept competing till I won Miss Texas USA.”

Family experience with pageants helps many Miss America contestants

By DEVIN LORING Staff Writer

Five minutes before Miss Nevada Ellie Smith was crowned, her younger sister and best friend, Amy Smith, 15, was crowned Miss Nevada Outstanding Teen. “When she won I think I was crying harder than she was,” Ellie Smith said. She is the youngest Miss America 2014 contestant at 17-years-old. “I was on the other side of the stage freaking out. I run over to her, give her a hug, and then right in my mind, I’m like, ‘Oh, what if I don’t win?’” Fortunately, it worked out for the Smith sisters. Ellie was crowned immediately after Amy, whose turn it was to freak out.

“It was the best night of our lives by far,” Ellie Smith said. “Just such a magical moment to be able to share that with my sister, my best friend, and now to be able to share a whole year with her is really, really, truly great.” While Ellie Smith paved the way into pageantry ahead of her sister, many of this year’s Miss America contestants follow in family members’ footsteps. Miss Mississippi Jasmine Murray, 22, has two older sisters who inspired her to pursue a crown. They both competed in the MAO at local and state levels, but Murray is the only one in her family to win the title of Miss Mississippi.

Still, she said, she couldn’t have won it without her sisters’ direction and good example. Miss Maryland Jade Kenny competed for Miss Maryland three times before she won the title. Likewise, her mother competed for the state title when she was 17 years old, and won the preliminary swimsuit award. A fact, Kenny said, her mother has on occasion, “rubbed in her face.” “It’s kind of funny because my first two years I never won swimsuit, and she won swimsuit. She would always kind of rub that in my face like, ‘Your momma’s still got it,’” Kenny joked. “So I definitely pushed through so I could win the swimsuit preliminary my third year.”
Although her mother may have goaded her a bit while she was competing, Kenny said her mother never pushed her to do pageants. The 23-year-old found the hobby independently. When she was 13 years old, Kenny said, she had trouble grieving the loss of her best friend and grandparents. When a guidance counselor told her to develop a thicker skin, she was furious.

“I found the Rainbows Organization and it helped me through a very difficult time,” Kenny said. “Ever since then I needed to make sure that no child is ever told to get over something like that.” Pageantry, she said, gave her a “microphone” to support the Rainbows Organization. On the road to Miss America, Kenny’s platform is Healing the Hurt, Restoring the Hope – the Rainbows Organization. Kenny said competing in her mother’s footsteps and finally winning Miss Maryland is kind of like a relay race, “We’ve finally hit that mark,” she said. Although Miss Hawaii Stephanie Steuri’s mother was Miss Maui 1977, her parents were not immediately onboard with her participation in pageants, Steuri said. They were worried she was sacrificing the years she had dedicated to her education.

“That local title was my chance to show them that I can do both, I can be that beauty and brains figure,” Steuri said. “I can continue my education with a title in the Miss America system and earn scholarship money.” After winning a local title, Miss Paradise Kauai, and continuing on to compete in Miss Hawaii, Stueri said her mother’s attitude toward pageants shifted. “She was super-excited, almost living vicariously through me,” Stueri joked. “She was just so excited that I had grown so much as a person both academically and as a woman.” Three of the women received valuable advice from their predecessors, “be yourself,” while Smith had some advice for her younger sister. “If you believe you can do it, you can do it,” Smith said.

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Donald Trump Completes the ALS Ice Bucket Challenge With the Help of Miss Universe and Miss USA

You know Donald Trump isn't one to back down from a challenge. The business mogul is the latest celeb to take part in the ALS Ice Bucket Challenge, and did so with the help of the beautiful Miss Universe and Miss USA on top of one of his famous towers.

"I've been called out by everybody for the ALS Ice Bucket Challenge—Homer Simpson, Mike Tyson, Vince McMahon—like everybody is going crazy over this thing," Trump says in the video. "I guess they wanna see if whether or not this is my real hair. Which it is. So here's what I'm gonna do…Miss Universe and Miss USA, I own it, so they're here and they're really gonna do a number on me. I'm challenging President Obama, my son Donald, my son Eric. Let's go ladies."

