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February 2008 Edition Of
"The Excellence"
Mikaila's
Mirror
 Well
I can’t believe it’s already February, the year is flying by at the blink of
an eye. Speaking of flying the flu and cold bug have been going around like mad
crazy in
Arizona
and sad to say I have been battling a cold which is odd for me because I NEVER
get sick. With a lot of Vitamin C, soup, and Medication I am finally getting
better YAY for SOUP!
I
am very excited to share that I will be starting my first official tour as Miss
Gay America 2008 next week. I will be in Jackson Florida February 1st through
the 3rd performing at Inca Hoot Nightclub with Karissa Wade. I also hope I get
to see my new friend who shared the top ten with me this year Coco Montrese Miss
Gay Florida America. Then I fly out to
Philadelphia
and
Baltimore
Maryland
on February 6th through the 10th. I am so thrilled to be asked back
again to the
Baltimore
area and perform at Miss Gay Baltimore on Friday February 8th at The
Hippo. I always have such a great time in
Maryland
with the
Baltimore
’s. Then I’ll be in
Louisville
Kentucky
on February 14th through the 17thwith Dakota
St.
James who I met my first year at Miss Gay America last year. I am happy to say
after that I’ll be back in
Arizona
with the semi warm climate LOL.
I’m so excited to get to travel to all the new places I’ll be this year it
really is a dream come true. I have always wanted to travel and see the country
and experience new things and this is my year to do it. I will be able to
represent the Miss Gay America title as your symbol of excellence, be involved
with so many functions and fundraisers I honestly can’t say how exciting the
journey is going to be and how much I’m going to grow from it along the way.
Prelims will be in full swing this next coming month with our first one in
Memphis for Miss Gay Mid America 2008 on March 14th I have been doing
a lot of training with L&T Entertainment getting myself prepared for
anything that may happen along the way and to be there for the promoters and
assist them in administrative duties. I have been in close contact with many of
my former Miss Gay America sisters learning the ropes, and getting tons of
advice along with helpful tips which I’m very grateful for.
My piece of advice this month, Always look at the glass half full. Think of all
the memories and experiences you can accomplish and create if you just be
yourself, and by doing so how much happier you’ll be. Take time for yourself,
enjoy a bubble bath, maybe a dinner out, go see that movie you have been dying
to see. I bet your thinking I’m
not going to go out ALONE! So what if you’re doing it alone we all need
“ME” time to sit back and be pampered and relax. If you don’t want to go
out try curling up in a huge comfy blanket with a good book and a cup of tea.
Don’t let life pass you by grab a hold of it and make it something special.
Mikaila Kay
Miss Gay America 2008
 From the desk of Larry & Terry
The
Effects of the Miss Gay America Pageant…..
No matter how much we see it, we continue to be amazed at how the Miss Gay
America pageant affects so many people in so many ways.
So many people, from all walks of life, put much of their energies into
this system, and then when their favorites do not win, they find it much easier
to support another system, in hopes that their favorite will have an easier win.
Yes it is heartbreaking to see some contestants not score as well as they do,
but we find it difficult to understand that prior to the pageant, we hear the
contestants say that their goal in life is to become Miss Gay America, then when
they do not win, or score as well as they hoped, it becomes so easy for them to
abandon goals, so early in their careers, and convert to another system.
Additionally, we have seen some promoters become similarly discouraged as well.
The “sweetest” time for us, in the pageant season, is the few days prior to
the contestants as everyone seems so excited and in great moods, being so “nicey-nice”,
then, when the Top 10 is announced, or the winner is announced, and critiques
are finished, things drastically change….That is when the “true”
personalities are shown, which only validates once more, the decision of the
judges…
We often say that pageantry is the most glamorous way to gamble but it is also
about sportsmanship. While every contestant is “in it to win it”, most
contestants will never do as well as they hope, until they can swallow their ego
and listen to the constructive criticism of the judges. While the contestant may
not always agree with the decision of the judges, there must be a realization
that the judges were selected to do a job, and they are the people who award
points, not the entourage’, audience or promoters. One must realize that when
an entry fee is paid, the opinion of the judges, about that particular
contestants is bought…
There
are contestants, who vow to never return to the Miss Gay America system, because
they failed to score as well as they had hoped, and rather than pointing the
finger to where it really should point, it is much easier to blame other, more
often than not, the panel of judges. There are promoters, who get offended
because their contestant did not score as well as they had hoped, and rather
than pointing the finger to where it really should point, it is much easier to
blame others. There are spectators who vow to never support the Miss Gay America
pageant system again because they do not agree with the results of the pageant,
because they do not see the Male Interview, nor watch the pageant, from the
birds-eye view of the judges, with an un-biased eye. They too must set aside
their biased opinion to see the consistency in the winner and Top 10… Remember
that the video is unbiased and speaks for itself…
We encourage contestants to grasp the concept that before you can become a
winner, you must learn to become a gracious looser. Yes, there is a long line of
contestants who never won Miss Gay America, that would have likely made an
incredible Miss Gay America, but it just was not “in the cards”.
