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.”

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.

Check Out Some Of Our Latest Pageant Ad Design Work for the 2015 MISS NORTHWEST FLORIDA Pageant Program Book!

 

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."

Check Out Some Of Our Latest Pageant Ad Design Work!