And that's when two huge buckets of ice (Trump) water gets dumped on Donald's head. And guess what? His hair stayed on his head. Apparently, the 68-year-old didn't get the memo on Barack Obama and the challenge. After being called out by Ethel Kennedy, the oldest living member of the famous political family, the President of the United States opted to pass on getting soaked for the #IceBucketChallenge.

"The President appreciates Mrs. Kennedy thinking of him for the challenge," the White House said in a statement. "The President will be making a donation to an ALS charity this week."

Burmese beauty queen 'vanishes with tiara' from pageant

Associated Press in Rangoon

A Burmese beauty queen who was stripped of her title for allegedly being rude and dishonest has run off with the £60,000 jewelled crown from a South Korea-based pageant, according to organizers.

May Myat Noe is said to have vanished from the competition after officials were adamant that she have breast enhancement surgery.

Burma, which only recently emerged from a half-century military rule and self-imposed isolation, started sending contestants to international beauty contests again in 2012.

May Myat Noe was crowned Miss Asia Pacific World in Seoul in May 2014. But, according to David Kim, director of media for the Seoul-based pageant, the 18-year-old was a disappointment from the start.

Attempts to reach May Myat Noe for comment were unsuccessful on Friday and her Burmese phone was switched off. According to the online edition of Eleven Media, a Burmese newspaper, she was back in the country and would address a news conference soon, although it was not clear when.

Following her success, the organizers said they were arranging singing and video deals for her. But they also wanted to change the teenager's looks, Kim said.

"We thought she should be more beautiful ... so as soon as she arrived we sent her to the hospital to operate on her breasts," he said.

"It's our responsibility," he said, adding that sponsors picked up the tab, which came to the equivalent of £6,000, as they have for past winners. "If she has no good nose, then maybe, if she likes, we can operate on her nose. If it's breasts, then breasts."

Kim said that troubles started from there. The beauty queen took her mother with her to Seoul for what was supposed to be a 10-day visit, but that quickly turned into three months, incurring extra cost to the organisers, he said.

She "lied" and "never had respect for the main organisation, the national director, the manager, media or fans who made her the winner", organisers said in a statement.

May Myat Noe was notified this week that she would have to give up her title and the crown, Kim said. She was also given a plane ticket back to Rangoon, but never turned up, with Eleven Media reporting that she got on an earlier flight.

Kim said she had absconded with the bejewelled Swarovski tiara – valued between £60,000 and £120,000.

"Everyone knows she is no longer the queen, but she thinks as long as she keeps this crown she's the winner," he said. "She's not."

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Miss America Nina Davuluri visits NJ children's hospital

Source: New Jersey 12News

NEW BRUNSWICK - Children in a New Jersey hospital got a special visit from a celebrity bearing an icy treat today. Miss America Nina Davuluri was at PSE&G Children's Specialized Hospital in New Brunswick visiting patients and handing out Dairy Queen Blizzards.

At least $1 from each blizzard sold at many Dairy Queens in northern and central New Jersey on Thursday are being donated to Children's Miracle Network, which supports the New Brunswick hospital.

"Oftentimes when I walk into a room, the children don't necessarily know who I am or what I am," Davuluri says. "But all they see is that a princess has walked into the room for a day. So to take their mind off their treatments that they're going through even for just a few minutes is one of the best parts of my job."

Davuluri is making her final few appearances with the national title. A new Miss America will be crowned next month.

Miss USA Shares Her Go-To Looks

BY: MAE RICE

It’s been two months since Nia Sanchez was crowned Miss USA for 2014, and she’s cheerfully adjusting to her reigning responsibilities. All the parties, charity projects, and meet ‘n’ greets mean that having the title is a full-time job, “but I’m loving every second,” she says. Luckily, she’s also great at dressing for the occasion, whether it’s the swimsuit portion of a national pageant or tae kwon do practice, where, she says, “I try to look as not-fly as possible.” When we got her on the phone, we asked her about her favorite looks for three scenarios she encounters a lot: a night out, a long flight, and a charity appearance.