As many of you are already conditioning yourself for competition in the
Miss Gay America 2009 pageant season, we encourage you to also mentally prepare
yourself for competition. More often than not, the most difficult part of
competing is dealing with the loss. We cannot think of anyone who has entered
any competition who has not ever suffered a loss. The pageant experience in and
of itself should provide a very valuable experience and enhance the overall
entertainment quality of the contestant, provided that one can set aside the ego
and simply L-I-S-T-E-N.
It is obvious that this system affects many people in many ways, but no matter
how you are affected and the decision you make because of your pageant
experience, most, in a few years, that they are better, by
their experience in this system… Contestants will become stronger
entertainers, Promoters will become stronger business people and pageant
directors/coaches, and the audience will see pageantry from a fair perspective,
realizing that while their favorite may not have won, this system is about
consistency and the overall competition package…Casting blame where it should
be, is the most difficult thing to do, but when one can blame oneself first, for
their shortfall, then, immediate growth and improvement will be realized…
Until
next time….
Larry and
Terry
From the Promoters
Perspective
An
article by Brian Alexander-Promoter of Miss Gay East Coast America (recipient of
the Miss Gay America 2008 Pageant Season Regional Preliminary of the Year Award)
C-O-N-S-I-S-T-E-N-C-Y
HAPPY NEW YEAR TO EVERYONE!!!!!
This month’s article will be based on the importance of consistency.
I
know everyone at some point in their lives have been faced with the need to be
consistent. Well, there is definitely no difference when it comes to a pageant. It
has been proven time and time again that consistency will help you succeed and
ultimately come out ahead.
As a contestant, everyone must remember the importance of being consistent if
you want to win a pageant. It is great to be known as the Interview King, Talent
Queen, or Glamour Girl in Evening Gown, however; we must remember that a bad
score in any category can cost you the pageant. To be completely successful, you
need to identify the areas that you may be weak and practice, practice,
practice, until you feel 100% comfortable with what you are doing. Remember, the
key to being confident and successful is to be completely comfortable with what
you are doing, then your confidence will come through and you will be sure to
shine.
As a promoter, we must remember to be consistent in all that we do. Ultimately,
we are the leaders in the pageant system. It is so important for us to follow
the guidelines set forth and to always remain professional. In preparing for
your pageant, please make sure to start well enough in advance to ensure you
have ample time to run a well prepared, smooth, and professional pageant. It has
been proven that these pageants will end up being the most successful ones. We
also have to keep in mind that contestants are not usually drawn to who has the
best prize packages as much as who is going to be there for them. As promoters,
we need to be there when our contestants need us. This can include basic
questions, a shoulder to lean on, or just pure presence. I personally know that
being there for my contestants throughout the year as well as every step of the
way at Miss Gay America makes a huge difference. Please make every attempt to be
there for them.
My final thought is to stress the importance of being consistent with your
judges. All promoters should put a lot of time and thought into the selection of
your judges. Every judge that you select, should be 100% qualified to judge your
pageant. We must keep in mind that a lot of the contestants spend thousands of
dollars to prepare for our contests, and for some it is a life dream to become
MGA. It is critical that we choose qualified individuals to judge, and that they
are given a complete briefing and understanding of the MGA
categories/guidelines. As promoters, it is our job to ensure all judges are
properly prepared and are completely professional from the time the pageant
starts until the last critique is completed. This
will help reduce potential problems for you and your contest.
