Miss Washington News and Announcements

Don't forget to watch MISS USA on Friday, April 11th...go Michelle!!!

Posted at: Apr. 02, 2008, 10:19 pm

TV Guide interview with Miss Washington USA!

Miss Washington USA 2008 at MISS USA - Evening Gown

Check out some cool Vids!

Posted at: Jan. 29, 2008, 6:52 pm

2008 Miss WA USA / Miss WA Teen USA "BEHIND THE SCENES"

MISS USA 2007 - Rachel Smith

MISS UNIVERSE 2007 - Riyo Mori

MISS UNIVERSE 2007 - Riyo Mori (part 2)

MISS USA 2003 - Susie Castillo

MISS USA 2002 - Shauntay Hinton

MISS UNIVERSE 1996 - Alicia Machado

MISS USA 1994 - Lu Parker

MISS USA Crownings from 1952-2000

Here's a story of triumph...YOU too can overcome life's obstacles!

Congratulations to the new Miss WA USA, Michelle Font & Miss WA Teen USA, Mandy Schendel!

Posted at: Nov. 14, 2007, 10:46 pm

On behalf of Pageants NW, we’re proud to announce the new 2008 Miss Washington USA winner, 25 year old Michelle Font (Miss North Seattle USA). She is a Renton native and is of Puerto Rican & Cuban decent. She is currently employed at one of the world's leading aerospace manufacturing companies, volunteers over 500 hours a year in her community and enjoys mentoring, tutoring, working out, dancing and spending time with family & friends. The new 2008 Miss Washington Teen USA winner is Mandy Schendel (Miss Newcastle Teen USA) who is 17 and is a senior at Hazen High School and serves as ASB president. She plans on attending law school, work as a prosecuting attorney, and eventually aspires to become a U.S. Ambassador. Mandy will represent our state at the 2008 MISS TEEN USA® pageant next spring and Michelle will compete for the 2008 MISS USA® title in April. Sponsors such as Seattle Suntan helped contribute to prizes valued at nearly $70,000 including almost $30,000 in scholarships!

Rounding out the Top 5 in the Miss Washington USA®: 1st runner-up Sara Desautel (Miss Spokane Falls USA), 2nd runner-up Jody Connacher (Miss North Spokane USA), 3rd runner-up Samantha Wilson (Miss Lake Union USA) & 4th runner-up Ellen Duffy (Miss Shoreline USA). Rounding out the Top 5 in the Miss Washington Teen USA®: 1st runner-up Veronica Miracle (Miss Bellevue Teen USA), 2nd runner-up Sadie Porter (Miss Selah Teen USA), 3rd runner-up Madelyn Smith (Miss Orcas Island Teen USA) & 4th runner-up Lauren Lorbeski (Miss Kent Teen USA)

The combined event which took place November 10-11th included a celebrity panel of judges including Alex Thomason (“The Apprentice” final four 2005, Business Lawyer @ Stanislaw Ashbaugh & COO of CondoCompare.com), Alison McCain (Macy’s Fashion Stylist), Annette Morecraft (New Zealand TV publicist and currently a Research Analyst), Dustin-Leigh Seltzer (Miss California 2005 & Runner-up this year on “The Amazing Race - All Stars”), James Sun (Multi-millionaire by age 22, “The Apprentice” runner-up this year & CEO of Zoodango.com), Jim Anderson (25 yr veteran of the music industry with RCA, A&M and most recently Warner Bros. Records), Jim Castillo (4x Emmy winner, 2 AP awards and a Golden Mic and is currently the meteorologist at ABC affiliate, KOMO 4), Matthew Kingsley (TV news agent and is the President & CEO of 3 Kings Entertainment and has negotiated contracts with Fox News Channel, CNN, ESPN, E! & MTV to name a few), Natasha Curry (MISS USA top 10 in 1998 and is now on KOMO 4 TV as a morning news anchor and reporter and also co-hosts the popular show, “Northwest Afternoon” with Kent Phillips & Cindi Rinehart), Stephen Salamunovich - Well over 2000 TV credits as an Award winning Casting Director…the 2005 Artios Award (highest honor by peers in the CSA).

