MISS USA CONTESTANTS MODEL NASCAR GEAR

by Pat DeCola, NASCAR.com

The Miss USA and Miss Teen USA titleholders from Alabama, Louisiana, North Carolina and South Carolina visited the NASCAR Hall of Fame last Friday, with a special guest guide in Nationwide Series driver Ryan Reed.

Reed offered insight into his racing life as he showed the visitors around the facility, including a trip to the newly renovated Glory Road 2.0, a simulated pit stop competition and friendly round of iRacing at Charlotte Motor Speedway.

Each of the contestants attended the event in NASCAR Superstore gear that you can wear yourself. Check out the gallery below, with a link included to the T-shirts being modeled.

Miss Louisiana Teen USA Mary Risener chats about NASCAR.

Q: OK, they tell me you're the biggest NASCAR fan out of the group. How'd you get into it?

Risener: My grandparents are huge fans of NASCAR and that's how I got into it. They always come over to our house and watch it because we have a big TV, and they love to watch all the races. I haven't gotten to attend one live, but I would love to in the future. And I look forward to going with them one day.

Q: Which track would you want to go to?

Risener: There isn't a specific track I'd like to go to, just any one in general. I would just really love to go for the whole experience, just to see it live, you know? It's pretty amazing on television, so it makes me think what would it be like in person.

See Risener and the other on-hand contestants wearing NASCAR gear below that you can find at Store.NASCAR.com

Gambling with Miss USA: Erin Brady offers Super Bowl prop bet advice

The coin toss, the national anthem, the halftime show: hundreds of prop bets available add one more wrinkle of entertainment to the Super Bowl. Miss USA Erin Brady visited SB Nation to dole out some gambling advice for Super Bowl XLVIII!

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Grace Chan Wins Miss Chinese International Pageant 2014

Twenty-two-year-old Grace Chan from Hong Kong was named winner of the 2014 Miss Chinese Pageant. Chan, who was also crowned Miss Hong Kong in 2013, posed for photos with the first runner-up Cindy Zhong, from Vancouver, Canada, and second runner-up Lucia Lorigiano, from Montreal, Canada.

Becoming Miss New Mexico; After watching Miss USA, Kamryn Blackwood decided she wanted to compete

By Hannah Grover The Daily Times

FARMINGTON — In the summer of 2012, Kamryn Blackwood and her father, Lynn Blackwood, sat down to watch the Miss USA contest on television. Kamryn Blackwood turned to her father and told him she wanted to compete in the Miss New Mexico pageant. And three weeks ago, Farmington High School graduate Kamryn Blackwood took home the Miss New Mexico crown. She is now preparing to compete in the Miss USA contest in mid-June. 

The road to becoming Miss New Mexico wasn't short for the 21-year-old Blackwood. Her parents encouraged her to focus on her degree. She enrolled in college at Nova Southeastern University in Florida, where she had been given a tennis scholarship. But she never gave up her dream of one day becoming Miss USA.

In 2013, she and her father attended the 2013 Miss New Mexico competition to watch. The two of them sat in the back. Lynn Blackwood said he kept asking his daughter if she still wanted to compete. She said she turned to him and said, "Yeah, Dad, and I'll win." She watched as Miss New Mexico 2013 was crowned. "To watch the girl's face when she won, I wanted that feeling," Blackwood said. After deciding to compete, Blackwood came up with a one-year plan. And she knew she would win. Blackwood piled up school credits during fall semester so she would have time to focus on the Miss New Mexico competition during the spring. She also began to train. "I have a very athletic walk and a very athletic build," she said.

She found a coach to teach her how to walk and she started to exercise her core more in order to be "bikini fit." She also started to train for the interview portions of the competition. When the competition came, the questions surprised her. "In your mind, you're thinking they're going to be very political," she said. Instead, she was asked what her New Year's resolution was. Blackwood thought about it and about her training. She said training to be Miss New Mexico had gotten her thinking about the importance of health and fitness. She said her resolution is to pass this message on to children. Another important part of preparing for the competition was choosing a design for her dress. She said she already had a design picked out in her head.

The gown was an emerald green with long sleeves and a high cut neck. However, it had an extremely low back, that caught the audience's attention. She said one of her friends later told her that when she turned around there was a collective, "whoa." After winning Miss New Mexico, she became one of only a few girls to compete in Miss USA without any prior experience. Blackwood's parents have supported her the entire time. However, Lynn Blackwood said he tries to remember that he didn't win the award.

