We Couldn't Be Prouder!

Hello Pageant Family,

We are back home and have caught up on our rest . . . kinda :-). We wanted to give you a final update to this years Miss America's Outstanding Teen Pageant and Tori's wonderful performance.

First of all . . . CONGRATULATIONS TO TORI ON A GREAT JOB REPRESENTING WASHINGTON!
We couldn't be more proud! Tori exemplified our motto "Gracious and Flexible" continuing a great "Teen Washington Legacy" set by Shalane, Stefanie and Genay. She rose above personal adversity and set the standard for good sportsmanship.

Tori with her "fan club"

All the contestants were wonderful and each year the competition bar is set higher. It has been fun watching this program grow over the past four years. Tori was right in there with her wonderful talent and great personality. She really "shined" up on that stage - and that is all any of us can ask for. Do your best with no regrets!

The Miss America's Outstanding Teen production was fun and entertaining and those of you that will be attending the Miss America Pageant this January will get a chance to see our MAOT contestants perform their production number during Thursday night preliminary!

We had a record number of "Miss" contestants attend MAOT pageant at 46 including our wonderful Miss Janet! Janet had a wonderful time and made many friends. It was great to have her there supporting Tori.

Friday night fun - Tori and Janet at 50's Sock Hop

Thank you to everyone for the wonderful encouragement you sent Tori during her 10 days in Florida, it made a big difference!


Looking forward to seeing everyone soon at our next pageant event!


Sincerely,

Allison and Sally

Prelims Done - Great Job Tori!

Hello Pageant Family,

Sorry that I did not update you the last couple of days. . . long nights and lots of meetings are my excuse.

The production is building with more and more production numbers added each night. Tonight featured a High School Musical number with all the contestants and national princesses which was very fun! Kennedy Miller is Tori's national princess and by the way loves her princess crown with the pink rhinestones.

As you can see by the pictures posted on Tori's Blog - Tori looked fabulous and did an outstanding job in all phases of the competition.

We could not have asked for any better! She looked wonderful in evening wear and very articulate with her on stage answer. Fun and engergetic in Fitness and as we reported earlier - she nailed her talent. Tori can leave the Preliminaries behind knowing that she did her best and represented Washington with grace and charm. She did us proud!

We are excited for Saturday Night Final Pageant and the announcement of Top Ten.

Take care and we will talk with you soon!
Sally

First Night Preliminary

Hello from Orlando.

It was an exciting first night of competition. The contestants wore very cute white party dresses provided by Tony Bowls. They opened with the traditional teen parade of states where the contestants carry in their state flags. It is always very impressive.


Tori did and amazing job. She really showed a lot of personality and sparkle on stage. Tonight was talent for Tori and she did an amazing job. I really think that she was one of the top talents – really!

Here is the Tuesday Prelim. Awards:
Fitness - Maryland
Talent – Oklahoma (amazing tap dancer)
Evening Wear – Texas

That's all for now!
Sally

Made it to Orlando!

Hello Pageant Family,

Arrived at 7:30 AM - Peggy graciously picked me up and we were off to the official hotel - The Rosen Center. Later that morning Peggy, Janet and I were off to Bloomingdales to catch the contestants before they left for the rehearsals at the Convention Center. We had just enough time to give Tori a big hug and checked out the great pair of shoes she had purchased. :-)

This evening we had a chance to chat with Tori and the other contestants while they enjoyed some free time and a dip in the pool. Tori said that the day had been fun and relaxing. She was excited for the on stage competition to begin and was very upbeat. We were impressed with her energy level considering that this is day five!

Tori has talent practice tomorrow at 11 A.M. We will be there to cheer her on! Talent is her Tuesday night preliminary competition phase.

You can tell that the competition is close; you can feel the excitement in the air. Many of our fellow state pageant family arrived this evening. Janet had a chance to meet Miss Michigan and to catch up with two of her state judges. It is expected that a record number of 40 plus Miss Contestants will be attending the MAOTeen Pageant. This will be a fun time for Janet as she has a chance to meet her house mates for the month long reality series filming.

From Orlando,
Sally

Tori Feels Great About Interview

Hello Pageant Family,
I just got off the phone with Tori's mom . . . interview today went very well and Tori feels it was one of her best interviews! Sally is off to the Airport. Will keep you updated once in Orlando!

Pageant Regards!
Allison and Sally

Keep Tori In Your Thoughts

Hello Pageant Family,

Very Sad News

We have very sad news to share with you. This Friday night we learned that Tori’s beloved Grandfather Don Flascher passed away (Virgie’s husband and Heidi’s Dad). This was a shock to all. The National Organization has been so supportive and allowed Tori to go to her Mother and Grandmother’s room for the terrible news. Of course, she was much shaken. Her Grandmother has returned home.

Tori Stays Strong and Decides to Stay

Tori has decided to stay for the competition. She said, “That’s what he would want me to do.” Her Grandfather Flascher was very proud of Tori and very excited about her competing at the Miss America’s Outstanding Teen Pageant. The Memorial Service will be held upon their return home.

Staying Focused on Competition

We have decided the best way to get through the week is to stay focused on the competition at hand. Please send your best wishes for Tori but we ask that you wait to share your condolences with her when she returns home (she may come home with a different title! J).

Please send your support emails attn: Peggy@misswashington.org

Tori in Good Spirits

I spoke with Tori last night and she was very excited for her interview this Sunday afternoon. The rehearsals were going well but she said that they have been quite a workout.



Peggy and Janet are in Orlando and I head to the airport in about an hour. I can’t wait to get there!



Warmly,

Sally and Allison

Tori Arrives in Orlando!

Hello Pageant Family,

Tori, Mom (Heidi) and Grandmother (Virgie) have arrived safely in Orlando with all their bags! She left very excited and feeling very prepared!

She arrived on Tuesday so she would have a chance to get settled. Last night Tori and her family had a chance to have dinner with her room mate - Kentucky’s Outstanding Teen Ashley Ferry and her mother. Today is a busy day for Tori as this is the official check in day. She will be autographing a room full of items as well as video and audio taping her introductions for the pageant. If that isn’t enough, Tori and the other contestants will be doing a photo shoot wearing Tony Bowls gowns. Tonight is the Welcome Party hosted by Rhonda Shear, a former host of USA’s Up All Night, actress and comedian and creator of Rhonda Shear Shapewear and owner of Maison Rouge, a luxury intimate apparel boutique in St. Petersburg, Florida.

If you are sending cards to her, I was just notified that her room is listed under Victoria Knight. (Please – no flowers are allowed)

Official Hotel is:

Rosen Centre Hotel
9840 International Drive
Orlando, Florida 32819
Phone: (407) 996-9840
Toll Free 1-800-204-7234
Fax (407) 996-2659

That’s it from Teen Pageant Headquarters! We will keep you posted on Tori’s 10 days at Nationals!

Allison and Sally