“Good Morning America” revealed the diverse panel of national judges for the 2013 Miss America Competition on this morning’s show. This year’s panel of seven esteemed judges includes an accomplished designer and member of Oprah’s “Glam Squad”; Indiana’s very first Miss America turned marketing professional and philanthropist; a global broadcasting icon and television host who has interviewed the biggest celebrities to the President of the United States; an award-winning dancer, choreographer and television star; a well known morning television broadcaster and weather editor; an entrepreneur, business icon and television star, as well as a 2012 Olympic Gold Medalist. Together, the team of judges will have the important task of evaluating the contestants from the preliminaries through the final night of competition, which will broadcast live from Planet Hollywood Resort and Casino in Las Vegas on SATURDAY, JANUARY 12 (9:00-11:00 p.m., ET) on ABC.

This year’s panel of judges is comprised of experts in each of the fields that a young woman must excel, in order to be named Miss America. Miss America must be intelligent, talented, well-spoken, a leader, have a commitment to her community and be modern in her style and fashion - a relevant and individual young woman who can connect with today’s contemporary woman, as well as being physically fit.

As announced today on “Good Morning America,” this year’s seven judges are:

Bradley Bayou– Bradley gained widespread recognition for his many contributions to the fashion industry. As a member of the Council of Fashion Designers of America he has received numerous industry honors, including “Mercedes-Benz Presents” Designer for Los Angeles Fashion Week at Smashbox Studios. While the BRADLEY BAYOU couture label is a favorite among celebrities, he also has a ready-to-wear namesake collection at QVC where he has translated couture quality and the fundamentals of his book The Science of Sexy into an affordable clothing line. Bradley’s fashion pieces have graced the covers and pages of many magazines and periodicals including Vogue, Harper's Bazaar, Essence, Cosmopolitan, People, Entertainment Weekly, and In Style. He is a member of Oprah’s “Glam Squad” and has been a contributor on www.oprah.com as well as an ambassador for NEDA, National Eating Disorder Association, promoting healthy body images in the media and fashion industry.

Cheryl Burke - Cheryl has over 20 years dancing experience and several championship titles under her belt, and as a professional dancer Cheryl has tangoed and sambaed her way into the hearts of millions through the hit ABC television show “Dancing with the Stars” and recently became the show’s first professional dancer to appear in the finals four times, becoming champion twice with Emmitt Smith in Season 3 and Drew Lachey in Season 2. Now at 27, she has used her appearance on “Dancing with the Stars” to propel her career into different avenues. In 2008 she opened her first dance studio, the highly successful Cheryl Burke Dance and has authored a best-selling biography.

Sam Champion – Sam is the weather anchor of ABC’s “Good Morning America” and also serves as weather editor for ABC News. In addition to covering the national forecast, Sam travels for weather-related stories around the country and the globe. Since joining “Good Morning America,” he has reported from the frontlines of California wildfires; hurricanes in Florida, Texas, and Louisiana; and from winter storms in Denver, Chicago, and Boston. As part of the morning broadcast’s “The New 7 Wonders of the World series, “Sam has even broadcast live afloat in the middle of the Polar Ice Caps. He reported from Louisiana on the Deepwater Horizon oil spill which included a dive in the Gulf of Mexico. Additionally, he regularly brings tips and information on how to be environmentally efficient to his regular “Just One Thing” reports. Sam also hosts “Sea Rescue,” a weekly series broadcast nationally on Saturday mornings.

Mary Hart – Mary is best known for hosting “Entertainment Tonight” for nearly 30 years. Her reporting has included interviewing nearly every major motion picture, television and music star of the last 30 years from Dame Elizabeth Taylor and Sinatra to George Clooney, Angelina Jolie and Justin Bieber. Mary was the only entertainment journalist to interview all of the Presidential and Vice Presidential candidates and she has been honored by American Women in Radio & Television with the Gracie Allen Award, which recognizes those responsible for “exemplary programming created for women, by women and about women in all facets of broadcasting and electronic media.” She was also presented with the Samaritan Award by the National Association of Broadcasters Education Foundation for her work on behalf of several children’s charities. She is a member of the Board of Trustees for Children’s Hospital Los Angeles and as Co-Chair of the New Hospital Campaign she helped pave the way for the opening of the new building in July 2011. She is also an ambassador for Childhelp USA that combats child abuse across America.