For a Night Out
Go-to outfit: “Sparkly shorts and a cute blouse, or a romper that looks a little dressy with maybe a gold belt… and then I’ll throw some pumps on.” Her clothes are probably from Zara or Double Zero, the clothing company that sponsored her Miss USA outfits. Go-to beauty product: Fake eyelashes from Flutter Lashes (or Walgreens). “When I apply them, I always use the black glue, so the white stuff isn’t smudged all over your eyes if you mess up.” Nia says that the eyelashes are great for nighttime photo ops, where the flash might otherwise wash out your face. Go-to spot in Las Vegas, Nia’s home city: Brooklyn Bowl, a new venue with two floors of bowling, plus concerts and a restaurant. “It’s huge! You get a variety.”

For a Long Flight
Go-to outfit: “I don’t like skirts and dresses; you can’t get comfortable on the plane in those.” Nia prefers leggings and a chunky wraparound sweater from Double Zero, especially when she’s headed somewhere chilly. Go-to beauty product: Face lotion from Image Skincare. “When I travel, my skin gets really dry, especially [when I’m] going between different climates.” Go-to carry-on item: “A thin but big blanket. I like to fall asleep on a plane. I’m the type of person who can pull my knees up to my chest, put my arms on top of my knees, and just pass out like that.”

For a Charity Appearance
Go-to outfit: Something simple, such as jeans, a blue T-shirt (“blue is one of my favorite colors to wear”), and sneakers. Nia’s especially into wedge sneakers right now. Go-to beauty products: Similarly simple—brown eyeliner, mascara, and a little lip gloss. “Some neutral tones,” she says. “You don’t want to look like a clown when you’re up close, face-to-face with little children.” One of her go-to charities: Project Sunshine. Working with them, she visits hospitalized children and tries to brighten their day with fun projects, such as making maracas and other musical instruments.

Meet the Anti-Pageant Queen Who Almost Won Miss Teen USA

by Amber Katz

Pageant princesses and lengthy Rapunzel locks go together like Taylor Swift and breakup lyrics: They have a long, storied history. But one of this year's Miss Teen USA contestants stood out in a sea of sausage spirals. You have to admit that the go-to pageant aesthetic, while gorgeous, feels a bit homogenous and, frankly, boasts all the edge of a strawberry Skittle. So this year, we were taken with the stunning Miss Teen Pennsylvania/Miss Teen USA 2nd Runner Up, Sydney Robertson. With her pert platinum pixie and penchant for snakes, this model is a veritable disruption of the stereotypical beauty queen. She was even elected Miss Congeniality, a sizeable accomplishment considering 50 gals with whom you're competing for the crown are voting on the matter. So we just had to know: What's the story behind that pageant pixie?

For starters, Sydney always had a crop, never longer than her shoulders. Every summer, she'd cut it to about ear-length. "My dad is a hairdresser, so he cuts it. I want something easy, but that still looks good. We chopped it super-short a few years ago," she says. Shortly thereafter, Sydney saw a Facebook ad and signed up for her first pageant. "I did it as a joke at first; I'd just started my Facebook account a month before, but I got a phone interview a day later!" Her application to the 2012 Miss Teen Pennsylvania pageant was accepted only six weeks out from the competition and she wound up winning 2nd runner up the first time she competed—all without any professional coaching or training. "I got into modeling because of that pageant; one of the judges was an agent," she reveals.

Surprisingly, Sydney wasn't given any pressure to change her look to reflect the typical Teen Queen. In fact, she says that people have asked if she cut her hair purposefully for the competition. "One of the nicest things about the pageants I've done is that no one has ever told me I needed to change something in order to win," she says. "Granted, I've had some coaching on my walk and stopping and posing and all of that, but it's been nice because I've been able to stay true to who I am and just grow as a person."

Nonetheless, long hair has its advantages. Pixie cuts, believe it or not, require more in-salon maintenance—most professionals recommend getting a cut every four weeks. Luckily, Sydney has an in-house stylist in her dad. His best tip? "My hair is naturally straight and fine, but I have a lot of it. If I want it to be volumized, he taught me to blowdry it and spray dry shampoo for extra lift. It keeps my hair from falling down throughout the day." Still, Sydney maintains that Rapunzel-status strands wouldn't have changed her chances of winning one iota. "Long or short, I was confident in myself. I've been lucky because I've rarely gotten rude or hurtful comments. But when they happen, I just brush them off," she says. "As long as you're confident in yourself, that's what they see on stage."

