Amy Crain celebrated her birthday on the same day as the Miss America finals… That’s quite a journey from the road she was on in High School…

Amy was bullied.  Badly.  What started as online messages, escalated into threatening voice mails, then verbal confrontations and finally, Amy was beaten in a physical attack.  Ultimately, she and her family chose to move and Amy attended a different high school which allowed her to have a ‘normal’ Senior year.

Naturally, Amy’s platform centers around bullying awareness and prevention.  In fact, she created a “Bullying Awareness Week” in Northwest and Central Arkansas and has shared her message with hundreds of students in every corner of the state.  If Amy’s family would’ve known their daughter would be competing on the Miss America stage on her birthday – and that she’d be selected as a Top 15 finalist – I’m certain it would’ve made her bullying days easier… But that’s not how life works.  And because Amy has known ‘ugly days’, we know that her ‘happy days’ like those at Miss America, are that much sweeter now.  Kudos for ‘going through’ the mess Amy… And for using your experience to help others. 🙂

And now – The state of Arkansas gives out A LOT of awards at their pageant… Which is fabulous – but it really forces us to do our homework!  Nearly EVERY GIRL competing has won something if they’ve ever been to Miss AR before.  Therefore, we’ve done our best – but because only 1 of the Top 5 is back this year, this one could go A LOT of different ways…

Junkies Say Here’s Who to Watch:

Lauren Howell – 4th runner up ’13 – overall SS winner ’13, Top 15 and Prelim SS ’12
Mary Lacy Thompson – Prelim Talent and Top 15 ’12
Abby Lindsey – 2nd runner up ’13 – overall interview award ’13, Alpha Talent ’12
Klancy Johnson – Top 10 ’13, Prelim SS ’13
Jennifer Ulloa – Top 10 ’13 – Newcomer Award
Riley Snell – Top 10 ’13 – Newcomer Award
Kendreka Myles – Overall Alpha Talent Winner ’13
Mackenzie Moore – 2nd runner up  OT ’08, Overall Talent Winner,
Bailey Moses – 1st runner up OT ’11, Overall Talent Winner
Ashton Campbell – AR OT ’11

Also Keep and Eye On:
Samantha Hudon – Top 15 ’13
Elle Johnson – 1st runner up  AR OT ’12
Ashley Walthall – Prelim Talent ’11, Top 15 ’12

JUNKIES LOVE ARKANSAS!!!! WHOOOOOOOOO HOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!

MAJ

Here’s the deal…

Junkies LOVE Miss Utah 2013, Ciera Pekarcik!!!  I mean – get a load of these photos and try to tell me you don’t love this girl…

That’s why we weren’t shocked in the slightest when we heard Ciera was voted “Miss Congeniality” by her peers!  She’s obviously a hoot-and-a-half — But in case you don’t believe us yet, here’s a few more photos to prove our point!

In all seriousness – Ciera spent 4 years working to become Miss Utah – which is case you don’t know, is kind of unusual for this state.  Most girls (not all of ’em, but most of ’em) are ‘one and done’ at Miss Utah – two years at the most!  But Ciera knew what she wanted… which was a chance to compete on the Miss America stage.  She continued to persevere – and made it happen!

Ciera also was instrumental in getting a bill passed in the State of Utah that also included lobbying efforts from Elizabeth Smart (if you’re under the age of 15, you might need to google that name) – a bill that requires sex abuse education to be taught in the Utah school system.  Funny and Smart!  No wonder Ciera’s beau of 7 years recently offered her an engagement ring!!!

Junkies wish Ciera all the best in her future endeavors!  We expect many awesome and silly photos like these in the years to come! 🙂

Now – remember that part above about how girls don’t usually compete year after year after year in Utah?  Yeah… So, that makes our job REALLY HARD when it comes to predicting Miss Utah 2014.  Like, really, REALLY hard.  However, while we were researching ALL 44 contestants – we discovered worth mentioning…

This year, Miss Utah asked each contestant to collect used shoes for a non-profit project called “Shoes for Love”.  The contestant with the most pairs of shoes, wins a trip to Africa with “Shoes for Love” to help deliver the shoes to orphans and people who have spent most of their lives going barefoot.  To date, we know at least one contestant has collected over 10,000 pairs of shoes!  We can’t wait to learn the total number of shoes the contestants from Miss Utah were able to collect during their Shoe Drive!!! 🙂

Ok – back to researching all 44 contestants!  To be honest – I have no clue who’s going to win this thing… This is definitely our ‘best guess’ and could be our poorest performance to date – but, that’s why we play the game! 🙂

Junkies Say Here’s Who to Watch:

Hannah Harkness – 3rd RU ’12
Lindsey Lloyd – Triathlete (broke both arms), 1st place state violin soloist
Chelsi Lukens – Top 10 ’13
Mallory Rogers – Top 10 ’12
Katherine Ellis – opinion editor at The Daily Utah Chronicle
Karlie Major – Dance UDA instructor, collected 10,000 shoes
Kelby Tyler – Community Service award ’13, Pharmacy School student
Brittni Strickland – Suicide awareness platform based on personal experience
Caitlin Woods – starting a rehab clinic in her community
Kelsey Blaser – former OT contestant

