Posts tagged Ashleigh Smith

We’re back and we’re happy you are back, too!

The final night of competition is here before us in Chicago, IL and we know you are all looking forward to what is in store. Let’s quickly review what has been awarded so far.

On Thursday, the Teens awarded Congeniality to Megan Willey, Miss North Carolina International 2010. Photogenic was awarded to Miss Arkansas International 2010, Mollie Parker.

On Friday, they awarded Kristin Koether, Texas, the Director of the Year award. Congeniality was awarded to Ali Glaser, Miss Missouri International 2010, and Photogenic was awarded to Miss Oklahoma International 2010, Anne Marie Costello.

In fact, we were lucky enough to get interviews with Megan, Ali and Anne Marie for our podcasts coming out next week. You won’t want to miss those outstanding glimpses at the ladies as they prepare for their finals competition.

As we wait tonight for everyone to file into their seats, an odd quiet rumble fills the air. Nerves, tension, and even a little fear fill the air. The jubilant excess of the preliminary nights has been replaced with anticipation and nervous excitement. I’m ho9led up in my position in the back of the theater and I am ready for this evening to ROCK!

As with yesterday’s report, we won’t be focusing on the production elements as we typically do with preliminary nights and try to keep this to the results and major events (like any falls, trips, or explosive bunnies).

After opening number and introductions, we moved very quickly into the announcement of finalists and online voting.

The Online Voting for Teen was Florida; Miss was Kansas.

Then it was on to finalists. All orders here are in the order announced at the venue. They are random, but they are the order the ladies will compete in for the balance of the evening.

1. Minnesota
2. California
3. Tennessee
4. South Carolina
5. East Coast
6. Arkansas
7. Florida
8. Missouri
9. Pennsylvania
10. Texas

1. Texas
2. Oklahoma
3. Alabama
4. North Carolina
5. Tennessee
6. California
7. Maryland
8. Virginia
9. Arkansas
10. District of Columbia

There were, as always, a number of people that made for the door right after the announcement of Top Ten. That’s really a shame, folks. C’mon, folks. Behave like adults. I heard quite a bit of noise in the corridor outside while Jessica Byington, Miss Teen International 2009 was interviewed by Joanne onstage. By the time Erin Golden, Miss International 2009, was onstage, it seemed to settle down. Erin introduced her fiancé from the stage and told everyone to expect her to compete again as a Mrs. International contestant.

On stage question started with Teens. Each was asked a warm up, chatter question, asked about their platform, and a platform related follow up question. This system is very strict with the 30 second time limit…each second over costs a point per second. From what I saw, the ladies kept to the limits. After a tune by Ryan Greenawalt (http://www.ryangreenawalt.com/ ), the Miss contestants took their turn with the on stage question competition.

They followed with the Fun Fashion competition; first for Teens and next for the Miss division. I do admit I’m surprised at some of the outfits that appear to show more than the Fitness competition but apparently that is the new direction. Those of you intending to compete next year, take note. You will want to check Paula Preston’s photos and the DVD’s to see what they were wearing. (Paula’s website is http://www.paulapreston.com/ ) Those (myself, included) that thought an all woman judging panel would result in a more conservative finalist panel were mistaken.

Intermission was followed by the Teen Fitness competition, followed by the Miss division. Kyle Gordon followed that up with a wonderful rendition of “Firefly.” This was followed by the Evening Gown competition. Again, Teens were followed by the Miss division.

It was time for a few production numbers while scores were tabulated…including a tribute to the King of Pop, Michael Jackson.

Jessica Byington, Miss Teen International 2009, and Erin Golden, Miss International 2009, took their final walks. They walked during a prerecorded speech by the titleholder was played. They kept the goodbyes to a decent length of time as opposed to some of the locals and state pageants I’ve witnessed where these final words can literally go on for ten to fifteen minutes. I didn’t time them, but I think they kept them under three minutes. Again, directors please take note.

It was time for final results. The auditorium went dead silent with a funny hum of activity under it all. We all awaited the final results with anticipation and drama.

• 4th Runner Up: Tennessee
• 3rd Runner Up: Texas
• 2nd Runner Up: Arkansas
• 1st Runner Up:  Pennsylvania

…and your new Miss Teen International 2010, from the Eastern States, Julianna McKee

• 4th Runner Up: North Carolina
• 3rd Runner Up: Oklahoma
• 2nd Runner Up: Arkansas
• 1st Runner Up: Virginia

…and your new Miss International 2010, from the great state of Texas, Ashleigh Smith

Congratulations to all the participants and we wish them all the best in their year and reign.