Miss Teen USA from Chapin: ‘I still can’t believe it actually happened’

BY ANNE-KATHRYN FLANAGAN

As the summer begins to wind down, most rising high school seniors are busy preparing for their first day back to school. However, things are little different for rising Chapin High School senior K. Lee Graham, who was crowned Miss Teen USA last Saturday night. “I still can’t believe it actually happened,” Graham said. “Being Miss Teen USA is so important to me.” Graham, 17, is in New York right now just as her senior year and reign as Miss Teen USA kicks into high gear. (A South Carolina homecoming is being planned for later in the month.) “Tonight, I’m going to a Yankees game, and I’ll get to meet my new boss Mr. (Donald) Trump,” Graham said. “Then I’ll head back to South Carolina and start commuting to the places I’m needed.” Trump owns the Miss USA brand, which includes the Miss Universe pageant. As Graham handles her duties as Miss Teen USA, she still has to make time for academics and for what Graham described as a very unique senior year. Graham has taken advanced classes and honors classes along the way, which has paved the way for her to take a lighter course load this semester.

“I’ll be able to take my remaining courses while living in South Carolina and graduate early,” Graham said. Once her high school diploma is in hand, Graham will head to the New York Film Academy, where she’ll enroll in the acting program for a semester. Graham said she’ll live in the dorms while she’s at the Film Academy, but will be living with current Miss USA Nia Sanchez and Miss Universe Gabriela Isler when she’s not in school. All the while, she’ll be applying to colleges for the following fall. Graham will continue her blog Live Beautifully, which is designed to help girls find their inner worth and focus on their character instead of their appearance. “I was just thinking about what I’ll post on the blog this weekend,” Graham said. “It will definitely continue, and will be a way for people to follow me as I’m traveling.”

While she travels as Miss Teen USA, Graham also hopes to promote education. Graham, who is No. 1 in her class at Chapin High School, has a passion for learning, and wants people to know pursuing an education is an admirable thing. “I would sometimes act like I didn’t know the answer to a question when I was in middle school,” Graham said. “I regret that now, and I want other young ladies never to be ashamed of knowing the right answer.” With so much ahead of her, Graham will never forget all of the supportive family and friends who have supported her on this journey. She also said South Carolina will always be home.
One person in particular who’s been there from the beginning is Graham’s mom, Jennifer Newin, who held the Miss Teen South Carolina USA title in 1985

“My mom never forced me to compete, I begged her to let me,” Graham said. “She inspires me, and has shown me how to stay confident and be prepared.” She has also helped Graham with her wardrobe by making most of her evening gowns. “Miss Teen USA was actually the first pageant I didn’t wear one of my mom’s gowns,” Graham said. “My mom’s worked really hard, and I wanted her to relax and take a break from it this time,” Graham said. Graham enlisted the help of Gregory Ellenburg of South Carolina to create her Miss Teen USA gown. RPM Productions of Aiken also worked with Graham. Ellenburg is a sponsor of the Miss SC Teen USA pageant, and Graham said he has a huge reputation for paying attention to the fit of the gown.

“I worked with him closely to get the details, and he made something that represented me,” Graham said. As for what she’ll do once her reign as Miss Teen USA is over, Graham said she is looking forward to finishing college and pursuing an acting career. She doesn’t know what the future holds, but knows the pageant world will always hold a place in her heart.

Read more here: http://www.thestate.com/2014/08/06/3604851/miss-teen-usa-form-chapin-i-still.html?sp=/99/117/#storylink=cpy

Miss Lake Eola USA & Teen USA Results

By Grant Gravitt, Jr | Miss FL USA

The beginning of our Miss Florida USA Pageant August Mini-Season saw The Road To Hollywood make its first stop of the year in Orange County as we present a “neighborhood” title with the Miss Lake Eola USA & Teen USA Pageants. Held at the Downtown Orlando Crowne Plaza in the Thornton Park District before a lively and boisterous audience the afternoon featured six Miss Teen USA and three Miss USA delegates competing for the two tiaras and chance to represent the region at both Miss Florida USA and Miss Florida Teen USA. 

