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| Subject: Farewell to the "Graduates" of 2013 | |
Author: Ernie Koneck | [ Next Thread |
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] Date Posted: 19:49:04 07/08/13 Mon I've been waiting and waiting for someone to post something positive but I got tired of waiting so here goes. A Brief Tribute to the 2013 Contestants who have Aged Out (Let me know if anyone has been left out inadvertently or included by mistake). Also, since we have already heard Laura Berger's parting shot and the endless analysis of it, I've chosen to focus on all the OTHER girls that we'll miss in the future. Echoe Malone (City of Inglewood): A lot of pageant fans look down on monologues as if they weren't a "real" talent. But when they're performed by a real actress, they most certainly are. And Echoe is the real deal. She is also gorgeous, smart, articulate and extremely elegant, and I hope to see her on a red carpet someday - whether it's for a Tony Award, an Emmy or an Oscar, I don't care. I wish her all the luck in the world in one of the most competitive fields out there. Katy Tang (Culver City): Some of you may not remember, but Katy was Arianna's 1st runner-up in the Outstanding Teen pageant in 2005. She took a long vacation from pageants, re-emerged last year, and soared all the way to 2nd runner-up and a prelim talent award this year. What I discovered about her this year was her delightful personality and a terrific sense of humor. Whatever her future has in store, I'm sure it will be very bright. Raquel Fatiuk (Golden Gate): A truly remarkable talent that will be long remembered in the same vein as Angel Blue and Jacquelynne Fontaine. Raquel is not just a voice, however. She is a truly stunning, elegant presence on stage and a unique, interesting person. At the Gala, she said she wished she had discovered MCO sooner. I'm sure the audience agrees. As she embarks on her professional opera career, I have complete confidence that we'll be hearing much more from her in the future. Lauren Smolka (Hollywood): For may people, the first word that might come to mind when describing Lauren is "gorgeous." And she certainly is. For me, the first word I think of is "kindness." I've sat in on or judged many of Lauren's pageant interviews and mocks, and that is the quality that always shines through. One of the funniest things about her is how often she has been cast "against type" in regional theater productions, playing everyone from the Wicked Witch of the West in "The Wizard of Oz" to Amber Von Tussle in "Hairspray." Clearly, this girl can act! Look out Broadway and Hollywood (the industry town, not the pageant) - Lauren is ready to charm her way into your hearts. Megan Wisler (Orange County) - Another dazzling beauty who has the unique ability to make everything she does on stage look effortless. She reached new heights in every area of competition this year, and I can hardly wait to find out how many more languages she can sing in. Personally, I can't wait for the Portuguese-Hebrew-Bengali-Urdu number she's planning for her farewell. OK, I made that up, but wouldn't it be funny if she took it as a challenge and actually did it? I would never bet against this girl; I think she can do anything she sets her mind to. Ashley Newman (Sacramento County) - A truly dazzling newcomer who works as a teacher - in a juvenile detention facility. Her talent was fabulous, her wardrobe was great and she dynamic stage presence. Ashley certainly proved to be one of the outstanding "rookies" of the year. Word is that she has seven - yes, seven - job offers to choose from, which means once she makes her final choice, and they fill the rest of the positions she was offered, she will have singlehandedly reduced the state's unemployment rate by 0.3% Thanks, Ashley! Christina Alcaraz (Sierra Nevada) - As a judge at the first local she ever won, I've been following Chrissy's pageant career ever since. In the next edition of the dictionary, they may use her picture to illustrate hard work and perseverance, never more so than this past 2 years. She has always been a contestant in search of the right song, and this year she found it in "I Dreamed A Dream." She also was instrumental in introducing Lorna Jane to the MCO. WHile the final outcome may not have been all she hoped for, the journey proved to be nothing short of spectacular. Courtney Trouten (South Counties) - Another incredible hard worker who faced the challenge of an ankle injury (less than ideal for a ballet en pointe dancer), not to mention a challenging full-time job. Nonetheless, Courtney gave her preparation her all and delivered on all counts. I think of her as genuine, funny, down-to-earth