Miss Texas & Miss Teen Texas Forum

Miss Texas 2016 Caroline Carothers

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Miss Texas' Outstanding Teen 2016 Heather King

Subject: MAOT Update- PHOTOS - Arrival and lst Days at MAOT Author: Anonymous [ Edit | View ] Date Posted: Fri, Nov 07 2008, 9:09pm We received the first information from Sydney in Orlando through her sister, Melissa. Sydney checked in/officially arrived at MAOT earlier today (Thursday). She checked in to her room this evening at 6p. Her roommate is 14 year old Miss Teen New Mexico and she does not have a director. Her talent is also vocal. Her mom and grandma brought her to MAOT. Sydney feels blessed to have Lydia prepare her and take her there.Tonight they had their kick off celebration event from 8p-10p, so things are up and going now! First stage of competition for Sydney will be interview on Sunday. Just thought I would put some information out there.... http://www.DuncanvillePageants.org [ Post a Reply to This Message ]

[> Subject: Heather Bruce Author: Anonymous [ Edit | View ] Date Posted: Tue, Aug 19 2008, 11:16am So sorry for the delay! The hotel we are staying at this week does not have internet, so I've had difficulty finding someplace to get the net. Next week, we are changing hotels and I hope to have better luck! Friday the girls had rehearsals all day... 9 hrs! Sydney said they have 4 production #s and there is ALOT of dancing! yikes for the singers! :) But, she said she had fun. Then, it was off for an evening of food and fun! Medievil Times was amazing! They introduced each titleholder individually and they each walked one by one across the floor of the coliseum carrying their large state flag! Pretty spectacular with all the spot lights, cheers, etc! Then, of course the 'jousting matches', etc took place. Our knight was the BLUE knight. We all had fun cheering him on... although he got his butt kicked, he still looked good! :) The girls had fun regardless! Afterwards, we got to spend at least 45 min with the girls, taking photos, etc. It was very cool to chat with all Sydney's new found friends and seeing all the other girls mingling. Sydney wore a hot pink sequin top with dark denim jeans and her new boots from Justin (which she ADORES)! She looked wonderful! Sydney has really bonded with several other girls, like CO, AL, PA and WA. I felt like her personal photographer b/c she wanted so many pictures with all her new friends... but it was so much fun watching her enjoy herself and developing these lifelong friendships! The evening culminated with a group shot... and OH, a little girl (or shall I say 'fan') wanted a pic with Syd and Teen CO. Very cool! Buses loaded and they were off! Sat all day rehearsals. Sunday Syd has interview... say a prayer for her if you will! I'm sending my pictures to the moderator to post, so stay tuned! [ Post a Reply to This Message ]

[> Subject: Photos Author: Anonymous [ Edit | View ] Date Posted: Tue, Aug 19 2008, 11:17am [This message has been edited on 08/10/2008] [ Post a Reply to This Message ]

[> Subject: -- Author: Anonymous [ Edit | View ] Date Posted: Tue, Aug 19 2008, 11:18am [ Post a Reply to This Message ]

[> Subject: ** Author: Anonymous [ Edit | View ] Date Posted: Tue, Aug 19 2008, 11:18am [ Post a Reply to This Message ]

[> Subject: ***** Author: Anonymous [ Edit | View ] Date Posted: Tue, Aug 19 2008, 11:19am This is from Heather. Sydney just got out of interviews and gave two thumbs up. She said she really liked it and she looked amazing! She will post more about it later. [ Post a Reply to This Message ]

[> Subject: ** Author: Anonymous [ Edit | View ] Date Posted: Tue, Aug 19 2008, 11:21am http://www.maoteen.org/2008photos/2008TonyBowls.htm is a link to see the pics from the photo shoot [ Post a Reply to This Message ]

[> Subject: ** Author: Anonymous [ Edit | View ] Date Posted: Tue, Aug 19 2008, 11:21am WOW! Great Photos!! Tony Bowls Gowns Worn by MAOT State Title Holders http://www.maoteen.org/2008photos/2008TonyBowls.htm [ Post a Reply to This Message ]

[> Subject: --- Author: Anonymous [ Edit | View ] Date Posted: Tue, Aug 19 2008, 11:22am Photos from MAOT - http://www.maoteen.org/2008photos/2008PageantWeek.htm [ Post a Reply to This Message ]

[> Subject: Heather Bruce Author: Anonymous [ Edit | View ] Date Posted: Tue, Aug 19 2008, 11:31am Hey guys! We are on cloud 9 right now as you can imagine, but I know what it's like to be home and not knowing all the details, so I'll try to do my best to fill you in... Ok, so all the girls come out from behind the audience and go down the aisles carrying their state flags and wearing their opening # outfits (which are adorable white bubble skirt cocktails compliments of Tony Bowls). Sydney looked dynamite and I'm sure Jim will post photos in a bit. I took pics, but with my little camara, I know Jim's will be MUCH better (plus he has a press pass and is on the front row! :) ) All the contestants introduce themselves much like they did at Miss America, where they say a "little cute something" about their state. Syd said something about Texas' diversity and all it has to offer and ended with 'ya'll come visit!' (or something like that :) ) It was cute, but I was too excited to remember it word for word! Nicole Johnson, Miss America 1999, was the emcee for this evening's prelim. The competition started with aerobic wear. This year the girls wear either red or blue SHORT cotton shorts with a white tshirt, trimmed in the color of their shorts and the T says MAO Teen on it. So, all the girls are dressed identical, with just the color option. And they do this fitness 'routine' of sorts. They have some sort of hip action thing at the beginning :), then they walk to the side stage and do 4 lunges and biceps curls, then they walk center stage for a pose and walk off. Honestly, the 'modeling' is really making or breaking these girls scores (I'm assuming if I were a judge). B/C some look very awkward. Tomorrow will be Syd's night to show us what she's got! :) Then, talent--- I felt talent was not a very strong group as a whole. But there were a few strong girls, with Oklahoma being a stand out by far. Her tap dance to Sweet Georgia Brown was sensational!!! I didn't care for the quality of her track, but it didn't matter b/c the dancing was so phenomenal! Last, but not least, was EG and OSQ. The girls do OSQ in their EG. First, they model, then they walk side stage to the emcee and draw a question. The contestants wrote the questions themselves, so the emcee announces what state the question is from first, then reads the question. Syd got a question about what is a pressure that teens face today. She answered it very confidently and naturally and her reply was 'standarized test scores'. She said (in summary) that too much pressure is placed on standardized testing and that students in America focus too much on memorizing information rather than learning for the sake of learning and really absorbing the information being taught. (of course, she said it MUCH more eloquently than I)She looked radiant... wore the same gold gown she won EG in at Texas. The scores for EG and OSQ were combined for the winner tonight... so she won 30% tonight! so far... so good! And yes MD won AW and OK won Talent, so congrats to them as well! Syd was super excited and I'll post some candid shots we took at visitation as well. She had 6 princesses (and moms) there tonight to support her in addition to: Jim and Sherry Hanson Syd's family: her 3 sisters (Melissa, Michelle & Michaela), her dad (Juan),my mom (aunt 'De'), my dad, nicki sue (cousin) and alannah (2nd cousin)(and both are princesses too), and of course myself (cousin) Lydia & Jean of course Megan Miller and her mom Taylor Lowery and her mom It was a very fun & exciting night!!! Stay tuned for more details tomorrow!! [ Post a Reply to This Message ]

[> Subject: Heather Bruce Author: Anonymous [ Edit | View ] Date Posted: Tue, Aug 19 2008, 11:33am I'm going to TRY and post some shots (trying to save the Mod some time, we'll see?!?!) Here's some of Medievil Times that I didn't have time to post the other day: Syd shows off her new boots that she LOVES! Group shot with some of the Knights See ya Later! [ Post a Reply to This Message ]

[> Subject: Heather Bruce Author: Anonymous [ Edit | View ] Date Posted: Tue, Aug 19 2008, 11:35am Yeah it worked! Ok some from tonight that perhaps Jim didn't get? I'll let him post the ones from stage b/c I KNOW they will be lots better than mine! :) ---- my princess holding her new princess bear at the MAOT trade show :) our National Princesses at registration Our princesses anxiously awaiting Sydney to come out for visitation! Excited Syd and Lydia come out to greet her fans at visitation Of course, she's greeted by her 6 princesses! An excited big sis! Momma Jean offers her congratulations! Sydney tells Rebecca Robinson the good news on Jean's cell! Megan Miller, MAOT '06, gets a squeeze in! Taylor Lowery greets Syd and they share some fun stories! Syd with her 1st RU, Taylor Capello family Syd's 2nd family, De and Doug Kissin' Cousins calling ALL cousins!! --- I'll post more later-- it's 2:45am here in Orlando and I have to get my little princess to production rehearsal at 9am! YIKES! :) ENJOY!!! [ Post a Reply to This Message ]

[> Subject: ************ Author: Anonymous [ Edit | View ] Date Posted: Tue, Aug 19 2008, 11:36am L to R: Wednesday Night Prelim Winners California-Crystal Lee won Fitness Arkansas-Sloan Roberts won Talent North Dakota-Ariana Walker won Evening Gown/Question * * * * * * * * * * * * * * [This message has been edited on 08/14/2008] [ Post a Reply to This Message ]

[> Subject: Wow, this is amazing. You Texans did a great job covering the pageant. I found photos I've not seen anywhere else. Thank You. Author: Anonymous [ Edit | View ] Date Posted: Fri, Nov 07 2008, 9:09pm [ Post a Reply to This Message ]

Subject: PHOTOS from Orlando & MAOT - by Jim Hanson Author: Anonymous [ Edit | View ] Date Posted: Fri, Nov 07 2008, 9:07pm Photos by Jim Hanson Picture board inside the MAOT room where you pick up tickets and program books. Outside the Rosen Hotel Our Hotel at Disney World One of the courtyard between the buildings The 2008 MAOT Program Book cover Sydney’s ad pages in the MAOT Program book Sydney’s Teen Texas page and life style photos in the MAOT Program book.. [ Post a Reply to This Message ]

[> Subject: **** Author: Anonymous [ Edit | View ] Date Posted: Tue, Aug 19 2008, 11:38am MONDAY - Photos by Jim Hanson Here are a few more pictures from Orlando and MAOT from Monday, 11 August 2008. The Teens rehearsed for 9-10 hours today at the convention center and then came back to the Rosen Hotel for a “quick” unannounced pool party for a little over an hour before they went back up to eat dinner about 9:15 PM. The Teens did get to go to the MAOT Trade Show before the pool party and pick out a few items for their wish list. The trade show opens to the public tomorrow. We had dinner about 9:30 PM with Meghan Miller and her Mom, Ellen before coming back to our hotel at Disney World. The Teens have rehearsal most of the day tomorrow and then the first preliminary competition is tomorrow night. Hopefully I can get some pictures of Sydney tomorrow night at visitation and we will try to send them when we get back to our hotel. – Jim – –Sydney shows off a few of her “selected” items from the MAOT Trade Show during the Teen Pool Party on Monday night. Teen Colorado, 14 year old Caley-Rae Pavillard shows Sydney some of the pictures that she took at Monday’s MAOT rehearsal. Sydney and Caley-Rea have become really close friends this week at MAOT. [ Post a Reply to This Message ]

[> Subject: ******* Author: Anonymous [ Edit | View ] Date Posted: Tue, Aug 19 2008, 11:38am Here is the 2nd set of pictures from Orlando… More pictures tomorrow night… – Jim – Jim is a Whale of a Photographer but this time, Sherry caught him! The Honeymooners (Cutline liberties taken by Moderators! LOL) Sherry's having wayyyyyy too much fun! Flirting with the Walt? [This message has been edited on 08/12/2008] [ Post a Reply to This Message ]

[> Subject: **** Author: Anonymous [ Edit | View ] Date Posted: Tue, Aug 19 2008, 11:39am MAOT - TUESDAY NIGHT PRELIMS IN ORLANDO - Note from Jim - Please find attached the first set of pictures of Sydney at MAOT competition… The media was trying to shoot around the video camera people that kept moving in and out of our field of view for the stage. More pictures to come… Thanks – Jim… The opening of the Tuesday night MAOT competition had each state titleholder coming down the aisles carrying their state flag. This is the 1st pictures that I got of Sydney with the Texas Flag And the 4th pictures as she got closer to the stage. And the 6th picture as she was up on the stage. And the last picture with the flag as she went off the stage. Sydney before the opening number. Sydney along with the other Teen contestants as they walk the runway. Sydney as she introduces herself on Tuesday night… Sydney at the end of the Opening number. Caitlin being introduced before the on-stage competition. Your Tuesday night Talent winner, Teen Oklahoma, 16 year old Alicia Clifton who is a great little tap dancer. Sydney in her Evening Gown competition on Tuesday night. And another picture in her Evening Gown competition. [This message has been edited on 08/13/2008] [ Post a Reply to This Message ]

[> Subject: **** Author: Anonymous [ Edit | View ] Date Posted: Tue, Aug 19 2008, 11:39am Sydney picks her question after Evening Gown… And has a GREAT answer for the question. The Tuesday night competition is over and the Teens await the results… The physical fitness winner for Tuesday night is 17 year old Teen Maryland, Shannon Folsom. [This message has been edited on 08/13/2008] [ Post a Reply to This Message ]

[> Subject: *** Author: Anonymous [ Edit | View ] Date Posted: Tue, Aug 19 2008, 11:40am L to R: Tuesday Night Prelim Winners Oklahoma won Talent Maryland won Fitness Texas won Evening Gown & Onstage Interview [This message has been edited on 08/13/2008] [ Post a Reply to This Message ]

[> Subject: **** Author: Anonymous [ Edit | View ] Date Posted: Tue, Aug 19 2008, 11:40am And your Talent winner is Teen Oklahoma… Sydney is called out as the Evening Gown winner. Sydney as Caitlin presents her with her Tuesday night Evening Gown and On-Stage Question trophy. Sydney receiving congratulations from the other contestants. [This message has been edited on 08/13/2008] [ Post a Reply to This Message ]

[> Subject: ****** Author: Anonymous [ Edit | View ] Date Posted: Tue, Aug 19 2008, 11:41am Sydney and Teen Colorado, Caley-Rae coming up the escalator to visitation after the Tuesday night competition. The Texas National Princesses mob Sydney with hugs and kisses as she arrives at visitation. Sydney receives a congratulatory hug from Meghan Miller. Sydney also received a call from Rebecca Robinson to congratulate her on her win tonight. [This message has been edited on 08/13/2008] [ Post a Reply to This Message ]

