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Date Posted: 15:56:13 01/14/24 Sun
>>>Happy Miss America Eve! I had tried to get this
>>>together earlier and the day really got away from
>me.
>>>The MAOT pageant has just started. Truthfully, I am
>>>not interested enough in watching it.
>>>
>>>I hope you are busy planning your tomorrow evening,
>>>good food, maybe a party? This week kind of snuck up
>>>on everyone, but it was an enjoyable week. The
>>>fashion show was very well done last night. They
>>>played music the first hour but once it started it
>was
>>>very nice. All the contestants had red gowns and
>>>walked the runway in them. Both the teen and Miss
>>>contestants wore dresses. I couldn't get exactly
>what
>>>but Jovani is partnering with Miss America. They
>also
>>>announced that Miss America is partnering with the
>>>American Heart Association, which is welcome news.
>To
>>>get back into the public eye, we do need to partner
>>>with some well-known charities.
>>>
>>>I want to first state that if your favorite does not
>>>make the top 10 tomorrow night, please do not be
>>>upset. First of all, the competition this year is
>>>REALLY good. There are an above average number of
>>>contestants who are really shining and did everything
>>>right. There are only 10 spots with an 11th for the
>>>People's Choice. There could easily be a top 15 and
>>>it would be filled and still some deserving
>>>contestants could be left standing. It is absolutely
>>>no reflection on them. But the bigger issue is that
>>>there were only four judges for preliminary panels.
>>>You may get some really unusual results for the top
>>>10, anyway. I trust that the cream will rise to the
>>>top. But once again, the results could be a bit
>>>unusual, and it is no fault of your favorite. You do
>>>the best you can, and I have no doubt each contestant
>>>gave it their very best. They can all feel proud of
>>>themselves. They are all still trying to compete
>amid
>>>a lot of changes in the system.
>>>
>>>Keep in mind there are 10 spots open, 1 people's
>>>choice, and the potential of up to 9 preliminary
>>>winners in this year's format. Even under the old
>>>format not everyone made the top 10 and some not even
>>>the top 15. In the 2001 pageant, the only year with a
>>>top 20 Miss GA won a preliminary swimsuit award and
>>>was not in the top 20. In 2015 Miss IA won double
>>>preliminaries in Alpha, which was the toughest talent
>>>group of the week and failed to make the top 10. So,
>>>you really never know. I do not see any scenario in
>>>which all 8 preliminary winners make it into the top
>>>10. So, here are my thoughts on the contestants and
>>>their chances:
>>>
>>>DO NOT SEE ADVANCING-Although they did their best, I
>>>did not see anyone in this group who overall stood
>out
>>>over the more consistent competitors this week. Some
>>>might have even excelled in one competition but did
>>>not in the rest. They are:
>>>
>>>AK-She attempted to do her own style of His Eye is on
>>>the Sparrow. I admire that she tried to make it
>>>original, but it did not seem to work that well. She
>>>did not stand out among the other competitors but I
>am
>>>sure Alaska is very proud of her.
>>>CT-She seems like a lovely girl, she just really
>>>didn't stand out in any competition where I found her
>>>to be near the top of the group. I wish her the best
>>>for her future and she represents such a beautiful
>>>state.
>>>DE-I mentioned to a previous poster that she seems
>>>quite ambitious and I have no doubt she will go far
>in
>>>life. She speaks very eloquently and always had a
>>>smile on her face. While she didn't stand out this
>>>week I am confident she will be a great Miss
>Delaware.
>>>DC-Jade has won in 2 major systems and that in and of
>>>itself is impressive. I think it speaks to how
>>>talented and accomplished she is. Her talent was
>very
>>>good, she was a bit more laid back in other areas of
>>>competition. However, she's a lovely young woman and
>>>I admire her success in two programs.
>>>IA-Unfortunately, she just didn't stand out to me
>this
>>>week in any of the different competitions. She did
>>>speak very nicely and was very heartfelt about her
>>>diabetes diagnosis and how competing in the Miss
>>>America system helped her. I am proud for everything
>>>she has accomplished.
>>>KS-Courtney was really energetic in tap and she
>looked
>>>nice in gown. I just think overall, she didn't have
>>>enough spark to stand out from among the tough
>>>competition this week but I know she came at her
>>>absolute best. I wish her much success as she
>>>continues as Miss Kansas.
