Lees Daryanne Garcia Crowned Miss Grand International 2014

Lees Daryanne Garcia, Miss Grand Cuba 2014, was crowned Miss Grand International 2014 at the conclusion of the international pageant held on October 7th, 2014 at the Indoor Stadium Huamark in Sukhothai, Thailand.

Lees Garcia is a Cuban-American beauty. She is the former Miss New York U.S. International, Miss Florida U.S. International, Miss Florida American Beauty and Miss Grand Florida.

The first runner-up was Miss Grand Ethiopia Hiwot Mamo;

The second runner-up was Miss Grand Canada Kathryn Kohut;The third runner-up was Miss Grand Australia Renera Thompson;The fourth runner-up was Miss Grand Colombia Monica Castaño Agudelo.Miss Grand Colombia Monica Castaño AgudeloMiss Grand Cuba Lees Daryanne GarciaMiss Grand Ethiopia Hiwot MamoMiss Grand Australia Renera ThompsonMiss Grand Canada Kathryn Kohut

Miss USA Nia Sanchez Is Engaged

BY KELLI BENDER

This is a winning year for Nia Sanchez. The 24-year-old was crowned Miss USA in June and now, she is newly engaged. On Saturday night, 21 & Overactor Daniel Booko, 30, proposed to Sanchez on a private terrace in New York City, Rumor Fi reports.

The couple first met a year and a half ago at an engagement party but didn't start dating until three months later, when Booko saw Sanchez again at church.Booko told Rumor Fix that from the first moment he met his now fiancée, he thought she was the most beautiful girl he had ever seen.
For the proposal, Booko secretly flew out to New York City, where Sanchez is currently living, and rented out the Suite Royale at the NoMad Hotel, which comes complete with a 700-square-foot terrace. The actor decorated this outdoor space with flowers and candles before inviting Sanchez over for the big surprise."She's thinking she's going to an event with friends … [and] I will be there looking all dapper in a suit decorated with candles and flowers and the whole thing and have her come over – just her and I to have an intimate moment – then get down on one knee and propose, then pop champagne and celebrate," he said.

Booko proposed to Sanchez, who happily said "yes," with a platinum, two-carat diamond ring. Booko also had a red, white and blue stone added inside the band to commemorate Sanchez's Miss USA title.

The 63rd Annual MISS UNIVERSE® Pageant To Be Held In Doral-Miami At Florida International University January 25 (8-11 P.M. ET) On NBC

SOURCE The Miss Universe Organization

NEW YORK, Oct. 2, 2014 /PRNewswire/ -- NBC, Donald J. Trump and Paula M. Shugart, president of the Miss Universe Organization, announced today that the 63rd annual MISS UNIVERSE® Pageant will take place in Doral-Miami, Florida and air live from Florida International University on NBC, Sunday, Jan. 25 (8-11 p.m. ET) with simulcast in Spanish on Telemundo. "The City of Doral is experiencing a record amount of economic growth and has gained attention from Fortune 100 companies in the short time since its incorporation in 2003," says Trump. "In its 11 years of being an established city,Doral has become internationally recognized for its outstanding commercial and industrial accomplishments," adds Trump. "Doral is a symbol of success and holding the Miss Universe Pageant here will amplify its reputation as a world showcase city."

"Even as one of the newest cities in Miami, Doral is a premier place to live, work, and play due to its beautiful lifestyle and entrepreneurial opportunities," says Shugart. "Since the Greater Miami area is a melting pot of people from all over the world, our contestants will feel right at home as they showcase what the area has to offer," adds Shugart. "I cannot think of a better backdrop in January than sunny Miami for our global telecast." "The Miss Universe Pageant offers an unprecedented opportunity to showcase the city to millions of viewers, as well as expose our local shops, hotels, restaurants, and attractions to thousands of visitors," says Mayor Luigi Boria. "Our local economy will be greatly benefited by our partnership with the pageant," adds Boria. "Our international presence will be improved further by joining the list of select cities that have hosted this prestigious competition."

In its short existence, the City of Doral has become a mecca for business development and expansion. Exceeding national trends, Doral has a flourishing economy and has gained status as the premier place for trade and commerce. In just five years after its inception, Doral was named one of the "100 Best Cities to Live and Launch a Business" byCNNMoney.com, coming in at number two in the State of Florida. The city's geographical location, with proximity to the airport, seaport and major transit arteries, provides Doral with unique advantages for growth. The government climate of the multi-cultural, multi-lingual population from South and Central America gives Doral a cosmopolitan, eclectic ambiance that entices shoppers, businesses and industries from around the world. The pageant will be broadcast from the FIU Arena on the campus of Florida International University. FIU is the public research university in Miami and graduates more Hispanic students than any other university in the nation.