[> Subject: **** Author: Anonymous [ Edit | View ] Date Posted: Tue, Aug 19 2008, 11:41am Sydney also receives congratulations from Taylor Lowery at visitation. Sydney with the Texas National Princesses. Sydney with her Dad and sisters at visitation. Sydney with Jim & Sherry. [This message has been edited on 08/13/2008] [ Post a Reply to This Message ]

[> Subject: *** Author: Anonymous [ Edit | View ] Date Posted: Tue, Aug 19 2008, 11:42am And the 8th and final set of pictures from Tuesday night… It’s almost 3:00 AM here and we are supposed to go to Disney World again tomorrow/today… Good Night/Morning… More Tomorrow/Today… Jim… ZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz…… Sydney receives a hug and kiss from Nikki-Sue and Alannah. Sydney with one of her new best friends, Teen Colorado, Caley-Rea 9864 – A quick group picture before the Teen head back to the hotel. And one final group picture before we all say good night… Tomorrow Sydney does Physical Fitness… GO SYDNEY… [This message has been edited on 08/13/2008] [ Post a Reply to This Message ]

[> Subject: **** Author: Anonymous [ Edit | View ] Date Posted: Tue, Aug 19 2008, 11:42am Sydney really stands out. She is just gorgeous. For her to stand out in this group of girls, who are all especially beautiful this year, is quite a compliment. The teens at Miss Texas this year were really beautiful, and I think that has carried through to national. I think Taylor better be polishing her crown! [ Post a Reply to This Message ]

[> Subject: **** Author: Anonymous [ Edit | View ] Date Posted: Tue, Aug 19 2008, 11:43am L to R: Wednesday Night Prelim Winners California-Crystal Lee won Fitness Arkansas-Sloan Roberts won Talent North Dakota-Ariana Walker won Evening Gown/Question * * * * * * * * * * * * * * [ Post a Reply to This Message ]

[> Subject: Thursday Night Prelim Winners Author: Anonymous [ Edit | View ] Date Posted: Tue, Aug 19 2008, 11:44am L to R: Thursday Night Prelim Winners Texas-Sydney Capello won Talent Utah-McKenna Marie Lewis won Fitness Arkansas-Sloan Roberts won Evening Gown/Question * * * * * * * * * * * * * * Note: Arkansas and Texas have won gown three out of four years!! It happened in the same years as well.... '05, '06, & '08! Meghan Miller won Talent and Evening Gown. Kendall Morris won Evening Gown and Sportswear (twirler outfit) Callie Thompson Won the MAOT Community Service Award. Sydney Capello won Evening Gown and Talent. Note: If you check out the MAOT Message Board, all the posts are there from the beginning of the very first pageant. The archieve pages are at 10, so I guess this pageant, they will start getting knocked off. Too bad, lots of photos from all the years the girls competed at MAOT and you can scroll through memories of all the changes that have been made. MAOT MESSAGE BOARD -- http://www.voy.com/190693/ [ Post a Reply to This Message ]

[> Subject: pageant pro Author: Anonymous [ Edit | View ] Date Posted: Tue, Aug 19 2008, 11:46am That's an interesting fact to know. And impressive. For me and others who haven't kept up with MAOT, what states have won besides of course Texas the first year and I believe NY the second? Any other MAOT history also would be fun to read about. I'm so excited for Sydney. Indeed she is so RADIANT!!! [ Post a Reply to This Message ]

[> Subject: Thursday Night Prelim Winners Author: Anonymous [ Edit | View ] Date Posted: Tue, Aug 19 2008, 11:46am Virginia won last year and if you go to the Teen Board, Several of the last two Topics are ALL about Caitlin Brunell who won last year. She has been Amazing! Promoting Caitlin's Closet. Her dad is a pro football player. She's a former National and State Title Holder in other systems too. I think Caitlin, who is an astounding Dancer, will be Miss America in the future! Well worth looking at all the research we did on her last year. [ Post a Reply to This Message ]

[> Subject: Heather Bruce Author: Anonymous [ Edit | View ] Date Posted: Tue, Aug 19 2008, 11:47am Kendall won Sportswear and Evening Gown her year at MAOT. Megan, Kendall and Sydney have won EG... so out of the past 4 yrs, Tx has won 3 of the EG awards! [ Post a Reply to This Message ]

[> Subject: Thanks again, just found more photos. This is so much fun viewing. Author: Anonymous [ Edit | View ] Date Posted: Fri, Nov 07 2008, 9:07pm [ Post a Reply to This Message ]

Subject: PHOTOS from Orlando & MAOT -Part 2 Author: Anonymous [ Edit | View ] Date Posted: Fri, Nov 07 2008, 8:18pm All Photos on this Page by Jim Hanson and in order of Events and days. On the bottom, an Arkansas Moderator tried to post some photos and has mailed those to us. We will post those in a different section. Please note this is a page of Jim Hanson Photos (except for the Talent Win taken by MAOT) (official photo). Sydney on Wednesday night during MAOT Physical Fitness competition. And again during Physical Fitness competition. And one more time… Your MAOT Talent winner on Wednesday night was 15 year old Teen Arkansas, Sloane Roberts who was also an awesome tap dancer. Alannah Bruce is introduced on stage as one of the MAOT Princesses. As is Nikki-Sue… Meghan Miller does a number with all the MAOT Princesses. Megan does an outstanding job with the princesses tonight. Teen Colorado during her dance routine n Wednesday night. Teen North Dakota was the Evening Gown winner tonight. Lydia brings Sydney to visitation. Sydney, Taylor, Cassidy and Meghan at Wednesday night visitation. Sydney with her Dad who has been VERY supportive. Here is the 4th set of pictures… OK… Going to bed… More tomorrow… Sydney with Teen District of Columbia, Jasmine Alexis. Teen Oklahoma, Alicia Clifton with Sydney during Wednesday night visitation. Zac with Sydney at visitation. Sydney wit Meghan at visitation. [ Post a Reply to This Message ]

[> Subject: *** Author: Anonymous [ Edit | View ] Date Posted: Tue, Aug 19 2008, 11:49am L to R: Thursday Night Prelim Winners Utah-McKenna Marie Lewis won Fitness Texas-Sydney Capello won Talent Arkansas-Sloan Roberts won Evening Gown/Question * * * * * * * * * * * * * * Note: Arkansas and Texas have won gown three out of four years!! It happened in the same years as well.... '05, '06, & '08! Meghan Miller won Talent and Evening Gown. Kendall Morris won Evening Gown and Sportswear (twirler outfit) Callie Thompson Won the MAOT Community Service Award. Sydney Capello won Evening Gown and Talent. Note: If you check out the MAOT Message Board, all the posts are there from the beginning of the very first pageant. The archieve pages are at 10, so I guess this pageant, they will start getting knocked off. Too bad, lots of photos from all the years the girls competed at MAOT and you can scroll through memories of all the changes that have been made. MAOT MESSAGE BOARD -- http://www.voy.com/190693/ [ Post a Reply to This Message ]

[> Subject: **** Author: Anonymous [ Edit | View ] Date Posted: Tue, Aug 19 2008, 11:50am - Thursday Night Preliminaries: Teen Texas Sydney Capello Wins Talent! Please find attached the 1st set of pictures of the MAOT Princess Party/Luncheon where all 42 of the National Princesses were crowned by Caitlin and Kirsten and then had their pictures made with their Teen State titleholder. After the party we headed over to the convention center to watch Sydney’s Talent Rehearsal. She decided to only sing her song once and said it was “good”. Sydney with all her Texas National Princesses at the MAOT Princess Party/Crowning Luncheon with Caitlin and Kristen. Sydney with Texas National Princess Kendyl and Teen Colorado, Carley-Rea. Kirsten introducing herself to the Teens at the luncheon. The crowns awaiting their new princesses. Sydney in a group pictures with all her newly crowned National Princesses. All the MAOT National Princesses in their first group picture. [This message has been edited on 08/15/2008] [ Post a Reply to This Message ]

[> Subject: *** Author: Anonymous [ Edit | View ] Date Posted: Tue, Aug 19 2008, 11:51am Continued Photos - Set 2 - from Jim Hanson /Director for Miss Duncanville Here is the 2nd set of pictures from Thursday… We were more than halfway back in the theater when I took these pictures at rehearsal. It makes a BIG difference in the quality… Next up will be the actual competition n Thursday night… Sydney at Thursday afternoon Talent Rehearsal. And one more picture from Talent Rehearsal. And one more… Sydney came out for her second practice and said “just let me hear the music”… “OK… That’s good… Thanks”… “I’m outa here to get some rest…” [This message has been edited on 08/15/2008] [ Post a Reply to This Message ]

[> Subject: **** Author: Anonymous [ Edit | View ] Date Posted: Tue, Aug 19 2008, 11:51am Thursday Night-Prelim Photos Here is the first set of pictures from the Thursday night competition were Sydney had Talent. - Thanks – Jim… Sydney carrying the Texas Flag onto the stage before the opening number. Sydney during the opening number at Thursday night’s MAOTs competition. All the Teens walking the runway before introductions. Teen Texas introduces herself on Thursday night. Miss America 2008, Kirsten Haglund was our emcee for tonight’s competition. And Caitlin Brunell, MAOT 2008 was also there to help with the show. [ Post a Reply to This Message ]

[> Subject: *** Author: Anonymous [ Edit | View ] Date Posted: Tue, Aug 19 2008, 11:52am From Jim Hanson: Here is the 3rd set of pictures from Thursday’s competition. I trying to go thru the pageant in stages as things occurred… sending them to all of you to view as we saw them happen. I hope this helps make your experience more fun!- Thanks – Jim – Your Physical Fitness winner was 17 year old Teen Utah, McKenna Lewis. Our first look at the “High School Musical Number was during tonight’s competition. They even used all the National Princesses in the number. Sydney is ready to begin her Talent. Sydney sounded GREAT… And looked even better… Lookin’ good Syd… GREAT JOB SYDNEY!!! [ Post a Reply to This Message ]

[> Subject: ***** Author: Anonymous [ Edit | View ] Date Posted: Tue, Aug 19 2008, 12:17pm From Jim Hanson Here is the 3r set of pictures from the Thursday night competition… All the Teens and National Princesses got to walk the stage before the Evening Gown Competition. Here is Alannah Bruce waving at me and the camera man. And here is Sydney after in a new dress after a quick change. An your Evening Gown winner tonight is 15 year old Teen Arkansas, Sloane Roberts. And all the contestants are back out on the stage to see who won tonight’s preliminaries. Teen Utah’s reaction as she is announced as the Physical Fitness winner. Teen Utah with Caitlin as she receives her award. [ Post a Reply to This Message ]

[> Subject: **** Author: Anonymous [ Edit | View ] Date Posted: Tue, Aug 19 2008, 12:18pm Jim Hanson's note: Here is the 4th set of pictures from Thursday night competition… Sydney’s reaction as she is announced as the Thursday night Talent winner. Sydney as Caitlin presents her with her award. Teen Arkansas as Caitlin presents here with the Evening Gown Award I think we have a VERY HAPPY young lady tonight after two prelim wins… WAY TO GO SYDNEY!!! Sydney and all the other Teens coming up to the 4th floor for visitation. The Texas crowd greets Sydney with lots of cheers. [ Post a Reply to This Message ]

[> Subject: ****** Author: Anonymous [ Edit | View ] Date Posted: Tue, Aug 19 2008, 12:19pm Jim Hanson Photos - Here is the 6th set of pictures… All of the Texas people in Orlando to support Sydney. Except for the Princesses and some of their Moms. Meghan giving some advice to Sydney before she heads back to the hotel. Cassidy, Meghan, Sydney and Taylor. All the Texas National Princesses finally make their way to congratulate Sydney. And a group picture with Sydney and all the princesses. Jim and Sherry with Sydney at visitation. Sydney with Maria DeSantis, MAOT 2007. [ Post a Reply to This Message ]

[> Subject: **** Author: Anonymous [ Edit | View ] Date Posted: Tue, Aug 19 2008, 12:20pm Final Notes from Jim Hanson Here is the 7th and final set of pictures… Going to bed now and to Disney World in the morning… OH… It is morning… Thanks – Jim… Sydney with Catlin Brunell, MAOT 2008. A big “gaggle” of Teens at visitation… Sydney with Teen Arkansas, Sloane Roberts. I think I have a similar picture of Sydney at Teen Texas with Taylor… Sloane, Sydney and Carley-Rea… Ok everybody… Time to head back to the hotel… We’ll see everybody on Saturday night… [ Post a Reply to This Message ]

[> Subject: admirer Author: Anonymous [ Edit | View ] Date Posted: Tue, Aug 19 2008, 12:21pm I must say that Sydney is a very remarkable girl. Whether she wins or not, those beautiful eyes, that million dollar smile, her incredibly unique voice, and that sweet, sweet spirit are just part of what makes her a winner in my eyes. I wish her the best tomorrow night. She is a very special person. [ Post a Reply to This Message ]

[> Subject: sydney's wardrobe Author: Anonymous [ Edit | View ] Date Posted: Tue, Aug 19 2008, 12:22pm From all the pictures posted on this board,I can honestly say Sydney's wardrobe looks incredible and she looks stunning. She is making Texas proud! Go Sydney! [ Post a Reply to This Message ]

