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August 2005 Edition Of Excellence
Raquel's Reality By Raquel Chevallier (MGA
2005)
Greetings out there from one part of the country to the
next! Well, I knew this was going to be a busy month and it certainly proved to
be an exciting one.
It’s amazing to find that I’m writing my article for the month of August. And
although people say it flies by, I’ve traveled so much and booked my calendar
jam packed, that it actually feels like a long time, yet over night.
The month began with a star spangled prelim, Miss East Coast, at Maryland’s
infamous Deer Park Lodge, right outside Baltimore. Brian Alexander is no
stranger to MGA prelims, having been a Maryland city promoter for many years.
Brian and the staff at Deer Park are always so wonderful to work with. It was my
first time to work with the newly crowned Miss Gay Maryland, Brooke Lane and her
first alternate, Duwanna Moore. Also on the line up was former MGA’s Maya
Montana and Sabrina White, along with my zany sister, Ingenue. The end of the
evening found an ecstatic Stephanie Michaels being crowned Miss Gay East Coast
and Andora Te’Tee as first alternate. I’m very proud of both them and their hard
work and dedication. Thank you so much to Brian’s dedication to the MGA pageant
system. It is always so wonderful to work him and everybody at Deer Park. I’ll
actually get to see them all again when I’m booked there right before heading to
PA.
After a brief 4th of July celebrating with Ingenue, it was off for my first trip
to Indiana. I cannot say enough about my new friend, India Black. It was so
wonderful getting to know her. I’ve said it so many times, unless you’re in the
same group with someone at MGA, you really won’t get a chance to know each
other. India was such a doll to open her home to me during the Miss Gay Indiana
pageant. It was so nice to be there for all nights of competition being able to
work with the formers and their new promoter, James Randall. Fourteen
contestants competed during two nights of prelims. The next night the
contestants joined India and I for a fabulous bar crawl throughout Indianapolis,
stopping at six clubs before finishing the night off with an incredible Miss Gay
Indiana revue show at the Talbott Street Club. Everyone from Indiana treated me
so wonderfully and really made me feel welcomed. Final night was just as
exciting with four of the top five being former first alternates. My sincere
congratulations to Annastacia DeMoore, on becoming the newest member to the
Indiana family, with Samantha Lynn as first alternate.
This was one of the toughest days for me as Miss Gay America. The pageant was
over around 3 AM. After taking pictures, talking with the contestants and
packing up, I was out of the bar by 3:30 AM and dashing back to India’s to
de-drag, shower and pack to be on a flight for 6 AM. When I arrived in Ft.
Lauderdale, I got about a three hour nap before getting ready for a show at
Jimmy’s Cabaret with Erika Norrel and Nikki Adams. I must admit, I survived and
had a great time. Every time I find myself worn out and exhausted, I remember
Charity’s words of wisdom. “You worked nine years to win Miss Gay America and
for only one year, you get to wear that crown!”
The rest of the weekend in Ft. Lauderdale was a big reunion. It was the first
time I had seen Linda Carrero since becoming MGA. It was great visiting with
her. The next day both Norman and Maya joined us and we all stayed at a fabulous
new gay resort. Mark Bostian and Tim Hickman had an incredible line up of
entertainment, so much so that it scared off the contestants. At registration
the only gal up to bat was Coti Collins. Therefore, we showed south Florida what
the MGA system is all about and gave them an awesome show. Among the
entertainers were Carmella Marcella Garcia, Crystal Chambers, Chantel Reshae,
Coti Collins and Alina Malletti. Since I have matching first alternate trophies
from MGFLA from two years in a row, they really surprised me and presented me
with honorary Miss Gay Florida!
While everyone else hit the skies and the highways, I stayed one more day for
me, Mark, Norman and their beaus to layout on the beach. I couldn’t leave
Florida without some color!
After heading home for about two days, it was off to Oklahoma for another
legendary pageant, Miss Gay Oklahoma. It was so special to see the formers, many
whom I haven’t seen in many years and most of them I competed with at MGA over
the years. They had a fabulous, huge painted portrait of Pure Chocolate on stage
for the pageant! Fourteen contestants competed for the coveted title. My sincere
congratulations to Tabitha Taylor. You really worked it girl, and lived up to
the Lady Barbara award you received last year at MGA! Also, a big congrats to
first alternate, Kirsten Gray. I look forward to seeing you both at MGA in
October. It was great to be able to meet and mingle with the contestants at the
champagne reception. Thank you so much for making me feel so welcomed.