>>>NV-She was very cute and entertaining in talent. I
>>>didn't think she stood out among the other
>>>contestants, but she always had a nice smile on her
>>>face and exuded a lot of happiness.
>>>NM-She had a nice voice and was able to successfully
>>>take on Never Enough. She didn't quite stand out to
>>>me in other areas this week but I know she's got a
>>>bright future ahead of her in her beautiful state.
>>>ND-She did very well with her onstage question and
>did
>>>well enough in talent. I just do not think she had
>>>enough to separate from the competition but she had a
>>>very good week and should be very proud of herself.
>>>OH-I really enjoyed her this week. She is youthful,
>a
>>>good piano player and seems very goal oriented. I
>>>just am not sure she did enough to stand out in the
>>>tough competition but I think she's a wonderful young
>>>woman.
>>>PA-She always had a nice smile on her face everything
>>>that she did, and she has a very unique and
>>>interesting platform regarding the environmental
>>>impact of the fashion industry. She seems to be very
>>>goal-oriented as well. I wish her the best and I
>>>would love to hear more about her platform.
>>>SD-She was a very nice singer and I thought she
>looked
>>>great in her talent gown. The big question is did
>she
>>>pick it out before TSwift started showing up in red
>as
>>>well? (haha) She always had a nice smile on her face
>>>and I know did her very best all week.
>>>VT-I think Yamuna is a very interesting and
>>>accomplished young woman. I have read a little bit
>>>about her and her life, and she seems quite
>>>fascinating. Although she didn't seem to set herself
>>>apart this week I trust she will go a long way in
>>>helping to educate our young people.
>>>VA-I really, really liked that she chose emotional
>>>abuse as a platform and I enjoyed her talent. I just
>>>did not see some of the energy of previous Miss
>>>Virginias but I really do like her and I really think
>>>she showed us who she was this week. I got a clear
>>>sense of her and I liked what I have seen. Best of
>>>luck to her in her future, it's going to be a bright
>>>one.
>>>WY-She is a very pretty girl and I think she would
>>>thrive in the USA system. I really hope she gives it
>>>a try there. She is tall and has a commanding
>>>presence. She also had a young, chic wardrobe.
>While
>>>I did not think she stood out among this year's
>>>competition I think she has a lot of potential for
>>>other pageant systems, and I hope she gives it a try.
>>>
>>>LONGSHOTS-I would not be totally shocked to see any
>>>one of these in the top 10 but I am leaning towards
>>>not:
>>>
>>>CA-She did very well in fitness in gown; in fact, I
>>>would have not been surprised to see her as a
>>>preliminary winner in each. Her talent was a bit
>>>weaker for me, she just sounded so stiff and wasn't
>>>able to really connect with it. I just didn't get
>>>anything from her that would really put her into the
>>>top 10, though.
>>>IL-I really liked her all week, and I really liked
>her
>>>talent. She didn't quite stand out as much as some
>of
>>>the others and seemed not as strong as some of the
>>>Miss Illinois of the last few years, but I do think
>>>she put her best foot forward. I am just not sure
>she
>>>was quite at the level of top 10.
>>>KY-I think gown was her strongest category and she
>>>comes from a state which has no shortage of success
>at
>>>Miss America. That is why I am not counting her
>out.
>>>Realistically, I am not sure she is as competitive as
>>>some of the others.
>>>LA-She also comes from a state with no shortage of
>>>success at Miss America, and I know she is at her
>>>best. Her talent was definitely entertaining. I am
>>>just not sure she stood out in other categories
>>enough.
>>>MN-She is very cute and I liked her vibe. She has
>had
>>>a good competition, and she was consistent in all
>>>categories. I think it would all come down to
>>>interview.
>>>MO-I think she was on the better end of average for
>>>all of her competitions but she did not quite have
>the
>>>spark that would have set her apart. I think she was
>>>actually wise to change her talent for Miss America,
>>>and she did a nice tap dance. I liked her costume,
>>>too.
>>>NE-She was a beautiful dancer, and I loved everything
>>>about her performance. She might not have stood out
>>>as much as some of the others and Nebraska is having
>>>some success at Miss America, so I wouldn't be
>totally
>>>shocked to see her.
