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June 2005 Edition Of Excellence
Raquel's Reality By Raquel Chevallier (MGA
2005)
Hello everyone! Well, I just got home after being gone for ten days. Most of the
month of May was spent in Missouri! I’ve made some great friends up there from
recent trips earlier in the year, so it was wonderful spending so much time with
them.
The month began with the legendary 32nd annual Miss Gay Missouri pageant. I was
instantly wowed at how professional and organized this pageant was. Tumara
Mahorning and Reba Lamkey-Knabe run a top notch show and it certainly showed. It
was a very special weekend in many ways. One of the judges was former Miss Gay
America, Vickie Vincent. This was the first time I had the chance to work with
Vickie since being crowned MGA last year. I am so thrilled that Vickie will be
attending MGA this year and working with us all. She stopped me out of the blue
about six years ago at a Mr. Gay All-American contest and told me not to give up
because she saw MGA in me. I have never forgotten about that moment!
Another thing that made it such a wonderful weekend was being able to share it
with Athena Voce, as she relinquished the title. She and I met last year at MGA
for the first time, but really didn’t get to talk and visit until we worked
together in a show back in February. I had such a wonderful time with her and it
felt like we had been friends all along.
The people in Missouri have been so wonderful to me. The “show me state” shows
you some sincere hospitality. Seventeen contestants competed through two nights
of preliminary competition at Martha’s Vineyard in Springfield, MO. Final night
was held in a huge hotel ballroom. It was so special to us all that Norman was
able to make it to the event. After a fabulous weekend of competition and
pageantry, Sasha Nicole was crowned Miss Gay Missouri 2005, with Channelle
Carrington as first alternate. My congratulations to them both as they gear up
for MGA in Memphis!
After just a few weeks, I was jet setting again for the Miss Gay Kansas Regional
pageant. This was another truly fascinating trip. Jim Kemp and Paige Knyte
welcomed me, Catia Lee Love, Charity Case, Damion Scott White and Juan Nunez
(who was a judge at last year’s MGA) to Lawrence, KS. This quaint little city
greeted the entire pageant with excitement. Jim and Paige had many local
businesses sponsor the event. The night began with a cocktail reception for the
audience to meet and greet the contestants and entertainers. The pageant was
held at a lovely historic theatre. Six contestants competed in all categories.
Luscious, from North Carolina, arrived and swept all categories, being crowned
the new Miss Gay Kansas Regional. An excited Sparkle Iman, from Missouri, took
first alternate. Way to go sisters!
When you’re away from home for so long, it is so wonderful to be among the most
genuine people. Jim and Paige opened their home to me for a week and toured me
around the area. We had a show in Kansas City at Belle Star’s new club, and then
popped over to Tootsie’s where they were having a KC Gay Pride benefit show.
They were so kind to present me and allow me to speak to the crowd! A few days
later, we headed over to Columbia, MO for my second time to perform this year at
the SoCo Club with Athena Voce and Aieta Buffet. I was also excited to perform
with a new friend, Freida Bangkok, who recently placed 4th alternate at Miss Gay
Missouri on her first attempt!
After spending so much time with Jim and Paige, I was sad to leave them. My
sincere thanks and love go out to these two beautiful people. But, it was time
for them to transfer custody over to Wade Meyer and get ready for my Heart of
America weekend!
This was Wade’s fifth anniversary of MGHA and my second visit to the pageant.
Back when Dominique Sanchez was the reigning MGA, Wade networked and brought me
in to his club, Labels, to co-emcee and entertain for the pageant. It was so
special to return this time as Miss Gay America. Our new MGA owners, Larry Tyger
and Terry Eason, arrived in town to attend this anniversary event. After just a
week apart from my sister, Charity Case was back as my side kick, but this time
she brought in a party from Dallas, Brittney O’Bryan and Bruce Lamensdorf! My
Florida sister, Chantel Reshae, relinquished the title. I can honestly say we
tore up St. Joseph, MO!
The end of the night welcomed Victoria DePaula as the new Miss Gay Heart of
America and Athena Voce as first alternate. Congratulations to these two for
such a successful weekend!
The theme and presentation has been announced for this year’s MGA pageant, “Miss
Gay America in Paris.” I wanted to choose presentation costumes for contestants
that would be lovely and pleasing for the audience, yet very convenient for the
contestants. Please see the MGA website for details. Larry and Terry are working
diligently getting Memphis ready for event of the year!
Finally, it’s in “Raquel’s Reality” that I appreciate every moment of this
journey and all that I meet. I wish you all luck in your preparations and look
forward to seeing you in the months to come.
