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September 2005 Edition Of Excellence
Raquel's Reality By Raquel Chevallier (MGA
2005)
Hello everyone! Well, this is my second to last article before the national
pageant and a lot has happened within the past month. First of all, as I’m sure
most of you know, the entire Gulf Coast area has been hit very hard by Hurricane
Katrina. Currently, I am staying at Larry & Terry’s, awaiting the word to be
allowed back into New Orleans to see what’s left of our city.
We just finished the Miss Gay Louisiana pageant in Baton Rouge when the very
next day we got the word that the hurricane was coming straight for us. So, my
husband, Chris, and I headed back to New Orleans to load up a few important
things and our pets, to seek shelter at Camp MGA Corporate Office. I was already
making my way up to Memphis for the Miss Gay Tennessee Regional pageant and
haven’t been able to leave.
Let me catch you all up on one of the busiest months of my life. The month began
with my third tour of the year in beautiful Arizona. Miss Gay Arizona promoter,
David Dawson, hosted me for four days and, once again, the people of Tucson and
Phoenix welcomed me with open arms. I’ve heard the former MGA’s talk about the
red carpet they lay out. Well, they literally laid out the red carpet and
brought me to the stage for my first appearance. It was truly great performing
with so many former Miss Gay Arizona’s. Barbra Seville did an outstanding job
coordinating the event and it was wonderful getting to work with her three of
the four nights I was there!
Tori Steele relinquished her title in a lavish ballroom with six contestants
competing for the title. David Dawson did an outstanding job, putting on a very
well organized pageant. Thank you so much to former Miss Gay Arizona’s, Barbra
Seville, Bunny Fu Fu, Tori Steele, Angela Dodd, Phaedra and Chane Jordan for
making me feel like part of the family. And it was a special treat to see Celia
Putty on the judge’s panel! At the end of the weekend we crowned Amanda Bury,
with Heather Boa as first alternate. My sincere congratulations to them both on
a super job.
With just a nap back at the hotel and on a plane it was off to the Miss Gay DC
pageant. The airlines insisted on having windshield wipers on the plane, so I
didn’t make it to the pageant until just in time for everything to begin. Better
late than never! Blair and Wally, once again, did an incredible job. These two
know how to organize a pageant. Patti Le Plae Safe was brought in for the
festivities and Lucinda Holliday brought along some bobbles. My dear sister,
Miss Peaches, relinquished her title to Ashley Adams. It was great to see Ashley
come back and she did a fabulous job and it was very well deserved.
Congratulations lady!
While I was already up north, Blair Michaels, Lucinda, Patti and I went into NYC
and did some serious shopping. Who knew it could get so hot up north! And then,
I finally had the chance to tour DC. Every time I go up there, it’s usually a
blizzard. It was so amazing to see all of the historical monuments of our
country, not to mention how special it was just to lay your eyes on our
constitution. Thank you so much to Blair and Wally for making sure Patti,
Lucinda and I had a wonderful time.
Finishing out my trip Patti and I headed on over to the Miss Gay PA pageant,
where Catia joined us. Chuck Lambert and Douglas Hartzell, once again, had
everything organized to the letter. The Velvet Rope welcomed us to York, PA and
proved again to be the limelight of the MGA pageant system. Hot stuff, Lequitcha
Rodriguez, relinquished her title to Kitty Mame Dietrich, with Anita Dickson as
first alternate. Way to go girls! Big congrats!
My next pageant stop was the legendary Miss Gay Arkansas. I had a wonderful time
with the formers, as they’ve always made me feel so welcome. Kamrin Michaels
worked really hard all year and she had 18 contestants vying for her title. It
was such a special time when it came to crowning and Norman was telling us where
to stand and take pictures. I started having flashbacks from what happened last
October on that very stage. Congratulations to Megan Michaels on doing a great
job in capturing Miss Gay Arkansas, and to her excited first timer, first
alternate, Taylor Monroe!
Back home for a day, it was off to North Carolina. I had the chance to spend
some quality time with my new sister, Coti Collins. After all the years that she
and I have been in the system, we only met last year and really hit it off. She
opened up her home and hosted me for a few days. This is truly a genuinely sweet
person and I’m so glad we’ve had the chance to get to know each other.
