Press Release – Page 4 – Matt Leverton’s National American Miss (NAM) Pageants Blog

Illinois mom sees value in daughters competing in National American Miss.

National American Miss is very age-appropriate. They discourage makeup, jewelry and polished nails. They focus more on their natural beauty and who they are. This pageant is more about inner beauty, poise, self-confidence and their ability to communicate.

Dawn Lymberopoulos was a bit surprised when her daughter said she wanted to be in a pageant.

“I was a little apprehensive at first,” Dawn says of the day Emily got an invitation to apply to the National American Miss Pageant. “But I had participated in a Miss Teen USA pageant at 16. So I couldn’t deny her.”

Last year, Emily participated and had so much fun she decided to do it again this year. This time, she won Miss Illinois for her age division. She goes on to compete in the national competition in November.

What did you say (and what did you think) when she first proposed the idea?

I thought the experience would help her to grow in a positive way.

Did you worry that pageants may somehow change her, make her too concerned with appearances?

I guess there is always a concern that with all the attention a young person gets in a situation like this, it could cause her to become more caught up with her appearance, but in this case it actually taught my daughter that she is beautiful even without all the makeup and things.

That natural beauty comes from within a person.

How is she different from the girls she competes against?

Emily is a typical 13-year-old in many ways. She does however, possess an inner beauty and confidence that I cannot easily explain. The most important things to her are God and friends and family.

What advice did you give her?I told her to do her best. Just before leaving for the pageant, I heard a thought for the day on my favorite radio station. The thought for the day was “Be the change you want to see in the world.” This is a famous quote by Gandhi. I personally had never heard it before that morning. I told Emily, and she took this thought with her to the pageant. On our drive up to Chicago, we stopped at her aunt’s house, who we had not seen for a while. Emily walked in the house and went over to admire some pottery that her aunt had made, and as she stared down at the pottery, to her disbelief, etched in the pottery were the words, “Be the change you want to see in the world.” Emily’s shocked and surprised look prompted her aunt to give her the piece of pottery to take with her to the pageant.

Is it hard to watch her lose or to think about the fact that she may lose?

Every experience in life shapes us and molds us into who we become. Even if she had lost the pageant, I believe she would have become a stronger and better person for the experience.

What do you like about the pageants?

I like that they encourage the girls to become leaders, and to serve others by getting involved in their community. They also put more emphasis on inner beauty instead of outward appearance, helping them to like themselves for who they are.

Is there anything you don’t like?

Our experience was a good one. I do have to admit, it can be stressful at times. If you are trying to do everything with excellence and encouraging your child to do her best, this is what can create stress. The demands of family, school and extracurricular activities would create stress in any situation. This is where faith helps.

Dawn Lymberopoulos

Age • 45

Home • Maryville, IL

Article By: Amy Bertrand for STLToday.com

National American Miss contestant Jessica Hibler crowned Miss Tennessee USA 2012!

In 2005, Hibler was named Most Promising Model and was first runner-up in the Casual Wear category at Tennessee’s National American Miss Competition in the junior teen division.

A veteran of Tennessee pageantry earned the ultimate state crown Saturday night.

Jessica Hibler now wears the title of Miss Tennessee USA 2012, according to Miss USA 2011 Alyssa Campanella.

Hibler will represent Tennessee at the Miss USA 2012 pageant in Las Vegas. The final night of the pageant will be broadcast live on the NBC television network.

In 2005, Hibler was named Most Promising Model and was first runner-up in the Casual Wear category at Tennessee’s National American Miss Competition in the junior teen division.

She represented Middle Tennessee State University at the 2008 Miss Tennessee pageant.

In 2009, she was second runner-up at the Miss Tennessee USA pageant.

In 2010, she was fourth runner-up at the Miss Tennessee USA pageant.

In addition to her 2012 crown, Hibler received scholarship money and will benefit from training and wardrobe for the Miss USA pageant.

Continue reading on Examiner.com Jessica Hibler crowned Miss Tennessee USA 2012 – National pageant | Examiner.com http://www.examiner.com/pageant-in-national/jessica-hibler-crowned-miss-tennessee-usa-2012#ixzz1bK8vHRpC

Oregon Pre-Teen Queen, Madeline Monlux, working hard to shed light on gorilla conservation.

At age 11, Madeline Monlux who won her title in May has been working diligently to raise money for the Dian Fossey Gorilla Fund, an organization close to Madeline’s heart, as she would like to become a primatologist and follow in the footsteps of her idol, the late Dian Fossey.

She loves mountain gorillas and recently raised over $1000 to bring awareness and shed light on gorilla conservation. Helping her shed that light might just be the sparkling crown and sash she wears as Miss Oregon Pre Teen.

