MISS HAWAII!!!

Some girls call themselves 'jocks' because they're more into athletics than pageants.  Then there's Skyler Kamaka, Miss Hawaii 2012.  Skyler was an all-conference setter at Concordia University on a Volleyball scholarship (she finished in 5th place all time for number of assists and 8th all time for number of aces!).  But, she wanted to find a way to continue her education after her senior year of volleyball was through.  So, she thought she'd earn some scholarship dollars by competing at Miss Hawaii.  Little did she know, she would walk away with the title, the crown and the chance to walk on the Grand-daddy of them all, the Miss America stage!

Hawaii is an interesting mix of girls this year... only one returnee from last year's Top 5, a couple of veterans from previous years, and several rookies.  However, one thing they all have in common is their amazing, beautiful, 'cool vibe'.  When you grow up on an island, it's hard to ignore. :)

Junkies Say Here's Who to Watch:

Joleen Iwaniec - 2nd runner up '12, former Talent Winner
Crystal Lee - 4th runner up '09, former Talent Winner
Britnni Woodward - 2nd runner '11
Alexandra Roth - She's a Junior in College, but she's only 18

 ALL THE BEST TO THE ALOHA STATE!!!





RESULTS:

WINNER = CRYSTAL LEE
1st Runner up = Brittani Leina 'ala Woodward
2nd Runner up = Lei U 'I Kaholokula
3rd Runner up = Alexandra Roth
4th Runner up = Joleen Iwaniec

   

MISS NORTH DAKOTA

Rosie Savegeau is one of those people who could've been 'just fine' with or without her state crown.  The Junkies heard Rosie sing her preliminary talent winning "To Make You Feel My Love" in Las Vegas and let's just say, Bob Dylan never sounded so good!!!  We were amazed at how everyone in the room silently fell under Rosie's spell as she sang and played the piano with clarity and perfection.  She's a gifted musician and we know she'll always be a solid, strong woman.

Rosie's Preliminary Talent win was the first since Karen Kopseng won Prelim Talent as Miss ND way back in 1964!  And - speaking of '64, we have to make note of the fact that Rosie wore Vintage Valentino for her Miss America interview outfit - and we love it (see photo)!  Her Facebook page proudly states, "Who says secondhand isn't in style?"  We say, what kind of crazy karma must you have to stumble on to a Valentino dress in the middle of Savers? LOL!  Fabulous!

And now - it's time to take a peek at Miss ND 2013!

Junkies Say Here's Who to Watch
Here's our picks:
- Becca Lebak = 1st runner up in '12, ND OT in '09
- Megan McDougall = 2nd runner up in '12
- Laura Harmon = 3rd runner up in '12 and prelim swimsuit winner,  2nd runner up in '11

Good Luck Ladies!  Junkies Love North Dakota!!! :)

RESULTS:

WINNER = LAURA HARMON

1st Runner up = Megan McDougall

2nd Runner up = Jacky Arness

3rd Runner up = Cara Mund

4th Runner up = Becca Lebak

MISS KANSAS

You don't get much more beautiful than this photo of Sloane Lewis...

As a first timer at Miss Kansas, Sloane took home the preliminary talent, swimsuit and interview awards before walking away with the title.  However, Sloane experienced more than a few set-backs when it came to the competition in Vegas.  In an article featured in the University Daily Kansan shortly after the Miss America competition, it states:

        "During the week of the pageant, on top of being nervous for the preliminary interview, she was battling the flu the day before. Lewis also said her swimsuit broke and her evening gown was too big, forcing her to switch into a gown that she had no experience wearing. Despite these setbacks, she said she was still excited to be a part of the Miss America experience."
 

And to think - that photo above was taken when the girl has the flu!  That's not exactly how I look when I'm, shall we say, 'under the weather'.  Guess it just goes to prove that somethings aren't meant to be.

What is 'meant to be' is Sloane Lewis achieving great things in her life to come.  Junkies say watch out for this girl - she's got drive, grit and the will to succeed at whatever she chooses to do!