[> Subject: SYDNEY WINS TALENT!!! Author: Anonymous [ Edit | View ] Date Posted: Tue, Aug 19 2008, 12:23pm Author Topic: sydney won talent beaux Wellborn posted 8/15/08 1:41 AM -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- beaux Wellborn posted 8/15/08 1:42 AM -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Heather just texted me..... YAY! beaux Wellborn posted 8/15/08 1:43 AM -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Arkansas won Gown Utah won Fitness Double Prelim posted 8/15/08 1:48 AM -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Texas and Arkansas are the only 2 double prelim winners!!!! Beaux Wellborn posted 8/15/08 1:48 AM -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- So excited for Sydney and Double Prelim Win. Heather says that Sydneys group was the toughest in talent so this is really good for her this year... She will be up there! TX WINS TALENT (Moderator) posted 8/15/08 1:56 AM -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Phone call said - WE WON TALENT~! Texas won Talent, Arkansas Won Gown Utah won Fitness! TX WINS TALENT (Moderator) posted 8/15/08 2:12 AM -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- (IMHO) A Possible Top Five would be: Arkansas, Oklahoma, Colorado (unless her twisted ankle is tooo bad to dance on), ? (several other great ones) and TEXAS! Let's hope and pray for Sydney! Linda Jaresh posted 8/15/08 2:13 AM -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Way to go Sydney! Congratulations! Please post pictures as soon as possible, Jim and Heather. I rally do appreciate you posting the pictures, it is the next best thing to being there. Please give her a hug from all of us. Linda Jaresh Cassidy Arend posted 8/15/08 3:18 AM -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- There are new pictures posted on my blog.. just to let everybody know! Sydney was incredible tonight!!! http://sydneymaot.blogspot.com Scarlett O'Hara posted 8/15/08 3:21 AM -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Did she perform the same song that she sang at Teen Texas? Heather Bruce posted 8/15/08 3:34 AM -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- no, she sang 'God Bless This Child'! She loves this song! Cheryl posted 8/15/08 3:47 AM -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Brenda Lowery (Taylor's mom) sent me some photos this afternoon that I will be posting to the MPFO blog...would post here too but I have no idea how http://www.mpfo.com/blog/index.php posts moved to same topic: (Moderator) posted 8/15/08 12:58 AM -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Author Topic: Sydney WON talent MAOT posted 8/15/08 1:45 AM -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Sidney won talent tonight!!!!! -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Chris M posted 8/15/08 1:49 AM -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Congratulations to Sydney on her second win. One more to go. I think Taylor had better get some sleep because I think she might be on the verge of being Miss Teen Texas!!!! http://www.elliscountypageants.org [ Post a Reply to This Message ]

[> Subject: Thank You so Much! Author: Anonymous [ Edit | View ] Date Posted: Fri, Nov 07 2008, 8:18pm Thank You Texas Moderators! This is such a nice coverage of MAOT. I never saw this as we were there and then busy moving when we got back. Our oldest girl is off to College now! However, this is wonderful to view. Jim Henson and all the rest did a great job of covering the national pageant. Thank you again. This brings back wonderful memories. [ Post a Reply to This Message ]

Subject: TEXAS STATE FAIR (Week 2) Author: Anonymous [ Edit | View ] Date Posted: Sat, Nov 01 2008, 5:08am Miss San Antonio Alanna Sarabia At Texas State Fair 2008 Alanna and Larkin Alanna Drives a Big Red Ford Truck Alanna and Bruce at the Memorial Wall Bruce's Hero Vietnam Heros Getting ready for the Texas State Fair Parade [ Post a Reply to This Message ]

[> Subject: More Photos Author: Anonymous [ Edit | View ] Date Posted: Tue, Oct 14 2008, 10:13am State Fair from Wednesday night (08 Oct. 2008) with Kaitlin Wilson and her friend Kendall Photos by Jim Hanson . . . . [ Post a Reply to This Message ]

[> Subject: Photos Author: Anonymous [ Edit | View ] Date Posted: Tue, Oct 14 2008, 10:14am Reilly and Kendall Morris at the State Fair on Thursday night (09 Oct 2008) Photos by Jim Hanson . . . . [ Post a Reply to This Message ]

[> Subject: Photos Author: Anonymous [ Edit | View ] Date Posted: Tue, Oct 14 2008, 10:14am [ Post a Reply to This Message ]

[> Subject: Photos Author: Anonymous [ Edit | View ] Date Posted: Tue, Oct 14 2008, 10:15am Texas State Fair - Friday evening, October 10, 2008. Photos of Nicholle Larson, her friend Sarah and Julie Lightfoot. Photos by Jim Hanson . Nicholle receives her 2009 Teen Duncanville License Plate Holder from Jim & Sherry. . . ... [ Post a Reply to This Message ]

[> Subject: Photos Author: Anonymous [ Edit | View ] Date Posted: Tue, Oct 14 2008, 10:16am The Ellis County “Walk on the Wild Side” Zebra Helicopter . .. . . . [ Post a Reply to This Message ]

[> Subject: Photos Author: Anonymous [ Edit | View ] Date Posted: Tue, Oct 14 2008, 10:18am . [ Post a Reply to This Message ]

[> Subject: Miss Texas In the parade... Author: Anonymous [ Edit | View ] Date Posted: Tue, Oct 14 2008, 10:19am Our very own Miss Texas will be riding in the State Fair parade tomorrow night [ Post a Reply to This Message ]

[> Subject: Miss Teen Duncanville 2009 Author: Anonymous [ Edit | View ] Date Posted: Fri, Oct 24 2008, 7:45pm Miss Teen Duncanville 2009 ~ Nicholle Larson ~ Attends Texas State Fair State Fair on the evening of 12 October 2008… Photos by Jim Hanson Nicholle trying to catch popcorn in her mouth that is being thrown by one of the clowns before the parade… Nicholle with two of the Marine band members. [ Post a Reply to This Message ]

[> Subject: Miss Teen Duncanville 2009 Author: Anonymous [ Edit | View ] Date Posted: Fri, Oct 24 2008, 7:46pm Miss Teen Duncanville 2009 ~ Nicholle Larson Nicholle greeting one of her many fans before the parade. And two more little fans talk to Nicholle. [ Post a Reply to This Message ]

[> Subject: * Author: Anonymous [ Edit | View ] Date Posted: Fri, Oct 24 2008, 7:47pm The Marine Corp Drum Major with Nicholle. Serious chap, isn’t he? Nicholle gets the big float for tonight’s parade. [ Post a Reply to This Message ]

[> Subject: * Author: Anonymous [ Edit | View ] Date Posted: Fri, Oct 24 2008, 7:48pm Nicholle with the Texas Star Ferris Wheel in the back ground and the moon over her left shoulder. [ Post a Reply to This Message ]

[> Subject: * Author: Anonymous [ Edit | View ] Date Posted: Fri, Oct 24 2008, 7:48pm Here is the 2nd and final set of pictures from the State fair for 12 October 2008… Next up will be Rebecca, Sydney, and Alyssa… Thanks – Jim “HOWDY FOLKS… WELCOME TO THE STATE FAIR PARADE…” “HOWDY FOLKS… NICHOLLE SAYS WELCOME TO THE STATE FAIR…” Nicholle and Big Tex. Our Show Girl also says howdy… Good night folks… We’ll see everybody tomorrow night. [ Post a Reply to This Message ]

[> Subject: Photos by Jim Hanson Author: Anonymous [ Edit | View ] Date Posted: Sat, Nov 01 2008, 5:03am Rebecca, Sydney and Alyssa at the State Fair… Photos by Jim Hanson . . . . . [ Post a Reply to This Message ]

[> Subject: ** Author: Anonymous [ Edit | View ] Date Posted: Sat, Nov 01 2008, 5:04am . . . [ Post a Reply to This Message ]

[> Subject: ** Author: Anonymous [ Edit | View ] Date Posted: Sat, Nov 01 2008, 5:04am . . . [ Post a Reply to This Message ]

[> Subject: ** Author: Anonymous [ Edit | View ] Date Posted: Sat, Nov 01 2008, 5:05am . . . [ Post a Reply to This Message ]

[> Subject: ** Author: Anonymous [ Edit | View ] Date Posted: Sat, Nov 01 2008, 5:06am [ Post a Reply to This Message ]

[> Subject: ** Author: Anonymous [ Edit | View ] Date Posted: Sat, Nov 01 2008, 5:06am Rebecca At The State Fair Photos by Jim Hanson [ Post a Reply to This Message ]

[> Subject: ** Author: Anonymous [ Edit | View ] Date Posted: Sat, Nov 01 2008, 5:07am Photos of... Nicholle, Gabby (Nicolle’s sister) and Julie Lightfoot from the last Friday at the State Fair... Photos by Jim Hanson the last Friday at the State Fair... Sherry and Jim also went into the Butterfly Exhibit while they were waiting for the girls and Jim took some pictures. That’s how we have these beautiful pictures of butterflies. . . . . . . . [ Post a Reply to This Message ]

[> Subject: ** Author: Anonymous [ Edit | View ] Date Posted: Sat, Nov 01 2008, 5:08am . [ Post a Reply to This Message ]

Subject: Texas State Fair Parade Author: Anonymous [ Edit | View ] Date Posted: Tue, Oct 14 2008, 10:09am Texas State Fair Parade Texas State Fair Parade Photos by Jim Hanson Faith sliding sown the hand rail in front of the Old Court House in downtown Dallas before the Texas State Fair Opening Day Parade started at noon on Friday, September 26, 2008. Sydney, Faith and Cassidy on the steps of the Old Court House before the parade. Sydney, Cassidy and Faith getting ready to board one of their floats for the parade. Sydney and Cassidy are put on the State air Coronation Float for the parade. Some of Dallas Finest with Faith before she boards her float for the parade. Faith is put onto the firs Kitchen-Craft float in the parade. Faith approaching us on her float as we wait for her at the end of Main Street. Faith… We are over on this side of the street… OH!!! There you are… And here comes Sydney and Cassidy on their float. Lookin’ good ladies… We’ll see you in a few minutes at the end of the parade… We find all the titleholders talking with Brigadier General John M. Croley, USMC and his aide. Sydney with Brigadier General Croley, USMC. Cassidy, Sydney and Faith with some of the knights from “Medieval Times” in Dallas. “Almost” anything you want fried you can find t the State Fair of Texas. This year’s big winner was “Chicken Fried Bacon”. As e get ready for the Friday evening parade on the State Fair Grounds I grab a quick pictures of Nichole and Faith with all the “clowns”. [ Post a Reply to This Message ]

[> Subject: More Photos Author: Anonymous [ Edit | View ] Date Posted: Tue, Oct 14 2008, 10:09am Nichole and Faith with the “Scarecrow”,” The Chef” and the Swan, from “Swan Lake” Nichols and Faith with the Swan from “Swan Lake”. And one more pictures in a small garden outside the Aquarium at Fair Park. Faith finds a new friend, Mia while waiting for the floats to line up for the parade. Mia gives Faith a “high-five” before going o watch the parade. Nichole and Faith meet Miss Asian America for 2007-2009. 9538 – The parade has started and Faith is arriving on her float for the evening. How are you doing up their faith? And here comes Nichole on the next float… And one more of Nichole… On Tuesday night we only had Cassidy to ride in the parade and she drew the new Chevrolet Corvette as her Parade Chariot” for tonight’s parade. Looks like someone else is trying to get the Vet for tonight’s parade. Cassidy finally makes it around to Big Tex. Anybody recognize this show girl on the float? As we head back to the big tent to pick up Cassidy I grab a quick picture of the Texas State Fair Ferris Wheel. [ Post a Reply to This Message ]

Subject: Allison Seale, Miss Austin USA...Concerning Matter Author: Anonymous [ Edit | View ] Date Posted: Wed, Oct 08 2008, 10:32am Pageant friends~ I feel compelled to inform anyone associated in pageantry about some recent events that have affected me and that could potentially affect anyone affiliated with pageants. These are facts and can be supported with documentation if need be… A couple of weeks ago I was contacted by a gentleman notifying me of an imposter Myspace profile that was using all of my photos as their own to chat with men and at one point even attempted to lure these men to the imposter’s place of employment…a local Austin gym. With enough information from this man and with the help of the Austin Police Department, we were able to determine who the owner of the cell phone that text messages were coming from that the gentleman was receiving. When the police informed me of the individual, I was shocked. The person who had this fake Myspace profile up was someone who I knew…knew very well. It was someone who was a friend on my actual Myspace page, it was someone who I had given access to my Zac Grimaldo webpage to help me pick out a photo for Miss Texas (some of the photos on the fake profile were proofs from Zac’s site that I had never put on any web based application…they were only on his site and only family members and this other individual had access to them), this person was someone who helps a lot of girls in the Austin area in regards to preparation for Miss Texas, this person is someone who betrayed my trust and used my personal photos as their own. Several years ago, this happened to Mandy Jeffreys (former Miss Texas Teen USA, former Miss Austin USA, and MC at this year’s Miss Texas USA pageant) and not having enough proof she was unable to go to the local authorities. We have information that leads us to believe that the person who did this to her is the same person that did this to me. While there is nothing illegal about what this person did, there is a fundamental problem with this in regards to the competition we all love. There is a fine line between a fan and a fanatic and I feel this person crossed it back in 2006 when this profile was first put in place. The moderators of this board have generously given me permission to inform everyone, but unfortunately, I can not release the legal name of the individual…I can tell you his handle and it is none other than Dude in Texas. Now maybe he has an explanation for all this, but unfortunately for everyone involved, the police did not feel his explanations were adequate. If anything, they felt so strongly about my case that they urged me to move forward with a civil suit and assured me they would continue to keep their eyes on Dude In Texas. The point in all of this is not to bash him as a person, but to instead bring awareness of what some people are capable of… even those that you may consider to be close to you. Please be careful as not everyone has your best interest at hand. And if you have any questions regarding this, don’t hesitate to contact me directly. Best~ Allison Seale, Miss Austin USA 2007 [ Post a Reply to This Message ]

[> Subject: Thank You for posting this info. I've read his posts many times on both Mao and USA boards and he can be very nasty at times. Author: Anonymous [ Edit | View ] Date Posted: Wed, Oct 08 2008, 10:32am [ Post a Reply to This Message ]

Subject: Miss America Contestants in LA Author: Anonymous [ Edit | View ] Date Posted: Thu, Oct 02 2008, 11:22pm Rebecca leaves for LA and TV Taping . Miss America 2009 Contestants Get Set For TLC Reality Taping in California! On Sunday, September 21, the most beautiful and talented young women in America will be arriving in California to begin the taping of a four-episode reality show series for TLC. The 52 contestants vying for the 2009 Miss America title will be whisked away to a surprise location and will begin filming the reality series that will lead up to our 2009 Miss America Live! Pageant. The series will create a new level of suspense for viewers and will focus on many different elements and challenges for our 52 contestants. This will allow the television audience to become familiar with our contestants before they see them compete in January for the title of Miss America 2009. Along with filming the reality series, the contestants’ schedules are packed with fun and exciting events and activities, so they can take full advantage of the wonderful attractions California has to offer! Tune In Alert The Ellen DeGeneres Show Friday, September 26, 2008 * 3 P.M.EST Miss America 2008 Kirsten Haglund and all 52 of the contestants competing for the 2009 Miss America title will appear together for the first time ever on network television for The Ellen DeGeneres Show on Friday, September 26 at 3 p.m. EST on your local NBC affiliate. Miss America and our contestants were thrilled to appear on national TV with Ellen and be part of her multi-Emmy award winning show. You do not want to miss it!! [ Post a Reply to This Message ]