Daymond John – Star of ABC hit show “Shark Tank,” Daymond is an entrepreneur in every sense of the word. Daymond has come a long way from taking out a $100,000 mortgage on his mother’s house and moving his operation into the basement. Daymond is CEO and Founder of FUBU, a much-celebrated global lifestyle brand, and a pioneer in the fashion industry with over $6 billion in product sales. He is an award-winning entrepreneur, and he has received over 35 awards including the Brandweek Marketer of the Year, Advertising Age Marketing 1000 Award for Outstanding Ad Campaign, and Ernst & Young’s New York Entrepreneur of the Year.

McKayla Maroney – McKayla is the 2011 World Vault Champion and this past summer in London she let the world know that she'd arrived. As a member of USA's 2012 Olympic Women's Gymnastic Team, "THE FIERCE FIVE," she earned a gold medal with her teammates as she performed a historically epic vault, which will forever be remembered. After arriving home from the Olympics, McKayla discovered she had competed on a potentially career ending toe fractures which required surgery, and a fibula fracture. In spite of these injuries, she joined the Kellogg's Tour. She has become an internet sensation after inspiring the blog website “McKayla Maroney is NOT impressed.” She recently shot a guest star role on the CW television show, “Hart of Dixie,” and will be shooting a second one soon.

Miss America 2009 – Katie Stam Irk – During her year of service, Katie traveled over 250,000 miles on behalf of Children's Miracle Network Hospitals, our armed forces, and her personal platform of promoting community service and involvement. Katie has continued to travel the country on her national speaking tour as an advocate, spokeswoman, host, author, branding professional, and performer. She is an Executive Consultant for New Sunshine, LLC in Indianapolis where she specializes in product development and marketing. Serving on the Board of Directors for Ovar'coming Together; Indiana's ovarian cancer awareness organization, Katie is passionate about ovarian cancer research, education and support groups.

On Saturday, October 13th, Gary Collins passed away in Biloxi, Mississippi. Gary, was the devoted husband for over 40 years to Miss America 1959 Mary Ann Mobley and was a beloved member of the Miss America Family. He will fondly be remembered as the Host of the Miss America Pageant from 1984 until 1989 when he served as Miss America's Master of Ceremonies for the telecast.

As we reflect on Gary’s prolific and Emmy Award winning television career that spanned over four decades, he will be warmly remembered for his time as the Miss America Pageant’s host which marked a special era in our Organization. He will always be remembered for his genuine smile and engaging personality, both of which he brought to the telecasts each year. Gary's television career began after serving in the U.S. Army.

Sam Haskell, Chairman of the Board for The Miss America Organization, expressed his condolences, “We were truly saddened to learn the news of my friend’s passing who was such a talented television actor and who made wonderful contributions to the television industry for over 40 years, his legacy will be lasting. Our hearts are heavy today, for we extend our deepest sympathies to my friend and fellow Mississippian, Mary Ann, our Miss America 1959. We will forever remember Gary’s incredible smile, his welcoming personality and the style that he brought to the Miss America stage during the 1980’s. On behalf of the Miss America family, we send our love and prayers to Mary Ann and her family.”

In addition to hosting the Miss America Pageant during the 1980s, Gary also hosted the television shows Hour Magazine for which he won a Daytime Emmy in 1983 and The Home Show. Gary appeared in numerous movies and was a fixture on television in the 1960s and 1970s, playing a variety of guest roles in comedies and dramas including Perry Mason, The Love Boat and Ironside, among others. He also starred in regular series including The Wackiest Ship in the Army and The Iron Horse in the 1960s and The Sixth Sense in the 1970s. He also appeared in Charlie’s Angels, Fantasy Island and so many other memorable television shows from that time.
Our thoughts and our prayers are extended to our Miss America 1959 Mary Ann and their daughter, Clancy Collins White at this time of sorrow. We will treasure the memories of our dear friend, Gary.

We regret to inform you that we will not be having a Princess Program this year.  Due to circumstances beyond our control, we have made the decision to cancel the program for this year only. 

We hope to once again hold our Princess Program next year.  Please check back in 2013 for more details.

