Never underestimate your competition!

Anyone who knows my style of training for pageants will know that the above statement is, basically, my mantra. As soon as you start thinking that noone else is working as hard as you, you get the contrary slappin you upside the head. Just let that one simmer a minute. Someone else could want this as badly as you do!

JillyBean is the new Miss Central Ohio!

Jilly's been working towards getting back to Miss Ohio and this year, Miss Central is her ticket. For those of you who may not know, Easter weekend is a pretty lucky draw for Jill. You see, the first title she ever held (Hilary and I had the honor of being her first EDs), Miss Buckeye State was also held over the Easter holiday that year. She had also had her share of frustration that year, but she overcame and channeled it positively and worked hard. After winning the last local pageant of the year, she made Top Ten and was competing on Finals night for the title, much to the chagrin of many titleholders who had previously beaten her during the competition season.....never underestimate your competition.

For those of you who can't make Miss Central and need a pageant fix, there's always Miss Ohio USA

Tomorrow night, March 22nd, ONN will be showing the Miss Ohio USA pageant at 8:00 p.m. I'm really excited that ONN has chosen to embrace both the USA and America systems and we now have an outlet to showcase many of Ohio's outstanding young women. I can't think of a better way to spend a Saturday evening than watching a pageant in my jammies, with a glass of wine and all the commentary I feel like making without offending anyone other than my family. Yeah!!

Sweet Sixteen!

It's so hard for me to believe that my little man is a big man now. Sixteen years ago today, I was looking at his tiny, scrunched up face and wondering what he would think, and feel, and how he would act. Well, he's grown up to be one of the most intelligent, thoughtful, and wonderful people I have ever known and I'm so lucky to call him my son! I love you beautiful boy!

The last of my fave photos from Mrs. Ohio International

Former Miss Ohio (America) and Mrs. Ohio International Renee Brown

Spirit Award Winner~Mrs. Columbus, Ocipare "Key" McKinley

Mr. & Mrs. Torres

The moment!

More photos from Mrs. Ohio International

My favorite part of the Mrs. competition was Evening Gown. The look of love and pride in each husband's face as he watched his wife was priceless. (My personal fave of these is the third up from the bottom. The look between these two is beautiful, and the composition with their shadows makes it even better!)

The new Miss Ohio International is...Kent Stater, Amanda Stevens!

Former Ohio Teen USA and Miss Ohio USA Top 15 Amanda Stevens is the new Miss Ohio International 2008. Amanda is obviously no newbie when it comes to the national stage, so hopefully she can bring home the Miss International crown, the only such national title to elude the Ohio International system to date.

The new Mrs. Ohio International is...

Mrs. Perrysburg, Gerri Walczak! Gerri has competed in Mrs. Ohio International before, and according to my great pal, Leslie Ondrey (1st RU to Brittany Jordan, Miss Ohio International 2007), she had a feeling this was going to be Gerri's year. Congratulations to Gerri and her entire family, and good luck at Mrs. International in July. I know you'll make all of us Buckeye Proud!

Just a few fun pics from the Ohio International Pageant

Meghan, Amy, and I scooted on down to Zanesville to support our buddy, Vicki (the new ED of Ohio International) and cheer on my girls Jackie and Jillian. I also had a chance to catch up with former, Heather Strickland Torres. Everyone looked totally fabulous and it was a great time!

Make new friends but keep the old, one is silver and the Others gold

I gotta say that I love my crew! They listen to me rant about politics, pageants, and just about everything in between. Last weekend, we had the chance to take take this picture while supporting our close pal Vicki, the new Executive Director of the Ohio International Pageant. Unfortunately, we're missing a couple of Others that had previous engagements, but I'm sure a mandatory Others Fun Night will be in order soon.

If I only had a brain ~ The Scarecrow

Much ado has been made recently of titleholders and their political opinions or support for certain candidates. Anyone who knows me personally, knows that I am a hard and fast Democrat with many opinions myself about politics and the world we now live in. As an advisor to a few of these outspoken young women (some who also happen to be outspoken bloggers), I have to say I am very proud of the fact that they aren't afraid to speak their minds and they can support their viewpoints with substance, even if I don't personally agree with what they say or how they feel. It definitely makes for spirited discussions, and pretty amazing prep. What my point is, is that you don't have to have a brain transplant to win Miss Local, Miss State or Miss America. Judges, EDs and board members may tell you that you should steer clear of certain subjects if they're controversial or if your answers are controversial. Don't do it. Stay true to you, no matter what others tell you to do, say, or think. You do have a brain and it didn't come from some wizard behind the curtain.

Win-at-all-cost attitudes, bashing boards and beauty pageants

One of the biggest reasons I find myself disinterested in the Miss Ohio organization is because of what it's become. The blood is in the water, and the feeding frenzy won't quit.

Unfortunately, I still believe in what the program can be, and that sucks. I couldn't put it in eloquent terms, since I don't feel the situation warrents it. These "discussion" boards have become an anonymous outlet for cowardly attacks, ridiculous accusations, and just downright nasty behavior. I'm so over it.

Until serious change happens, the vileness will continue and the lessons learned will not be about one's inner self, but how to win at all costs. This is not the Miss America I know and love.