"Our students will gain valuable insight from this opportunity to intern with, and learn from, this world class event," said FIU president, Mark B. Rosenberg. "I'm delighted that having the pageant on campus will also make it possible for our first generation students to receive scholarships and young people all over the world to be exposed to FIU." Florida International University is recognized as a Carnegie engaged university. It is a public research university with colleges and schools that offers more than 180 bachelor's, master's and doctoral programs in fields such as engineering, international relations, architecture, law and medicine. As one of South Florida's anchor institutions, FIU contributes $9.8 billion each year to the local economy. FIU is Worlds Ahead in finding solutions to the most challenging problems of our time. FIU emphasizes research as a major component of its mission.
Since 1960, the Miss Universe Organization and Miami have had a longstanding relationship, with the MISS UNIVERSE Pageant being held in the Greater Miami area 15 times, more than any other host city in the world. The MISS UNIVERSE beauty pageant is distributed to approximately 190 countries and territories. Contestants from around the world will be judged in three categories: swimsuit, evening gown and interview, as they vie to become the next Miss Universe. Gabriela Isler from Venezuela will crown her successor at the conclusion of the live telecast.

Miss America damage control: Pageant beset by hazing, scholarship reports

By Amy Kuperinsky | NJ Advance Media for NJ.com

It’s safe to say this wasn’t the best week for Miss America — the pageant or the person.

“I must’ve aged 10 years over the past 24 hours,”Kira Kazantsev wrote in her blog on Tuesday night. On Monday, not long after becoming the third consecutive Miss New York to win the crown, Kazantsev, 23, also became the subject ofa story from the website Jezebel. An unnamed person had accused her of promotinghazing at Hofstra University’s Alpha Phi sorority. “Over the past 24 hours, I have experienced cyber-bullying, hatred, and judgment unlike ever before,” Kazantsev continued. “People write you off at a moment’s notice, simply rejoicing in the fact that you might’ve done something wrong.” Writing off Miss America — the pageant — may seem easy, given the last few days. Just before the hazing story came to light, John Oliver, HBO’s late-night news satirist, skewered the Linwood-based Miss America Organization for vastly overstating its scholarship contributions.

The “Last Week Tonight” host said show staff found no evidence the scholarships awarded to contestants amounted to any number near the $45 million claimed. And people were paying attention. The Chicago Tribune reported that in just two days, Oliver's suggestion for viewers to donate to other scholarship programs resulted in an influx of $25,000 to the city's Society of Women Engineers.
For a pageant that already suffered from an image problem – the swimsuit competition hasn’t exactly helped — Oliver’s debunking session and the hazing allegations against Kazantsev seemed to indicate a swift downward spiral.

The questions many observers are asking now: Can Miss America recover from yet another set of PR blows? And how will all of this impact the pageant's current home, Atlantic City, which is facing its own share of public relations and financial crises?

Scholarships and ‘solvency’
The hazing allegations forced Miss America to regroup, but the scholarship story appeared to be more damning. After all, the organization trumpets that it is the largest provider of scholarships for women. “That’s why those women, many of them, enter the pageant,” says Karen Kessler, a crisis communications expert at Evergreen Partners in Warren, who has represented the Giants, Jets and more than a few politicians, also serving as a technical adviser to TV series "The Good Wife" and "Nashville."

Addressing the pageant-faithful on stage at Boardwalk Hall this month, Sam Haskell, CEO of the Miss America Organization, said the cash-strapped pageant once used would-be scholarship money to cover office expenses. Back on network TV and returned to Atlantic City, he said, the pageant had regained both “relevance” and “solvency.” Yet when it comes to money, the pageant and its contestants aren’t the only stakeholders. “There’s the people of New Jersey,” says Kessler. The competition arrived in Atlantic City just as neighboring Trump Plaza was preparing to close, becoming the fourth casino to shut down this year. The state, through the Casino Reinvestment Development Authority, has put millions of dollars toward underwriting the pageant’s production costs.