Thanks, and we hope to see you next year!

Wayne State University student Sarah Suydam wins the title of Miss St. Clair Shores. Sisters Hannah and Jenna Dell also won in different categories Saturday.
By Sean Work  |  Email the author  |  July 29, 2012

Sisters Hannah and Jenna Dell won in different categories Saturday in the Miss St. Clair Shores Scholarship Pageant at South Lake High School.

Hannah, 14, won in the Teen Miss St. Clair Shores competition while her younger sister, Jenna, 10, was crowned Little Miss Saint Clair Shores. Each girl was first in a field of seven contestants.

Sarah Suydam was crowned Miss St. Clair Shores, and will be going on to compete for the Miss Michigan crown in 2013.

The ceremony was hosted by 2011 Miss St. Clair Shores, and current Miss Michigan, Angela Venditti and 1973 Miss Michigan Sherry Agnello Colby.

Each contestant had to answer questions in a private interview off stage and demonstrate a talent. In addition, the young women answered questions such as “describe your best and worst quality” and “what would you talk about if you had an hour of airtime on national television” on stage.

Contestants also modeled age-appropriate clothing. Both Hannah and Jenna Dell said the backstage interview was the most difficult portion of the contest. “I was worried I wouldn't do a good job,” said Jenna. It's possible that Jenna's older sister was able to coach her, as Hannah Dell won the Little Miss contest in 2010.

Sarah Suydam won the Miss St. Clair Shores category in a field of eight contestants. A broadcast journalism major at Wayne State University, Suydam, 21, was excited to win. For the talent portion she sang a jazz number. Backstage after the show Suydam was still reeling. “It kind of hasn't sunk in yet,” she said.

Last year's Miss St. Clair Shores, Angela Venditti, was crowned Miss Michigan in June and will be competing in the Miss America pageant in Las Vegas next year.  

Source: St Clair Shores Patch

The Oakland University student will spend the year representing Oakland County with fellow St. Clair Shores resident Vanessa Chambe, Miss Oakland County's Outstanding Teen.

By Joni Hubred-Golden  |  Email the author  |  July 14, 2012 

St. Clair Shores had a very good night at Saturday's Miss Oakland County pageant, held at theCostick Center in Farmington Hills.

Just hours after 14-year-old Lake Shore High freshman Vanessa Chambe won the Miss Oakland County Outstanding Teen pageant, 20-year-old Shelby Gardiner was crowned Miss Oakland County. Along with Gardiner, 13 other contestants vied for the title:

• Brenna Christine O'Malley, 23, Sterling Heights - 3rd runner-up
• Victoria Lines, 17, Troy
• Elana Bandalene, 19, Sylvan Lake
• MacKenzie Lauren Strom, 18, Commerce - 1st runner-up
• Crissie Zuchora, 22, Hazel Park
• Camille Bridges, 19, Southfield
• Meaghan Priebe, 22, Plymouth
• Kayla Pingel, 19, Farmington
• Mollie Catherine Smith, 19, Milford - 2nd runner-up
• Demi Lashbrook, 20, Marysville
• Melissa Keith, 21, Wolverine Lake 
• Danica Katnik, 20, Howell
• Rebecca Fisher, 22, Shelby Twp. - 4th runner-up

A junior elementary education major at Oakland University, Gardiner said she got involved in pageants four years ago, starting with Miss Teen St. Clair Shores.

"It was a way for me to dance and win scholarship money," Gardiner said. She has stayed with the Miss America program because of "the girls, the people you meet, the friends you know" and the chance to promote her platform, which is "Date Rape Prevention: Be Smart". 

"My sister was a victim of date rape, and I was sexually abused," Gardiner said. "This is a way for me to speak out." She said she has already begun holding date rape prevention workshops at Oakland University. 

Gardiner wins more than $1,000 in scholarship money, professional coaching with Rubicon Management, a portfolio photography session with Robert Bowden Photography and other gifts.


Source: Farmington-Farmington Hills Patch

Executive Director Sheila Sigro's son's band, Arrowhead, will be playing this Thursday at the Governor Waren Mansion in Farmington.  Hope to see you all there!

Thanks to the generosity of local Real Estate One associate broker, Mary Bush, the Governor Warner Mansion is getting ready to rock at the July 12 porch party.

