Matt Leverton’s National American Miss (NAM) Pageants Blog
National American Miss (NAM) Blog
Caitlyn Banks, National American Miss Georgia Jr. Pre-Teen Queen, starts a new campaign, “One Warm Coat!”
Caitlyn Banks, Miss Georgia Jr. Pre-Teen, is starting a new campaign, “One Warm Coat” to collect new or gently used coats for people in need to keep them warm in the winter. Coats can be mailed to her at 245 Morgan Ranch Cir, Bonaire GA 31005. Caitlyn was featured in the newspaper for this wonderful mission she has started. What a wonderful way to help others!
Rebecca Markert, Miss Florida Junior Teen Queen, was featured in The Pineapple Newspaper.
Delray Beach teenager Rebecca Markert has given her home city something to celebrate. The 16-year-old beat out hundreds of other Florida teens on her way to winning the title of Miss Florida Junior Teen. The “South” State of Florida’s National American Miss pageant was held July 20-21 in Miami, Florida. With her win, Rebecca received cash prizes, the official state crown and banner, a VIP day at Disneyland®, and a complimentary trip to the National American Miss competition in Hollywood, California this November. There she will compete against hundreds of Miss Junior Teen state winners from around the country for the title of National American Miss Junior Teen Queen, including the Miss “North” Florida Junior Teen winner, Haley Asofsky.
“The entire pageant experience was eye opening to me,” said Rebecca. “I am thrilled to have this opportunity and I am excited to bring exposure to my platform charity Little Smiles, learn more about the entertainment industry, and represent the sunshine state as Miss Florida Junior Teen.”
The National American Miss Pageant is based on inner beauty as well as poise and presentation. Its founders say emphasis is put on the importance of developing self-confidence, learning good sportsmanship, as well as setting and achieving personal goals. The State of Florida competition was divided into the following areas: beauty and poise, personal introduction, as well as seven individual interviews with the judges. In addition, contestants, including Rebecca, were recognized in a number of other categories, including Miss Personality, Volunteer Service, Talent and more. Despite being new to the pageant arena, Rebecca impressed the judges with her personality, casual wear, spirit, and acting skills – winning awards in each of those classifications.
Rebecca’s talent during the competition included playing the ukulele and singing. While singing comes natural for the high school junior, who has performed in numerous plays and theater productions, playing the Hawaii-born ukulele is not. Always up for a challenge, Rebecca taught herself to play the small string instrument only months before the Miss Florida Junior Teen pageant and performed it with ease.
One of Rebecca’s more important responsibilities as Miss Florida Junior Teen is to be involved with and champion a charity of her choice. Rebecca has already started partnering with the Florida-based Little Smiles charity, a local organization dedicated to children, which she chose as her campaign platform. Little Smiles is a non-profit volunteer organizations based in Florida that provides toys, movies, computers, celebrity meet-and-greets, concert and sporting event tickets, theme park trips, junk food runs, and much more to children in local hospitals, hospices and shelters throughout Florida. Through the charity, Rebecca has already had the opportunity to spend time at the Miami Children’s Hospital with some of the young patients, Virginia from the KVJ radio show, deliver pizza to the nurses, and shoot Nerf® guns with the kids! Learn more about the organization at www.LittleSmiles.org.
About Rebecca Markert
Rebecca Markert is 2013 Miss Florida Junior Teen. Rebecca is 16 years old and lives with her family in Delray Beach, Florida. She is a junior at Pope John Paul II High School in Boca Raton, Florida, where she is an honors student; National Honors Society member; member of the school’s varsity cheerleading squad; an actor in the fall and spring theater productions; and a member of the school’s Thespians and Cappies “Critics and Awards Program” clubs. Rebecca is a New England Academy of Dance and Boca Ballet Theatre trained dancer with more than 12 years of experience. She also spent two years at the prestigious Stagedoor Manor summer camp in the Catskills.
New to pageants, Rebecca is thrilled to have been part of the entire Miss Florida Junior Teen experience and ecstatic that she won! She is hoping her title will allow her to bring awareness to the Little Smiles organization and help open new doors within the entertainment industry. Her aspiration is to one day be an actor in TV and film.
See the original newspaper article at http://pineapplenewspaper.com/delray-beach-teen-wins-miss-florida-junior-teen-pageant/14487
Kennedy Hjelte, 2013 Oregon Pre-Teen Queen,had two articles published about her and her NAM experience.
Kennedy Hjelte NAM Tualatin Life Article0001
Kennedy Hjelte NAM Tualatin Times Article0002
Two local newspapers in the Tualatin Oregon area wrote about Kennedy’s win at NAM in May. Please read the articles about her NAM experience.
Deployed mother watches daughter, Alexandra Tiek, win National American Miss South Carolina Pre-Teen Queen title.
Deployed mother watches daughter win pageant
By Airman 1st Class Krystal M. Jeffers
20th Fighter Wing Public Affairs
Written and posted by the base public affairs department.