>>>NJ-I hope she gets an NFT if we do not see her in the
>>>top 10. She gave a beautiful, heartfelt performance
>>>of Over The Rainbow. It was really nice. I didn't
>>>think she stood out to me in other categories enough,
>>>and that is why I do not necessarily have her solidly
>>>in contention.
>>>WA-She was doing well the first night of competition,
>>>and she is really cute and fresh. I just think her
>>>talent was a bit weaker and because of that, she
>might
>>>not make the top 10. But I did think she was very
>>>likeable and I know she's got a bright future ahead
>of
>>>her.
>>>
>>>
>>>ANY ONE OF THE FOLLOWING I COULD SEE IN THE TOP 10,
>>>HERE IS HOW I BREAK THEM DOWN:
>>>
>>>DECENT POSSIBILITY-All of these contestants have been
>>>not the loudest or have "the most" presence but have
>>>been consistent and performing well throughout the
>>>week:
>>>
>>>AZ-Tiffany is one of my pleasant surprises of the
>>>week. She looked good in fitness and gown and I was
>>>really impressed with what she did with Because You
>>>Loved Me. I would have given her a 7 in just about
>>>every category, and that consistency can help you get
>>>into the top 10.
>>>FL-I saw the state pageant and she did very well, but
>>>I am not sure she has brought that fire this week.
>>>She seemed a bit off the first night, she bumbled her
>>>words a bit when she spoke in OSQ, didn't seem
>>>confident in fitness or like something was off. She
>>>recovered nicely the second night with a strong
>>>talent. She wasn't quite consistent all week and
>>>seemed a bit off but the state reputation alone makes
>>>her at least a consideration for the top 10.
>>>HI-She is also another contestant like AZ who while
>>>didn't knock every category out of the park was very
>>>consistent. HI contestants bring the aloha spirit
>and
>>>Star does seem to have a special spark to her. She
>>>just reminds me of one of those contestants that if
>>>they like her, she will go far.
>>>ID-She was another one of my pleasant surprises this
>>>week. I noticed her a lot on the first night. Her
>>>talent would have been just fine if she stayed with
>>>piano. Sadly, some people do not see athletic talent
>>>as something to be judged, but I do. I think she
>>>nealty figured out how to do both. She is probably
>>>one of Idaho's strongest representatives in a long
>>>time at MAO.
>>>ME-With her preliminary talent win she has to be at
>>>least considered. I didn't see much from her the
>>>first night but she also has something very unique
>>>about her. I hate the phrase "typical pageant girl"
>>>but she's really not. If that resonated with the
>>>judges we may see her the top 10. For many reasons,
>I
>>>would like to see her there.
>>>MA-Had Chelsea not made that unfortunate talent
>choice
>>>I would have had her in the next category. Talent is
>>>only 20 percent but it does make a difference because
>>>there have been many well-rounded contestants. She
>is
>>>highly intelligent and if she so eloquently told the
>>>judges in interview how she could fix the MAO's
>>>problems I think she sold them. She is also pleasant
>>>and likeable, and she's a great young woman. If she
>>>doesn't make it it's probably the talent.
>>>MT-She is another one of my favorite pleasant
>>>surprises this week. She is definitely the best Miss
>>>Montana has sent in years. Like some of the others
>>>while she doesn't scream stage presence, there is
>>>something about her. She has been very consistent
>all
>>>week and I would LOVE to see Montana have some
>>>success. If there is any year, this would be it.
>>>NH-Another one this week who is a pleasant surprise.
>>>She has identified herself as a doctor, and she has
>>>been very consistent all week. I like her spark-she
>>>definitely has one. She seems very intelligent, and
>>>there's something about her energy that is very
>>>positive. Her talent was engaging. I think that's a
>>>word I would use with her-engaging. I think if she
>>>engages the judges well we will see her in the top
>10.
>>> She definitely has charisma.
>>>OR-Allison is very cute and she seems to have
>>>something that draws you in. Once again, she has
>been
>>>consistent all week. Also, OR has had big successes
>>>the past two years and I believe that they are
>program
>>>whose time has arrived. I could very easily see
>>>another top 10 this year and based on her likeability
>>>I think she could go far.