No stranger to volunteering, Madeline has given her time every weekend since June to a variety of charitable events and organizations. As Miss Oregon Pre Teen, Madeline has traveled throughout the state as an ambassador for Oregon, as well as speaking about her passion, the mountain gorillas.

Madeline came up with an idea to sell stuffed gorillas complete with special certificates, with all of the proceeds benefiting the Fossey fund. She partnered with the Fossey fund and TY (the beanie baby company) and the results were astonishing. Madeline named each gorilla individually after African namesakes meaning love, peace and other positive messages. She then tied a special bow on each gorilla and then it was time to get to work selling the gorillas.

“People wanted to buy the gorillas before they were even available”, says Monlux referring to an announcement made on social media site, Facebook.

“My friends and family, pageant people and people from all over supported this project. I have sold almost 100 gorillas and raised over $1000 for the Dian Fossey Gorilla Fund,” exclaims a proud Monlux.

In early October, Madeline was invited as a special guest to the Dian Fossey Circle Luncheon in New York, where she had the opportunity to meet with her favorite actress, Sigourney Weaver, who portrayed Dian Fossey in the film, “Gorillas in the Mist”, talk with primatologists from Africa who work with the mountain gorillas and present a check to the organization’s CEO. A dream come true for a young woman who simply wants to help protect her gorilla friends.

Madeline had the most amazing time and has been offered so many wonderful opportunities from people she met there. They all loved her and she was even asked to be an honorary board member of the foundation. She has been invited to speak at an upcoming event at Pebble Beach, California and was also invited for a private tour of the gorilla habitat at the Atlanta Zoo.

No makeup. No Glitz. No problem. See how 2 sisters are in their paper representing National American Miss! Way to Go!

No makeup. No glitz. No problem.

Sisters Emily and Abby Hamilton, of North Bend, earned several awards at the National American Miss of Washington pageant.

Sisters Triumph the natural way

No makeup. No glitz. No problem.

Sisters Emily and Abby Hamilton, of North Bend, earned several awards at the National American Miss of Washington pageant.

Abby, participating for the third time, won second place in the photogenic competition and third runner-up in the talent competition.

Emily, 5, participating for the first time but in a different age bracket, won first place in the photogenic competition, third runner-up in talent and first place in the best thank-you note contest.

Emily also finished in the top 10 out of 47 contestants in the contest’s Princess division.

The pageant does not allow girls to look older than they are, does not allow glitzy dresses and does not allow makeup, said Donna J. Hamilton, the girls’ mother and a participant in the Miss New Jersey contest in her youth.

The contest happened Labor Day weekend at the Sea-Tac Hilton.

The sisters qualified for the national pageant in November at Disneyland.

“It was really fun,” said Abby, 8. “You get to meet new friends.”

Abby and Emily performed two dances as part of the talent portion of the contest. Asked if she wanted to someday participate in the Miss America pageant, Emily said she did not know, while Abby sounded a little less hesitant.

“Yes! Yes! Yes!” she said.

Donna said being in pageants led her to a career in public relations and communications.

“It gave me the ability to be articulate and well-spoken,” she said. “It helped me in a plethora of things in life.”

She paid for her first year of college in 1989 with two pageants, she said.

Still, she did not want her girls in just any contest.

“I would never allow my girls to be in a glitz pageant,” she said.

Instead, Abby and Emily showcased their natural talents and natural looks on stage in something that turned into even more of a family affair when Emily was escorted on stage by her twin brother Michael.

Emily, the first-timer, also won $250 in cash, which Mom put into her college fund.

“She has a very quirky personality,” she said. “We weren’t sure how she was gonna do, so we just let her be her, and she did fantastically well.”

Her girls won plenty but did not win first place, and that was just fine by Donna.

“This tends to be honest and fair,” she said. “Each time, I tend to say the girl who wins should have won.”

The girls will continue participating in the pageant, but two years from now they will be in the same age division.

Having her girls compete against each other gives Donna pause.

“First and foremost, we care about what’s best for the girls, so if it means skipping the pageant for a year,” she said, “that’s what we would do.”

This article is in the SnoValley Star, check it out! http://snovalleystar.com/2011/09/28/sisters-triumph-the-natural-way-in-beauty-pageant

NAMiss California Pre-Teen, Jada Newkirk, article in the San Mateo News.

Jada, now 12, has been entering the National American Miss Pageants for five years and says she is proud to have won the 2011 National American Miss California Pre-Teen title.

Jada Newkirk equates her pageantry experience with summer camp: A long weekend filled with lots of organized activities and time to socialize with fellow participants.

“It’s really fun because when you’re done with the competition, you hang out with your friends,” Jada said.

