WHOOOOOOOO HOOOOOOOOOOO!!!  WE MADE IT!!!

Junkies are always super relieved when the final state blog is posted and the final state is predicted – and we haven’t lost our sanity in the process (because, although some may question our sanity, I’m happy to say, it is still intact).

It’s our first year to write these “MAJ Update Posts”… (Our first one is here… in case you missed it).

The whole point behind our “Update Posts” is to keep ourselves honest. 🙂  After all, we’re the ones who call ourselves “Junkies” and it might be a bit embarrassing to discover that people who claim to be “Junkies” aren’t any good at what they do!  Further – in addition to keeping track of state winners, we “upped the ante” this year and also started keeping track of how many women finished in the Top 5.  Today’s post is a wrap-up of not just the most recent state predictions, but the whole Kitten-Caboodle as well (Junkie Kitty likes it when we use the phrase “Kitten-Caboodle”) 🙂

So – Let’s start with some results from the past few weeks!

Miss Massachusetts – 4 for 5, listed the Winner
Miss Texas – 4 for 5, listed the Winner
Miss Washington – 5 for 5, listed the Winner

And now – the results from this most previous weekend…

Miss Mississippi – 4 for 5, listed the Winner
Miss Kentucky – 5 for 5, listed the Winner
Miss Idaho – 5 for 5, listed the Winner

Not a bad way to end the state pageant season!  Junkies go 6 for 6 when correctly listing the winner and 27 for 30 when correctly listing ladies who finished in the top 5. WHOOOOO HOOOOOO!!!

Now, before we move on, we want to make sure we address something else that’s come up… A few folks have been asking if we updated our results since the ‘recent changes’ in Florida and Delaware… So – just to keep everyone honest, here’s what’s cooking there…

Florida – We listed both Elizabeth Fechtel and Victoria Cowen in our prediction list – so no adjustments or changes are necessary.  When it comes to Delaware – The new Top 5 was just announced last week!  Everyone moved up a slot and a new 4th runner up was named… So now… here’s where we stand…

Florida – 4 for 5, listed the winner (no changes)
Delaware – 3 for 5 instead of 4 for 5, listed the winner

(Junkies adjusted MAJ Update #2 accordingly, and then factored said numbers into MAJ Update #3 – just in case you were playing this game at home 🙂

THEREFORE – When you add in the 6 states listed above AND the updates from FL and DE – the big, whoppin’, grand-stinkin’ cumulative total for 2014 is…..

PREDICTIONS for STATE WINNERS – 45 for 51 (88%)
and
PREDICTIONS for TOP 5 FINISHERS – 189 for 253 (75%)

AND THERE YOU HAVE IT!!!  WHEW!!!  Hoping these numbers allow us to keep calling ourselves “Junkies” for at least another year – and of course, in true pageant-girl fashion, we hope we can improve on this year’s performance to finish even higher next year!

DON’T WORRY – the Blog will remain active between now and September – Trust me, there’s A LOT going on in the next nine weeks before we crown A NEW MISS AMERICA!!!  That’s Right – it’s only NINE WEEKS AWAY!!! 🙂

And you can bet – we’re spending a great deal of our time between now and then – trying to figure out, who’s gonna win the whole Kitten Caboodle! 🙂

Stick Around Junkies…  The Fun has just Begun!!! 🙂

MAJ

Just like they always say – You gotta save the BEST for last… 🙂

Sarah Downs, Miss Idaho 2013 is a lover of the Miss America system through and through…  In her very first appearance as Miss ID 2013, Sarah explained that she believed in the program so much, that she planned to ‘just keep competing’ until she was no longer able to do so.  During her first 3 trips to Miss ID, Sarah never even made the Top 10… But that didn’t stop her!  All you need is one year when it all comes together at the right time, for the right reasons 🙂

For Sarah, one of those reasons was her dedication to her platform – “Taking Back our Health – Promoting Nutrition”.  Sarah says she gained a significant amount of weight when she was a freshman in college However, once she changed her eating habits and began exercising, she lost 40 pounds and was more than willing to change her platform to better represent her personal experiences.

Sarah’s hard work and dedication was rewarded not just with the title of Miss Idaho – but also with the Miss America “Four Points Award”.  This special scholarship is given to the contestant whose platform best represents all 4 points of the crown – Service, Scholarship, Style and Success.  And speaking of Success – those Idaho ladies certainly have a winning streak going when it comes to the Four Points award!  This award has been given away for 3 years – and guess who’s won the award each year?  MISS IDAHO!!!

