Nicole Kelley was born without her left forearm – but she never made excuses for why she ‘couldn’t’ do something.  She played baseball, enjoyed diving and dance, before discovering a love for the theater.  She then graduated from the Johnny Carson School of Theater and Film with a degree in Directing and Theater Management.  Her platform this year has been about helping people understand that your “differences” don’t have to define you…

“With every interaction you are teaching the world around you how you wish to be treated,” she said. “Reaching out to the kids with disabilities is important, but also my message is more than covering just that. Everybody has something that’s different and what it is – that’s your difference and are you proud of that. So it blankets everyone as well.

Junkies know Nicole will continue to empower people through her message – and she’ll be a living example to everyone she meets that you can always exceed whatever limitations other people place on you.

One of these days, The Junkies are going to have to see the Miss Iowa pageant in person!  We know we have a TON of fans from Iowa – and we’d love to meet each and every one of you!  Who knows?  Maybe 2015 will be our year to make it happen!

If you remember correctly, “Iowa” is one of those pesky “I” states that the Junkies missed last year… Let’s just say, we don’t intend to make that mistake twice!  When we started investigating all the lovely ladies at Miss Iowa – we found heaps of EXPERIENCE!  There are a lot of different directions this competition could go for 2014… And ten bucks says that Miss Iowa 2015 (next year’s queen) is likely to come from this same group as well!  Good Luck Ladies!

Junkies Say Here’s Who to Watch:

Serica Rowley – This year’s Miss Muscatine and Top 10 MN ’13
Taylor Weibers – 3rd runner up ’13, 2nd runner up ’12, 1st runner up MIOT ’11
Abby Curtis – top 8 ’13, 4th runner up ’12
Jessica Baker – 4th runner up ’13, Top 8 in ’12,
Stacey Phipps – Top 8 ’12
Aly Olson – MIOT ’10
Molly McDonnell – 1st Runner up MIOT ’13      
Leah Bunkers – Top 10 ’11, 1st runner up MIOT ’10

JUNKIES LOVE IOWA!!!  ALL THE BEST!!! 🙂

MAJ

Now admittedly, Theresa might not have been the most ‘politically correct’ choice within the pageant world, however – we believe she resonated with America, not only because she was ‘defying stereotypes’ – but because she was completely at ease with herself (who needs to hide tattoos anyway?).  And after spending time with Theresa during Miss America, the Junkies can absolutely attest to the fact that the Theresa you saw on stage – was the EXACT SAME girl that we saw on our way back to the hotel room Sunday night.

She was THE LAST contestant to leave Boardwalk Hall after Miss America was over (because so many people were approaching her offering their congratulations) – the security team actually shut off the lights in order to get people to leave the room (we were there – lol!). 🙂  Then, she graciously posed for photos numerous times as she made her way back to her hotel room – no matter if the pictures were for little girls in awe or semi-intoxicated men at the blackjack table!  Overall, she still carried a ‘wonder and amazement’ in her eyes as she reflected on the evening as a whole.  Finishing as America’s Choice and a Top 10 at Miss America finalist can do that to a girl. 🙂

In short, she took it ALL IN – and while we’re guessing she would’ve loved to have won the title of “Miss America”, Theresa was more than happy to receive the title of “America’s Choice” and forever be remembered as the first to ‘bare her tattoos’ on stage at Miss America 🙂

We think Theresa’s message is a great reminder for everyone – whether you’re involved in pageants or not… Be yourself.  Be comfortable, be confident.  And walk away from anyone who expects you to be anything other than that.

Theresa’s world only continues to expand – she’s accepted an opportunity to host a TV show on The Outdoor Channel called “Limitless”.  According to Vail, half the show is about hunting while the other half involves a personal challenge for her to overcome.  Theresa has also been hired by the clothing brand “SHE” – and she’ll wear the clothing on the show as well (available at Bass Pro Shops).  No doubt, Theresa will always be an example to strong women – there’s no need to conform when you’re confident in who you are and what you want.

