Photo by Donald B. Kravitz


Atlantic City, NJ (May 10, 2017) – The Miss America Organization and the Casino Reinvestment Development Authority announced today the relocation of the Miss America Organization’s national headquarters to Historic Boardwalk Hall in Atlantic City.

“In 2013, the Miss America Competition returned to its home in Atlantic City’s Boardwalk Hall, and today, we are pleased to make the same announcement for the Miss America Organization,” said Josh Randle, COO of the Miss America Organization. “As we prepare for this year’s competition in September, we are thrilled to relocate our national headquarters to Boardwalk Hall, where so much of Miss America’s history has taken place.”

Originally known as Convention Hall, Boardwalk Hall was completed in 1929 and was declared a U.S. National Historic Landmark in 1987. The Miss America Competition, founded in 1921 in Atlantic City, was held in Boardwalk Hall consecutively from 1940 until 2004 and from 2013 to date.

“Historic Boardwalk Hall is the perfect home for the national offices of the Miss America Organization. We are excited to welcome them as a tenant and look forward to this year’s Competition” said Casino Reinvestment Development Authority Executive Director, Chris Howard.

Following an official ribbon cutting in Kennedy Plaza, guests were invited to tour the offices. The reception area is adorned with historic photos and memorabilia from the 1920’s, as well as one-of-a-kind charcoal portraits of former Miss America’s by renowned American artist Everett Raymond Kinstler – whose official portraits also include Presidents Gerald Ford, Jimmy Carter, and Ronald Reagan.

Miss America 2017, Savvy Shields of Fayetteville, Arkansas, was the most recent Miss America to be crowned in Boardwalk Hall. The 2018 Miss America Competition and 97th anniversary celebration will broadcast live from Boardwalk Hall on Sunday, September 10th on ABC.

Source: The Miss America Organization
The Miss America Organization, a 501(c)4 non-profit organization, is the nation’s leading advocate for women’s education and the largest provider of scholarship assistance to young women in the United States, awarding millions of dollars annually.  The Miss America Organization is comprised of 52 licensed organizations, including all 50 states, Washington, D.C., and Puerto Rico. Miss America contestants contribute tens of thousands of community service hours annually and have raised over $15 million for Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals and Miss America scholarships since 2007. For more information, visit www.MissAmerica.org.

About The Casino Reinvestment Development Authority (CRDA)
The only agency of its kind nationwide, the CRDA has used Atlantic City casino reinvestments as a catalyst for meaningful, positive improvement in the lives of New Jersey residents since 1984. Under the 2011 Tourism District Act, the Authority’s mission evolved from statewide projects to becoming the state’s key economic development agency for Atlantic City. CRDA’s expanded responsibilities now include land use regulation, tourism marketing and clean and safe initiatives. The CRDA also oversees Historic Boardwalk Hall (the leading entertainment venue of its size in the country) and the Atlantic City Convention Center. In total, CRDA has invested nearly $2 billion in more than 400 projects statewide, of which $1.8 billion has been invested in Atlantic City, spurring business investments and expansions, and creating permanent jobs in the process.

http://www.pageantcast.com/2017/05/miss-america-announces-new-home-at-historic-boardwalk-hall/

https://youtu.be/2SgmH4PvYTQ
PageantCast

Siria Ysabel Bojorquez, Miss Multiverse 2016 – About Miss Multiverse

• Interview with Siria Ysabel Bojorquez, Miss Multiverse 2016 – About Miss Multiverse

Websites:

• Miss Multiverse – http://missmultiverse.com/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/MissMultiverse/

http://www.pageantcast.com/2017/05/siria-ysabel-bojorquez-miss-multiverse-2016-about-miss-multiverse/

Podcast: Play in new window | Download

Elizabeth Mears (no relation) is one of the nicest, sweetest girls we’ve ever interviewed on “Scream at the Screen”…which makes the part she plays in Family Possessions all the more impressive.

Because she is kind of a bitch.

I think you’ll see here that it is all an act. Hell, I mean heck, she doesn’t even want to curse on camera. But I think you will see when it comes time to scream, she has what it takes!