I
look forward to working with everyone again this year and would like to thank
Larry and Terry for this opportunity. I would also like to thank Luscious again
for awarding me with “Best Regional Preliminary of the Year”. It means so
much!!!
Thank you,
Brian Alexander,Owner/Promoter
Miss Gay East Coast
America
_______________________________________________________________
From the
Promoters Perspective
An
article by Joie Dimercurio-Promoter of Miss Gay Missouri America (recipient of
the Miss Gay America 2008 Pageant Season State Preliminary of the Year Award)
Excellence,
That is what we all achieve for in our daily lives. Excellence, is the symbol
for pride, strength and unity. Excellence, is our symbol of
success...........Words can not express the gratitude and humble thanks that I
have for accepting once again the winning title of State Preliminary of the
Year. This year especially was our 35th year in pageantry. Excitement came from
all over the state. Preliminaries for crowns were fierce. Everyone pulled
together and worked as a team , a family, and a fountain of friends all under
the direction of our reigning
Miss
Missouri
2007
Victoria
Depaula. Little did she know what was in store for her when she was crowned
but, soon after she realized that this was a huge job, an undertaking, a
position in life that would mark a cornerstone in her career forever. She
served, she worked, she played, she delivered, now she is part of our
Excellence… our MGM family.
This
is what it is all about, the friends you create , the memories, and the
treasures you hold dear to your heart. I
want to thank Luscious personally for all the hard work and asking not what I
can do for her but what can she do for us. She truly was a Miss America for
all contestants, giving a helping hand to all who needed and embraced it.
Little
did I know that I would need this Excellence in friends and family. A freak
accident put me in the hospital two weeks before Miss MO 07. Thinking I would be
able to attend the whole time but knowing in my heart it was not going to
happen...and happened it didn't. Many came to my rescue though and these people
I need to thank for this is what Miss America is all about.....Sasha Nicole who
stepped up to the plate and showed everyone what a former is all about. Michelle
McCausland, my cohort in crime and my sister for life. Atheena Voce for handling
the judges and being apart of the team. Ali Kat for being a dear sister and
assuring me it was all going to be fine. Tajah Mahal and Frank Smith for taking
the duties to heart and knowing how to solve problems. Victoria Depaula for all
the hard work and knowing how to handle situations and pitching in on your night
of give up. My mother Fran and sister in law Deanne for handling all the awards
and being there every minute. Nicole DuBois my sister through the miles who
cared enough to try to get here at a moments notice if needed. Larry and Terry
for the words of encouragement to all the contestants and formers and praise for
their hard work. Reba for aiding to my stress and making it stress free. To my
life partner David for keeping all the stress away from me, screening my calls
and helping me through the 7 months it has taken me to recoup from this ordeal.
And to all the state who pitched in and made our 35th year such a success. It
goes to prove that the "Show me State" showed its Excellence in
every format proving to the many that attended how exciting the art of illusion
actually is and how competition not only strengthens ones craft but it also
gives confidence to those that want to succeed.
I
wish to welcome everyone to our Family of Excellence and invite all to attend
Miss Gay Missouri 2008.The host state for this years Miss Gay America
2009.....our Miss Gay Missouri 2008 Jade Sinclair is preparing a fabulous
contest and has strengthened our sisterhood with her hard work, for this is what
makes me proud to be from Missouri and have such sisters in a system that works
and creates that true symbol of Excellence.
I
thank you and leave you with this thought "To thine own self be true"
Till
we meet again...Happy Pageantry.....
Promoter
Joie DiMercurio
aka Tumara Mahorning Miss Gay Missouri 1992 and Third alternate to Leslie Rage
MGA1993.....
A Note From The Editor
The Excellence strives to be an informative newsletter delivered to the promoters,
contestants, audience and other supporters of the Miss Gay America Pageant System throughout the year. Should there be any issue or topic of discussion a promoter would like to see addressed (or to write an article to be published) in a future newsletter, please contact the editor via
Email.
Please note, any article, comments, or opinions faxed, mailed, (postal or electronics),
or otherwise sent to any of our "addresses" become our property and carry an implied consent of publication should we choose to do so. No articles will be published in which one or more of the following occurs:
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