I also had such a great chance to get to hang out and visit with my big sister,
Rachael, and her husband Clyde. Former Miss Oklahoma, Adrianna, and her husband,
Chris, joined us as we all went out to dinner the day after. It was certainly
good times! I was very glad that it was a weekend of pageants in OKC. With the
final night of Miss Gay Oklahoma and Miss Northwest all in the same weekend,
with a night off in between, it gave us a chance to chill out and bee bop around
some of the clubs in OKC as dudes!
Finishing off the weekend of pageants in OKC was Miss Northwest. Orlando,
originally from OKC but now lives in Dallas, is a new regional promoter, but by
no means is a new promoter among the MGA system. He was ready for a knock ‘em
down pageant, but we had two show up, so we just had a fabulous show with
Dominique Sanchez. Congratulations to Alyssa Edwards and Carissa Corday on
getting their tickets and going as representatives to Miss Northwest!
After a surprising four days back at home, which was a nice rest up, I was off
to Ohio for three days of fun! This was my first time in Ohio since I was four
years old. The former Miss Ohio's are, truly, a great bunch of gals! You all
opened up your lives and welcomed me in with open arms. I had a wonderful time
meeting you, working with you and getting to know you all. Erika Evans, you did
an amazing job, being the great administrator your state needed. Congrats on a
job, very well done!
Twelve contestants competed for three days. All the contestants in Miss Gay Ohio
America did such a wonderful job. I was so proud of each of you. I was so
pleased at how well everyone worked together and supported each other. That's
how it's supposed to be! You all made me very proud to be at your pageant! Two
veterans polished to the top. Joey Winters was crowned Miss Gay Ohio with
Symphony Alexander as first alternate. I congratulate you both with all my
heart. I can certainly appreciate the hard work and dedication you’ve both put
forth.
Well, after getting home and just having one day to do some computer work,
repack, and do laundry and it’s off to Arizona, DC and PA.
Finally, it’s in “Raquel’s Reality” that just as soon as I thought it couldn’t
get busier, I woke up at home, in my own bed, and for a second, I didn’t know
where I was! I wish you all the best of luck as you prepare for this year’s Miss
Gay America pageant and thank you for being part of my journey.
All my love,
Raquel Chevallier
Miss Gay America 2005
From the desk of Larry & Terry
Positive behavior
usually yields a positive reputation…….
Greetings to you as the
crowning of Miss Gay America 2006 is drawing near. As we have made many
decisions about the pageant in October, there are many more to make, but with
each decision we have made, we look at each one with the best interest of this
system. It is a tremendous undertaking to produce a national pageant and we are
more excited than ever to present to you, the greatest national pageant, in the
history of the Miss Gay America system.
When we meet new people, one of the most common things said to is that, “we have
heard so many positive things about you”. It made us realize, that many of you
we have not yet met, however, we feel as if we already know you, just by your
reputation. Reputation is a very powerful thing and can sometimes “make” or
“break” you. Many of us are known by our reputation which is why it is so very
important to behave in a respectable manner, and remember that most everything
we do, can and will have an effect on our reputation. Sometimes reputation can
be misleading and based off of gossip and hearsay, but more often than not,
there is truth to most reputations. We have stated many times before, that we,
as owners of this national pageant system, will not tolerate constant negative
behavior from titleholders (past, present and future) and we hope that all know
that when you wear the “Symbol of Excellence” crown, you are placed in the
“spotlight”, both onstage and offstage. This is the very reason of the
importance of positive behavior, which will yield a positive reputation. Each of
us serve as role model to someone, therefore you should lead by example. Please
remember that what you do today, will effect how others view you tomorrow. In
our opinion, once you have received the title of Miss Gay America, you will
always be known for it and you should always demonstrate positive behavior as a
leader in the gay community and in the art of female impersonation. For many of
us, had we to do certain things over again, we would do things differently,
which always measures our personal growth.
As we are attempting to provide to you, the best in pageantry, we want to invite
as many former Miss Gay America titleholders as possible to participate. We are
very excited to see nearly 15 of the former Miss Gay America’s participating in
Miss Gay America 2006 events. Some have had particular issues in the past but we
feel that in this new and exciting time in this system, it may be time to begin
with a “clean slate” and move this pageant system forward, in a very positive
direction. To those whose actions have offended others, this is a time to offer
apology to those who have been offended and to modify behavior that does not
create the same situation. To those who have been offended, it is a time to
realize acceptance of apologies offered and look ahead to a wonderful future.
