March 2017 - Regina's Intergalactic Transmissions

March already!? Can we slow time down a little bit? I can’t believe we are a month and a few days away from Miss Gay Missouri America 2017!! This year has been incredible! We have seen some really great competition on the city level, I just know the state competition will be fierce!
 
The beginning of February I traveled to St. Joseph, MO for Miss Gay Northwest Missouri America. Last year they were unable to hold MGNMA so I was so glad to see the legacy return. Four contestants came out in hopes of being the next MGNMA, but it would be newcomer Roxxy Malone who would capture the title. With Bella Rose as her first alternate both on their way to MGMA Comicon in April.

Roxxy Malone is truly the MVP of 2016, from the first time she walked in to male interview For Miss Gay Gateway Missouri in September 2016, you could tell she was very nervous but through the nervousness was a confidence and drive to want to succeed. Though she wasn’t successful at MGGMA She was determined to not give up on her goal of making it to MGMA. She went on to compete 3 more times after that getting better and better each time. When she came into Miss Gay Northwest Missouri America she had a confidence that outshined her nervousness and the determination to leave a winner, and that’s exactly what she did!

You are probably wondering why I am telling you this story and I’ll explain. In just 6 months Roxxy went from being a newcomer with very little knowledge of pageantry, to an inspiration to everyone around her including myself. She showed me and those around her that all its take is determination, passion, hard work you can achieve anything you set your mind to. I said in an early newsletter “You can’t know true success until you see the beauty in failure.” Instead of getting down on herself, Roxxy took her critiques from each experience and used them as ammo to improve every step of the way!
Asia O’Hara said it best ​

“So dare the ridicule of the narrow-minded and dim-sighted. Dare to still believe. Dare to feel.  Dare to trust your guiding light. Dare to ignore gravity and take flight. Dare to be a hero. Dare to be a fool.  You are never too old to learn, to grown, and to find yourself.” ​

February 11th I traveled to Columbia, Mo for Miss Gay Heart of Missouri America. Three contestants showed in hope of becoming the next MGHOMA but it would be Molly Minx, another newcomer, to capture the title and Kirsten Dubo to place first alternate. With that we round out the 2017 pageant season as the 21st and 22nd contestants to qualify. Molly, like Roxxy, came in with a goal in mind. These contestants made for a very interesting night and a very close race! Molly and Kirsten both stunned in Male interview.

 One of my favorite gowns from the season goes to Kirsten Dubos, she stunned the crowd as she came out in a custom sequin and rhinestone evening gown made by herself! The crowd gasped as she walked out on stage. Its moments like that we all live for in the entertainment industry.

I wanted to share something with all of you because I think it’s important. After my official poster for MGMA was released there was some not so good feedback from it. Some thought it wasn’t pretty and some thought I needed “direction”. But through all of that, many thought it was a true representation of ME! The reason I bring this up is, if we allow others to change our view of the world can we truly say we are happy?

“Judging a person doesn’t define who they are, it defines who you are”
From Suzy Wong’s Newsletter.

We must learn to individualize ourselves and not try to fit in any box, staying true to myself has always been my main goal for my reign as Miss Gay Missouri America, in doing that I was able to inspire a group of contestants filled with individuals who were told, “You’re not an America girl”. We must stop trying to fit people in places we think they belong and let them try new experiences and let them decide for themselves. Being self-aware and knowing who you are the first steps to true happiness.

“Non-conformist and edgy, yet professional and creative”
​Rob Mansman

One more Newsletter Left! Just the thought of this brings a tear to my eye. I’ll save the really sentimental stuff for that one!

Join us March 12th at the Arts Asylum for the Miss Gay Missouri Review show! Tickets are $10

From my First Alternate:

Hello all! Miss Priss here!
I had the pleasure of shadowing Regina La-Rae for Miss Gay Northwest Missouri America on February 4th. From Male Interview to critiques at the end of the evening, I gained a once in a lifetime learning experience. Seeing all of the behind the scenes work that goes into this job was priceless.

We all say we are prepared for this job, which may be true, but we believe we are prepared for a job that we see from a distance. Getting this hands on experience with Regina made me realize more deeply this is more than a crown or a title. It is an ongoing job for not just the year you reign but for a lifelong commitment to being a symbol of excellence.

All in all, I have the utmost respect for Regina La-Rae and all of the former Miss Gay Missouri Americas. I know now what it means to be a true shiny beacon in an otherwise dark world. Best of luck to all of my competitors in April and let's show them what Missouri is made of!​
 Xoxo,
Miss Priscilla
Miss Gay Show Me Pride Missouri America 2017

FROM THE BOARD:

With our last prelim, Miss Gay Heart of America, the preliminary season closes and we are left not only with 22 shining stars eager to fill the footsteps of Regina, but also left with just a little over a month for them to put the finishing touches on their pageant packages.  I encourage each of you, qualified contestants, to take time to again read all the category descriptions, read the sub categories and make sure you are prepared to score well in each.  Success is dependent on preparation, and to be prepared is to truly feel confident in every aspect of your package.  Review all aspects and honestly answer this question: When I wear this on stage, will people want to be me?  Each time you step in front of the judges you want to impress them - not only with your look but also your personality.   While not judged, impress them at registration with how you dress there as well!  BE Miss Gay Missouri before you win and SHOW everyone you ARE ready.

​I'm sure by now Regina can tell you how impactful the experience as Miss Gay Missouri can be and, while she will soon pass the title down to a new representative, there are STILL experiences to be had.   These include: to participate on the board as a former, to entertain at the pageant each year, appear in the souvenir program, and be a "Forever Miss Gay Missouri".   After all this, the growing never stops!

Don't forget advance sales tickets are still available!  These are discounted and end 3/20/2017 so do NOT procrastinate.  After 3/20 all ticket sales will be at the door at full price.
https://www.eventbrite.com/e/miss-gay-missouri-america-2017-tickets-31527568807?aff=ehomecard#tickets

Also, we are offering souvenir t shirts honoring Regina and her theme: MGMA Comi-con.  The sale for these ends 3/16/2017 to ensure delivery in time to wear at the pageant.   You can find more information and purchase the t-shirts at the following link:
https://www.booster.com/mgma2017

We look forward to seeing evening April 6, 7, and 8 for the annual pageant!  It is sure to be a weekend to remember!

Jade Sinclair
​MGMA 2007