But this year the San Mateo resident took home a little more than the glimmering happy memories from camp-like camaraderie. She brought back a crown.

Jada, now 12, has been entering the National American Miss Pageants for five years and says she is proud to have won the 2011 National American Miss California Pre-Teen title.

Instead of outward beauty, Jada explained, the judges look for qualities like confidence and good stage presence. In fact, makeup isn’t even allowed on any contestant under the age of 12, Jada noted.

The pageant is split into smaller competitions with a formal dress component, a personal introduction and a one-on-one interview, all meant to gauge poise, personality and public speaking skills.

Ten percent of the score is determined by the contestant’s community involvement. Jada spends time volunteering at her local community center and reads to seniors at Sunrise Senior Living in San Mateo. She’ll also walk in the Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer walk this month.

When she turns 13, the animal lover said, she’d like to volunteer at the Peninsula Humane Society.

Jada stays busy. She attends Katherine Delmar Burke School in San Francisco and competes in track with USA Track & Field.

In July, she attended the Junior Olympics in Wichita, Kan. She competed in the pentathlon, scored two personal records and was in second place in the 800-meter run before the sweltering heat got to her, and she nearly passed out.

If it weren’t for the above-100 degree temperatures, Jada feels confident she could have won.

“I could have gotten first place,” she said matter-of-factly.

Jada’s demeanor shows she is secure and upbeat, traits she and her mother say the pageants have helped her develop.

“It’s been really good (for her) to come out of her shyness,” said Jada’s mom, Teleza, who is a fan of the pageant’s focus on academics and community service. “It’s really building their confidence. Every girl is different, and that’s fine. (They) celebrate each girl’s individuality.”

During her personal introduction, Jada said she talked about running track and what she wants to do when she grows up.

The latter is a lengthy list that includes being an Olympic track gold medalist as her No. 1 goal “because I love to run!”

She’d also like to act in commercials or maybe try out modeling. In addition to winning the crown in her age group, Jada also won the Actress, Casual Modeling and Most Promising Model competitions in July’s pageant.

If she acting and modeling don’t work out, she’d like to be a sports broadcaster for track or football, or maybe work as a veterinarian.

In the nearer future, Jada has the national pageant in Anaheim to look forward to during Thanksgiving week, complete with a trip to Disneyland and a Hollywood tour.

And in December, she’ll spend a day in San Francisco with the other pageant winners, including a cable car ride to Ghirardelli Square.

http://www.mercurynews.com/san-mateo-county/ci_18832722

2011 National American Miss North Carolina Jr. Pre-Teen Queen Cailee Calabrese will be receiving the highest level Presidential award for her volunteer work.

All the money goes to under privilege children to assist them with school supplies, etc. Last year they had 1500 participants and expect more this year.

National American Miss North Carolina Jr. Pre-Teen Queen Cailee taped a TV spot for the upcoming event Big toys for kids sponsored by Communities in Schools which airs on Channel 63 in Lexington. All the money goes to under privilege children to assist them with school supplies, etc. Last year they had 1500 participants and expect more this year. Cailee will also be volunteering on August 27, 2011 in Lexington for this event. Cailee will be receiving the highest honor of the Presidential award for her volunteer work (Gold level).

Danielle Doty, the 2009 National American Miss South Texas Jr.Teen, named Miss Teen USA 2011.

2009 National American Miss South Texas Jr. Teen Queen, Danielle Doty was named Miss Teen USA 2011.

National American Miss Kentucky Jr. Teen reflects on her reign in a local newspaper.

Lydia Allen never expects to win, but the 16-year-old has no shortage of achievements.
Last August she was crowned National American Miss Kentucky Junior Teen 2010. On July 31 in Louisville, the Covington teen will relinquish her crown to her successor and while she admits it is bittersweet, she has only fond memories of a year that has been a whirlwind.
“This year was so awesome and it was such a good opportunity, but I’m really excited that someone else gets to have that opportunity, too,” said Lydia, who will be a junior at Beechwood High School in the fall.

