After two weeks at the beautiful Greenbrier Inn (www.greenbrier.com) in White Sulphur Springs, WV, a new Mrs. America was crowned Thursday evening.
Here are my notes from the evening. First of all, let me say if you have never been to the Greenbrier, you’re missing out. I can’t wait to take my family there next year.
It was so good to reconnect with old friends and make new ones. Each year a new class of amazing married women competes for the title of Mrs. America. Being a detailed oriented person, I always want to know the statics of the group. Below are my notes about the top 15 from what the announcer said about each woman during the bathing suit portion of the competition.
This year, there was a separate panel of judges for preliminaries. Two of the judges carried over into the final competition and 7 more judges were added to make a total of 9 judges. After the top 10 were named (chosen by the preliminary judges), two more contestants were selected by the pageant staff (AR and NE), two came from online voting results (VA and WV), and one name was drawn from a bowl from the remaining 37 contestants (NY) to make the top 15.
All 15 competed in swimwear. Then they changed into eveningwear. Standing in their beautiful gowns, and the top 6 were called out. The 6 were asked to describe in one word what they were feeling. After the 6 modeled their evening wear, the top 3 were named.
The first to answer her final question was Mrs. Florida. Her question was “I want your vote because…”
Next was Mrs. Colorado’s question, “I want your vote because…”
Finally, Mrs. Hawaii answered “I deserve your vote because…”
Mrs. America 2011- FLORIDA
APRIL LUIFRIU is 41 years old, married 15 years and has three children. She is a business owner, model and dental hygienist.
First Runner Up-HAWAII
LARA LEIMANA FONOIMOANA is 29 years old, been married 4 ½ years and has two children. She is a flight attendant and professional Polynesian dancer.
Second Runner Up-COLORADO
JANELL AMES is 33 years old, married 10 ½ years and has three children.
Remaining top 6
- CALIFORNIA
JENNIFER GLAVA is 37 years old, married 6 years and has 2 children. - GEORGIA
TIFFANY L. MARSHALL is 33 years old, married 4 years and has 2 children. - MINNESOTA
YASMINE RYBACK is 34 years old, married 9 years and has 2 children.
Remaining top 10
- IDAHO
KRISTIE BEAR is 29 years old, married 3 years and has 2 children. - MICHIGAN
TERESA TAFOYA is 29 years old, married 1 ½ years and has 1 child. - OREGON
ASPEN DROESCH is 24 years old, married for 2 ½ years. - TEXAS
ABBY TRACY is 30 years old, married 5 years and has 2 children.
Remaining top 15
- ARKANSAS
AMANDA PATTERSON is 34 years old, married 7 years and has 5 children. - NEBRASKA
KARALYN HOEFER is 42 years old, married 20 years and has 2 children. - NEW YORK
KAREN O’HARA is 44 years old, married 16 years and has 2 children. - VIRGINIA
RACHEL TRAVIS is 24 years old and married 4 ½ years. - WEST VIRGINIA
KAYLA TILLEY is 21 years old, married 4 ½ years and has 1 child.
Most Original Costume Most Whimsical Costume
Mrs. Tennessee, Melody Usdan Mrs. Alaska, Sarah Dickson
Best Costume
Mrs. Iowa, Nidia Mann
Other awards given that evening were:
- Publication Award Winners Mrs. Colorado, Janell Ames and Mrs. Nevada, Amanda Kouretas
- Face book Fantastic Face Mrs. Illinois, Zara Johnson
- Mrs. Fitness Mrs. Kentucky, Kristi Riggs
- Mrs. Congeniality Mrs. Indiana, Angela Witte
- Mrs. Photogenic Mrs. Maine, Tina Hendricks
Here is the beautiful Mrs. America class of 2011. To see videos, pictures, and to read their bios, go to http://www.mrsamerica.com/index.html.
What are the requirements to compete in Mrs. America?
- Must be at least 18 years of age – no age limit.
- Must be legally married at the time of competition.
- Must be a resident of the state you are competing in and a U.S. Citizen.
Areas of Competition:
- 4 minute one-on-one personal interview
- Swimsuit
- Evening Gown
- No performing talent required
April 19, 2011 18:59