There are two former Miss Gay America titleholders, Tiffany Bonet-Miss Gay
America 1992 and Sabrina White-Miss Gay America 2002, who have desire to return
to this system and assist in the revitalization of this great history of
excellence. We have asked each of them to write an article for this edition of
Excellence, as you will find their article to follow. We have agreed to them
being part of the Miss Gay America 2006 events and we continue to look forward
to the positive direction, in which this system is heading.
We thank you for your participation in moving this system forward. The
revitalization that we are seeing is incredible and we are honored to be part of
it.
Until next time…
 To
all Promoters, Contestants and the Miss Gay America family:
Recently there has been
much speculation regarding the current status of my jewelry business. While I
have refused to participate in online gossip, I feel that I do owe an
explanation of this matter….
About a year and half ago, as with some small businesses, I experienced several
financial setbacks, which in turn led to a halt in my jewelry production thus, I
have several customers who have long delayed orders. For this I truly apologize,
because that is not the type of person I am.
It has probably been the most trying time of my life. There have been many
damages done to my character and reputation that cannot be repaired however; I
want each of you to know that I have every intention of filling all outstanding
orders. I intend to start this process in September and rest assured, I will not
stop until every order is delivered.
I offer my apology to anyone to whom my actions have been offensive. As I make
effort to mend this situation, I ask that we can all move forward and focus on
the positive future that lies ahead of the Miss Gay America system, and to those
who choose to be part of it.
Once again, I appreciate your long patience with this matter, and offer my
sincerest apology.
Tiffany Bonet
Miss Gay America 1992
Greetings to all!! It has
been a while since I have contributed an article to the excellence newsletter.
Please forgive me if this sounds jumbled as I am a little out of practice.
First and foremost I want to say welcome to the new owners Larry and Terry to
the MGA family. We have spoken a few times, and I believe their vision of
rebuilding a better MGA will be a success and will help move the pageant
forward. Also I know their vision of trying to rebuild the family that has
somehow gotten lost in the past, will be re constructed. With that said, I have
been asked to write an article about reputation and rumors and how they
coincide.
“Reputation”, by my definition, is something you achieve and/or are acknowledged
for by your actions and achievements. With that said, I have been a Female
Impersonator for over 14 years now. In those years I have proven myself to be an
entertainer, a promoter, an educator, and a student. During my 7 years of
competing for MGA I had to prove myself over and over. In those 7 years I was
also building a great reputation. But with all good comes some bad, and
sometimes rumors get started. My drag mother always told me, “It doesn’t matter
if its good or bad always remember… they are talking about you. It’s when they
stop that you start to worry.” With that advice I never got involved in the
rumor mill about what others said about me. I never felt a need to defend
myself. The main purpose of this letter is to and apologize to anyone who may
have heard rumors about me, and finally to defend myself against those rumors.
Many of us can say, if we had chance to do certain things again, we may do it
differently.
These rumors about me were untreated and to some it became a “false truth”. By
not defending my self in the past this rumor became a false truth. This false
truth tarnished my reputation and now I am trying to rectify the effects it may
have had on my career and reputation.
When I became MGA 2002, I never knew how much my life would change or that how
intimidating it would be. As Miss Gay America you are looked up to, admired,
torn down and judged for every action that you do. I lived in fear of my crown
during my reign and finally started to try and relax afterwards. People will
always try and find something to say about you and me, be it good or bad. But
one thing is for sure… you will be remembered. Hopefully we will all be
remembered for our good things and not our bad. With that said I hope we can put
this rumor to bed. Let us focus on the great things to come in our future and
the future of MGA.
If my actions have offended any of you, I truly offer my apologies as it was not
my intention to offend anyone. I only want to move forward and to be part of the
positive future of the Miss Gay America system.
In closing (I know…. I’m still long winded as always) I wish only the best for
this new change in the pageant ownership and I hope we can all try as
contestants and promoters to be as kind as we can to whoever MGA may be. The job
is not an easy one and it’s always nice to hear encouragement. As many of my MGA
sisters will attest, compliments come far and few between and it’s nice to hear
sometimes. I look forward to seeing you all in Memphis this year as we welcome a
new MGA into our arms and family!
Until then best wishes and long lashes!
Much Love
Sabrina White, MGA 2002
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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