In our opinion, Miss Georgia Leighton Jordan had the ‘Best Blog’ out of all the state winners… She gave us a real peek not only into ‘A Day in the Life of Miss GA”… but was often much more honest and raw than what we expect to see from Miss State winners.  It’s refreshing to see someone so genuine.  Our favorite was Leighton’s most recent post re-capping her ‘best and worst’ as Miss Georgia, including “Most Embarrassing Moment,” “Best Advice Given,” “Favorite Appearance” and “Easiest Moment of the Year” to name just a few!  Check out her whole list, by clicking this link here…

Before we get to The Junkies’ picks, let me just say, I think we have more Georgia Supporters on the Junkies Facebook Fan Page than any other state!!!  We can’t wait to watch the Miss Georgia Pageant in person one day and hopefully meet as many of you as possible!  Thanks for your positive encouragement and incredible support of MAJ – it’s a privilege to have you!!! 🙂

And now – The Junkies Say Here’s Who to Watch in ’13

Lauren Edmonds – GA OT 06, 3rd Runner up ’12, 1st Runner up to Chasity Hardman in ’08 when she was 19, 3rd runner up in ’12
Maggie Bridges – 2nd runner up GA OT ’09, 1st runner up GA OT ’10
Courtney Walker -Top 10 ’12, Swimsuit Prelim
Carly Mathis – 1st Runner up ’12, overall Talent Winner ’12
Jenna Jackson – 2nd yr law student, belly dancer
Reedi Hawkins -Talent Prelim ’12, GA OT competitor
Katherine McCauley – Top 10 in ’12, sister to Miss GA ’10, Christina McCauley

You can try to tell us Miss Indiana 2012 isn’t talented, but we wouldn’t believe you.  The above photo of Merriebeth Cox in Dublin, Ireland at THE St. Patrick’s Day Parade – alongside this photo of Merriebeth twirling ON TOP of the World’s Largest Drum (Purdue Band) prove our point.  After 5 years as THE Golden Girl at Purdue, Merriebeth is one of the nation’s best twirlers – We would’ve loved to have seen her twirl on Saturday night at Miss America!

All the Best to Merriebeth in her future endeavors!  Lots of Love from The Junkies!!!

Now – This year’s Miss Indiana is a bit of a head-scratcher for us… Only 12 girls have previous experience on the Miss Indiana stage!

Junkies Say Here’s Who to Watch:

– Audra Casterline – 1st runner up ’12
– Hannah Clingan – Top 10 in ’12, prelim swimsuit winner
– Presley Moreland – Top 10 in ’12
– Megan Thwaites – 4th runner up ’12, Miss Indiana OT ’08
– Rachael Bazzell – Top 10 in ’12, Baton Twirler at Purdue
– Laura Merida – daughter of Miss Vincennes University ‘1985 🙂
– Courtney Jurick – Top 10 in ’12

Good Luck to All!!!  Junkies Love the Hoosier State!!! 🙂

There will always be a special place for Miss North Carolina in The Junkies’ hearts… That’s because The Junkies were welcomed with open arms by the Miss North Carolina organization last year during their 75th Anniversary and became fast friends!

We loved getting to know those who are the ‘true heartbeat’ of Miss NC – and were super impressed with everyone involved!  It’s amazing how quickly you can bond with people who think the contestants deserve nothing but the best… and we know the Miss North Carolina organization is in great hands!

We also know how much we adore Arlie Honeycutt!  As a Preliminary Talent winner and a ‘genuinely shocked’ state winner, we so enjoyed watching Arlie ‘grow’ into a wonderful queen.  It was also our pleasure to watch her walk away with a Non-Finalist Talent award at Miss America – very deserving, indeed!  In fact, if you’ve never met Arlie, it’s easy to describe her as ‘sweet’.  She exudes pure ‘sweetness’ the moment you meet her.  No doubt, Miss North Carolina 2013 has big shoes to fill!

Speaking of – here’s Arlie and her court in 2012…

The 1st Runner up in Pink was just crowned Miss DC 2013 (Bindhu Pamarthi)… The 2nd & 4th runners up are both back… AND – there are VIDEOS of each contestant when you click this link here… We LOVE videos!  It’s a great way to get a real feel for each contestant!

