Posts tagged Miss Teen International

The Miss Teen International Preliminary was held tonight shortly after some storm clouds rolled through the northern Chicago area. After the clouds blew through and a small rainfall, we were poised for an excellent evening of pageantry.

Earlier today, Miss Teen New Zealand International Lucy Russell had a medical emergency and was not able to participate in the event. We, at the PageantCast, wish her well and hope for a speedy recovery. A crown is nice, but nothing can replace good health. Again, we wish her to get well soon.

The lobby filled with the usual suspects and I saw quite a few people enact mini-reunions with friends they only see here in Chicago each July for the International pageants. It was really quite neat to see. It was exciting, as well, to meet some listeners of the show and people that had watched last week’s live reports from the pageant. I’m glad so many people have been able to watch the live reports (I wasn’t really sure they would work out technologically!) and we will try to continue them whenever possible.

Due to weather (and President Obama being in Chicago today, thus throwing traffic for a loop!) some key personnel for the pageant were late, and the pageant needed to be postponed for fifteen minutes. When this happens at a pageant, approximately 300 cameras are pulled out and flashes fill every molecule of the atmosphere. Add the glitz, bling and what-have-you, and you have in effect a disco-mirror ball going in the auditorium. This kind of added to the anticipation and excitement of the evening as people settled in for what would prove to be yet another great production.

The program began with a rousing tune by Ryan Greenawalt. The teens came out in white and turquoise outfits and boisterous cheering by the audience. (The audience was bolstered tonight by some rowdy Miss contestants. I wonder if any of them will have a voice tomorrow with all the screaming and cheering!)

As usual the contestants introduced themselves with spunk and excitement filling the air. Such lovely young ladies competing this year (by my count about 37 of them!)

The judges were introduced: Patti Mercer, Kecia Pringle, Adam Taloni, and Kim Vaughn. (Sorry for any misspellings…let me know and I’ll fix them!) They also introduced some VIP’s: Laurin Floyd (choreographer), Miss Teen International 2006 Jade Kenney, Miss Teen International 2007 Allie DeSantis, Miss International 2008 Jayna Altman, Mrs. California International 2009 Sheryl Ellison, Miss Colorado International Michelle Fields, and all the Miss International contestants. Last but not least, Mel and Mary Richardson, owners of the pageant, were introduced.

It was time now to move into the Fun Fashion preliminary competition worth 20% of their score. The fun fashion wear was quite showy this year and absolutely gorgeous. As I’ve always noted with casual or fashion type competitions, there was a wide variety of clothing on display … this is always a tough competition to judge since there is so much variety in the fashion the ladies have chosen. We had frilly dresses, print dresses, even a gown complete with peacock feathers. It was really all over the place, which I think is the whole fun of this. It’s just a wide open event.

Ryan Greenawalt did a rendition of the Jonas Brother’s hit “Hold On” while the rockin’ teens prepared for the Fitness competition. Fitness wear is worth 20% of the preliminary score. The teens were very energetic and spunky this year and just a lot of fun to watch take the stage.

During intermission, I took a lot of great photographs of our Miss International contestants in the lobby. I hope to have those uploaded soon to our PageantCast Photo Gallery. The beautiful dresses these ladies wore tonight were absolutely stunning.

To restart the show, Ryan Greenawalt took the stage again. That man can sing!! You should really check out his EP now available at his website: http://www.ryangreenawalt.com/

The final round of preliminary competition was the evening gown. The International system has long been famous for the stunning and amazing gowns on display for the event. The teens did not disappoint as their equisite and glamourous gowns took the stage and wouldn’t let go. The young ladies modeling these dynamite gowns were equally arresting. Instead of the energy and spunk that the teens are usually known for, this is their time to show their spectacular sophistication and grace. I was impressed at every presentation, and though it is an old cliche by now, I was glad to not have to differentiate these gowns like the judges. I have no idea how you would make a determination as to which young lady modelling these magnificently appointed gowns was the most wonderful. I would need a scorecard full of elevens!

By the way, Miss Teen Virginia International almost fell over, but caught herself. I know a lot of people always want a “fall report” but there were no incidents. Some of these gowns had some really impressive trains and I’m pretty sure the stage steps were not regulation height, and yet most circumnavigated the stage with ease in those impossibly high heels. Tonight, the sparkle-ometer was not going off to the extent it went off during Mrs. International, but there was plenty of bling and rhinestones just the same!

My sparkle-ometer does need new batteries, though. I’m thinking a rechargeable just might not cut the mustard…might have to run some extension cords and go off the AC. Sparkle-ometers can be a lot of maintenance. I’m just sayin’.

White was a popular color again this year, but a nice assortment of rich and pastel colors also made appearances. You can see photos of the even at Dan Buikema’s website: http://www.danbuikema.com/ See my post earlier this week about Dan’s site to help you find that album full of goo-goo-goodness.

This was a preliminary night so no top ten or finalists were declared. In fact, very few awards even go out tonight. However, fans of the International pageant system know the Photogenic Award is typically given out on this evening. Unlike other photogenic awards in other pageant systems, the photogenic award in International is picked by the judges based on candid shots taken of the girls during the pageant preparation. (Other pageants, like Galaxy, typically judge photogenic based on a photo submitted by the contestant themselves.) Also, photogenic (and correct me if I’m wrong, ladies) does not contribute to the final score. Most International fans will tell you that there is a remarkable correlation of photogenic award winners and final tiara wins in this system. (Evidence? Check last week’s Mrs. International pageant results, for instance.)

Miss Teen International 2007 Jade Kenney and Miss International 2008 Jayna Altman came out to hand out the awards. The photogenic award went to Miss Teen California International Elise Ellison. A shout of “Daddy Loves You” cut through the theater as her photo was taken. Miss Congeniality was awarded to Miss Teen South Carolina International Courtney Cox.

Online voting is still ongoing at their website. That award will come out on Saturday’s Final pageant.

Our live update video:

Also, remember part 2 of our Mrs. International pageant coverage from last week releases tomorrow.