Laura with other Top 10 finalists   Congratulations to Laura Jones, Miss Kentucky's Outstanding Teen, who placed in the Top 10 Finalists at Miss America's Outstanding Teen!  She receives a $1,500 scholarship for placing in the Top 10.  Laura also received a Preliminary Evening Wear Award and an Instrumental Talent Award scholarship of $500.  For a complete listing of scholarship winners click here.

Check out the latest issue of LexScene magazine with Miss Kentucky, Djuan Trent on the cover! http://www.lexscene.com/

Congratulations to Miss Kentucky's Outstanding Teen, Laura Jones, who received a Preliminary Evening Gown award on Tuesday night at the Miss America's Outstanding Teen Pageant in Orlando, Florida.  Laura tied for the award with Miss Oklahoma's Outstanding Teen, Lacey Russ and they are both pictured above.  Preliminary competition will continue on Wednesday night when Laura competes in the Fitness competition and on Thursday night she will perform her talent.  The finals will be held on Saturday beginning at 8 PM.

Ann-Blair Thornton, Kentucky's representative to the 2010 National Sweetheart Pageant Miss Monticello 2010 and 1st runner-up to Miss Kentucky, Ann-Blair Thornton, will represent our state in the 2010 National Sweetheart Pageant.    Sponsored by the Hoopeston (Illinois) Jaycees, the National Sweetheart Pageant is held annually in conjunction with the National Sweetcorn Festival.  It enables the first runners-up from state pageants to compete for a $1,000 scholarship, $500 savings bond and an assortment of prizes.  The pageant also gives them a taste of what Miss America is like on a smaller scale.  Preliminaries will be held on Friday, September 3rd and Saturday, September 4th, with the final competition being held on Sunday, September 5th.  There are 38 contestants entered in this year's pageant.   The Sweetheart Pageant has been held continuously with state runners-up competing since 1952.  In that time period Kentucky has won the title five times:  Diana Barker (1968), Linda Brownfield (1970), Carolyn Jones (1977), Chera-Lyn Cook (1997) and MacKenzie Mayes (2000).  To date seven Miss Americas have previously participated in the National Sweetheart Pageant.    For more information about the Sweetheart Pageant and Sweetcorn Festival visit: www.hoopestonjaycees.com

Please keep Miss Kentucky Executive Director Jamie Breeding in your thoughts and prayers as he deals with the recent loss of his mother, June Breeding.  Her obituary including funeral arrangements is below:   August 10, 2010 - June Frazier Breeding passed away Tuesday, August 10, 2010 at the Letcher Manor Nursing Home. She was born February 29, 1924 at Hot Spot in Letcher County, being 86 years old. She was the daughter of the late James Benton and Louisa (Calahan) Frazier. She was the youngest of nine children and lived to be the last surviving. She was preceded in death by her husband: Bradley Breeding in 1989. They had one son, James Bradley (Jamie) Breeding, Lexington. June is also survived by her companion of the last twenty years, Hubert Hall and his family Dr. Janet Jones (J.D. Jones) Lexington, Dr. Hubert Hall Jr. (Dr. Debbie Stanley) Lexington, Joan Hall Ward (Judge Jim Ward) Whitesburg. Six grandchildren and 1 great grandchild. Her love for Shiela Smith, Redford Township, Michigan and Don Brown Lexington made them very much a part of her family. A graduate of ashland Business College, June and Bradley Breeding began a successful career in the coal business in 1946, being the owner of Breeding Trucking and Coal. They were known for their hard work and dedication, as well as their civic and charitable contributions. She is a member of the VFW Ladies Auxilary, Blair Branch Old Regular Baptist Church, and Isom Days Festival Committee. She was a longtime election officer, being prominent in politics in Kentucky. She is a current board member of Mountain Comprehensive Health Clinics. She was blessed to still have her two best friends from childhood, Mabel Jo Buttrey and Bobby Jean Collins. The three Golden Girls, who enjoyed life to its fullest and were also known as the three J's, Jo, Jean, and June. Now there is two, Jo and Jean. Thank you to two special nieces Shirley Breeding and Cathy June Frazier. Two special friends, Carl and Anne Hall of Whitesburg, plus many other family members and friends. Funeral Services will be 1:00 P.M. Friday, August 13, 2010 at the Little Colly Baptist Church. Visitation: 7:00 P.M. - 9:00 P.M. Thursday, August 12, 2010 at the Little Colly Baptist Church. Burial will follow in the Herb Maggard Cemetery. Pallbearers will be: Joe Calhoun, William Paul, Don Brown, Tim Breeding, Sonny Frazier, Gaither Frazier, Tracy Frazier, Michael Frazier, David Combs, and Judge Jim Ward. Memorial contributions may be made to Isom Presbyterian Church, Little Colly Baptist Church, or Blair Branch Old Regular Baptist Church.

