When thinking of a glamorous day trip, I’d wager that Reno probably doesn’t top most peoples’ lists.  Nor, for that matter, do puttering around in a Chevy Cruze; or wolfing down lunch, at the coffee shop at the Peppermill.  But when you add my three beautiful travel companions, a parade of lovely and talented young ladies – seven of whom were crowned – and the incredible support shown by their families, it was a study in unexpected eleganza.  And I loved every minute of it.

Lemme back-up a bit, and catch you up.  For reasons with which I’m not altogether familiar, the Miss America Organization (aka “The Mothership”) was unhappy with some of the goings-on involving the Miss Nevada Scholarship Program.  So, at the start of 2015, with Las Vegas’ own Jodi Fonfa, on-board as Executive Director, the Miss Nevada Scholarship Organization emerged, fresh and new, giving Jodi the incredible opportunity to assemble a brand new Board of Directors, from scratch.  And what a terrific Board she’s put together, chock-a-block full of notable Las Vegans, including Audra Baldwin, Councilman Bob Beers, Leora Blau, Lisa Burkhead, Vanessa Chamberlin Houssels, Dawn Hume, Dana Martin, Ardi Najmabadi, Larry Smith, Judy Stone, Jeannie Wilkins, and Dale Wynn.  Oh yeah, and me!

Of course, starting in January (instead of June), Jodi and her team were given a mere six months to crown all of the contenders who would go on to compete for the titles of Miss Nevada and Miss Nevada Outstanding Teen, at the statewide pageant being held on June 26-27, at The Smith Center for the Performing Arts, in fabulous Downtown Las Vegas.

Anyhoo, this past Saturday, the Reno Little Theater, was the site of the Northern Open Pageant – an official Preliminary to the Miss Nevada and Miss America Scholarship Programs  (an “open” pageant means there are no qualifiers, and anyone is eligible who meets the various age, scholastic, residency, and employment requirements).  I was fortunate to have been invited by a gorgeous trio of my fellow Directors (Audra, Vanessa, and Dale) for a daytrip to observe what happens at a local pageant.  And lemme tell you – it’s a lot! 

A dozen young ladies, between the ages of 13 and 17, were competing for four crowns/sashes and $250 scholarships, as part of Miss Nevada Outstanding Teen; while another dozen young ladies (these aged 17 - 24) competed for three crowns/sashes and $500 scholarships, as part of Miss Nevada.    There were five judges seated at a table, and three of the room’s four walls were filled with risers and chairs to accommodate the families and supporters of the twenty-four contestants.

It takes a lot of nerve to get up, in front of a room full of people cheering for the girl next to you – no matter how much talent you’ve got.  So before I go any further, lemme just say “Brava!” to all twenty-four of those contestants.  Good on ya! 

Come back for Part 2, where I’ll dish about the Northern Open Pageant, and those lucky young ladies who were crowned, there.

Northern Open Pageant
Miss Nevada Scholarship Organization
Click HERE for info

Get into it!