After the Sept. 14 broadcast, pageant officials beamed about Miss America’s No. 1 spot in the Nielsen Twitter TV Ratings. But TV ratings declined. Last year the broadcast drew 8.6 million viewers. This year: 7.1 million. Though Miss America’s contract with the CRDA and Boardwalk Hall is up after next year’s show, Lt. Gov. Kim Guadagno and Atlantic City officials have expressed support for the pageant remaining there. Miss America began in the fall of 1921 as a strategy to lure business back to the beach. Does the flailing casino town now have a choice in the matter? As casinos falter, Atlantic City’s current mantra is to boost “non-gaming” activity. “New Jersey and Atlantic City once again look like they got a very short end of the stick,” Kessler says. “If it’s all about nostalgia, the question is, at what price?”

Mixed messages
If Miss America’s modern-day goal is to “empower women,” a story associating the titleholder with poor treatment of women provides an easy way to torpedo the mission. Appearing on “Good Morning America” after the Jezebel story broke, Kazantsev, whose pageant platform advances domestic violence awareness, denied hazing was the reason why she was asked to leave the sorority last year, saying the cause was an email in which she joked about the practice. But she admitted to participating in a larger campus culture of hazing.

“What can be more damaging?” Kessler says. “It is the essence of sort of everything that they say they don’t stand for.” Kazantsev said the hardest question she had to answer on the morning show was about what she would say to young girls regarding her behavior at the sorority. "I'd tell them it's OK to make mistakes," she said. "You know, that's life." Yet as host Lara Spencer delivered the query to the smooth-talking spokeswoman, for just a beat, the pageant queen’s eyes looked distant.While the Miss America Organization issued a statement praising Kazantsev’s “transparency” about her termination from the sorority, it is still unclear when pageant officials learned about her history with Alpha Phi. One of the requirements for contestants is that they fulfill “character criteria.” Kazantsev rejects any notion that she promoted verbal or physical abuse.

There is (so far) no video of her participating in any hazing activities. Unlike Vanessa Williams’ nude photos — plans for their publication in Penthouse magazine prompted her Miss America resignation in 1984 — there is no visual evidence of a violation. “I don’t think that this is grounds for dethroning,” says sociologist and pageant-watcher Hilary Levey Friedman, a former judge of the Miss New Jersey pageant. Her mother, Pamela Eldred, was Miss America 1970. Though advancing the stereotype of sorority “mean girls” isn’t the stated aim of Miss America, the ritual has produced a kind of sorority identity, she says.  “The Miss America pageant has a history with the sorority program in the U.S.,” says Levey Friedman. “That’s why it’s called a sisterhood.” The names used to describe preliminary competition groupings — Mu, Alpha and Sigma — come from Mu-Alpha-Sigma, a Miss America sorority organized in 1940.

Even as the hazing allegations may damage Kazantsev’s credibility as a national spokeswoman, Levey Friedman doesn’t think they will destroy her year. “There was a time when Miss America was held up as this totally perfect ideal,” she says. “What Miss America’s trying to do is say, we’re relatable, we all make mistakes.”

Miss Michigan USA crowned

by Bob Gross

Rashontae Wawrzyniak, representing St. Clair Lake, was crowned Miss Michigan USA 2015 on Saturday at McMorran Theater in Port Huron. Maria Rendina, of Monroe, is the new Miss Michigan Teen USA. The pageant featured 83 young women competing for the title of Miss Michigan USA; 44 teens competed for Miss Michigan Teen USA.

Wawrzyniak, who was first runner-up in last year's pageant, also was selected most photogenic.
Miss Port Huron USA Kayla Sesi was selected Miss Congeniality by the pageant contestants.
And the competitors brought their cheering sections with them. Lilly Santiago, of Dearborn Heights, was there to watch her daughter, Taylor Sherman. Santiago had about 20 people with her — children and grandchildren. She said Sherman was Miss Michigan Teen USA in 2011. "If the double whammy happens, call the EMS," she said.

The experience, Santiago said, wasn't new. "I love pageants," she said. "She's been doing them since she was six." It was a new experience for Katrina and Kyle Fellenbaum, of Fenton. Their daughter, Faith Weier, 20, was competing as Miss Fenton. "She has never done this before; this is her very first time," her mom said. "I think it's great," she said. "Very energetic and everybody looks great.
"It's gone very well. I'm very happy." She said her daughter plays basketball at Alma College, so a pageant is something different. "This is one of the greatest moments of her life," she said. "She's learned a lot about herself. This has been a very good thing for her."