The Planet Hollywood Casino & Resort will once again play host to the Miss America Pageant for 2011. Preliminary competition will be held on January 11, 12 & 13 and the finals will be on Saturday, January 15th broadcast nationwide on ABC. Anyone who is possibly interested in attending this year's pageant should contact Jamie Breeding at jamiebreed@aol.com or by phone at (859) 273-4931 for more information about purchasing tickets and hotel accommodations.  Badges for visitation, rehearsal, etc. are $35 and payment must be received by November 1st in order to secure those.  Send your check to Jamie Breeding at 3284 Shoal Lake Drive, Lexington, KY 40515.  We hope to have a large contingency to support our new Miss Kentucky, Djuan Trent, as she represents our state at Miss America.

Miss Kentucky's Outstanding Teen 2010, Laura Jones

Best wishes to Miss Kentucky's Outstanding Teen 2010, Laura Jones, as she represents our state in the 2010 Miss America's Outstanding Teen Pageant in Orlando, August 24 - 28.  The pageant will be held at the Linda Chapin Theatre in the Orange County Convention Center.  For more information on tickets and upcoming events visit:  www.maoteen.org

Brenda Upton, Volunteer of the Year

During the Friday night preliminary competition held on July 16, 2010, Brenda Upton, director of the Miss Berea Area Pageant, was named Volunteer of the Year for the Miss Kentucky Organization.  Additionally, the Grayson Chamber of Commerce was recognized for their outstanding service in providing scholarships and funds to support their local program.  Other local organizations were previously recognized for outstanding achievement:  Highest Cash Scholarship, Miss Lexington Pageant; Highest In-Kind Scholarship, Miss Lexington Pageant; Best Judges Book, Miss University of Louisville Pageant; Best Program Book, Miss Monticello Pageant; Best Production, Miss Bowling Green Pageant.  Also, during the final night of the Miss Kentucky Pageant, Miss America Board Member Ed Peterson presented a plaque to Miss Kentucky ED, Jamie Breeding, in honor of the pageant's 75th Anniversary.

Jessica Caruso, Djuan Trent, Miranda Sergent, Arielle Evans and Mira Baker The Top 5 Finalists for the Heather French Henry Quality of Life Award were announced on the opening day of the pageant.  They are:   Miss Heart of the Parks, Jessica Caruso, whose platform is Volunteer for Veterans.   Miss Berea Area, Djuan Trent, whose platform is Homelessness Prevention - A Hand Up, Not a Hand Out.   Miss Bluegrass Area, Miranda Sergent, whose platform is Making More Sense - Education & Awareness of Teen Dating Violence   Miss Metropolitan, Arielle Evans, whose platform is Adoption Awareness - He Is My Brother.   Miss Bardstown Area, Mira Baker, whose platform is Music Adds Up.   The finalists will interview with three former Miss Kentucky winners to determine the 2nd runner-up, 1st runner-up and winner of this year's Quality of Life Award.  The 2nd runner-up will receive a $200 scholarship, 1st runner-up will receive a $300 scholarship and the winner will receive a $500 scholarship.  Congratulations to this year's five finalists!

You can now follow the Miss Kentucky Organization on Twitter and Facebook.   Miss Kentucky Pageant Facebook http://www.facebook.com/?ref=home#!/pages/Miss-Kentucky-Pageant/130250473661456   Miss Kentucky Pageant Twitter http://twitter.com/Miss_KY_Pageant

BREAKING NEWS:  For the first time ever on the final night of the Miss Kentucky Pageant a Top 11 will be announced instead of a Top 10 and one of the 11 semi-finalists will be chosen by the public instead of the pageant judges.  The "Kentucky's Choice" finalist will be selected by an Internet vote.  Very soon there will be a page set up on this website where you will be able to go and vote for your favorite contestant for $1 per vote.  Click the Kentucky's Choice button at the top of the home page for more information.

