Allyn Rose’s Mom Judith, was first diagnosed with breast cancer when she was only 27.  By the time Judith was 50 and Allyn was 16, Judith was gone – having lost her battle against the disease.

Allyn’s Dad confronted her when she was a freshman in college, telling her she should seriously consider getting a double mastectomy.  I can’t imagine being a college freshman and having to think about removing both of my breasts… But then again, I can’t imagine losing my own mother at the age of 16 either.

Within the last year, Allyn decided that she would have a double mastectomy to be pro-active against the disease that killed her mother, grandmother and her aunt.  Actress Angelina Jolie recently made the same decision as well – citing the fact that her children ‘won’t have to fear they will lose me to breast cancer’. 

For the record, I hope nobody reading this blog is EVER faced with making this kind of decision… For Allyn, we wish her nothing but the best in the face of such difficult choices for someone so young.

And now!  On to this year’s competition – which looks to be a doozey!!!

Let’s start with the Number 4… 
Four, happens to be the number of contestants who are competing for the title of Miss DC – and have previously finished as the 1st runner up at a state pageant before!  Including:

– Jachele Velez – 1st runner up at Miss DC ’12 Top 10 and Interview winner at Miss Sweetheart
– Bhindu Paramanthi – 1st runner up at Miss NC ’12; law student now at Georgetown
– Ryann Richardson – 1st Runner up in MD when she was 17 and 1st Runner Up in PA in ’10
– Jill Duckworth –  1st Runner Up in MS in ’10 and named one of “The Hill’s Most Beautiful People” in DC

Others to watch include:
– Brooke Rowland – Miss MI OT ’10, Top Ten Finish
– Tara Ward – 3rd Runner UP Miss DC USA ’10

Can’t wait to see who walks away with the crown and the title from our Nation’s Capitol!!!  Good Luck to All!!! 🙂

 

MAJ

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

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!!! 🙂

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!!!

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

MAJ