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November 2009 Edition Of
"The Excellence"
Victoria's Voice
Well it's hard to believe that more than a week
has already flown by.
This past week I have often found myself reflecting on a wonderful year as well
as a fantastic week of competition at MGA 2010. I was so amazed at how all of
the contestants stepped up to the plate, making MGA 2010 one of the most
exciting ever. My week was an emotional one.
There were many reasons… but mainly because I enjoyed my year so much
and that it was now time to move on to a new chapter in my life of Miss Gay
America. It is so rewarding to see the promoters so involved and to also know
that past promoters want to come back. The contestants were willing to learn and
do their best and the new-bees anxiously waiting to become a part of our amazing
system.
This is what competition is all about. Not
the he said, she said of bitter people. I applaud every one for taking that
extra step that makes MGA what it is and the legacy it leaves behind. I
am proud to be a part of the family that we all create.
I arrived in
St. Louis
on Monday to relax and spend time with my sister Tumara Mahorning before the
craziness started. We laughed and
reminisced on the year as well as our friendship…all because of MGA. I
am thankful to have people like him in my life. Tuesday
rolled around quickly and I knew this was starting my final week as MGA 2009. It
was time to start a week of a lifetime. I was so excited to have dinner with my
two dads, Catia, BB (LOL) and the judges. It was wonderful getting to chat with
all of them. After dinner, I was
invited to join the orientation with the judges. I was like a kid in a candy
store. This was one of the
highlights for me because now I didn't have to wonder what went on behind those
doors….I was now a part of it.
Every day brought new meanings to the emotions I
was feeling. Seeing all of the
contestants joking around and the formers acting crazy once again, validated why
I wanted to be a part of MGA and the sisterhood.
Oh! I might add that just because I won didn't
mean that my hotel room still wasn't a working sweat shop all week, (LOL) more
than ever! Andy slaved away with the
rhinestones and not only for me but also the judge’s badges and even a suit
jacket with a shrine to VD on it. This is what home is in MGA. People working
together to make the experience be the best it could be.
During the week I collected many gifts. I thank
you all for thinking of me and making me feel special. Mike and Rodney, Joie (Tumara),
Momma Fran, Loreal, Kirk and Bruce, Robert, Catia, Mark Martin, Joe Bradley and
Larry & Terry. Your gifts of
love are now in my home and I thank you all so much.
I would like to congratulate all of the
contestants for displaying what female impersonation is all about. You
all are winners and I hope you all are proud of your accomplishments. To
my little sister Alyssa…I am so happy for you. I hope you have a year full of
everything you ever wished MGA would be. Best
of luck to you and know that I am here for you whenever you need me!
As you all know I hold MGA very close to my
heart. It has been the most memorable time in my life. I hope that you all know
that you have played a special role in my journey. I
would like to say thank you for being with me until the end or as I would like
to think and say…..the beginning.
Until next time!
Victoria DePaula, Miss Gay America 2009
 From the desk of Larry & Terry
Is it over already? The week of the Miss Gay
America 2010 pageant arrived and ended so quickly that we often wonder how could
we invest so much time, money and energy into a competition that seemingly ends
as soon as it begins. During the last four months, we literally have lived and
breathed every moment, beyond our day jobs, for this pageant, in efforts to make
it better than the years before. So now, we stand in amazement, that in spite of
this year being the busiest year, life to date, with our day jobs, that somehow
we actually made the Miss Gay America 2010 competition the best yet. But, we did
not do it alone, we have many people helping including a reigning Miss Gay
America (Victoria DePaula) that selflessly gave of himself in most every way in
order to see this year as a success, a few former Miss Gay America titleholders
who gave many hours beyond the call of duty to be at our beckoning call for
whatever assistance we needed (Vicki Vincent, Valerie Lohr, Charity Case, Patti
Le Plae Safe, Catia Lee Love,
Rachael Erikks, Raquel Chevallier and Mikaila Kay). A few promoters (Joe
Bradley, Mike Divoky, Reba Lamkey Knabe, Robert York) who somehow managed to
find time to offer assistance of their time, in the midst of being there for
their contestants, as well as many other contestants and lastly, 50 of the
finest contestants from across the country, many of whom would do most anything
to be the next Miss Gay America, most of whom have a far greater respect for the
crown and title, than the dollars that accompanies designation as being Miss Gay
America 2010.
All
things considered, the week ran smoothly in spite of an annoying glitch here and
there, we worked tirelessly to produce another great pageant… the week never
operates as smoothly as we had hoped however more often than not, the glitches
are behind the scenes and most people are not aware of the glitches that need to
be quickly resolved, so that the “show will go on”… Many thanks go to
Catia Lee Love (Pageant Director) and Max Crittendon a/k/a Melissa Marnier
(Backstage Assistant) as their seemingly endless energy was VERY instrumental in
the tremendous production of Miss Gay America 2010.
We
would like to address an issue with a particular contestant, which was with
Annastacia Beaverhousen, Miss Heartland
America
. Annastacia would have made the Top 10 finalist list however, his Solo Talent
competition exceeded the 3 minute time limitation and unfortunately, he received
a zero in Solo Talent. On final night, once we announced the Top 10 finalist and
then left the stage, we found Annastacia and informed him of the issue… We
commend Annastacia on having an exceptional attitude about this issue…
Clearly, there was disappointment in the situation, but as soon as we spoke to
Annastacia, he said that he understood and was already thinking about the
preliminary he would enter in the next pageant season, so as to be sure that he
earns his spot in the Top 10 for the Miss Gay America 2011 pageant. As we always
say, before you become Miss Gay America, you have to be it and act like it…
and to this we say… Annastacia, you already exemplify excellence in many ways
and we appreciate your shining example that you clearly understand regulation
and expect us to enforce them…and beyond that, you still manage to smile, hold
your head up and to not let this hiccup cloud the vision of your dream…
There
were many others to thank, who helped make this year a success, and you know who
you are. If we have overlooked your specific mention, please understand that it
is not intentional and we deeply appreciate ALL efforts involved to continue to
make this system, the best of the best. We appreciate you and your dedication to
this art form and to this pageant system.
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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