There will be a Little Miss & Pre-Teen Pageant held in Lancaster, KY, on Saturday, April 24th.  This pageant will be held at the Lancaster Baptist Church Recreational Complex beginning at 2 PM.  There will be 4 new titles awarded and entry fee will be payed to the Little Miss / Pre-Teen Kentucky Pageant in June.   For more information contact Brenda Upton at missbereaarea@yahoo.com or by phone at (859) 200-5548.

2010 Greater Louisville titleholders The Greater Louisville Scholarship Organization is sponsoring a fundraiser:  Sunday, April 18, 2010  Wildwood Country Club 5000 Bardstown Road Brunch from 11:00 – 2:00  ($10 per person to Wildwood) OR  Cake and Punch Reception 2:00 – 4:00 ($5 donation person and $1 for kids 6-12)   100% of all proceeds will benefit their Queens and The Children’s Miracle Network  (Miss America’s national community service platform).  MISS contestants are required to raise a total of $500 for CMN to compete at state.   TEEN contestants need a total of $600 in order to offset their cost of participating at the state competiton.  All proceeds from the TEEN competition benefit the Miss Kentucky Scholarship Organization The reigning queens will be performing and speaking about their community platform issues.   The Greater Louisville Scholarship Organization is pleased to present these young women who are preparing for their upcoming state competitions in hopes of winning the ultimate opportunity to become Miss America (est. 1921) or Miss America’s Outstanding Teen.   The Miss America Scholarship Program is the world’s leading scholarship program for young women awarding over $45,000,000 on local, state, and national levels of competition.    WIN a Sterling Silver KENTUCKY DERBY CHARM bracelet ($125 value) from “A Mother’s Touch” for a donation of $5 (3 tickets) or $2 donation (1 ticket).    CHECKS MADE PAYABLE TO Children’s Miracle Network ARE Tax Deductible. CHECKS MADE PAYABLE TO The Greater Louisville Scholarship Organization, Inc. ARE NOT tax deductible.  We are non-proft (501 C-4) organization.  If Supporting an individual queen, please put her name in bottom left corner of check!   For more information contact Debbie Robbins @ 502.693.5452 or email debbierobbins@insightbb.com

Life skills trainer Don Baker will be speaking to contestants at the Miss Kentucky orientation in Lexington on Saturday, May 22.  He’ll discuss both communication skills (interpersonal, interview and the tools of extemporaneous speaking) and leadership skills (among them time management, goal setting, handling negatives and naturally avoiding the three fatal mistakes).  In short he’ll thoroughly outline and discuss the skills and tools that are consistent with being Miss Kentucky and Miss America as opposed to the typical contestant who only prepares for the pageant and fails to see, grasp and comprehend what he calls “the big picture.”  In the process he’ll precisely define the “it” factor – exactly what it is and how to achieve it within the contestant’s personality.  These are life skills that are applicable to everything a contestant does now as well as 50 years down the road.  But they’re also skills that are essential for those who have a realistic goal of becoming Miss Kentucky and subsequently Miss America.   Mr. Baker will remain in Lexington (at the Hyatt) on Sunday for those who wish to work with him individually.  These will be one-hour sessions and will be used to put in play what the contestant learned from the Saturday seminar.  He’ll explain the content of these sessions in more detail when he speaks Saturday.   The cost for these one-hour sessions is $125 (cash, check, Master Card, Visa or American Express).  Parents and local directors are encouraged to sit in (complimentary).  Should there be sufficient demand he will return prior to the state pageant at various locations throughout the state for follow-up work. About Don Baker  Don Baker has a bachelor’s degree from the University of Kansas in communications and public relations.  For 10 years he served as sports information director and assistant director of athletics at KU.  He also served several years as the vice-president of marketing at Tulsa Cable Television in Tulsa, Okla., prior to starting Don Baker Communications in 1991.  Five former Miss America titleholders – Shawntel Smith, Tara Holland, Nicole Johnson, Erika Dunlap and Deidre Downs – are among his former clients as is Meghan Miller, the first ever Miss America Outstanding Teen.   He is also a former board member of the Miss Oklahoma Pageant. For more information visit: www.donbakercommunications.com