Marci Fogal, president of the Blue Water Convention and Visitors Bureau, said such events are good for Port Huron. "Look around," she said in a crowded theater lobby. "It's a good opportunity to showcase our community. "It drives our economy — these people have been out in our restaurants, shopping, having a good time." She said she's heard many positive comments about Port Huron from people visiting for the pageant.

"It's nice to hear that," she said. "It's just a great opportunity." Pam Keller and her daughters, Addison and Pamela, had signs supporting her daughter and their sister, Kaci Keller. She was representing Decatur in the Miss Teen Michigan USA competition. "It's a once-in-a-lifetime experience for her," Pam Keller said. "She just turned 18 in July." The signs read "Good Luck Kaci" and "We Love Kaci." Addison Keller said they would have made more signs, but "we ran out of duct tape."

THE RESULTS

MISS MICHIGAN USA 2015

• Winner: Rashontae Wawrzyniak, Miss St. Clair Lake USA

• First runner-up: Sarah Gerberding, Miss Boyne City USA

• Second runner-up: Elizabeth Johnson, Miss Plymouth USA

• Third runner-up: April Strong, Miss Swartz Creek USA

• Fourth runner-up: Laura Esqueda, Miss Northville USA

MISS MICHIGAN TEEN USA 2015

• Winner: Maria Rendina, Miss Monroe Teen USA

• First runner-up: Maria Smith, Miss Shelby Township Teen USA

• Second runner-up: Ujaneé Wells, Miss Lake State Teen USA

• Third runner-up: Stephanie Staurov, Miss Chesterfield Township Teen USA

• Fourth runner-up: Amanda St. Germain, Miss Marquette USA

Homecoming queen gives crown to bullied friend

By Ben Russell

A homecoming queen in Texas is a real class act, giving up her crown to a friend who was pranked by classmates. Lillian Skinner, 17, was beyond excited to learn she had been nominated for homecoming queen at Grand Prairie High School, but was devastated to learn it was nothing more than a cruel prank cooked up by classmates. Two friends, Anahi Alvarez and Naomi Martinez, came up with a way to make sure Skinner got her chance to shine.

The girls agreed to pass on the crown to Skinner should either of them win. When Alvarez was named queen, she called Skinner over and told her the crown was hers. Skinner was in disbelief.
"Seeing the look on her face and the way she reacted toward it, it was priceless," Martinez told Dallas TV station KXAS. "I knew it was the right decision."

Alvarez agreed, and said she'd do it all again in a heartbeat. "Well, for me, I want to say, and I always say, 'Lilly won. I just ran in her place, in her position,'" Alvarez said. "When they ask me, 'Were you homecoming queen?' I say, 'No, Lilly is homecoming queen.'"

How Kira Kazantsev went from Cronut blogger to Miss America

By Kirsten Fleming and Dana Schuster

Kira Kazantsev, the newly crowned Miss America 2015, has always been an overachiever.
The 23-year-old speaks three languages (Russian, Spanish and English), was a triple major at Hofstra University (political science, global studies and geography), was accepted to Notre Dame Law School and even worked the princess circuit in high school, according to Kazantsev’s cheerleading adviser, Laurel Londahl. “One year she came to my daughter’s third birthday party dressed up in her Miss Junior Teen California pageant gown and crown and read them stories and gave them princess goodies,” says Londahl, who still works at Kazantsev’s alma mater, Las Lomas High School in Walnut Creek, California.

Kazantsev, who moved to New York in 2009 for college, is the third consecutive New Yorker to snag the Miss America title. It’s a huge achievement for the Big Apple — and the Murray Hill resident. But friends and family say they expected no less from the personable pageant queen who begged her high school principal to let her captain the cheerleading team while simultaneously serving as student body president. “I told her, ‘You can’t do both . . . it’s just too much work. You can’t do it,’” recalls Kazantsev’s former principal, Pat Lickiss. “She said, ‘Mr. Lickiss, I can do it.’ There’s nothing that girl couldn’t do.” “She’s the hardest-working girl I know,” agrees Londahl. “We marched in the local parade every year, and Kira was there as Miss Junior Teen California, and she had to jump out of the car she was in, change into her cheerleading outfit and then march with the cheerleaders. She was incredibly dedicated to her team.”