Now - Kansas has an interesting group of girls competing this year... Several girls from last year's class either aged out or aren't returning... 

Junkies Say Here's Who to Watch:

Hannah Langley - 2nd runner up in 12 - the only returning member of the Top 5 in '12
Chelsea Chilicott - Top 10 in '12, Ventriloquist, KS OT in '09
Meagan Johnson - 3rd runner up Miss KS Teen NAM
Ashley Ulmer -The girl has a rock solid body - she's a boxing instructor!
Theresa Vail - former USA and Teen USA competitor, 1st time at Miss KS


All the Best to the Lovely Ladies in the Sunflower State!!!

RESULTS:

WINNER = THERESA VAIL

1st Runner up = Ashley Ulmer

2nd Runner up = Alyssa Marsh

3rd Runner up = Danielle Hill

4th Runner up = Hannah Langley

MISS NEBRASKA

Like so many other girls, Mariah Cook struggled to find 'her place' in the world - before she found pageantry.  In an interview with the Omaha World Hearld, Mariah was quoted as telling the judges, “Growing up, I never felt like I fit in... I was too tall, too loud and adopted.”

Mariah's personal platform was titled, The Power of Adoption and as she traveled the state of Nebraska sharing her story, she received a lot of positive responses - both from children who have been adopted and from women who chose to place their child in an adoptive home. Cook said her platform has allowed them to find answers to questions about the process and possibly find some closure along the way.


Frankly, this is the kind of stuff we love about Miss America contestants... they're made of substance - not fluff!  We believe Mariah will continue to impact people for years to come through her message and her ultra-charming personality :)

Now - on to Miss Nebraska 2013! 
Junkies Say Here's Who to Watch:

- Mindy Schreiber - 1st runner up in '11 and '12
- Rachel Foehlinger - 2nd runner up in '12, overall Talent Winner, (baton twirler), 3rd runner up '11, NE Outstanding Teen 08
- Megan Talken - 3rd runner up in '12
- Jacee Pilkington - NE Outstanding Teen 09
- Morgan Yost - Won 1st NE prelim of the year, Interview winner

All the Best to everyone competing in the Cornhusker State!

MAJ

RESULTS:

WINNER = JACEE PILKINGTON

1st Runner up = Rachel Foehlinger

2nd Runner up = Aleah Peters

3rd Runner up = Megan Dimmitt

4th Runner up = Megan Thalken

MISS MISSOURI

Tippe Emmot is one of those girls who just glows when you meet her in person!  She's beyond striking - she's flat out radiant.  Lots of beautiful blonds were on the Miss America stage this year... and Tippe certainly represented 'The Show Me State' well!  The Junkies even had the chance to meet her face to face during Miss America week and she was just as 'sparkling' in person.

Tippe also finished as the 1st Runner Up in the Miss Sweetheart pageant in Hoopeston, IL back in '11.  If you don't know about Miss Sweetheart... just check out this link to one of our previous posts. :)

We know Missouri will crown another beauty in Mexico, MO this year... And this year's pageant will be one of those we'll be watching closely!  Lots of strong contestants and plenty of 'experience' lining up to win it all!   

Junkies Say Here's Who to Watch:

- Jennifer Zweifel = 1st runner up in 12 (fun fact: she's an All-American at Truman State where she was 4th in NCAA II in the Triple Jump!)
- Mary Bauer = 4th runner up, triple prelim winner in '12, 2nd runner up in '11, prelim talent winner, MO OT in 07
- Shelby Ringdahl = 2nd runner up in '12
- Adrienne Burlfield = Miss Teen Missouri US '12 (Top 3 at Nationals), Teen USA semi-finalist
- Jeni Dixon = Miss Missouri Teen USA '08

Can't wait to see who wins this one!  All the Best to Everyone Competing!!!

MAJ

RESULTS:

WINNER = SHELBY RINGDAHL

1st Runner up = Mary Bauer

2nd Runner up = Jillian Richardson

3rd Runner up = Erica Cain

4th Runner up = Malkleta Brantley

MISS IOWA!!!

