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Amy Ambrose was crowned Miss Idaho USA in Boise on October 31. Ms. Ambrose, who was Miss Idaho Teen USA in 1995, will represent her state at the 1999 Miss USA Pageant in Branson, Missouri on February 5. The first runner-up was Callie Slagle, the second runner-up was Trish Craft, the third runner-up was Christie Hamman, and the fourth runner-up was Amanda Dandeneau. That same night, Kimberly Weible was crowned Miss Idaho Teen USA and will represent her state at the national Miss Teen USA Pageant next year. The first runner-up in the Teen division was Samantha Felts, the second runner-up was Marie Crasmick, the third runner-up was Morgan Philbrick, and the fourth runner-up was Jessica Heaton. Our thanks to the folks on the Pageant Central Message Board for the update.
Alison Heavener won the title of Miss Arkansas USA on October 24. The first runner-up was Melonie McGarrah and the second runnner-up was Jessica Norman. The other finalists in the top six were Whitney Moore, Jesse Davis, and Amber Boatmen. That same night, Sarah Moody won the title of Miss Arkansas Teen USA. The first runner-up was Taylor Carlisle and the second runner-up was Rixie Watkins. Ms. Heavener will represent Arkansas at the 1999 Miss USA Pageant on February 5, and Ms. Moody will compete at the 1999 Miss Teen USA Pageant in the summer.
The kafuffle involving the winner of the Miss Croatia pageant has been resolved. Lejla Sehovic, 22, who won the Miss Croatia contest on October 11, was replaced as the contest's winner, supposedly due to her Muslim heritage. Following a re-staging of the show on October 25, the panel of judges voted 12-5 to name the first runner-up from the original pageant, Ivana Pekovic, 17, a Roman Catholic, as the new queen. Croatia, a largely-Roman Catholic country of 4.7 million people, has a small Muslim minority. The pageant's chief organizer, Milan Seckovic, denied religious politics played any role in the decision to replace Sehovic; voting irregularities was the official reason. However, after the story was leaked to the press, a compromise was found: Sehovic, the original winner, will represent Croatia this year at the Miss World Pageant in the Seychelles, and Pekovic, the first runner-up who later become queen, will represent Croatia at Miss World next year. Both women are reportedly happy about the compromise. No comment was available from Miss World president Eric Morley, who suggested the new vote.
Shawna Gross won the title of Miss South Dakota USA on October 12 in Pierre. She will now represent her state at the 1999 Miss USA Pageant in Branson, Missouri, on February 5. Eleven women from across the state competed in the pageant.
Kellie Lightbourn, 23, of Vienna, won the title of Miss Virginia USA in mid-October. She will now represent her state at the 1999 Miss USA Pageant in Branson, Missouri on February 5. The first runner-up was Rachael Snider, 25, of Lynchburg, and the second runner-up was Crystal Jones, 25, of Virginia Beach. The third runner-up was Amy Aleski, 21, of Charlottesville, and the fourth runner-up was Christin Wilson, 22, of Bristol. The same night, Kristie Glakas, 17, was crowned Miss Virginia Teen USA. Our thanks to Amber Medlin and the friends on the Pageant Central message board for the info!
Meredith Young won the title of Miss Georgia USA in mid-October. She will now represent her state at the Miss USA Pageant in Branson, Missouri next year. Ms. Young was Miss Georgia Teen USA 1991, and was first runner-up to national winner Janel Bishop of New Hampshire the same year. At a related event the same night, Jane Kim won the title of Miss Georgia Teen USA. Our thanks to the PNB for this update!
Melissa Bongiovanni was crowned Miss Louisiana USA on October 17. That same night, Morgan High won the title of Miss Tennessee USA. Both ladies will represent their states at the 1999 Miss USA Pageant in Branson, Missouri. Our thanks again to the PNB for this wonderful information.
Shani Whittle, 17, won the Metropolitan Toronto Search for Miss Universe on September 27. She will now represent Canada's largest city at the Miss Canadian Universe Pageant next April in Edmonton. The first runner-up was Tracy Esteireiro, and the second runner-up was Michelle Weswaldi. The pageant was hosted by reigning queen Caroline Frolic, whom we congratulate on a wonderful year!