and completely committed to everything she attempts. Her self-confidence grew by leaps and bounds this year, and that, more than anything, may be the most important pageant legacy any contestant could hope for. The sky's the limit! Annie Wilson (Southland) - Georgia's loss was California's gain, as the fierce and fabulous Annie Wilson hit the stage every night at Miss CA. From her soulful, jazzy vocal performance, to her commanding confidence and gorgeous smile in swimsuit and evening wear, Annie looked every part the star. And to think that all came about while she was finishing her master's degree in Industrial Organizational Psychology! Say that fast 3 times. Annie planes to pursue her Ph.D. in that field and work as a consultant to large corporations looking for ways to identify problems in their work environment and fix them. So someday in the future, if your job suddenly gets more enjoyable, you may have Annie, or someone like her, to thank. Congratulations to all of our pageant "grads". You have all contributed to the Miss California program in your own unique way, whether you competed for one year or several. I think I speak for many people when I say you will be missed. And one final farewell - to Miss California 2012 Leah Cecil, who found new and ever more creative ways to be a state titleholder and in the process practically redefined the job and set the bar ever higher for Crystal and those to follow. While the Miss America judges didn't see it, everyone in California certainly sees that you are one of a kind, and very, very special. Fortunately, you will be back next year in charge of the Duke of Edinburgh program, so we don't truly have to say goodbye. [ Next Thread | Previous Thread | Next Message | Previous Message ] |
| [> Subject: Ernie, you are fabulous, as are ALL of these ladies! Brava, girls! | |
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Author: <3 [ Edit | View ] |
Date Posted: 04:37:48 07/09/13 Tue [ Post a Reply to This Message ] |
| [> Subject: bump | |
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Author: bump [ Edit | View ] |
Date Posted: 05:26:59 07/09/13 Tue [ Post a Reply to This Message ] |
| [> Subject: Ernie, can you just take over the program when it's needed? PLEASE??? | |
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Author: There will be a revolution!!! [ Edit | View ] |
Date Posted: 05:34:24 07/09/13 Tue [ Post a Reply to This Message ] |
| [> Subject: Ernie: Thank you so much. Wonderful! | |
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Author: Love the positive [ Edit | View ] |
Date Posted: 08:05:26 07/09/13 Tue [ Post a Reply to This Message ] |
| [> Subject: Ernie, this was very nice. I agree with you 100% on Raquel Fatiuk. It would have been great had she begun around 19-20 instead of 24 with the program. She had all the makings of a potential Miss America. One of the reasons I believe the age should be to 26. Many girls are contionuing their education to obtain masters Degrees, or in between an education may have to take time off to work. It only makes sense that this should be considered by the MAO. | |
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Author: Frank Lameira [ Edit | View ] |
Date Posted: 09:26:42 07/09/13 Tue [ Post a Reply to This Message ] |
| [> [> Subject: LOVE your posts, Frank! Feel free to keep sending us any ladies who'd make great contenders for that Miss America crown! | |
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Author: <3 [ Edit | View ] |
Date Posted: 09:30:20 07/09/13 Tue [ Post a Reply to This Message ] |
| [> [> [> Subject: I certainly will. I've got a lovely former who is a pianist. I hope to speak with her very soon. I believe in the Miss America Program. Although our Miss Teenage California Pageant does not have a talent or platform requirement, we are all about scholarships and providing a postive competition at the same time. All the best to you Ernie. You have been a credit to the Miss America Organization. | |
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Author: Frank Lameira [ Edit | View ] |
Date Posted: 10:28:30 07/09/13 Tue [ Post a Reply to This Message ] |
| [> Subject: Only posting because you asked if anyone was left out and I could be wrong but weren't Prisca Shiralian, Millie grgas, Anna Lisa matias, any others? Like I said I could be wrong | |
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Author: ? [ Edit | View ] |
Date Posted: 10:58:23 07/09/13 Tue [ Post a Reply to This Message ] |
| [> [> Subject: I know for a fact Millie has one more year. Not sure about the other two. | |
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Author: :) [ Edit | View ] |