Big props to the girl with the best name at Miss America... Miss Iowa, Mariah Cary!

We loved Mariah's genuine reaction each time her name was called to the next level - it was pure 'shock and awe' every time she advanced!  The Junkies were sitting next to the group from Iowa in Vegas - and it was SO MUCH FUN to hear them nearly have a heart attack each time she moved forward as well! :)

As one of 3 tappers in the top 5, Mariah's routine was one that showcased her strength and power!  The Junkies also saw Mariah's routine during the prelims and think she might've left out a jump or 2 on Saturday night when her tap shoe broke right before being announced.  Trust us - the girl has the goods and deserved every bit of her 4th runner up finish.

Regarding Miss Iowa 2013, you never need to look at how many contestants there are in Iowa, because they're almost ALWAYS Quality over Quantity.  We're convinced this year is no different!


Junkies Say Here's Who to Watch:

Here's our picks:
- Taylor Wiebers = 2nd runner up in '12 (and she has a sassy new haircut!)
- Isabella Blaine = the current Miss Muscatine (same local title as Mariah Cary '12 and Jessica Pray '11... could it be 3 in a row?)
- Abby Curtis = 4th runner up in 12
- Katie Cole = Miss Iowa Teen  07 (National American Co-ed)

Junkies Love Iowa!!!  Good Luck Ladies!!! :)

RESULTS:

WINNER = NICOLE KELLY

1st Runner up = Isabella Blaine

2nd Runner up = Katie Cole

3rd Runner up = Taylor Wiebers

4th Runner up = Jessica Baker

MAJ

MISS OKLAHOMA!!!

Alicia Clifton is some kind of awesome... The Junkies saw her win Miss OK in Tulsa back in 2012 and knew she'd be a force at Miss America!  A preliminary talent award win and a 2nd runner up finish at Miss America proved us to be correct!

In fact, Alicia won her preliminary talent award against some super strong competition - it might've been one of the toughest Prelim Groups at Miss America in recent history!  If you go back and count, you'll see 7 of the Top 15 came from Alicia's prelim group (WOW)!  A junior at the University of Oklahoma, Alicia was Miss Oklahoma's Outstanding Teen in 2008 before earning the Miss OK title on her third attempt.  

In our humble Junkie opinion, Oklahoma might be the toughest state to win these days... the previous 3 Miss OK winners have finished as the 4th runner up, 1st runner up and 2nd runner up.  AND - with 6 Miss Americas under their belt so far, OK would LOVE to have another and take the lead for the most MA's from one state (CA and OH both have 6 total Miss Americas as well). We wouldn't be surprised if Miss OK gets another Miss America within the next 3 years (if not sooner!).  Hence the reason why we referred to them as "The Yankees" of pageants in our post last year - click here to read it for yourself! :)
Now!  On to the competitors!

Junkies Say Here's Who to Watch:

- Sarah Klein = 4th runner up in 12, Top 10 in 11, strong pianist and has 'the OK look' in our book
- Georgia Frazier = Miss OK Outstanding Teen 09, super pretty
- Veronica Wisniewski = 2nd runner up in 12, prelim talent and swimsuit winner in 12
- Alex Eppler = 4th runner up in 10 and 11, semi-finalist in 12
- Kelsey Griswold = 1st runner up to Alicia at OK Oustanding Teen in '08, "Talent Day" winner (which is a big deal in OK)
- Aly Akers = Baton Twirler, prelim talent winner & SF in 12

We honestly could go on and on... there are TONS of girls who could win state titles across the country who are all trying to be Miss Oklahoma.  And if you check out this link, you'll likely see a picture of Miss Oklahoma 2014, 2015 and 2016 in this group!  Finally, if you ever get the chance to see a state pageant outside of your own state, go to Tulsa and watch Miss OK.  You won't be sorry. :)

Good Luck Ladies!!!

RESULTS:

WINNER = KELSEY GRISWOLD

1st Runner up = Alex Eppler

2nd Runner up = Georgia Fraizer

3rd Runner up = Sarah Klein

4th Runner up = Tawnie Goodwin

MAJ