Lia Victoria Borrero Gonzalez, Miss Panama won the title of Miss International 1998 in Tokyo on September 26. She is the first Panamanian to win the title. The first runner-up was Daniela Kosan Montcourt, Miss Venezuela, who also won the Miss Photogenic award, and the second runner-up was Shvetha Jaishankar, Miss India. The remaining semi-finalists consisted of:
Amanda Carraway, Miss Manhattan won the title of Miss Kansas USA in Wichita on September 26. The first runner-up was Tiffany Meyer, Miss West Lawrence, and the second runner-up was Tama Matthews, Miss Blue Valley. That same night, Grace Shibley, Miss South Overland Park Teen won the title of Miss Kansas Teen USA. Our thanks to Matthew Fischer for the update!
Sandra Ahrabian, 19, from Lindau, was crowned Miss World Germany on September 26 in Mannheim. She will now represent her country at the Miss World Pageant in the Seychelles on November 26. The first runner-up was Alexandra Philipps, 23, and the second runner-up was Jessica Stahl, 16. Our thanks to Michael Knittel for this great info!
Jessica Lynn Bryan Gandara, 18, representing Guatemala, won the title of Reina Mundial del Banano (International Banana Queen) in Machala, Ecuador on September 19. She also won the Miss Photogenic prize at the prestigious pageant, and has previously represented her country at the Miss Teen International pageant. The first runner-up was Noelia Otiz Melo, 17, representing Italy, and the second runner-up was Monica Saez of Peru. The third runner-up was Maria Eliza Jara, 19, of Ecuador, and the fourth runner-up was Veronica Antedo representing Bolivia. Our thanks to Ed Dominguez for this incredible update!
Maria Concetta Travaglini won the title of Miss Italy World in mid-September, and will now represent her country at the Miss World Pageant in the Seychelles on November 26th. It was the 13th edition of the Miss Italy World pageant, and 200 regional contestants were selected. Our thanks to Dan Mcevily for this super info!
Jyoto Pradhan, 19, was crowned Miss World Nepal in mid-September. She will now represent her nation at the Miss World Pageant on November 26th in the Seychelles. Our thanks to Alvin Tan for the information!
IT'S OFFICIAL! Following debate and discussion over the course of several months, Trinidad & Tobago will be the site of Miss Universe 1999. The country was accepted as host of the pageant at a cost of US$3,000,000. The announcement came at a press conference on Saturday, September 19 in Port-of-Spain, the Trinidadian capital. The selection was called a "big plus" for T & T, said Trade and Industry Minister Mervyn Assam, who noted that his country's bid was the lowest of the other bidding nations, which included Jamaica, Mexico, and Israel. You can read the story by visiting the Trinidad Guardian web site at http://www.ttol.co.tt. Our thanks to Ed Dominguez for passing on this exciting news to us!
Silvia Salgado Cavazos, Nuestra Belleza Nuevo León won the title of Nuestra Belleza Mexico in Acapulco on September 19. She also won the Miss Photogenic prize, and is the second woman from her state in a row to win the Nuestra Belleza Mexico title. She will now represent her country at the 1999 Miss Universe Pageant in next May. The same night, Vilma Zamora, Nuestra Belleza Guanajuato won the Nuestra Belleza Mexico Mundo crown, and will represent Mexico at the Miss World Pageant in the Seychelles on November 26. Our thanks to our many Mexican friends for keeping us informed!
Nicole Johnson, Miss Virginia won the title of Miss America 1999 at the Boardwalk Convention Hall in Atlantic City, New Jersey, in a glittering three-hour pageant which featured contestant profiles on video, a theme of self-expression, and the first Alaskan to ever make the semi-finals. The new Miss America is 24, a journalism major at Regent University working on her Master's degree, from Roanoke, and will be spending her year traveling the country promoting diabetes awareness. The first runner-up was Kelli Bradshaw, Miss North Carolina, 22, of Spivey's Corner, and the second runner-up was Lissette Gonzalez, Miss Florida, 22, of Miami. The third runner-up was Deborah McDonald, Miss Missouri, 24, of Alton, and the fourth runner-up was Chera-Lyn Cook, 21, of London. The remaining semi-finalists were:
Sonia Grandjean, 19, a half-French, one quarter-Uruguayan beauty, won the title of Miss Switzerland in Zurich at the DRS TV Studio 1 on September 19. She will now represent her country at the 1998 Miss World Pageant, to be held in the Seychelles on November 26, and at the 1999 Miss Universe Pageant next May. The first runner-up was Tiziana Boelsterli; the second runner-up was Francesca Jelmolini, who also won the Miss Congeniality prize; the third runner-up was Claudia Lässer; the fourth runner-up was Sophie Reuteler, and the fifth runner-up was Raphaela Höhn. Karin Lanz won the Miss Photogenic award. Our thanks to Mike Knittel and Matt Fischer for the update!
