Miss Memphis, Executive Director

run shay run

2011-06-13T20:36:00.000-07:00

so much to say. i'm not great at keeping this updated. i apologize for anyone really following this.

i'm delayed in announcing that jocelynn, our memphis princess, went on to win the state title at TOT this year. so proud of both gracey and jocey. they did amazing!

in the meantime, meet & greet for miss tn was sunday. jill and ivy looked beautiful. both have worked very hard to get where they are and i am excited to see them onstage this week.

i'll be updating the facebook page every chance i get between now and saturday. though i'm not sure how much time i will, we all know i am addicted to taking photos so i hope to return home each evening with a fresh batch of pictures from each evening!

2011

2011-03-09T22:53:00.000-08:00

shame on me... so much to catch up on. i haven't even posted the 2011 winners - crowned in november. hello, shay! wake up!

i don't even know where to begin. if you keep up with us on facebook, then you're about as up-to-date as possible.

TOT is in a few weeks and jocelynn & grace have been prepping like crazy. i'm so excited for them. miss tn workshop is the same day. i may yank all my hair out from nerves. lol.

other than that, we picked the 2012 theme last week... i CAN NOT wait!!!!!

what is it?

aww, i can't tell you. ;)

2010

2010-11-18T19:58:00.001-08:00

I know this will be reprinted in the program book but I wanted to be sure my girls...my powerpuff girls...know how grateful I am to have spent this year with them:

Ashlee: I will never forget you taking Jasmine aside last year during competition and praying with her before she went onstage to compete in talent. It was at that moment that I saw how truly big your heart is. You are such a kind young woman and watching you grow from Princess to Miss has been an incredible journey. I wish you all of the best things from life.

Sweet May-May: You have been so much fun to be around. Your smile is infectious and you radiate complete beauty. I have been so proud to get to know you this year and to have you represent Memphis onstage and offstage. How can that much talent be in such a little body? Powerpuff Girls forever!

Amber...my thirty year old child...Do you realize how much you have grown in just one year? I look at you and find it hard to believe you are that same young girl who emailed me on her 13th birthday hoping you were now officially old enough to compete. I have no words to describe how precious you are to me. Who will keep me organized like you do?

I have had a year of being spoiled by two wonderful ladies - Vicki and Daphne. I am so completely grateful to have spent this time with you and your daughters. It is bittersweet for me because the reign ends but I know our friendships will continue no matter what. I love you both.

This production is dedicated to Amanda Swartout, a sweet young lady struggling with cancer. We had the opportunity to crown her “Little Miss Memphis” last December and have followed her as she continues her struggle. A Chattanooga teenager, Amanda has spent much of her time in Memphis at St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital and the Ronald McDonald House. We continue to keep Amanda and her family in our prayers. We hope that she has “a brand new day” coming soon without the pain and suffering. We love you.

2010 comes to an end...

2010-10-15T23:07:00.000-07:00

In about five weeks, we will be crowning new titleholders once again. We've made a few changes including adding a title and changing some requirements.

Miss Memphis and Miss Memphis Princess will remain closed to only contestants from the West Tennessee area.

We have changed the teen title to Miss Teen Shelby County (aka Shelby County Outstanging Teen) and it is open to the entire state.

We will also crown an additional miss title...Miss Shelby County which is also an open pageant.

Exciting!

I did set the deadlines a little too early this year so I've extended deadlines to anyone who sends me an email and asks! I will be the first to admit that the teen and princess divisions NEED contestants. Do not hesitate to email me.

I get to meet with the Reeds tomorrow to discuss the production. There's no way I will ever top the Elvis theme of last year (if you haven't seen some of the video, it's on youtube) but I think this will be quite lovely. We are not only incorporating performances from our three outgoing titlehodlers but we also have the reigning Miss Tennessee Nicole Jordan singing for us as well as some of the new 2011 titleholders!

We hope to see you at the shows November 27th. Teen and Princess will compete at 2pm at St Mary's Buckman with the Miss competition following at 6pm!

Miss Tennessee

2010-06-26T14:47:00.000-07:00

Shame on me for not updating. I stay on facebook all the time so the Miss Memphis facebook Page remains constantly updated and it automatically sends updates to twitter...I just forget all about this blog. My apologies.