Rock music for the evening will be provided by Arrowhead, a local teenage band which includes Livonia residents Shane Sigro, 16, Mike Paraski, 17, and David De La Garza, 18, plus Nick Sword, 17, of Dearborn. These young musicians have previously performed at the Detroit Hard Rock Cafe©, the Susan G. Komen Race for the Cure, Special Olympics Polar Plunge, Livonia Spree and the Canton Liberty Fest.

Tickets are $5 per person, age 8 and over, and the price includes rock music on the lawn, refreshing ice cream sundaes, yummy bakery treats, beverages, plus porch games and Victorian lawn games.

Meet the current Miss Farmington, Elise Newcomer, plus the contestants for the 2012 title as they assist with sundae making on the porch.

The porch party will take place at the historic Governor Warner Mansion from 7-9 p.m. Thursday, July 12. Bring a lawn chair, as there is sure to be a crowd.

“I look forward to sponsoring the July 12 porch party at the mansion,” said Bush. “As a lifelong resident of the Farmington/Farmington Hills community, it is a privilege to sponsor this wonderful summer event.”

The Governor Warner Mansion is located at 33805 Grand River Avenue, just west of Farmington Road. For more information call (248) 474-5500, Ext. 2225.

Source: Hometownlife.com

MISS OHIO  |  JUNE 23, 2012  |  BY: MICHAEL MCGUIRE

Elissa McCracken will represent Ohio at the Miss America 2013 pageant.

She was crowned Miss Ohio 2012 Saturday night after three days of competition in Renaissance Theater in Mansfield.

At the time of her crowning, she was the reigning Miss West Central Ohio.

View slideshow: Miss Ohio 2012 Elissa McCracken A native of Waynesburg, PA, she is a student at Ohio Northern University at Ada.

A pianist, McCracken's pageant platform is "Stop Cyberbullying."

McCracken will travel to Las Vegas in January for the Miss America pageant. The final night of competition and crowning of a new Miss America will be broadcast live on the ABC television network.

Also honored at the Ohio pageant were:

• First Runner-up: Miss Montgomery County Alissa Brumbaugh of North Canton, a student at the University of Akron;
• Second Runner-up: Miss Greater Butler County Anjelica Francisco of Cincinnati;
• Third Runner-up: Miss Maple City Kristen Free of Frankfort; and
• Fourth Runner-up: Miss All American City Mahogany Fleming of Cincinnati.

For more information about the Miss Ohio pageant, visit its official website.

Source: Examiner.com

Anjelica Francisco, a young advocate for women’s healthcare, will be among the 25 contestants from throughout Ohio competing June 23 in Mansfield, Ohio, for the Miss Ohio title and the right to enter the Miss America Pageant next January. Francisco, 24, now represents Southwest Ohio, while serving as Miss Greater Butler County. She was selected to wear that crown at a contest with seven regional contestants March 17 at Miami University in Oxford.

Francisco, who is representing the Southwest Ohio region, competes for a $10,000 scholarship in the Miss Ohio pageant. She will be singing Gershwin’s “I’ve Got Rhythm” during her talent performance in the Miss Ohio Pageant.

If she becomes Miss Ohio, she has the opportunity to compete for a $50,000 scholarship in the Miss America Pageant in Las Vegas.

She was fourth runner-up in the Miss Michigan Pageant in 2010 when she was attending Eastern Michigan University.

As a graduate of Cincinnati's School for Creative and Performing Arts and a recent graduate of Eastern Michigan University with a degree in psychology, Francisco said her goal is to utilize contest prize funds to further her education. She plans to obtain a master’s degree in clinical social work at Ohio State University, and specialize in relationship and family counseling. She plans to return to the area to pursue her career.

Her platform issue is “Women's Healthcare: Be Your Own Advocate.” As part of her advocacy since becoming Miss Butler County, she has interacted with a number of female students in area schools, encouraging them to become proactive in their healthcare and encouraging young girls to make healthy choices in their lives.

She said she also is concerned about cuts in state funding for healthcare services to women. “I see the biggest problem for women my age is lack of access to healthcare. So, that is why President Obama’s Affordable Care Act is so important (because it) allowed me and other women my age to remain on our parents’ insurance policies until we are 26 years old,’’ she said. Having health insurance is one of the requirements for participants in the Miss Ohio Pageant.