And Now – The Junkies Say Here’s Who to Watch:

– Jessie Smith – 2nd runner up in ’12, talent and swimsuit winner
– Mya Kayler – 4th runner up in ’12, 1st runner up in SC ’11, NC OT in ’08
– Blair Mozingo – Top 10 in ’12
– Hannah Webb – Has toured in a musical group with her family for years – beautiful girl
– Jocelyn Hunt – 2nd Runner up NC Teen USA ’07
– BrieAnna Hester – NC OT ’07, Swimsuit Winner in ’12
– Johna Edmond – Top 10 ’12, 2nd Runner up NC OT

JUNKIES WILL ALWAYS LOVE NORTH CAROLINA!!!

ALL THE BEST, LADIES!!!

MAJ

When Chandler Lawson was 7 years old, Miss TN 1997 Lanna Keck visited her elementary school and out of all the students there, Lanna chose Chandler to stand up and ‘wear the crown’.  Chandler says that moment made a huge impact on her life and she wanted to give it back to other children throughout Tennessee.

Chandler celebrated her 23rd Birthday on the same date as the Miss America finals… and received a Top 10 finish plus a 2nd Runner Up Quality of Life scholarship.  We say, $9000 worth of scholarships on your Birthday, in front of a live, National audience, ain’t too shabby!

Now – if there’s a state pageant this year that makes our head spin, it’s Miss Tennessee… For a couple of reasons… First – because Tennessee ALWAYS crowns a classy, GORGEOUS girl.  Seriously.  You’d think all ugly women are kicked out of the state based on some of these ladies.  Second – Several of our picks have won a Talent award once or twice along their journey – which means, lots of points could go in lots of directions.  Finally, a couple of girls aged out last year which means there are only 2 runner ups from 2012 even competing this year!  So – with all this information, who are we picking to win Miss Tennessee???

Junkies Say Here’s Who to Watch:
– Kyndall Covington – 4th Runner up in ’11 and ’12, prelim swimsuit winner
– Rachael Turner – 3rd Runner Up and Talent winner at Miss Texas in ’12
– Amy Catherine Flynn – 2nd Runner up & Prelim Talent ’12
– Shelby Thompson – Talent Winner in ’12
– Jessica Haas – another former Miss TX competitor – ‘speed painting’ for her talent
– Jill Brooks – 2 time Talent Winner at Miss TN

Others to keep an eye on…

Madison Hardy – newbie, but amazing talent
Elizabeth Oliphint
Hannah Disterdick – Daughter of Miss TN ’82
Jaclyn Torrento
Madyson Foster – Top 15 in ’12
Caty Davis – Young, but one to watch!
 JUNKIES LOVE TENNESSEE!!!  Looking forward to this one!!! 🙂

Randi Sundquist is someone who knows her own strength.

Miss Nevada 2012 was bullied from 5th to 8th grade… and according to the Elko Daily Free Press, she said, “I was eating my lunch one day in the cafeteria … which is kind of a scary place anyway.” Another student approached Sundquist, began yelling expletives at her – and after a physical altercation, Randi broke her ‘punching hand’.  But as Randi can attest, one ‘fight’ doesn’t make everything better…

“It really does have long lasting effects,” she said. “There’s so many kids who live in fear, who would rather be dead than go to school, like I felt.”

As Miss Nevada, Randi spoke in countless schools, working hand in hand with “Flip the Script, an anti-bullying organization that encourages students, parents and teachers to recognize and report bully behavior before it escalates to what Randi experienced.

And now – on to the competition!

Junkies Say Here’s Who to Watch:

– Diana Sweeney – 1st runner up in ’12, 4th runner up in ’11
– Alyssa D’Agostino – 3rd runner up in ’12
– Ashley Tarchione – 4th runner up in ’12
– D’Andra Sites – former Miss AZ and AZ USA contestant
– Jovahnna Anderson – earned full tuition waiver to Denver School of Music for her masters degree, opera singer, first time at Miss NV

And there you have it!  All the Best to everyone competing in the Silver State!!!