 Johnathan Kayne Gillaspie is thrilled to be added as the official MyPageantTips.com Dress Designer! He was born March 14,1979 in Nashville, Tennessee. Growing up in a large family with five sisters and two brothers, Kayne as everyone knows him, realized at a young age the importance of standing out. Starting his education with a full scholarship to Volunteer State College, Kayne's career aspirations began in pre-veterinarian medicine. While working at a vet clinic for four and a half years, he also took a design job as a sketch artist at a local pageant boutique in Tennessee. Kayne quickly became enamored with fashion, changed his major and transferred to the Fashion Institute of Technology in New York City. In 2002, Kayne won the Critics Choice Award for evening wear and graduated magna cum laude. He moved back to Nashville after graduation and opened Kayne's Clothing Boutique. This afforded him the opportunity to create custom ballroom dance costumes, eveningwear, and wardrobe for the country music industry. In 2003, Kayne bought Southern Charm, an established formal wear and pageant store in Norman, Oklahoma. Within three years, Kayne's success in the pageant industry soared. In December of 2005, he dressed the entire top five teens the winner and first runner up in the Miss Oklahoma U.S.A. pageant. Kayne is an American fashion designer, specializing in beauty pageant gowns. He was a contestant on the third season of the Bravo reality series Project Runway. Kayne finished Project Runway in the top five. While appearing on Project Runway, Kayne won the "Fit for a Queen" challenge that required designers to create an evening gown for Miss USA Tara Conner. Miss USA, by her choice, chose to wear the design by Kayne for the Miss Universe pageant. Tara went on to be placed fourth runner up in the Miss Universe pageant. 
Dale Smith Thomas is a wife, mother, and businesswoman, as well as a consultant, author, teacher and spokesperson. She has a degree in Education from Mississippi State University and served as President of The Tennessee Speakers Association for 2 consecutive years. In the early 90's, she represented the State of Tennessee at the Mrs. America pageant and is a former radio personality. Dale has also hosted various radio and television events as well as co-hosted a syndicated show with Dick Clark and Fox 17 Mornings with Charlie Chase in Nashville, Tennessee. Dale's heart and "calling" are helping others make lasting changes in their lives. Her message and inspiration has already touched thousands of audience members worldwide and has challenged them to push harder to achieve excellence. Her unique style of presentation will draw you in and capture your soul. Though she has a background in physical education, she realizes she has a coaching job of a different nature now. She believes her life's work is to help others discover their full potential, find their own answers, and "Choose Success". Whether an audience of 30 or 30,000 this empowering, entertaining, educational, "southern" girl will leave you motivated and challenged to do more, be more and achieve more. 
Tony Bowls is happy to be a part of MyPageantTips.com. In addition to his successful, groundbreaking pageant line, Tony Bowls for Mon Cheri, Tony is also the designer of Paris by Tony Bowls, Le Gala by Tony Bowls and the special occasion collection, Tony Bowls Evenings. With twenty years of retail experience, Tony applies firsthand knowledge of what the fashion-forward customer is looking for to the designs of these extraordinary brands. For the greater part of the last twelve years, Tony owned and managed his own retail outlet. He actively promoted and sold prom, pageant and formalwear collections. During his time in retail, Tony also designed for Miss America and Miss USA contestants. The Tony Bowls Collection was featured in the opening numbers of the 2006 Miss Texas Pageant and America's Outstanding Teen 2006 Competition, and on former Miss America Deidre Downs as well as eleven contestants of the 2006 Miss America Pageant. Tony has also dressed numerous contestants for 2006 state pageants, including several winners who moved on to compete in the 2007 Miss America Pageant. In fact, thirteen contestants as well as the emcee of the preliminaries and the co-host of the finals wore a Tony Bowls design at the 2007 Miss America Pageant. Tony designs were also featured on the first season of MTV's hot reality show, "Tiara's Girls". In addition, Tony's designs were graced by Barker's Beauties on May 16, 2007 during CBS's "The Price is Right Million Dollar Spectacular," Bob Barker's final appearance in prime time. ABC Family's new reality show, "America's Prom Queen" will also showcase Tony's designs. Stay tuned for future television appearances! Tony has now implemented his fresh innovative ideas and couture designs in not only the world of pageantry but also in prom and social occasion. The new Le Gala, Paris, and Tony Bowls Evenings collections have drawn top reviews by retailers worldwide! 