Lexington Children’s Theatre brings back Celebrity Curtain Call in a Wicked way Lexington, KY – Lexington Children’s Theatre (LCT) is pleased to announce its upcoming second annual Celebrity Curtain Call goes Wicked special event benefiting LCT and the 130,000 children LCT serves each year.  Sponsored by Bank of the Bluegrass, Dulworth, Breeding & Karns, and University of Kentucky Community Engagement, Celebrity Curtain Call goes Wicked will hit the stage on Saturday, April 24. The evening will commence with a reception including complimentary wine, Alltech's Kentucky Ale and heavy hor d'oeuvres from Lexington's finest dining establishments. Following the reception, a cast of over 20 local personalities and community leaders will perform scenes highlighting some of LCT's favorite villains. This year’s cast is comprised of Alan Stein with the Lexington Legends, Bill Owen with Lexington Center Corporation, University of Kentucky Football Coach Joker Phillips, radio personality Sue Wylie, LFUCG Council Member Kevin Stinnett, accountant Lindy Karns, Renee Jackson with the Downtown Lexington Corporation, LFUCG Council Member Doug Martin, community engagement and non-profit advocate Kathy Plomin, Tim Soulis with Transylvania University, Janet Holloway with Women Leading Kentucky, attorney Pam Perlman, Kelly Anne Beile with iModels, University of Kentucky’s Dr. Joseph Zwischenberger, attorney Tucker Richardson, banker and past LCT Board president Jim Richardson, Jack Cunningham with Frost, Brown, Todd LLC, entrepreneur and actress Karyn Czar, Miss Kentucky Mallory Ervin, Amanda Ferguson and Melissa Bacon with the Fayette County Board of Education, Senator Kathy Stein, and radio personality Deidre Ransdell. LCT’s celebrity cast will be performing villain driven scenes from the following productions: a musical piece from Wicked, Androcles and the Lion, Hansel and Gretel, Wicked John and the Devil, Rapunzel, Tomato Plant Girl, Little Red Riding Hood, and a surprise musical performance by Miss Kentucky Mallory Ervin. As part of this frightfully fun event, the evening will include two auctions. A silent auction will take place during the reception and State Representative Lonnie Napier, past president of the Kentucky Auctioneers Association, will entertain the crowd during the live auction occurring at intermission. The live auction will feature a Florida vacation, including a stay in Cocoa Beach and two round-trip airline tickets generously donated by AirTran Airways; a Colorado condo for six; Fort Knight Festival tickets and FEI World Equestrian Game tickets provided by Alltech; Luxury Suite for 22 including dinner at the Maker’s Mark Club at a Friday night Lexington Legends game; Limo service provided by Classic Limousine paired with a five-course wine tasting for 20 guests at Talon Winery; one of University of Kentucky Men’s Basketball Coach Calipari’s hard to find Special Collection Maker’s Mark Bourbon Bottles; Tickets in Rupp’s lower arena to the Taylor Swift Concert in May, generously donated by Lexington Center Corporation; swag from Lexington’s favorite country singer Laura Bell Bundy; regional get-aways, and much, much more. For tickets, please visit www.lctonstage.org or call LCT’s Box Office at (859)254-4546 ext. 247. For more information on Celebrity Curtain Call goes Wicked, please contact Maggie Morris, Development Director, at mmorris@lctonstage.org or (859) 254-4546 ext. 230.