"I just be Dad," he said. "That's what she wants." He said for the most part he just talks with her and listens to her. Kamryn Blackwood said she appreciates this from both her father and her mother, Tyra Lopez. "Sometimes I don't need an answer, I just need someone to listen," she said. In addition to support from her family, Blackwood has received support from teammates and the university. Her picture is displayed on the university's website as one of the first things visitors see.

"There's a little pocket in Florida that's for Miss New Mexico," Lynn Blackwood said. Like all other contestants in Miss USA, Blackwood has a platform she promotes in media interviews, and talking to community leaders and others with influence. The Miss New Mexico organization decided to make the platform breast and ovarian cancer, but Blackwood is also promoting National Day of Care, which is a Farmington organization focused on building houses in Africa. She currently serves on the organization's board of directors. Blackwood said her father and brother we're involved in missionary work before she got involved with National Day of Care through a group from Pinon Hills Community Church. "Hearing their stories and how their lives were changed and they changed lives, how could I not go?" she said.

While in Kenya, Kamryn Blackwood and a group of 19 other people built 10 houses. She hopes to increase the number of houses built in Kenya while serving as Miss New Mexico. For the organization's platform, Blackwood is taking her cues from Farmington. Every year in October, Farmington hosts "Get Pinked," which raises awareness and money for breast cancer. One part of "Get Pinked" is the "Pink Glove Dance," in which people from around the community dance wearing pink gloves. The dances are filmed and entered in a video competition. Kamryn Blackwood wants to introduce this event to other communities across the state. "It really brings the community together," she said.

Fil-Dutch-American model wins Miss New York 2014

Source: ABS-CBNnew

NEW YORK - Filipino-Dutch-American Candace Kendall was crowned the 2014 Miss New York on Sunday night at the Performing Arts Center in Purchase, New York. The Rochester, New York native will represent New York in Donald Trump's Miss USA pageant this summer. If she wins the Miss USA pageant, she will go on to represent the United States at the 2014 Miss Universe competition.

Kendall, whose father is Filipino-Dutch, was also crowned Miss Teen New York in 2006. The 25-year-old Kendall was a student accounting assistant at the St. John Fisher College in Rochester, New York.
After graduating in 2011, she has been working as a professional model. In a previous ABS-CBN News interview, Kendall talked about her Filipino-Dutch roots. "My father is Dutch and Filipino, my last name Kuykendall is Dutch, but my grandparents were from the Philippines, and I heard a little bit of Tagalog from them but I don't now how to speak it myself," Kendall said.

She said she dreams of being crowned Miss USA and then Miss Universe eventually. Proud of her Filipino roots, Kendall said her unique mixed ethnicity is an advantage as a beauty queen and fashion model. It paved the way for a modeling gig in Singapore. "I'm fortunate to have a Filipino background. It really helped me in Singapore... It kinda gives a look where a lot more people can relate to it. It helps me in being in Asia to model there," she said. Kendall said if given the chance she would like to visit and possibly model in the Philippines in the near future. "I would definitely consider that. I just wanna pursue my dream first of becoming Miss USA. In the future i think that would be a great opportunity," she said.

Legally blind, Kristina Blum wins Miss California USA Congeniality title

BY MARILYN BLAKE PHILLIP/CORRESPONDENT


Step back Sandra Bullock – Bishop’s Kristina Blum is the new Miss Congeniality, after winning the title in the Miss California USA 2014 pageant.

Representing the Eastern Sierra, 22-year-old Blum competed in the Miss California USA 2014 Pageant Jan. 2-4 in Long Beach. She is the first blind contestant to compete in that pageant and “hopes to challenge others to be all they can be no matter what challenges they face,” said Micah Williams, Blum’s acting public relations person and significant other.

No stranger to beating the odds or the pageant competition, Blum, who was born with the genetic condition of albinism and is legally blind, was crowned Miss City of Bishop in the city’s inaugural pageant in November 2013. During her one-year reign, Blum represented Bishop at myriad events, facilitated a customer service skills workshop and embarked on a career in tourism. Since May 2013, as a visitor center host, Blum has been greeting locals and travelers alike at the Bishop Area Chamber of Commerce and Visitors Bureau.

