Hey Junkies!

Even though we’re ferociously combing through oodles and oodles of materials, desperately researching as many contestants as we can before posting another round of state blogs, we thought we’d stop and ‘take inventory’ of the year so far.  After all, we’re the ones who claim to be Junkies!  Sure would be embarrassing if we weren’t any good at our job! 🙂

So – we went back to all of our blogposts thus far and tallied up our predictions verses the real results.  For example, of the Top 5 finishers at “Miss State” and the eventual winner of “Miss State” – how many were on our “Junkies Say Here’s Who to Watch” list to begin with???  Hmmmm…. Here’s what we discovered…

The beginning of the State Pageant season was… not so pretty on our predictions…

Vermont – 3 for 5, missed the Winner
New Hampshire – 2 for 5, missed the Winner

Ugh – That’s a rough start right out of the gate!  But then – we picked up steam…

Alaska – 4 for 5, listed the Winner
Wyoming – 3 for 3, listed the Winner
New York – 5 for 5, listed the Winner
Nevada – 5 for 5, listed the Winner
Virgin Islands – We listed all 4 contestants – therefore, N/A

And now – here are the results from this most recent weekend…

Alabama – 5 for 5, listed the Winner
Nebraska – 4 for 5, listed the Winner
Kansas – 4 for 5, listed the Winner
Missouri – 4 for 5, listed the Winner
Oklahoma – 4 for 5, listed the Winner
North Dakota – 3 for 5, listed the Winner
Hawaii – 5 for 5, listed the Winner

That makes us 10 for 13 on State Winners – and 46 out of 63 overall!  WOW!  Even though we’re only 77% on picking state winners – even we were surprised to see we were 73% on picking Top 5 finishers!!!

Good Thing!  We needed some serious encouragement to PUSH THROUGH these state blog posts… There are still 34 more states to crown in June alone – and 39 more states to crown before we’re all through!!!

We realize we may fall flat on our face from here on out – lol!  After all, last year, there were nearly 1400 contestants who participated at the State level (which is A LOT of googling in a short period of time!).  And when you have blog after state blog that has to come out before prelims, it’s tempting to ‘slack’ a bit on researching contestants… But we will stay the course!  Junkies Don’t Quit! 🙂

So – in summary, here’s one more reminder… Fellow Junkies… This is supposed to be FUN!  If we don’t list your favorite girl, it doesn’t mean she isn’t good enough, it doesn’t mean she’s not pretty enough, it doesn’t mean she’s not worthy and can’t win the title… It only means, WE’RE NOT PERFECT!!!  That’s it!  Obviously, your girl can still win your state or make the Top 5 (see above!)  If you prefer not to follow these blogposts with our lists, that’s ok… We’re more than happy to have you stick to the Facebook Page or Twitter Feed… No problem at all.  But if you wanna take this silly journey with us – then let’s see how the next few weeks play out – and HAVE FUN DOING IT!!!

Thanks everyone!  If you’re curious as to how we choose girls for our “Junkies Say Here’s Who to Watch” List – then feel free to check out some of our previous posts here…

Junkies Top 10 FAQ Part 1
Junkies Top 10 FAQ Part 2
Junkies Top 5 States 2013
History of Junkie “State Blog Picks”
Basic Background and History of MAJ

OK – 10 more states to crown NEXT WEEKEND — AND — THE JUNKIES ARE HEADED TO MISS MINNESOTA!!!!!!  Whoooooooooo Hooooooooooooo!!!  Can’t wait to meet all of our fans and supporters in the Land of 10,000 Lakes (or at the Mall of America – whichever is easier!)  Of course, we’ll give you play by play coverage of everything taking place in MN and across the country!!!

JUNKIES UNITE!!!

MAJ

You never know how or when ones Miss America journey is going to start…

Laura Harmon, Miss North Dakota 2013 decided to try pageants when one of her Kappa Alpha Theta sorority sisters heard her sing.  The rest is history 🙂

Although it took Laura 4 attempts to win the state crown, she gained valuable experience that will will remain with her throughout the rest of her life.  “I’ve learned a lot about perseverance and personal growth,” said Harmon. “I’ve discovered who I want to be.”

In addition to growing and maturing into Miss North Dakota, Laura reminds everyone – your win isn’t the end of the road – it’s just the beginning!
         
          “Winning a pageant is easy.  Wanting to win a job and wanting to win a crown are two very different things”

And who will be the next woman to wear the North Dakota crown???  Well – it could be interesting… There are lots and lots of girls with potential – and plenty with experience… 

Junkies Say Here’s Who to Watch:

Megan McDougall – 2nd runner up ’12, 1st runner up in ’13, prelim interview and SS ’13
Jacky Arness – 2nd runner up ’13, ND DYW (Jr. Miss) ’11 – Top 10 and interview winner
Annika Vernon – National Young Woman of Distinction by the Girl Scouts, Top 10 ’13
Faye Stromburg – Top 10 ’13, prelim talent ’13
Kacie Chatwood – Top 10 13, high score instrumental talent ’13
Cally Musland – Top 10 ’09 and ’13, prelim interview award ’13
Carlie Meehan – Top 10 ’13
Alyssa Ralston – related to Miss ND ’09 Katie Ralston

JUNKIES LOVE NORTH DAKOTA!!!  ALL THE BEST!!! 🙂

MAJ

Nearly every state queen we know would agree that being “Miss State” for an entire year, changes you.  In the case of Miss Nebraska 2013 JaCee Pilkington, she was changed in a way she didn’t expect!  From a FABULOUS blog called “Anchors Away” – we found this interview between KETV news anchor and Miss Nebraska “Super Fan” Brandi Peterson and JaCee…

JaCee – spent her year promoting her platform, “Operation Remember Me” which honors veterans and those serving in our military.  All the best to JaCee as she passes the Miss NE crown this week 🙂

And speaking of… Holy Schmoley!!!  There are a LOT of girls who could take the Miss Nebraska crown this year!  Interview will be key – we have a feeling this one is going to be a nail biter!  If you wanna do your own research, check out Brandi Peterson’s blog here… she featured each of the Miss NE contestants with a separate post on her blog!  WE LOVED IT!!!  Take a peek and Enjoy!

Junkies Say Here’s Who to Watch:

Rachel Foehlinger – 1st runner up ’13, 2nd runner up ’12, 3rd runner up ’11, NE OT ’08,
Aleah Peters – 2nd runner up ’13, featured twirler at UNL
Megan Dimmitt – 3rd runner up ’13
Mindy Schreiber – 1st runner up ’11 and ’12
Staci Craighead – Miss NE OT ’10
Lilianna Prill – Miss NE OT ’12
Chrissy Townsend – NAM Nebraska Teen ’09
Allison Tietjen – MAJ Dark Horse

ALL THE BEST TO THOSE IN HUSKER NATION!!!  GOOD LUCK!!!

MAJ

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