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April 2010 Edition Of
"The Excellence"
Coco's Corner
 Knowing
you are going to have to write this article every month sometimes you wonder if
you are going to have enough interesting things to write about from your
experiences during your travels… well let me just say since I’ve started, I
haven’t been at a loss for words. It’s been quite interesting at times…
So
now that the official first promotional photo has been released… I can tell
you what it was like to hope and pray that out of 6 hours of preparation and
photographing, they could find a picture of myself that is worthy of being
called the first official picture of Miss Gay America 2010. Thanks to Francis
Glenn Photography! These ladies were a dream to work with. I didn’t even
realize that the time had flown by so fast. I’ve never been so relaxed at a
photo shoot in my life. They made me feel like a princess. I was so sure with
both sets parents there, Larry and Terry (L & T Entertainment) and Mike and
Rodney (my Miss Heart of
America
family) I would be just fine. I was on pins and needles, then I received the
email saying a proof was ready, I paused for a minute not knowing what to expect
then opened it… I couldn’t believe I was looking at myself, I had to catch
my breathe, smiled and wiped my tears of joy and from that moment on I didn’t
have to wake up in the middle of the night anymore and check my nightstand for
the crown just to make sure I wasn’t dreaming… It was truly official…
So
just one week after coronation I headed back to
Missouri
but this time to
Kansas City
MO.
I went to spend time with my big sister Victoria Depaula/Carl (Miss Gay America
2009). I call Victoria my big sister even though I’m older than her and it
feels really good to do tha… its not because she looks older than me, because
she doesn’t… it’s because she was Miss Gay America before me that’s all.
Former Miss Missouri Sparkle Iman picked me up from the airport and of course we
stopped for Ribs at Gates Barbeque before we headed to the Depaula estate. I was
invited to perform in her Sunday night show at Tootsie’s and boy did we have a
blast! It was Oscar’s Sunday and we had a grand ole time. Melinda Ryder and
Kurt Nelson gave me a great welcome package with very useful things. I enjoyed
gracing the stage with them, Tajma Stetson, Iman Micheals, Imani Starr and of
course Victoria Depaula. I performed my final number of the night in my crown
and as I looked over the audience and saw
Victoria
’s Mom, Mike Rinehart (promoter of Mid East), Sparkle Iman and many other
welcoming faces, I realized then that its only just begun… We ended the night
with some fast food. VD, Sparkle Iman and I, all in a big slumber party in bed
watch MGA dvd’s of the past as we fell asleep one by one. Then it was time for
the airport. I didn’t want to leave my big brother so soon because there was a
lot of knowledge he possessed that I wanted to know but there would be time for
that in just a few days when we met in another airport in a different city. We
embraced as he dropped me off at the curb side check-in and he passed me my
crown box which was once his, and said “see you in a few, puss”. I waived
goodbye and headed for the security checkpoint for another eventful crown
frisking, courtesy of TSA’s finest. I felt myself getting use to all the
airport drama and adjusting very well I might add.
I
headed back home to
Orlando
Florida
to prepare for Mid America in
Memphis
Tennessee
, my very first Miss Gay America 2011 pageant season preliminary. Things got off
to a great start. I met with Kori Stevens, my seamstress just to make sure she
was pulling her hair out trying to meet my deadlines. Chatted with Alicia
Markstone who made a lovely pinup girl ensemble to fit the Mid America
presentation them, (all from measurement memory) and made arrangements to pick
it up… they are both so talented and I thank you ladies… They worked on that
while I studied and studied. After being on the other side of the orientation
process for three years, it was now my turn on the other side of the table. Was
I nervous? ABSOLUTLEY!!! But if nerves weren’t enough, the next turn of events
you’re about to hear may be unbelievable to you without experiencing them
yourself, but trust me I wouldn’t wish this on any title holder.
So
after a lovely dinner and conversation at the
Orlando
home of Miss Mid America 2009 Chantel Reshae. I headed home to do my final
packing and preparation for an early afternoon flight from Orlando international
airport into St. Louis for a layover where I would meet up with Victoria then on
to Little Rock Arkansas, were our parents (L&T) would pick us up and head
back into Memphis for a little last minute schooling and R&R. That was the
planned events for the next day. The weather in
Orlando
had it’s own itinerary it wanted to follow.
