<p>2 of the preliminary judges have a musical background of some note for CC. </p>
<p>Harold Laster was the former Dean of Cincinnatti Conservatory of Music
Darrell Moultrie is a Julliard Graduate and Broadway dancer and choreographer.</p>
<p>The pageant is on CMT January 21st.</p>
<p>Miss New York went to NYU and is a Rockette
Miss Oklahoma was in the Dance Department at OU</p>
<p>More info and videos of the girls on CMT.com</p>
<p>Fun,
xxx,Mary Anna</p>
<p>Kinda interesting that they went to NYU and OCU, I guess, but it wasn't for MT at NYU, but for communications. Of all the kids I know who are at NYU for theatre (both cap and Steinhardt), 4 from my h/s and two more just got in early dec., I don't know any of them that would be anywhere near interested in that Miss America stuff. Pageant stuff just isn't on the radar of anyone I know in theatre. It's more the modelling types.</p>
<p>How fun, Mary anna. I know my d and a bunch of her theatre friends will have a lot of fun watching that. They always look forward to it. It's always fun to see the various talents. Thanks for reminding us that it's coming up.</p>
<p>Hi..I think Mary Ann means that Miss Oklahoma went to the University of Oklahoma...not Oklahoma City University! And yes..almost every Oklahoma college had "Oklahoma" in its name. I think it's a state law. LOL</p>
<p>OCU has already produced three Miss Americas. I think we need to give OU a chance! :)</p>
<p>Wow, I didn't know that about OCU and MA. Good for you.
Yes, for crying out loud, give those Sooners a chance!</p>
<p>The current America's Junior Miss is in the uber elite dance department at SMU (She keeps good company with Dianne Sawyer)</p>
<p>Vanessa Williams was a NFAA Arts Rec finalist before she won MA.</p>
<p>Any other tidbits of trivia?</p>
<p>xxx,Mary Anna</p>
<p>Ahhh, Junior Miss is great! There is a UM MT, a junior, who was 1st runner-up to America's Junior Miss. And I have a student who is a State Finalist for Ohio's Junior Miss this year - fingers crossed!!! :) Many Junior Miss national finalists pursue MT.</p>
<p>And oh yeah - Kate Shindle, Miss America....I'm not sure what year, :), but she went to Northwestern for MT (pre-MA) and went on to play Sally Bowles in the 1st national tour of the Roundabout's production of CABARET - she is FIERCE!!!! Just a GREAT singer and actress.</p>
<p>KATE SHINDLE!! OMG.
Check out the enormous billboard at Times Square. There is a pic of her and some former MAs to promote the pageant on CMT. The pic is on the MA website.</p>
<p>Was the year the UM girl won 1st RU at AJM the year that Shannon Essenpries won AJM.? Shannon went to OU. Or was it the year before?</p>
<p>this is hillariously fun!
xxx,Mary Anna</p>
<p>Same year :) - Cortney Wolfson. GREAT singer and actress - worked at the MUNY this summer, still very active with AJM.</p>
<p>I think Shindle won in 1998</p>
<p>Yes, I remember Courtney was Kentucky's JM (same as Sawyer) She had a beautiful operatic voice.
Good for her support. I hope AJM continues to flourish, even without a T.V. deal.</p>
<p>Indiana, actually :) - and I'll send your good wishes!</p>
<p>A lot of MA participants have MT back grounds; from contestants to judges. People confuse Miss America with Miss USA. Miss USA is the model type, not Miss America. It is not all about beauty or being a "pageant patty" you have to have "TALENT" to be in the Miss America Organization, so I do not see why a MT person would not be the least interested? In any event, I will be watching and rooting for "MISS TEXAS"!!!</p>
<p>Shannon won AJM the year after Courtney was 2nd runner-up to AJM Andrea Finch (New York was 1st runner-up that year). Shannon did go to OU for her freshman year but is now at Ole Miss.</p>
<p>Sorry, my fault! I got mixed up because I remember reading about Shannon on the AJM website, just didn't pay enough attention to the year!</p>
<p>Oh, and Cortney wasn't my student (although I'd love to "claim" her :) )- I've just gotten to know her through some of her UM peers who WERE my students!</p>
<p>There are also a lot of Miss USA contestants that have MT or theatre backgrounds as well with a lot of talent...not everyone who is a beauty is a pageant patty.. that is stereotypical.. pageants have opened doors for many many people....and they are a lot of fun to watch..</p>
<p>This thread is a little old but I was wondering if anyone out there new any of the current state title holders. My D is Montana's 2006 Junior Miss and we would love to be in touch with anyone else who might be going to Mobile this June!</p>
<p>I don't know anyone who does pageants but I am sending kudos your D's way and wish her luck in June. Sounds exciting for her!</p>
<p>I have a student who is the current 1st RU Texas Jr. Miss! But, unless something happens to Texas Jr. Miss, Aida Jobe, you won't be seeing my student in Mobile. </p>
<p>However, if you just go to the ajm.org web site, it lists all the State title holders and has pictures, I believe..</p>
<p>Good luck to your daughter. I hear it's a wonderful experience. The current America's Junior Miss is a scholarship recipient and freshmen in the BFA dance program at SMU.</p>
<p>Have a ball!
xxx,Mary Anna</p>
<p>P.S> What is your daughter's talent?</p>
<p>At the state she did "Go into your Dance" from 42nd Street but she is changing it for Nationals. We are theatre people, we've never done anything like this and she is very excited but it seems as if finding the right musical theatre number for this is different than for auditions.</p>
<p>No kidding. And talent time limit is 90 seconds!!!</p>
<p>Good luck finding that perfect piece. Showy certainly works well in this arena.</p>
<p>Tell her to break a leg in Mobile. I wish it was being televised this year.</p>
<p>xxx,Mary Anna</p>