Joetta Gaunt

The Miss Kentucky Scholarship Organization is pleased to announce that Joetta Gaunt has been elected to the pageant's board of directors. She has served for the past seven years as the executive director of the Miss Cumberland Falls Scholarship Pageant, a position which she has resigned from effective immediately. Joetta resides in Knox County and she is a retired educator, gifted photographer and serves on the boards of several state and local organizations. She brings a wealth of knowledge and expertise to her new position and all who know her would say that she is a true lady in every sense of the word. Joetta will no doubt be an enormous asset to our state organization. We would also like to announce that effective immediately the new executive director of the Miss Cumberland Falls Scholarship Pageant is Prudie Thomas.  She has served on the Miss Cumberland Falls pageant committee and is also involved with many other organizations, including the Kentucky Mountain Laurel Festival. Prudie will undoubtedly continue Joetta's legacy of excellence and dedication to the Miss Cumberland Falls organization. Please join us in congratulating both of these ladies on their new positions.

Miss America 2010, Caressa Cameron   The Miss Kentucky Organization is excited to announce that Miss America 2010, Caressa Cameron, will be in attendance at this year's Miss Kentucky Pageant.  2010 marks the 75th anniversary of the Miss Kentucky Pageant and we are so excited to have the reigning Miss America on hand to help us celebrate on Friday and Saturday during pageant week.  Additional details will be forthcoming so stay tuned!

Mallory had the unique opportunity to serve as "Principal for a Day" at Bristow Elementary in Bowling Green on February 26th.  She was interviewed by WBKO in Bowling Green and you can view a video from this appearance by visiting their website:  www.wbko.com and clicking the "Miss Ky. Visits Local School" video underneath the video player on the right side of the page.

The Miss Kentucky Organization is currently accepting volunteers to serve as contestant hostesses for this year's pageant. We are seeking warm, caring, gracious and welcoming ladies, ages 28 and older, who are willing to volunteer their time and energy from July 11 - 17 as a hostess during state pageant week. Hostesses are required to reside with the contestants, transport them to various appearances throughout Lexington during the week and assist backstage during the pageant. In return the hostesses gain the wonderful opportunity to serve as a mentor and friend to the young ladies who are competing for the title of Miss Kentucky. We ask that hostesses not be closely related to any current Miss or Teen competitor in the Miss Kentucky or Miss Kentucky's Outstanding Teen system and also not working as a pageant coach for any contestant currently competing for the title. It is very important that a hostess be able to assist each contestant equally and without bias.   All who are interested in this opportunity or would like additional information please contact Paula Elder via email at jesscleaners@insightbb.com or by phone at (859) 806-7550.

On Saturday, March 6, 2010 at the Four Points by Sheraton (1938 Stanton Way) in Lexington a "Beauty Queen Boot Camp" is being hosted by Josh Rogers (Energy Fitness by Josh) & Sarah McClary Glitzer (Capture the Crown & Spotlight Consulting).  This is a full day workshop for young women with the goal of performing successfully in pageants and in life.  The program begins at 10 AM and will last until 5 PM (EST).  The registration fee is $300 and included in the fee is the workshop, activities (two workouts), meal and snacks.  Renowned photographer Fadil Berisha will be on hand for a photo session the following day on Sunday, March 7th.  For more information on this event please call (317) 529-2310 for more details please click on the attached PDF file below: BEAUTY QUEEN BOOT CAMP INFO

Joy Robbins It is with great sadness that the Miss Kentucky Organization announces the passing of a great friend and supporter of our organization, Joy Robbins, on January 23, 2010. Joy was a distinguished educator and co-owner of Image Improvement, Inc., established in 1987, helping people with public speaking and interviewing skills. She and her husband, Jim, helped numerous women compete in pageants with five of them earning the Miss America title. Memorial contributions can be given to the James A. and Joy A. Robbins Scholarship Fund through the Henry County Community Foundation or the Susan G. Komen Cancer Society with envelopes available at the funeral home. Online condolences may be expressed at www.hinsey-brown.com.

