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July 2008 Edition Of
"The Excellence"
Mikaila's
Mirror
 Hello
from
Arizona
, where right now, it’s 110 degrees and hot, hot, hot! I honestly can’t
believe how fast the year is going by… It’s now summer and there are tons of
events going on, both day and night. The 4th of July is right around the corner
and is the day we celebrate our independence… Many people will be barbequing,
watching fireworks, having picnics and being at the beach. The nearest beach to
me is 2 hours away… I know… how sad!
This
past month has been a bit more relaxing for me, as there were a couple of
prelims being postponed… Let’s
see, we started out at The Parliament House in
Orlando
Florida
. I had a great time in
Florida
, barring the moisture in the air that made me sweat as soon as I walked
anywhere…. I was also able to see a few of my friends who were by my side when
Mikaila was born in
Buffalo
New York
. A special hello to you and am sending my love back to “V”, the one letter
wonder LOL, and also my love goes out to Asia Black. I have never been to a show
where the audience brings fried chicken to the host for everyone to eat
backstage I LOVED THAT! They had 13 lovely contestants, all competing for the
title Miss Gay Florida America 2008. In the end we crowned Crystle Chambers, our
new Miss Gay
Florida
America
and Alexis Mateo her first alternate. Both of the girls did an amazing job
along with the other 11 contestants and I wish them the best of luck at
Nationals in October.
I
then moved onto Miss Mid Atlantic in good old
Delaware
, with John Rucki. The venue was so large and over whelming, that the
contestants really had to work the stage… We only had three contestants but
all three worked their butts off… I was so honored to do the opening number
for John, with the theme Asian Invasion, which made
it a lot of fun. However, the torrential rain didn’t make it fun.. LOL A bunch
of queens running into buildings from the rain made me laugh... By the end of
the evening, we crowned Miss D Meaner our new Miss Mid Atlantic
America
and
Sierra Leone
her first alternate. They both should do well at nationals this year.
Then,
we were off to
Oklahoma
…were the wind does not sweep the plains. They had 16 contestants and each of
them did an outstanding job, but in the end, we can only send two off to the
national competition. Congratulations to Adrienne Fischer, our new Miss Gay
Oklahoma and her first alternate Shantel Mandelay. A huge thank you to my big
sisters Catia and Rachael who were in
Oklahoma
. You both kept on top of it all. An even bigger thank you to our Lead judge,
Nicole Dubois, as she kept us in stitches all week long… To the Majestic, thank
you for opening your doors to us and allowing us to pick
our new Miss
Oklahoma
, in your facility.
No sooner did I fall sleep that, I was back on the plane, which only held about
20 people, with my sisters (Catia, Rachael and Nicole), and we were off to
St. Louis
for our Miss Gay America Review Show and
St.
Louis Gay Pride. We had our annual Miss Gay America Review Show at The Grey Fox
(home to Miss Gay Missouri America prelim nights this year). I finally got to
meet, in person, the ever wacky and wild, but loveable Tasha Kohl and Charity
Case. They both impressed me so much and it was an honor to have met them. Along
with myself, were Tasha Kohl, Charity Case, Rachel Erikks, Catia Lee Love,
Nicole Dubois, and Mya
Montana
. We had a great turn out and this was an adventure to cherish for a lifetime.
Thank you again to everyone who attended… there were many titleholders and
helpers who gave their time to make it a huge success.
Speaking of adventure…Ever ride on a convertible in the rain? I DID, and I
LOVED IT. Miss Gay America was lucky to be in the St. Louis Gay Pride parade
this year to make it known that we shall be bringing in the finest Female
impersonators from around the
United States
in October at The Millennium Hotel. A little bit of rain didn’t hurt as my
daddy’s took good care of me and had an umbrella for me… I had a blast.
Thank you to The Grey Fox again for the automobile and all your help along the
parade route. Last but not least, thank you Larry and Terry for all that you did
to bring myself and some of us formers together and get to know one another. I had only
wished all could be in attendance yet with such busy life’s not all could
attend… the ones who were not there, we missed terribly….
There
is still plenty of time to run in regional prelims this year. Miss Gay DC is
right around the corner on July 6th at Town Dance boutique and then Miss Gay Mid
West America will be in
St. Louis
on August 1st. Make sure you keep checking the Miss Gay America website
Missgayamerica.com for updates and ways to contact promoters for information
regarding their prelims.