[> Subject: --- Author: Anonymous [ Edit | View ] Date Posted: Thu, Oct 02 2008, 11:05pm Rebecca is front row far right http://ellen.warnerbros.com/2008/09/53_reasons_why_you_and_clooney.php [ Post a Reply to This Message ]

[> Subject: -- Author: Anonymous [ Edit | View ] Date Posted: Thu, Oct 02 2008, 11:06pm Want to see the whole show and Miss Texas Introduced? Watch it at ELLEN SHOW ...http://ellen.warnerbros.com/ [ Post a Reply to This Message ]

[> Subject: -- Author: Anonymous [ Edit | View ] Date Posted: Thu, Oct 02 2008, 11:07pm Rebecca leaves for LA and TV Taping . [ Post a Reply to This Message ]

[> Subject: -- Author: Anonymous [ Edit | View ] Date Posted: Thu, Oct 02 2008, 11:08pm [ Post a Reply to This Message ]

[> Subject: -- Author: Anonymous [ Edit | View ] Date Posted: Thu, Oct 02 2008, 11:08pm found this link on another forum, there are ac ouple great shots of Rebecca http://dailybreeze.mycapture.com/mycapture/enlarge.asp?image=20557372&event=602167&CategoryID=29720&picnum=139&move=B#Image [ Post a Reply to This Message ]

[> Subject: -- Author: Anonymous [ Edit | View ] Date Posted: Thu, Oct 02 2008, 11:09pm . [ Post a Reply to This Message ]

[> Subject: -- Author: Anonymous [ Edit | View ] Date Posted: Thu, Oct 02 2008, 11:10pm Tune In Alert Miss America 2008 Kirsten Haglund and All 52 Miss America 2009 Contestants to Appear on TODAY, September 29, 2008 7 P.M. EST* on CBS Miss America 2008 Kirsten Haglund and all 52 of the 2009 Miss America Contestants will be featured on Entertainment Tonight, TODAY, September 29, 2008. The show will highlight Miss America and the Contestants' learning to flip, stack and serve pancakes at IHOP. As one of her first appearances, Miss America 2009 will serve as the spokesperson for IHOP’s February 24, 2009 National Pancake Day. This was the perfect chance to perfect her skill! Also, with state pride on the line, and a national election around the corner, Miss Arizona and Miss Alaska will face off with Miss Illinois and Miss Delaware in a pancake stacking contest. You do not want to miss this exciting feature! Be sure to tune in! * Check Your Local Listings ### [ Post a Reply to This Message ]

[> Subject: -- Author: Anonymous [ Edit | View ] Date Posted: Thu, Oct 02 2008, 11:11pm [ Post a Reply to This Message ]

[> Subject: -- Author: Anonymous [ Edit | View ] Date Posted: Thu, Oct 02 2008, 11:22pm Dear Friends, We are happy to share with you a second slideshow of our 2009 Miss America Contestants enjoying their time in California while they were off this past weekend. The contestants enjoyed several fun-filled activities and truly had a memorable experience. 2009 Contestants Enjoy California! This week, they are back to filming for TLC's, “Miss America: Countdown to the Crown.” Thank you, Art McMaster [ Post a Reply to This Message ]

Subject: MISS TEXAS'S Homecoming Party - Rebecca Robinson - Miss Texas Author: Anonymous [ Edit | View ] Date Posted: Fri, Sep 19 2008, 7:33pm Photo Slide Show by Chris Martin [ Post a Reply to This Message ]

[> Subject: Photos - Miss Texas's Homecoming Author: Anonymous [ Edit | View ] Date Posted: Fri, Sep 19 2008, 7:23pm Photos of Rebecca's Homecoming By Jim Hanson, Miss Duncanville/Miss Ellis County Director Rebecca’s Homecoming cake sat outside the main ballroom at the Embassy Suites Hotel in Grapevine. With two lighted columns of sheer fabric on either side of the entrance to the ballroom. The centerpiece for the food tables was a huge stalk of bamboo. The tables were decorated with tall vases with flowers floating inside of them with a battery powered lamp/shade sitting on top of each vase. Rebecca greeted people outside the ballroom including Mike Slayton and his two new grandsons. There even had a person entertaining everybody on the piano as he guest arrived. Te room was set up with tables and chairs to hold about 300 people. Very cute gift wrapping. There was a table for selling “Aggie “ t-shirts for Miss America. Arianna and Faith with Larkin. [ Post a Reply to This Message ]

[> Subject: Photos - Miss Texas's Homecoming Author: Anonymous [ Edit | View ] Date Posted: Fri, Sep 19 2008, 7:23pm The first entertaining of the evening was Kristen Blair who sand Via Dola Rosa. Anybody recognize this “Masked Princess”? Rebecca is escorted to the stage by Gregg and Archie. Rebecca is presented a proclamation from Governor Rick Perry. Adrianna Nelson was the next entertainer and she sang “You’ll Never Walk Alone”. The next item on the agenda was a presentation of the new Miss Texas with a jacket from Robert Jenkins. Try this on for size Rebecca. Rebecca also received a matching purse to go with her new jacket. Rebecca gives Bobbie Crowder a big Thank You hug. And the back side of the jacket… [ Post a Reply to This Message ]

[> Subject: Photos - Miss Texas's Homecoming Author: Anonymous [ Edit | View ] Date Posted: Fri, Sep 19 2008, 7:26pm Lookin’ really good Rebecca... Rebecca receives her crown pin” welcoming her into the “sisterhood” of Miss Texas. The next speaker was Jordon Johnson who spoke of her friendship with Rebecca over the past 10 years ever since they competed in Teen Texas together. Next up was Lynne Sullivant who attended Texas A&M competed and was also a former Miss Duncanville. Then Jean said a few words about Rebecca and her preparation or Miss America. Next up to speak was Faith Bates who was the 1st Runner-Up and Miss Texas Rebecca and Faith give each other a big hug after Faith finishes her speech. Then Rebecca speaks and tells us how as a little girl she was very afraid of thunder storms. GREAT job Becca… Kristen and Faith after Rebecca’s speech. [ Post a Reply to This Message ]

[> Subject: Photos - Miss Texas's Homecoming Author: Anonymous [ Edit | View ] Date Posted: Fri, Sep 19 2008, 7:27pm Jordon, Kristen, Faith, Lynne, and Cassidy after Rebecca’s speech. I’m not sure that Faith ill even live this down up at OU or with her sister who went to UT. Faith, Kristen, Sydney, and Cassidy. Rebecca begins to sign autograph picture back in the corner of the ballroom. Looks like Rebecca has two more new fans… Sydney and Alannah. The gifts just keep coming in for Rebecca. Anybody recognize there two? My two “aspirin” models for Rebecca’s t-shirts. Very cute ladies… MAOT National Princess, Kendyl Robbins wonders were all that delicious cake went. [ Post a Reply to This Message ]

[> Subject: Photos - Miss Texas's Homecoming Author: Anonymous [ Edit | View ] Date Posted: Fri, Sep 19 2008, 7:28pm Here is the 5th set of pictures… Elizabeth’s Blum’s parents, Marvin and Laurie Blum and Faith Bates Dad, Dan Bates. Lydia with Sydney and Kendall. Another cute package for Rebecca. Sydney signing autographs for the guest at Rebecca’s Homecoming. Barbara Bilbrey, Sherry, and Donna Berry discussing pageants from the past… Lynne checking out some of Zac’s picture. Rebecca signing one of her t-shirts for a guest. Faith Bates, Miss Ellis County 2007 and Stacey Smith, Miss Ellis County 1995 were both preliminary and overall swimsuit winners at Mss Texas. Warren Morrison also gets his t-shirt autographed by Rebecca. Lynne, Rebecca, and Jordon. [ Post a Reply to This Message ]

[> Subject: Photos - Miss Texas's Homecoming Author: Anonymous [ Edit | View ] Date Posted: Fri, Sep 19 2008, 7:30pm Here is the 6th set of pictures… National Princess, Kendyl Robbins with Rebecca. National Princesses Kendyl, Nikki-Sue, and Alannah. Rebecca with Marvin and Laurie Blum. It took two of the hotel carts to get all of Rebecca’s gifts to the cars. Keith with a “double”… I mean two of the table decorations. Sydney and Rebecca. Sydney, Rebecca, and Cassidy. Rebecca and Zac. Hunter, Rebecca, and Chris. Rebecca with Alannah, and Nikki-Sue. [ Post a Reply to This Message ]

[> Subject: Photos - Miss Texas's Homecoming Author: Anonymous [ Edit | View ] Date Posted: Fri, Sep 19 2008, 7:30pm Here is the 7th set of pictures… Rebecca with the Chef that helped prepare all the food we had today. Rebecca with her grandmother. Rebecca in the elevator going up to the 3rd floor. Rebecca up in Donnas’ room opening some of her gifts. Think she likes it… We all head over to “Big Bucks” in the Bass Pro Shop for a late dinner and Cassidy and Sydney “indulge” in a little “comfort food”… Chris and Alex at diner with us. Chris and Alex trying o decide which desert they want. Looks like they decided on the chocolate cake with the ice cream. Sydney learning how to use Zac’s i-phone. Melissa showing Sydney and Cassidy some of the pictures from tonight. [ Post a Reply to This Message ]

[> Subject: Photos - Miss Texas's Homecoming Author: Anonymous [ Edit | View ] Date Posted: Fri, Sep 19 2008, 7:33pm Final Set of Photos taken by JIM HANSON, Director for Miss Ellis County, Texas: Here is the 8th and final set of pictures from Rebecca's homecoming. Cassidy with Sydney. GREAT Homecoming… GREAT Dinner… Good night everybody… [ Post a Reply to This Message ]

Subject: Johnnie High Country Music Review - in Arlington, Texas Author: Anonymous [ Edit | View ] Date Posted: Thu, Aug 21 2008, 1:35am Miss Teen Texas will be performing at Johnnie High this Saturday! For Reservations call: 817-226-4400 OR 888-544-2686 TOLL FREE 224 N CENTER ST ARLINGTON, TEXAS 76011 LIVE! performances every Saturday at 7:30 PM (CST) TICKET PRICES: MAIN FLOOR = $16.00 BALCONY = $13.00 CHILDREN (12 and under) = $8.00 http://www.DuncanvillePageants.org [ Post a Reply to This Message ]

[> Subject: Sounds Like a FUN Night! Author: Anonymous [ Edit | View ] Date Posted: Thu, Aug 21 2008, 1:31am [ Post a Reply to This Message ]

[> Subject: She was breath taking and sounded phenomenal! She will make Texas proud at MAOT Author: Anonymous [ Edit | View ] Date Posted: Thu, Aug 21 2008, 1:32am [ Post a Reply to This Message ]

[> Subject: Congratulations to Sydney! She seems to be working hard and happily looking forward to National competition. We wish her the best in Florida!! Author: Anonymous [ Edit | View ] Date Posted: Thu, Aug 21 2008, 1:32am [ Post a Reply to This Message ]

[> Subject: Photos Author: Anonymous [ Edit | View ] Date Posted: Thu, Aug 21 2008, 1:33am Miss Teen Texas 2008 Sydney Capello Sydney performing at Johnnie High last Saturday Night (02 August 2008) [ Post a Reply to This Message ]

[> Subject: This child is just purely beautiful, both inside and out. Thank you for sharing these pictures of Sydney! Author: Anonymous [ Edit | View ] Date Posted: Thu, Aug 21 2008, 1:34am [ Post a Reply to This Message ]

[> Subject: ... the super handsome blond guy in the red and white striped shirt? Author: Anonymous [ Edit | View ] Date Posted: Thu, Aug 21 2008, 1:35am [ Post a Reply to This Message ]

[> Subject: That is Michael Hix who has performed on the Miss Texas stage and is a regular at Johnnie High now. Author: Anonymous [ Edit | View ] Date Posted: Thu, Aug 21 2008, 1:35am [ Post a Reply to This Message ]

Subject: Photos -MAOT- Friday & Saturday: Author: Anonymous [ Edit | View ] Date Posted: Thu, Aug 21 2008, 1:28am Photos by Jim Hanson, Texas (Miss Duncanville Director) Last Day at MAOT (Photos) Sunday AM - Here is the first set of pictures from final night… We are trying to get ready to go to Animal Kingdom at WDW so you will only get a few pictures this morning… Thanks – Jim – Later that evening - Jim sent this update - Thanks… Its 0715 PM Monday evening and we just got back from WDW Animal Kingdom where we spent all day. I have sent you a total of 4 e-mails with pictures from the final night which was about 30-40 pictures. I will probably send you some more tonight, but we also have to pack so we can leave before Hurricane “Fay” hits sometime tomorrow. Our AA fight leaves Orlando for DFW at 1135 tomorrow. I also have several pictures to send you from the party after the pageant. OK… Later after we go eat something… Thanks… Jim… Some of the Miss America contestants that signed autographs on Saturday night before the MAOT finals. And some more. And still some more. There was just too many to post every state. But here is one we know… Sean Durrett who won the fourpoints cover contest. The opening numbers was from “High School Musical” and EVERYBODY was on the stage. It was kind of crowed up there, but I did manage to find Alannah Bruce. 1676 – Tonight’s finals even included a large screen at the back of the stage that ran pictures of all the contestants from events during the week and much of the Top 10/5 pictures as the girls competed. Like all the Teen contestants before competition. Here is Teen Colorado. [This message has been edited on 08/18/2008] [ Post a Reply to This Message ]