GOOD LUCK LADIES!!!  JUNKIES LOVE UTAH!!! 🙂

MAJ

A lot of state queens “live their platform”… but few of them have the story that Johna Edmonds, Miss North Carolina 2013 has…

When she was seven years old, Johna had to admit she couldn’t read.  Up through the 2nd grade she simply relied on photographs inside of books to explain the story to her.  Once she admitted she couldn’t read, she was teased by her classmates and embarrassed because her own mother was a 5th grade teacher.  But that experience fueled her inner-fire – and even at a young age she refused to be labeled as someone who was illiterate.  Once she learned to read, she discovered she had what she calls an “insatiable love” of books, learning and reading.  Years later, she established the “Readers to Leaders” initiative which became the foundation for her platform today.  And as Miss North Carolina, Johna spoke to countless schools across the state – and was even named a finalist for the Quality of Life award at Miss America due to the dedication of her platform. 

Obviously, Johna’s biggest challenge has now become her greatest joy!  She recently accepted a position on the Board of Directors for “Communities in Schools” – a non-profit organization in North Carolina dedicated to encouraging and empowering kids to stay in school.  After finishing her reign, Johna plans to put her Accounting Degree from North Carolina State University to good use at Ernst & Young.  We know Johna’s story is just beginning – and Junkies wish her all the best! 🙂

And now – let’s talk about Miss North Carolina 2014!

In case you don’t know, Junkies have a serious fondness for Miss NC… and we take waaaayyyy more time than usual when researching their contestants.  But it’s easy to do – WHEN YOU HAVE VIDEOS!!!  Yes – Miss NC hosts a “viewer’s choice” contest alongside Time-Warner Cable and each contestant currently has a video that you can view too!  Just click this link and you’ll be directed to the Miss NC Viewer’s Choice page!

Thanks NC – JUNKIES LOVE VIDEOS!!! 🙂

OK – When it comes to the competition it is anyone’s game this year!  Three OT’s are competing, 2 girls are back from the Top 5 and 4 more have been in the top 10 in either ’12 or ’13.  That usually means points go ‘all over the place’ — and it should be a tight competition!  Consistency will be key… After doing our regular research AND watching videos AND googling nearly every contestant in this year’s competition – We’ve narrowed it down to this list…

Junkies Say Here’s Who to Watch:

Beth Stovall – Top 11 ’13
Brianna Hester – 4th runner up ’13,  NC OT ’07
TyNia Brandon – 3rd runner up ’13
Kensely Leonard – Top 10 ’12, great video
Victoria Huggins – Top 10 ’13
Maddisson Sheppard – Top 10 ’12
Kayla Hollingsworth – NC OT ’10
McKenzie Faggart – NC OT ’12
Cheslie Kryst – Well spoken, law student, former athlete at Univ. of South CarolinaMolly McKinney – Junkie Dark Horse

JUNKIES WILL ALWAYS LOVE NORTH CAROLINA!!!  ALL THE BEST!!! 🙂

MAJ

Myrrhanda Jones might be the Miss America ‘feel good’ story of the decade…

The Junkies were first hand witnesses to the entire ordeal… We were in Atlantic City when Myrrhanda slipped and fell during her talent rehearsal, tearing her ACL and partially tearing her MCL… We spoke with “Fans of Myrrhanda” (hereby known as FOM to protect the innocent) who were staying on the same hotel floor as The Junkies right after it happened… We told you about her injury in our blogpost regarding our Thursday night preliminary picks… WE STILL PICKED HER on the list because after talking to FOM, we could tell she was tough as nails… AND – we were there when she performed and won the Prelim Talent award on Thursday night.

In all my years of pageanting, I have never, and I mean NEVER seen anything like that before!  The word ‘impressive’ doesn’t begin to cover it!  The girl performed on the Miss America stage with an injury that forces professional athletes to the sidelines!  It’s remarkable that she was able to make an appearance at all – let alone handle her routine, catch all her throws – and ultimately win the Preliminary Talent award!

Then, on the final final night, with a rhinestone-studded knee brace and newly discovered wardrobe of flats, Myrrhanda earned a spot in the Top 5 – returning to Florida with a 3rd runner up finish and scheduling surgery on her knee.  In true ‘tough as nails’ fashion, Myrrhanda was able to rehab her knee enough to enjoy Nina’s homecoming celebration in New York slightly more than a month after her surgery.  If that doesn’t tell you all you need to know about Myrrhanda, you’re crazy!

And speaking of crazy – if there was any way we could be at Miss Florida this weekend, we’d make it happen in a heartbeat!  Why?  The competition is FIERCE and it should be an amazing show!  Seriously – Myrrhanda has raised the bar and Florida could have a Miss America on their hands in the next year or two… Who will it be???