Nia Sanchez Crowned Miss Nevada USA 2014

By faraway

Nia Sanchez, Miss South Las Vegas was crowned Miss Nevada USA 2014 pageant on Sunday night, January 12 after competing against 32 contestants from all across the state at Artemus W. Ham Concert Hall on the Campus of UNLV in Nevada. Chelsea Caswell of Summerlin who crowned Miss Nevada USA 2013 , handed over the coveted crown to Sanchez, who placed first runner up at Miss Tourismo Latino in Ecuador
Sanchez, 24, won after passing three equal categories: evening gown, swimsuit and private question-and-answer session. Stephanie Cook , Miss Spring Valley finished first runner-up while Miss Clark County, Jessica Davis was named the second runner-up.

Brittany McGowan, Miss Southern Highlands placed as third runner-up while the fourth runner-up selected as Cierra Jackson, Miss Sunrise Manor. Sanchez , who wins a scholarship to Lindenwood University will represent Nevada at the finals of the nationally televised Miss USA 2014 pageant in June, which it could be held at Donald Trump's Doral Golf Resort and Spa in Doral, Florida. The winner of Miss USA 2014 will represent the United States at the 63rd edition of the Miss Universe 2014 pageant.

In the same night Alexa Taylor, Miss Summerlin was crowned Miss Nevada Teen USA 2014.

Las Cruces teen captures Miss New Mexico Teen USA title

By Andi Murphy
http://www.lcsun-news.com

LAS CRUCES >> After being named runner-up last year, Aundria Littlejohn, 17, knew she had to run for Miss New Mexico Teen USA again. "I decided I wanted to do it again because I wanted to win," she said.

And she did.

On Jan. 4, Littlejohn was crowned Miss New Mexico Teen USA by former pageant winner, Jacqueline Cai at the Las Cruces Convention Center, scoring the highest in the interview, swimsuit and evening gown portions of the competition. For the interview she was asked what she would do with her title if she won. Littlejohn responded she would make her family proud, campaign against bullying and give New Mexico the best representation possible. The second question was whether she thought Miley Cyrus was a good role model to which she responded, "she does what she wants and from that we can take away, as women of today, that we can do what ever we want -- not to that extreme."

She also wore a pink two-piece bikini for the swimsuit portion and a royal blue, double-sleeved evening gown with white rhinestones across the top and a deep back. The judges looked at 30 teens in their best bikinis and dresses, evaluating posture, fitness and elegance. When numbers were tallied and Littlejohn was announced the winner, her legs gave out and she sank to the floor.

"It was really crazy," she said. She gave a hug to runner-up, Saryn Swanson of Bernalillo, and took her first walk as Miss New Mexico Teen USA. For the rest of the year, she will be touring the state as an ambassador of Miss USA to attend school assemblies, charitable events and special events, such as the Governor's Ball, she said. She will have the perfect opportunity to reach thousands of grade school students across the state to talk to them about bullying, a subject she's familiar with.

"I've gone through that (bullying) since middle school where I found that kids -- for some reason -- found me easy to pick on," she said. "A lot of kids are not telling their parents. I want them to understand that they can get help and things will be OK." She would like to focus on the victims of bullying and make their lives better by speaking directly to them and letting them know that bullying is not only physical -- it's emotional, too -- and it does not have to stop anyone from doing anything they want to do, she said.

Littlejohn has moved around a bit and came from Las Cruces by way of Arizona and Los Angeles. The family follows their father R. Todd Littlejohn, who is a football coach, and currently with Aggie football.

Aundria Littlejohn, a senior at Centennial High School, has already been accepted to NMSU, but still has her options open to attend other colleges. She hopes to become a political campaign manager or a sports broadcaster because she loves sports, especially football, she said. She's a big San Francisco 49ers fan and loves to root for teams that her father's players are playing on, she said.

The rest of the Littlejohns are Toi-Yan, mother, and little sisters Aniya, 13, and Ahria, 10, both of whom want to join pageants like their big sister, Aundria said. "We're very proud of both our ladies, both our winners," said Curtis Rosemond, president of CR Productions, the company that produces the Miss USA pageant. The 2014 Miss New Mexico USA is Kamryn Blackwood, 21, from Farmington. Her campaign is AIDS and breast cancer awareness, Rosemond said.