[> Subject: *** Author: Anonymous [ Edit | View ] Date Posted: Tue, Aug 19 2008, 2:21pm Here is the 2nd set of pictures… And Teen Oklahoma. And our very own Teen Texas. And another picture of Sydney.> Caitlin with all the Teen contestants in front of the Rosen Hotel.< Sydney during the parade of State Flags before the Top 10 was called out and the final night competition started. All the Teen wait in anticipation for the Top 10 to be announced. The current Miss America, Kirsten Haglund was our co-emcee for the evening. Sydney is called out as a Top 10 finalist. As is Teen Oklahoma. Some of the Top 10 finalist on Saturday night. [ Post a Reply to This Message ]

[> Subject: *** Author: Anonymous [ Edit | View ] Date Posted: Tue, Aug 19 2008, 2:22pm Here is the 3rd set of pictures. OK Syd… Go get em kid… 1771 – The Top 10 wave to the audience as they prepare to re-compete. As the Top 10 re-compete they flash their name, title and some pictures of each girl on the screen at the back of the stage. Teen Arkansas, Sloane Roberts competes in Top 10 Physical Fitness. It’s time for South Carolina’s Teen, Taylor Fitch. And it’s the real Taylor Fitch. It’s time for Sydney to make her first Top 10appearance in Physical Fitness. However, they did misspell “Sydney’s” name on her picture. Lookin’ really good Syd… That’s our beautiful and talented Teen Texas. [ Post a Reply to This Message ]

[> Subject: **** Author: Anonymous [ Edit | View ] Date Posted: Tue, Aug 19 2008, 2:22pm Here is the 5t set of pictures... Sydney just gets prettier every day... Sydney answers her on-stage question with ease and confidence. Teen Oklahoma in her evening gown competition on Saturday night. Talent was the last event of the evening and here is Teen California with her ballet. And here is Teen Pennsylvania with here Talent. And here is Teen Arkansas with her tap dance. Teen South Carolina also did a great dance routine. Teen Texas shows the audience what a Top 10 song sounds like. Sounds really great Syd... GREAT JOB SYDNEY... [ Post a Reply to This Message ]

[> Subject: *** Author: Anonymous [ Edit | View ] Date Posted: Tue, Aug 19 2008, 2:23pm wow! from where we sat, you couldn't see the definition in Sydney's legs in fitness... that's an awesome picture Jim! Sydney and Larkin should be PROUD of that one! :) [ Post a Reply to This Message ]

[> Subject: *** Author: Anonymous [ Edit | View ] Date Posted: Tue, Aug 19 2008, 2:23pm From Jim Hanson - Photos Here is he 4th set of pictures… * * * * * * All the National Princesses also get to make an on-stage appearance. Here is Bryton. And here is Laryssa. And Alannah. And also Nikki-Sue. Sorry, but I did not see everybody. 1924 – The Evening Gown and On-Stage Question was next and here is Teen Pennsylvania. 1931 – And Teen Arkansas. 1944 – And Teen South Carolina. And of course our very own Teen Texas, Sydney Capello. WOW!!! [ Post a Reply to This Message ]

[> Subject: Photos Author: Anonymous [ Edit | View ] Date Posted: Thu, Aug 21 2008, 1:24am From Photo Moderator - Here are the photos that have been missing and showed up as blank photos as you were browsing. All photo slots should be corrected now.:= Teen Pennsylvania’s Evening Gown. Teen Arkansas’s Evening Gown. The Top 10 wave to the audience. The board at the back of the stage. [ Post a Reply to This Message ]

[> Subject: Photos Author: Anonymous [ Edit | View ] Date Posted: Thu, Aug 21 2008, 1:25am Here is the 6th set of pictures from MAOT final night… Before al the state contestants came to Orlando they collected money for the Children’s Miracle Network. Here Catlin presents a check for $15,409.20 to the representative from CMN for all the money they collected. GREAT JOB LADIES… Jean Magness , the Executive Director for the Miss Texas Organization is called up onto the stage to present the “B. Don Magness Spirit Award” to one of the contestants. During the presentation, a picture of B. Don Magness was shown on the screen on the stage. And the winner of the “B. Don Magness Spirit Award” and $1,000.00 voted on by the other Teens is 16 year old Julia Rae Schlucter, Teen Pennsylvania. The time has come for Caitlin’s final farewell. Thanks for a GREAT year Caitlin. I’m sure we will see you again… The Top 5 await the results of the judges balloting to see who the new Miss America’s Outstanding Teen will be tonight. And the 4th Runner-Up is 14 year old Teen Missouri, Sydnee Stottlemyer. And the 3rd Runner-Up is 16 year old Teen Maryland, Joanna Guy. And the 2nd Runner-Up is 15 year old Teen Arkansas, Sloane Roberts. The last two standing are 16 year old Teen Pennsylvania, Julia Rae Schlucter and 17 year old Teen South Carolina, Taylor Fitch. Your new Miss America’s Outstanding Teen is 17 year old Teen South Carolina, Taylor Fitch. [ Post a Reply to This Message ]

[> Subject: Photos Author: Anonymous [ Edit | View ] Date Posted: Thu, Aug 21 2008, 1:26am Here is the 7th set of pictures from MAOT final night… by Jim Hanson I think Teen South Carolina might be in shock… A BIG congratulations from Caitlin. And Taylor finally receives her new crown. Taylor’s first walk as MAOT. CONGRATULATIONS TAYLOR!!! As Taylor walks back onto the stage all the Teens run to congratulate her. On the way to the MAOT press conference after the pageant I catch Laryssa getting an autograph from Miss Delaware. Taylor as she speaks at her first press conference after she won MAOT. Taylor receives the specially designed necklace and earrings from Zivot Jewelers who is the official jewelers for MAOT. Lookin’ sharp Taylor. [This message has been edited on 08/21/2008] [ Post a Reply to This Message ]

[> Subject: Photos Author: Anonymous [ Edit | View ] Date Posted: Thu, Aug 21 2008, 1:26am Here is the 8th set of pictures from MAOT final night… Taylor with Donna Bozarth who is the Chairman o the Board for MAOT. Taylor with her family after the press conference on their way back to the Rosen Hotel for the party. All the Teens line up in one of the huge ballrooms at the Rosen Hotel to introduce themselves and what they won at MAOT. And here are some more Teens. Here is another group with Sydney. Sydney’s turn finally come behind the on-stage podium. Lydia greets Sydney s she comes off the stage. Taylor make her first public appearance at the party after the MAOT pageant on Saturday night. Sydney with her MOT roommate for the last week, Alyssa Sifuentes, Teen New Mexico. Breakfast at last… Kendal, Meghan, Laryssa, and Macy getting a quick bite to eat before the dancing begins. [ Post a Reply to This Message ]

[> Subject: Photos Author: Anonymous [ Edit | View ] Date Posted: Thu, Aug 21 2008, 1:27am Here is the 9th set of pictures from MAOT final nigh. een Washington with Sydney. Sydney with Ariana Walker, Teen North Dakota. 2707 – Caitlin leads the girls in the Macarina on the dance floor. Sydney with Teen Utah, Teen Pennsylvania, and Teen Colorado. OK… Here is my Facebook ID and my phone number… Oh wait, let me enter that into my Blackberry. One very tired little princess has to be carried by her dad up to their room. Meghan with Teen Florida, Courtney Sexton. Hummmm… I’m not sure what to title this one… Sydney with another State Teen titleholder… Somebody help me here… 2748 – Cassidy with Sydney at the party. [ Post a Reply to This Message ]

[> Subject: Photos Author: Anonymous [ Edit | View ] Date Posted: Thu, Aug 21 2008, 1:28am Here is he 10th and final set of pictures from the MAOT final night… Sydney with Teen Utah, Teen South Dakota, and Teen Hawaii. Jim, Sherry, and Sydney with all the Texas National Princesses including one very tired Bryton. Parting is such sweet sorrow. Zac with several of the Teens as we all head off to our hotel rooms. Syd with Teen Illinois, Emily Travis. Teen New York and Teen Iowa with Sydney. Sydney signs out and is officially released from MAOT. THANKS for a GREAT 10 days in Orlando everybody. It was a ride that we won’t forget for a long time. We are off to our final day a Disney World tomorrow/today. We’ll see everybody back in Dallas on Tuesday. [ Post a Reply to This Message ]

Subject: Heather Bruce Blogs on MAOT Author: Anonymous [ Edit | View ] Date Posted: Tue, Aug 19 2008, 1:05pm Hey guys, sorry for the delay. We didn't get back to our hotel from the after pageant breakfast until about 2:00 am, we still had to pack up our room and car and be out of there by 4:30am to get to the airport to return the rental car, check baggage and catch our 7:15am flight. So, needless to say I never even went to bed. When I got home, I crashed and just woke up a few hours ago! :) But, I'd be glad to fill you in about last night's amazing finals!!! The show started with the High School Musical Opening Number--- the princesses and all contestants were involved--- too cute!! IN FACT, they announced last night that ALL MAOT contestants are invited to Las Vegas in January to perform this opening # for Miss America!!!! Very exciting they will be part of the show! :) Announcement of top ten seemed to take FOREVER, but finally it came! Sydney was announced 7th, so we were all on the edge of our seats, but I felt her placement was outstanding! In fact, we looked at the program book photo from last year's top ten and Caitlin had been called out 7th as well, so we thought it was a 'good sign'! :) Of the top ten, only 3 were singers! All the rest dancers-- no instrumentalists or 'others'. So, we saw that as another good sign for Syd. In addition, 4 of the top 10 were from Sydney's group-- so that told me that her group was one of the strongest groups as a whole and for her to have won dbl prelims in the strongest group, said a little something too (or at least to me, it did :) ) --- to be continued...see next posting [ Post a Reply to This Message ]

[> Subject: *** Author: Anonymous [ Edit | View ] Date Posted: Tue, Aug 19 2008, 1:02pm The first phase of competition was fitness. Sydney did really well. I felt she did a much better job on her 'routine' than she did prelim night, so that was a good thing! It was still obvious that the dancers stood out in this phase due to the 'routine' they were required to do. --- EG/OSQ was next. The phase began with all the contestants coming out in their gowns for a 'parade' with the princesses. Our princesses were adorable and of course shined!! :) Competition-- Sydney looked amazing again! The judges actually asked the questions this time. The contestants drew a judges' # and then that judge asked the question. Sydney drew the judge that was a past state titleholder (the one that said shew as tied for 2nd runner up at Miss America), sorry I've forgotten her name already! Anyway, the judge first asked Syd if she was ready, which Syd replied 'yes ma'am'... thank you God for Southern manners! :) She was asked what she hoped her peers could learn from her. This was a perfect question for Syd b/c she was able to talk about her platform Be Better Not Bitter, Overcoming Adversity. She talked about the fact she had had alot of personal tragedy in her life and she hoped by sharing her testimony with teens, they could learn that it is possible to overcome. She said it with more details and better than I'm delivering it here, but trust me, it was good! :) OK had a much better OSQ answer than she had in prelims, so I was a little worried about her being major competition in finals. I still love her gown too! ARK was about the same as her prelim (really good) and of course i loved her gown and SC was really really great again (remember, my recap of SC answer from prelims was that she knocked it out of the ball park with her answer about giving respect to our President even if we don't agree with his decisions) SC obviously has a great interview b/c she was spot on both times in her OSQ. She's very likeable! And her gown is pretty, doesn't stand out for me, but pretty PA had a really good answer for finals. She was short and sweet, but it was enough and it was great! She had a definite glow about her. I felt she modeled incredibly too fast, but her OSQ was good. Her gown was pretty, not my favorite b/c it was just a gown to me, nothing special, but it was pretty. ---- to be continued... i'm long winded! :) [ Post a Reply to This Message ]

[> Subject: **** Author: Anonymous [ Edit | View ] Date Posted: Tue, Aug 19 2008, 1:03pm Talent was last. ARK talent was great once again! Sydney nailed her talent again as well. Oklahoma, interestingly, was not as good in finals as she was in prelims. She was missing taps. It was weird to look around and see the audience whisper and talk throughout her routine, it was obvious to many that there was something not quite right. So, I was thinking she may not be as competitive as once thought (after talent), but you just never know?! SC's talent is very entertaining. She has adequate difficulty, but her strong suit is her entertainment value. And I LOVED her costume! In fact, ironically, she was the only one I took a photo of during prelims b/c I wanted a picture of her costume! I liked it THAT much! Being a dancer, I'm always on the lookout for great costume ideas! ;) ---- Intermission happened after Talent. During intermission, I felt that Sydney should be in the 5. I just felt she was the consistent one. She was good in every category. I questioned whether OK would make the 5 after what happened in her talent. I felt SC and ARK would definitely be up there in the 5. The others I wasn't sure about. --- Top 5 announcement took forever it seemed! But, finally it happened and much to our surprise, Syd didn't make the cut. Not sure what happened but after they announced 3 and both TX and OK were still standing in the background, I was worried. After they announced the 4th and they were both STILL standing, I knew something was wrong, but was still hopeful that Syd would get that last spot which would be awesome placement. When they announced the final name and it still wasn't Syd, I my heart sank. I was really surprised. I wasn't convinved Syd would win b/c there was so many great girls, but I did feel she should be top 5. But, God obviously had other plans. Sydney was fine after that. She didn't appear mad or sad or anything... still had her radiant smile and congratulated all the other girls. After the 5 were announced I felt it would be between ARK and SC. They 'chatted' with the top 5 girls and ARK was given a tremendous opportunity to show personality (was asked about a boyfriend and when she said she didn't have one, the emcee handed her a photo of his son, which she totally fed off of and it was really cute) I felt she may have secured the title after that. But, SC still held her own too! --- Before they gave runners up. They brought all the contestants out and gave some other awards. It's not as extenstive as our Teen Texas awards night, but it was nice to see other girls recognized. SC received the award for the highest GPA-- soooo, that told me se was a sharp cookie. Many of the top 5 won academic awards, so it answered alot of questions about how some of them snuck up in the top 10 & 5. Troy University gives like a $40K scholarship to 5 girls with high GPAs and ACT/SAT scores... so that was cool.. 5 girls got a huge scholarship if they want to go to Troy. Another special award they gave was the BDON MAGNESS award! The chairman of the board for MAOT came out on stage and talked about how the teen program came to exist and that one man that helped with the vision of this system was BDon. They put a big photo of him up in the background on the screen. Jean came out to present the award. The award was a "Spirit" award, given for the contestant that showed the spirit of what the organization was all about... voted on by the contestants. PA won this award! Her acceptance of the award was completetly heart warming... I gained a lot of respect for her just by how she accepted the award. She was truly gracious and humbled. It was neat to witness! Then, the big announcement came... after ARK was announced, I felt SC was going to get it... however, there was just something about PA that I wouldn't have been surprised if she had won. I felt SC was a stronger competitor, but PA just had this glow about her and obviously she was 'liked' or she wouldn't have gotten the spirit award. But, in the end SC took the title and she was truly truly happy! The girls all seemed happy for her too! She'll make a great MAOT! --- the breakfast followed and we were able to see Sydney again and spend time with her. she was in great spirits! She told me that she really wanted to be in top 5, that was her goal, but she was ok about how it turned out... a bit disappointed, but totally o.k. She took lots of photos with the other girls and just had a relaxed time with friends, family and princesses! :) --- This week was full of lots of emotions! Great fun! Just goes to show you... prelims are one thing, but then finals are a completely new ballgame! Talent counts the most, but 2 of the 3 talent winners, didn't make top 5. Only 1 of the 2 dbl prelim winners made top 5. Syd and PA were in the same group--- Syd obviously scored higher than PA in EG/OSQ and Talent, and yet Syd didn't make the top 5 and PA was 1st runner up!! You just NEVER know?!? But, we truly appreciate all of the support Texas gave Sydney. I told her about all the well wishes everyone back home were sending her. I let her read some of the texts I received and I told her about the rest! She was very award she had 100s of supporters back home, so she knew she was making everyone proud and I'm sure that gave her unbelievable confidence! We are so thrilled with the success Sydney had in Orlando and we are super excited to be able to keep her in Texas to represent us for this next year! Thanks again! [ Post a Reply to This Message ]