And now – who will follow in Theresa’s footsteps?  Great question!  There are a LOT of newbies at Miss Kansas this year… But – there are also A LOT of girls who have pageant experience through other systems. 🙂  Kudos to Theresa and the Miss Kansas Organization for capitalizing on a great year at Miss America and motivating young women throughout the state to compete for the title of Miss Kansas!

Junkies Say Here’s Who to Watch:

Amanda Sasek – Poly Sci grad student at KU, Miss Greater Wichita, Top 10 Miss MO ’13
Alyssa Marsh – 2nd runner up ’13
Callie Hobkirk – NAM KS Teen ’12
Annika Wooton – Top 10 ’13
Jennifer Salva – Miss Czeck-Slovac US National Winner – ’12/13
Lauren Coston – Top 10 in ’10
Savannah Kelley – Top 10 KS Teen USA ’10, Sister to Miss KS ’11 Carissa Kelley, attends Oklahoma City University
Shannon Livengood – Nat. Champ. College Baton Twirler

BIG HUGS TO EVERYONE IN KANSAS!  JUNKIES LOVE YA!!!

MAJ

Shelby Ringdahl is awesome.  Not only does she have a mad set of pipes… Not only is a she a huge advocate for CASA and neglected children… She also told America how little time she had to get into her swimsuit during a commercial break stating, all she had “time for was hairspray and butt glue.”  LOL!

Now – nearly all of us in Miss America Junkie-land know what butt glue is…  but we only WISH we knew how many people googled the term ‘butt glue’ after hearing this story!!! LOL!!! 🙂

Shelby was the first Miss Missouri in 10 years to be named a Top 15 finalist – and ended up finishing in the Top 12 (just missing the cut of performing her talent on TV).  We also loved her full and thorough breakdown of her 2 weeks in Miss America (complete with photos) on her blog… which you can find here.  Our favorite line?  From her dad… When he stated, “This is the dumbest thing I have ever cared so much about.”  Precisely how we feel 🙂

Now – Junkies Say Here’s Who to Watch in 2014:

Jessica Hartman – CO USA ’10, 3rd runner up Miss USA, Miss US Intercontinental and International Winner ’11
Mary Bauer – 1st runner up ’13, 2nd runner up ’11, 4th runner up ’12, MO OT ’07
Jenny Zweifel – 1st runner up ’12
Jeni Dixon – 1st runner up ’12, Top 10 ’13, MO Teen USA ’08
Maiketa Brantley – 4th runner up ’13
Brittany Sears – NAM MO Jr-Teen ’09, 1st runner up MO OT ’12

GOOD LUCK MISS MO GIRLS!!!  ALL THE BEST!!!

MAJ

During her ‘welcome home’ ceremony hosted by the Oklahoma City University administration, Miss Oklahoma 2013 Kelsey Griswold expressed her gratitude for their support – but also assured them, “…the second I was named the 2nd runner up, I heard God and the Holy Spirit speak to me and say this would be the way of the ultimate plan.  It’s not that I wasn’t qualified for the job; Nina was meant to be Miss America.”

It’s a great reminder for everyone who competes in pageants… Just because you weren’t chosen, it doesn’t mean you weren’t qualified… It doesn’t mean you wouldn’t have done a fabulous job…  It doesn’t even mean you weren’t good enough (especially after winning Preliminary Swimsuit, killing your Talent on national television and finishing as the 2nd runner up).  All it means is, the crown may not have ‘meant for you’.  In fact – what’s ‘meant for you’ might be more than the crown could’ve ever brought.  Kudos to Kelsey for her maturity and contentment regarding everything that took place during her Miss America competition.

And speaking of competition – THEY JUST KEEP COMING at Miss Oklahoma!  Junkies might say that Oklahoma is currently the toughest state competition in the nation… It’s flat out FIERCE!!!  With tons of returning contestants year after year, OK always has a ‘stacked bench’ – which means they get their pick of the best of the best!