2010 Quality of Life Finalists This year's Quality of Life finalists were announced today at the Planet Hollywood Resort & Casino in Las Vegas during the 2010 Miss America Pageant Arrival Ceremony. The Arrival Ceremony was the first time the Las Vegas community was able to see all the Miss America hopefuls and welcome them to the city. On hand to announce the finalists were Marilyn Winn, President, Bally's Las Vegas, Paris Las Vegas and Planet Hollywood Resort & Casino; Bill Feather, President, Planet Hollywood Worldwide Resorts; Rossi Ralenkotter, President and CEO, Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority; Art McMaster, president and CEO of the Miss America Organization and Sam Haskell, III, Chairman of the Board of the Miss America Organization.   The ten finalists and their personal platform issues are:  Miss Alabama Liz Cochran - With Every Beat: The Prevention of Cardiovascular Disease Miss Iowa Anne Michael Langguth - "Good For You!" - Promoting Community Service, Wellness and Engagement in the Sciences Miss Kentucky Mallory Ervin - Autism Awareness Miss Minnesota Brooke Kelly Kilgarriff - Music: The Building Blocks of Education Miss Missouri Tara Osseck - Education and Prevention of Eating Disorders Miss Montana Brittany Marie Wiser - Suicide Prevention Education   Miss Nevada Christina Keegan - Rape Education & Recovery   Miss New Hampshire Lindsey Graham - Speaking Out for Mental Illness   Miss Oklahoma Taylor Treat - Engaging Students Through Service Learning   Miss Tennessee Stefanie Wittler - Ronald McDonald House and Children's Miracle Network Charities   The Quality of Life Awards were introduced in 1988 to recognize contestants who excel in their commitment to community service.  In order to be considered for the Quality of Life Award, contestants must submit an application describing their involvement with Children's Miracle Network, the national platform of the Miss America Organization, and their own personal platform issue.  The winner of the Quality of Life Award will receive a $6,000 scholarship, the first runner-up will win a $4,000 scholarship, and the second runner-up will win a $2,000 scholarship.  Winners will be announced at Planet Hollywood Resort & Casino on January 29 during the 10:30 a.m. (PST) press conference. Mallory becomes the seventh Miss Kentucky to become a Quality of Life Finalist and last year's Quality of Life winner was our very own Miss Kentucky 2008, Emily Cox.  Good luck Mallory!!

Miss Heart of Jenny Wiley's Outstanding Teen, Peyton Blanton, along with her classmates, is organizing a project to assist with the relief effort in Haiti.  They are trying to get 3 million jars of peanut butter to send to those in need in Haiti.  Peanut butter was selected because it is easy to digest, contains a lot of protein and is very filling.  If you would like to donate a jar of peanut butter or make a cash donation please contact Peyton via email at madisonl1@bellsouth.net

Laura Bell Bundy

Former Miss America judge and good friend of the Miss Kentucky Organization, Laura Bell Bundy, has recently released her new country music single, "Giddy On Up," which can be purchased on itunes and her video is being played on CMT and CMT.com.  You can view the video at: http://awe.sm/38OTC

Jim & Joy Robbins, Image Improvement Inc.

Well known pageant interview coaches Jim & Joy Robbins are currently being featured in Indianapolis Monthly.  Click here for the article.  Jim & Joy are longtime supporters of the Miss Kentucky Organization and have assisted many contestants nationwide with interview preparation.  Among their clientale are several former Miss America winners including the current Miss America, Katie Stam, and her predecessors Kirstin Haglund and Lauren Nelson.  They also have worked with runners-up and semi-finalists in the Miss America's Outstanding Teen Pageant and many other pageant systems.  For more information visit:  www.myspace.com/jimjoyrobbins

Mallory on the cover of Kentucky Monthly Heather French Henry on the cover of Tops In Lex

Check out the December 2009 / January 2010 edition of Kentucky Monthly which features Miss Kentucky 2009, Mallory Ervin, on the cover as well as a feature article on Mallory inside.  It also includes a photo shoot of Mallory along with her mother Lisa and sister Jade modeling holiday fashions.        Also make sure to get a copy of the holiday issue of Tops in Lex featuring Miss America 2000, Heather French Henry, on the cover and an article inside featuring Heather.  You can also find Miss Kentucky 2007, Kaitlynne Postel, in this issue modeling holiday fashions.

Congratulations to Miss Kentucky 2004, Maria Maldonado Smith and her husband Dan on the birth of their second child a baby boy named Luke.