It's Show Time! Nov. 10th - 11th at Highline PAC...click here for TICKET information!!

Posted at: Oct. 26, 2007, 12:43 pm

The Presentation Show (Preliminary) is on Saturday, November 10th @ 4:00pm (Ticket Box Office will open @ 2:30pm)

The FINALS Show is on Sunday, November 11th @ 1:00pm (Ticket Office will open @ 11:30am)

Go to: www.ticketwindowonline.com or call 206-325-6500 for ticket prices, purchases and seating arrangements

Show Venue Location:

Highline performing arts center

401 South 152nd St.

Burien, WA 98166

DIRECTIONS

I-5 Southbound: From I-5 take exit 154B and follow highway signs that read: Hwy 518 West, Burien / Seatac Airport.

I-5 Northbound: From I-5 take exit 154A and follow highway signs that rea: Hwy 518 West, Burien / Seatac Airport.

Follow Highway 518 West to Burien for approximately 3.5 miles. There will be three sets of traffic lights fairly close together. At the third light, turn LEFT (south) onto 1st Ave. S. (in front of a Union 76 gas station). At the next traffic light, turn LEFT (east) onto S. 152nd. Go Two blocks. The performing arts center is on the right side past Highline High School.

Parking: is connected to the Highline performing arts center

Great interview piece - post MISS TEEN USA! on Young Hollywood

Posted at: Aug. 29, 2007, 9:11 pm

You will need to give it a little time to load up...so be patient and enjoy!!

Miss South Carolina's interview on NBC's "Today" show

Posted at: Aug. 28, 2007, 11:40 pm

NBC to Broadcast Miss Teen USA® 2007 Competition Live on August 24 from Pasadena, CA...go Shalane!!!

Posted at: Jun. 29, 2007, 7:46 pm

NEW YORK, June 27 /PRNewswire/ -- Paula M. Shugart, President of the Miss Universe Organization, announced today that the 25th Annual Miss Teen USA® Competition will be held in Pasadena, California. The event will be held at the Pasadena Civic Auditorium on August 24th, 2007 and broadcast live nationwide on NBC at 8 p.m. ET/PT.

Located at the base of the San Gabriel Mountains, Pasadena is just 15 minutes north of downtown Los Angeles in sunny southern California. During the pageant period, friends, family members and fans are expected to visit Pasadena and millions will tune-in to watch the live telecast.

Montana native, Katie Blair, Miss Teen USA® 2006, spent her reign this past year traveling the nation as a spokesperson for various teen issues as well as participating in numerous community service projects around the country. Blair will crown her successor at the conclusion of the two-hour prime time telecast, before an estimated viewing audience of 250 million. Each contestant from all 50 states and the District of Columbia will be judged in three categories: swimsuit, evening gown and interview. The show will conclude with one girl ultimately being crowned Miss Teen USA® 2007.

The 2007 Miss Teen USA® pageant will take place within the walls of Pasadena's greatest indoor sports and entertainment facility, the Pasadena Civic Auditorium. Built in 1931, the historic theatre is one of the most revered performance halls in the nation.

Along with Executive Producer, Donald J. Trump, and veteran television writer and executive producer Phil Gurin, the Gurin Company will again produce Miss Teen USA® 2007. Gurin also serves as Executive Producer and is the Co- Creator of the upcoming NBC primetime game show, "The Singing Bee."

The Hilton Pasadena is the official Host Hotel of Miss Teen USA® 2007.

The Miss Universe Organization, producers of the MISS UNIVERSE®, MISS USA® and MISS TEEN USA® Pageants, is a Donald J. Trump and NBC Universal partnership. Miss Teen USA spends her year building relationships with organizations committed to education and action, such as Best Buddies, Outside the Classroom, Do Something, Sparrow Clubs and D.A.R.E. For more information visit: www.missteenusa.com.