Daniela Kosan Montcourt, Miss Venezuela, 23, won the Miss Photogenic prize at the 1998 Miss International Pageant in Tokyo, Japan, on September 18. More than 40 women from around the world are competing for the title and crown. The pageant finals will be held next Saturday, September 26. Our thanks to Julio Rodriguez for the update!
Sandro Finocchio, 25, representing Venezuela, won the Mr. World contest in Troia, Portugal on September 18 from among 44 contestants. This was the second edition of the male-version of Miss World, the first having been held in 1996 in Istanbul, Turkey, where Tom Nuyens of Belgium won the title. Our thanks again to Julio Rodriguez for the update!
Michelle Khan, 27, representing Trinidad & Tobago, won the Top Model of the World contest in Magdeburg, Germany. The first runner-up was and Tanisha Drummond of Panama, and Agnes Nagy of Hungary was the second runner-up. Dania Prince representing Honduras, and Jonna Kaupilla, representing Finland, were the other finalists in the pageant. Dania Prince also won the Best National Costume award. Our thanks to Junior and Mike Knittel for the update!
Tanya Hayward won the title of Miss World New Zealand on September 12 in Auckland. She will now represent her country at the 1998 Miss World Pageant on Mahé Island in the Seychelles on November 26. The first runner-up was Anna Trubuhovich, who also won the Miss Photogenic prize. The second runner-up was Amy Hawke. The Miss Personality prize went to Sera Grubb, and the Elegant Fashionwear Section, a new feature in this pageant, was won by Auckland designers Molyneux. Our thanks to Mark A. Taylor for his kind update!
Nadia Rogers Albury, 17, was crowned Miss Commonwealth Bahamas on September 13 in Nassau. She will now represent the Bahamas in the 1998 Miss World Pageant in the Seychelles on November 26. A aspiring computer analyst, Ms. Rogers, who was one of six contestants, won the Miss Popular, Miss Photogenic, Best Designer Swimwear, and Best Evening Gown awards. The first runner-up was Devonia Bonamy, who won the Best Body award, and the second runner-up was Tamika Thompson, who also won the Best Costume prize. Latoya Hanna was Miss Congeniality. The Bahamas has only missed two appearances in the Miss World pageant (1967 and 1996) since it began competing in 1966. Our sincere thanks to Neil Craig for this great update!
Here are the results of May's Miss Iceland pageant for all of you. Though most were aware of the winner, the names of the runners-up were not readily available, UNTIL NOW! The winner was Gudbjörg Hermannsdóttir, and will represent her country in various international pageants. She arrived in Japan just a few days ago for the Miss International Pageant. The first runner-up was Ashildur Hlin Valtysdóttir, the second runner-up was Lilja Karitas Larusdóttir, the third runner-up was Berglind Heidarsdóttir, and the fourth runner-up was Kristjana Steingrimsdóttir. Our thanks to the great Heidar Jónsson for this great information!
The most spectacular national beauty pageant in the world, the Miss Venezuela Pageant, was held on September 11 in Caracas at the Poliedro of that city. Venezuela, known as the "beauty factory" for its continuous success in international pageantry, promises to continue that trend with its newest queen. Lucbel Carolina Indriago Pinto, Miss Delta Amacuro, won the Miss Venezuela crown against the 29 other contestants. She is the first black woman to hold the most coveted beauty title in all of the Americas, and will represent her country at Miss Universe next year. The new queen was crowned by her predecessor, Veruska Ramírez. Verónica Schneider Rodríguez, Miss Monagas was chosen as Miss World Venezuela, and will represent her country at Miss World on November 26 in the Seychelles. Bárbara Leticia Pérez Rangel, Miss Miranda, was chosen as Miss Venezuela Internaciónal, and will represent Venezuela at the 1999 Miss International Pageant in Japan. The remaining seven semi-finalists in the pageant were:
Emmalene McLoughlin, Miss Manchester, 17, won the title of Miss United Kingdom in Blackpool on September 7. She takes home a cheque for £30,000 and now has the opportunity to represent the UK at Miss World in the Seychelles on November 26. Our thanks to Dan Mcevily for this great update!