Date Posted: 11:38:10 07/09/13 Tue [ Post a Reply to This Message ] |
| [> [> Subject: There were several 23 year olds this year, and unless you know their birthday or you know them personally or asked them, it's hard to know which ones can come back and which ones can't. I knew Millie had another year, and I'm pretty sure Prisca does as well. Honestly don't know either way about Anna Lisa. Also, I'm pretty sure Stephanie Patterson, another 23 year old, does have one more year to compete. | |
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Author: Ernie [ Edit | View ] |
Date Posted: 13:20:59 07/09/13 Tue [ Post a Reply to This Message ] |
| [> [> [> Subject: This was Prisca Shiralian's last year. She was born in 1989. Not sure about Anna Lisa Mattias | |
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Author: Tom Moletteire [ Edit | View ] |
Date Posted: 05:18:26 07/10/13 Wed [ Post a Reply to This Message ] |
| [> Subject: Great tributes Ernie! | |
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Author: Lovely girls definitely making the world a better place. [ Edit | View ] |
Date Posted: 13:08:44 07/09/13 Tue [ Post a Reply to This Message ] |
| [> Subject: Bump | |
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Author: This is an honest, heartfelt, and beautiful tribute to these hard working California girls! Wanted to move it to the top! :)) [ Edit | View ] |
Date Posted: 03:49:09 07/10/13 Wed [ Post a Reply to This Message ] |
| [> Subject: Re: Farewell to the "Graduates" of 2013 | |
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Author: Cindy Masidonio [ Edit | View ] |
Date Posted: 11:33:40 07/10/13 Wed Thank you Ernie - this was beautiful and so refreshing. I generally do not go on the message board and almost did not get through all the awful postings about the Baldwins, but glad I skipped through all that to read your tribute. You are an amazing and generous man. Any of these girls are better because of having you touch their lives. [ Post a Reply to This Message ] |
| [> [> Subject: This is great! | |
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Author: val [ Edit | View ] |
Date Posted: 17:50:12 07/15/13 Mon [ Post a Reply to This Message ] |
| [> Subject: Sad to see many beautiful girls inside and out go. Great tributes! | |
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Author: . [ Edit | View ] |
Date Posted: 19:15:46 07/17/13 Wed [ Post a Reply to This Message ] |
| [> Subject: Re: Farewell to the "Graduates" of 2013 | |
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Author: Teen Fan [ Edit | View ] |
Date Posted: 16:20:37 07/22/13 Mon What teens aged out? Seems like the teens do very well coming back as Miss contestants. [ Post a Reply to This Message ] |
| [> Subject: Re: Farewell to the "Graduates" of 2013 | |
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Author: pageant fan [ Edit | View ] |
Date Posted: 06:54:46 07/30/13 Tue Why don't they change the age of the teens and Miss . Seems like the Teens should be teen (to age 19) and extend the Miss age. Is that how the USA pageant is???? [ Post a Reply to This Message ] |
| [> [> Subject: A nineteen yo is not a teen. She is in her second year of college, has already voted, and is not in touch with teen issues (going to prom, etc). She has more physically and common with a 23-year-old young woman then with a 14-year-old girl who may not have menstruated yet. | |
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Author: Extend the age of Miss but not teen. [ Edit | View ] |
Date Posted: 08:15:32 07/30/13 Tue [ Post a Reply to This Message ] |
| [> Subject: Question: Although Katy Tang aged out, she still could have competed at National Sweetheart. Why isn't she going to compete? | |
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Author: Please be nice - both Jordan and Katy are great contestants. [ Edit | View ] |
Date Posted: 22:33:22 08/05/13 Mon [ Post a Reply to This Message ] |
| [> [> Subject: Because MCO sponsors our girl at Sweetheart, they have some say in who represents us. It is a longstanding rule in California, that an aging out runner up gets passed up for someone who still has time left to compete. The reasoning being that Sweetheart is meant to be a learning experience for the girl to use in future years of preparation and competition. | |
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Author: Former [ Edit | View ] |
Date Posted: 04:01:24 08/06/13 Tue [ Post a Reply to This Message ] |
| [> Subject: Re: Farewell to the "Graduates" of 2013 | |
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Author: Raquel Fatiuk [ Edit | View ] |
Date Posted: 13:00:48 08/06/13 Tue 😘😘😍😍😘😘 you're the best Ernie [ Post a Reply to This Message ] |