Both New Mexico pageant winners will go on to the national Miss USA and Miss Teen USA pageants some time in August. From there, pageant winners will go to the Miss Universe pageant. The Miss New Mexico pageants are also charity events and the organizers and contestants raised $7,000 for the Tough Enough To Wear Pink campaign and $79,000 in the last 14 years for dozens of local nonprofit organizations, Rosemond said.

The Miss USA pageant is a product of Miss Universe and is owned by NBC and Donald Trump. It was founded in 1952.

Miss Earth Florida pageant becomes Lee County event

Written by Tim Engstrom

A Fort Myers-based pageant production company has added a new jewel to its crown and Southwest Florida will share in the treasure. Envy Pageant Productions has acquired the franchise rights for the Miss Earth Florida and Miss Earth Florida Teen pageant set for March. Envy owner Suzi Hosfeld said the event will draw contestants from across the state and their families. “When you bring a state pageant to a city, it has an impact,” Hosfeld said. “If you have 50 girls, that means you have 50 hotel rooms, plus more for parents and grandparents and people flying in from all over the state. They will be going to restaurants and sight-seeing.”

Envy also produces the Miss Florida U.S. International and Miss Florida American Beauty state pageants as well as many local pageants. Hosfeld, a former Miss Wisconsin USA, founded the company in 1990 as a sister company to Envy Models & Talent. Today, the talent agency accounts for about 80 percent of her business revenue, while pageants account for about 20 percent but are growing. Pageants operate on a thin margin, Hosfeld said. A state-level event can cost about $60,000 to stage, offset by sponsorships and support from national organizations. Hosfeld said the Miss Earth event will expand to a three-day competition in 2015, which would mean additional room nights at local hotels, restaurants and attractions.
“We are going to adjust the schedule a little earlier or later next year so that we are not right in the middle of our peak season,” Hosfeld said. “That way, we can bring some business to the hotels when they are not as busy.”

Founded in 2001, the Miss Earth pageant is focused on candidates and winners who promote and get involved in the preservation of the environment. Contestants will compete in swimwear, evening gown and a short interview with the judges. Winners will compete at the national event this summer in New Mexico and will receive a prize package valued at more than $6,000. The international event is planned for the Philippines. “We look for girls who want to get out and be part of their community and truly be involved,” Hosfeld said. “People don’t always take us seriously because they think we are just a lot of pretty people running around. It’s just not true.” Client Alexander Burgos said working with Envy has helped him personally and professionally. “You get a lot of experience and you learn to speak and interact with people comfortably,” Burgos said.

Michaela Poole, Mrs. Florida American Beauty 2014 and an Envy client, said the pageants help instill confidence in contestants so they can take leadership roles in their communities. Poole, a lifelong dancer, said she was always comfortable on stage, but less so when meeting and talking to people. Not anymore, she said. “I really like making appearances and meeting people,” said Poole, the co-owner of Rhythm in Motion dance studio in Cape Coral. “I think we have helped each other’s businesses through the exposure.”

Miss America to announce date for pageant

ATLANTIC CITY, N.J. (AP) - January 10, 2014 (WPVI)

Miss America is back in Atlantic City.

Nina Davuluri on Friday will announce the date for the next pageant in which her reign will end.

The Syracuse, N.Y., native was crowned Miss America in September in Atlantic City. The pageant, which originated in the Jersey shore resort in 1921, spent six years in Las Vegas before returning to New Jersey.

Davuluri is expected to stop at Atlantic City High School to encourage students to follow their dreams.

(Copyright ©2014 WPVI-TV/DT. All Rights Reserved.)

Five arrested in connection with murder of former Miss Venezuela and British husband

By Agencies
3:20AM GMT 08 Jan 2014

Five men have been arrested following the murder of a former Miss Venezuela and her British ex-husband in front of their five-year-old daughter on an isolated highway in the South American country. 

The slaying of Monica Spear, 29, a popular soap-opera actress, and Thomas Henry Berry, a 39-year-old British citizen, was the latest high-profile crime in a country where killings are common in armed robberies and where rampant kidnapping has ensnared even foreign ambassadors and professional baseball players.