[> Subject: pageant pro Author: Anonymous [ Edit | View ] Date Posted: Tue, Aug 19 2008, 1:04pm WOW, thank YOU, Heather, your Pulitzer Prize is in the mail. I wish that we would get reports like this from every pageant. For example, we would have never known that JEAN got to present the Spirit award, how wonderful! Heather, your "no sour grapes" report was worth the wait and it makes me feel so much better about how it all turned out. You must have needed that sleep before you could get your mind in shape to file this report, altho' I think you would make a great reporter on deadline, too. Congratulations to you AND your mother on picking 7 of the top 10. Sometimes the closer you are the harder it is to see the whole picture like you did. You are really a class act. No wonder you advanced so high at Miss Texas and are still contributing. I predict your best days are yet to come! [ Post a Reply to This Message ]

[> Subject: IVANA B. ASTAR Author: Anonymous [ Edit | View ] Date Posted: Tue, Aug 19 2008, 1:04pm Gracias for all the upadtes Heather! It made it so much more bareable for those of us stuck here in Texas. You didn;t have to give ANY updates what so ever, but you were kidn enough to take time out of your own little vacation and pagenat time to fill the rest of us in, and that was so very sweet of you! Thanks a million again! [ Post a Reply to This Message ]

[> Subject: Thanks Heather Author: Anonymous [ Edit | View ] Date Posted: Tue, Aug 19 2008, 1:05pm Awesome and informative updates. Also balanced. Great job thanks. Syd is amazing and we are lucky to have her as Miss Texas OT. She will do an awesome job. Let's not minimize the achievement of making the 10. It is tremendous and a reflection of a remarkable young lady. [ Post a Reply to This Message ]

Subject: MAOT Finals Author: Anonymous [ Edit | View ] Date Posted: Tue, Aug 19 2008, 12:56pm From: Heather Bruce Ok, I decided to just post non-competition photos until Jim posts his and if by some chance I got one that he didn't I will post, but his are such great quality, let's just wait to see his, shall we? :) --- Early Morning Princesses get ready for rehearsals!! SYDNEY at rehearsals! (after lunch @ the Rosen Hotel) (taking a break at the convention center) chatting... no surprise! :) Princesses get ready for "Pumpin' Up the Party" production # Syd @ visitation after tonight's prelim GORGEOUS in white! Syd and her proud dad Isn't it great to have a sister who is a massage therapist???!! Texas gals ---- ENJOY! I may post more after Jim posts his, so check back! Can't wait for talent tomorrow (I mean today!) :) [ Post a Reply to This Message ]

Subject: Miss America's Outstanding Teen 2009 South Carolina's Taylor Hannah Fitch Author: Anonymous [ Edit | View ] Date Posted: Tue, Aug 19 2008, 12:50pm [ Post a Reply to This Message ]

Subject: MAOT Update 2 Author: Anonymous [ Edit | View ] Date Posted: Tue, Aug 19 2008, 12:47pm Wed night prelims: Opening # remained the same, but there were some additions to tonights' show that were fun and entertaining! Nicole Johnson was the emcee again. Caitlyn performed her routine that she won MAOT with last year (Show Off). Note by Moderator: Show Off is the Name of the Song which Caitlin danced to last year. Heather is NOT calling Caitlin a Show Off! Maria also entertained tonight- sang 'Gorgeous'. --- One difference tonight was a fitness production number featuring ALL contestants in their fitness outfits. It was ALOT of dance! The girls were breathing hard afterwards! :) They had two great gymnast guys that also danced and tumbled. Fitness competition began. They bring 6 contestants out on stage at a time. When all 6 are finished, the next 6 come out on stage. Sydney's body was amazing (again, I'm unbiased ;) so, take this as FACT!) She did a good job on her fitness routine. It is quite obvious that those girls with some dance background have an advantage in this category b/c the 'routine' takes some coordination and body rhythmn. I have no doubt if Syd had had an opportunity to work on her 'routine' with someone prior to coming to MAOT or even sometime this week, she would have had it better, but for some people, these things just don't come as natural. In MY opinion... and I'm not trying to make excuses for Sydney not winning fitness tonight... the outfits they have them wearing really equalize the 'playing field' quite a bit. To me, you hide a big portion of showing off your fitness by covering up your abs and shoulders. I think Sydney would have had a better shot at winning tonight had the contestants been in aerobic wear. Additionally, I'm not sure what this 'routine' is supposed to show or prove? It doesn't really show 'fitness' at all, it shows coordination-- but, can't you be fit and not necessarily coordinated? LOL... sorry, off my soapbox! Syd looked great regardless, so I'm sure she got some high points! The girl (CA) that won was VERY thin. She was (IMO)just skinny. In her bio that they read, she does ballet and volleyball and seems very active... so her heart be 'fit', but IMO, her body was not the one that looked the most fit... not much tone AT ALL. However, with that said, I thought CA had a strong gown last night, so maybe the judges were trying to make up some scores?? who knows?! I'm just guessing b/c she was not on my radar for fitness tonight! --- Talent-- I definitely had ARK up there! I also had KY as a top contender. They were both dancers. KY was a jazz dance, very animated and entertaining... good technique and choreography. ARK was a tap dancer. She started off with music, but shortly after it began, she went acapello--- no music, just taps!! She was incredible and very entertaining... VERY clear taps! She had incredible tap mics, so you heard her every move... really really neat! The music never came back on, she just tapped and had great rhythmn! I was not at all surprised ARK won talent. She deserved it! But now, we have 2 strong tap dancers as talent wins... hope they like SINGERS tomorrow night! lol :) ---- EG and OSQ: I personally LOVED TN and OK gowns, but was not impressed with their OSQ answers. I felt they both struggled a bit to get their words out and were not as eloquent speakers as some of the others. TN gown was a metallic mix... kind of a purplish metallic as an overall 'skirt' with a silver metallic 'sheath' (hard to explain), but I liked it! And she modeled it very well. They style was kind of like Molly's at Miss America, but with metallic material... she opened up the overall like Molly did when she modeled. (does that help?) OK gown was a red large floral skirt with a solid beaded bust. It was striking, but I can see how it would be hit or miss with some people (in other words, some might not like it, but i did!). I had NC, VA and UT as my top overall EG/OSQ contenders. I thought their gowns were very pretty. NC was a melon/coral color. (It was a Sherri Hill I believe bc I think I've seen it before, but don't quote me!) It was another overlay skirt, but all one color with just rhinestoned spaghetti straps. I thought the color just popped and really liked her modeling. VA was a rich light blue, strapless with a V neckline and a rhinestone broach of sorts at the bust area. Again, hard to explain, but very pretty! UT was another light blue, cap sleeve, high neck... solid bead top and just blue (no beading) bottom... another overlay type of skirt. (I must like those, huh?!) It was very unique, but I thought she pulled it off well! All 3 of these girls had excellent answers! The girl that won (N Dakota) wore a white strapless gown. I didn't think it was anything special, but DID like her answer! So, I guess the answers are really weighing in on the scores for this combined category... which is GREAT for SYD!!! Since she also won this category, maybe that means they really liked her interview too?!?! :) ---- ok, now for the BEST part of the show!!! THE PRINCESS PRODUCTION NUMBER!!! lol The Nat'l Princesses were announced one by one tonight as they paraded across the stage (so cute!). THEN... they performed a dance routine to "Pumpin' Up the Party Now"!! It was precious and of course Texas had the cutest princesses up there! :) Megan Miller (our very own) was the lead singer in this number... it was very cool! She did extremely well and looked great! LOVED this number!!! (and no, it's not b/c my daughter was in it!... yea right!) ----- I have several pics and videos that I will ATTEMPT to post of today! Wish me luck! (moderator, I may need help with the videos, I've never done that before!) And I apologize that my rinky-dink camara cannot zoom in or get as clear of pictures as Jim's or some others, but hey! it's something to see, right?! I hope you enjoy! [ Post a Reply to This Message ]

[> Subject: Heather Bruce Author: Anonymous [ Edit | View ] Date Posted: Tue, Aug 19 2008, 12:31pm Ok, I decided to just post non-competition photos until Jim posts his and if by some chance I got one that he didn't I will post, but his are such great quality, let's just wait to see his, shall we? :) --- Early Morning Princesses get ready for rehearsals!! SYDNEY at rehearsals! (after lunch @ the Rosen Hotel) (taking a break at the convention center) chatting... no surprise! :) Princesses get ready for "Pumpin' Up the Party" production # Syd @ visitation after tonight's prelim GORGEOUS in white! Syd and her proud dad Isn't it great to have a sister who is a massage therapist???!! Texas gals ---- ENJOY! I may post more after Jim posts his, so check back! Can't wait for talent tomorrow (I mean today!) :) [ Post a Reply to This Message ]

[> Subject: *** Author: Anonymous [ Edit | View ] Date Posted: Tue, Aug 19 2008, 12:32pm Just a little update on a small break: Sydney's talent rehearsal could not have gone better!! She sounded amazing and we are sooo excited about tonight! Her talent gown is sensational and her voice is awesome! In fact, it went so well, Lydia didn't even have her sing it for the 2nd run through! :) The group as a whole is pretty strong, I think as a whole probably the strongest (although I only saw 1/2) I missed the 1st half b/c we had princess luncheon today at the same time, but out of the 2nd half, I thought the last 3 girls were the strongest tho-- TX, NH, PA. I'm sure there were other strong ones in 1st half too, just didn't see them. :( ----------- The princess luncheon was soooo cool! All the National Princesses were CROWNED by Caitlin and Kirsten-- how cool is that?!?! [ Post a Reply to This Message ]

[> Subject: Heather Bruce Author: Anonymous [ Edit | View ] Date Posted: Tue, Aug 19 2008, 12:32pm my first video attempt-- if this works, just fyi, it will be dark (no light on my digital camera) and I apologize that I didn't get the 1st Tx princess, they called them up out of order and we weren't prepared: [ Post a Reply to This Message ]

[> Subject: Heather Bruce Author: Anonymous [ Edit | View ] Date Posted: Tue, Aug 19 2008, 12:34pm Ok, so today was pretty exciting as you can imagine! We started the day off with the Princess luncheon-- as stated above! Then, off to talent rehearsals-- stated above! Then, tonight's prelims: Kirsten Haglund was the emcee tonight... she is a FABULOUS speaker! If there were any doubts before tonight, there aren't any longer! She looked beautiful and also performed 'Taylor the Latte Boy' and was sensational as well! Beautiful new haircut and was just sensational! --- New production # with the princesses & all contestants tonight. It was a High School Musical number and was just too cute!! I videoed it, so I'll post it in a bit (takes a while to upload). --- Fitness: I thought TN was awesome! Her body was rockin' (legs and arms) and she did a great 'routine', but hey... what do I know?! :) Again, this fitness category is weird b/c you can't really see the girls' bodies that well (at least not as well as you could in aerobic wear)and the routine sometimes distracts you from the person's body b/c some of these girls look really awkard doing this routine. Tonight, my fav was TN, but also liked AZ, VA and OK. --- Talent: I felt overall, this group was stronger than the other groups. There was no clear cut winner to me, but several really strong talents. I will say I was in the dressing room, changing my princess into her next outfit, so only got to hear the vocalists (closed circuit TV in the dressing room) of the first half of talents. Of those first half vocalists, I thought LA was good. I came in the auditorium when MI began and thought she was a solid dancer. Would have scored her pretty well. Then, Tx, NH and PA were all really strong as well! They were the last 3 and were all right up there! I was afraid another tapper would take it (NH). The fact that Syd won talent, I feel says that the judges are liking her b/c the award could have just as easily gone to one of the other girls... it was just a tough group! --- EG/OSQ: I had 2 girls that I thought were good... ARK, CO and SC I felt ARK gown was the MOST stunning! CO and SC gowns were very pretty! Ark and Co (IMO) answers were about equal. But, SC gave an incredible answer! Knocked it out of the ballpark! The crowd went wild! Her answer dealt with giving respect to our Pres regardless of whether we agreed with his decisions or not. She gave a personal example and spoke soooo well and with tons of conviction... it gave me chills. It was really really good and the entire crowd responded positively, not just the SC group. ---- the closing EG production was soooo precious with the princesses and contestants! loved it! Sydney's closing gown was another different one! First night, she wore her gold EG. Last night, she wore a white off the shoulder chiffon (it was actually my gown the one year I competed as a teen!). And tonight, she wore a black and white polka dot w/ hot pink bow belt... sooo cute for a production gown! --- as stated, Fitness went to UT (didn't have this one picked at all, so they must like her or are looking for something different than me!) Talent went to TEXAS!!!! It was amazing! Sydney was soooo surprised and thrilled and shocked and overwhelmed... you could see the mirad of emotions flowing! EG/OSQ went to ARK-- not surprised! She looked great! ARK delegation is sitting right behind us, so it's been a fun week with them and now both Tx and Ark being the only double prelim winners! Sloan's (Teen Ark) grandfather sits right behind me and he is sooo funny to listen to... a very proud grandpa! He is orginally from Tx and is supporting Sydney tremendously as well! ---- Visitation was fun-- both Maria and Caitlin came over to get a photo with Sydney and tell her congratulations, so that was extra special! Of course, Megan was there too!! Syd's princesses mobbed her with excitement! Lots of smiles, tears and laughter tonight! We are looking forward to Saturday and are praying that God's will be done and that Sydney has a great experience and is proud of ALL she has accomplished this week already! Let the chips fall where they may! All of you that have texted me with your words of encouragement and hugs and well wishes to Syd, I have passed them all along! She says, "AWWW! Tell them THANK YOU!" (with a huge smile!) [ Post a Reply to This Message ]