Junkies Say Here’s Who to Watch:

Kalen Dennis – 1st runner up ’13 and ’11, 2nd runner up ’12 ~ and just for some perspective – here’s FL’s track record at Miss America during that time:
      – Miss FL ’11 – Christina Janolo, Top 12
      – Miss FL ’12 – Laura McKeeman, Top 15
      – Miss FL ’13 – Myrrhanda Jones, 3rd runner up
Elizabeth Fechtel – FL OT ’12 – National Winner MAOT ’12
Brittany Wardell – 2nd runner up ’09, top 10 ’10
Chloe Lupo – 3rd runner up ’13, and Prelim INT, 4th runner up ’12 and Prelim SS
Victoria Williams – Top 10 ’13 and ’12, prelim SS in ’12
April Zinober – Top 10 in TX ’12 and ’13, law student at FSU
Kelsey Beck – Top 10 MASS ’13, Harvard Graduate, Mom was Miss FL

Additionally
Brittany Johnson – Top 11 in ’13
Alison Martin – Top 15 in ’12 and ’13
Victoria Cowen – Top 15 in ’13, newcomer award ’13
Megan Cromwell – Top 15 ’13, Prelim Talent
Kalli Kearney – Top 15 ’12, Non-Finalst Talent ’11

HUGE PROPS to our Junkie Research King for all of his assistance – If you live in the state of Florida, GET TO ST. PETE’S THIS WEEKEND and enjoy the show!!!

ALL THE BEST TO THE LADIES OF THE SUNSHINE STATE!!!

MAJ

From Miss Georgia 2013, Carly Mathis’s own blog, regarding her time at Miss America…

 

          “Sunday night was one of the best nights of my life… Ok, I take that back… it was probalby the best day ever.  It’s like all of your dreams thrown into one night.  Everything you ever worked for swirled into a pot and made into a perfect night.  I’m going to start out by saying I was lucky.  There were other women left on that stage Sunday night that were just as talented and qualified to be in the top 10.  I am still so humbled to be one chosen.  I was very calm the entire time I was there.  After I walked out of inteview, I knew they either loved me or thought I was a complete goof ball.  But hey, that’s me y’all… When they called my name Sunday night it’s as if all my troubles and cares went flying out the window.  I had the same feeling I had when I was 10 years old on Christmas morning.  Your stomach starts to flutter and you’re so giddy you can’t even stand it.  I was so happy… anything after top 15 was a blessing.  My name was called two more times that night and I got the same feeling each time.”

What an awesome description of how it feels to be a Top 10 finalist at Miss America!  But Carly’s blog doesn’t stop there – here’s what she has to say to the new Miss Georgia…

     
      “The past few months as Miss Georgia have been crazy, busy, but SO SO SO rewarding. The Miss Georgia class of 2014 is complete and we will soon meet the next Miss Georgia. I’m thrilled for another girl to experience what I have. I can’t wait for her to experience Miss America. But I really can’t wait for her to experience the love, support, and inspiration I have this year. My life is forever changed and I have an entire new outlook on life.”

Junkies congratulate Carly on her Prelim Swimsuit win, her loss of 35 pounds to get there and her Top 10 finish as Miss America.  All the best to you Miss Carly, as you continue to chase your dreams… 🙂

When it comes to Miss GA 2014, we have a little confession to make…

Here’s the deal… Junkies rely on head shots to help us determine our research.  In the case of Miss GA, we were BLOWN AWAY by how many AMAZING head shots there are this year!  After head shots – comes Talent research… And may we just say… There is some SERIOUS TALENT in Georgia this year!!!  WOWZERS!  We had to spend extra time researching this state… Hopefully it’s gonna pay off!

Junkies Say Here’s Who to Watch!

Maggie Bridges – 3rd runner up ’13, 2nd runner up GA OT ’09, 1st runner up GA OT ’10
Adeline Kenerly – sister of Jameson Kenerly Miss GA OT ’12, Baton Twirler
Courtney Walker – 2nd runner up ’13, Top 10 ’12
Carmella Turner – 4th runner up ’13, Prelim Talent
Betty Cantrell – rookie with a killer voice, 1st place Classical Opera NATS competition ’13
Sidney Shadrix – another rookie, with another amazing voice
Katherine McCauley – sister of GA ’10, Top 10 ’13 and ’12, overall Talent ’13

Pay Attention to these Ladies Also:
Amarinda Trear – Prelim Talent and SS ’13
Reedi Hawkins – Top 10 ’13, Talent Prelim Winner ’12
Haley Henderson – Top 10 ’13
Courtney Hinesley – Prelim SS ’13
Gabrielle Booth – Prelim Talent ’13
Hilary Pulos – GA OT ’08

PS – Junkies are Super Excited to see Miss Georgia 2005 MONICA PANG (1st runner up to Miss America, Jennifer Berry) is judging at Miss Georgia this year!  WHOOOOO HOOOOOO!!!  Junkies Love Formers!

GOOD LUCK LADIES OF THE PEACH STATE!!!  JUNKIES LOVE YA!!! 🙂

MAJ