The victims were killed, and their daughter Maya wounded, after they resisted robbers by locking themselves inside their car when punctures disabled it. It followed a pattern in Venezuela of late-night assaults carried out by disabling cars with obstacles placed on roadways or by removing sewer covers. Spear and Berry were killed at about 10.30 pm. between Puerto Cabello, the country's main port, and the provincial capital of Valencia. They were returning from vacation to Caracas on a badly maintained stretch of highway that is lightly traveled at that hour. Their four-door sedan hit "a sharp object that had been placed on the highway" which punctured at least two of its tires, the director of the country's investigative police, Jose Gregorio Sierralta, told reporters. Two tow trucks arrived almost immediately afterward, said Sierralta, and the attack occurred after the car had been lifted onto one of the trucks.

Seeing the assailants coming, the travelers locked themselves inside and the assailants fired at least six shots, he said. "They fired with viciousness," President Nicolas Maduro said of the attackers in comments to state TV. Police in Puerto Cabello arrested five suspects, some under the age of 18, Sierralta added. It could not immediately be determined if Spear and Berry had called the tow trucks, or if any of the drivers were among those arrested for suspected involvement in the killings. Their daughter was in stable condition after treatment for a leg wound and was with relatives in Caracas.

The family had spent New Year's in the mountains of the western state of Merida then traveled to the plains, said Luis Carlos Dominguez, a longtime friend and former business associate of Berry. He said Berry was raised in Venezuela and ran a travel agency. "He knew Venezuela a lot better than many Venezuelans," said Dominguez, describing the slain couple as people "who really loved the country," had a good relationship despite their divorce and made it a point to vacation together. "They weren't together," he said. "But they were very attached for the benefit of their daughter."

Violent crime soared during the 14-year rule of Hugo Chavez, who died of cancer last March. Venezuelans list crime as their most pressing worry. The country has one of the world's highest murder rates - the United Nations has ranked it 5th globally - and violent crime is so rampant that Venezuelans tend to stay home after dark. Spear's death triggered a wave of anger on social media directed at the government's poor record on crime. Maduro lamented "the loss of a very spiritual young woman" actively involved in various charities.
Opposition leader Henrique Capriles called on Maduro to put aside political differences and unite "to win the fight against insecurity" that claimed nearly 25,000 lives last year. "It's an emergency." 

In response to the killings, Maduro announced that he would convene a security meeting on Wednesday that had originally been scheduled for the end of January. The meeting will bring together state governors and mayors of Venezuela's 79 most dangerous cities. According to the nonprofit Venezuelan Observatory of Violence, the oil-rich South American country's murder rate was 79 per 100,000 inhabitants last year. Government statistics put the rate lower. The nonprofit group says 95 percent of murders go unsolved.
Spear was crowned Miss Venezuela in 2004, was 5th runner-up in the Miss Universe pageant the following year and had acted in numerous soap operas, most recently in "Pasion Prohibida" for the U.S.-based Telemundo network. She split her time between Caracas and south Florida, said Dominguez, while English-born Berry lived in Caracas. Spear had more than 355,000 followers on Twitter and her feed over the last week included brief videos of vacation scenes sent on the popular Instagram service. In one video, posted Sunday and described as being taken on the plains of Apure state, Spear looks at the camera while riding a horse, turns away and then looks back, blowing a kiss.

Keith Bailey, deputy head of The British School in Caracas and a close friend of the family, said: ﾓThis is a difficult moment for us all and we are trying to support the family as best we can. Things like this happen all too often in Venezuela. As a foreigner living out here one doesnﾒt feel safe at all times.

Former Miss Venezuela Monica Spear Killed During Robbery

By JORGE RUEDA Associated Press

Assailants shot and killed a popular soap-opera actress and former Miss Venezuela and her Irish ex-husband in the presence of their 5-year-old daughter when they resisted a robbery, authorities said Tuesday.

Monica Spear, 29, and Henry Thomas Berry, 39, were slain late Monday night on a roadside near Puerto Cabello, Venezuela's main port, after their car broke down, the prosecutor's office said in a statement.

It said their daughter was in stable condition after getting medical attention for unspecified injuries. Local media reports said the couple had a good relationship despite being divorced and were awaiting a tow truck when attacked. Venezuela has one of the world's highest murder rates and violent crime is so rampant that Venezuelans tend to stay home after dark. Spear's death triggered a wave of anger on social media directed at the populist government's poor record on crime.

According to the nonprofit Venezuelan Observatory of Violence, the oil-rich South American country's murder rate was 79 per 100,000 inhabitants last year. Government statistics put the rate lower. Spear was crowned Miss Venezuela in 2004 and had acted in numerous soap operas for the U.S.-based Telemundo network, most recently "Pasion Prohibida."