[> Subject: *** Author: Anonymous [ Edit | View ] Date Posted: Tue, Aug 19 2008, 12:35pm some pics to enjoy! --- PRINCESS LUNCHEON [ Post a Reply to This Message ]

[> Subject: *** Author: Anonymous [ Edit | View ] Date Posted: Tue, Aug 19 2008, 12:35pm High School Musical Production # (Texas Princesses) (A cheer for Sydney!) [ Post a Reply to This Message ]

[> Subject: *** Author: Anonymous [ Edit | View ] Date Posted: Tue, Aug 19 2008, 12:36pm Talent Talent WIN! [ Post a Reply to This Message ]

[> Subject: **** Author: Anonymous [ Edit | View ] Date Posted: Tue, Aug 19 2008, 12:38pm VISITATION! Tears of JOY! Megan offers words of wisdom from a fellow double prelim winner! Supportive pageant sisters! Mobbed by the princesses SILLY FACES! Caitlin congratulates Syd! Group shot of MAOT contestants Leaving convention center Still has the SMILE! :) [ Post a Reply to This Message ]

[> Subject: ******* Author: Anonymous [ Edit | View ] Date Posted: Tue, Aug 19 2008, 12:41pm Today was a fun, non stressful day! The princesses and contestants had a 'make-over' party and fashion show! It was too cute! The contestants had a princess to 'makeover' and design a dress (made out of plastic table cloth type material, staples, glue, safety pins, tape, etc), then the parents and whomever else wanted to come, could watch their fashion show as the princesses 'walked the runway'! It was too cute! I'll try to upload the videos and post them. After that, we had a 50s Sock Hop! The princesses, contestants, the past MAOT contestants and current MAO contestants all came dressed in 50s attire! 50s music, food and decor! There was a silent auction and live auction. Kirsten Haglund performed 2 songs. It was very fun!! A good time was had by all and I will post pics and video hopefully soon! OH!!! How could I forget... our very own princess, Nicki Sue WON the hula hoop contest!!! Out of all the princesses and contestants, NICKI won! They had 6 'semi finals', she won the first semi finals. Then, the 6 finalists competed again for the WINNING title of Hula Hoop CHAMP!The finalists consisted of 3 princesses, 1 Teen MAOT girls and 2 Miss MAO contestants. The DJ made them hold their hands up, then walk to the right, jump up and down, take 3 steps forward, etc.. stuff like that---she almost lost it once, it went down to her thighs and she managed to work it back up and soon thereafter WON!! She was sooo excited! I got it all on video, so I hope to post it too, it was too cute to see her face when they said she won! As her prize she won a MAOT pink and white umbrella -- she's thrilled! :) Well, that's as much fun as we could stand for one night :) saving our energies for tomorrow night... can't wait!! :) maybe Nicki Sue won't be the only finalist from TEXAS?!??! ;) [ Post a Reply to This Message ]

[> Subject: ***** Author: Anonymous [ Edit | View ] Date Posted: Tue, Aug 19 2008, 12:44pm here are some videos (sorry so dark): -- this first one I forgot I couldn't turn my camera horizontally for a video, so you have to watch it with your head tilted! lol but you get the idea... each princess was given the chance to walk the runway in their 'fashion' that was created by the OTs. The OTs were the 'emcee' as the princesses walked the runway. --- Alannah models her couture gown! :) _____ All princesses in the 'finale' walk! [ Post a Reply to This Message ]

[> Subject: *** Author: Anonymous [ Edit | View ] Date Posted: Tue, Aug 19 2008, 12:45pm PHOTOS from the 50s Sock Hop! -- SYDNEY dances with her Princesses! --- Boy meets Girl! ---- And the courting begins! :) ---- Good time had by ALL! --- Entertainment provided by "UP Beat" --- Sydney and CO OT w/ Caitlin --- Princesses get some time with Miss America!! ---- Let the Hula Hooping begin! Our own Megan Miller gives it a try! --- Alannah tries a 'different' technique! :) --- But, Nicki Sue prevails! WINNER!!!! The FINAL contest-- 6 finalists! -- She wins a MAOT pink/white umbrella!! --- MORE DANCING! Sydney get's 'low, low, low, low'! :) --- Time for some 'ho-down' fun! What's so funny?!?! ---- Caitlin gets her groove on! --- And so does Megan! --- Kirsten performs "Ice Cream" --- GROUP SHOT! [ Post a Reply to This Message ]

[> Subject: *** Author: Anonymous [ Edit | View ] Date Posted: Tue, Aug 19 2008, 12:45pm From our viewpoint, here are the contestants mom & I have in top 10... this was really, really hard! It's so difficult to know what these 6 judges are looking for, but here's our guess: KY ARK SC VA OK UT TX CA TN MD with several other strong girls that could be up there too: CO, MN, ND, MI, AZ, NH Good luck to all the OUTSTANDING teens, you are all amazing just to be on the National stage!! There are 1000s of teens that would LOVE to be in your shoes this week! Savor every moment-- this is truly a once in a lifetime experience! Best of luck! in 4 1/2 hrs the show will begin!! YEAH!!! [ Post a Reply to This Message ]

[> Subject: Gary Tom Scott Author: Anonymous [ Edit | View ] Date Posted: Tue, Aug 19 2008, 12:46pm Sending best wishes and warm thoughts to you Sydney! You have been just simply amazing this past week, and I'm so glad that the rest of the country is seeing just how special you are. You've made Texas so proud! I remember telling you at Miss Ft. Worth's Outstanding Teen pageant, that you had it in you to win the national contest, and all you had to do was believe in yourself. You are simply AMAZING!!!! Best of luck tonight as you compete for the title of a lifetime! Savor the memories and know we back home love you to pieces! [ Post a Reply to This Message ]

[> Subject: Kelle Bryant Author: Anonymous [ Edit | View ] Date Posted: Tue, Aug 19 2008, 12:47pm I have been glued to this message board all week. Good luck Sydney. I am soooo excited for you. You have had an amazing week!!Heather, thanks for all the updates and photos [ Post a Reply to This Message ]

Subject: SYDNEY WINS TALENT!!!! Author: Anonymous [ Edit | View ] Date Posted: Tue, Aug 19 2008, 12:27pm Photos sent in by Arkansas Moderator Note from Arkansas Moderator - Here ya go! I think they might be the last 2 standing. What do you think? Teen Texas OT and Arkansas OT [ Post a Reply to This Message ]

[> Subject: **** Author: Anonymous [ Edit | View ] Date Posted: Tue, Aug 19 2008, 12:27pm Author Topic: sydney won talent beaux Wellborn posted 8/15/08 1:41 AM -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- beaux Wellborn posted 8/15/08 1:42 AM -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Heather just texted me..... YAY! beaux Wellborn posted 8/15/08 1:43 AM -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Arkansas won Gown Utah won Fitness Double Prelim posted 8/15/08 1:48 AM -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Texas and Arkansas are the only 2 double prelim winners!!!! Beaux Wellborn posted 8/15/08 1:48 AM -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- So excited for Sydney and Double Prelim Win. Heather says that Sydneys group was the toughest in talent so this is really good for her this year... She will be up there! TX WINS TALENT (Moderator) posted 8/15/08 1:56 AM -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Phone call said - WE WON TALENT~! Texas won Talent, Arkansas Won Gown Utah won Fitness! TX WINS TALENT (Moderator) posted 8/15/08 2:12 AM -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- (IMHO) A Possible Top Five would be: Arkansas, Oklahoma, Colorado (unless her twisted ankle is tooo bad to dance on), ? (several other great ones) and TEXAS! Let's hope and pray for Sydney! Linda Jaresh posted 8/15/08 2:13 AM -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Way to go Sydney! Congratulations! Please post pictures as soon as possible, Jim and Heather. I rally do appreciate you posting the pictures, it is the next best thing to being there. Please give her a hug from all of us. Linda Jaresh Cassidy Arend posted 8/15/08 3:18 AM -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- There are new pictures posted on my blog.. just to let everybody know! Sydney was incredible tonight!!! http://sydneymaot.blogspot.com Scarlett O'Hara posted 8/15/08 3:21 AM -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Did she perform the same song that she sang at Teen Texas? Heather Bruce posted 8/15/08 3:34 AM -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- no, she sang 'God Bless This Child'! She loves this song! Cheryl posted 8/15/08 3:47 AM -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Brenda Lowery (Taylor's mom) sent me some photos this afternoon that I will be posting to the MPFO blog...would post here too but I have no idea how http://www.mpfo.com/blog/index.php posts moved to same topic: (Moderator) posted 8/15/08 12:58 AM -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Author Topic: Sydney WON talent MAOT posted 8/15/08 1:45 AM -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Sidney won talent tonight!!!!! -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Chris M posted 8/15/08 1:49 AM -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Congratulations to Sydney on her second win. One more to go. I think Taylor had better get some sleep because I think she might be on the verge of being Miss Teen Texas!!!! http://www.elliscountypageants.org [ Post a Reply to This Message ]

Subject: 2009 Miss America Roster - Names of All State Title Holders Author: Anonymous [ Edit | View ] Date Posted: Sun, Jul 20 2008, 4:02am Here are the 52 2009 Miss America contestants: Alabama - Amanda Tapley Alaska - Stephany Jeffers Arizona - Erin Nurss Arkansas - Ashlen Batson California - Jackie Geist Colorado - Jamie Dukehart-Conti Connecticut - Ashley Glenn Delaware - Galen Giaccone DC - Kate Grinold Florida - Sierra Minott Georgia - Chasity Hardman Hawaii - Nicole Fox Idaho - Elise Davis Illinois - Katie Lorenz Indiana - Katie Stam Iowa - Olivia Myers Kansas - Emily Deavers Kentucky - Emily Cox Louisiana - Blair Abene Maine - Adrienne Watkinson Maryland - Louise Schlegel Massachusetts - Alicia Zitka Michigan - Ashlee Baracy Minnesota - Angie McDermott Mississippi - Christine Kozlowski Missouri - Lacey Fitzgerald Montana - Jennifer Hepner Nebraska - Gretchen Bergquist Nevada - Julianna Erdesz New Hampshire - Natalie Shaw New Jersey - Ashley Fairfield New Mexico - Christina Olmi New York - Leigh-Taylor Smith North Carolina - Amanda Watson North Dakota - Tessie Jones Ohio - Karissa Martin Oklahoma - Kelsey Cartwright Oregon - Danijela Krstic Pennsylvania - Kendria Perry Rhode Island - Francesca Simone South Carolina - Anna Perry South Dakota - Alexandra Hoffman Tennessee - Ellen Carrington Texas - Rebecca Robinson Utah - Kayla Barclay Vermont - Ashley Wheeler Virginia - Tara Wheeler Virgin Islands - Shamika Thomas Washington - Janet Harding West Virginia - Kayla Lynam Wisconsin - Briana Rose Lipor Wyoming - Courtney Gifford [ Post a Reply to This Message ]

Subject: Miss Texas Organization Loses Friend B.Don Magness 8/12/1932-7/17/2008 www.voy.com/216568/ Author: Anonymous [ Edit | View ] Date Posted: Sat, Jul 19 2008, 1:27pm [ Post a Reply to This Message ]