Viola Jeffreys won the title of Miss Belize in early September against six other contestants. She is 20, a nursing student, and will now represent Belize at the Miss Universe Pageant next year. Our thanks to Dan Mcevily for this awesome update!
Gloria Bellicchi, 19, won the title of Miss Italy on September 6. The brown-haired beauty with brown eyes carried the number 20 in the pageant finals, and will now represent her country at Miss Universe next year. The first runner-up was Cristina Cellai, #85; the second runner-up was Chiara Tribuzio, #62; the third runner-up was Vanessa Villafane, #8; the fourth runner-up was Martina Ceschi; and the fifth runner-up was Cosma Anna Ardillo, #50. All of the photos of the contestants can be accessed through the Miss Italy web site located at http://www.missitalia.videosoft.it, however you do need the contestants' numbers to view the photos of the contestants you are searching for. The pageant judges included French actress Catherine Deneuve (who crowned the winner), Italian director Dino Rosi, Swedish model Markus Schenkenberg, and Miss Italy 1979 (and second runner-up at Miss Universe 1982), Cinzia Fiordeponti. Our thanks to Peracio and Matthew Fischer for this exciting update!
Silvia Salgado Cavazos, Nuestra Belleza Nuevo León won both of the two pre-pageant awards at the Nuestra Belleza Mexico Pageant on September 6. The awards she garnered were Miss Elegance and Miss Mary Kay Cosmetics. The prizes were presented at a pageant press conference. The grand final show will be held on September 19 in Acapulco, and will be hosted by Mexico's own Miss Universe 1991, Lupita Jones, and popular television personality Marco Antonio Regil. The pageant itself has been mildly revamped, featuring contestant-hosted tours of Acapulco and no preliminary selection of Nuestra Belleza Mexico Mundo for Miss World: there will only be one show, concluding with the selection of the winner, for Miss Universe, and the runner-up, for Miss World. Our thanks to Arturo Garcia for the updates!
The Miss Panama Pageant was held on September 6 in Panama City, and the wonderful Ed Domínguez sent us the results: Yamani Saied was chosen as Miss Panamá Universo, and will represent Panama at Miss Universe next year; Lorena Zagía was selected as Miss Panamá Mundo, and now has the chance to represent her country at Miss World in November in the Seychelles; and Abimelec Rodríguez was selected to represent Panama at Nuestra Belleza Internaciónal, which is highly likely to not happen this year, due to schedule changes at its host station and organizers, Univisión Television in Miami. The first runner-up at the pageant was Raquel Rubio, and the second runner-up was María de los Ángeles Solís.
Christine Straw, Miss Hair Works Relaxer, won the title of Miss Jamaica World on September 5 at the Jamaica Pegasus Hotel in Kingston. The first runner-up was Kerri-Ann Clarke, and the second runner-up was Marsha Paragonsingh. Cindy Breakspeare, Miss World 1976, and Lisa Hanna, Miss World 1993 (who recently has a bit part in the feature film "How Stella Got Her Groove Back"), both of whom are Jamaican, were among the special guests of honour at the pageant. The Best Smile Award went to Shelly-Ann Lewis, and the Most Congenial prize was awarded to Charlene Maxwell. Our thanks to Dan Mcevily for this exciting update!
Wendy Suyapa Rodríguez, Miss San Pedro Sula, won the title of Miss Honduras Mundo on September 5, and will now represent her country at both the Miss World Pageant on November 26 in the Seychelles, and the Miss International Pageant this month in Japan. The first runner-up was Yessi Cedillo, Miss Tela, and the second runner-up was Emily Posadas, Miss Puerto Cortés. The third runner-up was Brenda López, Miss Olanco, and the fourth runner-up was Alina Rivera, Miss La Ceiba. The remaining semi-finalists were:
Daniella Campos of Santiago won the title of Miss World Chile in August, and will now represent her country at the Miss World Pageant on November 26 in the Seychelles. The 5'10", green-eyed supermodel won the title with over one million votes casted by TV viewers, who obviously agreed with the judges! Our thanks to Arturo Garcia for the information!