So who is the aspiring attorney with the sparkly crown? The daughter of Russian immigrants, Kazantsev — who has a 15-year-old brother, Boris — was raised by her surgical oncologist father, George, and real-estate broker mother, Julia, in Northern California. “They’ve always said, ‘If you can, do more.’ Pushing yourself isn’t a bad thing as long as it’s in moderation,” Kazantsev tells The Post. When it came time to choose a college, Kazantsev says, she always dreamed of going to school in New York, and settled on Long Island’s Hofstra because they gave her a scholarship that covered 50 percent of her tuition. Her tenacious work ethic continued throughout her four years on campus. She enrolled in the school’s honors college after her first semester (getting an invite to the prestigious program requires a 3.6 GPA or higher, according to the honors college dean, Warren Frisina) and studied in Barcelona her junior year.

“I don’t think anyone knew she had ambitions in that [pageant] direction. She seemed pretty darn focused on her schoolwork and succeeding academically,” Frisina says. She has deferred her acceptance to Notre Dame law school, but eventually hopes to earn a law degree and her MBA at the prestigious Indiana school. The brainy beauty, who sang Lady Gaga’s “Poker Face” in Hofstra’s 2010 talent show, was one of the 300 volunteers chosen from more than a thousand hopefuls to rub elbows with the political muckety-mucks during the 2012 presidential debate hosted by Hofstra. For two summers, she interned at Solidarity Strategies, a political consulting firm in Washington, DC. According to the company’s founder, Chuck Rocha, Kazantsev says the tenure helped her nail the 2013 Miss New York pageant. “She said that she wouldn’t have understood the question [about campaign finance reform] if she hadn’t worked for me,” says Rocha, who recently had lunch with Kazantsev in NYC. “It made my chest swell with pride.” According to Rocha, the new Miss America has the perfect combination of drive and personal skills. “And then you throw in the fact that she is drop-dead gorgeous and really smart,” laughs Rocha, who says Kazantsev looked up to Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand. She volunteered for Gillibrand’s re-election campaign in 2011.

Asked if she wants to run for political office, Kazantsev says she wants to pursue international business and influence policy for women’s issues across the globe. “I love politics and the environment that goes with it . . . but for now, [elected office] is not necessarily my dream.” After graduating from Hofstra, she moved to Murray Hill with her best friend and began waiting tables at Hillstone and, later, hosting at Harding’s in the Flatiron District while studying for the LSATs. “You gotta do what you gotta do to make it. Miss New York is a full-time job, but you don’t make money. It’s a labor of love,” says Kazantsev, who is savoring all that the Big Apple has to offer, including dining at Mario Batali’s hot spots Eataly and Esca. Kazantsev also dabbled with a food blog called “Confessions of a Fat Soul,” where the pizza- and bagel-loving city gal braved the Cronut line and explored NYC’s culinary terrain all in the name of hunger. (The now-defunct blog’s tag line reads: “Bringing recipes and restaurant reviews to my fellow fat souls. Dedicated to making the fat souls out there even fatter.”) “Blue Water Grill is one of my favorite restaurants. I love going to the Brooklyn Flea and Chelsea Market. My friends and I go to Central Park and lay out and we try to live the New York life on a budget,” she says, adding that she likes to “window shop.”

“My personal style for New York isn’t edgy, but for the rest of the world, I think it is. Sometimes people in the pageant world question my choices. “I love shoulder pads, prints and things that are a little out there. I like to color outside of the line and wear what I want to wear,” she says. According to Kerime Ataker, president of John Paul Ataker, the designer who crafted Kazantsev’s stunning custom rose-colored gown she wore at Sunday’s event, “She’s definitely a risk-taker,” gravitating away from typical pageant garb. When she isn’t eating (and staying remarkably thin, thanks to her penchant for running, according to Rocha), Kazantsev is putting in countless hours advocating against domestic violence, a cause close to her heart after an ex-boyfriend stalked her in college. In August, she joined the junior leadership counsel of Safe Horizon, an NYC-based victim assistance agency she has volunteered with in the past. “She identifies with the people who are impacted by it,” says Eddie Pelto, Safe Horizon’s chief development officer, who adds that Kazantsev’s “been a strong voice for domestic violence survivors through social media.”