All my love,
Raquel Chevallier
Miss Gay America 2005
From the desk of Larry & Terry
An Entertainer AND An Administrator
Gentlemen start your engines………… The Miss Gay America
2006 pageant season is about to enter “full throttle”, so get ready for
continued momentum in every aspect of this season, as we anticipate the Miss Gay
America 2006 pageant to be the most incredible competition yet. We continue to
be amazed at the enthusiasm that has taken this country by storm. Motivation is
evident in many. From the city contestant to the veteran regional contestant,
the level of energy for this year of competition is extremely powerful. The
promoters are competing for the prestigious award of “preliminary of the year”
which is providing the contestants with an incredible venue for “ticket to the
nationals” and also gives the audience an evening of fabulous entertainment.
There have been 16 contestants to qualify for the nationals and the quality of
those who have qualified is tremendous.
As we have received many compliments on the reigning Symbol of Excellence,
Raquel Chevallier, Miss Gay America 2005, the one compliment that is
consistently heard is that Raquel’s administrative skills and abilities are
second to none. Already this year, there have been numerous issues whereby the
administrative skills of our reigning Miss Gay America have been utilized. The
entertainment ability of the national titleholder is always apparent however the
administrative skills are not usually seen until the first preliminary. The
ability to entertain is extremely important as all titleholders in the America
system are expected to provide quality entertainment but the job does not stop
on-stage. Backstage administration is crucial to the success of a pageant. Many
times, the promoter has multiple issues in which to tend to and the role of Miss
Gay America should be to provide support to the promoter in every way possible
to ensure that a fair, smooth, professional contest has occurred. Administration
plays a very important role in the job description of Miss Gay America therefore
immediately upon being crowned, an intense orientation to the policies and
procedures of the Miss Gay America pageant system will begin. This is in effort
to ensure a well rounded Miss Gay America who can administrate a preliminary as
well as showing the audience quality entertainment. Sadly, our schedules do not
permit us to attend each preliminary therefore the current Miss Gay America is
the official representative, who ensures a fair contest according the rules and
regulations as outlined in the promoter’s handbook. So the next time you hear
that Miss Gay America should be both an entertainer and an administrator, the
meaning should be clear.
As the search for the next Miss Gay America intensifies, it is most exciting to
wonder if the next man added to the roster of qualified contestants could be the
next Miss Gay America. Anticipation of the national competition is ever present
and we are delighted to have you to share in the journey with us. We hope that
you enjoy the preliminary season and that you will patronize as many of the
preliminaries as possible to show both the promoters and the contestants, that
you support them. We appreciate your interest in the Miss Gay America system.
Until next time...
Alyssa Alerts!
Howdy Y’all from the Lone Star State! I first want to
take this opportunity to say how excited I am to be part of the Miss Gay America
system during this awesome year of change and growth. Larry and Terry are the
perfect team to take over the incredible legacy created by Norman.
We are big on tradition here in Texas, and tradition, of course, is not created
overnight. I have been constantly reminded during my reign as Miss Gay Texas
America of the rich tradition of excellence that has been cultivated in the
America system since 1972. It has made me proud to be a state title holder and
more motivated than ever to let others know about the changes and opportunities
that are in store for this upcoming year and beyond.
I can’t wait to create new traditions not only with Larry and Terry, but also
the new promoter of Miss Gay Texas America, Manny Anzaldua. He has been a
steadfast champion of drag pageantry and the America system for years, owning
many preliminaries and helping support many contestants on their quest for
local, state, and national America titles. He will no doubt continue the
phenomenal efforts of Matt Miller who promoted Miss Gay Texas America with
enthusiasm for the past four years.
I am also looking forward to creating new traditions with all of the friends,
fans, promoters, and contestants that are a part of the America family. I have
been so privileged to get to know so many people across the state and beyond
this past year. Whether it is in an email, at a show, or at one of the many
prelims I have attended, I have constantly been reminded of the love, commitment
and respect that so many people have for this great system. The loyalty, support
and camaraderie that I have felt from the time I entered my first prelim, to
walking down the runway as Miss Texas, and now traveling the state, has been
overwhelming and so much more than I ever expected.
As we approach the 2006 Miss Gay Texas America Pageant in September and the 2006
Miss Gay America Pageant in October, I know that the innovation and change that
is taking place will breathe new life to what will always be the oldest and most
prestigious system celebrating the art of female impersonation.
I encourage everyone to stay tuned for more updates on Miss Gay Texas. You know
we do things big in Texas, and new prelims are being added everyday, which may
make this year’s pageant the biggest Texas has ever seen! I would like to wish
good luck to all the contestants preparing for prelims (WORK IT GIRLS!) and
continued success and kudos to Raquel for the rest of her reign!
Love Y’all,
Alyssa
A Note From The Editor
The Excellence strives to be an informative newsletter delivered to the promoters 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:
- complete identity of the author is not known
- plagiarism
- defamation of an individual or company
- false or misleading information (as we are able to determine)
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