SHAW AIR FORCE BASE, S.C. — While deployed, Senior Master Sgt. Lenora Tiek, 20th Communications Squadron programs flight chief, was able to witness her daughter, Alexandra, compete in the 2013 South Carolina National American Miss Pageant in the pre-teen division, held in Columbia, S.C., June 14 and 15.
At the pageant, Alexandra earned the prestigious title Miss South Carolina Pre-teen and qualified to compete at the national level which is scheduled to take place in Anaheim, Calif., in November.
Alexandra also received top honors for most photogenic and promising model in her division.
Unfortunately, her mother couldn’t physically attend the event due to her deployment at Bagram Airfield, Afghanistan. She is currently assigned with the 455th Expeditionary Communications Squadron as the unit’s chief enlisted manager. However, with technology being what it is, Lenora was able to watch the entire competition through Face Time.
“I was just as excited and nervous as if I was sitting right there,” Tiek said. “Thank goodness for Apple and the morale network. It was not the same as being there, but I was thankful to have the opportunity to watch. I was up at 3:15 a.m. and it was worth every waking moment!”
Morale network is free wireless internet that is provided to deployed service members to increase and maintain morale.
During the entire competition, Alexandra was unaware that her mother was watching her perform.
“I was totally surprised and ecstatic,” Alexandra said. “I didn’t know that was possible. I was so happy to see her. It meant a lot to me. I miss her terribly.”
Chief Master Sgt. Jason Tiek, 20th Aircraft Maintenance Squadron, Tiger Aircraft Maintenance Unit superintendent and Alexandra’s father, didn’t tell her because he didn’t want to make her nervous or get her hopes up in case it didn’t work, Jason said.
At the end of the competition when she received her crown, Alexandra also received the phone with her mother who was on Face Time.
“When my dad handed me the phone while I was standing with all the other girls that won my mother told me she was very proud of me and couldn’t wait to see me,” Alexandra said.
“This is an amazing moment in her life,” Lenora said. “I am proud of her and her accomplishments. This was something that she worked very hard towards.”
Tiek left for Afghanistan at the end of April which was when Alexandra began preparing for the competition. For about two months, Alexandra prepared with the assistance of her family and spent approximately an hour every night practicing.
“We rehearsed a lot,” Alexandra said.
Some of her practice included walking as if she was on stage, reciting the two commercials she was going to perform for the actress event, and reciting her introduction.
Despite being about 7,500 miles away, Tiek still supported her daughter. Every Sunday she would Face Time with Alexandra and they would practice her entire performance for at least half an hour.
“Having her practice with me (through Face Time) definitely helped a lot,” Alexandra said.
Though Tiek supported her daughter by helping her practice, she also tried not to be a distraction. Instead, she relied on her husband to take over her usual roles, like regularly running through the interview questions and introduction, practicing proper posture and how to communicate effectively, and doing Alexandra’s hair.
“I tried to not bother my husband and daughter while the pageant was going on,” Tiek said. “I made lists and prepped them both before I left and before they headed to the pageant. I had to trust that they were ready and they were. I just needed to stay out of the way and let them do their thing. The pageant runs a tight schedule and sometimes there are quick changes, so I definitely didn’t want my e-mails or face time interruptions get in the way. It was hard but I knew it was best.”
The experience of having her mother deployed during the competition taught Alexandra important lessons and helped her grow.
“It helped her become more self-dependent and self-reliant,” Jason said.
In addition to becoming more independent, participating in pageants helped Alexandra grow in other ways.
“Pageants are very fun,” Alexandra said. “They turn me into a leader, increase my confidence and (give me the chance) to make new friends.”
The National American Miss Pageants are dedicated to celebrating America’s greatness and encouraging its future leaders which is why the winners are not chosen based on beauty.
“The pageant doesn’t judge you on your beauty,” said Alexandra. “It judges you on your poise, your confidence, and how you stand and represent yourself.”
The program is based on inner beauty, as well as poise and presentation. Emphasis is placed on the importance of gaining self-confidence, learning new skills, learning positive attitudes about competition, as well as setting and achieving goals.
“This pageant is not like what you see on Toddler’s and Tiara’s,” Tiek said. “She is not allowed to wear make-up. It is all based on how she presents herself, speaks in front of a crowd and (performs during) interviews with multiple judges. National American Miss is preparing our daughter for college and her future.”
Tiek is scheduled to return home before her daughter competes at a national level in California. However, when Alexandra competes for the 2013 National American Miss, she might once again have one of her parents deployed, as Jason is scheduled to deploy during that same time frame.
http://www.shaw.af.mil/news/story.asp?storyID=123353825
© 2013 Microsoft
Terms
Privacy
Developers
English (United States)
Caitlyn Banks, Miss Georgia Jr. Pre-Teen Queen, was interviewed on her experience with National American Miss.