Michael Fieger was born in Brooklyn, New York where he spent most of his childhood. Michael holds a B.A. in Business Management, with a minor in Law, from SUNY Institute of Technology in Marcy, NY. Michael is currently on the Board of Directors of Portada Magazine, an international media publication, and is with Portada Magazine as an Area Director. He represented and networked Portada magazine during community projects, area chamber events, fund raisers, business gatherings, and charity functions. Michael is currently Talent Scout Director and Partner of ATS Modeling and Talent. ATS Modeling & Talent Agency is Palm Beach County's premier licensed Modeling & Talent agency. He has several programs for working models and for men, women, and children that would like to be models or actors. He also works with various businesses building strategic alliances for their fashion projects. Michael has 15 years experience in the fashion industry working with KMS hair products as a product demonstrator at NY State hair shows. He trained and coached a local Pageant contestant in NY. Michael modeled for gentlemen's wear house a men's clothing line, and acted in a US Airways company promotional videos for a national marketing campaign. Throughout Michael's success and experience as a business professional, Michael has been greatly involved with the Palm Beach local community by volunteering for several non-profit organizations in helping with their business development and community awareness. He has served as committee Member of the 2008 Palm Beach Gala for Alzheimer's Community Care, is a Committee Member of the En Pointe Society - Ballet Florida, and the Summer Soiree for Palm Beach County Young Professionals. 
Robin Fleming opened La Casa Hermosa after years in the fashion industry. A professional model for 25+ years in print, runway, countless magazine covers, editorial fashion layouts, commercials, industrial films, she most recently was featured on the cover of Supermodels Unlimited "Most Beautiful" edition. Competing from the mid-80s, Robin won Evening Gown awards at two national pageants, placing top five finalist, multiple awards for Photogenic and Fitness. Model of the Year for 2006, Robin is a two-time Pageantry Spirit Award recipient and retired as Mrs. Florida International 2007. Featured on PNB.com, TFTJ.com, Pageantry Magazine, Supermodels Unlimited, The Beauty Insider, Today Show, Travel Channel, and You Tube, Robin's passion is styling clients to showcase their unique attributes. 
Steve Azzara is an incredibly accomplished New York City photographer. Having had his work published for over 30 years in major magazines and book covers all over the world (including Time Magazine, Vogue, Rolling Stone, People, Harper's, Jane, LA Times, and on the Academy Awards show), Steve is incredibly excited to help with MyPageantTips.com, and share his unique Photographer's expertise and perspective. 
Megan Wettach started her own business at the age of 17, and is now the owner of two businesses. Premier Prom and Pageantry: a prom, bridal and pageant store in her hometown of Mt. Pleasant, Iowa and The Megan Amanda Collection: a line of children's interview suits as well as her own line of prom dresses that have been featured in several department stores nationwide including Von Maur and Nordstrom. A pageant veteran Megan has held over 25 titles competing in many systems including Miss America, National American Miss, Miss International, National Teenager and American Coed Pageant systems. Upon college graduation Megan will hold a Liberal Arts Degree from Harvard University in Cambridge, Mass. and a Certificate in Entrepreneurship from the University of Iowa. Megan's most current venture and passion is becoming the state director for Iowa, Nebraska, Kansas and Missouri American Coed Pageants and the Illinois Perfect Teen and Miss Pageants. Megan Wettach has been featured in Pageantry, Supermodels Unlimited, Prom Time, Bridal Sources, TV Guide, In Touch, Complete Women, Iowa Biz and Fortune Small Business national magazines. She has also been featured in one of the episodes of MTV's "Tiara Girls" and Entertainment Tonight. As a skin cancer survivor she has also extensively promoted skin cancer awareness in young women. In her spare time Megan enjoys shopping and spending time with her adorable dog Madison. 