“I want as many people as possible to understand what domestic violence is,” says Kazantsev. “To talk about it. To not be scared to talk about it. You can pass laws and make rules but you won’t affect real change until people’s minds are changed.”Modal Trigger Concerning the Ray Rice scandal, she thinks that maybe, one day, the football player will deserve a second chance. “There’s an extraordinary moment for Ray Rice to step back and understand what happened and take this media attention and turn it into a way to raise awareness. This has been done and no one should be questioning his wife’s decision to stay, because every woman is an expert in her own life.” Right now, Miss America has a good mister by her side. “He’s a very calm guy. He’s a Marine,” says Ataker, who says Kazantsev brought her beau to dress fittings.

“Such a nice guy. He didn’t talk much. All he did was smile and say, ‘Looks great,’ and that was it.” When asked about her dating status, Kazantsev politely says she would rather not discuss it. But if you were a potential suitor, she says she’s low-maintenance, preferring to stay in and binge-watch “Orange Is the New Black” or “House of Cards.” “I am so easy to please,” she says. “Just give me a slice of pizza and a bagel and I am a happy person. I am a simple person who happens to be involved in some crazy stuff.” For now, Kazantsev says, she is going to celebrate her shiny new tiara in her trademark low-key way. “I am going to have a very nice sleep. I don’t know when I will have another opportunity to do that.”

"THE REALITY OF MISS AMERICA" by Miss America 2015 Kira Kazantsev

by Miss America 2015 Kira Kazantsev

It’s been a little over a week since I was crowned Miss America, and what a whirlwind it has been! I’ve already taken two cross-country flights, participated in countless media interviews, and had the opportunity to attend the Clinton Global Initiative’s Annual Meeting where I met some very influential people who are doing incredible things around the globe. It is such an honor to be Miss America 2015 — and to represent the amazing 52 women who I had the privilege of getting to know over 2 weeks in Atlantic City. They epitomize everything that Miss America is about and being chosen from among them is my greatest honor.

I’m launching this personal blog to share my year with you because I feel it’s important for people to know what it’s really like to be Miss America. It’s not just one night a year on television — it’s a 365/24/7 job. In addition to all the amazing opportunities that come with the title, it also is a year of personal growth — and challenges. This first week of being in the public eye is not something you can ever prepare for. The positives have far outweighed any of the negativity and craziness that comes with being in a high profile position, particularly on social media. But I’m learning as I go, and I hope to do my best to represent the organization and the title to the best of my abilities.
On that note, I’d like to address one specific issue that has popped up in the media. Because what type of role model would I be if I told people, young women especially, that you can’t make mistakes? That’s not real life. When I entered the sorority recruitment process at Hofstra University in Spring 2010, I decided to join a sorority for the social life but I also thought that I was joining a legacy of success and philanthropy. My friends were joining, and for fear of being left out, I joined too. To be completely honest, I didn’t know what I was signing up for.

The worst of the so-called hazing was standing in a line reciting information, a few sleepless nights, and crafting. I was yelled at a few times. That year, the sorority got in trouble for those actions and was disciplined by both Hofstra and the national organization. However, after being brought up through that process, my class thought the only way to gain respect in the sorority was to go through it or be seen as weak. Later on, I had the opportunity to be the New Member Educator for a semester. It was a very rewarding experience as you get to connect with the recruits on a very deep level. However, I did oversee some pledging events as part of my job description, similar to those described above. Furthermore, my termination from Alpha Phi surrounded entirely different circumstances and I would like to use this opportunity to further explain. When I was a senior, as one of the older sisters in the sorority, I was asked by a new member educator at the time to send an email to alumni asking them to attend an event. In the email, I joked that we could make the evening scary for the pledges. That statement was a joke – we never intended to actually engage in the wrongful behavior that I have been accused of – and the alumni event I spoke of never came to fruition anyway. But this is when I learned a very important communications lesson that will stick with me for life.

The email was forwarded by someone to the national organization. Based on that information, the national office summoned me for a judiciary hearing. At the time, it was the end of the school year. Finals, graduation, and moving to New York City were at the forefront of my concerns. Based on the fact that I did not attend this hearing that was the official reason given for my termination.
I was never involved with any name-calling or use of profanity toward a girl during my time with the sorority. I was never involved in any physical hazing or any degradation of physical appearance of any kind. This has all been immensely taken out of context and manipulated purposefully because I am now in a public position.

