Miss Ellis County and Ellis County's Outstanding Teen Scrapbook Memories 2006

WEDNESDAY morning starts out with a Press Conference with the 7 Miss America Judges. The first 4 that were introduced to the press are (l to r) Sarah Ivens ~ Editor-in-Chief of OK! Magazine, Jason La Pdura ~ Casting Director for Disney’s “High School Musical” and NBC’s “Heroes”, Robin Meade ~ Lead News Anchor for CNN’s Headline News Morning Show and former Miss Ohio who competed in the Miss America Pageant in 1992, and Trace Ayala ~ Fashion Designer and co-founder of “William Rast Denim” with his friend, Justin Timberlake.

The final three judges for this year’s Miss America Pageant are (l to r) Jackie Joyner-Kersee ~ Considered one of the greatest athletes of all times. She competed in the 1984, 1988, 1992, and 1996 Summer Olympics and the 2000 Olympic Trials where she won 3 Olympic Gold, 1 Olympic Silver and 2 Olympic Bronze Medals with back to back Gold Medals in the Heptathlon in 1988 and 1992, Kim Lyons ~ Star of NBC’s hit show, “The Biggest Looser” and holds several national and international fitness titles, and James Authur Ray ~ President and CEO of “James Ray International”.

The press conference lasted almost an hour and we were privileged to hear several selected questions that the judges asked he contestants during the Interview process and the judges reactions to the contestant’s answers. They had some VERY INTERESTING questions for this year’s contestants which I wrote down for a future “mock interview”.

After a quick lunch in one of the many Planet Hollywood restaurants, and on our way to the Miss America Trade Show, we spot Debbie and Alannah roaming the mall in the hotel. Alannah always has a smile on her face when she sees a camera.

We meet up with Lana and her Mom at the Trade Show and immediately start shopping for clothes, shoes, jewelry and of course, bargains.

While we were at the Miss America Trade Show, who magically appears but Erika Dunlap, Miss America 2004, so we introduced her to Lana and had a little photo op.

Lana must have tried on 20 dresses while we were there and this was an “interesting” evening gown. Not to upset anybody, but it kind of looks like one of my drop cloths after I finish painting my house and that’s probably where the designer got the idea in the first place. We didn’t purchase this one either.

It looks like Mike got a little tired of shopping so he just had to try driving (or should I say “racing”) Donnas little red cart up and down the huge hall outside the Trade Show. His “top speed” is still classified.

Before the Wednesday night preliminary competition, we had made a dinner reservation at PF Chang’s which has now kind of become a little tradition at Miss America. Lana and Faith both looked like future Miss America’s at dinner that night. Is it just me or does Lana look like Julia Roberts in this picture?

After a wonderful and delicious dinner at P F Chang’s at the Planet Hollywood Hotel we take our traditional group picture before heading over to the theater for Miss America. GREAT Friends, GREAT Food, and a GREAT Time.

When we arrive at the theater Caitlin Brunell, Miss America’s Outstanding Teen 2008 and a group of the State Teen titleholders are getting ready for the show to start.

At the Wednesday Miss America Prelims, Miss Maryland’s Outstanding Teen, Kasey Stainzwski sang the National Anthem to open the show.

Miss America 2007, Lauren Nelson welcomes the audience to the second night of competition.

Miss Hawaii, Ashley Ku’ualoha Layfield did a beautiful jazz dance for her talent on Wednesday night.

Rachel Barker, Miss New Hampshire also did an outstanding talent with her Ballet en Pointe routine.

And your Swimsuit winner for Wednesday night is Miss Michigan, Kirsten Haglund. You’ll see this name again…

Tonight Molly has her On-Stage Question in between the Swimsuit competition and the second half of the Talent competition.

Molly nailed Katie’s question with her answer. WAY TO GO MOLLY!!!

Miss Rhode Island, Ashley Bickford had a fantastic Ballet en Pointe routine for Talent tonight.

And tonight’s Talent winner is Miss Massachusetts, Valerie Amaral who sang “Anyway” for her Talent routine.

Jessica Jacobs, Miss North Carolina, also had a beautiful Ballet en Pointe dance routine for her Talent tonight.

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Copyright © 2008 Ellis County Scholarship Organization and JK Web Design
Web Site Design and Maintenance - JK Web Design. E-mail Webmaster. All rights reserved.