Michael J. Hartman is a 2002 graduate of West Chester University where he studied Education and Theatre, Mike has pursued a career in Performing, Direction and Choreography. As Artistic Director for Ocean City New Jersey's Professional Summer Theatre Company and the Ocean City POPS Mike has Directed/Choreographed: Joseph, The World Goes Round, Seussical, Grand Night For Singing and Bye Bye Birdie. When not running the Summer Broadway Series, Mike oversees the theatre education programs for the City. Mike is also the Staging Director and Choreographer for East Bradford Elementary School in West Chester PA, Owen J. Roberts High School in Pottstown, PA and as Resident Choreographer for the Professional Roxy Regional Theatre in Nashville, TN; Mike has choreographed Grease, The Full Monty, My Way and High School Musical. Favorite Professional Performing Credits: The Adventures of Tom Sawyer (Huck Finn), Footloose (Ren), La Cage (Lo Singh), Aida (Ensemble/Dance Captain), Molly Brown (Roberts/Dance Captain), Hersheypark and Beauty and the Beast (Lumiere). Michael was also a singer/dance for "Spirit Cruises" and was performed in a 4 person revue at the National Constitution Center. He was also featured in "Broadway By The Bay" at the Borgata Hotel and Casino in Atlantic City, NJ. His Production Company, Michael J Hartman Productions, has been responsible for Pageant Production and Choreography in 18 states,4 Miss America Preliminary Titles, the National Pre-Teen Pageant, America's National Sweetheart, and the America's National Teenager Talent, Essay and Modeling Competition. His work has been recognized for three years in the row as "Best Production" for NJ National Teenager and recognized nationally Outstanding Pageant Production by the Turn For The Judges Magazine. Visit www.MichaelJHartman.net 
Fentris Lane is an accomplished personal trainer throughout the Atlanta area. He works very closely with numerous Pageant contestants and, and over the years, has transformed hundreds of bodies into Pageant-ready physiques. We are thrilled to have him working with us and contributing to our "Fitness" section! 
Gerald Odom is a resident of Nashville, Tennessee and a native Tennessean. He is a Business Administration graduate of Lipscomb University and attended Owen School of Management at Vanderbilt University. He presently serves as vice-president and market growth manager for Bank of America in Nashville. Active in his community, Gerald has served on various boards and committes. These include Nashville Area Chamber of Commerce, United Way, American Institute of Banking and Sales and Marketing Executives of Nashville of which he served as past president. No stranger to pageants, Gerald has been active in the Miss America Organization for the past 13 years as a volunteer, coach, director, producer and fund raiser. He served as the executive director of the Miss Nashville and Miss Music Cities Pageant for five years. He then was appointed as the Assistant Executive Director of the Miss Tennessee Scholarship pageant and the Board of Directors. He presently serves on the state committee of the Miss Kentucky Scholarship Pageant in Lexington, Kentucky and is also the National judges chairman for America's National Teenager Scholarship Organization. Having judged local and state pageants in 20 states across America, Gerald is an annual delegate to the Miss America Pageant in Las Vegas. 
Jena Sims was Miss Georgia Teen USA 2007, and Miss Junior National Teenager in 2005. Along with her pageant achievements, she has received several national awards for her outstanding involvement with community service. Since 1999, she has raised over $84,000 for the American Cancer Society, and has created her own non-profit organization, HBBQ's, Inc. where she hosts pageants for children with cancer. Her awards include: DoSomething.org BRICK award, Discover Tribute Award, Nestle Very Best in Youth Award, and Spokesmodel for "Once Upon a Dream", just to name a few. She has been modeling for seven years and is most proud of her pictures featured in CosmoGirl!, Teen Vogue, Teen Prom, Supermodels Unlimited, Pageantry, Justine, Relate Magazine, and most recently filmed a country music video now playing on CMT. Currently, she is a sophomore at Belmont University in Nashville, TN and works on staff at a national pageant. Her best advice she gives girls who are competing is, "In training for pageants, always remember: No one is better at being yourself than you!" 
PageantCast is the first podcast dedicated to commentary, interviews and news related to Beauty Pageants in the U.S.A. We discuss the ever-changing face of pageants in this country and give exposure to the wonderfully talented young women that participate in pageants. How to Listen: 1. Go to our home website, click on the player and listen! 2. SUBSCRIBE: Go to our site and click on Podcast. Pick your subscribing program (iTunes, Zune, Juice, etc.) and click on the link. Each week the new show will automatically download for you. Or use our RSS feed: http://feeds.feedburner.com/pageantcast 3. Call 1-360-227-5463 from ANY telephone and the latest show will play. 
|
