Lassen County Times from Susanville, California • Page 20

Lassen County Times Page IB Wesiwood PinePrew Tuesday, June 29. 1993 Formeir Plynmas Sweetheart is Miss Nevada Miss America Pageant next (7 By Debra Moore Staff Writer 4 it down and loose. While the judges were totaling the final scores, the audience was treated to a final performance by the 1992 Miss Nevada, Sandra Domak. She sang and did a ventriloquist act Pageant Chairperson Vicki Trimble introduced some celebrities in the audience including Governor Bob Miller. Miss Nevada acts as the official state hostess and accompanies the governor during a visit to the California State Fair.

Finally the moment everyone had been waiting for arrived. The envelope was handed to Master of Ceremonies Wagner and he introduced the finalists. The Third Runner-Up was Miss Silverwood, Laura Kim Hubauch, Second Runner-Up was Miss Reno, Jenny Kline, and First Runner-Up was Miss Las Vegas, Jennifer Joseph. Mitzic's selection as Miss Nevada began a dizzying weekend of activity. The pageant ended Thursday evening around 10:30 p.m.

And reportedly it was quite awhile later before Mitzie actually got any sleep. At 9 a.m. Friday morning she participated in a radio interview followed by an official brunch at 10 a.m. Then it was off to rehearsal at the Flamingo Hilton where she performs in their musical review. It was home for a quick nap and then back to perform in two shows where she was recognized in between with roses from the hotel management Saturday morning she was featured at the Reno Rodeo.

Then it was onto San Diego, where she was a guest at the Miss California Pageant. Then it was back to the Flamingo Hilton on Sunday for another how. Her mother said "She is one busy, busy lady. But she thrives on it" Mitzic's immediate plans call for continued work at the Hilton, guest appearances at various events including entertaining during the Miss Washington pageant later this week, summer school, and preparing for the Miss America Pageant which is scheduled for Sept 18 in Atlantic City. She has been too busy to be reached for comment but her mother said that Mitzie is honored to be able to participate in the Miss America pageant and that she is happy just to attend, though she would like to be among the top ten finalists.

As for her mother she said of Miss America, "It's too incredible to event think about" The Miss America Pageant is the largest organized scholarship program for women. By capturing Miss Nevada Mitzie received a $3,000 scholarship and the potential to gamer much more in Atlantic City. Mitzie is a senior at UNR majoring in political science with a dual minor in music and foreign language. Her long term career plans involve being "a mover and shaker" behind political candidates with perhaps a foray into international investment. In addition to her scholarship, Mitzie received a wide variety of prizes including clothes, beauty treatments, and gift certificates.

This September when the Miss America features the Parade of States, not only will Nevadans be watching Miss Nevada, but this portion of Northeastern California will be pulling for their hometown girl. -X I 4 I c4; I The audience in the huge, ornate Ziegfeld Room at the Reno Hilton Thursday, June 17 was hushed. Finally the moment had come. Master of Ceremonies, Dana Wagner announced, "And the new 1993 Miss Nevada is Miss Sparks, Mitzie Darleen Cox." Mitzie caught her breath and then walked down the stairs to be crowned by the former Miss Nevada Sandra Domak, and make her official walk as the new Miss Nevada. Mitzie, former Plumas County Fair weetheart of the Mountains and the daughter of Jim and Eileen Cox of Quincy, had just passed her second hurdle on her way to the Miss America Pageant.

Selected from a field of eleven contestants, the 20-year-old University of Nevada-Reno student, shone in every category. Mitzie demonstrated a great deal of poise and her father said after the pageant that "she thrives on this sort of pressure." The contestants were judged in four categories: interview, talent, swimsuit and evening gown. The interview portion occurred on Wednesday the day before the pageant The judges spoke to each girl individually and that interview accounted for 30 percent of the final judging. Mitzic's chaperone for pageant week, Amy Cary, said that Mitzie does very well in this one- on-one setting. Contestants arrived at the Reno Hilton on Monday where they began a week of appearances and rehearsals.