On July 2,2013, Caitlyn Banks, Miss Ga Jr. Pre-Teen Queen, was interviewed on Channel 58 in Macon, Ga. This interview was with radio host Gary Thigpen and Rick Knight, the segment gave Caitlyn an opportunity to talk about her experience at the National American Miss Georgia Pageant. She answered many questions about her experiences in interview, formal wear, and personal introduction. She finished her interview by saying her winning introduction.
Newly crowned South Carolina Pre-Teen Queen Alexandra Tiek does her first radio interview.
Newly crowned South Carolina Pre-Teen Queen Alexandra Tiek does her first radio interview. Her interview was with Good Morning Sumter on WDXY 1240 AM/105.9 FM. She had a great time and really enjoyed herself!
Katylin Sweeney, National American Miss Junior Pre-Teen Queen, won first runner-up honors in the University of Akron Polymer Academy’s Young Inventor Contest.
Katylin Sweeney, Ohio Junior Pre-Teen, won first runner-up honors in the University of Akron Polymer Academy’s Young Inventor Contest. This is a national contest with more than 600 gifted students from 24 states in grades 5-8 participating. The objective is to use your creativity and scientific know how to invent something that incorporates rubber bands and can make a significant and positive impact. Katylin’s entry was a life size sculpture of a girl in a dance stretch. She named her sculpture Stretcharella. Here is her essay to accompany her invention.
Katylin Sweeney – Grade 5 – Stretcherella
Rubber bands are the perfect metaphor for becoming your best self; they stretch to reach their full potential but always remember their original shape. Said more simply, I believe you should stretch to reach your dreams but remember who you are! Spreading this message is Stretcherella’s mission. I created her so together we could make this statement to the world in a very memorable way. Stretcherella is covered in rubber bands. They are perfect because they are a significant symbol in the overall meaning. Stretcherella is meant to be an inspiration, an unforgettable image that pulls at your heart and urges you to stretch for whatever you dream of but still be yourself.
From a science standpoint Stretcherella’s anatomy matches that of the human body, a balloon skeleton, a newpaper musuclar system and rubber band skin.
National American Miss JR. Pre-Teen Miss Ohio and nationally recognized inventor – that is one well rounded young lady!! For more information on the contest you can visit www.rubberbandcontest.org.
2012 National American Miss Ohio Queens participate in the Cincinnati Red’s opening day parade!
Miss Ohio Queens got the opportunity to participate in the Red’s opening day parade in Cincinnati. It was covered on all 4 news channels in Cincinnati. The National American Miss Queens were the only queens in the parade, what an amazing opportunity! They only allow one “Queen” unit in the parade – last year it was 2 Miss Universe System Queens. The girls had such a great time!
Olivia Cloer, Jr. Teen National Cover Miss, was featured in her local paper.
It takes the entire Flippo family to box up more than 9,000 books. The books will travel more than 8,000 miles in the coming days.
It all started after 12-year-old Jordan won a national beauty pageant.
It takes the entire Flippo family to box up more than 9,000 books. The books will travel more than 8,000 miles in the coming days.
It all started after 12-year-old Jordan won a national beauty pageant.
“Our director had really told us, you want to do something beyond the pageant,” Jordan Flippo, a 6th grade Cascia Hall student. “You don’t want this to last only one year.”
So the family pooled its ambitions.
“About the time my brother comes in from a trip from Africa, he’s telling them all about this neat little school,” mom Sandy Flippo said.
Jordan’s uncle Doug Henderson is a photographer, and his job takes him all over the globe.
But it was his time in Africa that gave the Flippo family the idea for the “Reading with Africa Project.”
“The more we’re hearing about it and seeing the pictures, these kids just look like they’re thrilled to be there,” Sandy Flippo said.
He told them about an overcrowded school in Uganda.
“So there are 550 kids now, in a one-room schoolhouse, dirt floor, but no books,” Jordan Flippo said.
Nicole Flippo added, “Some of them haven’t even seen a book, much less read one.”
So the sisters decided to hold a book drive at school.
“If a kid brought two books, then they didn’t have to wear their [school] uniform,” Jordan Flippo said. “They could wear their beloved blue jeans.”
Tulsa Public Schools and the library pitched in.
And now they have more books than they can ship.
“This is the state of Oklahoma giving books to Africa,” Nicole Flippo said.
The family’s dining room table is now the processing center.
“I’ve been in charge of sorting the books,” Nicole Flippo said.
It’s a very important job that will keep the books organized on the journey overseas.
“You have to think about how you’re laying them out there,” Sandy Flippo said. “The Dewey Decimal System isn’t going to work on a dirt floor in Uganda.”
Just one book will open a window to a whole new world.
Sandy Flippo said: “Can you imagine, out of those 550 kids.. is there going to be an Albert Einstein, or a J.K. Rowling?”
A world of possibilities with every turn of the page.
The Flippo family will leave for Uganda on Thursday. They hope to set up a library when they get there and teach the kids a few American sports, like baseball and basketball.By Grant Sloan, News On 6
Check out the news story that aired on Tulsa’s news.