This year, there are 8!  Count ’em, 8 GIRLS RETURNING from last year’s Top 10!!!  PLUS – there are 3 former OK Outstanding Teen winners competing this year as well!  Who will follow in the footsteps of Emoly West (4th runner up/Prelim SS ’10), Betty Thompson (1st runner up/Prelim Talent ’11), Alicia Clifton (2nd runner up/Prelim Talent ’12) and Kelsey Griswold (2nd runner up/Prelim SS ’13)???

Truthfully – ANY of these ladies listed below could win the state title in, dare I say, 40 of our 53 state pageants.  But these ladies know – if you’re good enough to win Miss Oklahoma – you’re good enough to win Miss America.  And we can’t wait to see who the next winner is!

Junkies Say Here’s Who to Watch:

Alex Eppler – 1st runner up ’13, 4th runner up ’11 and ’10
Aly Akers – prelim talent winner ’12 and ’13, Top 10 ’12 and ’13, Top 15 ’11
Georgia Frazier – 2nd runner up ’13, Top 10 ’12, Top 15 in ’11, OKOT ’09
Sarah Klein – 3rd runner up ’13, 4th runner up ’12, Top 10 ’11
Veronica Wisniewski – 2nd runner up ’12, Top 10 ’13 and ’11 
Tawnie Goodwin – 4th runner up ’13, Rookie Prelim Talent Winner ’11
Jamie Butemeyer – Top 10 ’13, Top 10 ’11, OK OT ’07
Clytee Burchett – OK OT ’11
Kristyn Baker – Top 10 ’13, Miss AR International and 4th runner up at Nationals

There are several other girls who could easily break into the Top 10 this year – and that’s the first step to becoming Miss Oklahoma one day…

ALL THE BEST TO EVERYONE AT MISS OKLAHOMA!!!!  Looking forward to meeting the new Miss OK 2014!!!

MAJ

Miss Alabama 2013 Chandler Champion and Miss Alabama 1943 Toula Fulford have something in common (besides being named Miss Alabama)…  What is it?  Well – click this video link right here and prepare to smile!

Isn’t that the sweetest thing???  And to think – the lovely Toula Fulford was named Miss Congeniality at Miss America and never had a proper crown!  Seriously – You can’t make stuff like that up!  Chandler – you and the entire Miss Alabama Organization are class acts!  Love it!!!

Chandler earned a non-finalist talent award for her ballet en pointe performance at Miss America – and dare we say, Chandler seems to be one of the friendliest girls who made long-lasting friendships with multiple contestants at Miss America.  She’s still keeping in touch with several other ladies and appears to enjoy every minute of her year.

Who will follow in her footsteps?  It’s not easy to predict – Alabama ALWAYS brings their ‘A’ game to the stage (haha)… And this year is no different!

Junkies Say Here’s Who to Watch:

Caitlin Brunell – MAOT Winner ’08 (from VA), 1st runner up ’13, 3rd runner up ’12,
Haley Barber – 4th runner up ’13
Kaleigh Edwards – 1st runner up ’11
Mi’a Callens – AL OT ’11, 2nd runner up at Nationals
Danielle DuBose – AL DYW (Jr. Miss) ’11, 1st runner up at Nationals
Boni Yraguen – DYW of Oregon ’12 (Jr. Miss), Top 10 at Nationals
Megan Smith – Top 10 ’13 – baton twirler at Alabama, 1st runner up AL DYW (Jr. Miss) ’12
Katie Malone – Top 10 ’13, 4th time at Miss AL
Brianna Kinsey – 2nd runner up AL OT ’09, NAM contestant
Chassidy Sumler – former Miss Mississippi competitor Teen and Miss
Junkies’ Sentimental Favorite continues to be – Elisabeth Chramer 🙂

GOOD LUCK TO EVERYONE AT MISS ALABAMA!!! 🙂

MAJ