The nameless source that is saying these things is doing exactly what it is that I was wrongfully accused of. Now that I’m 2 years removed from that experience at the sorority, I’ve learned what healthy relationships are, and can better speak to what young girls entering college should avoid and it has further developed my platform, “Love Shouldn’t Hurt: Protecting Women Against Domestic Violence.” I’m also proud to say that Alpha Phi Theta Mu of Hofstra University is an upstanding organization that has completely abandoned these practices and I’m incredibly proud of the work they do as an organization. I understand that it can sometimes be hard for women to help other women. It’s so sad but I see it happening over and over. The Miss America sisterhood has taught me what true sisterhood is. It is a group of women that has elevated itself from that pettiness and is able to be happy for one another instead of trying to tear each other down.

I was one of those girls who fell victim not only to the abuse of an intimate partner but the abuse of people who I thought were my friends. In response, I imposed that attitude unto others because I thought it was right. Today, I am proud to say — as I have said before — that I have lived a lot of life in my 23 years. I have made mistakes, and I have made magnificent triumphs, most importantly the one that happened to me on September 14 in Atlantic City. I look forward to sharing my year of service with you and continuing to engage in a dialogue about trading adversity for success. I want to be someone who people look up to as Miss America, and I also want women to understand that despite anything that has happened in your past or the mistakes that may have been made, you have the power to control the outcome of your future.

PAGEANT DESIGN PORTFOLIO SPOTLIGHT: 2015 Miss Northwest FL Pageant Program Book

  

Newly Crowned Miss America Goes On Defense After Her Talent Gets Bashed On Social Media

Source: Ass. Press

America got a new Miss America Sunday night, but it hasn’t been completely “Happy” for Miss New York’s Kira Kazantsev, who has faced an onslaught of criticism following the talent performance which helped land her the crown. The beaming blonde sat cross-legged on the stage and sang Pharrell’s hit song “Happy,” while rhythmically beating and flipping a red cup in time with the music.

The Associated Press reports that her performance immediately set off a “furor” from social network users, who were displeased that this was the talent of the eventual winner: Kazantsev told the AP she was inspired by the movie “Pitch Perfect” when developing her talent. In the movie, Anna Kendrick’s character auditions for an a capella group by doing the same routine with a cup while singing “When I’m Gone.” She said she also wanted to inspire others to do what they enjoy doing, and not worry what others think. AP reports:

“The reason why I chose to do that talent is I wanted every single little girl in America to be able to see that you can do that talent – you can do whatever talent you want on national television – even with a red cup – and still be Miss America and have the time of your life.”

“I literally in that minute and 30 seconds had the most fun I’ve ever had. And that’s because I stayed true to myself and I did what I wanted to do for my talent, no matter what everybody else told me, and it paid off. I’m very happy about it.” While some may not feel her performance was crown-worthy, Kazantsev’s talent was not the only reason she was named Miss America. Many who criticized the judges’ decision seemed to miss the fact that the 23-year-old triple majored in Political Science, Global Studies and Geography, and she has already been accepted into law school.

Her official platform is preventing domestic violence, which she was inspired to pursue after going through an abusive relationship in college. Plus, she’s fluent in three languages: English, Russian and Spanish. After looking at the big picture, the fact that she was crowned Miss America makes sense.

Miss New York named Miss America for third year in a row

BY BILL HUTCHINSON | NEW YORK DAILY NEWS

New York’s cup runneth over — again.

Miss New York was crowned Miss America 2015 Sunday night, marking the third year in a row that the nation’s pageant winner hails from the Empire State. Kira Kazantsev, 23, of Manhattan, won the beauty pageant in Atlantic City after singing Pharrell Williams’ hit “Happy” while banging a plastic red cup and seated on the stage cross-legged. Outgoing Miss America Nina Davuluri sealed the New York three-peat by passing on her jeweled crown to the emotional Kazantsev, who strutted the stage to the iconic tune, “There she is, Miss America.”

Kazantsev, a graduate of Hofstra University, scored the victory with brains, beauty and her unusual talent.

MEL EVANS/APKazantsev walks the stage in her swimsuit during Sunday's pageant. In the all-important question category, which counted for 30% of the total score, Kazantsev was asked what issue women in the U.S. Senate should press upon their male colleagues. “I really believe that sexual assault in our military is an issue these women have got to fight for,” answered Kazantsev, whose platform is raising awareness of domestic violence. She beat out Miss Virginia Courtney Paige Garrett for the crown and a $50,000 scholarship. The pageant was broadcast live on ABC from Atlantic City’s Boardwalk Hall.