Francisco said her role model is her great-grandmother, Alice Nored of Cincinnati, an assistant teacher who taught her to read at an early age and a member of the local foster grandparent program.

She has six sisters and four brothers in a blended family. She and all of her siblings are or will be high school graduates, and three are in college.

Source: The Cincinnati Herald

By Lisha Arino | larino@mlive.com

MUSKEGON, MI – Each year, dozens of young women come to the Port City with dreams of winning a sparkly crown and scholarship money, along with a chance to raise awareness for their platform.

Each year, one contestant's dream comes true and she spends the next year as Miss Michigan.

But what happens to the winner after she passes on the crown?

Here's what a few former Miss Michigan title holders told MLive and the Chronicle:

Nicole Blaszczyk: Miss Michigan has 'definitely given me the proper tools for everyday life'

Nicole Blaszczyk won the Miss Michigan title in 2009 and spent the year talking about her platform, "Families facing substance abuse."

She called her year as Miss Michigan "an adventure" and "a four-year college experience all crammed into one."

"Anything can be thrown at you and you wear many different hats," she said. "As Miss Michigan, it's your job to just go into these different situations and just connect."

Blaszczyk she received an unexpected opportunity after passing on the crown.

"Immediately after I gave up my title, I was recruited by the Detroit Tigers," she said, adding that as a baseball fan, it was an "unbelievable opportunity."

Blaszczyk worked in the marketing department, handling social media, she said.

Now, Blaszczyk is in her third week as the assistant athletic director at Wayne State University, where she received a degree in business administration in 2009.

She credits the Miss Michigan competition with helping her get to where she is today.

"It's definitely given me the proper tools to prepare for everyday life," she said.

In particular, it helped her develop her communication and networking skills, she said.

"Miss Michigan kind of gave me that courage and the tools to go up to people and start communicating and just talk to people," she said, calling that ability an "important skill for business."

Blaszczyk said being Miss Michigan doesn't end after taking off the crown.

"You have to continue to live that legacy," she said, referring to organization's stated goals of community service, education and being a role model.

In addition to living that legacy and starting a new job, Blaszczyk said she is also planning a wedding. She said she is hoping to get married next summer.

By Lisha Arino | larino@mlive.com MLive.com

MUSKEGON, MI – No one has been crowned yet, but two young women earned awards Thursday night at the first preliminary round for the Miss Michigan competition, held in the Frauenthal Center for the Performing Arts on June 14.

Miss Spirit of the State, Sarah Suydam, from St. Clair Shores, won the preliminary talent award, a $500 cash scholarship, for her sassy and soulful rendition of "Something's Got a Hold on Me" from the movie, "Burlesque."

Miss Stateline, Concord native Cassandra Kramer, won the Kirsten Haglund Swimsuit Award, a $250 scholarship, in a pink bikini.

For the preliminaries, the 31 contestants were divided into two groups. Half the contestants competed in the swimsuit and evening gown categories while the other half competed in talent and the on-stage question.

Friday night, the groups will switch.

First half strutted their stuff to an instrumental of the Black Eyed Peas' "Boom Boom Pow" and looked stunning in their evening wear.

The second half impressed audiences with their talent performances, which included a dance twirl by Miss Greater Kalamazoo County, Shelby Beauregard, a hula number by Miss Tip of the Mitt, Holly Hollabaugh, and an acrobatic dance routine to the "Beetlejuice" theme by Miss Southwest Michigan Emily Kieliszewski, which she dedicated to her grandfather.

They were also challenged to think quickly on their feet through the on-stage question, which quizzed them on what they thought on topics like gay marriage, immigration and bailing out Greece and Spain.

On Saturday, June 15, the competition's finalists and this year's Miss Michigan will be announced.Contestants are judged individually, and are awarded points on a scale of one to ten in five categories: interview, talent, evening gown, swimwear and on-stage question.

The young lady who wins the crown also wins a $10,000 scholarship, a chance to compete at the Miss America pageant and the opportunity to raise awareness for her platform.

You can email Lisha Arino at larino@mlive.com, subscribe to her Facebook posts and follow her on Twitter: @lishaarino.