Check out some of the fun appearances for Shalane & LeiLani!!

Posted at: Jun. 19, 2007, 10:00 am

2006-07 Pageant Events, Appearances, Autograph Signings (LeiLani, Shalane & Contestants

Sat. - Sun. (11/11/06-11/12/06) – 2007 Miss Washington USA® & Miss Washington Teen USA® pageant! Congrats to our new Miss Washington USA, LeiLani Jones & Miss Washington Teen USA, Shalane Larango!

Tues. (11/21/06) – Interview with Bethel School District (LeiLani)

Tues. (11/21/06) 5-7pm – Signed autographs with Seahawks at Tacoma Mall (LeiLani)

Wed. (11/22/06) – Interview with Tacoma Weekly (LeiLani)

Wed. (11/22/06) 7pm – Bethel High School Multi-Cultural Pageant guest (LeiLani)

Mon.-Wed. (12/18-12/20/06) – Deliver Christmas gifts to adopt a child (Shalane)

Sun. (12/24/06) – Prepare and serve Christmas Eve dinner at the Share Homeless Shelter (Shalane)

Sun. (1/21/07) – Guest speaker and judge at Northwest Community Church (LeiLani)

Tues. (1/23/07) – Guest speaker at Northwest Community Church group (LeiLani)

Sun. (1/28/07) – Guest appearance at Sonics game vs. Clippers at Key Arena (LeiLani)

Sat. (2/24/07) – “Night of Miracles” auction for Exodus Housing at Emerald Downs in Auburn, WA (LeiLani)

Sat. (2/24/07) – appearance at the Day of Dance for Heart Health by Southwest WA Medical Center (Shalane)

Sun. (2/25/07) – Oscar Night America Party at The Triple Door in Seattle, WA (LeiLani & Shalane)

Sun. (3/11/07) – Mamafest at The Summit at Snoqualmie (Shalane)

Fri. (3/23/07) – “MISS USA 2007” Telecast live from the Kodak theatre, LA…go LeiLani Jones!!! (LeiLani)

Sat. (4/28/07) – My Sister’s Hope Breast Cancer Awareness - guest speaker (LeiLani)

Fri. - Sat.(5/4-5/5/07) – Washington State Apple Blossom Festival & Grand Parade, Wenatchee, WA (LeiLani & Shalane)

Sat. – (5/5/07) 6-10pm – Starlight Starbright Annual Teen Formal @ Embassy Suites, Tukwila, WA (LeiLani & Shalane)

Sat. (5/12/07) – Mother’s Day Brunch at Northwest Community Church – guest speaker (LeiLani)

Fri. (5/18/07) 11:00am-2:30pm– Seattle Celebrity Waiters Auction (LeiLani)

Sat. (5/19/07) – 43rd Annual Hazel Dell Parade of Bands, Vancouver, WA (Shalane)

Sat. (5/26/07) – 3pm Photo Shoot for Detlef Gala at Daylight Studio (Shalane)

Sat. (5/26/07) 7pm – Coronation for the Greater Seattle Japanese Scholarship Program at the Carco Theatre in Renton (LeiLani & Shalane)

Sun. (5/27/07) – Miss Hispanic Seafair Crowning Event (LeiLani)

Mon. (5/28/07) 9pm – “MISS UNIVERSE 2007” Telecast live on NBC from the National Auditorium in Mexico City, Mexico…Go Miss USA!!!