Nicole Dyer was crowned Miss Trinidad & Tobago 1998 at the Jean Pierre Complex in Port-of-Spain on September 5. She succeeds Wendy Fitzwilliam, the reigning Miss Universe from that nation. The first runner-up was Jeanette La Caille, who will represent her country at the Miss World Pageant in the Seychelles on November 26, and the second runner-up was Amanda Jardine, who will represent T & T at the Miss Caribe Hibiscus Pageant. Our thanks to Roberto Macedo and Matthew Fischer for the update!
Angelique Breaux was crowned Miss California USA on September 5 in Fresno. The same night, Marianne Kennedy won the title of Miss California Teen USA. Both ladies will represent the Golden State at the Miss USA and Miss Teen USA pageants, respectively.
The Miss America Organization has replaced three of their judges in an attempt to eliminate any bias against the state of Oklahoma. Shawntel Smith and Susan Powell, Miss America winners of 1996 and 1981, respectively, were among those replaced. The replacements were likely spearheaded by haunting memories of last year's situation with Kate Shindle, Miss America 1998, whose father was actively involved in the Miss America system for many years, who did not react promptly enough for the tastes of some in taking a leave of absence from the Miss America Organization following his daughters' competition in pageant preliminaries. We shall see what happens on September 19, when the pageant takes place in Atlantic City and is broadcast on ABC.
Nihal Al Shagraa, 19, a part-time model and interior design student, won the Elite Model Look of Iraq contest at the exotic ruins of Babylon, in Baghdad, on September 3. The first runner-up was Alina Diana Isar, 18, a model and graphic art student, and the second runner-up was Pavla Drabkova, 18, a half-Iraqi, half-Czech fashion design student and model. In awards earlier presented to the contestants, Pavla Drabkova won the Best Evening Gown and Most Photogenic Awards. Daniella Tchervenkova won the Best Catwalk Model Award, and Claire Sirrieh won the Pantene Most Beautiful Hair Award. 12 contestants, aged 14-24, competed in the contest. The pageant paid tribute to several music superstars of the 70s and 80s, featured an opening number entitled "Oceans of Fantasy", and was dedicated to the memory of Princess Diana. The show was hosted by Miss Iraq 1993, Ivana Kadret, and the first runner-up to Miss Iraq 1995, Rabab Al Rifaii. Our thanks to Edith Nouri at Miss Iraq Corporate for the information.
Alma Concepcion, a former Filipino queen, who was caught with drugs in her possession during an airline layover in Guam, has been released from detention and will now make public service announcements about the dangers of drugs to be shown in both Guam and the Philippines. She has admitted to using drugs and has shown sincere remorse for her actions. Thanks to Donald West for the report.
Capping a very exciting weekend in pageants around the world, Chisala Chibesa, 20, was crowned Miss Zambia at the Pamodzi Hotel in Lusaka on August 30. She now has the opportunity to represent her country at the Miss World Pageant in the Seychelles on November 26. The first runner-up was Esanju Kalopa, 19, and the second runner-up was Isabella Lloyd, 18, a high school student from Livingstone. Tina Chileshe, 19, was chosen Miss Personality by her fellow delegates. The pageant, plagued by power outages, was attended by dignataries and ambassadors from the capital city. Our thanks to Jimmy Harris for this great update!
Teri Bollinger of St. Louis won the title of Miss Missouri USA on August 29. A former Miss Illinois Teen USA from 1990, she will now represent Missouri at the 1999 Miss USA Pageant, to be held in Branson, Missouri in March. The first runner-up was Dennette Roderick of Lebanon, Mo. The same night, Andrea Elliot of Kansas City, won the title of Miss Missouri Teen USA and will represent her state at Miss Teen USA next year. The first runner-up there was Melynda Gill of Raytown. Our thanks to Matthew Fischer for this super update.