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May 2008 Edition Of
"The Excellence"
Mikaila's
Mirror
April
showers bring May flowers…well not in
Arizona
however monsoon season is fast approaching….Dunt dunt dunt! Speaking of fast
approaching it’s the time of the year every Miss Gay America looks forward to
and dreads in the end. Open season…. HAHA! The pageant season is now in full
tilt, wheelie popping, airplane jet setting mode.
May is going to be a bit slower giving me time to breath and make more costumes;
I have found it very laid back and fun to make new things every week. I have
been getting so many compliments from people who haven’t seen me since last
year and it has made me feel so great that people notice when I do something
different or change my makeup.
My
prelim that took me to Miss Gay America is right around the corner… Miss Gay
Western States. I look forward to seeing Alina and Luscious and all the formers
again. As we crown our next Miss Gay Western States on May 10th in
Phoenix
Arizona
. Not far behind that is Miss Heart of
America
on May 18th, with the fabulous Mike and Rodney. The contest will be
held in
Omaha
Nebraska
, where the lovely Sasha Nicole will be stepping down to help crown our next
Miss Gay Heart of
America
. Then, the next week is Miss Gay East Coast on May 23rd, taking me
back to the greater area of
Baltimore
,
Maryland
.
All
of the prelims have been going so great so far and I have seen a lot of
potential in everyone. That’s what makes the judges’ job so hard in choosing
only two representatives from each pageant to represent them at the nationals.
I
would like to say a HUGE CONGRATS to both Tatiyanna Voche for being crowned our
new Miss Gay Maryland America 2008 and her first alternate Sue Nami. Both girls
did an excellent job and I wish them the best of luck at Nationals. Everyone did
a great job that weekend and should all be proud of themselves. I will see you
all at the next prelim.
The pageant year is shaping up to be a great one and I look forward to seeing
all the rest of the contestants and what they have to bring to the table for the
title they are all working so hard for.
My advice from Mikaila’s Mirror this month: Make sure you eat. Eating keeps us
going when we get stressed and geared up for a pageant. My pre pageant meal
includes ANY fast food LOL along with a lot of water, gummy bears or gummy worms
and of course a Red Bull. But you must eat something so you don’t pass out on
stage. I have seen a lot of girls pass out due to heat or nerves and had they
only had something in their system they might not have fainted, or gotten
sick…
Until
next month, also remember humbleness goes along way… not everyone can win, be
happy with what you did and strive to make it bigger and better and listen to
the judges. They are there to help you grow…
Much Love
Mikaila
Kay
Miss Gay America 2008
From the desk of Larry & Terry
Pageant… The Documentary
In early April, we were recently able to go to the AFI Film Festival in
Dallas
,
Texas
whereby we saw the highly acclaimed documentary, “Pageant” (a documentary
that depicted the journey of becoming Miss Gay America). We were jealously
guarded as we watched this documentary that allegedly portrayed the journey to
the Miss Gay America pageant. This documentary followed five Miss Gay America
hopeful’s
Coti Collins
,
Victoria
DePaula,
Alina Malletti
,
Victoria
Parker and Chantel ReShae, and focused on the ups and downs of competing. And
while none of those chosen for the documentary have won the title of Miss Gay
America, we were proud with the way they were portrayed in the project. Each of
them, although they have different styles and opinions of what it takes to be a
successful competitor, had one goal in mind, which was to be crowned as the next
Symbol of Excellence. Each of them showed, during competition, that they were a
class act and was what one would expect a Symbol of Excellence to be. The desire
in their eyes, the desire in their voice and the desire in the competition
effort that each portrayed is exactly what this system is all about.
One of the first pieces of advice that we give to anyone, concerning
competition, is that you must be classy and show the judges that you are (or can
measure up to those who have been) Miss Gay America quality. It is about selling
yourself to the judges, that you can carry on this incredible tradition, and are
able to continue the tradition as good as, if not better than, your
predecessors.
The future is frightening because it is filled with so much unknown which is the
reason we continue to stress to all contestants, that you should not take
anything for granted. In fact, the most recent six (6) Miss Gay America’s did
not hold the 1st alternate position from the prior year. All this to
say, that in order to stay successful in competition, one must continue to
listen and improve, and not assume that just because of the prior years
placement, that one will score well, the next year. Consistency is key in all
phases of competition.
Although those five contestants followed by Cineaste Productions, to film the
documentary, have not yet captured the title of Miss Gay America, each of them,
in their own rights deserves recognition for their perseverance, determination
and portrayal on screen, of what this system is all about… The documentary
shows a personal side to this system and shows that there are many emotions
invested into the realm of competition. The documentary is a top notch film
project that will make you proud to be affiliated with this system. The pride
that we shared while watching the documentary was overwhelming. While we might,
from time to time, become discouraged with some of the badness, that is par for
the course, when dealing with pageantry, it is an incredible feeling to see the
five contestants, and the many others that did not have leading roles in the
documentary, work so hard to capture the title that every female impersonator in
this country wants, which is to be, or to have been, a Miss Gay America.
It
was very apparent that this was not just “acting”, it was sincere and the
documentary certainly tugged at the heart strings… Then there was the audience
reaction, which provided us with a comparable sense of pride to see that the
audience, both gay and straight, appreciated and seemed to have a better
understanding of what it takes to be a successful competitor in this system. The
audience also learned the meaning behind being called “Miss Gay America”.
We have certainly tried to bridge the gap between the gay and straight
world, with this form of pageantry, and seeing the reaction of the audience to
the documentary, further validates what we are doing and the requirements we
have. The documentary is about many things i.e. determination, dedication,
perseverance, integrity and effort, but it is also about validating the art form
for which many may not be familiar. It is also about showing the world that
“Gay America Pageantry” is not, nor does it have to be isolated to the gay
community, and that everyone can enjoy and celebrate in the art of female
illusion.
So in closing, we encourage each of you to watch the web site of “Pageant”
and make effort to see it as soon as you can. It is certainly well done and is
worth the effort. It is presently showing at many venues throughout the county
and has already been accepted at a few International Film Festivals. Once you
see it, the sense of pride you will feel, for being affiliated with this
incredible pageant system cannot be described… it is just something you will
need to experience for yourself...
We congratulate Cineaste Productions (Ron Davis and Stewart Halperin) on a job
well done. We thank everyone who had a part in the documentary, big or small, in
the documentary, as it is you who makes this system continue and it is you that
makes us proud to hold it all together, on the national level. It only validates
what we do and emphasizes the great sense of legacy that so many want to be part
of…which plays an un-comparable role in the gay history.
Click
to visit the website of the documentary, on the Miss Gay America pageant system.
So until next time, take care and please take a moment to slow down and enjoy
this beautiful spring season…
Until next time…
Larry and
Terry
A Note From The Editor
The Excellence strives to be an informative newsletter delivered to the promoters,
contestants, audience and other supporters 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),
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