• https://www.facebook.com/Familypossessions/
• http://www.horsecreekproductions.net/

This interview was taped at Days of the Dead Atlanta on February 4, 2017.

http://www.eastcoasthorrorgroup.com/archives/346

Tampa, FL, March 31, 2017 – A Note From Nicole: This past week I had the honor of attending “Momentum17”, the annual Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals Champion’s Event.  It was an absolutely amazing experience and I want to share some of the highlights with you. I learned of incredible medical advances that would not be possible without the funds that are needed for research and development.  I heard the stories of children with tremendous health challenges who, without the help of many donors like us, could face obstacles that simply should not exist.  I watched a little boy whose greatest challenge is to bear the weight of his own body walk the entire length of a runway (with the help of his mother) to receive his Champion’s Medal.  I listened to a rapper share a rap written by a young boy who was born with no lower jaw and the pure joy this young man felt as he shared his journey with the audience through his lyrics. I want each of you to know that your fundraising efforts for CMNH mean something very important.  I know that the kids and families that benefit from the funds we raise receive a priceless gift and I also know that CMNH honors this relationship with sincere gratitude. From The Chairman: I was humbled to attend Momentum with Nicole in celebration of our partnership with Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals.  Nicole and I were invited to meet the children and their families and to take part in all of the activities.  Little did we know the impact and emotional imprint this event would leave on our hearts! We were just two of 2500 attendees.  Nicole danced with the kids, collected THEIR autographs and state pins, applauded their tremendous accomplishments, and shed a few tears when realizing the gravity of some of their illnesses.  Our hearts were touched by their joy, smiles, laughter, and hope. But, there was another part of this experience that I found equally as heartwarming and amazing.  This event also honored corporations across the country for their fundraising and emotional support of CMNH.  I listened as teams from Walmart, Aflac, Panda Express, Rite-Aid, Chico’s, Marriott, RE/MAX, and many more shared their fundraising ideas, outreach, and the importance of employee and volunteer relations.  I couldn’t help but think of the tremendous impact that we (MAOTeen and MAO) have, through our giving, to make the lives of these children and their parents more manageable. One of our local/state titleholders will become Miss America’s Outstanding Teen.  She will assume the role of National Teen Ambassador for CMNH.  Monies raised in her CMNH account should be a reflection of her personal commitment to our national platform. So, when you raise funds for CMNH, know that your efforts are helping some of the most incredible children and families we could ever know.  They face everyday challenges just like you and I, but their challenges are magnified in ways that are hard for us to imagine.  You are giving so others can have a chance to live a “normal” life through the MIRACLE of Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals! ….Donna “For it is in giving that we receive.” St. Francis of Assisi

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Congratulations to Kára McCullough, Miss District Of Columbia USA 2017, just named the new Miss USA 2017! #MissUSA

Here are some photos on the run up to the pageant of Kara until we get those crowning pics. She did a great job tonight!

All photos are courtesy of Miss Universe Organization (which operates Miss USA).

http://www.pageantcast.com/2017/05/congratulations-to-kara-mccullough-miss-usa-2017/

PageantCast Gazette

• Ohio International Pageants 2017 Wrap Up
• Entire crowning ceremonies
• Post crowning excitement

Congratulations…Jr. Miss Ohio International Hala Jabri, Miss Teen Ohio International Au’Lauren Million, Miss Ohio International Leah Parker, and Mrs. Ohio International Teri Grothaus.

Websites:

• Ohio International Pageants – http://www.ohiointernationalpageants.com/
• FACEBOOK: Ohio International Pageants – https://www.facebook.com/Ohiointernationalpageant/

PROMO:

For great content, week after week, subscribe to the PageantCast at http://www.pageantcast.com/

http://www.pageantcast.com/2017/05/pageantcast-gazette-ohio-international-pageants-2017/

Atlantic City, NJ (April 26, 2017) – We promised great fanfare when we announced our Miss America Serves Incentive Awards. And, with the phenomenal results of $192,000 raised, it is with incredible gratitude that we declare the winners with trumpets sounding!

Top Individual Fundraising

#1)  MAOTeen contestant, Shae Smith, Missouri’s Miss Greater Springfield Outstanding Teen 2017, took her love of Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals, dancing, and fundraising to establish her undisputed lead early on with a monumental $10,614 raised.

#2)  In Texas, Spencer Davis, Miss Allen 2017, deserves accolades for her amazing work, adding $8,025 to Miss America Serves’ donations! With zest and faith in a bright, healthy future for children everywhere, Spencer shined a bright light of hope.

#3)  Tennessee’s Peyton Wilson, Miss Watauga Valley 2017, kept her “eye on the prize” as she energetically organized events to reach her fundraising goal, realizing exceptional donations of $6,475 to benefit CMN Hospitals and Miss America State Scholarships.

#4)  Justine Kerr, Miss Louisiana 2016, shared her day filled with the MLOTeen competition, their Louisiana state meeting, and one more important item on the agenda that morning, serving with the Miss Louisiana contestants at the Northeast Louisiana food bank! Justine raised an awesome $5,000 for Miss America Serves.

#5)   Miss Arkansas 2016, Savannah Skidmore, also raised a fantastic $5,000 and graciously praised service and sisterhood as the key to making Miss America Serves a success! Savannah’s expression of love and sacrifice is the heart of our National Day of Service.