Last week was Miss Tennessee Pageant week and the pageant was great! A huge congratulations to our new beautiful Miss Tennessee Nicole Jordan. Memphis fans may remember Nicole as Miss Memphis 2007 when she won the talent preliminary and was named as a non-finalist. She was crowned Miss Memphis at the age of 17 and now look how far she has come!

Ashlee's first year at Miss Tennessee was fantastic. She took my breath away. I really try hard not to be biased so I can say honestly that Ashlee could not have made me any prouder. Her talent was by far one of my favorites the whole week (she sang "I Can't Help Falling in Love With You" and special thanks to Bob Westbrook for working so hard with her!)

Her evening gown was breathtaking and swimsuit --- wow!

She was recognized as an outstanding non-finalist which is great!!! I would not be surprised if she is a future Miss Tennessee herself!

Plans for theme and recruitment for the pageant in November have begun. I have to say that I am so pleased with the feedback I have already received about possible contestants. Yay Memphis!

Will do my best to keep this blog a bit more updated.

As TOT approaches...

2010-03-04T11:19:00.000-08:00

The past three/four months have been spent working extremely hard to help get both Amber and Madison ready for Tennessee's Outstanding Teen/Teen Princess Pageant on March 13th.

Shopping...emails...appearances...mock interviews...lots of laughs & tears.

I am so proud of how much both girls have worked to prepare. I honestly couldn't be any prouder.

They are full prepared and their wardrobes are sheer perfection. Yay!

And their mothers...my goodness, we have exchanged so many emails, phone calls, and texts in just this brief amount of time. I'm so grateful to them!

But truthfully...like always, I'm a nervous wreck! lol.

Now the countdown begins...
Countdown to TOT

More Miss America Photos of Brooke

2010-01-26T14:41:00.000-08:00

We love you, Brooke!!!

Miss America Week

2010-01-24T03:36:00.000-08:00

I can not wait for this week to begin and the prelims to take place for Miss America 2010. I think our reigning Miss Tennessee, Stefanie Wittler, is going to make our state very proud.

But I am especially proud myself for Miss Maryland Brooke Poklemba...our very own Miss Memphis 2008! I always knew she had it in her to make it this far and now she's done it!

Sending all of my good luck vibes to both Brooke and Stefanie this week!

(Brooke is 2nd from right)

Many thanks to John & Becky of J&B Childress for their time and effort on the girls' photos and Lisa Proctor who did our three titleholders makeup Saturday for their official photoshoot! Can't wait to see how their photos turned out!

2010 Collierville Pageants

2010-01-10T05:44:00.000-08:00

Despite the many setbacks of this week which ranged from the passing of Ashlee and Amber's grandmother to my horrible bout with strep throat that lasted eight very long days, we all managed to get out to see one, if not both, of the Collierville Pageants.

I was able to attend the teen pageant and it was such a lovely production. What a great theme - Believe! Young ladies need to believe in their hopes and dreams so they can achieve their goals in life. Great job, Ed and Erika on production!

What an impressive bunch of contestants. I knew four out of the seven girls as they competed in my pageant in November. Congrats to Chessie on her 1st alternate placement and to Brady Boyd on taking the coveted title. All of the contestants should be so proud of themselves!

Congrats also to Mandy Wolfe who claimed the Miss title later yesterday evening. I was unable to attend (was having a belated birthday dinner with my husband due to strep keeping me in on my own special day last week) but have seen her compete in the past. I'm sure she did a beautiful job! Congrats to Jessica Gaines on her 2nd alternate placement as well!

Today Madison and Amber will be attending a MLK awards banquet. I'm sure lots of pictures will be coming our way soon... Keep an eye on the website.

Shay

Road trip

2009-12-30T20:18:00.000-08:00

We took a road trip to see Pauge, Jared and the crew at Joann's in Union City. What a successful day! We left with tons of wardrobe items for the girls...some for fun, some for state! It was a great day. I really got a chance to get to know the girls and their moms and it's safe to say this is going to be a fantastic year!!!

Happy Holidays

2009-12-08T17:30:00.001-08:00

Happy Holidays from Ashlee, Madison, Amber, Jeni, Sayra & Shay

Busy as a bee!

2009-12-08T17:24:00.000-08:00

We are keeping our new titleholders busy, busy, busy! It's been an exciting first week. The girls had four appearances in their first week of their reign! And it's only just begun...

2010 Appearance Calendar

•Dec 12, 2009: Germantown Holiday Parade. 2:00 p.m.