CONGRATS to Sarah Downs for continuing the tradition of excellence in your state – and for representing everything the Miss America program stands for… You strike us as the kind of person who truly wants to improve yourself and grow into a talented, self-confident, well-spoken, mature, young woman.  And for that, Big Junkie Kudos come your way! 🙂

And speaking of Junkie Kudos – O.M.G. – Do we ever have a bunch of Crazy Junkies in the state of Idaho!!!  You ladies are off the hook!  LOL!  Idaho definitely has the most “interaction” with the Junkies – whether through social media posts, retweets or personal messages – and we LOVE every minute of it!  Looks like The Junkies may have to make a trip to Nampa, ID in the future… 🙂

And for the record – because you’re all so accomplished and bring so many incredible things to the table, we REALLY want to put each of your names on the list!  But unfortunately, that’s not how the blog works (sniff sniff)…

So – here’s the deal… If we list your name, we hope you prove us right! 🙂  And if we don’t, WE HOPE YOU PROVE US WRONG!!!  GOOD LUCK LADIES!!!  #DoYourBest #BeProud #JunkiesLoveID

Junkies Say Here’s Who to Watch:

Kaitlin Anderson – 1st RU ’13, 4th RU ’12
Kali Wright – Top 11 ’13 – fabulous headshot, lovely voice
Dani Beckstorm – Top 11 ’13, ID OT ’08, currently anchor/reporter for KVPI TV
Sierra Sandison – Rookie Interview “Powerlifting challenge” winner and record setter
Kristen Tatilian – Prelim SS ’10
Katelyn Stroble – Speech and Debate Team President at BYU
Brittany Lock – 2nd RU ID Teen USA ’11, ID OT contestant
Megan Wilson – Miracle Maker award ’13
Carolyn Pace – Yoga Talent, articulate, Sustainable Consumerism platform

GO GET ‘EM LADIES!!!  JUNKIES LOVE IDAHO!!! 🙂

MAJ

Well said Jenna Day – There’s nothing further we could add.  We’re thrilled you have ‘made your mark’ as Miss Kentucky – and your Top 15 placement at Miss America is certainly icing on the cake!

And now – who will be named Miss Kentucky 2014???  GREAT QUESTION!!!  Ugh!  This one isn’t easy to predict at all…

Junkies Say Here’s Who to Watch:

Kiley Schuffert – 1st runner up ’13, 1st runner up multiple times at KY OT
Ashley Ferry – Top 13 ’13, 4th runner up ’11 and ’12, KY OT ’08
April Reinle – 2nd runner up ’13
Laura Jones – 3rd runner up ’13, Non-finalist Talent ’12, KY OT ’10, Top 10 at Nationals
Melissa Cox – Top 13 ’13, Non-finalist Talent ’12, baton twirler
Madison McCowen – KY OT ’09
Erynn Landherr – KY OT ’11, Pre-Teen KY ’06, 
Claire Butler – Top 13 ’12 and ’13
Ramsey Carpenter – Top 13 ’12 and ’13
Lydia Allen – NAM KY Jr. Teen Queen ’10
Wesley Ware – 2nd RU KY Teen USA ’12, Miss TN US ’13 Top 15 at Nationals, KY Teen America ’10

GOOD LUCK LADIES!!!  JUNKIES LOVE KENTUCKY!!! 🙂

MAJ

Miss Mississippi 2013 Chelsea Rick has been dreaming of the Miss America stage for many years.  In an article in “Today in Mississippi” by Debbie Stringer, it explains exactly which part of the competition fascinated Chelsea the most…

      
          “It was the talent,” she said. “Of course, I loved the princess gowns—any little girl does—but I love to sing and dance. And to see those girls getting to do their talent on such a big stage really drew me in.”
          “My mom instilled in me the idea that these girls were about more than just pretty clothes. They were compassionate, articulate and intelligent. And the most important thing was that they were getting money for their education,” Rick said.
       

And when it comes to little girls watching her now, what’s her message?  Stringer writes…

          Her crown is a sure-fire conversation starter with the little girls.
          “They love it, but I tell them that they don’t have to have a crown to be a princess. They have an invisible crown on all the time. I really have enjoyed that,” Rick said.