Keep
in mind, when running for a regional, open or closed state pageant (or any
pageant for that matter), that focus and believing in yourself are the key
factors in a good package. You have to have faith in yourself that you can do
what ever you put your mind to. If you don’t have faith in yourself or the
ones around you don’t believe in you, success will be hard to obtain. The same
with focus…without focus you can’t keep your mind set and on the goal.
Don’t let others distract you from getting costumes done, working on mixes,
rehearsing, or getting your rest. There is always time to go out and party once
you have everything else done. Just think of how much more fun it will be to go
out and celebrate after a huge victory. Resting is just as important to make
sure you are ready for the long pageant days and to give 200% of yourself on
stage.
Remember
I’m here for anything you may need. I am here to answer your questions as best
as I can. So, contact me misskaymga2008@hotmail.com or on Myspace
www.myspace.com/mikailakay ... Just drop a line say hello and get to know me.
Also keep in contact with your promoters as they are your rock and will make
everything run smooth as well. Until next time…Always remember “Others may
try to beat you down but keep your head held high and you can rise above any
rock they throw.”
Much Love
Mikaila
Kay
Miss Gay America 2008
 From the desk of Larry & Terry
"Happy Pride"
We
are returning from a great Pride weekend in
St. Louis
,
Missouri
and we must say that it was incredible to see so many people participate in the
pride weekend. People from all walks of life just looking to show their pride
and to be with others who wish to do the same. From the festival to the parade,
it was a great experience and we feel so very fortunate to live where we are
free to express ourselves and celebrate diversity. The Miss Gay America/St.
Louis Pride Revue Show was held on Saturday (6-28) and if you missed the show
you missed a great time and an incredible show. This pageant is fortunate to
have the caliber of entertainers that have won and it was great to be able to
spend time with the formers. For those who missed the show, the formers were
incredible (Tasha Kohl-MGA1984, Maya Montana-MGA1998, Catia Lee Love-MGA2000,
Charity Case-MGa2001, Rachael Erikks-MGA2004, Nicole DuBois-MGA2006 and Mikaila
Kay-MGA2008 and each did a great job and the audience was thoroughly
entertained.
The following day, Mikaila was in the Pride St. Louis parade… with the
help of the incredible owners and staff of The Grey Fox, in
St. Louis
,
Missouri
, we were able to distribute more than 1,000 Miss Gay America souvenir programs
and flyers. As we passed through the crowd, it was very moving to hear the
reaction of many of the spectators, as they were completely amazed to have Miss
Gay America in their parade. Mikaila was beautiful and the pride and respect
that he has for the crown and title, was apparent…and the audience took
notice. Many in the crowd, were honored to have Miss Gay
America at their parade. There were thousands of spectators, and the
reaction was the same, through the crowd… Many found it hard to believe that
Mikaila was a man and many were amazed at how glamorous and professional he was.
The Miss Gay America pageant system was well represented with several “America
girls” including Jade Sinclair (Miss Gay Missouri 2007 and Miss Heart of
America 2008)…
It
is times such as these that makes us once more realize, how far the Miss Gay
America pageant system touches the community.
Sometimes, it is difficult for us to look beyond the negative drama that
will forever rear its ugly head, but coming off of such a great weekend of
representation for the Miss Gay America pageant system makes us very proud of
what Jerry Peek (original owner of the Miss Gay America system) started and
Norma Kristie continued for so many years. Then, to realize that we are holding
together, such rich and well respected heritage in our gay community is an
incredible feeling. There have been so many people throughout the country that
have been instrumental in making this contest, the best of the best, and it is
you that we have pride in… This system continues to be the icon, throughout
the world, in the true art of female impersonation and to see how the gay
community respects and embraces this contest, is simply, amazing…
We hope that each of you will take time to express pride in yourselves and that
you are able to participate in a pride celebration.
No matter the size of the celebration, it is great to realize that we
have come so far…and while we still have ways to go before we truly enjoy the
acceptance and equality that we all deserve,
we can see the progress and recognize that the Miss Gay America pageant
system continues to play a very vital role in the progression of our rights and
efforts to increase awareness, that this art form can be classy and
respectable…
Until next time…
Larry and
Terry
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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