Planes, Trains and Automobiles for America's 40s!

Beauties of America 40s Carolyn Ladd traversed two states and traveled 500 miles to judge three Miss America local pageants in 48 hours. On her way, she stopped to see Beauties of America 50s Deanna Bebeau in Medford, Oregon.

She traveled on to Klamath Falls where on Saturday night she helped select Miss Klamath County, Kayla Bowker, and Miss City of Sunshine, Allison Cook.  Early Sunday morning, Carolyn was back at work judging Miss Southern Gem, a sweeper pageant for southern Oregon, and the 50th anniversary Miss Rogue Valley.  Those titles were won by Megan Cook and Megan Benevento.

All four titleholders will compete for the Miss Oregon crown on June 30 in Seaside, Oregon.


Submitted by Carolyn Ladd, America's 40s

It takes an Army (The Salvation Army that is), and a national queen or two!

8th Annual "ENCORE!" The Celebrity Fashion Show happened this past weekend and our own Elisa Rister, America's 30 was on hand as a "celebrity" model for the Cirque du Fashion runway show. Elisa was honored to participate in this event which benefits the Tucson Salvation Army.

Elisa walked the runway with many local Tucson and State celebrities, including former 2010 Beauties of America 50s national queen  Kathy Lauer,  and many more.

“ENCORE!” is a fundraising "celebrity" fashion show event showcasing vintage, designer and classic fashions, a silent auction, high tea, and discount shopping boutique to benefit The Salvation Army women’s and children’s programs and raise awareness of the clothing donation programs for The Slavation Army's Thrift Stores and ARC.

Now, going into its 8th year, this celebrity and community driven event continues to be a one-of-a-kind show raising thousands of dollars for local Salvation Army programs.

Through the talented contributions of the ENCORE! Fashion Committee, comprised of a small number of select influential women from the community, media and retail/fashion markets, these individuals help design and produce the event.   With the generosity of in-kind retailer donations, celebrity models, private clothing donors, sponsors and ticket-holders, the ENCORE! fashion show continues to grow into a community tradition of turning "Style into Substance."

A huge thank you to The Salvation Army fashion coordinators Tamara Mack and Wendy Carlson for having our 2011 America's 30 national titleholder participate this year in the celebrity fashion show.

The Salvation Army is always accepting donations year round please visit:  http://www.thesalvationarmytucson.org/Donate.html

Pic1 Elisa and Stilt walkers/Entertainers
Pic 3 Elisa and Business Owner of Sleep America Deby Gabby
Pic 5 Elisa and Salvation Army board member/friend Wendy Carslon
group pic of Elisa and The Salvation Army Board members

Submitted by Elisa Rister, America's 30s

America's 40s, Carolyn Ladd is in the pink!

Beauties of America 40s Carolyn Ladd joined 7500 other people in the Eastern Washington Race for the Cure event in Spokane.

The festive three mile event raises money to find a cure for breast cancer and also seeks to raise awareness of the importance of early detection. The race started over with a fly over by four bi-planes.

At the midpoint, an enthusiastic karoke singer entertained runners and walkers by singing hits like "You Ain't Nothing But a Hound Dog."  It was a great way to spend a beautiful sunny Sunday morning.


Submitted by Carolyn Ladd, America's 40s

America's 60s Helps Crown Miss Barstow 2012!

With glee and expectation, the 73rd Miss Barstow Pageant, was held  in the high desert, at Barstow High School's Auditorium on April 14th, 2012.   This pageant was established as a nonprofit to provide scholarships for young ladies interested in the advancement of their education and  help young women project a positive self image as well and enhance their employment and marketability by providing character building opportunities and  developing communication skills.
             

Christy Passoth, our Beauties 60's happily judged the evening's festivities along with Randy McLaughlin, Designer to the Stars and creator of the million dollar dress, containing 361 supporting signatures of Hollywood Celebrities and Influential Women; each signature is beaded with platinum beads and when sold, all proceeds will go to an aids foundation.  In addition Christian Pelayo, owner of Crown Diva, a Pageant Boutique and Academy, drove in from Santa Monica to judge.
   

Teen and Miss candidates were scored in interview, held earlier in the day, as well as sportswear/swimsuit, gown, and that ever-so-important, on stage question.  The competition was intense and at times, it looked like anyone of the ladies could be the winner; however, in the end, the crowd erupted into thunderous applause as the Miss Teen Barstow crown went to Nicole Guiterrez and the title of Miss Barstow went to Charli Burnett. The ladies will have a busy year ahead as community service is paramount and last year's queens were so engaged with their community that they rendered over 4000 hours of appearances and hands on work.  They will look forward to their exciting year and the competition at Teen and Miss California USA.


Submitted by Christy Passoth, America's 60s

America's 40s Carolyn Ladd Walks For Health!

Carolyn Ladd, Beauties of America's 40s, joined other beauty queens to participate in the National MS Society's Walk for MS.

Mrs. Washington Jessica Riggs, Mrs. Snohomish County Angelique Ashton, Ms. Royal American Rennaisance Linda Elledge and queens from the Aquafest Festival participated.  The walk raised over $100,000.

Multiple sclerosis is a chronic, often disabling disease that attacks the central nervous system.  The Northwest has one of the highest incidences of MS in the world. Some researchers think that might be related to the lack of sunshine in the Northwest which leads to low levels of Vitamin D.
Fortunately it was a beautiful sunny day for the MS Walk!


Submitted by Carolyn Ladd, America's 40s

Beauties Past and Present Walk for MDA!

It was a beautiful Spring morning in Tucson, as our own Elisa Rister, 2011 America's 30 and 2010 America's 50 Kathy Lauer attended the annual "Make a Muscle" for MDA walk.

The MDA Muscle Walk is a series of local walk events across the country held to pay tribute to and raise funds for children and adults served by the Muscular Dystrophy Association. The walks are family-oriented gatherings and light exercise for everyone — children, adults, grandparents, students, corporate teams and more.

Elisa and Kathy  joined over 2,000 participants who were all walking for someone affected by muscular dystrophy. The walk took 2.5 miles to complete, benefited the local Tucson MDA and they raised over $31,000.

Picture#4 Elisa and Kathy ready at the starting line.
Picture#5 Elisa all done with the walk.
Picture#1



Submitted by Elisa M. Rister, 2011 Beauties of America 30's

America's 60s Christy Passoth Making a Difference, One Step, One Pledge at a Time

The Susan G. Komen "Race for the Cure,"  held at the Dodger Stadium, on March 24th,  in Los Angeles, was a spectacular event attended by over 10,000 people.  Representing "Beauties of America" and having earned over $1,325.00  in pledges, Christy Passoth,  America's 60's, a seven-year survivor of breast cancer, was part of the special tribute to survivors as well as having completed the 5K race.
 

In addition to survivors and their families, fundraisers, supporters,  and numerous celebrities were in attendance, including news anchors, television personalities, bands, and singers, several of whom Christy had the opportunity to speak with.
   

Events such this are also important in bringing awareness to women, and men too (as over 1000 men in the United States die every year from breast cancer) of the importance of early detection.  Found early, breast cancer survival rates for the first five years are up to 95%.
     

In 1982, Nancy Brinker pledged to her sister Susan G. Komen, as she lay dying from breast cancer, at the age of 33, to start a foundation to fight this insidious disease and to never stop until a cure is found.  In the next 20 years breast cancer will strike more than 1.3 million women; 11 million will die without a cure.  Today the Susan G. Komen foundation is an international partnership funded in over 50 countries, investing nearly  1.5 billion dollars in cancer research and community programs.


Submitted by Christy Passoth, America's 60s