>>>RI-I keep saying this but she is another one of my
>>>favorite pleasant surprises this week. She has been
>>>consistent and although she doesn't have the loudest
>>>charisma, she has an understated elegance. Her
>talent
>>>was a nice performance of Imagine, done with just the
>>>right amount of energy. I really would love to see
>>>her.
>>>SC-She is iffy for me, perhaps the most iffy of the
>>>whole competition. You definitely notice her
>onstage;
>>>she's got a great look. She did look nice in gown,
>>>and her talent was spoken with passion in her voice.
>>>I said that she resonated with people in the audience
>>>but to be fair, it could have been her own cheering
>>>section. I just don't know, because she has been
>>>inconsistent and sometimes a little off her game as
>>>well.
>>>
>>>COULD REALISTICALLY MAKE TOP 10:
>>>AR-She is a very strong possibility for me. She has
>>>been good all week, her talent probably scored very
>>>well. Her state is certainly successful at Miss
>>>America. After a few years out I think it's time for
>>>them to return, and Cori has been strong all week.
>>>GA-Georgia is successful enough and has a great
>>>program that whoever they send you must consider a
>>>chance at the top 10. Tara has certainly been
>>>consistent across this week and she has a commanding
>>>way of speaking. I could easily see her in the top
>>10.
>>>IN-Speaking of pleasant surprises, she has been VERY
>>>consistent this week. She really shined in every
>>>competition, including talent. Of all of the
>>>contestants this week, I felt like I connected WITH
>>>her. I know what she is about, who she is, and what
>>>she brings to the table. She has one of those unique
>>>qualities where she really reflects herself when she
>>>competes. Indiana hasn't had much success since
>Katie
>>>Stam, but I really think that could change this
>year.
>>>I really hope that we see her in the top 10. She's
>>>certainly done enough all week to earn it.
>>>MI-With the preliminary win she's got to be
>considered
>>>for the top 10. She is really cute and she may not
>be
>>>the most memorable in each category, but she's also
>>>got something very likeable. Sort of like Teresa
>>>Scanlan, only a little more mature and polished. She
>>>is just one of those contestants who if the judges
>>>like I could see going very far.
>>>MS-With her preliminary fitness win you cannot count
>>>her out. Also, based on state reputation and success
>>>alone, I have her here. If she was from another
>state
>>>I'd say no. Also her talent is if I am being honest,
>>>subpar to some others I have seen this week. But
>with
>>>the win and state reputation she has to be at least
>>>considered for the top 10. Of all of these I am
>>>mentioning she would be the least surprising not to
>>>see advance.
>>>UT-She has been extremely consistent this week,
>>>including in talent. UT always sends a talented
>>>winner and this year is no exception. Sarah really
>>>shines onstage, you notice her, she always has a nice
>>>smile that conveys enthusiasm. If UT sends a good
>>>candidate we usually see them in the top 10. I
>really
>>>see that as a possibility this year, and I see her
>>>going far if that happens.
>>>
>>>MY STRONGEST POSSIBILITIES FOR THE TOP 10:
>>>AL-She won preliminary gown and she was strong in
>>>talent as well. AND this is Alabama who is usually a
>>>staple of the top 10. I think she's a lock for the
>>>top 10 and possibly the top 5. She's just about
>>>firmly in for me.
>>>CO-Madison has been very consistent all week, and
>like
>>>Indiana, she is the few who I really got to know
>>>onstage. You know exactly who she is. She also has
>>>the kind of resume Miss America loves. I think all
>of
>>>those things will get her into the top 10.
>>>MD-With two preliminary wins, I think she is a lock
>>>for the top 10. Her talent was consistent enough,
>and
>>>I feel like her platform is young and relevant. It
>>>would really be nice to see Maryland finally have a
>>>Miss America.
>>>NY-Miss NY always also has to be considered as a top
>>>10 potential as of late, and Amelia is certainly
>>>well-prepared through all of her experience here and
>>>Volunteer America. That being said, I am just keeping
>>>it real. She seemed stronger at Volunteer America
>>>than she is this week at Miss America. Look at
>>>Victoria Hill who competed at Miss America and then
>>>wasn't as strong at Miss Volunteer America. She did
>>>well enough on her dancing but I have seen better
>when
>>>she competed at Volunteer America. I am a big fan of
>>>Amelia and would want her to do well; I think she
>>>might have done better with a little more energy.