Read more: http://www.missfloridausa.com/Prelims/PRELIMS-lake-eola.htm

A Pageant That Inspires: Ms. Wheelchair America 2015

By: Phil Shuman

Jenny Lynn Adams is a bubbly redhead full of energy. She has a motivational speaking business that she says is wildly successful and that has taken her all across the country.  She prefers to work with ''what God gave her'', which is a torso, a head, and virtually no limbs. She was bullied as a kid growing up in Washington State, tried prosthetics, didn't like them, and is perfectly comfortable with who she is and how she is. "Even though I have a disability and people with disabilities are looked at for those disabilities, we also have abilities. And as we are included in mainstream society, we are able to take those abilities and talents out into the world." A year ago, Adams entered the Ms. Wheelchair competition, won the Washington crown, and was then named Ms. Wheelchair USA at the annual pageant in Houston. I caught up with her at the pageant which will name Ms. Wheelchair USA for 2015, held at the lovely Long Beach Hilton. It was quite a sight - 28 women, with varying disabilities, zooming around the halls and meeting rooms in their motorized chairs. In addition to Adams, one of the most impressive women is L.A.'s own Theresa DeVera. Now 38, she was 20 when, as a student at Loyola Marymount, she suffered a severe asthma attack that put her into cardiac arrest and then a coma. She wasn't expected to recover. Her family was encouraged to pull the plug and donate her organs. They didn't and she came out of the coma after three months. Then DeVera taught herself to speak again. She still can't walk, but has gone on to earn both bachelors and masters degrees. She certainly means it when she says, "I feel I have accomplished more disabled than I have able-bodied. It taught me never to take a minute of life for granted."  She doesn't and neither should we. 

This year's pageant is organized by singer, actress, and advocate Jennifer Kumiyama; she's been in a wheelchair since she was 2. Though this is called a pageant, there's no swimsuit or talent competition. Participants are graded on their communications skills and their ability to advocate for the disabled community. They also attend workshops on public speaking, advocating for the disabled, and keeping physically fit through exercise such as wheelchair dancing, taught by Chelsie Hill, founder of Walk and Roll. The mission of the Ms. Wheelchair USA is “to provide an opportunity of achievement for women who happen to be wheelchair users to successfully educate and advocate for the more than 54 million Americans living with disabilities.” Obviously to get there in the first place, they're all winners. And they're not interested in sympathy, just inclusion.

This is the 43^rd year of competition and Ms. Wheelchair America 2015 will be named on Saturday.  

Miss Teen USA 2014 Crowning Moment

Miss South Carolina K. Lee Graham Crowned Miss Teen USA 2014!

by MIKE VULPO

There is a new Miss Teen USA in town!

Miss South Carolina K. Lee Graham wowed the judges with her beauty, charisma and intelligence at Saturday night's annual beauty pageant. "I can't even talk right now. This is literally a dream come true," Graham said seconds after earning the coveted sash. "Thank you for supporting me. We did it!" For almost two hours, Graham and her fellow contestants were put through a tricky Q&A session, the famous bikini catwalk and a competition that can only be described as cutthroat.

At the beginning of the pageant, held at the Atlantis Resort in the Bahamas, only 15 of the 51 contestants were asked to move forward into the semi-finals.

Those lucky enough to move forward competed in the bikini portion where another 10(!) were later cut!
Miss California, South Carolina, New Jersey, Pennsylvania and Mississippi were the final five ladies who moved on to the always entertaining Q&A portion. Although nobody stumbled and made us cringe, some ladies definitely had some memorable answers.

When asked where she would want to go if she was ever invisible, Miss California promptly answered the White House. Her reason? She is a huge Scandal fan, obviously. Miss Pennsylvania was strictly against parents serving high school kids alcohol at home after prom. "You should follow the law," she declared. "I don't think that's okay." Finally, Miss New Jersey thought beauty pageants were so wonderful that every girl should be a part of one. "I think every woman should do one pageant because it's an amazing experience," she told the audience.

In the end, the judges couldn't resist the charm of Miss South Carolina. But don't feel bad, Miss Mississippi. As the runner-up, you will be next in line take over if for any reason Graham is unable to fulfill the responsibilities that come with the title. As we know from previous pageants, anything is possible.