Chelsea certainly gave her all at Miss America – coming home with a Top 15 placement and the Preliminary Swimsuit Award (which in case you didn’t know, is the 14th time the state of MS has brought home the prelim SS award!).  Plus, she was also honored with one of the 2 new STEM scholarships at Miss America worth $5000 because of her plans to become a neurologist. 

Finally, her years of community service have also been significant – she’s raised over 12,000 pounds of food through her platform, “Full Plates, Healthy States” – which earned a place as a Finalist for the Quality of Life Award at Miss America as well.  Whew!  Looks like Chelsea took full advantage of her dream as a young girl – and came home making Mississippi proud 🙂 Now that’s what I call ‘a performance worth noting’ at Miss America!

All the Best to the future Dr. Rick – we’re certain Chelsea will be one of our favorite Miss Mississippi’s for years and years to come 🙂

Now – for Miss MS 2014 we’ve got ourselves quite a competition!  If you’re looking for a nail-biter, then look no further! This one could go a million different ways – looking forward to seeing the results this weekend!

Junkies Say Here’s Who to Watch:

Laura Lee Lewis – 2nd RU ’13, MS OT ’09
Morgan Burnett – MS OT ’08
Jasmine Murray – Top ’10 ’13, 1st RU ’12, Miss MS OT ’07, Top 10 at Nationals, Top 13 American Idol
Jessica Terrill – Top 10 ’13, 2nd RU ’12, Top 10 ’11
Jordin Johnson – 3rd RU ’13
Caroline Connerly – 4th RU ’13
Shelby Corn – Top 10 ’13, 1st RU ’11
Alivia Roberts – double prelim winner MS OT ‘3rd runner up ’13
Mia Hall – 1st RU MS DYW ’13
Leighann Pacific – 1st RU MS Teen USA ’08 and ’09
Cece Hilman – Amazing personal story, overcoming invisible illness
Dalee Kimble – She’s a comedian!  Seriously!

GOOD LUCK LADIES!!!  JUNKIES LOVE MISSISSIPPI!!! 🙂

MAJ

A delightful article, published in the Washington State University News on October 14th, explains who Reina Almon was growing up and how those experiences shaped her into becoming Miss Washington 2013…

          “As a shy, young girl Reina Almon dreamed of becoming an artist, animal trainer, singer or dancer. The worlds of beauty pageants or environmental advocacy weren’t remotely on her radar.
Community service, however, was front and center in 4th-9th grades when she was actively involved in 4-H, which is a service of Washington State University Extension.
           “Visiting nursing homes, the humane society, volunteering at horse shows and doing food drives gave me a lot of different perspectives on what I could do in the community,” said the 22-year-old Yakima native. “My experience in 4-H prepared me for my job as Miss Washington…”

Reina has certainly ‘blossomed’ into a gorgeous and confident young woman.  Her personal blog called “Reigna’s Reign” has everything from “green” sustainability tips, to thrift store shopping ideas, to ways to re-wear your homecoming dress and glue rhinestone your own shoes!  Completely comprehensive and easy to follow, we highly recommend checking out Reina’s Blog Here… 🙂

We know lots of people are super proud of this former 4-H’er turned sustainability advocate… And we think one of the biggest lessons here is how many paths there are to pageantry.  You never know what experiences you create for yourself as a pre-teen that may help shape you into the things you achieve in your early 20’s and beyond!  So, even if you’re “not ready” to do pageants just yet — That’s fine!  Go DO SOMETHING and stick with it long enough to see yourself mature and grow.  Then, you’ll be more than able to take those skills and successfully use them in the pageant world. 🙂  Congrats Reina – You are certainly an example worthy of following 🙂

Now – who do we think has what it takes to be the next Miss Washington???

Junkies Say Here’s Who to Watch:

Janae Calaway – WA OT ’12
Megan Leibold – Top 10 ’13
Catherine Watters – 4th RU ’13, competed in ’12, excellent twirler
Kimball Gainor – inline skater, competed in ’12
Hayley Nicholson – strong talent, Miss Congeniality ’13
Kailee Dunn – competed in ’12 and ’13
Alicia Cooper – Top 10 ’13
Angelica Casimiro – graduated college at 20
Ramya Ramanathan – Junkie Dark Horse

GOOD LUCK LADIES!!!  JUNKIES LOVE WASHINGTON!!! 🙂

MAJ