•Dec 14, 2009: Holiday Book Reading @ Bailey Station Elementary with Ashlee

•Dec 15, 2009: Holiday Book Reading @ Bailey Station Elementary with Madison

•Dec 15, 2009: Holiday Book Reading @ Donelson Elementary with Ashlee

•Dec 15, 2009: Holiday Book Reading @ Farmington Elementary with Ashlee

•Dec 16, 2009: Holiday Book Reading @ Altruria Elementary with Ashlee

•Dec 16, 2009: Holiday Book Reading @ Arlington Elementary with Ashlee and Amber

•Dec 17, 2009: Holiday Book Reading @ Lowrance Elementary with Ashlee

•Dec 17, 2009: Holiday Book Reading @ Riverdale Elementary with Amber

•Dec 18, 2009: Holiday Book Reading @ Highland Oaks Elementary with Ashlee

•Dec 18, 2009: Holiday Book Reading @ Tara Oaks Elementary with Lacey Ann

•January 1, 2010: Liberty Bowl Parade

•January 2, 2010: Miss Lexington/Henderson County

•January 9, 2010: Miss Collierville

•March 2, 2010: Read Across America @ Dexter Elementary

All good things must come to an end...

2009-11-30T17:17:00.001-08:00

I am quite sad to be losing my 2009 titleholders who I have come to adore, but so very excited to have a new group of girls to begin a brand new year with!

Congratulations to our new titleholders!

2010 Miss Memphis, Ashlee Reed
2010 Miss Teen Memphis, Madison Snipes
2010 Miss Memphis Princess, Amber Reed

Thank You

2009-09-11T21:13:00.000-07:00

Miss Memphis Scholarship Organization sends our love and appreciation to Miss Memphis 1960 Pat Kerr Tigrett. Your support of Miss Memphis is simply amazing. There are no words to express our gratitude.

Order your Miss Memphis Video!

2009-09-06T07:38:00.000-07:00

Get your copy of "All Shook Up" by visiting www.actionaudiovideo.com and ordering through Shango and the gang at Action Audio! The Miss Memphis Videographer since 2007, Shango's dvd's are breathtaking works of art! And for only $25, that's a steal!

Or you can mail order your dvd to:
Action Audio Video
Shango E. Cooke
330 Ashbury Oak Cove
Cordova, TN 38018
901-413-3830
SCOOKE@ACTIONAUDIOVIDEO.COM

All Shook up: An Elvis Tribute

2009-09-06T07:33:00.001-07:00

Just wanted to share with you the exciting rundown of the 2010 pageant. I am so proud of the girls and the staff I will be working with to accomplish this task!

Opening Number: Jailhouse Rock
Onstage Q: All Shook Up
Fitness: Blue Hawaii
Swimsuit: Hound Dog
Evening Wear I: Can't Help Falling in Love with You
Evening Wear II: Love Me Tender
Farewell: Are You Lonesome Tonight
Finale: Burnin' Love

Thanks to the House of Talent and our wonderful reigning titleholders, this production will be one to watch!

Tickets are $15 at the door. This includes one program book. Seating is limited and is first come, first serve. Don't miss out!

Tracee Roderick Comfort

2009-09-06T07:31:00.000-07:00

Congraulations to the newly married Miss Memphis 2000, Tracee Roderick Comfort. The ceremony was very much a "Tracee production" with our very own purple carpet entrances, lavish cake, and music by her husband's band Aquanet!

We love you, Tracee!

All Shook Up: A Tribute to Elvis

2009-08-22T17:39:00.000-07:00

The 2009 Miss Memphis, Miss Teen Memphis, and Miss Memphis Princess pageants will be held Saturday, November 28, 2009 at the Buckman Performing and Fine Arts Center at St Mary's Episcopal School. Showtime is 5:00 p.m.

Tickets will be $15 and include a program book. Additional programs can be purchased for $5.

If you'd like to purchase a Miss Memphis-shirt, they are available for $8.

Featuring performances by Cyrena Wages, Rupa Vachaspati, Lacey Ann Thron, and the House of Talent dancers.

Interested contestants may download a packet at www.missmemphispageant.com or email shay@missmemphispageant.com

COULD YOU BE THE NEXT MISS MEMPHIS?

Miss Memphis Night at the Redbirds

2009-08-19T23:21:00.001-07:00

We had a nice turnout tonight at the Memphis Redbirds game fundraiser. Miss Memphis sang the National Anthem beautifully.