Sat. (6/2/07) 5-10pm – Northwest Regional Emmy Awards Banquet – Award Presenters (LeiLani & Shalane)

Sat. (6/16/07) – Komen Puget Sound Race for the Cure® at Quest Field (LeiLani, Shalane & Contestants)

Sat. (6/23/07) 5pm – Annual Detlef Schremp Gala (LeiLani & Shalane)

Sun-Sat. (6/24-6/30) – Shalane at Eagle U

Sat. (6/30/07) – Think Big Foundation 2nd Annual Casino Night Fundraiser at the W Hotel Downtown Seattle (LeiLani)

Sat. (6/30-Tues. 7/3) – Photo Shoot with Fadil Barisha in Las Vegas (Shalane)

Mon.-Fri. (7/2-7/6/07) – Seattle Summer Slam – guest speaker (LeiLani)

Wed. (7/4/07) 10:30am – Everett Jaycees 4th of July Parade (LeiLani & Shalane)

Sat.-Sun. (7/21-7/29) – Rockette Summer Intensive @ Radio City Music Hall (Shalane)

Sat. (8/11/07) 12-2pm – Taste of Edmonds (LeiLani & Contestants)

Tues. (8/21/07) – Third Annual Golf Classic & Auction Starlight Starbright at Newcastle (LeiLani)

Fri. (8/24/07) – “MISS TEEN USA 2007” Telecast live from Pasadena, CA…go Shalane Larango! (Shalane)

Sat. (9/8/07) – Mukilteo Lighthouse Parade, Mukilteo, WA (LeiLani)

Fri. (10/12/07) 6-9pm – Mandatory Production Workshop at The RAC (Leilani & ALL contestants)

Sat. (10/27/07) 1-5pm – Mandatory Production Workshop at The RAC (LeiLani, Shalane & ALL contestants)

Fri.-Sun. (11/9/07-11/11/07) – 2008 Miss Washington USA & Miss Washington Teen USA competition!!!

Congratulations to the new Miss Universe 2007 from Japan, Riyo Mori

Posted at: May. 29, 2007, 12:50 pm

Riyo is 20 years old and has been a dancer since age 4...for more information, go to: www.missuniverse.com

Be sure to watch MISS USA March 23 & check out NBC's "Identity"!

Posted at: Mar. 11, 2007, 11:42 am

On Friday, March 23rd live from Kodak Theatre (the Oscars), watch MISS USA 2007 on NBC at 9pm and root on LeiLani Jones, Miss Washington USA 2007! See if LeiLani is on NBC's "Identity" telecast just prior at 8pm. GO LEILANI!!!

Past Miss Washington Teen USA Delegates

Posted at: Nov. 26, 2006, 11:23 am

Miss Washington Teen USA Delegates

2008 - Mandy Schendel

2007 - Shalane Larango

2006 – Kendra Timm

2005 - Kaylee Moore

2004 - Danielle Jensen

2003 - Jasmine Colleen Jorgenson

2002 - Maichal McJunkin

2001 - Shannon Hulbert

2000 - Megan Munroe

1999 - Dianna Carlson

1998 - Amber Lancaster

1997 - Emma Louise DeSillets

1996 - Emily Ballard

1995 - Summer Springer

1994 - Angelie Eldred

1993 - Rebecca Vaughn

1992 - Kaylee O'Kelley

1991 - Elizabeth Lee

1990 - Paige Anderson

1989 - Amy Travis

1988 - Karen Petre

1987 - Johna Sainsbury

1986 - Lisa Elliot

1985 - Drew Holmer

1984 - Charlene Walters

1983 - Rhonda Monroe

FINALISTS:

2nd runner-up (85)

SEMI-FINALISTS:

2003

2001

2000

1989

1983

AWARD WINNERS:

Miss Photogenic (94)