Kazantsev may be the first contestant to win the contest by playing a plastic cup on stage, topping rivals who sang, dance, played the piano, and even one, Miss Ohio, who performed ventriloquism while singing. This year’s outcome was a replay of last year’s, when Davuluri was presented the crown from Miss America 2013, the former Miss New York Mallory Hagan. Hagan, who was raised in Alabama, was living in Brooklyn when she won.

Prior to Hagan’s victory, a Miss New York hadn’t won the contest since Vanessa Williams was crowned in 1984. But Williams was forced to give up her title when Penthouse magazine published nude photos of her.

Nina Davuluri Looks Back at Her Year as Miss America 2014

Source: NBC News

Nina Davuluri made history last year as the first Indian American to win the Miss America pageant. Born in Syracuse, New York, the daughter of Indian immigrants, Davuluri beat out 52 contestants for the 2014 title with a Bollywood-inspired dance performance and a platform of "Celebrating Diversity through Cultural Competency." Though her win was marred with an online barrage of racist tweets and social comments -- questioning Davuluri's American identity and incorrectly calling her Arab and Muslim -- the 24-year-old met her first challenge wearing the crown with grace and aplomb, rising above fray and focusing on her year ahead.

As she prepares to hand over that crown at the Miss America 2015 pageant this weekend, Davuluri looks back at what she was able to accomplish in the last year, and hints at what could be ahead. Below, five things to know about Nina Davuluri before she adds "former" to her title.


1. She doesn't actually remember the most memorable moment of her Miss America pageant.Before she was even named the winner, Davuluri seemed to know the significance ahead as she stood with fellow contestant and finalist Miss California, Crystal Lee. At the time, she said "We're both so proud. We're making history right here, standing as Asian Americans." But as she thinks back to "The Moment" -- as her name was called, as a sea of faces celebrated her, as the crown was placed on her head? "I honestly don't remember the actual crowning moment," said Davuluri. "It was such a blur!"
"Unfortunately, I was prepared," said Davuluri. "However, I can honestly say that for every one negative tweet, comment, or post, there were hundreds if not thousands of people who had positive words of encouragement and support all across the country and world for that matter."

2. Davuluri wasn't completely surprised by the torrent of negative tweets and nasty social media comments following her win.


3. She won the title by celebrating, not playing down, her Indian heritage, with the hope of sending a message to other young, minority women. 
"I came into this organization wanting to change the face of who Miss America was," said Davuluri. "It was so timely for this organization to finally reach out to a new demographic of young women that is representative of America today. I hope this encourages young women to embrace their ethnicities and cultural heritage."

4. Born and raised in New York, Davuluri spent two early years of her life in India, and believes finding balance between both cultures is a lifelong process.
"I'm very blessed to have a family that was always supportive and encouraging of my dreams," said Davuluri. "The biggest thing I've learned through this experience is that assimilation has to happen from both sides. It has been a constantly evoloving journey in my household."


5. She once had designs on becoming a doctor, but now plans on pursuing her MBA. Her advice for the next woman to wear the crown?
"I will always say that becoming Miss America was something I have worked for my entire life," said Davuluri. "My biggest advice is to know who you are, love who you are, and stand up for who you are."

First Miss Universe Turns 80 This Week

Armi Kuusela Williams rarely goes to her native Finland without being surrounded by media. It’s the price the she pays for making history in 1952 when she was crowned the first “Miss Universe. ”That happened a lifetime ago, says Williams modestly, “I don’t talk about it much.” Her days as “Miss Universe” opened many doors, including travel around the world and a starring role, playing herself, in the Finnish movie, “World’s Most Beautiful Girl.” Williams is forever grateful. “But 62 years is a long time ago… I want to be remembered for other things, not just for being Miss Universe.”

She became a businesswoman and good will ambassador. When her husband died in 1975, Williams took over management of the family hotel properties in Manila. She has served as an honorary counsel for Finland, and was knighted by the Finnish government two years ago, earning the Order of the White Rose.

In 1978, she married American diplomat Al Williams. After living in Barcelona and Turkey, they settled in La Jolla in 1991. Here she has supported cancer research and numerous cultural and arts organizations, including co-chairing San Diego Youth Symphony’s program for disadvantaged youth. In fact, many who meet Williams today remain unaware of the international spotlight she commanded at age 17 when actress Piper Laurie crowned the 108-pound beauty queen. Williams just celebrated her 80th birthday at her family’s home in Finland. She is delighted to have made it there and back without word leaking out to the media.

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.”