Miss Maryland visits Orlando

2009-08-17T23:44:00.000-07:00

Miss Maryland Brooke Poklemba (former Miss Memphis 2008) visits Orlando for the Miss America's Outstanding Teen Pageant.

Brooke also posted her official Miss Maryland photo! We're quite proud of our Poky!

The Loretta McNary Show

2009-07-02T23:29:00.000-07:00

I am proud to announce that Cyrena Wages, Miss Memphis 2009, will be singing on the Loretta McNary Show on July 10th's Teen Entrepreneurs & Talent Showcase.

Attend the taping at Crichton College. Doors open at 5:30; showtime 7:00.

You can view the show Wednesdays in Memphis on Comcast Channel 17 at 8pm or Saturdays at 5pm on My 50 Memphis!

www.LorettaMcNary.com

Former Miss Memphis News

2009-06-28T20:45:00.001-07:00

Congratulations to Miss Memphis 2008 (MAO-TN) on winning the title of Miss Maryland 2009 (as Miss University City 2009 MAO-MD)!!! She also brought home the preliminary talent award and overall talent award! She will head to Vegas in January for the Miss America Pageant. We love you, Brooke Poklemba!

2009 Miss Tennessee

2009-06-21T19:06:00.000-07:00

Though most of my week was spent in Birmingham, AL (and completely internet-less), I am so very proud to announce that Miss Memphis 2009 Cyrena Wages not only won the coveted talent preliminary award her first night competing at Miss Tennessee..... she was 1st alternate as well bringing home a total of $6,000 in scholarship money! (I know her mother and father are so very proud of that dollar amount!)

This means Cyrena will be able to compete in Illinois in August at the Miss Sweetheart Pageant! How exciting. Drop me a line if you've ever been or if you have information about it. Cyrena and I are completely clueless about this but so very excited about the opportunity.

Congratulations again, Cyrena. You are a director's dream. You showed those judges exactly who you are...a beautiful gem inside & out! I am so very, very proud of you.

Memphis Civitans 5K

2009-06-01T15:46:00.000-07:00

Lacey Ann, our reigning Miss Memphis Princess will be helping out at the Memphis Civitans 5K on Saturday June 13, 2009. The race begins at 8 a.m. For more information, visit the website: http://www.memphiscivitan5k.racesonline.com/

Former Miss Memphis News

2009-05-23T21:15:00.000-07:00

"A dream becomes a goal when action is taken toward its achievement."

We would like to take the opportunity to wish Nicole Jordan (Miss Memphis 2007) the best this week as she competes as Miss University of Alabama for the coveted title of Miss Alabama 2009! We know she can bring home the crown! She's an amazing young women who is beautiful on the inside and out. We are so proud of her.

Nicole as she competed at Miss Tennessee. She won the Talent Preliminary and was named a Non-Finalist.

Dancing with the Memphis Stars

2009-05-13T18:26:00.000-07:00

Just announced! Cyrena has been asked to participate as a dancer in the October city event: Dancing with the Memphis Stars! She will be paired up with a professional dancer - just like on the popular television show - and will spend the summer practicing to prepare! We will post more information as it becomes available. CONGRATS CYRENA!

Miss Memphis Online

2009-05-13T18:23:00.000-07:00

There are two ways to follow the organization via Facebook.

Fan page: http://www.facebook.com/home.php#/pages/Miss-Memphis-Scholarship-Organization/

The fan page is much easier to keep updated and information will appear on your login page if we have updated. The group page won't do that.

But if you prefer to join the group page, it is located here: http://www.facebook.com/home.php#/group.php?gid=6639422741&ref=ts

You can also find us online at http://www.missmemphispageant.com/. The website is updated all the time!

Pageant Boot Camp

2009-05-13T18:16:00.001-07:00

The Miss Memphis Pageant Boot Camp fundraiser is still going to take place. It will be hosted by the lovely Jeni Stephens, Miss Tennessee 1996 (MAO) and Miss Memphis 1996 (MAO) as well as Paige-le'tesha Roy, Miss Miss West Tennessee 2002 (MAO) Riverview 2003 (MAO) Music City 2004 (MAO) Miss Golden Circle 2005 (MAO) Miss Riverview 2007 (MUSA) Miss West Tennessee 2008 (MUSA).

Date and location TBD. For more information, email shay@missmemphispageant.com