>But
>>>she's still going to have the best competitive edge
>>>going into tomorrow night.
>>>NC-She was memorable the first night and after that
>>>amazing talent, she catapulted into a top contender.
>>>There are no holes in her competition, she has strong
>>>presence as well. Of the talent winners she is the
>>>one I could see in the top 5.
>>>OK-Sunny has been on fire all week, no pun intended.
>>>She is shining throughout the competition and she
>>>absolutely has her A game. She did at Miss Oklahoma
>>>as well, but her talent has improved since then.
>>>While she's not the best singer she made the most of
>>>the song. Of the non-preliminary winners she has
>been
>>>the most consistent to me.
>>>TN-She had a really great week, including a
>>>preliminary win. I had her high in gown and she did
>>>impress in swimsuit. Her talent is certainly good
>>>enough, not outstanding, but I have seen a lot less
>>>win. She has been very consistent, confident, and
>she
>>>really has brought her A game. She is a solid
>>>contender for me.
>>>TX-She's Miss TX after all. I am going to be
>>>honest-her presence hasn't been overwhelming this
>>>week, somewhat like Averie last year. They both seem
>>>a little bit more subdued than at their Miss TX
>>>pageant. However, I could probably say the same of
>>>Ellie at Miss TX. I do not think she has to have a
>>>lot of overwhelming presence to make you notice her
>>>elegance. She just has something about the way she
>>>carries herself and even though her talent isn't
>>>perfect, she has something about her that draws you
>>>in. She is young and contemporary and I think she
>>>looks like a young woman of today with a touch of
>>>regal.
>>>WI-Lila is doing great all week. She definitely has
>>>energy, her talent was probably second best to me on
>>>talent night, although ME was very good as well.
>>>Look, Wisconsin is one of those states where if they
>>>have someone with potential they see it every time at
>>>Miss America. Lila does have strong talent, was
>>>memorable on the first night and has a lot of stage
>>>presence. Although it is not likely I haven't
>totally
>>>ruled out back-to-back wins for Wisconsin. I am not
>>>sure she is quite as strong as Grace but she's got a
>>>lot going for her.
>>>
>>>
>>>So, who do I see winning?
>>>
>>>Truthfully I am not sure. If they are going strictly
>>>by competition it could be anyone's to win. I have
>>>seen a lot of strong competition all week. This
>could
>>>go many different ways. We do not even really have an
>>>idea of who will be in the top 10. It could be
>filled
>>>with more surprises than the same old same old. I
>did
>>>look over the judging panel for final night and they
>>>definitely have an entertainment focus. I do think
>>>they would gravitate towards a younger, modern-type
>>>winner. If that is the case I could definitely see TX
>>>take it, also OK. If they are looking for a classic
>>>winner with a marketable talent, I could see it going
>>>to NC. But I really am not sure. Here's a longshot
>>>prediction, without any real basis, just a
>>>possibility: I could see either NY or TX missing the
>>>finals. I am saying this because they are usually so
>>>certain but nothing is guaranteed. I did see
>somewhat
>>>of a dropoff in Amelia's energy this week and while
>it
>>>makes sense to have her there, nothing is certain.
>>>Also with Ellie, although I would love to see her win
>>>her energy is a bit off as well. I know it's hard to
>>>say when she won a preliminary but she does have a
>>>somewhat quieter vibe than at Miss TX. So, I just
>>>don't know. I could be totally wrong, but I do not
>>>see this out of the realm of possibility because
>there
>>>have been many other contestants who have stepped up
>>>to the game this week. If they are going for
>>>cute/personable like Teresa and Cara, I am going to
>>>say MI. People like to see interesting
>crowd-pleasing
>>>talent. I could see her getting some invitations
>from
>>>morning shows to stop by and do that. I could also
>>>see CO as an overall strong pick. Let's face it-Miss
>>>America has never shied away from picking a strongly
>>>motivated winner. Grace (nuclear engineering),
>>>Camille, Cara (in law school), Teresa (now in law
>>>school), Deidre (physician), Erika (lawyer) the list
>>>goes on.
>>>
>>>So, tomorrow night is going to be interesting, if
>>>anything! Who are your picks? Please let us know.
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