Past Miss Washington USA Delegates

Posted at: Nov. 26, 2006, 10:45 am

Miss Washington USA Delegates

2008 - Michelle Font

2007 - Leilani Jones

2006 – Tiffany Doorn

2005 - Amy Crawford

2004 - Tara McCormick

2003 - Breann Parriott

2002 - Carly Kay Shorten

2001 - Bre Sakas

2000 - Jamie Kern

1999 - Tammy Jansen

1998 - Natasha Vantramp

1997 - Sara Nicole Williams

1996 - Staci Baldwin

1995 - Theresa Cox

1994 - Angel Ward

1993 - Kandi Fletcher

1992 - Stina McLynne

1991 - Lanae Williams

1990 - Melissa Dickson

1989 - Chiann Fan

1988 - Sandra Kord

1987 - Jennifer Doerflinger

1986 - Jacqueline McMahon

1985 - Sherry Rials

1984 - Sue Gerrish

1983 - Kathi Tucker

1982 - Jana L. Minerich

1981 - Leila Wagner

1980 - Janet Brown

1979 - Tracey Goddard

1978 - Barbara Bogar

1977 - Ivy Lynn Reed

1976 - Norene Gilbert

1975 - Cindy Baxter

1974 - Cheryl Rutledge

1973 - Cindi Arnett

1972 - Connie Ambrose

1971 - Christine McComb

1970 - Susan Joan Hyde

1969 - Deborah Gieberson

1968 - Dorothy Anstett

1967 - Elizabeth Kellmyer

1966 - Sandra Carilile

1965 - Did Not Compete

1964 - Did Not Compete

1963 - Did Not Compete

1962 - Did Not Compete

1961 - Did Not Compete

1960 - Did Not Compete

1959 - Leah Jo Robinson

1958 - Rose Marie Nielsen

1957 - Diana Schafer

1956 - June Svedin

1955 - Shirley J. Givins

1954 - Darlene Shride

1953 - Nancy Petraborg

1952 - Adele Slaybaugh

FINALISTS:

Winner, MISS USA (68)

1st runner-up (79)

3rd runner-up (53)

SEMI-FINALISTS:

2004

1998

1983

1976

1970

1969

1958

1957

1956

1955

AWARD WINNERS:

Miss Congeniality (03)

Ambition Beneath The Beauty - an excerpt from former contestant, Tarynne Mingione

Posted at: Nov. 26, 2006, 2:50 pm

Ambition Beneath The Beauty

Tarynne Mingione, Miss Greater Eastside USA 2005

Young women nearly naked parading down a runway, ignorantly flashing pearly smiles as they skate from one corner to the next naively showcasing their thin 5’10” bodies for all the world to view, only to be identified by the bold title written across their chest. This classic, negative, opinionated interpretation of pageantry is nowhere near accurate. Too easily deceived by the pore exquisiteness showcased in this event, onlookers mistakenly view the Miss USA pageant as another unethical form of evolving American entertainment. As an audience member, please remain in your seat, eyes fixed, brows raised, jaw exhausted in disbelief, but this time not because you are a witness to the seemingly unrealistic beauty, but because of the embarrassing realization of credentials you and your peers falsely assumed these women lack. I don’t blame you. In fact, before becoming a contestant for Miss Washington USA 2006, I erroneously assumed pageants were nothing more than an excuse for women to ridiculously parade around in nothing more than lingerie and advocate that beauty is increasingly favored over a young woman’s education, ethics, morals or standards.

With no knowledge of the phenomenal organization sponsoring this event, it is no surprise that onlookers could mistakenly view this event as a degrading opportunity for women’s bodies to be judged. This opportunity offered by the Miss Universe Organization is anything but that. Through personal experiences with Miss Washington USA contestants and after forming a relationship with the state pageant directors, I have transformed my own once existent bias about pageantry into an event I strongly support. These stunning God gifted young women have mastered the art of pageantry.

The Miss Universe Organization has transformed this “beauty pageant” into a female empowering enterprise by employing and enabling young women at the crowning moment of each annual pageant. Take a minute to look beyond the beauty, and discover the brains of the operation, the Miss Universe Organization. I’ve been blessed to have been able to work with such a powerful organization that holds such high morals and values and endorses them to each contestant participant. Innovatively, this organization has designed a contest that discovers and empowers the single most determined and distinctive young woman to represent them as they seek to change the world.