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January 2009 Edition Of
"The Excellence"
Victoria's Voice
I am hopeful that everyone
has had a wonderful holiday season. I am amazed at how quickly the months go by-
we prepare for so long and then it’s over faster than you can blink an eye.
This year has been a blessed one for me. I look forward to whatever comes my way
this next year and can only hope it's as great as the last one.
December has been a great month. It is what I'm calling “the
foundation” of my next year. Any time you reach a journeys end a new one
begins. I compare that to winning Miss Gay America and being
Miss Gay America, because with the title, superb administration is key. My whole
month started out with "The Father/ Daughter" weekend. I felt like I
was starting the first day of school again! I was very excited to get my hands
in the new school book (The MGA Handbook). It was everything I hoped it would
be. We went over the rules and regulations of Miss Gay America and even had mock
scores to tabulate and check over. It was a great review for me, but also a
learning experience. Larry & Terry received an A+ from me for being great
hosts, I really felt like a Queen!
The weekend was about schooling, but the bonding is what made it very special.
One thing that I got to do with the guys is watch past years of MGA that I
haven't ever seen. It was so fabulous to get to see so many of my sisters
crowned! Although it was before I
had the wonderful opportunity of participating in MGA, I could not take my eyes
off of Blaze Star, Vicki Vincent, Brandy Alexander, Valerie Lohr, Tiffany Bonet,
Lauren Taylor, Linda Carerro and Catia Lee Love-they captured the true essence
of poise, talent and beauty. I am anxious to watch Maya Montana's year when I'm
back at the end of January. There is one MGA that I finally got to experience
after hearing so much about her over the eight years of competition for me and
that’s Naomi Sims- OMG! She was fabulous, if you ever get to watch her please
do!
On Saturday night we did a fundraiser for the Pegasus Group. It was so nice to
see Steve Devore and Chris Bryant and meet my newest sister Ashley La’More! We
laughed all weekend long. The weekend ended with dinner at Paula Dean's
Restaurant- needless to say, I started the gym as soon as I got back! I must say
that I was sad to leave.
The next weekend was my monthly show at Missie B's where Billy Wilson (Jessica
Jade) was our special guest. Followed by my annual Christmas party the next
night, the weekend was full of fun and of special friends including Robert York
and Kane. Sunday brunch was delish and also, my friend Donna Asher rang in her
50th with a birthday bash! She loves female impersonation and is a huge fan of
Barbara Streisand so we did a show in her honor themed “Barbara”! I finally
got to perform "A piece of sky" from the movie Yentel, and it was
amazing!
The holiday season is my favorite time of year and being a female impersonator I
love to perform Christmas songs. So the next weekend my good friend Loreal had
her Christmas show and I got to perform my holiday selections. It made me very
happy! Now we are at Christmas. I spent it with my family both Christmas Eve and
Christmas Day. We had a joy-filled holiday and goodness there was so much food!
I ate way too much but that’s what the holidays are for, right?
My next stop is back in
Tulsa
with my sister Catia. That will be a great past time as I get ready to enter a
new stage in my life. Life in my twenties has been everything one can hope for.
I have learned so much and met so many great friends that I welcome my soon to
be new age of thirty. I feel like if my 30's are half as good as my 20's were,
I'm in good shape!!
I wish you all a healthy, happy and prosperous New Year!
Until next time,
Victoria DePaula, Miss Gay America 2009
 From the desk of Larry & Terry
2009 and The Economy
With all of the hype from the media, concerning the economy, we thought
that there is no better time than now to create an article that may be of
benefit to the reader, in whatever capacity they choose to participate in the
Miss Gay America pageant system. As with any realization of a dream, there is a
tremendous amount of planning and preparation that must be invested, in order to
realize a positive return. Some goals are to promote the best possible
preliminary pageant, while other goals are to qualify for the Miss Gay America
pageant or to win a city/state or regional title. While goals/dreams vary, with
those involved in this system, there remains the requirement of planning in
order to see success.
For the promoter who wishes to host the best preliminary pageant possible, early
planning is key including a realistic budget (that details all possible sources
of revenue and recognition of all possible expenses and then projection of
expense “over-run)”. Each of us, who spend many dollars to produce the best
possible pageant, will always want to do more than budget allows, but in
today’s market place, the depth of the “pocket” is decreasing, therefore a
realistic budget that projects a realistic break-even point, at best, is
imperative. Savings, every where
possible, should be maximized including early purchase of airfare,travel
accommodations and early-bird discounts for printing needs and facility
reservations. Every opportunity for
revenue should be explored including ad sales in the souvenir program, sale of a
souvenir program, admission, contestant entry fee and the acquisition of
sponsorship (not only for sponsorship of awards and prizes, but also for
services or an ad exchange for a service rendered). When thorough planning is
executed, the promoter will have a better opportunity to realize success and
generate a positive cash flow, after the contest.
There are many success stories and hopefully, with each passing year,
promoters can understand the improvements needed to make each year, better than
the one before.
For the contestant who aspires to qualify for the next Miss Gay America pageant
and even to become the nation’s next Symbol of Excellence, advance planning is
just as crucial for success, as that required of the promoter. The same concept
applies, concerning a budget. A budget should always be realistic which should
recognize reasonable expenses and realistic sources of income. Expenses include
costume production, assistance expenses, travel expenses and sometimes talent
enhancement accessories. All of which are not inexpensive but a competition
package must be well constructed, well planned and financed. While some rely on
personal income, others rely on sponsorship, prize package and fundraisers. Our
continued suggestion to competitors is that you should always have a plan B. We
pride ourselves in that we carefully select new promoters and renew with
existing promoters that are reputable, but sometimes things happen beyond our
control and contestants are left scrambling, just before the nationals, in
effort to scrape together, monies for last minute items, including travel cost
to get to the national competition. Therefore, a budget should allow some room
for cost over-run and shortfall of anticipated financing. Of course sponsorship
is the most common source of financing a competition package, which is why
reputation is key. Sponsorship is easier to obtain when the contestant has a
positive and humble reputation. We find that people work hard for their
discretionary income and are not as likely to invest in something for which they
cannot take pride in, therefore, one must be sure that sponsors are duly
recognized, thanked and feel that their investment was worthwhile.
All of this to say, that the calendar year 2009 is not going to be an easy year
for any of us. We must remain in the “survival mode” and make certain that
our carefully constructed and realistic budget is adhered to, which is the only
way to ensure a breakeven point, at best, but with hope of profitability. This
holds true in any capacity of interest, whether as promoter or competitor. Most
of us are feeling the stress of these economic conditions however many of us
have resources and level of experience to construct a budget that will allow us
to prepare for success.
Again, it is all about planning, preparing and executing a well organized
strategy that will aide in the success. For the promoters, a well planned
contest will be obvious just as much as it will be obvious that the contestant
has prepared for competition.
We wish each of you a very happy, healthy and prosperous New Year and we deeply
appreciate your support of the nations leading pageant for true female
impersonation, the Miss Gay America Pageant system.
Until
Next Time!
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),
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:
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