COVINGTON – Lydia Allen never expects to win, but the 16-year-old has no shortage of achievements.
Last August she was crowned National American Miss Kentucky Junior Teen 2010. On July 31 in Louisville, the Covington teen will relinquish her crown to her successor and while she admits it is bittersweet, she has only fond memories of a year that has been a whirlwind.
“This year was so awesome and it was such a good opportunity, but I’m really excited that someone else gets to have that opportunity, too,” said Lydia, who will be a junior at Beechwood High School in the fall.
Lydia competed in the NAM, the largest pageant system in the nation, against over 100 girls in her age group to win her title and earn a trip to the national competition in California, where she was one of 42 girls to compete from a pool of thousands. She won a $1,500 cash scholarship, got a day at Disneyland, a tour of Hollywood, and a photo shoot, something her mother, Ria Allen, admits was a truly unique experience.
“It was just the neatest stuff that we would have never gotten to do otherwise,” Allen said. “It’s such a great experience for her and it makes the girls really feel accomplished to purse their dreams.”
Allen said Lydia competed in her first pageant at age 7, but has done less than 15 her entire life. She also has requirements about the pageants in which her daughter competes.
“It’s so different from what people think about pageantry and what they’ve seen on television,” Allen said.
When Lydia was younger she did not compete in pageants where they used makeup and she does not participate in swimsuit competitions. The winners are selected based on several aspects, not just physical beauty.
Lydia, whose GPA is 4.167, also won the category for academic achievement and was the volunteer service winner for her community service projects, which is one of her proudest accomplishments.
Lydia held a hat drive for Hats off for Cancer, a non-profit group which donates new hats to children with cancer. She also went to the Center for Courageous Kids in Scottsville, Ky., a non-profit, therapeutic camp for children with chronic diseases, allowing them to experience camping for a week for free.
“That was kind of close to me because my grandfather fought cancer for seven years and I was proud because I knew it would be something he would be proud of,” Lydia said.
One of Lydia’s goals is to be a role model. She was the guest speaker last September at the New Hope Center where she addressed 75 girls and their fathers about being their best, holding onto dreams and finding and using their talents.
“My family has been there every step of the way, but if it wasn’t for my faith in God, I wouldn’t have been as successful as I’ve been,” Lydia said. “I really do give him all the credit and all the glory because he is the one using me in all of these ways I could have never dreamed of.”
Lydia has won awards for writing, speech and debate, acting, French, color guard and ballet.
She was named the Miss Commonwealth’s Outstanding Teen 2011, a precursor to the Miss America pageant. She was selected for the University of Kentucky’s 2011 Class of Kentucky, which recognizes community-oriented and academically talented sophomores, and was selected for the Regional Youth Leadership Class of 2012 in which one or two students are selected from each area high school by the Northern Kentucky Chamber of Commerce.
Josh Bates, who teaches Lydia math at Beechwood and serves as her youth pastor at Community Family Church in Independence, said Lydia’s attitude is what makes her successful.
“She has a spirit of excellence about her,” Bates said. “Everything she does, she does with a joyful attitude. She always has a smile.”
Although Lydia’s NAM reign is almost over, her mother says she plans on keeping busy with school, color guard and her community service projects. She wants to work with elementary school children on pursuing a passion for the arts.
“I am proud of her for having such strong character and never compromising that,” Allen said. “I’m really proud of her for having the courage to get out there and try all these things she does and to keep at them to be successful. She has so many trophies and certificates and those are all nice, but what’s on the inside has made all the difference in her.”

http://news.cincinnati.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/201107131750/NEWS0103/107140321

Lydia Allen National American Miss Kentucky Junior Teen 2010!!

Lydia Allen, National American Miss Kentucky Junior Teen 2010, made the magazine cover and had a featured story in a local magazine.

Lydia Allen, National American Miss Kentucky Junior Teen 2010, made the cover and cover story in a local magazine.

Press Release from the NAM National Office

Attention NAM Girls:

2010 Appointed Representative Program is now accepting applications! If you are 19 or 20 years old you can apply for our Miss Division. If you are ages 4-18 and reside in Alaska, Arkansas, District of Columbia, Delaware, Hawaii, Idaho, Montana, Nevada, New Hampshire, New Mexico, North Dakota, Rhode Island, South Dakota, Utah, Vermont, West Virginia, or Wyoming you can also apply to be a NAM State Queen. You can download an application at http://www.namiss.com/findyourstate/namiss/car.html. National American Miss is the largest pageant in the nation for young women. We are so excited to let you know that you can be a part of this exciting program for your state! At this time, we are not offering a program in your state for your age group. However, we hope you will be a part of our Appointed Representative Program. The girl that is selected as the State Queen will be given the opportunity to compete at the National Pageant for the title of NATIONAL AMERICAN MISS for her age division. Appointed Representative Applicants Scoring System: Phone Interview – 35%, Resume – 25%, Essay – 25%, Picture – 15%. Over $500,000 in cash and prizes will be awarded at Nationals, including a 2010 Ford Mustang Convertible. My name is LaKishia Edwards. I am the NAM National Coordinator. If you have any questions feel free to give me a call at 281-496-9000 or send me an e-mail at ledwards@namiss.com. You know you can always reach me on Facebook – “NAM LaKishia Edwards”. Find out more about National American Miss at www.namiss.com.