It
was now that next afternoon and as the events began to unfold, this is where
things began to get pretty crazy. So the flight that was suppose to leave
Orlando
at 2pm that afternoon but didn’t leave until 9pm that night due to horrible
rain and lighting. So quite naturally I missed my connection in
St. Louis
and
Victoria
calls and says, “hey Webster, where are you?” I replied “Still in
Orlando
” So now I’m becoming extremely nervous and of course and all my dads are
calling trying to keep me calm. Daddy Terry called saying “don‘t worry baby
girl, this will all work out“, Then Daddy Larry saying “oh baby girl, well
we will just get through this, don’t panic.” Daddy Mike saying “OH NO!!
I’ll pick you up from the
Memphis
Airport
if they can re direct your flight.” Momma/Daddy Rodney saying “girl your
not here yet?!?!” (leave it to Rodney to keep the humor alive in any
situation) but now everything is racing in my mind... Am I really going to miss
my first preliminary of the season!!!? I cannot be late to registration/
orientation!!! That wouldn’t be a good way to start off the season, But as I
looked out the glass window of the terminal by my departure gate that had no
aircraft, it never really dawned on me to ask why all our luggage was just
sitting out in the rain. Well anyway, finally we depart Orlando and arrive in
St. Louis, stranded because the next flight to Little Rock was in the morning so
I decide to go to the baggage office and ask about my bags that were suppose to
fly straight thru to Arkansas. The lady was nice and said they may be on the
carousel so I went and there they were… so I picked them up and asked her if
they would hold them and redirect them to my morning flight and she said sure. I
asked if I could get a few things out for my unexpected hotel stay at the local
Quality Inn, she said yes and as I unzipped my suitcase as water began to flow
out of it… everything was soaked! I was to mentally exhausted to even crying.
The 7 hours sitting in the rainstorm had taken its toll on my luggage. Then the
lady at Southwest began with her apologies and immediately got on the phone.
From the contents of the suitcase, she realized I was an entertainer and asked
many questions as she documented every article of clothing that might be
damaged, So then the big question was asked “oh my, is that you?” and my
response was yes and I am Miss Gay America 2010. Let’s just say I didn’t
stay at the Quality Inn that evening... I stayed at the
Hilton
Airport
courtesy of Southwest Airlines. I did express my concern with this matter and
informed them I would be writing a letter to the head office about the issue and
how great the staff was with trying to help resolve the matter, so if the new
Southwest Airlines commercial airs on TV and I’m dressed as a flight attendant
holding the MGA crown and they announce “Southwest Airlines is a proud sponsor
of the Miss Gay America pageant.” don’t be shocked, its just called
networking and turning problems into profit. Enough of that, as the issues of
soiled wardrobe and makeup, with my first prelim approaching in less than 24
hours was still unresolved. I got to the hotel, checked in with my courtesy
coupon and headed straight to my room and took the hair dryer from the powder
room and began to dry everything I could. Soaked were beautiful new lace-front
wigs (I love my lace-fronts), and new costumes straight off the sewing tables,
leather boots, etc. All in all, it took about 4 1/2hours to dry most of it and
my flight was at 7am… so sleep was something I didn’t get. I got to Little
Rock and Daddy Terry picked me up with just hours to spare until orientation, so
on the drive back to Memphis we began my crash course in orientation 101. I’d
asked questions as he drove and he’d answer them and he’d ask questions of
which my studying should have given me the answers. This was just another reason
why I chose the Miss Gay America system, as the challenge of being on top of
your game even in uncontrollable circumstances are ever present. I‘ve had many
great administrators before me (like Victoria Depaula) and to live up to being
even half of what they were would be a great accomplishment in my book. Threw
all of this, in good spirits I arrived with 30 minutes to spare and even though
it was a whirl-wind of events, I was not built to break. I never once wanted
pity or made excuses due to circumstances because this was the job I signed up
for when I decided to compete for this title. I survived my first preliminary of
the year… lets hope the travels don’t get any worse than that! It was a
great night with Victoria Depaula(MGA2009) as lead judge and Raquel Chevallier
(MGA2005) was also a judge. Rachael Erikk’s (MGA2004) was hostess and emcee as
we celebrated her 21rst birthday again, Along with Miss Tennessee America 2009
Anita Cocktail, a great co-host… 6 lovely contestants all made for a night to
remember. Miss Mid America 2010 Tanisha Foxx and Annastacia Beaverhousen are the
first contestants to qualify for Miss Gay America 2011 pageant Oct 13-17th
in
Columbus
OH
. Best of luck girls!