She split her time between Venezuela and the United States and was on vacation when slain.

Spear had more than 355,000 followers on Twitter and her feed over the last week included brief videos sent on the popular Instagram service of vacation scenes.

In one video, posted two days ago and described as being taken on the plains of Apure state, Spear looks at the camera while riding a horse, turns away and then looks back, blowing a kiss.

Miss USA, Erin Brady, Is Officially Off the Market: Engagement Ring Pictures

Source: http://www.thepageantplanet.com

Miss USA 2013, Erin Brady recently posted a picture on her Instagram of her engagement ring with the caption, “Cheers to finally putting together the details on our wedding. Well, one day.”

Erin Brady entered the Miss Connecticut USA pageant in 2011, seeking to represent CT in the Miss USA 2012 competition. The East Hampton, Conn. Native placed first runner-up; not bad considering it was her first pageant, ever. About a month after the October 2011 event, Brady’s boyfriend Tony Capasso proposed, and she said yes.“He had it planned and he said, ‘Thank God you didn’t win because it totally would’ve blown our plans,’” Brady recalled in an interview with “The Ralphie Show.” “After the first Miss Connecticut USA Pageant we left for Italy, about three weeks later.”

The current titleholder revealed that she and Capasso discussed the idea of another try for the crown before she entered in 2012. “It was, ‘If this is something you want to do, by all means,” Brady noted of her fiancé’s response to her idea. “Obviously not knowing that I’d become Miss USA!”

Before competing on the USA stage, Brady had her wedding date set as the 9th of November, which we all know, was the date of the Miss Universe Pageant. “I wanted to live out my dream,” Brady told PEOPLE Magazine. She and her very understanding fiancé, Tony Capasso, discussed moving the date to a later time considering, pageant rules clearly state that titleholders are required to remain single throughout their reign.
Do you think Brady should be focusing on her big day right now or should she put it on the back burner and focus on the time left of her reign?

San Diego State University student crowned Miss California USA 2014

(source ABC 10 News, CA)

LONG BEACH - Miss California USA and Miss California Teen USA for 2014 were crowned Saturday during a pageant at the Terrace Theater in Long Beach.

Beverly Hills native Cassandra Kunze, 20, is the new Miss California USA. She is a student at San Diego State University. UCLA student Bianca Vierra, 18, who was born and reared in San Francisco, is the new Miss California Teen USA.

Kunze previously served as Miss Teen San Diego County and Miss Teenage California in 2012. Her interests include international law, politics and film studies. She is a 2011 graduate of Grossmont College in El Cajon.

Vierra is a model who previously served as Miss Teenage California in 2011 and Miss High School America in 2012. She describes herself as a "gym bunny" and has done volunteer work against bullying and on behalf of Angelman Syndrome awareness and the Cancer Prevention Institute of California and several other organizations. 

Miss Congeniality was Kristina Blum of Eastern Sierra, the pageant's first blind contestant; Miss Photogenic was Lauren York of Carlsbad; and the Producer's Choice recipient was Chanelle Tuck of Santa Cruz. The runners-up for Miss California USA were Natasha Martinez of Malibu, first runner-up; Amanda Delgado of North Orange County, second; Alexis Swanstrom of Pacific Beach, third; and York, fourth.

Runners-up for Miss California Teen USA were Gigi Gauthier of San Diego, first runner-up; Madison Day-Robinson of Carmel Valley, second; Toneata Morgan of Malibu, third; and Melanie Mitchell of Corona, fourth. Two teen contests were named Miss Teen Congeniality: Caitlin Jusay of Santa Barbara and Tiffany Cooper of Antioch. The Teen Producer's Choice award went to India Williams of Lafayette.

The first Miss USA and Miss Universe pageants were held in Long Beach in 1952. The first Miss Teen USA pageant was held in Florida in 1983.

Miss California pageants head to Long Beach where CSULB student will pass on her crown

From left, Sasha Ulysse (Miss Long Beach), Chloe Hatfield (Miss California Teen USA) and Taylor Cassady
 (Miss Teen Long Beach) gather in front of the Terrace Theatre in Long Beach. The Miss
California Teen and Miss California pageants will be held at the theatre Jan. 3-4.