Brian & Ericka

Miss America 2004 Ericka Dunlap and her husband, Brian Kleinschmidt, are currently appearing on season 15 of CBS' The Amazing Race on Sundays at 8 p.m. EST*.    Click here for more info about The Amazing Race   Don't forget to tune in! *Please check your local listings

Laurie Keller, Miss Kentucky 1985

Laurie Janine Keller was born on June 8, 1964, in Silver City, New Mexico. Laurie left this earth peacefully August 29, 2009. She spent her life in music, dance and the arts. Her joy was pleasing an audience with vocal performances, presenting her own written music and being herself. She was a former Miss Kentucky and a finalist in the Miss America Pageant in Atlantic City.   Left behind are parents, Wendell and Ann Keller of Anthem, Arizona; Thomas J. Powell, soulmate, Anthem, Arizona; sister, Lou Ann Potter of Ganmain, Australia; brothers, Grant A. Keller of Lakewood, Colorado; and Layne R. Keller of Findlay, Ohio.

Click here to view the full preliminary line-up for Miss America 2010

This year's Miss America Contestant Lottery was held recently and Mallory selected #5 in the Mu Group.  She will compete in private interview the morning of Monday, January 25; on-stage question on Tuesday night, January 26;  swimsuit & evening wear on Wednesday night, January 27 and talent on Thursday night, January 28.  The finals will be held on Saturday night, January 30 and will be televised on the TLC network.  Good luck Mallory!

Miss Kentucky's Outstanding Teen 2009, Madison McCowan

Madison McCowan, Miss Kentucky's Outstanding Teen, is officially beginning her role as the Ambassador for the Girls Know How® book series. Girls Know How is a fictional series of fun, entertaining chapter books that encourage readers ages 8 to 12 to explore and pursue the career of their dreams. As the Official Ambassador, Madison will donate a set of Girls Know How books to area school libraries and conduct a special program for current students about career exploration. Using her leadership and presentation skills, Madison will guide participants to start discovering how their interests can translate into real-life career opportunities. She also will share the journey of realizing her personal dream of becoming Miss Kentucky’s Outstanding Teen. The students will walk away confident that their career aspirations can become reality. If you are interested in booking Madison at your school, please contact her Business Manger: Susan Weaver @ 606-309-1496 or email weaversusane@windstream.net.

The Judge's Workshop has been rescheduled for Saturday, January 16, 2010 from 1:30 - 4:00 PM.  It will be held at Central Baptist Hospital Education Center (1720 Building in the basement). Everyone who is interested in becoming a certified judge should plan to attend.  Please download and complete the registration form below: CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD REGISTRATION FORM FOR JUDGES WORKSHOP

Debbie Robbins

Miss Jeffersontown board member, Debbie Robbins, has received the honor of of being featured on the soundtrack for the upcoming film Clancy singing the song "Brighter Day."  The song is currently available for download on iTunes.  To find out more about the film visit: http://www.clancymovie.com/

Janelle with Shannon Beam winner of the 2009 Miss National Sweetheart Pageant Miss Mammoth Cave Area 2009 and 1st runner-up to Miss Kentucky, Janelle Blevins, represented our state in the 2009 National Sweetheart Pageant.  The winner was Shannon Beam of Virginia (pictured with Janelle above).   Sponsored by the Hoopeston (Illinois) Jaycees, the National Sweetheart Pageant is held annually in conjunction with the National Sweetcorn Festival.  It enables the first runners-up from state pageants to compete for a $1,000 scholarship, $500 savings bond and an assortment of prizes.  The pageant also gives them a taste of what Miss America is like on a smaller scale.  Preliminaries will be held on Friday, September 4th and Saturday, September 5th, with the final competition being held on Sunday, September 6th.    The Sweetheart Pageant has been held continuously with state runners-up competing since 1952.  In that time period Kentucky has won the title five times:  Diana Barker (1968), Linda Brownfield (1970), Carolyn Jones (1977), Chera-Lyn Cook (1997) and MacKenzie Mayes (2000).  To date seven Miss Americas have previously participated in the National Sweetheart Pageant.    For more information about the Sweetheart Pageant and Sweetcorn Festival visit: www.hoopestonjaycees.com

Mallory with the award winning ham One of Miss Kentucky's duties every year is to assist with the auctioning of the grand champion country ham at the Kentucky State Fair.  This year a record was set when the Suthernland Foundation and Republic Bank and Trust Company reached decided to combine their bids and jointly donated $1.3 million dollars to charity organizations.  Among those sharing in the proceeds will be the Wayside Christian Mission, Louisville flood victims, and the University of Louisville’s Bucks for Brains program.  Click the photo above for a link to an article about the event.