Miss Gay North Carolina was under new promoters this year. Steven and Crae
hosted the event, along with Michelle Michaels, at Barcode in Greenville, NC.
Scarlett Dailey took top honors, being crowned Miss Gay NC. What a lovely,
southern doll she is! Congrats to first alternate, Sasha Lee Chambers on such a
fabulous job. Work it on out sisters!
Next was something Chris and I have been working on all year. Our first time as
promoters of Miss Gay Louisiana and we couldn’t have asked for a greater bunch
of people to work with. The two day pageant was held at Splash in Baton Rouge
with ten contestants competing for the title. Lucinda Holliday, from
MadeForAQueen.com, shipped in Blair Michaels to man the jewelry station, since
Lucinda was a judge. Also, it was so special for us to have Charity Case as our
head judge, since she has been such an incredible influence to me and I wanted
her there for the event. Southern Elegance promoter, Bruce Lamensdorf, came in
as our tabulator and Larry and Terry were able to make it for final night. Talk
about a house full of family reunions! Dominique Delorean relinquished her title
to Maya McNeil, from Lafayette, with Zhane Kennedy as first alternate. Thank you
so much to all the formers, friends and staff at Splash for making our first
year such a huge success!
Keeping our minds off the hurricane mess, we geared up for Miss Tennessee
Regional, held at Backstreet in Memphis, which is the location of the prelim
nights of this year’s MGA pageant. Although a regional pageant, all contestants
were from Tennessee. A big kudos to Victoria Parker on being crowned Miss
Tennessee, and to her first alternate Demonica Santangilo.
While we’ve been here in Memphis, we were able to go with Larry and Terry to
tour the facility of the Cannon Center. This is the theatre where MGA final
night will be held. It is such an amazing facility. Even the dressing rooms look
like something that would be on TV. It’s going to be an incredible event!
Finally, it’s in “Raquel’s Reality” that I am grateful for the blessings that I
have and am so thankful to all of your thoughts and prayers.
All my love,
Raquel Chevallier
From the desk of Larry & Terry
Greetings to all. We hope
that, as you find the summer nearing its end, you have made time to enjoy some
of the things in life that matter to you. We have been fortunate to see three
new America titleholders crowned into the family, since we last wrote. With each
pageant we have attended, it is amazing to see the response of the audience as
the reigning titleholder gives his farewell performance. Some are star struck at
the magical beauty and pride that the titleholder possesses as they wear the
crown for the last time, many eyes are filled with tears to see an end to a
great year while other eyes are filled with anticipation of who will be the
successor. Just keep in mind that because you “relinquish your title” does not
mean that you are “out of the spotlight”.
Our largest piece of advise, is that so many people, including us, put you, as a
titleholder on a pedestal and you should do all you possibly can to live up to
the expectations. Ask any titleholder and they will tell you that sometimes
being a titleholder is not always easy but as long as you wear the crown, you
must be the Symbol of Excellence and not just wear it on your head. As either on
a city, state, regional or national level, you as a titleholder are known as the
Symbol of Excellence, and in many cases you are the only connection between the
audience and the national office. That is why it is so very important to make
yourself accessible to your fans. A “better than thou” attitude leaves the
audience with a negative opinion of you (and the Miss Gay America system), which
is why we ask each of you, as representatives of your contest, to be accessible
to your audience and mingle with them prior to and after your performances. Not
only will this promote a positive demeanor with the crowd, but will also
increases your revenue opportunity as people usually do not tip those
entertainers they do not like. Sometimes, the difference between a good
performance and a bad performance, is attitude and public perception.
In a time where there is so much heartache and pain in the Gulfport Mississippi
and the New Orleans, Louisiana area, due to the wrath of Hurricane Katrina, we
take this opportunity to extend our heartfelt sympathy to those who have
suffered loss during this tragedy. We have touched base with most of our Miss
Gay America family and have at least confirmed their safety. Please remember
those in our Miss Gay America family that have suffered loss during this
disaster….. Among the many that have been affected by this storm include: Raquel
Chevallier, Chris Wilderman, Nicole DuBois (and Bobby), Asya Alexander, Jayda
Alexander, Zhane’ Kennedy, Tiffany Alexander, Brandi Alexander Monica Storm and
Jessica Daniels.
Until next time…
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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