Scott Varley — Staff photographer

By Richard Guzman, Press-Telegram

She knew it was inevitable, but it will still be a sad day for Cal State Long Beach freshman Chloe Hatfield when she has to give up her crown. The current Miss California Teen USA will pass on the title here in her hometown when the pageant, along with the Miss California USA competition, come to Long Beach’s Terrace Theater Friday and Saturday. But there’s a good chance her Miss California Teen crown, and the Miss California title too, will stay right here in the city. “It’s been a whirlwind,” said the energetic, blond 18-year-old of her experience as Miss California Teen USA as she stood outside the Long Beach Convention Center on a recent Wednesday morning. “It’s been so much fun and I’ve loved it. It’s going to be a bitter sweet moment to know that I’m going to be done being Miss Teen,” she said. Next to her were the two local hopefuls who will be going after their crowns — 18-year-old Taylor Cassady, who is a fellow Cal State Long Beach student and will be representing Long Beach in the teen pageant, and 23-year-old Sasha Ulysse, who will represent the city in the Miss California pageant. “I’m so honored and fortunate to be able to represent the city,” said Cassady, who, like Hatfield, studies nursing and has been competing in pageants since she was a child. For Ulysse, who just graduated from Cal State Long Beach with a bachelor’s in consumer affairs and has lived in Long Beach for six years, the event will be her first pageant and she’s understandably nervous but happy to be fulfilling a dream. “It’s really exciting for me. I’ve been wanting to do this since I was 12 but I didn’t have the means,” she said. With the cost of buying outfits, makeup and other expenses, Ulysse has spent about $3,000 preparing for the show. Her family and friends have helped her with sponsorships, and if she wins, the investment will pay off.

The Teen and Miss pageants are part of the Miss Universe Organization, which also produces the Miss USA pageant. Besides the crown and title, the winners of the Long Beach shows will go on to compete in the Miss USA and Miss Teen USA pageants. The winners also get a modeling contract, scholarships, jewelry and other prizes. Getting there isn’t going to be easy though with more than 100 women competing in the Miss California pageant and more than 60 in the Miss Teen portion. The preliminary competition takes place Jan. 3 and dress rehearsal and the final coronation shows take place Jan. 4. Tickets are available to the public for all events.

“Becoming a state title holder has a lot of wonderful benefits. It’s huge exposure for them and it’s definitely going to be a lot of fun,” said Alex Kuty, the event’s associate producer. Long Beach has a long history with beauty pageants. The first Miss USA and Miss Universe pageants were held concurrently in Long Beach in 1952. The Miss Teen USA was first held in 1983 in Lakeland, Fla. But the Teen and Miss California pageants haven’t been back in the city since 1995 and it was a good time for the events to return, Kuty said.

“We wanted to come back for several reasons. The (Terrace Theater) and the hotels nearby worked out perfect for us, in addition to that there’s the harbor with the pier and all the things to do with family by the water, it was perfect for us,” she said. It also turned out to be fun for the contestants when they all came to Long Beach in November for the pageant orientation. They went to the Queen Mary and got to ride the Ferris wheel at The Pike as well as the hydro-bikes at Alamitos Bay. The outings were filmed and will be broadcast at the theater on the day of the event and online at pageantvision.com. For the local hopefuls it was a chance to show off their city and also try out some things they hadn’t done in Long Beach.

“I’m still getting to know this city myself and finding my little places, and being able to welcome all the girls to the city I now consider my home is really such an honor,” said Cassady, who is originally from Murietta. The contestants got a lot of attention when they were walking around the city, with people stopping to snap pictures of them, Ulysse said. “It felt like paparazzi almost; it was pretty nice,” she said. “And I got to ride the Ferris wheel. Even though I’ve lived out here in Long Beach that was my first time on the Ferris wheel and I was happy about that.” The pageants aren’t huge moneymakers for the city in terms of dollars spent by visitors who come to the event, with an approximate $360,000 impact for Long Beach. It’s a modest figure compared with some conventions, said Steve Goodling, president and CEO of the Long Beach Convention and Visitors Bureau. “But it’s another opportunity to showcase all of the great development that has occurred downtown,” he said. Meanwhile, Hatfield is happy another teen will get a chance to wear her crown, which she usually keeps in the trunk of her car in case she needs it for an impromptu appearance. After the pageant is over and a new winner is selected she plans to continue with her nursing studies at Cal State Long Beach, where not too many students know she is the reigning Miss California Teen USA, at least for a few more days.