So
as this article comes to a close I want to apologize to the future Miss Gay
America’s because due to my longwinded articles, I’m pretty sure that as of
next year there will be a page limit on your monthly article along with a 450
words or less rule… I’m sorry, I’ve got so much to say, so please let me
live this dream out loud. I love you all and stay tuned to next months article
as I tell you about my visit to Arizona with my friend Celebrity Starr, Daniel
(promoter for Miss Arizona America) Lucinda Holiday Mikaila
Kay (Miss
Gay America 2008), Barbra Seville, Janee’ Star and many more, Miss Gay
Maryland America 2010, Miss Gay D.C. America, and a behind the scenes look at my
road to MGA and confessions told to me from a very close friend Alexis Mateo,
(my closest supporter and dresser all three years of my journey to become MGA).
All of this and more in the next issue of
Coco
’s Corner.
We Go On,
Coco
Montrese
Miss Gay America 2010
 From the desk of Larry & Terry
Let
The Pageant Season Begin…
Happy Spring to you! We hope that each of you are
enjoying the beauty of the spring season. This is an exceptional time of year
and each of should take time to enjoy the production proudly displayed by Mother
Nature. Well, the first official direct preliminary to the Miss Gay America 2011
pageant season has occurred and what an incredible pageant. The Miss Mid America
2010 pageant was held in
Memphis
,
Tennessee
and this was a pageant for all to see… Miss Gay America 2010 Coco Montrese
was on spot in every way…she looked great, her on stage performance was
incredible and her administrative skills were certainly up to par. Also
entertaining was Miss Gay America 2004 Rachael Erikks, Miss Gay America 2005
Raquel Chevallier, Miss Gay America 2009 Victoria DePaula and Miss Gay Tennessee
America 2009 Anita Cocktail and of course, the incredible Miss Mid America 2009
Chantel Reshae. The show was grand before considering the six contestants…and
the six contestants were certainly worthwhile to see compete for this most
prestigious title. We thank all those who helped make the evening a success
including the entertainers, Chris Bryant (aka Pat McCooter), Mike Divoky,
Paulette Harness, Hadley Sinclair and the Crossroads of Memphis staff. The six
contestants brought great competition packages. The contestants traveled from
far. We were honored to have Annastacia Beaverhousen, Tanisha Foxx, Madison
LaShay, Symphony Alexander Love, Monica Moore and Sally Sparkles. By the end of
this incredible battle, Annastacia Beaverhousen was awarded the 1st
alternate spot and becoming Miss Mid America 2010 was Tanisha Foxx.
Tanisha proved once more that consistency pays off. We look forward to
working with these two and coaching them to be the best that they can be as they
represent the Miss Mid America pageant, at the Miss Gay America 2011 pageant.
There are no certainties in pageantry and every point counts, which is why it
was so difficult to witness that there can be only one winner and any of the six
contestants would be incredible representatives at the national pageant. But, at
the end of the night, only one will win and usually the one who is most
consistent, wins! We are pleased that the four contestants who unfortunately did
not qualify, have all indicated that they will move on to other preliminaries as
they embark their quest to become the next Miss Gay America.
It was incredible to see so many people travel
from across the country to compete in or attend this contest. It makes us humble
to realize how far deep the Miss Gay America pageant reaches in this art form of
female illusion. Once more, it has been proven than no matter the adversity,
there are many who demonstrate their undying support of this pageant system,
primarily because of what this contest stands for. We continue to realize that
no matter the entertainer, all have aspired to be Miss Gay America, which is why
it is so humbling to see the desire in the eyes of Miss Gay America 2010 Coco
Montrese, to be “Excellence” and to reign with pride, more-so seeking a
pride from those affiliated with the system in that they can be proud of her…
Coco Montrese clearly wants to be what the country expects and is ready to do
the job. She is leading by example and we look forward to witnessing her have an
incredible reign. The outpour of support for Coco Montrese is incredible and our
heart swells with pride when we see her or hear great compliments of how she
exudes excellence.
All this to say that we are most excited about the
upcoming preliminaries... This year is proving to be another incredible year of
competition and we are anxious to see the results of the next pageants. It is a
privilege to continue this legacy and our amazement is never ending, in that the
continued support for this contest is so strong.
So Happy Spring and we look forward to seeing you
throughout our travels during this pageant season. Until then, take care!
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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