Throughout the week they were escorted everywhere by their chaperones. Pageant official Vicky Porter explained that a chaperone is an important part of the process and especially when the contestants arc required to walk through the casino to attend rehearsals In addition to their practice, the girls visited retirement homes, had some fun at Wild Waters, played miniature golf, saw the Harrah's production of Stagestruck and participated in other fun activities. During the week the girls were treated to dinner at the Pepper Mill and Plantation Station. Though pageant officials were amazed that the snack of choice seemed to be bananas. The day of the pageant finally came and the girls arrived at 8:30 a.m.

to begin final rehearsals. The actual competition was only part of the event. Elaborate song and dance numbers involving the contestants as well as past title holders had to be practiced. Dress rehearsal finally got under way at 3:30 p.m. and ended shortly before the audience began to arrive.

At 6:45 p.m. a crew was polishing the stage floor and Hilton employees were readying the tables. A black curtain was draped around the stage extension where the contestants would soon parade before the judges. Audience members were escorted to their seats; men in suits and tuxes and women in sequined evening gowns. The official pageant photographer set up his equipment and reminisced about his 24 years in that capacity.

He said, "This year's competition is very stiff. Usually there are a few girls who stand out and you say well she'll come in third, and she'll be the runncr-up, and she'll probably win. But after being with them all week, I think there's six or seven girls who could win." The lights dimmed, the curtain went up, and on a platform were the eleven contestants dressed in black flapper style halter dresses, wearing long white gloves and carrying roses. Their opening number was "Everything's Coming Up Roses." The girls sang and danced, dazzling the audience. The contestants introduced themselves to the audience and the judges.

The six judges, veterans of such competitions, represented various states including Florida, Alaska, and Idaho. In another song and dance routine entitled "By the the contestants came out in red and blue rompers bouncing beach balls in preparation for the swimsuit portion of the competition which accounted for IS percent of their final score. The girls sported one piece suits in their choice of color. Mitzie chose a bright red suit and wore her hair up. At 5'9" she was the tallest contestant.

Each contestant came to this competition with her own special story. For example Miss Las Vegas, Jennifer Joseph recently lost 100 pounds and finished the pageant as First Runner-Up. While the contestants prepared for the talent portion of the evening, which accounted for 40 percent of the overall score, another well choreographed sequence entitled "Here's to the Blues" entertained the audience. But it was only a prelude for the main entertainment from the many talented contestants. Three contestants displayed their talent on the piano, there was a tap dancer, dramatic interpretation and singing.

Mitzie combined two of her talents singing and tap dancing in an audience pleasing rendition of the country song "I Feel Lucky." Mitzie wore a striking outfit of blue cowboy boots, a short skirt, and fringed top with a hat perched on her head. The ensemble was made by her mother and grandmother. During an intermission the contestants readied themselves for the evening gown portion of the competition which counted for IS percent of the final score. The curtain rose again to the song "I'm Every The contestants danced and sashayed around the stage in preparation for their final walk before the judges. Each girl was escorted for this final phase of the competition by a special man in her life.

Mitzie was escorted by her father Jim, looking distinguished in a tuxedo. He confided that he was very nervous just doing that and he admired how Mitzie could be so at ease on the stage. Mitzie chose a long red beaded evening gown that accentuated her tall elegant frame. She wore her hair Mltzle Darleen Cox, daughter of Jim and Eileen Cox of Qulncy, was selected as the 1993 Miss Nevada. The competition which was held last Thursday at the Reno Hilton featured 11 talented and beautiful contestants.

Mltzle will be on her way to the Miss America Pageant In Atlantic City this September. PhotoDabra Moore During the talent portion of the Miss Nevada competition Mltzle wowed the audience with her version of "I Feel Lucky." She not only sang, but tap danced as well In a costume fashioned by her mother and grandmother. PhotoDebra Moore Oo 4 fi" 4 Kir (M J. -v fc 1 11 yiMkJ ine swimsuit portion of the competition accounts for 15 percent of the overall score. Here Mltzle models a bright red suit.

Other portions of the competition are evening gown, Interview and talent at 15, 30 and 40 percent respectively. PhotoDebra Moore.