[> Subject: Former Miss Texas's and Contestants and Volunteers Remembering B.Don Magness Author: Anonymous [ Edit | View ] Date Posted: Sat, Jul 19 2008, 1:27pm Author Topic: I Remember BDon Lolly posted 7/17/08 7:38 PM -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- I have just moments ago learned of BDon's passing. I hope the readers of this board will allow me to post my thoughts and then others will join me in sharing their memories...I was 10 years old when I met him, it was 1970 and Phyllis George was Miss Texas. I knew then that I wanted to be her and I figured out pretty soon that this man was the most important person around and that he, with all his knowledge and power, could help me get there. In my mind he was the Wizard of Oz..."the great and powerful oz". Over the next ten years as I grew up, I spent the first week of July every summer in Fort Worth at The Miss Texas Pageant. Oh my gosh, I really wanted to be her. I was always in awe and maybe a bit afraid of Oz, but I began to consult with him and listen to him. He was without a doubt one of the funniest people I had ever been around. I usually didn't get his jokes, but I laughed anyway. My yellow brick road never led me to the crown (although I came close once), but it did give me the opportunity to know one of the kindest, dearest, smartest pageant people in all the world. Just like the wizard in oz, he was just a normal guy, a great big teddy bear. He was the Miss Texas Pageant and I will miss knowing that he was that bigger than life figure behind the curtain...the Great and Powerful Oz. Rest in peace, B Don. http://twocleverchicks.com event planning560210 ************************************************** Brooke posted 7/17/08 7:50 PM -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Lolly I two was in the same shoes as yourself. I first met him when I was 12 years old and wanted to compete at Miss Teen Texas, I had heard he was the man behind the scenes and I needed to meet him. When I was determined to make top 5 at Miss Texas I went to his home to meet with him and Jean, Jean asked me what the spot was on the side of my nose and I said a mole, but I would really like for it to be gone, and he said well go win the dang pageant so we can have it done. I will never forget his sense of humor and his forward opinion. He would tell you what he liked and what he didn't like, and that is what I will miss about him. Not to many people can tell you they don't like something with a smile on their face, but he sure could! Even though I never won that crown but came oh so close I had the honor of getting to know a great man! B Don you will deeply be missed but know that your legacy will live on. My prayers are wtih Jean and the family. *************************************************** Lisa '02 posted 7/17/08 7:51 PM -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- One of my favorite memories with B. Don after I won Miss Texas, was that every free afternoon... which wasn't very often... he would sit in one easy chair and I would sit in another. And we would "compete" against each other in Jeopardy. He would sit there with his famous cigar in his mouth and get "really mad" whenever I would beat him at the final question. =) He was like another grandfather to me. Each Miss Texas generally comes up with a nickname for him. Mine was Obi Wan. Very fitting... considering he truly was the "Obi Wan of pageants." He will be greatly missed. And I know not just by those who had the privilege to live with he and Jean. **************************************************** TM posted 7/17/08 7:54 PM -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Lolly, what an eloquent way to put it. Although I never competed myself, I grew up in the Dallas area and I always knew who B. Don Magness was, as far back as I can remember. Getting to know him over the last 10 years has been an honor. He will truly be missed. ********************************************* Miss Carrollton Org posted 7/17/08 7:56 PM -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Our thoughts and prayers are with Jean and the family at this time. God Bless. http://misscarrolltonorganization.com ***************************************************** Chris & Alex M posted 7/17/08 8:06 PM -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- I (Chris) did now know B Don; however, Alex did. As such my memories are few but I do have one that sticks out and it is from just a few weeks ago. I was eerily struck by Jean's prophetic remarks on stage about, and correct me if I mix this up, "the old bald man" who was not in the audience this year. I remember thinking as she told that story how things change so quickly in life, sometimes for the better and sometimes for the worse. There can be no doubt that B Don Magness was a rainmaker, Miss America's Outstanding Teen is proof of it. We shoud all strive to be rainmakers in our own life and pay our respects when one passes on to the next life. May God hold the Magness family and keep them. Goodnight Mr Magness and God Speed. ************************** Sherry & Jim posted 7/17/08 8:41 PM -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- I'm not quite so eloquent but can say after about 25 years of knowing B.Don that he will be sorely missed. His wit, his willingness to help, his love of his pageant family, but most of all his love of his fellow man. He was funny, kind and passionate about everything he did. I'm sure he is up there having great conversations with our own Suzanne Lawrence as we speak. Jean and the entire family are in our thoughts and prayers. Hug your husband, wife, child.... Life passes way too quickly! http://www.DuncanvillePageants.org ************************************************** B. Don, THE Icon of Pageants posted 7/17/08 9:00 PM -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- I am so sorry to hear about B. Don. I am in Toronto through the 22nd on business and have received several telephone calls/messages and a bunch of text messages. He is and always will be THE Pageant Icon!! During his tenure, the Miss Texas Organization was THE leading pageant to win. All of my friends across the U.S. said that their titleholders would love to be Miss Texas. I also attribute the success of the Miss Teen Texas Program and the Miss America’s Outstanding Teen Program to B. Don because he had the foresight to acknowledge the need for a teen feeder program. Texas has had three former Miss Teen Texases (Carly Jarmon, Tara Watson…and now Rebecca Robinson) who went on to become Miss Texas…and Texas had the very first Miss America’s Outstanding Teen (Meghan Miller). Please keep his son Scott, Jean, and the rest of their families in your thoughts and prayers. If anyone knows anything about a memorial service or funeral arrangements, can you please post them as soon as possible. I would like to make travel arrangements to attend. ~ Michael Hannah ~ ******************************** my idol posted 7/17/08 9:27 PM -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- I was only in 8th grade when my sister began competing in locals. I along with the rest of my family were clueless as to what exactly Texas pageantry was. When my sister entered her first local we didn't even know it went to a Miss Texas Pageant much less The Miss America Pageant. At her first local she didn't place but progressively did better over the next year and a half till she finally won the local she had always coveted. During the growing and learning period of Texas Pageantry we learned who the movers and shakers were and who we needed to get to know. The first and only name on everyone's lips was always B. Don Magness. Say what you will, but if the man loved you or even remotely liked you...you were Golden! I remember hearing how pageant people spoke of him and whether you feared him, loved him or hated him...he was respected by everyone. I loved that about him, I loved the power and respect he had. As a little kid (a blossoming gay male) and lover of everything Pageantry, I wanted to be this man. I wanted to meet him to pick his brain and learn the ropes because unbeknownst to him I too was going to eventually "own" Miss Texas just like him. The only thing was, we didn't live in the Dallas area, so meeting him was almost an impossibility!!! Until one day....My sister's Executive Director told my sister that she was going to be a visiting queen at the Miss Georgetown Pageant because she was asked to judge. she also mentioned that B.Don and Mary Mc Mullen (another one of my idols) were going to be judging as well and that it would be a good idea to get to know him and have him get to know her. As soon as I heard this, I plotted my plan and some how managed to wiggle my way in and tag along on this once in a lifetime chance meeting. I knew that once I met this living legend that the wheels of my taking over Miss Texas someday would be in motion and nothing would be able to stop them. For some reason, the pageant was held on a Friday and I begged my mother to let me miss a day of school to be able to make the trip with my sister and her director. Thankfully, she said yes! So there I am sitting in the audience and I see the back of the heads of all these judges and I try to figure out which one belongs to the powerful B.Don Magness! As the judges get introduced they start reading B. Don's bio and I soaked it all in!! Then, all of a sudden to my total surprise this chubby, bald man stand up and waves to the crowd. THAT'S B. DON MAGNESS?!?!?! Not at all what I envisioned the "God of Pageantry" looking like, he more resembled a cleaner cut, shaven Santa Clause than a feared and respected pageant mogul! I studied his every move!!! After the pageant I wanted to meet him, but he left right away. I was totally bummed out. I saw my fate slipping through my hands. As my sister, her director and I walked out of the theater she told my sister we had to go to a convenience store to pick up some chips, dip and sodas because......B. DON MAGNESS was coming over with Mary MAC and a few other judges for a night cap! I could not believe it!!!! B. DON in my very own room...I was beside myself!! I could pick his brain at total leisure! We get to the room and we wait and wait and wait, as a little kid I started to get extremely tired and could hardly keep my eyes open. Next thing I know, I wake up to the sounds of "good bye's" and "See you in July". I slept right through his visit!!!! The man who was going to teach me everything I needed to know was in my room and I slept right through it!!! The only thing I ever remember seeing was his ENORMOUS diamond covered ring on his hand that spelled "B.Don"! As the years went by, my sister had given up pageantry all together but as a family we stayed involved on local levels. Sadly, I never had the opportunity again to meet the man that I admired and wanted to be like, but to this day I hold him with the utmost respect and credit him for making Texas Pageantry what it is today. Here's to you B. Don ******************************* Holly Graves-Hill posted 7/17/08 9:54 PM -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- I am devastated as I write this. I knew this day would come but prayed that it wouldnt be so soon. I cant help but think that he waited until after Miss Texas so that Jean could be with all of us. I was lucky enough to compete in the very first Miss Teen Texas pageant that was the vision of B.Don Magness. I did not know then how important he was to so many people. However, as my time as a contestant came to an end and I became a local director, I found out how truly compassionate he really was. One of my first wedding gifts was from Jean and B.Don and they were some of the first people who I spoke to after my daughter was born. He will be dearly missed but he has left a legacy in each girl who has passed through this system. I hope that Heaven can handle B.Don and Bob Horan both!!! http://www.misstarrantcounty.org ********************************** Old Mom posted 7/17/08 9:57 PM -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- I first met B-Don in 1984 when a friend was competing in the Miss Texas Pageant. He was full of advice and concern and wit!! I never forgot him. Many years later I found myself on the board of a local pageant then the mom of a contestant. I was amazed to find out that B-Don never forgot me either. He was still funny and kind and just as concerned with any contestant who took the time to ask questions and seek help. He will be greatly missed in this system and in the lives of all the girls he influenced over the years. I hope and pray his legacy will be of comfort to his family. Jean, please know you are in our hearts and prayers and while we mourn, we are forever grateful for having known your sweet husband. Thoughts... ****************************** (Moderator) posted 7/17/08 10:09 PM -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Receiving Committee.. besides his personal family who preceeded him... Bob Horan, Mike Miller, Suzanne Lawrence, Vanessa Hunt and more... *********************************************** Frank Lameira, Danfranc Productions posted 7/17/08 11:11 PM -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- There are certain people that make a BIG difference in the world of pageantry. Even in California the name of B. Don Magness was well known as an icon in pageantland. To his family I wish them the peace and solace. As a fellow pageant director, I can honestly say he will go down in pageant history as one of the most recognized and revered gentleman in the field. *********************************************** Scarlett O'Hara posted 7/18/08 0:41 AM -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- I never had the opportunity to meet B. Don but was able to meet Jean. I have really enjoyed reading all of the post that have been left telling of stories and rememberances of him. So many people admired and respected him. It has given those of us who didn't know him a glimpse into what kind of a man he was. Please keep the stories coming. It truely is heartwarming to read them. My prayers are with Jean and their family and also the Miss Texas family....There will never be another B. Don. ************************************************* Lillie Mae posted 7/18/08 1:04 AM -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- I am so saddened to hear about B Don's passing. I had talked with Jean during Miss Texas week and although she tried to contain her concern, I could sense she was worried sick. Although I have never competed, I had the privledge of talking with B Don on several occasions as my daughter was a LSP. He was so encouraging to all the young ladies competing, as well as to my daughter who was considering competing. I am sorry my daughter won't have the chance to really get to know this man of great humor and kindness, but I am very thankful that I have. He will be missed by so many. My thoughts and prayers go out to the Magness's, the Jones's and all the MTO board members who will feel his loss so much. Florist *************************************************** (Moderator) posted 7/18/08 5:36 AM -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Official Miss Texas Florist is "Foget me Not Florist" 817-831-0341 or 1-800-234-6279 Forget-Me-Not Florist & Gift Gallery 3209 Denton Hwy. Fort Worth, TX 76117 (800) 234-6279 http://www.forget-me-notflorist.net http://www.forget-me-notflorist.net -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- ******************************************************* Donna Rosas posted 7/18/08 5:37 PM -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Larry and I just got the news about BDon and are truely saddened by his passing. We might be out of the pageants but we still love all of our pageant family. Our prayers go out to Jean and all she is going through at this time of loss. BDon was always a huge part of our lives. I remember the first time I met BDon back in the 70's. He came and judged the Miss Humble pageant for us. After the pageant, we had a party at my home. The first thing BDon said to me was get rid of that husband, and I'll take you to Miss Texas. Of course he was kidding, but I was the same age as our Miss Humble, so I was certainly flattered! He and I became great friends after that. BDon taught me how to prepare a girl for Miss Texas, what to look for, how to enhance the best features,etc. When I married Larry and we got re-involved, after many years out of the system, raising my children, it was BDon who remembered me and welcomed me back with a huge hug. He and Larry became great buddies. It was Jean & BDon who would not accept our resignation when we "hocked the farm" one year trying to hold a concert to raise money for our girls. BDon told Larry "we need you kids, anyone who is willing to hock the farm for their girls is definately in this business for thye right reason...have you thought about a 'chipping toss' as a fund raiser?" We had a good laugh over that one. Lat year, when we went to Molly"s Homecoming in Buffalo, the first thing our of BDon's mouth was..."well, you kids ready to come back? I miss you two, things are not the same without you". Both of us miss the pageant, but we are so busy during the summer, we just can't take off work. I hated letting him down. Each of us who knew BDon Magness will miss him. But, each and everyone of us learned life lessons from him and we will have those for the rest of our lives. God Bless you BDon Magness! BLog / NEWS Article ********************************************************** (Moderator) posted 7/18/08 6:21 PM -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- History of the Miss Teen Texas Pageant ***The Miss Texas’ Outstanding Teen Program began 1990 as the Miss Teen Texas Program. It was the idea of B. Don Magness, who thought there should be a program to give younger teens an avenue to develop their public speaking skill and a forum to present their talents and viewpoints. The program also provided these young women the opportunity to be better prepared as they moved into the “Miss” competition age group. Since the first Miss Teen Texas, Brooke Bigelow, was select in 1990, Three (3) Miss Teen Texas’ have gone on to become future Miss Texas’. Miss Teen Texas 1992, Carly Jarmon went on to become Miss Texas 1995, and Miss Teen Texas 1993, Tara Watson went on to become Miss Texas 2000 and a top-ten finalist at Miss America. A few weeks ago, on July 8, Rebecca Robinson Miss Teen Texas 2000 became Miss Texas 2008 and will compete for Miss America 2009 in Vegas on Saturday, January 24, 2009. PLANET HOLLYWOOD RESORT & CASINO TO HOST 2009 MISS AMERICA LIVE! on TLC Saturday, January 24, 2009 After Texas having a teen program for 15 years, the Miss America Organization sponsored their first national competition, Miss America’s Outstanding Teen. Because of the title Miss America chose for the national competition, we changed our program title to Miss Texas’ Outstanding Teen. Our own Meghan Miller, Miss Texas’ Outstanding Teen 2005 went on to be selected the first ever Miss America’s Outstanding Teen 2006. In doing so, she not only takes a place in history as the first Miss America’s Outstanding Teen, but also won $33,000 in scholarships. The Miss Texas’ Outstanding Teen Competition is a program of the Miss Texas Organization. The Miss Texas Organization is an official state preliminary to the Miss America pageant. The Miss America Organization is the largest source for scholarship assistance for women in the world. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Colorful FW beauty pageant promoter dies 8:09 AM Fri, Jul 18, 2008| Yahoo! Buzz B. Don Magness sounds like one of those larger than life, friend-to-all, pick-up-the-bar-tab promoters of a bygone era. Magness (pictured in 1998), was the longtime organizer of the Miss Texas beauty pageant. He died Thursday at 75. His "personality was as big and flashy as the Miss Texas pageants he oversaw," writes Anna M. Tinsley. She adds: "Mr. Magness, who often had a cigar in his hand, was known for telling jokes, speaking his mind, even his self-promoting T-shirts -- including one that read, 'Matthew, Mark, Luke and B. Don.' " " **************************************************** Vicki posted 7/18/08 8:23 PM -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- I, too, am saddened at this loss. I've known B Don since 1976 and he was always a source of encouragement, laughter, knowledge and just "fun" to be around. I appreciated all he did for me and The Miss Arlington Pageant. He will be missed by so very many people. Jean and family: my thoughts and prayers are with you. [ Post a Reply to This Message ]