Photo courtesy of Orlando Attractions Magazine Several of the 2009 Miss America contestants, including our own Miss Kentucky, Mallory Ervin, visited Universal Studios in Orlando, Florida, while attending the Miss America's Outstanding Teen pageant.  Orlando Attractions Magazine followed the contestants and took photos and video of the contestants' visit.  CLICK HERE TO GO TO THE ARTICLE, PHOTOS & VIDEO.

Miss America Local Pageants Insurance Coverage       Miss America local pageant organizations should have insurance coverage in place before the date of their local pageant competition.  For years now the K&K Ins. Group has provided local pageants affiliated with the Miss America Organization the insurance coverage necessary for the local events. Local pageant organizations are to contact the association's agent--John Gallaher at 573-581-8330.       Please notice the attachment and the insurance company's website address,                  http://www.gtrinsurance.com/     There is a link at the bottom of the opening page of the website “Click here to order a pageant certificate of insurance” And email address, gtr@gtrinsurance.com        Ideally this should be done very early in the pageant year.  A document showing that you have insurance coverage from accident and liability is often times required by venues before they will approve use of their facility.

The Miss America Organization is proud to announce that negotiations with a new vendor, New York based K.A. Concepts, have been finalized.  As the new “official” crown provider, K.A. Concepts will supply the official State, Local, Outstanding Teen and Princess Crowns to all of our local and state organizations. A link to the K.A. Concepts’ crown store can only be found in the password protected Miss America Resource Portal located at www.maoproperties.com*. The secure shopping page will enable registered resource portal users to order the crowns on-line and pay with a credit card.   To order, go to www.maoproperties.com.  If you don’t have a username or password to access the Miss America Resource Portal, please register at http://www.maoproperties.com/register.asp.    Everyone who registers is verified with State Executive Directors before access to the resource portal is granted.   The secure shopping page will enable registered resource portal users to order the crowns on-line and pay with a credit card.   To order by phone, please call K.A. Concepts Ltd. at 1-800-528-4926. If you prefer to order by fax or mail: Please click on the banner above, shop, print and fax the shopping cart page with payment and preferred shipping information to fax: (631) 425-2332 or mail the shopping cart page with your check to: K.A. Concepts Ltd., 3 Somner Drive, Huntington station, NY 11746. The prices remain the same and all crowns are required to be ordered through K.A. Concepts.

Click the logo above to visit the Miss America/CMN website

Contestants at the local this year now have the opportunity to raise donations for the Miss America Organization's new national platform the Children's Miracle Network.  To begin, register at:     www.MissAmerica4Kids.org    If you are doing this for the first time you will need to click on "New Contestants" and set up your profile.  You must upload a .jpeg picture of yourself.  Then you can send emails to friends and family to obtain donations.  Contestants must raise $100 per each local entered.  After competing in 4 local pageants and raising $400 at the local level a contestant may enter as many local pageants as she would like without having to raise additional funds at the local level.  An additional $250 beyond the local donations must be raised in order to compete at the state level.  Please email Kim Canter at kimgocats@aol.com or Jim Morton at jmorton@sullivan.edu if you have any questions or you may contact the local director(s) with questions as well.

Official sash supplier for the Miss America Organization

Sashes are back after nearly a two decade absence.  The Sash Company is the new, official sash supplier for the Miss America Organization.  Miss America, Miss Kentucky and all the other 51 state representatives will be wearing offical sashes from The Sash Company.  Sashes are not mandatory to be awarded at local pageants at this point but they certainly make a lovely addition to the winner's prize package.  Please visit The Sash Company's website, www.thesashcompany.com, to view the new sash line.

For more information about the Miss Kentucky Scholarship Organization please contact us at:   Miss Kentucky Scholarship Pageant Attention: Jamie Breeding, Executive Director 3284 Shoal Lake Drive Lexington, KY  40515   Phone: (859) 273-4931   Email: misskyscholorg@yahoo.com