I’m sure all will agree that the fanfare is well-deserved for everyone who participated and raised funds for Miss America Serves, especially these top five winners and their generous contributions of time and love that helped make the day great.

Each of our Top Five Individual Fundraisers will be honored with a $1,000 scholarship award for their remarkable achievements!

The fanfare continues as we announce our states that pledged to reach a Miss America Serves $5,000 goal, and then affirmatively determined that more was better. Each of our top five states, listed below, raised well over $5,000 and even surpassed $10,000! Their social media posts and messages echoed the same note of love and sacrifice, with great joy for the success of Miss America Serves.

Top Five States Fundraising

#1)   The Miss Missouri Team, captained by Miss Missouri 2016, Erin O’Flaherty, and her crew of fifty-eight participants, raised a record smashing $21,319!!  Erin and her splendid team collected donations until the cutoff on April 21st, after establishing a wide lead early on.  Determined to run a race to the finish full-out, they led as the famous Secretariat, at full speed until the race ended.

#2)   In our nation’s capital, the DC contestant team led by Miss District of Columbia 2016, Cierra Jackson, maintained a strong edge throughout Miss America Serves, and decisively preserved their spot on the leaderboard, while serving our military veterans and the miracle champions at National Children’s Hospital on that special day. Raising an incredible $14,201, their fortitude is a testament to the Miss America Serves’ mission.

#3)   Hayley Barber, Miss Alabama 2016, and her five contestant teams worked with various Habitat for Humanity programs throughout the state—raising funds for CMN Hospitals and building homes for the displaced and Alabama’s children to reach the memorable amount of $13,578.

#4)   The Miss Texas Serves Team, one hundred and ten participants strong, sailed into fourth place with the tenacity to serve presented by their Miss and Outstanding Teen contestants! Adding $13,065 to the Miss America Serves total, Miss Texas 2016, Caroline Carothers, messaged their joy at serving for the children of  the Ronald McDonald House in her Facebook post, remarking on the sweetness of a journey that brings smiles to children.

#5)  Team Kentucky’s own Hannah Robb, Miss Capital City 2017, and a former patient undergoing several surgeries in a Children’s Miracle Network Hospital, is forever indebted to their research and skill. Along with Miss Kentucky 2016, Laura Jones, the Kentucky Team displayed their service commitment as they brought the gifts of friendship and entertainment to the residents of Meadowthorpe Assisted Living, raising a grand total of $10,301 for Miss America Serves.

Each of our Top Five States will receive first placement in the ticket lottery for their State Organizations at the 2018 Miss America Competition this September in Atlantic City.
These are the champions of Miss America Serves, but there are still many more heroes, as we send a triumphant shout-out to all of our states, especially those achieving their $5,000 pledge. In return, we pledge you our eternal gratitude and thank you all for the sensational success that is Miss America Serves!

Source: Miss America Organization

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Atlantic City, NJ (April 27, 2017) – The Miss America Foundation is proud to announce its recent ranking by TheBestColleges.org as number one out of the 10 Biggest Scholarship Providers in the World!

The Miss America Foundation, a 501(c)3 non-profit organization — together with the Miss America Organization and its 52 licensed organizations — is the nation’s leading advocate for women’s education and the largest provider of scholarship assistance to young women in the United States, awarding millions of dollars annually in cash awards and in-kind tuition waivers. The Miss America Foundation strives to empower young women to achieve their academic and career goals by providing quality scholarship assistance.

The Miss America Foundation offers academic and community-based scholarships for undergraduate and graduate studies, as well as endowed scholarships for those young women attending medical school, working in special areas for military service awareness, and in the performing arts.

While traveling the country as an advocate for education, Savvy Shields, Miss America 2017, visited Arkansas yesterday to deliver the keynote address at El Dorado High School’s Academic Signing Day. With an audience of more than 300 students, Savvy shared the importance of education and what it has meant to her to receive over $90,000 in scholarship assistance through participating in the Miss America Organization.

“The Miss America mission of scholarship and success is shared each day at the local, state, and national levels of our program thanks to our volunteers,” said Josh Randle, COO of the Miss America Organization and Secretary of the Board of The Miss America Foundation. “Since 1945, scholarship has been at the forefront of the Miss America movement, and we are proud to continue the legacy of empowering young women across the country to pursue an education and fulfill their dreams.”

Source: Miss America Organization

For the counterpoint:

Source: YouTube

http://www.pageantcast.com/2017/05/the-miss-america-foundation-ranked-1-of-10-biggest-scholarship-providers-in-the-world/

http://www.pageantcast.com/2017/05/2017-miss-asia-usa-miss-latina-global-pageant-enrollment/

http://www.pageantcast.com/2017/05/maoteen-2017-teens-in-training-camp-discount-deadline-extended/